The Bible NETWork ~ Impacting the World for Christ one post at a time!

“Died Abner as a fool dieth.” 2Sa 3:33
DON’T BE A FOOL (3)

The absolute fool. Abner slew a man called Asahel, whose brother happened to be Joab,
King David’s number one general. So Joab was out to take Abner’s life. The tragedy
of this story is that Abner was within reach of Hebron, one of the six cities of refuge. But
instead of running into that city and enjoying its protection, he allowed the enemy to
catch him outside the gates and kill him. “They buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted
up his voice, and wept…and said, ‘Died Abner as a fool dieth?’” (vv.32-33). Abner was the
absolute fool. Why? Because unlike the atheistic fool who did not believe in God, or the
ambitious fool who had no time for God, he knew what to do—but didn’t do it. There were
no rivers to cross, no mountains to climb, and no price to be paid. The gates of Hebron
were open; all he had to do was go in and stay there.
Imagine being given a gospel tract with these words on the cover: “What must I do
to be lost?” Then opening it and finding that page is—blank. You don’t have to do anything
to be lost! But you must do something to be saved: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
thou shalt be saved” (Ac16:31).
When Mary brought the newborn Christ to the temple, an old priest named Simeon
held Him in his arms and said: “Now I’m ready to die, because I have seen the Savior of
the world” (See Lk 2:25-32). In order to die right you must meet Christ, embrace Him, and
acknowledge Him as your Lord and Savior. Why don’t you do it today!

“Do not be deceived…A man reaps what he sows.” Gal 6:7 NIV
THE LAW OF CONSEQUENCE

Your child says, “I didn’t mean to break the window.” You reply, “But you threw the
rock that broke it, right? So you’ll pay for repairing it.” And when your child pays, he
or she learns a principle that could save them from costlier consequences down the road.
God, who is a loving heavenly Father, invented the law of consequence—for our benefit.
Consider this: (1) Your decisions determine the kind of harvest you reap. Adam and Eve got
to choose whether or not to obey God, but they didn’t get to escape the consequences of
their choice. “A man reaps what he sows.” You’re not the pawn of a punitive god, malevolent
cosmic force, the devil, or luck. You have been given the power to choose right or
wrong. (2) Your decisions impact others. Hurting them may not have been your intention,
but often it’s collateral damage you can’t avoid. After conquering Jericho, Achan stole
some of the spoils, causing Israel’s defeat at Ai. Later Joshua challenged him, saying, “Why
have you brought this trouble on us?” (Jos 7:25 NIV). Before you act, you need to consider
who will get hurt by the fallout from your decision. Will it be your children, spouse, friends,
church, etc.? (3) Forgiveness may not cancel the consequences of your decision. God hears
your confession, freely forgives you and expunges your record, but the harvest law may
still remain in effect. “David confessed…‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied,
‘Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you…[but] your child will die” (2Sa12:13-14 NLT). So if you
don’t want to reap, don’t sow.

“I will give you shepherds according to My heart.” Jer 3:15 NKJV
HOLD UP YOUR PASTOR’S HANDS

Here’s a sad statistic: Over 50% of those who enter the ministry leave it within ten
years because of discouragement. Make sure that doesn’t happen to your pastor.
Picture this: Joshua’s soldiers are down in the valley fighting the Amalekites. Above him
on a hilltop sits Moses with his hands raised toward heaven. As long as his arms are raised
the battle goes their way. But if you’ve ever tried to hold your hands up for long, you
quickly grow weary and lower them. The moment Moses does that, the battle goes against
Israel. So Aaron and Hur hold up his arms and the tide turns in favor of Israel. It wasn’t just
Joshua’s ability to fight, it was Moses’ ability to hold up his arms that won the day. Aaron
and Hur kept a leader from fainting so an entire nation could be saved. God said, “I will give
you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
If God has given you a pastor who loves, leads and feeds you, support them.
Hold up their hands! In the Old Testament tabernacle the candlesticks had to be kept
burning day and night because their light represented God’s presence among His people.
If a light so much as flickered, designated servants moved in immediately to refuel it and
restore it to its original glow. Are you getting the idea? It’s your responsibility to make sure
the light doesn’t flicker in your church or the fire go out in your pulpit. So pray for your
pastor every day and be sure to encourage him every chance you get.

