Egypt Is Not Better

 So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, "If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?" So they said to one another, "Let us select a leader and return to Egypt." (Numbers 14:1-4)

 

Life gets hard on us. There are times that we face difficulties and what do we do. Do we trudge through the tough times? Or do we look back and think that things are not bad where we were and want to go back. This is the battle we face, and we are not alone in facing this thought.

 

This is exactly what Israel faced in Numbers 14:1-4. They had been in the wilderness for a long time and faced hardships. They dealt with low water supply, short food supply, and even other countries coming at them. What happened to them during these various times of struggle?

 

God watched over them (Matthew 6:25-33)

 

Yet, in all this, what did Israel still do? They whined, murmured, complained, tested, and disobeyed God! They even decided that it was better to go back to Egypt! They would be able to have food, water, and not wandering in the wilderness left to “die.” 

 

This was their struggle (Hebrews 3:7-11):  Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "TODAY, IF YOU WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS IN THE REBELLION, IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS, WHERE YOUR FATHERS TESTED ME, TRIED ME, AND SAW MY WORKS FORTY YEARS.  THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THAT GENERATION, AND SAID, 'THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN MY WAYS.' SO I SWORE IN MY WRATH, 'THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.' " 

 

What was actually in Egypt for Israel? They were in bondage (slavery), they worked them hard day and night, built the Egyptians supply cities, they were to lose all the male children (Exodus 1:11-16). Does this sound better? Does this actually sound like a place one would want to return to?

 

It is easy to become short term minded on matters. We have become a what have you done for me TODAY world! Things may be tough for us at times. But the grass may not be better back where we were. What we are dealing with now may be hard but not as bad where we came from. Even Israel was suffering from short term memory! God provided for them with all the necessities for the body to survive and even helped them be victorious against other nations. Yet at that moment they forgot and wanted to go back to Egypt.

 

Luke 9:62

But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

 

Hebrews 10:38-39

NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; BUT IF ANYONE DRAWS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. 

 

In our lives today we face the reality of sin (Romans 3:23). We all have committed sin and separate ourselves from God. If we continue in sin, we will remain separated from God eternally (Romans 6:23).

 

The good news in all this is first that God wants me to be saved (II Peter 3:9). God wants me to change from sins and turn to Him. He has supplied what we need to survive and sustain our spiritual bodies as also! God has supplied us the Word (Romans 1:16-17). It is through the word and the power of God that one can have the hope of life. God has also supplied His Son and our Savior Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:23-28).

 

There is danger and a warning to consider! If I forget about what God has done for me through Jesus and the Word, I too can be just like Israel wanting to go back to Egypt! Going back to sin is not better (I Corinthians 6:9-10). These are not God (I John 2:15-17), in stead these are things of the world, and the world will and is passing away and with the lust and desire of it!

 

It can be easy to suffer from short term memory. Our culture and world have a mentality of what have you done for me TODAY! We were and are so blessed yesterday and forgot about all that today! Egypt is not better! It is not better to go back. This is not the way god wants or expects from us! We want to be a disciple of His do not focus on looking back! Look ahead (Hebrews 12:2)! Keep your eye on the prize (Philippians 3:12-16)! Keep your eyes focused on God! Do not look back to sin! It is not pleasant! It is not as fun as it seems! It is not going to reward you. Appreciate what God has done and seek the reward by obeying God! Listen to His Word! Obey His commands and reap the rewards!

 

Daniel Sanders

Lessons Learned from our Country

 

                Many have been greatly concerned over the state of our country here recently with the elections now over.  As we read in Psalms 118:8-9  we understand more of whom we are to place our trust in.  We are reminded to place our trust in God.  We are not to place our trust in man or even princes.  This is King David speaking this.  He is what? You guessed it a king!  He was saying it is best to place our trust in the living God!

