by Tim Hall

Jack can't wait to give his wife her gift on Christmas morning. Finally the moment arrives, and he excitedly hands her the beautifully wrapped box. Teresa's eyes lose their sparkle, however, when she sees the gift: boxes of ammunition that Jack will be able to use on his next hunting trip.

It doesn't take a trained marriage counselor to know that gifts like that don't fuel the fires of romance. If you really want to make a positive impression, give gifts that will benefit the recipient, even if they do nothing for the giver. Isn't that what gift-giving is supposed to be about?

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about gifts. These gifts were miraculous in nature, unlike abilities seen before or since the first century. The most popular gift was the ability to speak languages that a person had never studied. It was designed to be more than showy. To take the gospel into all the world -- a world of many languages -- would require such an ability. God didn't bestow this gift just to make the speaker feel powerful, but that seems to have been the attitude of some Christians in Corinth.

"He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself," Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:4 (NKJV), "but he who prophesies edifies the church." Don't just think about yourself, Paul was saying. Be focused on how you can benefit others around you.

That's really the focus of our Christian faith, isn't it? It's not about me and my will, but the needs of others around me. Serving others was Jesus' theme in his ministry, and it ought to be that way with Christians.

As mentioned earlier, miraculous gifts have ceased (see 1 Corinthians 13:8-10). Is there a message in all of this for contemporary Christians?

In the heart of Paul's discussion of miraculous gifts, he presented the greatest gift of all: love. The thirteenth chapter is devoted to the potential of love to edify (build up) one another. When people are motivated by true love, they look out for the needs of others. They seek opportunities to do good for one another. They think less of themselves and more of their neighbors. They imitate the example of Jesus.

Love remains on earth. Christians may still exercise this gift if they choose. And those who use this gift will find that its effects are far more powerful than an ability to speak a foreign language without study.

"But earnestly desire the best gifts," Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:31. The gifts to which he then pointed -- faith, hope and love -- are still within our reach.

by Tim Hall

It was a disappointing year for corn in my garden. Though I planted six rows with Silver Queen seeds just as I've done in the past, there wasn't much to show for it. Many factors could be cited: rain at the wrong time, an overgrown chestnut tree that cast too much shade, seed that might not have been good, or a lack of effort on the part of the gardener (I quickly ruled that one out!). Regardless of the cause, the bottom line was that we enjoyed only a few ears of fresh corn this summer.

It's discouraging to see so few tangible results from our labors. Christian workers know the feeling. When we try our hardest to teach God's word but see so few who are interested, we're tempted to give up. How can we get motivated again?

The psalmist long ago exhorted God's people with these words: "Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5,6, NKJV). Christians should make it a point to read that passage regularly.

There are two words in this text I'll emphasize. The first is "continually." In my years of gardening I've learned that one year may be dismal for certain crops while the following year will be terrific. The key is to keep planting the seed. One thing is certain: there will never be growth if the seed isn't put in the ground.

The second word to note is "doubtless." I can't use that word when I'm referring to my efforts alone. But this verse isn't referring to mere human efforts. In verse 3, the psalmist had said, "The Lord has done great things for us, whereof we are glad." If the Lord works with us, we know that the end will be glorious. His power enables tiny seeds to penetrate asphalt and stone. In time, we'll see the fruits of our labors.

Christian, here is a promise God has made for his people throughout time. Keep on doing the good that you're able to do. Know that it will ultimately produce sheaves of blessings. Though we sow with tears, we shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing our sheaves with us!

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

by Tim Hall

We are becoming a nation of forensic experts. A large genre of television programs is based on criminal investigation. Three different versions of "Law and Order" and "CSI" lead the pack, a group which also includes "Crossing Jordan," "Monk," and others. Americans are fascinated with modern methods of tracking down and prosecuting the guilty.

One of the cornerstones of modern sleuths is DNA evidence. Investigators rejoice when they discover blood, body fluids, or hair at the scene of the crime. The cells that make up such human tissue contain DNA, an intricate "fingerprint" that can help convince a jury of a person's guilt. When your DNA has been matched to that found at the crime scene, there apparently is no point in arguing your innocence. The evidence is there and it's in the realm of undeniable.

Wouldn't it be great if we could find God's DNA? Maybe people would no longer deny his existence.

The fact that living things possess DNA is evidence that points to God. Walter L. Bradley, scientist and author of "The Mystery Of Life's Origin" (1984), summed up the amazing nature of this evidence: "In living systems, the guidance that's needed to assemble everything comes from DNA. Every cell of every plant and animal has to have a DNA molecule. Think of it as a little microprocessor that regulates everything .... Frankly, the origin of such a sophisticated system that is both rich in information and capable of reproducing itself has absolutely stymied origin-of-life scientists. As the Nobel Prize-winner Sir Francis Crick said, 'The origin of life appears to be almost a miracle, so many are the conditions which would have had to be satisfied to get it going'" ("The Case For Faith", Lee Strobel, Zondervan Publishers, 2000, pp. 99,100).

