Brandy Webb Brandy Webb

Don’t be a Stumbling Block

Are we showing the world the benefits of being a Christian or are we giving them reasons to dislike us? I have been wondering for a while why it seems that to the outside, Christians aren’t very loving. Isn’t that one of the major requirements of being a Christian? Are we actually our worst enemies when it comes to spreading God’s Word and light to others? What if we are stumbling blocks by our actions, reactions, and condemnations of others? We are told in Leviticus 19:14 not to “curse a deaf man, nor place a stumbling block before the blind.”

by Brandy Webb

Are we showing the world the benefits of being a Christian or are we giving them reasons to dislike us? I have been wondering for a while why it seems that to the outside, Christians aren’t very loving. Isn’t that one of the major requirements of being a Christian? Are we actually our worst enemies when it comes to spreading God’s Word and light to others? What if we are stumbling blocks by our actions, reactions, and condemnations of others? We are told in Leviticus 19:14 not to “curse a deaf man, nor place a stumbling block before the blind.” I know this probably meant literally, but it definitely can be applied spiritually. We are not to curse those who do not know the truth nor cause them to stumble. I am not saying we need to compromise our beliefs. I also do not intend to compromise my beliefs either. What I am saying is we need to pay attention so that our actions reveal Christ to others and not self-righteousness.

I have noticed that sometimes Christians act like they are better than everyone else. In addition, some think they have all the answers, and that everyone else is blind and ignorant. However, we don’t have all the answers. I don’t believe there is anyone out there that can explain every aspect of the Bible. I do not believe there is any church organization out there that does everything correctly either. I also do not believe that we are perfect.

So, how are we to act as Christians? I don’t have all the answers, but I have been thinking about this a lot. The first thought I came up with is I need to be honest. I must admit that I am not perfect. In fact, I am a sinner, and anyone who says they are not a sinner deceives themselves (1 John 4:8). However, I have a God and a Savior that will and can forgive me of my sins when I confess them and repent of them (1 John 4:9). Isn’t that one really important aspect we should show? We should reveal to others how wonderful forgiveness and grace is by being honest about ourselves. We don’t have to go around telling everyone everything we did wrong or do wrong, but we can share that, even though we aren’t perfect, we have a God that still accepts us, loves us, and forgives us. 

Grace and forgiveness led me to another thought of how we should act, which is as comforters. We have been blessed to have our eyes and ears open to such a wonderful truth. God has given us a Comforter through His Holy Spirit, and we should use this precious gift to comfort others. For example, the prodigal son was comforted by his father when he returned home, even though he really screwed up his life and made many mistakes. His father still welcomed him home with open arms. This is how we should act when “prodigals” turn to us for help because we all have been prodigals at one time or another. We are Christ’s representatives, and He died for everyone. Therefore, we should be willing to comfort anyone who needs comforted. 

We also do not want to appear like the Pharisees and Sadducees. Remember the parable of the prayer in Luke 18:9-14? The Pharisee is praying a very self-righteous “I am perfect” prayer and looking down his nose to the tax collector. The tax collector, though, prays a very humble contrite prayer asking for mercy. Jesus makes it very clear that the tax collector is the one who went home justified, not the Pharisee. We are not better than others. Just like Israel wasn’t a better nation than all the nations around them. We just have been chosen, for whatever reason, by nothing of our own doing, and we should be living a life that shows the world how grateful and joyful we are for this precious opportunity. If we act like Christ, we may have more opportunities to share with others why we have hope, and we need to make sure we answer “with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet 3:15). 

The truth is, I am realizing actions speak louder than words. I can’t just talk the talk; I must walk the walk, if I want to spread the benefits of Christianity. We need to make sure that we aren’t the cause of why people are turning away. God wishes for none to perish, so we should be living a life where we also wish for none to perish (2 Pet 3:9). We need to share His fruits with others, but in order to do that we need to make sure we are growing them within ourselves.

 

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Brian G. Bettes Brian G. Bettes

TRUSTING GOD’S JUDGMENT

“This is what God is asking of me right now, Babe. He says He will not give us more than we can handle, so I must be able to handle this. I trust His judgment.” As my wife paraphrased 1 Corinthians 10:13 to me, I was stunned, deeply moved, and humbled by her words of surrender, tears streaming down her face.

by Brian G. Bettes

“This is what God is asking of me right now, Babe. He says He will not give us more than we can handle, so I must be able to handle this. I trust His judgment.” As my wife paraphrased 1 Corinthians 10:13 to me, I was stunned, deeply moved, and humbled by her words of surrender, tears streaming down her face.

In the last week and a half, my wife has been suffering a severe trial. It is a trial that involves debilitating physical pain.

Kristin has suffered through daily pain quietly and patiently due to an accident she had five and a half years ago, pain that I know I could not bear. She suffers chronic back pain, but she also lives with a constant headache. On a scale of 1 to 10, she says her headache ranges between a 2 to a “12” (really bad, blinding days). The only time she doesn’t feel a headache is when she is asleep. Doctors have “done all they can,” so she has settled into a life of “pain management.” I will not go into what all that entails at this time, but please believe me when I tell you she doesn’t live a very fun life most days.

However, this current pain is different and it has been nearly crippling. It started as we were traveling to Houston for the memorial service of a dearly loved friend, and has continued since. We are not sure what happened since she was not doing anything out of the ordinary, but all of a sudden a piercing pain shot through her neck and left shoulder. The suspicion at this point is a pinched nerve or a bone spur, but we will not know that for sure until tests confirm. 

She was anointed and we have continually prayed about it since it started. The only position she feels some comfort in is when she is laying down, so it has all but put her in bed. This is scary stuff for both of us. 

The worst part of it for me personally is having to watch her go through this and be completely helpless to do anything to help relieve her suffering. After a couple of days of watching her not be able to move much, seeing her tears, listening to her cry out multiple times when the pain “stabs” her and moan in agony the rest of the time; after watching her take strong prescription medication that hasn’t even phased the pain, I started having feelings of complete and total powerlessness in a desperate situation. 

In my frustration, I began to do what many of us probably have done in times of severe trial. I began to ask the “why” question. I started asking God, “Why Father? We have done what You said we should do in bringing this before You. Why are You allowing this to go on like this? Are we not your children (of course we are)? Are you not hearing us (of course He is)? Is there something wrong? Is there sin? Please God, I don’t understand! 

As a point of reference, my wife has been through a great deal since her accident with many miracles being performed just for her to be alive. Every time we have prayed and she was anointed, we received amazing answers to those prayers, so this time seems more than a bit unusual.

I will tell you that I know better than to ask the “why” question. My wife and I are both fully aware that God is not our personal genie who is at our beck and call to perform miracles when we feel pain, and He doesn’t “owe” us an answer to the why question. We both understand that suffering is a part of His bigger plan for us to make it into His family (Romans 8:16-17). He said it would be so, and we should not expect anything different. I have given numerous sermons on this subject over the years, so it isn’t like this is completely unfamiliar territory to me. Yet I have felt so very helpless in this situation. So there I was, having these thoughts. As much as I don’t like admitting it, I will just say it here—my faith is not perfect.

I am also aware that we are to have complete and total trust that God knows what He is doing and He is intimately involved in our lives (Luke 12:6-7). However, I think when most of us go through something severe, if we are honest with ourselves, many of these same questions cross our minds. We probably don’t want to admit that, but, my own experience, coupled with that of others I have counselled who were suffering severe trials, tells me that this is true for most of us. We want there to be some semblance of rhyme or reason, some understanding, as to why we are going through certain trials. Read the book of Job and the Psalms sometime. You will see that this is not really all that unusual, even for those that God thinks very highly of.

It was at my voicing of these thoughts to Kristin that I heard her speak those words. Again, I was deeply humbled by her surrendered attitude, to say the least.

A few days later, as I was reading the Proverbs, I ran across these words. The thoughts that came with the words were interesting. I would like to share them with you. 

Proverbs 3:1, 3 says, “My son do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands…. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (emphasis mine throughout). What struck me (once again) was that God really wants our hearts to be wrapped around Him and His way of thinking—not ours. That stung a little bit because, even though I know this and have tried to live it, I let something slip here and started thinking with my feelings, not my faith. I was not looking to His wisdom first. My heart was engaged in the wrong place.

What comes next was even more indicting. He says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart [there we go with my heart being in the wrong place again], and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). What struck me here was that I should not lean on my own understanding (which I knew), but I also should not lean on my lack of understanding either. Just because I don’t understand what He is doing or why He is allowing this isn’t a reason to not trust Him. How many times does Satan use that one against us, trying to get us to think that God is off somewhere else paying attention to someone/something else instead of us and our trial? Ouch! Point taken.

Next up, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6). Isn’t that what Christ was doing when He accepted the cup given Him by the Father (Matthew 24:39, 42)? This is also what Kristin was doing when she spoke her words to me. She was acknowledging God and His role in her trial (as she has done many times), and surrendering to His judgment.

Kristin is not perfect, and we both have our daily struggles to do what is right and follow God’s direction in our lives (Romans 8:14). We have good days and bad days in our efforts to do this. However, she moved and inspired me deeply on this occasion as, in severe pain, she has been surrendering to our Father and to Jesus. She has been, and continues to be, a good example to me of trusting God’s judgment.

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Brandy Webb Brandy Webb

True Happiness, Priceless

We have all heard the saying, “Money can’t buy happiness.” I have also heard the statement, “Well, I have heard that theory, but may I have a chance to try it out please?” The temptation to have more is all around us, especially here in the United States. I also think, in large part due to social media, the whole world now sees others that seem to have “more,” thus causing a rise in the temptation of desiring more stuff.

by Brandy Webb

We have all heard the saying, “Money can’t buy happiness.” I have also heard the statement, “Well, I have heard that theory, but may I have a chance to try it out please?” The temptation to have more is all around us, especially here in the United States. I also think, in large part due to social media, the whole world now sees others that seem to have “more,” thus causing a rise in the temptation of desiring more stuff.