“To him who is able to do immeasurably more.” Eph 3:20 NIV
DRAW ON HIS POWER WITHIN YOU

There are words in your Bible which have so much power in them that they’re more
effective than any therapy. God can illuminate a Scripture that goes back into the
past and heals your wounds, gives you direction in the middle of despair, and provides hope
for the future. Satan will try to fill your mind with so much junk that you don’t have an
appetite for God’s Word. That’s because he knows the Scriptures unmask him, and release
the potential lying dormant within you. Before Jeremiah rose to national prominence as
a prophet, God told him two things: (1) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you”
(Jer 1:5 NIV). Your parents didn’t get the first look at you, God did. Nothing about you surprises
Him. In spite of what you’ve been through, He hasn’t changed His mind about who
you are or what you’re destined to become. (2) “Before you were born I set you apart” (v.5
NIV). You say, “I’ve always felt different.” That’s because you are. Celebrate it! Stop looking
for acceptance where you don’t belong. You’re on a mission for God; that’s why the enemy
has tried so hard to take you out. Once you understand that, your struggle will begin to
make sense. As you study God’s Word you’ll begin to experience the mind-renewing,
life-changing power He’s deposited within you. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably
more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
So start drawing on that power today.

“Don’t…give up.” Gal 6:9 NLT
IF YOU PERSIST, YOU WILL PREVAIL

James Watt spent twenty years perfecting the steam engine. William Harvey worked for
eight years to demonstrate how blood circulated in the human body, then for another
twenty-five years trying to convince the medical establishment. Most of us underestimate
the time it takes to achieve anything of lasting value. You’ve got to be willing to pay your
dues. Cutting corners is a sign of impatience and poor self-discipline. The secret of every
breakthrough is to follow through. Albert Gray says, “The common denominator of all
success lies in forming the habit of doing things that failures don’t like to do.” If you find
yourself continually giving in to your moods, you need to change your approach to doing
things. To do this, you must set standards for yourself that require accountability. Suffering
a consequence for not following through will keep you on track like nothing else. Once
your new standards are in place, work according to them, not your moods; that will get
you going in the right direction. Self-discipline is a quality that’s won only through practice.
Successful people have learned to do what doesn’t come naturally. They are willing
to confront discomfort, distractions and doubt, and act in spite of them. R. H. Macy, founder
of Macy’s department stores, failed at five different professions—whaler, retailer, gold
miner, stockbroker, real estate broker—before he finally succeeded. When asked what sustained
him through failure after failure he replied, “Purpose and persistence.” That’s what
separates those who achieve from those who merely dream! It’s why Paul wrote: “Don’t
get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.”

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Mt 24:35 NIV
DO YOU LOVE GOD’S WORD?

One of the first books to come off the printing press when it was invented was the
Bible. And it’s still the world’s best-selling book. An anonymous author has written:
“It contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the fate of sinners,
and the happiness of believers. It is a light to direct you, food to nourish you, and comfort
to cheer you. It is the traveller’s road map, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s weapon, and
the player’s game plan. It’s a mine of incredible wealth, and a river of genuine joy. Its
doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Christ is its grand subject, your good its design, and the glory of God its end.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be spiritually healthy. Read it
slowly, frequently and prayerfully. Let it fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your
steps. It is given to you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered for
ever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and judge those
who trifle with its sacred contents.” The Bible is “The word of our God which shall stand
forever” (See 1Pe 1:25). Most of us respect the Bible; the trouble is we don’t read it daily
and put it into practice. After hearing a discussion on various translations of the Bible, one
man said: “I prefer my mother’s translation, because she translated it into everyday life.”
Are you doing that?

