by Tim Hall

"Trick or Treat" is a phrase I once used with gusto. In my younger years, my cousins and I would dress in outlandish garb and roam from one house to the next. After knocking loudly at the door, we would yell "Trick or Treat!" when the resident appeared. And we meant it. If a satisfactory treat was not forthcoming, we had bars of soap in our pockets with which to write messages on their windows. (We weren't like the wild ones who would overturn outhouses!)

Some view God as a Being who is full of surprises. Sometimes He might bless you; on other occasions a curse might be flung your way. The Greek pantheon was filled with such capricious gods. They regularly used humans as their playthings, seldom acting from selfless motives. Knocking on the door of these gods was a risk, for you never knew whether a treat or a trick would be given. Thankfully, that's not the God described in the Bible.

Deuteronomy is a collection of Moses' final exhortations to Israel. He knew the time of his departure was near, and he wanted to impress on the people the will and the nature of God. His statement in Deuteronomy 6:24 is worth highlighting: "And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive as it is this day" (New King James Version). "For our good always" -- Moses said a mouthful with those four words. It means that God's motives are always good toward us. We don't have to worry about the kind of mood He is in. If our lives are found in a bad spot, it's because we refused the good that the Lord wanted to give.

Jesus affirmed this image of God in Matthew 7:9-11: "Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?"

Or consider Jesus' words in Luke 12:32: "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom". Unlike the gods of human imaginations, the true God derives pleasure from giving good things to His children. If God is our Father, we can be assured that He will do only good for us -- even if we at the time question His goodness.

Paul summed up the idea in Romans 12:2: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." God's will sometimes requires great adjustments on our part. But those adjustments are worth the effort because of the resulting goodness that will come.

In many communities across our land, hospitals will invite concerned parents to bring their children's bags of treats to be scanned for hidden needles or razor blades. It's a sick mind that plays such tricks on the unsuspecting innocents. You needn't fear such handouts from God. Everything you'll receive from Him will have one common trait: It will be good for you!

by Tim Hall

While growing up in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, my cousins and I occasionally enjoyed the thrills of cave exploration. "The Water Caves", as they were known, were a vast network of underground passageways, complete with a subterranean river, blind fish and a colony of bats. Hours were spent inside those caverns, and it's a wonder no one was ever seriously injured.

The most dangerous part of our treks was in the last few yards leading to the mouth of the cave. The opening was located on the side of a sheer cliff, and scaling that ledge took patience, agility and the guidance of an observer. The guide would call out where to place your foot, how to reach around for a better grip, etc. A fall from that cliff was a real possibility. Flawed advice could have resulted in someone being seriously injured (or worse).

In John 7, we read of people who were seeking to enter the kingdom of God. This man Jesus who had recently burst upon the scene was the subject of many conversations. Some were getting close to developing genuine faith in Him. John enables us to eavesdrop on some of their discussions.

Many, for example, were saying, "'Truly this is the Prophet.' Others said, 'This is the Christ,' but some said, 'Will the Christ come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?'" (John 7:40-42, New King James Version). Obviously, some were on the verge of concluding that Jesus of Nazareth was actually the Messiah. But then someone interjected flawed guidance. "Check this Man's pedigree," they said. "He doesn't fulfill the prophecy about the Messiah's home town."

They were so close to the entrance of the kingdom. But because they trusted someone they thought was an authority, it appears they were thrown off course. What should these seekers have done? They should have objected, "How do you know Jesus was not born in Bethlehem? Why don't we go ask Him." The question of where Jesus was born was indeed significant. Why leave such vital information to someone else? Why not make absolutely sure you have the truth?

It happens again later in the chapter. Nicodemus, who had already shown an inclination to faith in Jesus (John 3), spoke up on behalf of Jesus: "'Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?' They answered and said to him, 'Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee'" (John 7:51,52). Again, a good opportunity for further questioning: "How do we know He's from Galilee? Has anyone asked Him about His birthplace?" But it seems most people were intimidated by "the experts", and chose to accept their erroneous conclusions rather than go straight to the source.

"The experts"; they're still among us today. There's no need for us to study for ourselves, we're told. These guys have advanced degrees and have gone beyond the meager understanding of the past. Our ancestors in the faith were well-intentioned, but we now have deeper insights. Convictions we held a generation ago are no longer valid. Or so we are led to believe.

Acts 17:11 is as crucial today as ever: "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." Search the Scriptures; don't be content with what others tell you. That formula would have prevented many from being derailed in Jesus' day. It will keep us on track in the 21st century.

by Tim Hall

All the trappings of human glory were conspicuously present. The king was arrayed in his royal robes, his golden crown positioned just so. The throne was placed in a prominent position so that all could marvel at its craftsmanship and splendor. The anticipated event was an oration, an occasion at which the king would directly address the people.

It may or may not have been a good speech; people are frequently given to flattery when it comes to a dignitary. Regardless, when Herod had finished his oration, the people "gave it up" for their king. "The voice of a god and not of a man!" they proclaimed. Why should Herod object? It was a review worthy of a king, whether accurate or not.

God's review of the speech is not known. But His review of the man is stated in Acts 12:23: "Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died" (New King James Version). A case of worms? Not a very dignified cause of death!