I know the dream of wealth is nothing new. I am sure most of us, when we were kids, had castle-in-the-sky ideas of what life was going to be like when we grew up, and I am sure the majority of us didn’t get to step foot in those “castles.” However, are you showing the next generation that you are still content and grateful with your life despite not becoming part of the “rich and famous”? Are we teaching the next generation by our actions and words that we know that money doesn’t buy happiness? We may not know because we have had the opportunity to prove the theory, but we do know of someone who did.

Solomon was the richest and wisest king of Israel. He made for himself great works. He built houses, vineyards, gardens, and parks (Eccl 2:4-5). He had many servants and “great possessions of herds and flock, above all who were before [him] in Jerusalem” (Eccl 2:7). Plus, he had lots of silver, gold, treasures, singers, musical instruments, all the food he could desire to eat, and all the wine he could desire to drink (Eccl 2:3, 8). He allowed himself to have anything he desired (Eccl 2:10). Yet, when he finally looked around himself he didn’t find happiness; he found vanity, chasing after the wind, and that all of it was of no profit (Eccl 2:11).

Why? Because it is just stuff, and he couldn’t take it with him when he died. In fact, he had no control over who would receive his acquired wealth and riches after he died. He didn’t know if the inheritor would be “a wise man or a fool” (Eccl 2:19). He also learned the hard truth, “He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity” (Eccl 5:10). 

What happens when we keep pursuing the wrong thing? We get caught up in whirlwind. Have you ever tried to catch wind? It is an impossible feat. Well, when we pursue things and not God, we are attempting to find happiness in the wrong thing, and we will never acquire that happiness just like we can never catch the wind. Now, I am not saying that we should not enjoy the fruits of our labor. For Solomon realized this:

Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion. Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life; because God occupies him with the joy of his heart” (Eccl 5:18-20). 

The key thing is to rejoice, give God praise, and to realize that whether we have much or little, all of it is a gift from God. We must live a life that believes that it is better to have just “a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind” (Eccl 4:6). “Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked” (Ps 37:16). “Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble” (Prov 15:16).

Therefore, money doesn’t buy happiness. The only way for us to be happy is to put our faith and trust in God; to be thankful for what He has given us; to live a life of contentment with godliness (1 Tim 6:6). And to heed Solomon’s parting words: “Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl 12:13).

 

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Brian G. Bettes Brian G. Bettes

FAREWELL, J.R. — ’TIL WE MEET AGAIN

I would not normally use this space for personal thoughts, but on this occasion I will ask you to indulge me as I honor the passing of a true Christian. Having just performed the memorial service for him this past Sabbath, my thoughts are weighing heavy on my mind. On that day we put to rest one of the truest, most precious Christians I have ever known. His name was Jess Rodney (known to all as just “J.R.”) Hamilton

by Brian G. Bettes

I would not normally use this space for personal thoughts, but on this occasion I will ask you to indulge me as I honor the passing of a true Christian. Having just performed the memorial service for him this past Sabbath, my thoughts are weighing heavy on my mind. On that day we put to rest one of the truest, most precious Christians I have ever known. His name was Jess Rodney (known to all as just “J.R.”) Hamilton.

Husband to one for 63 years, father to six, grandfather to seven, great-grandfather to eight, and great-great grandfather to one, J.R. was a man loved and respected by all who knew him. He left his fingerprint on every life he touched.

Called into the truth in the early 1960s, J.R. drove a beer truck for a large brewery to support his family. Upon learning about the Sabbath, J.R. promptly quit his 13-year run with the brewery and found another job as a mechanic, not easy for a man with children and no high school education. But he didn’t question God; he simply trusted Him. He and his wife Norma quickly became a foundational support in the local church where they attended and selflessly served.

There were widows and those without means in the congregation, so J.R. got hold of an old school bus, fixed it up so it would run, loaded everyone in the bus, and headed to Big Sandy for the Feast. His reasoning? “They would not have been able to go to God’s festival, so I had to do something.” Mind you, J.R. didn’t have a lot of money either, but what he and Norma had, they shared with all. That school bus ended up hauling teens thousands of miles all over the country for basketball games, volleyball games, and track meets with J.R. behind the wheel for every mile.

It was well known to all the ministry and brethren around the country back then; if you were traveling through Albuquerque, NM, you had a place to stay—at J.R. and Norma’s!

My wife and I met J.R. Hamilton for the first time on the Sabbath following the Feast of Tabernacles in 2007. He and Norma had heard about the small flock in Denver that was my privilege to shepherd while at the Feast. Having just moved to Colorado from New Mexico, they were looking for a place to fellowship, so they decided to drop in for a visit. They had just come to visit, but to our great joy they decided to stay. A strong bond of friendship developed almost instantly but grew to become a deep, loving, familial relationship. J.R. and Norma became two of Kristin and my favorite people. My friendship with J.R. would end up as one of the defining relationships of my life.

J.R was tall, standing nearly 6’5” with pure white hair and an equally striking mustache on his upper lip that nearly always had a smile on it. Already in his 70s when I met him, you would never know it. He was strong as an ox and active, cutting wood for the fireplace and working around his son’s property where he lived up in the mountains. Yet what struck most people who knew him was not his rugged toughness; rather it was his gentle, sensitive, and humble nature. J.R. was truly a man of steel and velvet!

Arriving at church, I would be met with J.R.’s great big smile and a bear hug. His greeting quickly became one of the highlights of my week. We spent many hours talking. He loved to talk about God, and he loved to talk about his family. He and Norma had extremely talented children, and long before we physically met any of them, Kristin and I “met” each and every one of them through the stories he and Norma told us. We saw pictures of them all; we saw the art work of one, the sketch book of another, heard about the musical talent and the band of yet another, the success of a granddaughter and her husband as they travelled the world with their business, and the heartbreak of losing a daughter when she was killed prematurely. Week in and week out we would hear about the successes and struggles as their children and grandchildren went through the ups and downs of life. J.R. loved to share his family with everyone he could.

Mostly his faced beamed with the right kind of pride over the joys of a family he deeply loved, but the big man knew how to cry too. He was actually quite easily moved to tears when his Texas-sized heart was touched with joy or sadness. 

I was the pastor and, by his own words, a spiritual teacher to him; yet week after week he took me to school in how to really live what we believe. I always felt so inadequate in front of his love for others, his love for animals (a stray cat never had a chance around him once he decided to feed it and take care of it), his gentle spirit, his willingness to help and serve, and most of all, his deep humility.

On the note of humility, we fellowshipped with J.R. for a year and half before Norma accidently let it slip that he was a deacon (and had been since the mid 1970s) and she was a deaconess. Go back and read through 1 Timothy 3:8-13 sometime where it talks about what God looks for in a deacon. You will be reading J.R.’s life and conduct right out of the pages of the Bible. He was a faithful, albeit very quiet and humble deacon.

As those who know me will attest, I tend to read the Bible for what it says and just lay it out there for those listening to do what they will with it. If you take the Bible for what it says it tends to cut to the quick and hurt sometimes. One week after a particularly tough sermon when I was dealing with some problems in the congregation, I had pointed out some scriptures for all of us (including myself) to evaluate ourselves against. I must have been feeling guilty because a few days afterward I went to J.R. and asked him for an honest evaluation as to whether I was being too hard on the congregation or not. In typical J.R. fashion, he said in his southern drawl, “Son, the way I figure it, if you ain’t peenchin’ my toes, you ain’t doin’ your job!” It was a testament to his deep humility toward God and His Word.

J.R. would come to church every week and, nearly without fail, pull me off to the side to tell me that he needed to apologize to me for something that he said the week before in conversation. He would say it was his hope that he had not offended me. You see, he would go home after our weekly talks on the Sabbath and think through every aspect of our conversation. Something would strike him that he thought maybe he shouldn’t have said, or shouldn’t have said in a particular way. He was so careful and concerned about not wanting to hurt my feelings. Of course, he hadn’t even come close to doing so, but that was just the man he was, a deeply humble man.

Yes, as I said, I may have been the pastor but he continually schooled me in how to really live it.

J.R. graduated into the Family of God at the head of his class on August 24, 2016. His next waking moment will be the joy of rising in the air to meet our Elder Brother at His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). I am certain after looking around to see Norma there too, he will be looking around to find other loved ones, among whom I hope to be one. It will be wonderful to see that beaming smile again and get a great big bear hug from him. J.R. Hamilton, you were a beautiful man and you will be deeply missed. Farewell, J.R.—’til we meet again.

 

 

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Brandy Webb Brandy Webb

Climb Every Mountain

I think I listen to music too much, but I was trying to figure out the title for my blog and this title came in my head. Immediately, I had the song from Sound of Music looping in my mind over and over again. I must stop coming up with titles that are also titles of songs. My original title, though, would have been way too long, which was The Mountain May be High but the View is Great Once on Top. 

Obviously, I am using the term “mountain” as a metaphor for trials. It seems lately that a lot of people I know and my family are going through a variety of various trials. I find that sometimes an overflow of trials usually seems to happen around God’s Holy Days but maybe that is a coincidence.

by Brandy Webb

I think I listen to music too much, but I was trying to figure out the title for my blog and this title came in my head. Immediately, I had the song from Sound of Music looping in my mind over and over again. I must stop coming up with titles that are also titles of songs. My original title, though, would have been way too long, which was The Mountain May be High but the View is Great Once on Top. 

