by Tim Hall

One of the first things many parents teach their children is their address and phone number. It's impressive to hear a toddler recite their street address and home town. But it's more than a game to impress others; it's a safety measure. In the unthinkable event of a young child becoming lost or abducted, it's helpful when the authorities can quickly reunite that child with the parents.

Christians need to drill the same type of information into their minds and hearts. Living in this evil and dangerous world, it's all too easy to take a wrong turn and suddenly realize we are lost. It happens commonly with Christians. But the crucial question is this: Will we remember where "home" is? Or will our confusion keep us wandering for the rest of our lives?

Before you respond with a "Duh!" to my question, I ask you to think about this statement in Hebrews 11:13: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (New King James Version) "These all" points to some great people of faith: People like Noah, Abraham, Sarah and others. One thing that set them apart from others of their day was that they did not consider the earth to be their home. They lived with the conviction that they were "strangers and pilgrims".

Not all Christians grasp this concept. It appears that some regard this world to be everything to them. All of their time, money and energy is poured into this life. Very little of their treasure is laid up in heaven. When it comes to requests for help and resources for spiritual matters -- "Sorry, I'm all tapped out!" Why are their resources depleted, completely unavailable for spiritual tasks? Because they are living for this life only.

No one could charge Demas with being lukewarm. He had given himself to the service of the Lord, and was a valuable co-worker with the apostle Paul (Colossians 4:14). But something happened to Demas; something changed the way he thought. Paul reflected on this once-fervent laborer: "For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed . . ." (2 Timothy 4:10). Demas forgot where "home" was.

Let us stop right where we are and look around. Are we where we should be at this moment in our lives? Or must we admit that we've taken some wrong turns and are now lost? It's not a hopeless situation. When we determine that "home" for us will be in heaven with God, He'll take us by the hand and help us find our way.

by Tim Hall

"Who does this fellow think he is? After all, I'm the one who has been fishing these waters for all these years. What is he? A carpenter? What does he know about catching fish? Besides, I've been out all night, and I can tell you the fish just aren't to be found!" Such thoughts were probably going through the mind of Peter when Jesus told this hapless fisherman to "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch" (Luke 5:4). When Peter put the Lord to the test, he discovered that the Carpenter knew a great deal about catching fish.

I suspect Jesus would tell us the same thing. He sees us rushing, sweating, fretting and gasping for air, all without having found the big catch that keeps driving us. "Launch out into the deep," He would say. And I'm confident we would realize similar results as Peter - the largest catch of his fishing career.

Too many Christians are wading in the shallow waters of religion. It's commendable that they have decided to get in at all; so many in our society don't even make the attempt. But some Christians have just enough "religion" to make them miserable. They know what God expects, but they've not yet made the commitment to fully follow Him. They feel guilty for not doing more than they've done, for not developing more as a Christian.

It's time to stand back and evaluate: How have I done? Am I nearer to the Lord than I was this time last year? Have I become more regular in my study of His word and in prayer? How many times must I look back over my past with regrets?

Let us determine now that we will launch out into the deep. We are going to get serious about our Bible study and prayer habits. We will become more involved in helping others and in serving Christ. We will look for opportunities to encourage others with visits, notes and telephone calls.

There is joy in serving the Lord! But that joy does not begin to be felt until we've waded out into the waters of spirituality that are deep. Then, when our toes can no longer feel the bottom, we will learn to rely more fully on God's help than ever before. There, in the deeper waters, we will discover what it really means to be a disciple of Christ!

by Tim Hall

When my wife and I lived in Madison, Wisconsin, Elvis Presley came to town for a concert. A major story involving "The King of Rock and Roll" developed as Elvis rode into town in his limousine. It seems he spotted two men fighting by the side of the road. Elvis ordered his chauffeur to stop the car, then got out and broke up the fight. Can you imagine that? Elvis Presley, icon of rock music, getting involved in the problems of two "common" people? The city was all in a buzz over the story.

What Elvis did was admirable. But what God does on a daily basis is far more marvelous. Here's how the psalmist described it in Psalm 113:4-9: "The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes -- with the princes of His people. He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children" (New King James Version).

