iPhone Madness!

Today is the day millions of "cell phone junkies" have been waiting for. Apple released the much anticipated iPhone for use on the AT&T wireless network.

Prices for this cutting-edge gadget begin in the $500-$600 range with a two year service agreement, and monthly service plans for the iPhone are significantly higher than with other devices. For many avid "gadget geeks," price is not an object. Click the link below to watch an interview with a gentleman from New York City who waited in line by himself for four days in order to score the first iPhone.

See interview here

The Bible says...

Buy the truth and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
Proverbs 23:23, ESV

The truth is more precious than any accumulation of gadgets. It is of more value than any amount of money, fame, power, or popularity. Being what Jesus called, "the pearl of great price" (Matthew 13:45-46), it is infinitely and eternally more valuable than anything and everything the world has to offer aggregately.

To what lengths will you go to acquire and firmly take hold on the truth that sets man free (John 8:32)?

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What Christ Means To Us

To billions of men and women around the world, he was just another man. Some say an extraordinarily wise moral teacher, but still just a man after all. The Bible says...

He [God] is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
1 Corinthians 1:30, ESV

If, then, you will allow him to be, Jesus will be:

• Wisdom for your mind
• Righteousness for your heart
• Sanctification for your service
• Redemption for your victory

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What Good Will It Do?

Over a five day span in June of 2006, visitors to a popular faith-based website were asked to participate in a survey. 10,567 individuals answered questions dealing with the subject of hell. One of the survey questions was, "Do you believe in hell?". 76 percent of the more than 10,000 individuals responded with a "no." Keep in mind the fact that this website is visited primarily by those who profess to be Christians.

Is this an accurate sampling? Do three-quarters of those who profess Christianity really believe there is no such place as a literal hell? Speaking from personal experience, I would say the number is at least that high.

Understandably, it is human nature to avoid sad and frightening subjects. However, there is great wisdom in addressing such subjects -- especially when doing so will prevent an individual or many individuals from experiencing pain and suffering.

For example, one of the last statements anyone wants to hear is, "You have cancer," but would a patient really be wise in plugging his ears and denying the very existence of the disease? Much the same way, will denying the reality of hell benefit me in some way? To the contrary.

If the calculations I have seen are correct, the inspired record shows that Jesus preached on the subject of hell three times more often than he did on the subject of heaven. Granted, just because one subject is addressed more than another in Scripture does not mean it is more important. More than one of my denominationally minded friends have brought that up in discussion as proof that belief is somehow more importance than obedience. That being said, it is interesting that Jesus spent significantly more time on the subject of hell. Why might that be the case?

Jesus says his earthly purpose was to "seek and save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). With so much of his time dedicated to declaring the devastatingly real nature of hell, it is clear that a significant aspect of "seeking and saving" involved educating the finite human mind about an infinite, eternal separation from God in torment and destruction.

76 percent notwithstanding, Jesus taught there is indeed a hell by:

1. Direct Statements (Matthew 10:28; 23:33)


2. Powerful Allusions (Mark 9:43)


3. Historical Reference (Luke 16:19-31)

Friend, what good will it do to stare an angry charging bull in the face, declaring all the while that angry charging bulls do not exist?

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Unfeigned Faith

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that is in thee also.
2 Timothy 1:5, KJV

Most English-speaking Americans do not utilize the term "unfeigned" on a regular basis. We might be more inclined to say, "sincere," as the English Standard Version so translates. Obviously, this sincere faith is a very commendable attribute; it is something to be desired by the people of God today. Here is just a handful of items entailed in this idea of sincere faith:

1. A firm stand for righteousness (Ephesians 6:13-18)
2. A life that triumphs over sin (1 John 5:4)
3. A heart indwelled by Christ (Ephesians 3:17)
4. A life growing in spiritual attainments (2 Peter 3:18)
5. A consistent walk of good report (Hebrews 11:1-2)
6. A life lived to please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1)

I am thankful for you who live "sincere faith."

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One Weak Valve Equals One Big Mess

Those who know me at least somewhat well are well aware of the fact that I am one of the most squeamish of all the people who have ever walked the face of this planet. It's not only the sight of blood or an injury that will cause me to squirm and feel ill. Often just hearing about it will cause me to be weak in the knees! I've always said it's a good thing I had no aspirations to work in the medical field, for my dreams would have been dashed early on.