Obviously, I am using the term “mountain” as a metaphor for trials. It seems lately that a lot of people I know and my family are going through a variety of various trials. I find that sometimes an overflow of trials usually seems to happen around God’s Holy Days but maybe that is a coincidence. However, whatever the reason for this overflow of trials, they seem to be happening all around me. In the past, I would get very overwhelmed. This year I’m trying to take a different approach. I am working on trusting God and not myself to get me through the trials, and because of this I had the idea pop in my head that looking at a trial as a mountain that I must climb, means that once I am on top of that trail there is no telling how awesome the view will be for me.

By now my readers probably know that I like to visualize things to put them in perspective.  Visualizing intangible things in a concrete way helps me either to cope with what I am going through or understand the situation better. 

So, back to this idea of a trial being a mountain put forth along this path that we call life. We first and foremost must acknowledge that we need God’s help to climb the mountain. We need Him to provide the “climbing gear,” wisdom, and understanding to help us climb; and sometimes when the mountain is too steep and overwhelming, we need to learn to let Him carry us. The point is, we have to trust God, believe that He has our best interests at heart, and have faith that we will get to the top. This requires total, complete trust in God with all our heart, and to not lean on our own understanding, so that He can make the path straight for us to get to the top (Prov 3:5-6). In other words, we must let go of what we think is the best route to the top, and pray for discernment, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and whatever else from God, to help get us and guide us to the top.

In addition, we must also be prepared for the top to not be what we expected, but the view is going to be great even if we may not see the best view in this lifetime. This is the hard truth. Life is a series of mountains or, you could say, a mountain range. We have our moments of valleys and smooth times and our moments of cliffs and sharp edges. We get to the top of one mountain to only have to climb another. However, God is with us through it all. He will carry us when we need Him to, make our steps firm along the way (Psa 37:23), and will “Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish” us along the way (1 Pet 5:10). We must always acknowledge that as long as we have the breath of life, God will help us—no matter what—if we let Him. His help may be a beautiful stream in a field of clover, or it may just be a moment of rest in the cleft of a cliff. He works with us all differently.

However, no matter how large the mountain is, our God is greater, and one of these days we are going to see a view that we could never imagine. We will see a view that will make all the mountains of life worth climbing as long as we trust in the Lord our God during this life and hold fast to His truths. So climb every mountain—with God by your side or carrying you on His shoulders—and hold on to the hope of seeing an awesome view.

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Brandy Webb Brandy Webb

RESPECT

Every time I hear the word respect, I hear Aretha Franklin singing her version of the song “Respect.” However, I’m not going to talk about wanting people to respect me. I know everyone wants to be respected, but what I want to talk about is how respectful are we towards others?

There seems to be a lot of disrespect out there in the world, and don’t worry, I’m not saying that I see a lot in the churches. I know there is some between different XYZ COGs, but I do hope that the majority of us have grown to respect each other regardless of what group we go to.

by Brandy Webb

Every time I hear the word respect, I hear Aretha Franklin singing her version of the song “Respect.” However, I’m not going to talk about wanting people to respect me. I know everyone wants to be respected, but what I want to talk about is how respectful are we towards others?

There seems to be a lot of disrespect out there in the world, and don’t worry, I’m not saying that I see a lot in the churches. I know there is some between different XYZ COGs, but I do hope that the majority of us have grown to respect each other regardless of what group we go to. With that said, are we setting the example of what respect is? Are our actions showing how to live respectfully even if we don’t agree with the other person? Are we loving our enemies (Matt 5:44)? Are we counting others more significant than ourselves (Phil 2:3)? 

I am not saying we have to compromise our beliefs and try to “fit in.” No, we do need to stay strong in our faith and try to walk in the footsteps of the Messiah; however, we should make sure we are doing it with respect to others. We can live in faith and keep God’s commandments without looking down on others that do not. We can live a Christian life without trying to force our opinions and ideologies on others, also. 

Forcing others to believe what you believe is what the world does. They cry out, “We want respect,” but they do not respect others that have a different opinion than they do. They attack others with their words and sometimes even physically, just because they don’t agree with each other. This is not how a Christian should act. We are to show ourselves “in all respects to be a model of good works, and in [our teachings] show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (Titus 2:7-8).

My hope is that we live a life that Peter tells us to do in 1 Peter 2, to do away with all “malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander” (1 Pet 2:1), conducting ourselves “with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Pet 2:12). This requires us to live respectfully, even if we aren’t getting any respect. When we live a life where we treat others the way we want to be treated, even if they aren’t doing the same, we are living a life that follows the Law and the Prophets (Matt 7:12).

I believe that this is another way to show God’s light to the world. It is another way to give the next generation an example of how to live and how to conduct oneself. We can’t complain about the lack of respect that the next generation has if we aren’t showing them how to live respectfully among people that disagree with us. We have to combat what they see in the media by showing them how to live differently. 

Live a life that doesn’t scream out “Respect me or else!” Instead, live a life that shows by our actions how our God loves all people and wishes all to turn to Him, repent, and live eternally (a few references: John 3:17, Rom 10:12, Gal 3:28-29, 1 Tim 2:4).

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Brian G. Bettes Brian G. Bettes

REVIEWING GOD’S MASTER PLAN FOR MANKIND

As we approach the fall holy days our minds turn to the final steps in God’s master plan for mankind. It is hard to believe that in just under six weeks we will kick off the fall holy day season with the Feast of Trumpets. As we look to the future events represented by the fall festivals, it is always good to briefly look back and review where we have been in order to accurately see where we are going. 

When we look into the rearview mirror of our own personal life, we should see a time when God started to rescue us as He did the children of Israel while being held captive in the land of Egypt (Exodus 3:6-7). 

 

by Brian G. Bettes

As we approach the fall holy days our minds turn to the final steps in God’s master plan for mankind. It is hard to believe that in just under six weeks we will kick off the fall holy day season with the Feast of Trumpets. As we look to the future events represented by the fall festivals, it is always good to briefly look back and review where we have been in order to accurately see where we are going. 

When we look into the rearview mirror of our own personal life, we should see a time when God started to rescue us as He did the children of Israel while being held captive in the land of Egypt (Exodus 3:6-7). We should be able to recognize exactly when He began to reach out His hand to us, opening our eyes to His truth and working miracles in our lives as He started to reveal Himself to us. We saw and felt His power in our lives as He began to deliver us from this world in a way we had not known, seen, nor understood before. In short, He called us (John 6:44, 65). In response we fulfilled the symbols of repentance from a life of works that led to death (Romans 6:20-21). In faith we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior through the sacrifice of His life in place of ours (Romans 5:6-8). We started feeding directly on Him as our living Bread of Life (John 6:51), and we began our own personal journey out of and away from the Egypt of this sinful world; all of this pictured by the Passover and days of Unleavened Bread. 

As we continue to look behind us in that mirror we see that, just as the children of Israel went down into the Red Sea and emerged on the other side into a new world with Jesus leading them in a cloud by day and fire by night (1 Corinthians 10:1-2), we also forged ahead with complete and total surrender to Him by participating in the symbolism of the burial of our old man in the watery grave of baptism. Our sins were washed away and we were resurrected to live a new life following Him as we came up out of those waters, this being represented by the last day of Unleavened Bread.

After having hands laid on us to receive the Holy Spirit from our Father, which combines with our human spirit to make us His very children (Romans 8:15-16), we began to be led by that same Spirit (Romans 8:14); this as we know is represented by the Feast of First Fruits, or Pentecost. All of the above events are encapsulated within the short but powerful proclamation that the apostle Peter made to those requesting what to do on that first day of Pentecost after the resurrection of our Lord. He said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

We now turn our focus to look out the windshield to see what is in front of us. The next step is our own personal victory day at the return of Jesus Christ as represented by the Feast of Trumpets. The day our bodies and minds become fully spirit as Jesus did at His resurrection, when we ourselves will be either resurrected or changed (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1Thessalonians 4:16-17).

But that is not the end of His plan, is it? Our personal faith being finished by Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) is not the end of the story. In other words, it isn’t all about us! God has more in store as seen in the rest of His holy days. As we drive further down the road, what comes into view? The Day of Atonement. It is a day that represents God preparing the earth for Jesus Christ’s millennial rule by locking Satan away in a prison cell (compare the events of Leviticus 16:10, 20-22 with Revelation 20:1-3). 

Christ then returns with us by His side to help Him usher in a new era, a new world, and a new way of thinking and living (Revelation 20:4, 6). After the thousand years is finished, the rest of the dead (Revelation 20:5) will be resurrected, given and second chance at living under Christ’s rule, then judged by their willingness to follow Him. Some, if their name is written in the Book of Life, will receive eternal life in the family of God just as we did. Others whose names were not in that Book will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is not an ever-burning existence in a place called hell by the way (Revelation 20:11-15).

At this point death and hell (Greek: hades, or grave) are thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). All authority on earth has at that point come under the rule of Jesus Christ, and all who are living who were once flesh are now Spirit-born children of the Father. And after the very last enemy, which is death, has been destroyed, the final culmination of God’s plan to create children through mankind becomes complete when Jesus Christ hands rule of the Kingdom over to our Father (1 Corinthians 15:23-26). WOW!

Think of it — what an incredible plan! God uses His holy days as milestones along our journey to becoming His children. God is reproducing Himself from first nothing, then clay using His Holy Spirit. What He is creating isn’t just another “thing.” It isn’t even just another sentient being like angels. No, He is creating an exact replica of Himself many times over. God’s piece de resistance, His masterpiece is you, me, and ultimately the rest of mankind if each of us willingly responds appropriately within the timeframe we are given. Let’s enjoy the wonder and beauty of His plan as we celebrate the fall feast days!

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Jeremy A. Brown Jeremy A. Brown

Which Way Will You Swim?