“I am the vine; you are the branches.” Jn 15:5 NIV
A BRANCH AND A BRIDE

The Bible gives us two interesting pictures of our relationship with Jesus: (1) A branch.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear
much fruit.” Jesus wants to be as close to you as a branch is to a vine. One is an extension
of the other. It’s impossible to tell where one starts and the other ends. The branch
isn’t connected only at the moment of bearing fruit. The gardener doesn’t keep branches
in a box and then, on the day he wants grapes, glue them to the vine. No, the branch
constantly draws nutrition from the vine. Separation means certain death. (2) A bride
(See 2Co11:2). Aren’t we the bride of Christ? Haven’t we made vows to Him, and hasn’t
He made vows to us? What does our marriage to Christ imply? For one thing, the communication
never stops. In a happy home a husband doesn’t talk to his wife only when
he wants something. He doesn’t pop in just when he wants a good meal or a clean shirt
or a little romance. Healthy marriages have a sense of “remaining.” There is tenderness,
honesty, ongoing communication. Sometimes we go to God with our joys, sometimes we
go with our hurts, but we always go. And the more we go, the more we become like
Him. People who live long lives together eventually begin to sound alike, talk alike, and
even think alike. As we walk with Jesus we take on His thoughts, His principles, His attitudes.
Indeed, we take on His heart.

“Jesus…showed them his hands.” Jn 20:19-20 NCV
“HE SHOWED THEM HIS HANDS”

Dr. Paul Brand, a brilliant surgeon who worked at the Christian Medical College in Vellore,
India, writes: “I work with the marvels of the hand nearly every day…But one
time of the year holds special meaning for me…When the world observes Passion
Week…I reflect on the hands of Jesus…those hands that had done so much good were
taken, one at a time, and pierced through with a thick spike…Roman executioners drove
their spikes through the wrist, through the carpal tunnel that houses finger-controlling tendons
and the median nerve…maiming the hand into a claw shape, and Jesus had no
anesthetic…Later his weight hung from them, tearing more tissue, releasing more blood.
Has there ever been a more helpless image? The disciples, who’d hoped he was the Messiah,
cowered in the darkness or drifted away.” But that’s not the last time we see Jesus’
hands. The Bible says: “When it was evening on the first day of the week, Jesus’ followers
were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. Then Jesus
came and stood…in the middle of them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After…this, he
showed them his hands…His followers were thrilled when they saw the Lord.” Dr. Brand
adds: “For the remainder of his time here, Jesus chose [to minister through] scars in each
hand. That’s why I believe God hears and understands our pain…he kept those scars as
a lasting image of wounded humanity. He knows what life on earth is like because he has
been there. His hands prove it.” So bring your wounds to Jesus today and let Him make
you whole—body, mind and soul.

“The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Jdg 17:6 NLT
THE NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE (1)

You’re never more vulnerable than when you can hide from others. Secrecy is the ideal
breeding ground for deception, leading us into sin. Jesus points out that we love darkness
rather than light because our deeds naturally gravitate toward evil (See Jn 3:19).
There is within us a propensity to sin, so we are called to “walk in the light” where our
motives and actions are transparent and we are encouraged to avoid sin (See1Jn1:7). But
to walk in the light and overcome sin requires people who will hold us accountable. “Fools
think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others” (Pr 12:15 NLT). Our need for
approval makes us want to hide our struggles. However, our willingness to be genuine
frees us to acknowledge our struggles and overcome them. But the person to whom you
are accountable should be mature, know God’s Word, keep your confidence, and love
you enough to be honest with you. And you need to be open to hear what they tell you.
King Rehoboam “rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of
the young men who had grown up with him” (1Ki 12:8 NLT). He wanted to hear only what
pleased him. So he turned to his equally immature friends who told him what he wanted
to hear, leading him to a decision that caused a major rebellion in Israel. So build a relationship
with someone who’ll tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear!