                Whatever party you may be part of if that, we can learn lessons from a state of the nation.  We can see many concerns with the worldly issues.  It can be very discouraging, however, we are to do our best to stay the course.  In times of distress and trouble we are to remain faithful to God always! We need to place our treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) where it cannot be destroyed or taken from us by someone else.  Sadly many focus on more physical treasures causing an extreme amount of concern and separation from God.  I want you to consider some of these alarms with me for a few moments.

                A Sense of Entitlement.  You think about a bank and what they do to get your business.  They offer you extra money, toaster, telephone, etc.  They want you to feel that you are entitled to this to get your business.  The same goes for our country.  We expect things.  We expect that we deserve so much.  Yet here is the problem we do not work for them.  Consider some of these programs that are being offered now:  free cell phone program, money, or even big homes.  Many believe they are entitled to them and expect them to be given to one automatically.

                Have we forgotten the need to work in our country and just not expect handouts all the time (II Thessalonians 3:7-10).  The brethren here were told to continue to work and provide for their family.  Just as we are to do the same.  If we are not willing to work then we should not eat.  There is a difference between someone who can't work and one will not.  One may not physically be capable of doing and then there are some who just plain do not want to work.  Why? Because you have to work!  These programs are helpful for those who cannot work but sadly it is abused by many who do not want to work.  Here in Thessalonians it shows that there should be a greater sense of pride for being able to provide for our families.  It does for me and it should for you!  Knowing you are doing what you need to do for your family!

                Think about this in another way also.  The sense of entitle for the church.  Many believe that they are entitled to services from the church.  The denominational world wants you to believe that you are entitled to such services.  Thus they want you in their building and offer these services to give you a sense of entitlement to their different programs.  This is not the way it is supposed to be (Matthew 21:13).

                Think about one more on this subject.  Many believe they are entitled to heaven.  "well I have suffered enough" "well God is love and will not send me to hell" "well I am good enough the way I am".  We are reminded that we need to put effort in for our home in heaven (Matthew 7:21).  We are to put effort in our duty as a Christian.  Nothing is handed to us and we cannot take anything with nor did we have anything when we were brought into the world (Job 1:21)

                A World of Greed.  We are a nation of greed.  We take it to the extreme of envy sadly in most cases.  Some become so absorbed by another's possessions that they want and are willing to anything to get even if it means destroying and taking away from another.  We need more contentment (I Timothy 6:3-10).  We need to be satisfied with what we have.  God provides all for us and we need to be satisfied with it.  We cannot take anything with so why practice greed?  Money is a source of many forms of evil noticing envy, strife, reviling, and evil suspicions. 

                Concerning About a Lack of Morality.  Think about our world (I Corinthians 6:9-11).  We are in a society where people want to socially accept all.  Both in and out of the church.  Sadly some are following this belief even in the Lord's church!.  While I do agree to a small point.  I must show the ways of sin and how God doesn't allow sinful people to enter into heaven.  My duty is to expose sin for what it truly is!  I am not to socially accept all for who they are.  Homosexuals, fornicators or just sinners in general must realize sin and the consequences of it!

                Marriage has become a loose standard (Matthew 5:31-32).  People can get married and then divorced for any reason.  Gay marriage has become a hot topic in our world today.  Many have forgotten about God and the intention of marriage in our world.  People clamor for equal rights for all but forget about God.

                Murder has become a hot button issue specifically abortion (Psalms 139:13-16).  God knew whom we were in the womb.  Many do not want to call a baby a person while in the womb.  Some have a different standard of when a baby is a baby.  However in the beginning at conception we are told is when the baby is a baby.

                Conclusion:  Friends, many quote Acts 23:5b and I Peter 2:17 about speaking about our rulers.  Sadly some even in the church and are misusing verses like this.  However I am reminded that we are to expose sin (Ephesians 5:11-12).  We are commanded to stand for truth (Acts 5:29).  We are to put God first concerning his law and ways. 