I was recently listening to a motivational speaker, and she said something that goes with the Christian struggle. The speaker said, “Any dead fish can float down stream with the current, but it takes a live fish to swim upstream against the current!” Where are you in your Christian life? Are you just going along with the crowd doing what’s popular and ignoring what God commands us to do (Proverbs 4:2)? Many times in our nation we see those who claim to be Christian going completely against what the Holy Bible and God have to say regarding what is right and wrong. We can look back in our nation’s history and see the many times Christians should have taken a stand and spoken out against the evils of society, but they didn’t. Instead, they allowed it to happen or even took part in things they knew were wrong (Proverbs 9:6).

by Jeremy Brown

I was recently listening to a motivational speaker, and she said something that goes with the Christian struggle. The speaker said, “Any dead fish can float down stream with the current, but it takes a live fish to swim upstream against the current!” Where are you in your Christian life? Are you just going along with the crowd doing what’s popular and ignoring what God commands us to do (Proverbs 4:2)? Many times in our nation we see those who claim to be Christian going completely against what the Holy Bible and God have to say regarding what is right and wrong. We can look back in our nation’s history and see the many times Christians should have taken a stand and spoken out against the evils of society, but they didn’t. Instead, they allowed it to happen or even took part in things they knew were wrong (Proverbs 9:6).

There are shocking trends going on today in our nation as we speak. The United States Air Force is removing a phrase that contains God off of its entire aircraft fleet. Atheists are fighting to have “In God We Trust” removed from American currency. A female United States Marine was given a dishonorable discharge because she refused to remove a biblical scripture from her office desk because her commander didn’t agree with it. The list goes on, but the most shocking part is that these actions are taking place in a nation where 75 percent of its citizens claim to be Christian and a very miniscule percentage is atheist. How can that be? (Read Proverbs 15:10.)

There’s also a statement that the atheists and homosexual movement have used to put fear in Christians/non-supporters: “You don’t want to be on the wrong side of history!” The Christian stance should be “I’d rather be on the wrong side of history with men and always on the right side of history with God!” In the end, all human beings will stand before God, and I doubt that those people who pressured you to give up your biblical foundation and join their cause will take the blame, since God holds each person individually accountable for the decisions he or she makes (Deuteronomy 31:6). Stop just floating downstream with the crowd, and ask yourself, before you make a decision, “How does this correlate with my biblical beliefs?” For many years, I floated downstream, refusing to tell others where I was going when I was keeping the holy days, because I didn’t want to be weird or different from the crowd. Now I tell anyone who asks that I’m keeping the feast. Christians today, like the first-century disciples, should “go out and bear fruit (John 15:16). Each of us can be a light in a dark world and could lead a coworker or friend to God by simply explaining to them why we keep the Sabbath or holy days. Most people have never heard of the pure truth in our Bible. This dark world embraces many lies regarding the truth in the Bible.

The trends in our nation and world are getting darker. I was recently reading an article in the New York Times that stated that the millennial generation is in favor of having marriage licenses that have to be renewed every few years, so if you determine this person isn’t for you the license won’t have to be renewed. Aren’t we supposed to go in to marriage with a forever mindset? You’re not supposed to start off with the mindset of “If this doesn’t work I can leave in three years when the license expires.” There was also an article in which a popular actress named Monique praised and even recommended open marriage. She stated that she and her husband have been in an open marriage for the past ten years. These are the current trends in our world, and we have to understand that God holds us all individually accountable for the decisions we make, especially after He’s given us His truth to spread to the world (Psalms 27:10). Swim upstream against the current! Remember, if it violates God’s Word, we shouldn’t do it. Don’t be hurt by the things others will say to you when you’re doing the right thing. In the end, God is the only One who matters (Psalm 38:19-22). None of this will be easy, but we can strengthen ourselves by attending Sabbath services and keeping God’s holy days with others who are going through the same struggles of a world turning its back our Creator God! It will be hard, but in the end it will be so worth it (Revelation 3:21)!

 

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Brandy Webb Brandy Webb

Lighthouse

I want to be a lighthouse. I want to be a vessel for the Holy Spirit to dwell in and shine brightly in this dark world. I want God’s Spirit to become a beacon within me that guides others away from the rocky shores of life and into still waters. I want the beacon to be lit all the time. I want to guide people out of “storms.” 

This is what I want to be. This is my ultimate professional goal in life. I want my light to shine in such a way that others “may see [my] good works, and glorify [my] Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:16).

by Brandy Webb

I want to be a lighthouse. I want to be a vessel for the Holy Spirit to dwell in and shine brightly in this dark world. I want God’s Spirit to become a beacon within me that guides others away from the rocky shores of life and into still waters. I want the beacon to be lit all the time. I want to guide people out of “storms.” 

This is what I want to be. This is my ultimate professional goal in life. I want my light to shine in such a way that others “may see [my] good works, and glorify [my] Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:16). I don’t want to force myself onto them. I want them to see my light when they meet me without my help, so that I cannot boast because it will be coming from within. I will just be the lighthouse and the Holy Spirit is the light. 

I know that in order for this to happen I must not quench the Spirit by participating in the unfruitful deeds of darkness. I must believe that by following the Messiah and believing in Him makes me a child of light, so therefore I better learn “what is pleasing to the Lord” (Eph 5:8-10). For I was made for God’s pleasure, not my own, and if I want to have the Holy Spirit to dwell in me I have to let it work in me. I’d better make sure that I keep my “house” clean so that the light can shine through. I don’t want to quench the light or cover it up with unfruitful fruit and weeds. I want it to shine always and forever. I don’t want credit for it; I just want to be used by it. The joy of knowing that I have this light within me is all I need. Then, I’ll know that I am truly a child of God. 

I am sure that I am not the only one who has this ultimate goal for themselves in this life. We are to be lights always. It is what helps guide us and each other. Together we can be “lighthouses” all over the world. Even the tiniest flame destroys darkness. So, let us shine brightly, destroying darkness everywhere we go. Then maybe people will ask us to share the hope within us because they see God’s light shining through. 

 

Lighthouse

by Brandy Webb

6/6/2005

 

In the dark waters of life

A lone man wanders,

Searching for a light.

 

The seas are high,

The shores are deadly,

There is no stillness to stop in.

 

He wanders, 

Searching and hoping,

Waiting and longing.

 

Where is the light?

Where is his guide?

Where is safety?

 

Then over the dark skies,

The man sees a flicker.

His heart leaps.

 

The soft glow gets brighter.

There it is, the light,

A guide in this dark night.

 

He turns toward it;

He uses it to guide him— 

Finally, finding the still waters.

 

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Brandy Webb Brandy Webb

Trust God not Politicians

I am not going to talk politics. I am not going to take one side or the other either. However, I do want to advise us all as Christians to not stoop to the level of the masses with their fear and hatred for one another because of their political views.

I am not very smart when it comes to prophecy, but I honestly do not think that God needs a certain person in the White House to start Armageddon. In fact, I don’t even know if America will be here when the end of the age happens.

by Brandy Webb

I am not going to talk politics. I am not going to take one side or the other either. However, I do want to advise us all as Christians to not stoop to the level of the masses with their fear and hatred for one another because of their political views.

I am not very smart when it comes to prophecy, but I honestly do not think that God needs a certain person in the White House to start Armageddon. In fact, I don’t even know if America will be here when the end of the age happens. Who is to say that God won’t destroy the governments that we know now and start over with new governments like He has allowed to happen over and over again in the past? I don’t understand God’s full plan because His ways are not my ways (Isa 55:8). His thoughts are higher than my thoughts (Isa 55:9).  And the wisest person in the world would still be considered dumb compared to God.

So, with that said, I want to make a plea. I don’t care if you vote or not, nor do I care who you vote for. What I do care about is that those of us who call ourselves Christians behave like Christians regardless of the elections. Do not slander one another. Do not cause discord among the brethren because you may like one candidate over another. In fact, it is an abomination to God to cause discord among the brethren (Prov 6:19). Do we not understand that it is God who puts whoever He wishes in power (Rom 13:1)? Therefore, wouldn’t getting angry about who wins the election mean that you don’t agree with God’s decision? Maybe I am being a little harsh. I do not mean to offend. I am just paying attention to what seems to be a problem, in my opinion, when elections come around.

My other plea is to not fear who wins. God is in control. Politicians are human. They are far from perfect, and they will not solve our problems. This is why God warned Israel when they requested a king to rule over them (1 Sam 8). He knew what would happen when someone became that powerful. I think even the humblest person could be tempted to lose sight of the greater good when they are given too much power.

The truth is we are told to pray for our leaders because “this is good and acceptable in the sight of God” (1 Tim 2:1-3). We are told to abide by the rules of the land and not rebel, in other words, live peacefully (Rom 13:1-6). We are also told to love our enemies and pray for them (Matt 5:43-48). I know that this isn’t easy. No one ever said being a Christian would be easy. In fact, I think the Messiah warned it would definitely be a hard harsh path to follow him because “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head” (Matt 8:19-20). However, walking in the footsteps of the Messiah, being a light, listening to the Holy Spirit, and growing Godly fruit are the things that make us different. These traits are what set us apart from the world.

Therefore, instead of getting all bent out of shape this election year. Instead of becoming fearful because this person is winning in the polls. Instead of getting caught up in hateful speech. Let us strive to let the politicians do what politicians do while we do what Christians are supposed to do; to walk in the footsteps of the Messiah, to trust God no matter who is in office, and to pray for God’s Kingdom to come.

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Brian G. Bettes Brian G. Bettes

A Crisis in Leadership

In the United States we are facing yet another presidential election year. As I talk with most people about the election, they are of the same opinion that I am…there are no good leadership choices in this race. The statement I hear most is, “I am being forced to pick between the better of two evils, or pick no one at all.” OUCH! What an indictment on what is supposed to be the greatest leadership experiment in the history of mankind—democracy. 

By Brian G. Bettes

In the United States we are facing yet another presidential election year. As I talk with most people about the election, they are of the same opinion that I am…there are no good leadership choices in this race. The statement I hear most is, “I am being forced to pick between the better of two evils, or pick no one at all.” OUCH! What an indictment on what is supposed to be the greatest leadership experiment in the history of mankind—democracy. 