“The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Jdg 17:6 NLT
THE NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE (2)

There’s no better depiction of our ego-driven nature than this: “The people did whatever
seemed right in their own eyes.” Their philosophy was: “Don’t tell me what to do.”
But that philosophy leaves you without checks or balances, exposing you to the dominating
power of your flesh. We’re all capable of becoming addicted to something. Recognizing
that is a necessary first step to overcoming it. “The sin that so easily entangles”
(Heb 12:1 NIV) may be a weakness for food, money, sex, drugs, alcohol, popularity, toxic
relationships, power, workaholism, etc. When it strikes, you’re much more likely to capitulate
if you’re alone and can act covertly. “If you fall without having a friend nearby, you
are really in trouble” (Ecc 4:10 CEV). You need to “turn on the light” immediately by connecting
with your support system and sharing your situation. Don’t allow the darkness of
isolation to overpower you. “If you fall, your friend can help you up” (v.10 CEV). The pride
that drives you to hide your weakness will keep you permanently weak. The humility to
acknowledge it and ask for help is the key to breaking the vicious cycle. God has blessed
us with mature, caring people who recognize our common struggles and will help us deal
with them. We are part of Christ’s church, and “if one member suffers, all the members suffer
with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1Co 12:26 NAS).
God instructed Moses, “Select…some…honest men who fear God…They will help you
carry the load” (Ex 18:21-22 NLT). Accept the help God provides!

“You have great faith! Your request is granted.” Mt 15:28 NIV
HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT IT?

Matthew records: “A Canaanite woman…came to him, crying out, ‘Lord…My daughter
is suffering terribly from demon-possession’…He answered, ‘I was sent only to…
Israel…It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ she
said, ‘but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus
answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted’” (vv. 22-28 NIV). This
Gentile woman was an outsider, yet she pushed through and got what comfortable insiders
often miss. Talk about hurdles! First, Jesus refused to answer her. Next, He said, “What I
have is only for the Jews.” Finally He said, “It wouldn’t be right to give the children’s bread
to dogs.” Most of us would have walked away offended. Not her! She cried, “Have mercy
on me.” She wasn’t asking for what she deserved, she was crying out for what she needed!
As a result, Jesus removed every obstacle and answered her prayer. And if you persist, He
will do the same for you too. In reality, this woman told Jesus, “Let the children have the
bread, all I need are the crumbs.” Church folks become so complacent that they neglect
the bread, waste the bread, complain about the bread, and sometimes don’t even come
to church to get the bread. But desperate people pick up the crumbs and find life! They
know that if there’s power in the loaf, there’s power in the crumb. And when a crumb is
all you can get, a crumb is all you need. So what do you need from God today? How
badly do you want it?

“The younger son…journeyed to a far country.” Lk 15:13 NKJV
WHY PEOPLE LEAVE THE CHURCH (1)

The story of the Prodigal Son is especially applicable to backsliders. It speaks to those
who have been raised in church, know God’s Word, have felt His presence, understand
His claims, and once served Him. But like the Prodigal, they’ve “gone to the hogs.” Notice,
he’s not called the Prodigal Sinner but the Prodigal Son, because he still belongs in the
family. For the next few days let’s look at why people leave the church. First: Because the
blessings of Father’s house become commonplace. Notice, he didn’t appreciate what he
had until he lost it. Notice also, his father didn’t kick him out of the house, “[he] took his
journey into a far country” (KJV). He left of his own free will and came back the same way.
What’s the point? If God’s love can’t hold you, His power won’t force you! It’s your willing
obedience that God finds pleasure in, not conforming to a set of religious rules because you
are afraid of going to hell. Jesus told the story of a king who planned a wedding feast and
invited different guests. What a privilege. “But they made light of it and went their ways,
one to his own farm, another to his business” (Mt 22:5 NKJV). Are you too busy for God?
Have you gotten used to His blessings and decided you want something different? Be
warned, the road you are on leads to one place only: the hog pen. Stop, turn around,
repent and come home while you still can. No matter how badly you have failed, your
Father is waiting to take you back.