There are many reasons to praise God. He is powerful above all others. His wisdom knows all things, even the hidden thoughts of the heart. He can see the future and remembers all things of the past. But one of the most amazing facts about this awesome God is that He stoops to our level. He bends low to the earth to help those who are "common".

We don't find that very often in the world around us. That's what made the story about Elvis so fascinating. Celebrities usually brush off those who clamor about them, refusing even to give autographs. But God brushes off no one. He looks upon our conditions of need. He feels for us in our pain and suffering. He longs to lift us out of the dust and ashes.

What a wonderful God we serve! He is worthy of all the praise we can offer to Him. Praise His holy name!

by Tim Hall

There are Christians who have the idea that "faithfulness" means "ugliness". In order to be sound in one's views and true to the word of God, we must be blunt and tell it like it is, we are told. "If a Christian doesn't have enemies, then he must not be sound in the things he is teaching" goes this logic.

There are aspects of this view that are worth consideration. A Christian can become too diplomatic, too sensitive to offending someone or hurting their feelings. What if a physician refused to tell someone that cancer had been discovered in their body -- just because they didn't want to make that person uncomfortable? Honesty and forthrightness in speaking the truth are virtues any Christian should cultivate.

But there are other virtues the Christian should cultivate, too. Consider these ideas prescribed by Paul: "But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will" (2 Timothy 2:23-26, New King James Version).

Some traits of a faithful Christian are clearly described in this passage. Paul indeed urges all disciples to directly confront the sins and false views that others may have. There is no hint of being timid in these verses! But at the same time, the servant of the Lord "must not quarrel but be gentle to all . . . patient . . . in humility correcting those who are in opposition". This is not a description of a hothead. This follower of Christ has learned to keep her cool, even in the face of opposition.

Now let's talk about being "sound" and "faithful". And let's not restrict our discussion to doctrine; let's expand it to the attitude a Christian holds. After all, attitudes were very much on the mind of Paul when he wrote this passage. Can we do less than what inspired Scripture teaches us?

Be prepared: If we are serving the Lord, we will be opposed in our work. Satan is still active in the 21st century. We must be ready and willing to meet such opposition. But let us not be pulled down into the mud with the devil's henchmen. Let us maintain the same noble patience our Lord displayed when He was opposed. He is our example -- in all aspects of our work.

by Tim Hall

Tom really loved that car. Though it was really showing its age, he still dreaded the thought of giving it up. In that car he had proposed to his wife. It had carried each of his three children home from the hospital after their births. He had even given it a name! No, it wasn't a question of affordability. He just hated having to give up a vehicle that had served him well, and in which so many memories had been forged.

The attachment was soon broken, however, once Tom drove his new car. Automotive technology had come so far in those twelve years! Though he still had fond memories of the old sedan, he never regretted the decision to trade up.

How like Tom we are when it comes to this life! Most of us grow rather fond of this world. The terrain is pleasant, certain seasons are downright wonderful. Friendships sink roots into our hearts, and it is with great pain that they must be ripped up by relocation or death. As we grow older, we become wistful, sometimes angry. "Why can't it continue the way I remember it? Why do we have to let go of things we have so thoroughly enjoyed?"

Faith reminds us that God has promised something much more wonderful than life on this earth. Jesus stated it clearly in John 14:1-3: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (New King James Version).

A place prepared for us by Jesus Christ? What an unimaginably splendid place that must be! We visit some beautiful sites on this planet -- gardens lush and colorful, islands fanned by warm winds, mountain summits with breathtaking views. But how these vistas will pale in comparison with the place that Jesus Himself has prepared for us!

Paul was not speaking of heaven in 1 Corinthians 2:9, but the idea is absolutely applicable: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." There's just no way we can imagine how utterly marvelous heaven will be. No matter how much we enjoy and cling to life on earth, it will be quickly forgotten the moment we step onto Heaven's shore.

Will the streets really be paved with gold? What will the average temperature be up there? What kinds of activities will we be given? To these questions, I have no definite answers. But there's one thing I know -- and it's all I need to know -- Heaven is a place prepared by Jesus. If divine preparations have gone into this abode, I want to be there! And the process of gradually letting go of an earthly life I have loved (i.e. aging) is not nearly so disturbing when I trust the Lord's promises.