What about when the apostles were told to not speak the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18)?  Was this not considered sin?  After all, Jesus commanded them to go and preach the gospel to all (Mark 16:15).  What if the rulers of this world try to deny all from preaching the name of Jesus?  Are to just respect the law of the land or are we to do what God says (Acts 4:19) first?  Where is our first love (Mark 12:30)!  Sadly this not new in our world today.  This is an ongoing battle that we have been seeing throughout the world.  Yet friends I want you to know that we need to continue to fight the good fight of faith (II Timothy 4:7-8).  We need to get back to a sense of trusting in the Lord (Psalms 118:8-9).  God is the one who offers eternal life not man!  This is why our trust needs to be in the Lord!  Is it?  Daniel Sanders

Word Scramble Apostles

Name ______________________________________


Word Scramble Apostles and Disciples



1. AMSJE ONS FO HELAPUSA

2. MESJA ONS FO EEBZDEE

3. SUARETS

4. ENWARD

5. ASOTMH

6. PLHPII

7. ASISL

8. LUPA

9. OMISN ETH NACATNIE

10. LSOPOLA

11. TOIHTMY

12. OAWMOLBTREH

13. AMWTHTE

14. PEERT

15. SARABBNA

16. HNOJ

17. IHMSATAT

18. HUDTSAEAD

19. UDAJS

20. NAATISP

Puzzle for enjoyment

Can you find 16 books of the Bible in the paragraph below??




I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts, and for others, it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books are not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of the 16, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea, so she can concentrate better. See how well you compete. Relax now, for there are really sixteen names of the books of the Bible in these sentences.

Separation

Throughout the Bible we read and witness a Separation. Separation is not always a bad thing. In the Old Testament we read about Israel and, how Israel was separated from the rest of the world. They were special to God. In the beginning Abraham was promised that he was special because of his great faith in God (Genesis 12:2).


In the new Testament there are a few different ideas of this. Just like in the Old Testament there again will be a separate people to God. Just like Israel they are and will be special to God (I Peter 2:9). Christ has become our chief cornerstone (I Peter 2:6-8). We are to build upon Christ and His teaching (Mark 1:15). We are told that if he do believe that Jesus is the Christ we have hope (John 8:24). We are to live in the world but we are not to be of this world (John 18:36). We are to be separate, different, unique, and a light in all the darkness of this world because Christ is our light of the world (John 8:12).

In another sense it is used to describe the separation that those will have on the judgment. Jesus uses parables to give this understanding and also was preaching and warning those that this will happen.

In one of these parables Jesus mentions this separation while using the parable of the Wheat and Tares in Matthew 13:24-30. The seed was being spread and is being spread by many. It is a good seed that comes from God through His Son Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:37). This good seed instructs us on how to live our life. It gives a true understanding of being a true light in the world while the world is loving the passing pleasures of sin.

The seed is to be continue to be spread throughout all the world (Mark 16:15). This has been available for all people to be saved (Romans 1:16-17). This is part of our responsibility through being a true example in word and conduct (I Timothy 4:12). Our example can and will go a long way in this life!

However with this seed being spread it will be spread throughout the entire world. However, man being influenced by Satan, will come in after the seed is being planted and sow some sort of discord to cause the word to be entangled and threatened to be thrown out because it is no good.

However perseverance is key. God will not separate those who receive the word and those who will not until time is over, whether it would be death or Christ coming.

In all this God will be our eternal Judge when this life is over (I Corinthians 5:10). God will judge the righteous and the unrighteous on that great last and final day. God on this day will judge and will separate the disobedient from the obedient.

Again, many in the world will reject the word of God for reasons of their own desire and passion to hear something other than the one and true gospel (II Timothy 4:2-5). That discord has been sown and contaminated the word sadly sometimes to the point where other can and will turn away from the gospel and turn to their own passions and desires.