Herod's mistake continues to be a common one in our day. Though few ascend to the position of king, many of us live as kings. And to whose credit is that? "My own," we boast. "I've worked hard all my life, and I'm now enjoying the fruits of my labors." The American work ethic is well-known. Among the advanced societies of earth, Americans work the most hours and take the fewest days off. Along with that dedication to hard work often comes a sense of self-sufficiency. And that is our undoing.

Romans 1 contains a description of the progression of sin. The statement ends with a list of heinous sins like sexual immorality, wickedness, maliciousness, murder, evil-mindedness, etc. (v. 29). But how did these arrive at such an ungodly position? Verse 21 gives us a clue: "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened." A failure to glorify God is where this long slide began. Neither were they thankful; why should they be if they were the masters of their own fate? No, they never developed long-term goals to become evildoers, but that's the road we travel when we glorify no one other than ourselves.

In my library is a hymnal that was published in 1923. Isaac Watts' beloved "At The Cross" is found in this book, and its first line ends, "Would He devote that sacred Head for such a worm as I?" Another hymnal in my library, published in 1994, de-worms Watts' song. "For such a one as I" is now the close. It's a subtle change, but doesn't it say something about sophisticated Americans? "We're not worms; we're proud, hard-working kings . . . er, folks."

Royal apparel; thrones; orations: That was then. Today it's designer-label clothing, status-symbol vehicles and diplomas. The outward trappings change with the times. But the temptations to godlessness remain the same.

by Tim Hall

""Fail" is a word that makes me cringe. My experiences as a student in school were often made tense by the prospects of failing an exam, or even failing a class. I certainly did not want to be a failure, though I'll have to admit I failed on a few occasions.

There's a distinction that we must be careful to make: "failed" vs. "failure". The old adage is true which says "to err is human". But no one has to accept being a failure. It just doesn't have to be.

Some of the most famous people in history have failed on numerous occasions. Abraham Lincoln tried his hand at political office many times, and many times failed in his quest. But who would look back over his terms as President of the United States and call Mr. Lincoln a failure? Rather, he set the standard for all who would follow him in that office.

Some of the greats of baseball have also made marks at failing to hit the ball. Ever heard of Babe Ruth? Few have struck out more times than this legendary player. But only one has hit more home runs, and that's the thing for which we best remember Babe. He did not allow his many times of striking out to consign him to "failure" status. He kept on swinging.

The apostle Peter - did he not fail on many occasions? Granted, his heart seemed to always be in the right place, but how often he missed the mark! Jesus once told him to "Get behind Me, Satan" (Matt. 16:23, NKJV) for resisting the plan of God. He earned a place in the Hall of Shame for denying Jesus three times in one conversation. But who could match Peter's contributions to the early growth of the church? Yes, he failed; no, he was not a failure.

You and I will also see times at which we fail in our various quests. But are we failures? Only if we allow that title to stick inside our minds. As long as we determine to keep on trying, we can, with the help of God, rise above past failed attempts. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory . . ." (Eph. 3:20,21). It's not about us, you see; it's about God, and His willingness to use flawed and broken vessels to accomplish His will.

Don't dwell on the times you've failed in the past. Instead, focus on God's promises to be with you in the future, and to give you the power you need to succeed. It's the difference between realizing you've failed (inevitable for any of us) and considering ourselves failures (a choice we need not make).

by Tim Hall

The young man had difficulty falling asleep that night. The place where he lay down to rest was in unfamiliar territory. Strange noises filled the darkness, and his imagination leaped at each sound. But there was something larger that filled him with sadness. His family was now far behind him, and it wasn't clear when he would see them again. One person who wasn't sorry to see him go was his twin brother. It was common knowledge that his brother wanted revenge, and this made the weary traveler even sadder.

Genesis 28 is where this story is told. Jacob was the young man on the run, fleeing from his brother, Esau, whom he had tricked into selling his birthright. Rebekah had advised her younger son to flee to Haran where her brother would take him in. Now Jacob felt the loneliness close in around him as the darkness of night fell.

Jacob would learn, however, before the night was over that he really wasn't alone. God appeared to him in a dream speaking words of encouragement: "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you" (Gen. 28:15, New King James Version). That promise, combined with the vision of angels on a staircase leading up to heaven, gave Jacob the strength he needed. He now knew he was not alone after all.

This is the time of year when many young adults strike out from their homes feeling very alone. Their sheltered years of living with Mom, Dad, or other loving adults is now history. Before them looms college and all the demands of independence. There was a time when independence looked so exciting! But that was before reality settled in. Now it is clear that independence means leaving the familiar behind. Sometimes being on your own means feeling so very alone.

If only heaven could be opened, and that same vision of angels could again be seen! If only we could hear the voice of God, just as Jacob did that night! That would help us through the lonely night. We would have courage knowing that we are not really alone.

Christian young people can have that same assurance. Before laying down amidst the unfamiliar sounds of a strange place, open your eyes to the promises God has given every follower of His Son. Hebrews 13:5,6 is a good example: "Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" And this is just one of many, many such promises of the Lord's presence and help.

This may be your first night alone. Or you may be feeling again the despair of being separated from the comforts of home. If you are a child of God, know that you are not alone. God is faithful to fulfill all of His promises, and He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Open your Bible; open your eyes. You'll sleep better tonight.