God's DNA has been found. The fact that every living organism possesses it points to an intelligent Creator. Unfortunately the evidence, though strong, is not undeniable. There are still many who deny that life's complex structure proves God's existence.

That's the way it has always been. In the days of Jesus, a marvelous miracle took place when Jesus opened the eyes of a man who had been blind from birth. Some Jewish leaders, however, had already made up their minds that Jesus was an impostor. They declared to the healed man, "We do not know where he is from" (John 9:29, NKJV). The formerly blind man couldn't believe what they were saying: "Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where he is from, and yet he has opened my eyes!" (John 9:30). The evidence before them was compelling, but they refused to see. Through their bias they had become incurably blind.

The presence of a cornfield with evenly spaced rows convinces us that a farmer planted this field a few months earlier. We know there is an assembly plant somewhere staffed with skilled workers because of the impressive automobile in the showroom. But as some consider DNA -- vastly more complex than cornfields or automobiles -- they scratch their heads and wonder, "Why do those religious fanatics believe in God?"

"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Psalm 14:1).

by Tim Hall

The name "Leroy Brown" has lost some of its notoriety. Since Jim Croce's 1973 hit song told the story of "Bad, bad Leroy Brown", just the mention of that name sets the tune spinning through my mind. That may now change. A story carried by USA Today on August 24, 2004 is responsible.

According to that story, Leroy Brown, age 19, of Pine Bluff, AR discovered that his wife was being a little too friendly with another man. To show his disdain for her actions, he took the pants she wore on her latest outing and set them on fire. Alas, the fire got out of control and the house in which they lived was destroyed. Now a song is waiting to be written about "Sad, sad Leroy Brown".

The story brings to mind the old adage about cutting off one's nose to spite their face. That has always been a hard proverb for me to figure out exactly, but I think I get the gist. It points to the foolish attempts of one to extract vengeance on another, not realizing how much damage they themselves will incur. Leroy Brown certainly illustrated the principle.

Webster's defines "spite" as "petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy or thwart". The offended one wishes to see the offender feel pain in some form, and actively works toward that end. In many cases, however, the one acting out of spite feels even more pain before the day is done.

God's ways are always best. What does the Lord advise when we've been wronged? "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. 'Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:19-21, NKJV).

Good people are often innocent victims of the schemes and devices of the wicked. But when the victim decides to make the perpetrator feel pain (in whatever degree), they move themselves out of the realm of "innocent". They have been overcome by evil, not being willing to wait for the judgment of God.

Leroy Brown probably now wishes he had learned this principle from Romans 12. How much easier his life would be if the Lord's will had prevailed in his situation. Sad, sad!

by Tim Hall

David's prayer for forgiveness in Psalm 51 is powerful. The sins he had committed were serious and totally out of character for a man after God's own heart. Following his rebuke by the prophet Nathan, David acknowledged his sins and cried out to God for mercy.

One statement in David's psalm is curious: "Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice" (Psalm 51:8, NKJV). Is that right? Did God really break David's bones? Or was David complaining that his punishment was more than he deserved?

Most will quickly recognize David's statement as figurative. There is no indication that he actually suffered broken bones as a result of his transgression with Bathsheba. Yet such a strong figure of speech indicates that David felt great pain and limitations, wounds that he attributed to God. Why would David make such a claim?

Hosea used a similar idea in condemning the sins of Israel and Judah. Speaking on behalf of God he said, "Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth ...." (Hosea 6:5). In this case, God (through Hosea) took responsibility for the wounds suffered by his people. "Hewn" and "slain" are graphic words that bear no trace of mildness. Israel would have understood David's imagery of broken bones.

What kind of God would do such a thing to his people? Would a loving father inflict such suffering on his children? Yes, in fact, he would.

Consider the larger picture presented in Hosea: "Come, and let us return to the Lord; for he has torn, but he will heal us; he has stricken, but he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live in his sight" (Hosea 6:1,2). Viewed in the larger context, the actions of God are merciful. He tore and struck his people, but was ready to heal and bind up. He did it all "that we may live in his sight."

Good parents understand the principle. Pain, though unpleasant, is useful in turning a stubborn child from his destructive behavior. The pain is meted out from a loving heart that wants nothing but the best for that child. Viewed only in the immediate situation, the parent's love is questionable. Considered from the larger perspective, compassionate love becomes obvious.

Here's another statement of the same principle: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:6). Another translation opens our understanding further: "Wounds made by a friend are intended to help ..." (God's Word Translation) At the moment, we don't understand why our friend hurt us. Later, their love is seen clearly; they risked our friendship for our good.

Will God break my bones? I don't want it to happen, for I know it will be a painful ordeal. But if that's what it will take to keep me from departing from his side, then may he strike me while there is still hope!