The rest of the world doesn’t look much better. In fact, even with all of its problems the United States still looks like a pretty good place to live compared to most countries where the leadership consists of despots and tyrants who oppress the masses for the sake of greed and power. Even a cursory survey of the political landscape around the world makes one thing very clear. The world is in a leadership crisis! Which then begs the question:

WHAT MAKES A GREAT LEADER?

The Bible is clear on this subject: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2). I think we can safely say that the vast majority of people on earth today are not rejoicing in the life their leaders have created for them, but are indeed mourning their circumstances. And the above verse makes clear why; those in authority, our leaders, are not righteous. They are not striving to be righteous themselves, and they are not pointing people to righteousness or its Source. Herein lies the key to a great leader.

Biblical history shows a succession of kings in Israel and Judah that either obeyed God or did not. When the leadership led the people to obey God, the nation was blessed; it prospered, and was able to stand against its enemies. When they did not obey God, things went very badly for them. Ultimately, because of unrighteous leadership, which led to unrighteousness among the people, both Israel and Judah were taken into captivity. We know that history, don’t we? If we don’t, a review of the books of 1st and 2nd Kings and 1st and 2nd Chronicles should bring us up to speed to sufficiently understand the basic history. Several other books in the Bible fill in more details, but these four books cover the basic history of the rule of the kings of Israel and Judah and how they either prospered or declined according to the righteousness (obedience) of the king (leadership).

Great leadership points people to God. But they do not just point to God and talk about how He exists. They direct people to obey Him. They encourage people to look into His Word and follow Him. In the United States, our founding fathers were not perfect men, but they did recognize that God was not only the Source of all the blessings they were afforded, they also recognized that in order for any society to be sustainable, all within it must seek after and follow righteous living.

“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor:” — George Washington1

Our first president understood that acknowledging God’s existence was not enough. He regularly implored his soldiers and the citizens of the United States to obey God and follow the example of Jesus Christ. Our third president also felt the urgency for the whole society to follow the instructions and example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

“The practice of morality being necessary for the well-being of society, He [God] has taken care to impress its precepts so indelibly on our hearts that they shall not be effaced by the subtleties of our brain. We all agree in the obligation of the moral principles of Jesus and nowhere will they be found delivered in greater purity than in His discourses.” — Thomas Jefferson2

Even a cursory examination of the writings of the signers of the Declaration of Independence bears witness to each member of the group’s belief that the very foundation of our society, if it was to succeed, was a belief in God and obedience to Him with all urgency! When leaders point to God and uphold righteousness as the way of life, God creates a wholesome environment of peace and joy. When they do not, He curses the leadership, their decisions, the people, their land, and they do not have peace from their enemies. There are too many applicable quotes from the book of Deuteronomy that testify of this to put in a short blog such as this one. I would encourage every reader to go back and carefully read and comprehend the blessings God offers those who obey Him, and the curses for those who do not. It is time well spent!

Finally, let’s take a look at how Jesus Christ, the ultimate Great Leader, rules in His 1000-year reign. His government will be established and it will be a government of everlasting peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). But also take note of how He rules. First and foremost, because the Spirit of God rests upon Him He will have the fear of the Lord. As a result, He will be filled with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might and knowledge (Isaiah 11:2). He delights in the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:3). He will not judge by what He sees or hears. He will judge with righteousness and equity (Isaiah 11:3-4). Righteousness is a way of life for Him because it is who He is (Isaiah 11:5)

Great leadership flows from obedience to our Father and Elder Brother. The world around us that is suffering of a severe and catastrophic leadership crisis does not understand that yet, but they will soon!

1. George Washington, By the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of America: A Proclamatin. New York, October 3rd, 1789.

2. Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Alberty Ellery Bergh, editor (Washington D.C.: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, 1904), Vol. XII, p. 315, to James Fishback, September 27, 1809.

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Brandy Webb Brandy Webb

Sing Out Loud

Did you know that Judah’s army at one time was led by musicians and singers? I really love this story. It is found in 2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, gets word that an army from Moab and Ammon are coming to attack Judah. Jehoshapat turns to God for help, and also has all of Judah to seek God’s help.

In verse 17, Jahaziel lets all of Judah know that they need not worry for they “will not need to fight this battle” because God was going to fight it for them.

by Brandy Webb

Did you know that Judah’s army at one time was led by musicians and singers? I really love this story. It is found in 2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, gets word that an army from Moab and Ammon are coming to attack Judah. Jehoshapat turns to God for help, and also has all of Judah to seek God’s help.

In verse 17, Jahaziel lets all of Judah know that they need not worry for they “will not need to fight this battle” because God was going to fight it for them. After this, all of Judah bow to worship God, and the Levites stand up to praise God in an “exceedingly loud voice” (2 Chron 20:18-19). The next day, they set out to go against their enemies, and Jehoshaphat appoints those that can sing to stand before the army, to lead the way, singing thanks to God. Jehoshaphat had so much faith in God fighting this battle for him that he sent out the chorus and orchestra first in front of the army.

This story shows a lot about faith and praise. I believe it reveals that we can show our faith through praise with music. I also do not think you must be musically gifted in order to show faith through music. In fact, sometimes I just turn on some Christian music that I enjoy and play it really loud in order to praise my Father in Heaven. 

I have always loved music. I especially love it when a song gives me goose bumps. Or when I am struggling with something and then I hear a song that helps me to feel either peace or joy. Music is powerful. It can inspire, motivate, encourage, comfort, and more. I believe that music is important to God. David did assign 288 men to be the Temple musicians in 1 Chronicles 25. These men could play cymbals, harps, other stringed instruments, and sing. I think this shows that God enjoys music. 

My point is that music may be a tool that we can use to fight against fear, anxieties, pain, suffering, and anything other “battles” we are facing. I believe that it is a tool we have to fight against the devil. For example, the past few weeks we have witnessed some horrific occurrences all around the world. Well, one Sabbath I realized that one way to feel joy, even in the midst of all the chaos that is going on around us, is by singing hymns of praise to God. During our songs at services, I started to feel hope and joy, and it is actually what inspired me to share how powerful music can be when it praises our God.

Therefore, let “the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16). Let us use music to destroy fear and to edify each other, and let us always “Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens!... Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” (Psa 150:1, 6).

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Brian G. Bettes Brian G. Bettes

Comforting Scriptures

Several of my recent blog posts have dealt with rather heavy material that focused more on looking deeply into ourselves to find areas we can do better, change, and repent. That is all well and good, and it is vital that we look at those things. However, it is also important to take time to appreciate God from the perspective of who He is, what He does for us, and how He cares for us. 

by Brian Bettes

Several of my recent blog posts have dealt with rather heavy material that focused more on looking deeply into ourselves to find areas we can do better, change, and repent. That is all well and good, and it is vital that we look at those things. However, it is also important to take time to appreciate God from the perspective of who He is, what He does for us, and how He cares for us. 

I am pretty sure we all have certain parts of scripture we like to go to and read more often than others. We all have either a favorite scripture, or maybe several that are chain referenced together, that represent a specific part of God’s character or His truth that bring us comfort and inspiration when we need it. These verses tend give us the feeling of our Father wrapping a warm blanket around us while holding us close in the cold, harsh world we live in.

One of the things I appreciate most about God is His faithfulness in being merciful to us. Among my many favorite “go-to” scriptures are these verses in Psalm 103 where He states that He, “…crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies…” (Psalm 103:4). He continues to reassure us of His faithfulness in working with us in verses 8 through 14 with these comforting statements:

The Lord is merciful and gracious; slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:8-14).

I particularly appreciate that last part where He talks about knowing how fragile we are and treats us accordingly. God promises not to put more on us than we can bear, but will give us a way out of our trials. He promises to end the trials before we are crushed (1Corinthians 10:13).

When God showed Himself to Moses and proclaimed His name, this is what He said about Himself, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6-7). In Lamentations we are reminded that it is through His mercies that we are not consumed and His compassions for us do not fail. It says His compassions are renewed every single morning thanks to His great and wonderful faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). Again, I find it very comforting and encouraging knowing that, no matter how bad yesterday may have been, today is a new day in His eyes and we get a clean slate to work with.

Though there are many places I have cultivated as “go-to” scriptures over the years depending on the inspiration I need, one such set of verses in Isaiah chapters 40-46 have particular significance to me.

We are strengthened and encouraged by His proclamation that, “Before me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and beside me there is no savior” (Isaiah 43:10-11). God takes an absolute and positive stand against the concept that there is any other god anywhere except for Him. He says, “I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images” (Isaiah 42:8).

Also He says:

To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare Him…Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth…Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in...To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing (Isaiah 40:18, 21-22, 25-26).

Wow! How incredible is that?! God does not waiver or shrink away from who He is. Indeed there is no other like Him! That is so encouraging and powerful to me. 

He also says He has a plan that will be fulfilled and proclaims what it will be. He says in a very straight forward manner that He proclaims the end of things from the beginning and takes on all challengers who might think they have the same power (Isaiah 46:10, 42:9, 43:18-19).

Finally, Isaiah 40:10-11, 43:1-7 reminds me that the same one and only God will stand up for His people. He will love them with gentleness and kindness, even though there has been correction for their sins. It is personal with God (Isaiah 43:14-15). 

As we move forward in our daily walk, let us take the time to thank the One and only Great God we serve for being Him. Please share some of your favorite encouraging scriptures in the comments section below.