On that day those that are found disobedient will hear the most saddest words that one can ever hear from this life. It comes from Christ and it is "I never knew you depart from you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23). That is when the terrible fate of being eternally separated from God will come. It is a sad day for many because many take that road (Matthew 7:13). It is a separation that will last forever because of sin (Romans 3:23) and because many will no and do not correct it (Romans 6:23).

However there is hope and that is to receive the word and obey it (Matthew 13:8). We need our ears to be open. We need them to be listening and taking the implanted word that can save our souls (James 1:21) and this will help us avoid this eternal separation from God.

The wheat and tares will both be reaped. The wheat will be received and ready for the harvest. However, the tares will also be collected but they will be burned and consumed by fire forever. Which one are we part of? Are we prepared or will we be separated from God eternally?

Daniel Sanders

More Time For Study

It is that time of the year again to make the resolutions and seek some way to improve their life or be better this or that. I know that many will make a New Year’s resolution that one wants to read the whole Bible. This is a great goal to have and try to accomplish. However is reading enough? I can read the whole Bible and once I reach the last verse in Revelation and close the Bible I still could not know a single thing about the Bible or how to truly improve oneself according to God’s will!


Reading is important Paul instructed Timothy to give a necessary amount of attention to reading (I Timothy 4:13). However, it also said here that we must give attention to exhortation and doctrine. How do we understand doctrine and encouragement? Can reading alone do this? Alternatively, is there something else behind it all?

We need to give more time to studying. When we read and it should be our goal to better apply things to our life and to gain more knowledge. This means we should be giving more time to studying.

In II Timothy 2:15 the King James Version says to study to show thyself approved. Meaning we do have to have a working attitude to prove we are faithful workers of God. The American Standard and New King James versions by state to give diligence. This means to actively approach and be consistent in the efforts. Can reading alone do such a thing? Can reading and studying do this for us?

As individuals, we must give the much needed attention to God’s word! We are constant students of God’s word. We will always be the one that is learning. The reason is that the ways of God are higher, better, farther, and deeper than our own logic that we can come up with (Isaiah 55:8-9). The ways of God go in every way farther than what we can think. It is with this that we can see that there is a need for much time to be given towards studying.

The moment we declare that we no longer need to study is the moment that Satan will catch us at the weakest moment. Satan is a roaring lion seeking to devour the weak in mind and heart of God’s will (I Peter 5:8). With all of this being said studying needs more than just a quick glance or when we come together.

We have to give attention to studying at every point of the day. We always complain about the fact that we do not have enough time in the day to accomplish everything we want. Has time changed? Have we not always had the same amount of time to do all the things that we need and want to do? We just need to be batter managers of our time that has been allotted to us by God.

Is our soul the most important thing to us? Will we give anything in exchange for the soul (Matthew 16:26)? If our soul is the most important thing then we will give the wholesome things to grow by (Hebrews 5:12-14). How can we know sin? How can discern right and wrong? How will we know the way of God? All great questions that concern our soul require us to give more time to studying!

Again, we must be better managers of our time. We should sit down and study at some point every day. One of my personal favorite things to do is when I wake up and get downstairs I pick up the Bible and begin reading Psalms 119:97-105 and then I go from there to give more attention to studying God’s word. In these verses, I reminded of the great vastness of the knowledge of God and how we should give constant attention to reading and understanding more.

This is what it means as said in verse 97 of how God’s word needs to be our constant focus. We have to study in order for it to be our meditation. We are giving the necessary attention to know more about God and His ways of life.

You may have a favorite verse that you like to read. Read however study it also! Do this with entire books of the Bible. It is one thing to read the verses, and it is another to study them. Take the time to study and give all the attention to God that God richly deserves. He has shown us all the things that we need to have eternal life. Is the soul the most valuable thing? Then take the necessary time out of everyday to study and give attention to God and God’s Word.



Daniel Sanders

Apostle "One Sent Forth"

Throughout the New Testament, we read of the apostles. We see their works, who they were, and what their role. Some have the misconception there are apostles here today. Is this true? There are many things to consider about an apostle and we want to examine those for a few moments.