“We have come to believe and know…You.” Jn 6:69 NKJV
WHY PEOPLE LEAVE THE CHURCH (2)

Because the rules of Father’s house seem too restrictive. Many people want Christ’s love
but not His lordship, His blessings but not His commandments. It’s not that He offers
them too little, but that the cost of serving Him seems too high. Maybe you are thinking
that if you’d lived in the days of Christ, walked and talked with Him and heard Him preach,
you would be a better Christian. Think again! “His disciples, when they heard this, said,
‘This is a hard saying’…From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with
Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon
Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also
we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ’” (vv. 60 & 66-69 NKJV). True
discipleship doesn’t result from attending a special service at church. No, it’s progressive.
It’s the result of “coming to believe and know” the Lord as you walk with Him on the mountaintop
and in the valley, in the bad times as well as the good. That’s why Peter wrote:
“Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe…A
stone that causes men to stumble” (1Pe 2:7-8 NIV). Paul puts it this way: “No man can say
that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1Co 12:3). The purpose of the Holy Spirit
working in your life is to bring you into submission to the will of God. And that involves
a relationship—with rules!

“Let us not…judge one another anymore.” Ro 14:13
WHY PEOPLE LEAVE THE CHURCH (3)

Here’s another reason people leave the church: Because of the attitude of some church
members. The older boy in Christ’s parable knew how to be a son, but he didn’t
know how to be a brother. If the jealousy and judgmentalism he showed toward his
brother is anything to go by, it’s little wonder his brother left home in the first place. Paul
writes: “Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no
man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” The Bible says, “He
that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is [no] occasion of stumbling in him”
(1Jn 2:10). Do your attitudes and actions strengthen others or cause them to stumble?
Have you read about Diotrephes? John talked about him: “I wrote to the church, but
Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.
Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with
malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and
forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church” (3Jn 9-10 NKJV). Diotrephes
was a preacher-fighter and a prima donna who wanted only one thing—control! And
John denounced him as “evil,” saying, “He who does evil has not seen God” (v.11 NKJV).
Only eternity will reveal how many people have been driven away from the church by critical,
callous, controlling Christians. Make sure you’re not one of them!

“The years…pass quickly, and then we are gone.” Ps 90:10 NCV
STOP SHORTCHANGING YOUR FAMILY

Eileen Silva Kindig writes: “We talk about lack of time…when what we lack is backbone
to take responsibility for how we spend it…Instead of coming home, we’re escaping
to the office and assembly line to get away from household chores, childcare, and
the demands of relationships…work gives us a buzz. Besides money and freedom, it
provides the satisfaction of a job well done, an outlet for creativity, breezy, low-demand
camaraderie, and intellectual stimulation…All this may be keeping us financially afloat
…but the less time we spend with family, the messier our home life gets.” Time is so
precious that God gives it to us a moment at a time. “The years…pass quickly, and then
we are gone.” So what will you have to look back on? Hours spent working overtime or
hours spent with your loved ones? Kindig recommends seven things: (1) Remember who’s
in charge. Manage your time, don’t let it manage you. Think through commitments before
you make them. Decide what’s important. The urgent seldom is. (2) Schedule in reverse.
Put your real priorities on the calendar first, then add the rest. (3) Drop one thing from
your schedule; for example, spending two afternoons less a month volunteering at the
Boosters’ Club frees you to enjoy lunch with your spouse. (4) Be, rather than do. Think. Pray.
Relax in a chair. (5) Get your spouse’s perspective on how you’re spending your time, and
what may be stealing it. (6) Be honest about your limitations. You can’t manufacture time;
we all get the same amount. (7) Keep a list of your commitments by the phone so you think
twice before adding to it.