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Brandy Webb Brandy Webb

Don’t Judge a Book by It's Cover

Have you ever been in a place and automatically made assumptions as to the character of others based on how they looked? I hate to admit it, but I have. For instance, I took my daughter to a piercing studio because she wanted her cartilage pierced, and to be honest, I would rather go to a piercing studio than Claires to get piercings. It is just my personal preference. Well, while we were there a man came in that had piercings and tattoos. Honestly, I didn’t judge him at this point because I was in a piercing studio. However, the woman that was doing my daughter’s piercing knew him and, to make a long story short, they got to talking. She asked him what he had been doing that day. 

by Brandy Webb

Have you ever been in a place and automatically made assumptions as to the character of others based on how they looked? I hate to admit it, but I have. For instance, I took my daughter to a piercing studio because she wanted her cartilage pierced, and to be honest, I would rather go to a piercing studio than Claires to get piercings. It is just my personal preference. Well, while we were there a man came in that had piercings and tattoos. Honestly, I didn’t judge him at this point because I was in a piercing studio. However, the woman that was doing my daughter’s piercing knew him and, to make a long story short, they got to talking. She asked him what he had been doing that day. 

The man remarked, “Well, I was going to help someone with their garden, but I ended up doing work for the kingdom instead.” 

Okay, so this is where I made a judgment. I was surprised that the kingdom he was referring to was God’s Kingdom. Why was I surprised? Because he didn’t fit my foolish conception of what a Christian looks like. Honestly, this experience really humbled me because I am not usually a judgmental person in regards to outside appearances. Truth be told, I have piercings in my ears and my nose. I don’t know why I was surprised that this man was ministering to people about Christ’s sacrifice, but I was. It made me really take a step back for some introspection. I don’t want to judge a book by its cover ever, and I am quite frankly disappointed in myself that I did.

God does not want us to judge people by how they look. We are to discern people by their fruits instead. I know I am not the only person that has made judgmental mistakes. People do it a lot. In fact, God’s prophet, Samuel, made the same mistake when God was choosing a new king for Israel. He thought for sure Eliab would be chosen, and God tells him, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7).

We also know that Jesus didn’t have any beauty or majesty that would attract people to him (Isa 53:2). He even rebuked the Jews of His day in the Temple during the Feast because they judged by appearance and not by righteous judgment (John 7). Therefore, we Christians must strive to be like Christ and not judge by appearances. There are no set rules on what a Christian should look like on the outside. There are rules on what we are supposed to “look” like on the inside.

Hopefully, God willing, I will not make another judgmental mistake by appearance in the future. I know I am human and I will always make mistakes. However, I don’t want to make that one again because I don’t want people to make a judgment call regarding me just because of how I look. I am glad that we all don’t look alike.  To be honest, it would be pretty boring if we all did. Let us enjoy our differences of appearances. God is an awesome artist and all of us are His art work full of different colors, sizes, and styles. This diversity makes us all unique as individuals and together a beautiful masterpiece.

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Brian G. Bettes Brian G. Bettes

Spiritual Honesty and Integrity

How honest are we with ourselves when it comes to our thinking? How many of Satan’s lies, thought systems, and belief systems do we buy into?

Recently I have been going through a period of deep introspection. I have been doing an inventory of the foundational thoughts that have shaped my belief system, analyzing what they are based in. Are my beliefs based in truth or are they based in lies? I have been asking myself whether I take 100 percent responsibility for my thoughts and actions or not. 

by Brian Bettes

How honest are we with ourselves when it comes to our thinking? How many of Satan’s lies, thought systems, and belief systems do we buy into?

Recently I have been going through a period of deep introspection. I have been doing an inventory of the foundational thoughts that have shaped my belief system, analyzing what they are based in. Are my beliefs based in truth or are they based in lies? I have been asking myself whether I take 100 percent responsibility for my thoughts and actions or not. 

I would like to challenge us to take a look at how we are doing at using God’s Word to discern between the thoughts and intents of our hearts (Hebrew 4:12)? Are we honest with ourselves, or are we lying to ourselves? Are we taking responsibility for our thoughts and actions?

Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9)! What about us? Has he deceived us, too? Are we letting him deceive us?

As an example of what I mean, let’s take a look at what happened in the Garden of Eden with our first parents. Once God got Adam to “fess up” to what he had done, what was the first thing he did? He blamed “the woman you gave me, Lord” didn’t he (Genesis 3:12)? So you see, it was first the woman’s fault for giving him the fruit, but if you look closely, you will see that it was also God’s fault for giving Adam the woman. My paraphrase of that conversation looks something like this: “You gave me the woman, Lord, so it is your fault, too. It is anybody’s fault but my own. I mean, look at the situation. You gave me this woman and she gave me the fruit. I just did what any normal male would do when this beautiful creature (remember You gave her to me) handed it to me—I ate it. It’s not my fault.”

As with Adam and with Aaron and the golden calf (“Don’t be mad at me Moses. You were gone too long! And besides, you know how these people are; they forced me!”—Exodus 32:22-24), it seems that it is easier to blame someone else for our wrong actions than it is to take responsibility for them.

In the business world, there is a basic formula that is used to talk about this:

  • First, there is a circumstance that occurs; something happens that applies pressure.

  • Next, there is the response or action taken as a means to deal with that circumstance.

  • Lastly, a result or an outcome is produced.

Within this formula, what comes out as a result is completely dependent upon the response. It is how we respond to a situation that counts, not what happened to necessitate a response. 

Take note of that. What Satan has tricked people into doing is to focus the blame on the circumstances and not the response (the base word for responsibility). That is classic victimization. When we focus on the circumstances, we are saying, “It isn’t my fault. These circumstances occurred, and therefore I am justified in my action. Don’t you understand that was a bad or painful (or whatever) situation? All I did is what any normal person would do. It isn’t fair to say I should have done differently.” Can we see what is wrong with this statement? Satan wants us to focus on what happened so we can assign blame. God, on the other hand, expects us to focus on our response, obedience to Him, resulting in a good and right outcome. God isn’t looking for excuses as to why we don’t obey Him. Imagine where you and I would be today had Jesus told the Father that the penalty He was paying was harsh, giving Him the excuse that He shouldn’t have to die because He didn’t sin (“It’s the people you gave me, Lord”), instead of obediently dying on the cross (Hebrews 5:8).

Every day we are surrounded by lies, half-truths, a world living in the shadows, and people who live out their lives being deceived. In the movie The Matrix, there was a whole world of people who blindly—and willingly—lived out their lives in a lie. Are we like them? Did we swallow the blue pill and buy what Satan is selling us? When it comes to living God’s way from His Word, do we say, “I am trying,” or are we doing it? The reality is Satan has developed so many lies and shades of the truth that we have to carefully analyze the thoughts that shape our beliefs.

Do we deceive ourselves into thinking that, just because we understand some of God’s truth and therefore apply some of His principles, that we are okay? Is God only allowed into certain parts of our lives, but not others? That would be a shame. Again, how honest are we with ourselves in our thoughts? Are we “bringing into captivity every thought” (2 Corinthians 10:5)? Do we have spiritual integrity, or are we willing to live in the shadows of our own mind? Satan loves it when we do that.

As many of us watched one of our former organizations leave what we understood as the truth, splintering into little tiny shreds, I have seen and heard many people believe lies about fellow brethren in the church. They have also believed lies about themselves. I am ashamed to say that I have done this myself. There seems to be a common theme of victimization running through the stories of hurt and suffering of the “walking wounded” in the church. No doubt we have all experienced very real hurts that have occurred. However, what I have also experienced is a lot of people willing to blame others for the pain they suffered, but the willingness to accept ownership for their response to what happened is nowhere in sight. The truth of the matter is, victimization is a concept that was invented and espoused by Satan the devil.

Is it possible that some of us fell prey to the concept that our response to those events, events outside of our control, was the fault of the organization or the ministry involved? To be clear, there is no doubt that the organizations of men and the ministers who demanded our blind obedience are to be blamed for their part in those circumstances. But as I pondered the events of yesteryear, it dawned on me that nobody was holding a gun to my head all those years. I responded out of blind allegiance (they called it obedience) and fear of rejection/removal from “the herd” just like most did at that time. However that is not their fault. Just because they taught certain “doctrines” doesn’t mean I had to follow them. My response to follow God and His Word above all else was my responsibility!

As we go through our Christian walk, let’s make sure we are taking 100 percent responsibility for our actions. Let’s make sure we focus on God’s righteous response to circumstances instead of focusing on and blaming the circumstances themselves. When bad things happen to good people, and that happens all the time, it is our job to take the situation to our Father and ask for wisdom and strength to form the right response. The purpose for this is to develop His righteous character within us, and to be a light of His righteousness to the world. We are to become His righteous result. So, let’s work on our responses to situations and circumstances so as to exhibit spiritual honesty and integrity.

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Brandy Webb Brandy Webb

Sacrifices of Thanksgiving

I was listening to the Bible, and something struck me as very interesting and inspiring. In Psalm 50, starting in verse 9, God points out that He has no need for meat sacrifices. In fact, everything is His already. However, what He really desires is that we offer to Him “the sacrifice of thanksgiving” (v. 14). Thanksgiving comes from the Hebrew word yadah and can mean “adoration, a choir of worshippers, confession, praise, thanks (-giving, offering)” (Strong’s Concordance).

At first, I asked myself, how is it a sacrifice to give God thanks? Well, the truth is, sometimes it isn’t easy. 

by Brandy Webb

I was listening to the Bible, and something struck me as very interesting and inspiring. In Psalm 50, starting in verse 9, God points out that He has no need for meat sacrifices. In fact, everything is His already. However, what He really desires is that we offer to Him “the sacrifice of thanksgiving” (v. 14). Thanksgiving comes from the Hebrew word yadah and can mean “adoration, a choir of worshippers, confession, praise, thanks (-giving, offering)” (Strong’s Concordance).