Sent By Christ



The Disciples of Christ were followers. They followed during His time here. They witnessed the message Christ preached about his kingdom being at hand (Mark 1:15). The need for a change in life and it was found through Christ.

However, there was an even closer group of individuals that followed Christ. Christ named each as His closer follower (Mark 3:13-19). These were ones that Christ would have continue to deliver the message throughout the world (Mark 16:15-16).

Paul as we know also was one that encountered by Christ (Acts 9:1-19). He was sent to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21). Christ had work for Paul to do. The rest of apostles were of the Jewish background. Thus, it would be very difficult during this time for them to help many of the Gentiles. This was the advantage Paul especially. He could relate to the Gentiles. This is how he was useful to Christ (Acts 9:15-16). Apostles were ones that were sent by Christ (John 20:21) Paul included (I Corinthians 9:1).



Can a Disciple be an Apostle?



A disciple is a follower of one. As a Christians we are followers of Christ (I Peter 2:18-25). Christ left us a perfect example to follow. However, can a disciple be an apostle? The answer is yes! The apostles were followers of Christ. Peter, Andrew, James, and John all apostles were first called to be disciples. The rest were under this same understanding. They were all disciples before we know them as apostles. Why would Christ pick apostles if they were not disciples?

Now let us look at the reversal of this question: Is a disciple an apostle? No. Not all disciples were and are apostles. However, those that were mentioned being close to Christ and handpicked by Christ were apostles but first disciples. Apostles were able to do some things that disciples could not do. They were able to perform miracles for instance. This was to be done for proof that the apostles were close to Christ. They were specifically chosen by Christ and had this great power to do deliver the message (Luke 24:46-49) again Paul included in this.

We are Disciples of Christ we have taken on the name of Christ by becoming a Christian (I Peter 2:9). We are special individuals chosen of God. However, we cannot perform miracles, can we? Have we personally come in contact the way the apostles have? Many claim they have, however, as we can see shortly after one makes this proclamation the ability to perform signs, wonders, and miracles are not there. We cannot be apostles however; we can and will be disciples through our obedience to God.



The Work of an Apostle



Jesus gives the Great Commission to the apostles to “go and preach the gospel” to “everyone” baptizing them in “the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” beginning in “Jerusalem” (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:46-49).

However, they also had more understanding of things. Jesus gave them the “keys” to open the doors of the kingdom that Christ built upon. He speaks to Peter while establishing this and giving Peter and the apostles theses keys (Matthew 1618-19). These keys were speaking of the gospel that the apostles were commissioned to preach. We can see this carried out on the day of Pentecost where those who believed and were baptized continued in the apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42). This was done not by their own authority but by Christ!

We can see that the apostles can also be known as ambassadors or messengers. They were delivering the message of Christ to everyone: those who knew who Christ was and those who did not know who Christ was. This is the great power of the gospel that was delivered for all men everywhere (Romans 1:16).

There is a difference today between the work of a preacher and an apostle. The apostle delivered the message hence the word messenger. As an evangelist or a preacher, we already have the message. The word has been preserved down to this day for us however; the apostles first delivered it. We today are more of a preserver of the word.

Hence this is what Jesus says in his sermon on the mount that we are salt (Matthew 5:13). Not only is salt used to make things taste better but it is also used a preserving agent. We are to preserve the message. This is why we are also warned to not add or take away from (Revelation 22:18-19). It is not our duty to bring a new message. The new message has already been delivered and accomplished by the apostles.

Jesus called his disciples and named all of them. They were different from a disciple however; they were still followers of Christ. They had a more significant work to be done and commissioned by Christ than a disciple. They were given special powers to be able to give proof they were of God to establish the new message. Let us be mindful and thankful of the dedication they showed to Christ to continue to spread the gospel.

Daniel Sanders