I struggled mightily in my science classes in which I was responsible for dissecting everything from a cow's eye (yuck!), to a frog (ugh!), to a fetal pig (ahhhh!), to a cat (excuse me for a moment........). Don't bother sending me emails making fun of my wimpiness, for I acknowledge it in full.

I'm glad I was sitting down this morning when I read a story about a certain tanker truck spill in the Pacific Northwest. This past Wednesday, the truck -- carrying 4,000 pounds of pig blood -- spilled all its contents on a roadway in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Zoikes!! Biohazard teams were sent to clean up the scene caused by a broken valve on the tanker truck.

Here are the numbers:

4,000 pounds pig blood
200 feet of roadway
1 tanker truck
1 broken valve on said tanker truck

That tanker truck was only as strong as its weakest link, and its weakest link happened to be exceptionally weak! The church of God is a living organism, made up of all sorts of individuals. At any point in time -- past, present, or future -- that number will always include those who are experiencing a spell of weak faith.

How are we to treat these brothers and sisters?

"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."
1 Thessalonians 5:14, ESV

If my counting is correct, this divine directive includes four verbs -- four terms of action God prescribes for our dealings with a weak brother or sister.

1. Admonish
2. Encourage
3. Help
4. Be patient

So friend, while holding fast to and being uncompromising with the doctrine of Christ, take care to admonish, encourage, help, and be patient with our weak brethren. When your own weaker times come, you will need the same!

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Shades Of Jehoiakim In Chattanooga

Richard McCoy may not even know it, but he was virtually reenacting a scene from the book of Jeremiah.

Chattanooga fire officials say McCoy used pages from a copy of the Bible in his Best Western motel room to kindle several small fires. He even disconnected his room's smoke alarm to delay detection, thereby greatly endangering other guests.

Thankfully, no one was injured as a result of the "Biblical blazes," but McCoy was arrested and charged with counts of aggravated arson and vandalism.

When I first came across this strange story, the first thought that came to mind was the account of King Jehoiakim. In the 36th chapter of Jeremiah's prophecy to Judah, the childishly stubborn acts of this king are recorded for all to read; and, although Mr. McCoy may or may not have shared this king's motivation, his strange antics help us recall the actions of a foolish leader.

-- Click here to read the text --

Jehoiakim's hard heart compelled him to reject the very word of the Lord that was intended to mercifully warn Judah of impending disaster. His worldly wisdom deceived him into believing the burning of one scroll could prevent God's will from coming to pass. From observing the teaching and behavior of many in our own time (including many religious types), Satan still has the masses duped and deceived into believing that human effort can somehow thwart or alter the plans of the Almighty.

May we always hold God's word in utmost reverence.

"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Jeremiah 55:11, ESV

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Now THAT Is What I Call A Will To Live!

It was September 1914, and three of the Royal Navy's armored cruisers -- the HMS Cressy, Aboukir, and Hogue (pictured at right) -- were on patrol off the Dutch coast.

None of these three British behemoths were zig-zagging (as sound naval practice dictates), and their water-tight doors all hung open. They were oblivious to the danger that was lurking nearby.

The crew of German submarine crew U-9 could not believe their luck. In less than an hour, the German "U-boat" had torpedoed all three ships, sinking them one after one. This event marked what most consider to be one of the worst naval defeats (or greatest naval victories, depending which side you were on) of all time.

The most amazing part of this story, however, are the experiences of 15-year-old Kit Wykeham Musgrave. He went overboard when the Aboukir was going down as a result of the first torpedo. He swam like mad to escape the immensely powerful suction as the ship sank into the deep. Just as he was getting onboard the Hogue, she was torpedoed. After abandoning that ship, he swam to the Cressy which, a short time later, was also torpedoed. All

The list of men who can lay claim to being blown off three ships in the same day while living to tell about it is rather short -- comprised of just his name, as best we can tell! Kit Wykeham Musgrave was a young man of only 15 years who had an intense desire to live. His is a wonderful story of perseverance.

Have you ever felt like Satan's "darts" are more like heat-seeking missiles -- almost following you wherever you go? Listen to the words the Lord relayed to some Christians in the first century:

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:57-58, ESV

How strong is your desire to live in eternity?

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