At first, I asked myself, how is it a sacrifice to give God thanks? Well, the truth is, sometimes it isn’t easy. Sometimes our carnal flesh doesn’t want to thank God. We are to thank God “in all circumstances” because this is God’s will for us (1 Thess 5:18). It is God’s will for us to thank Him always, everyday, no matter what we are going through. 

Do we always feel thankful all the time? Do we feel thankful when we are going through a loss? Do we feel thankful when we are going through trials? Do we feel thankful in the times that we live in currently? Some of us may actually say no to some of these questions, but what if I said that it is during these times that we must strive our hardest to find something to be thankful about. It is these times that we must strive to offer up to God sacrifices of thanksgiving.

It isn’t a sacrifice to thank God when everything is going great. In fact, it is pretty easy to thank Him when we are joyful and happy. However, does being thankful during the good times make us any different than the rest of the world? We are to be set apart, a unique people, His people, etc. What better way to show the world that we are different than by being thankful, even if, from all outside appearances we “shouldn’t” be. Just think how different we are from the world when we praise our Father and Christ during trials rather than grumbling or complaining.

We should never cease giving God sacrifices of thanksgiving. I know that we live in a very scary world, but has the world ever not been scary since the sin in the Garden? Do you think that the apostles had it easy? They were watching their brothers and sisters being martyred. They were also martyred. They not only had the religious system of the day hating them, but they had the major governmental system hating them. Yet, they never ceased from giving thanks and praises to God, and they taught us to do so also. 

Paul went through many hardships, beatings, stoning, shipwrecked, wrongfully imprisoned, and yet He tells us to speak “to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father; subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ” (Eph 5:19-20). Why? Because He knew that joy, thankfulness, gratefulness, etc, isn’t based on what we are going through and what we have. It is based on our faith in our Father and Messiah. It is the fruit of God’s Spirit within us, and it is our choice to be thankful, joyful, and grateful no matter what. It is our choice to show the world that this life isn’t all there is, and that there is something far better coming. It is our choice to believe in the Kingdom of God and to live out that belief. It is our choice to listen to God’s spirit and not quench it with doubts, fears, anxieties, jealousies, covetousness, selfishness, greed, and hate. 

The truth is that the choice isn’t easy. To choose to focus on the joy you had with a loved one rather than the loss of them when they are gone is not easy. I know from experience. The choice to not fear when you listen to the news and to choose to trust God that He is in control isn’t easy because we are carnal physical creatures. However, praise, confession, and thanksgiving, helps build the Spirit of God within us quenching the carnal spirit. Giving thanks during trials increases the Holy Spirit. It is a sacrifice to refrain from complaining and negative speaking. It is humility building to force the carnal thoughts out of our minds and the grateful thoughts into our minds.

Therefore, “let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Heb 13:15). So, instead of looking around you and giving into the negativity of the world, look around to find something to be thankful for because as long as we have the breath of life within us, we should use it for God’s glory, so “give thanks unto the Lord, for His good,” and His love and mercy is everlasting (Psa 107:1).

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Brian G. Bettes Brian G. Bettes

Come As You Are, But Don't Stay That Way

This past July 4th weekend my wife and I travelled to spend time with family. I have a bit of a love/dislike (not hate) relationship with these visits. The reason is because my wife and I continue to follow the faith that we were raised in, while my siblings and their spouses have chosen another path. In fact, neither of my sibling’s mates was raised in the faith that all three of us grew up observing.

During these visits the conversation always seems to find its way to some variation of what is required for salvation, or in my words, what one must do to be saved and to make God happy, as opposed to what He finds acceptable.

by Brian Bettes

This past July 4th weekend my wife and I travelled to spend time with family. I have a bit of a love/dislike (not hate) relationship with these visits. The reason is because my wife and I continue to follow the faith that we were raised in, while my siblings and their spouses have chosen another path. In fact, neither of my sibling’s mates was raised in the faith that all three of us grew up observing.

During these visits the conversation always seems to find its way to some variation of what is required for salvation, or in my words, what one must do to be saved and to make God happy, as opposed to what He finds acceptable. I find that each of these discussions tends to point to the same conclusion with only slight variations on how they arrive there. The conclusion is, “Come as you are and stay that way. God loves you, accepts you, and is happy with you as you are.”

This trip I was presented with a new twist to the same theme, one I had not previously heard. I was told that the reason there are so many different denominations within Christianity is because God wants to make sure He can meet as many people as possible “where they are at” in order to “reach” them. The concept being that God has to lower His standards to human criteria to reach us, and then all we have to do is accept Him (no change necessary) because He is just that desperate to have a relationship with us. If He doesn’t do this, He will be out of luck because otherwise no one would want to have a relationship with Him. Is this concept accurate? Let’s briefly examine the Scriptures to see if this is true.

The first thing I see in Scripture is, when God created man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, He, not man, set the standard to live by (Genesis 2:15-17). When Adam and Eve did not live by His standard, He didn’t just accept them as they were. There were consequences for disobedience (Genesis 3:16-19), and there was a very clear change in the relationship between God and man for his disobedience (Genesis 3:22-24). Mankind became estranged from God as a result of his sin. Mind you, there is no indication that God loved Adam and Eve any less than He did before they sinned, which is where I believe many people jump track. Consequences and estrangement are viewed as a lessening of love when in fact God uses them as teaching tools to show His way is the only way. He does this for us in love, with the hope that we will find our way back to full reconciliation with Him.

The point is, and the mistake many people make is, to think that God is somehow tolerant of sin. Just because He was merciful enough to make a way for us to be reconciled with Him when we sin, does not mean He tolerates or accepts sin in any way, shape, or form. He makes that abundantly clear in the example of the woman caught in the act of adultery. Though Christ forgave her sin, he was clear in His instruction regarding her future actions: “Go and sin no more!” (John 8:10-11). 

God is willing to forgive our sin as long as we are willing to repent of it (1 John 1:8-9). But we should not mistake His mercy regarding sin as acceptance or tolerance of sin. In fact, He is so non-accepting and intolerant of sin that He required His Son to die because of it (Romans 5:6-8), which Christ did willingly. Think about that! Even though Christ never sinned, He had to die for our sin so the path to reconciliation could exist.

Continuing to live in sin after we have been forgiven of it, or stated in another way, staying the way we are, is not what Jesus gave His life for (Romans 6:1-2). He gave His life so that sin could be forgiven upon repentance, not accepted. His forgiveness provides the reconciliation that is the foundation from which we are able to build a relationship with our Father and Elder Brother, which enables us become more like Them. The path to forgiveness of sin (sin being the breaking of God’s law—1 John 3:4) was not instituted so we can be accepted as we are, but so we can change our thoughts and actions to His (Romans 6:12-13).

God sets the bar on how we are to live and we are expected to rise to meet His standard. As we are told in 2 Corinthians 10:5, we are to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Again, think about that. Every thought is a pretty high standard! According to this verse, I am to raise myself to His standard, not expect Him to lower Himself to mine. So when God works with people, though He does start working with us “where we are,” His expectation is that we will not stay there!

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Brandy Webb Brandy Webb

Your Precious Name

My family and I were blessed to go on a family vacation this summer to Belize. This was our first official family vacation ever. It was a spur of the moment decision. I termed it our “carpe diem” moment because life is unpredictable, and we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Therefore, sometimes it is good to do something with your family when you have the opportunity.

Well, something really inspiring and surprising happened on our trip. To some it may not seem so awesome, but it was to my family and me. We got to witness how a good name is powerful and long lasting.

by Brandy Webb

My family and I were blessed to go on a family vacation this summer to Belize. This was our first official family vacation ever. It was a spur of the moment decision. I termed it our “carpe diem” moment because life is unpredictable, and we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Therefore, sometimes it is good to do something with your family when you have the opportunity.

Well, something really inspiring and surprising happened on our trip. To some it may not seem so awesome, but it was to my family and me. We got to witness how a good name is powerful and long lasting. It was a moment that proved Solomon’s wise words, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1).

This is what happened: We went to listen to local music at a restaurant called Loggerheads in Hopkins, Belize. The music was great, and we ended up talking to some people from California. We told them we were from Texas, and two gentlemen behind me overheard us. One of them, Gus, told us that he was from Longview, which just made us all amazed because Josh, my husband, works in Longview. Sometimes the world is small.

As we visited we found out that Gus and his friend work at Eastman, and I let them know that my grandfather used to work there. When I told them my grandfather’s name, Charlie Hewitt, they both were shocked. They worked with him for years, and they only had praise to say about my grandfather. In fact, Gus went on a hunting trip with my grandfather years ago. They let me know that no one uses my grandfather’s locker to this day. It is still known as Charlie’s locker. It was so moving to see how well my grandfather was esteemed. How his name still holds respect and honor eight years after he passed way, and twenty-four years after retiring. It was a valuable life lesson for my kids, my husband, and me to see how important it is to have a good name.

A good name lives on after our spirit returns to God and our flesh returns to dust. A good name can inspire and give hope, bring joy, and comfort to others. I now realize how precious it is to live a life that keeps your name in high esteem. Riches can disappear, but a name can live on year after year. And hopefully, that name will be written in the Book of Life. The truth is, as a Christian it is to the utmost importance to have a good name because we represent Christ here on earth, and when we soil our name we soil his. So, may we all keep our names clean and good, so that years from now people will still keep us in high esteem even after we sleep.

 

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Brian G. Bettes Brian G. Bettes

CHICKEN-YARD POLITICS

When you live on a farm and have livestock, your animals become an endless source of “life lessons.” This morning I was doing one of my favorite chores (not!)—cleaning out the chicken house. We have 50 chickens, so this is a weekly event that is not the most pleasant. But suffice it to say that on a weekly basis, I get to spend some “quality time” with my chickens.

As I was doing this, I observed the chickens doing their usual “pecking order” routine. Since we have some well-established chickens and some newer, young chickens, the pecking order is in flux at the moment. 

by Brian Bettes

When you live on a farm and have livestock, your animals become an endless source of “life lessons.” This morning I was doing one of my favorite chores (not!)—cleaning out the chicken house. We have 50 chickens, so this is a weekly event that is not the most pleasant. But suffice it to say that on a weekly basis, I get to spend some “quality time” with my chickens.

As I was doing this, I observed the chickens doing their usual “pecking order” routine. Since we have some well-established chickens and some newer, young chickens, the pecking order is in flux at the moment. Some of the older mother hens who have been with us for a long time are learning that they have to take a back seat to some of the newer, larger, more energetic youngsters. 

In the chicken yard, pecking order is important because it determines who gets to eat first, who gets to roost where they want to, and in general who “rules the roost,” so to speak. Everyone has to learn their place in the flock from the first to the last. However, in all this “jostling for position” there is one steady constant. It is the old rooster who struts around the yard providing “oversight” of the pecking order. If he sees something he doesn’t like, he is quick to show his spurs and let the others know who is in charge. Even the young roosters don’t mess with old “Bubba,” or the two hens that are always at his side and are given the privilege of preening him! Every other position in the chicken yard is up for grabs. I call this chicken-yard politics.

As I often do, I see parallels. In this case, it is a parallel between the pecking order of a chicken yard and the “pecking order” within the church. In the church environment I grew up in, there was a very clear pecking order. Everything from who directs the choir to who makes the coffee—including who brings and sets up the snacks, who brings and arranges the flowers, who sets up the hall, who operates and manages the sound system, who directs parking, and even the “lowly” job of who cleans the restrooms—often became an entrenched “position” to be filled. There was definitely a pecking order! There were the opening and closing prayer men who hoped some day they could become song leaders. If you did well at that, some day maybe you could become a deacon who administered all of this congregational activity. For those who excelled in the deacon realm, maybe being an elder might be in your future. The elders were to be the “spiritual leaders” while monitoring the deacons and their activities. Among the deacons and elders there always seemed to be a “head deacon” and a “head elder” that all the others were to go to with questions or special situations. Then there was the rooster, whose name was “Pastor” and he was the final authority in all things within the congregation. 

All of this activity was supposed to be done for the purpose of “serving the needs of the congregation,” but it seemed to never fail that each position became a protected encampment. The only way a vacancy occurred is if someone moved, died, or there was “vertical movement,” meaning the pastor elevated by appointment someone to a higher position. And watch out and get ready for some “pecking” if someone stepped into an area they didn’t belong. The pastor would be right there to “clarify the pecking order,” and to make sure everyone had “the right attitude,” using his authority (spurs) if necessary to accomplish this.

How different all this posturing and positioning is from the true servant leadership approach that Jesus taught. Jesus taught that, instead of seeking to be elevated, we should humble ourselves before one another and serve, with the “chief being the servant of all” (Mark 10:42-44). Jesus made this statement because, just prior to him saying it, James and John had tried to jostle for position in Jesus’ future kingdom (Mark 10:35-40). The other ten disciples were incensed about this (v. 41) because James and John had asked for prime positions on the right hand side and left hand side of Jesus (the rooster preening positions?) in His kingdom. Almost certainly each of the ten was upset because they wanted those positions for themselves instead of James and John. Sounds a lot like the chicken yard doesn’t it?

Note Jesus’ response with regard to Himself and to where leadership positions come from. He first identifies the Father as the one who prepares leaders for specific opportunities in the Kingdom (Mark 10:40). But second, He states that even He did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life—literally—in service, and as a part of that service (Mark 10:45). Quite the opposite of a chicken yard isn’t it?

When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:4-5), He portrayed something very different from the norm, and deeply profound. So different was Jesus’ action by doing the job of the lowest servant in the house that Peter had an almost violent reaction (John 13:6, 8). This is just not the way things are supposed to be done! Yet so profound was His action that He made it clear that if He were not allowed to do it, Peter could not be a part of Him (v. 8). Jesus wanted to make sure that it was understood that there is a different path to leadership; the path of servitude. He then told them that they were to treat each other with the same attitude of love, respect, and humility as He had just done (John 13:12-17), which by extension was passed on to us. Can you imagine a rooster going to each of his hens and washing their feet? Okay, maybe the analogy breaks down a bit there, but I think you know what I mean.

In a congregation, there are many things that need to be done; and every one of them is important for the smooth operation of services. Yet while we are doing these tasks, Jesus’ example and His instruction given to us through Paul, teaches us to humble ourselves before on another (Philippians 2:2-4), and to submit ourselves one to another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21). 

I don’t see a system of vertical movement in play here. What I see is a group of people working together to serve the needs of the whole with each person in the congregation willing to lovingly do any task to help accomplish the end result. What I don’t see is a bunch of chicken-yard politics!

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Brian G. Bettes Brian G. Bettes

Bearing Godly Fruit

Having just celebrated the Day of Pentecost, there are a number of things I have been thinking about with regard to what God’s Holy Spirit does through us.

One of the things Scripture tells us to do is bear fruit—in this case, spiritual fruit. John 15:1-8 is very instructive on this matter. Let’s take a closer look to see what we can “pluck” from these verses.

by Brian Bettes

Having just celebrated the Day of Pentecost, there are a number of things I have been thinking about with regard to what God’s Holy Spirit does through us.

One of the things Scripture tells us to do is bear fruit—in this case, spiritual fruit. John 15:1-8 is very instructive on this matter. Let’s take a closer look to see what we can “pluck” from these verses.

The first thing established is where spiritual fruit comes from—Jesus Christ and the Father (v.1). They are the source of any fruit that will be brought to bear. We also notice that sustainability comes from them as well. We must “abide” in Jesus the Source, and be willing to be “pruned” by the Father, who is the Caretaker, in order to both survive and thrive (vs. 2-7). Then, finally, we see the purpose of bearing fruit. It is to glorify the Father (v. 8). A significant point made in this final verse is the way we glorify the Father; it is by bearing much fruit. It is also important to notice throughout these verses what happens to those who do not bear fruit!

The next natural question that follows is what fruit should we bear? For most of us who have studied God’s Word for any length of time, Galatians 5:22-23 should spring to mind. Here we are given a description of the fruit that can be found on any tree that is “powered” by the Holy Spirit. Powered by the Holy Spirit? What does that mean? Let me explain. 

Every tree has sap. Sap is the life blood of a tree. Without getting too scientific here, a tree is grown and sustained by good soil, good water, and good light. Through a process called photosynthesis, with proper light on the leaves and a strong root system to pull water and nutrients from the soil, a tree receives its nourishment to become strong and healthy. But these nutrients are transported to all the branches of the tree by the sap. Without sap, there is no tree. It is also via the sap that fruit is developed and fed. God genetically designed fruit trees to push out leaves and fruit buds in the spring of each year.

In the example given above in John 15, Jesus used a vine to represent His role. Most likely, He was using this analogy since grape vines were prevalent in the region during that period. The listeners would have understood what He meant. Anyone who has seen a grape vineyard knows that a mature grape vine is more like a small tree than an actual vine that grows along the ground. 

Though there are many similarities with fruit bearing vines such as squash, cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelon, etc., that grow along the ground and produce their fruit there, it is important to note that the example He is using is that of a fruit bearing tree. It is significant because He talks about us in terms of being the tree branches as an extension of Him. As a result, the fruit, His fruit, is being brought to bear and “hanging” on us. If we are connected to Him as the tree, and the life blood of His Holy Spirit is the power that feeds us, then we as His branches will be loaded and weighted down with the “much fruit” spoken of in Galatians 5, which glorifies His Father and ours!

That takes my mind to these next questions. What purpose does fruit serve? Why does Jesus want us to bear much fruit, and how does that glorify our Father?

Fruit is used as a source of food for others, isn’t it? Do you suppose we are to be a source of Godly spiritual feeding for others who come into contact with us? When good fruit is eaten, it revives, refreshes, energizes, and is a delight to those who partake of it. Is that what we provide for others when they come into contact with us? Do people see us as His branches, and do they see His fruit hanging on those branches? Are we spoken of in terms of those who love and obey God in Psalm 1:1-3 and 92:13-14?

What kind of fruit is hanging on us as His branches? Do others come to us to “pick” and eat the fruit off of His tree and it brings light to their eyes because we provide succulent, ripe, tasty fruit?

Do we deceive ourselves by thinking we bear one kind of fruit when really we bear something else? Are we saying, “I am an apple tree branch!”? Yet those who come to us say, “That’s funny, all I see is a bunch of lemons hanging off these branches.” Do people come looking for one kind of fruit (kindness, goodness, gentleness, and love) but instead find fruit that is mildewed, withered, rotting, and riddled with deadly amounts of penicillin (accusation, anger, negativity, and bitterness)? Do they come looking for a ripe apple and only find a not-yet-ripened persimmon (spiritual immaturity)? Or, even worse, do they come to His tree and find no fruit at all? In other words, do we say we are Christians, but we don’t act like it? We need to walk the walk, not just talk the talk!

God says we are known by our fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). That means we are recognizable as one of His by Him and by others by the fruit we bear. 

When I gave this information as a sermon, a lady came up to me afterwards and said, “You know another purpose for fruit is reproduction. It carries the seed for the next tree.” I was stunned that I hadn’t thought of that, but she was right! What a beautiful picture of how we carry the seed of the Father, and when we fully mature, we will be a reproduction of Him! I believe that in part is how we both glorify and magnify Him—by carrying the seed that reproduces Him to full maturity.

So the key to bearing good fruit is connectedness to Jesus Christ. It is by the sap of His Spirit freely flowing into us from Jesus, and a willingness to be pruned by our Father, that we will bear good fruit.

Let’s ask God to help us have good fruit hanging on His branches so as to provide enrichment for those who come into contact with us and fruit that will glorify Him!

 

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