The Man Who Knows What Jesus Doesn't Know

     According to Harold Camping, a denominational preacher, the second coming
of Christ will take place on May 21, 2011. If he really does know when the second
coming  of  Christ  will  take  place,  he  knows  something  Jesus  doesn't  know!
If he really does know that the second coming of Christ will take place on May 21,
2011, then he  has  knowledge  that  not even Jesus Christ has.  Jesus said, "But
concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor
the Son, but the Father only." (Mat. 24:36; ESV) Wouldn't it be interesting to
find out how Mr. Camping found out what only the Father knows? There's a dead
cat on the line somewhere!

   The writers of the New Testament clearly stated that the "day of the Lord will
come like a thief in the night." (1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10) Notice that Paul says in
the Thessalonian passage not only that it will come like a thief, that is unannounced
with no preceding signs, but it will come like a thief in the night----suddenly and
accompanied with destruction. (cf. verse 3)  Since the Lord's second coming will
be unannounced and sudden, how does Mr. Camping know it will be on May 21,
2011? The dead cat on the line is starting to stink.

     One pathetic element about  this whole  scenario  is,  regardless  of  what  the
scriptures teach there are people who will swallow Mr. Camping's irresponsible
date setting "hook, line, and sinker." People do not like to think for themselves.
They would rather be told what to believe and practice. Jesus said, "If the blind
lead the blind, both will fall into a pit." (Mat. 15:14) Many people would rather
follow a blind person into a pit, than to follow a seeing person into the truth!

     If Mr. Camping really knows when the second coming of Christ will occur,
he is  the  smartest  man  who  ever  lived, or he has access to the mind of God
that   not   even   Christ   Jesus   has.  But,  the  truth   is,   he   really doesn't
know when that day will occur. Now, what  does  that  make  him? Yahweh
said,  "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of Yahweh does not take place
or come true, this is a message Yahweh has not spoken. That prophet has spoken
presumptuously, so do not be alarmed." (Deut. 18:22; NIV 2011)   Instead of
being the man who knows something that Jesus doesn't know, Mr. Camping joins
the ranks of  false prophets who have set dates relative to the Lord's second
coming and they all missed it by a "country mile."
                                                                                                            RD

Copyright 2011 

Singing Hymns To God

     Singing hymns to God is as important as any other act of worship. Yet, it is
often taken for granted. Apparently, many congregations and song leaders are
not aware that we are to sing about God and we are to sing to God. Let us
take note of the following passages of sacred scripture.

     "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God."
(Acts 16:25) "I will sing the praises of your name." (Rom. 15:9) "Singing and
making melody with your heart to the Lord." (Eph. 5:19) "Singing to God
with gratitude in your hearts." (Col. 3:16) "In the assembly I will sing your
praises." (Heb 2:12) "Let us offer to God a sacrifice of praise; the fruit of
lips that openly praise his name." (Heb. 13:15)

     The New Testament unquestionably teaches us that the focal point of
our singing should be God. Sing to God, sing his praises, and exalt his name.
We "speak to one another" when we sing, but we must be certain that our
songs are songs about God, to God, and for God.

     I have heard some songs in assemblies that are not to, about, or for God.
They have beautiful melodies, are easy to learn, and are quite "catchy", but
they are not "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" that are to, about, or for
God. They are generically bland, spiritually misguided, and are about people
instead of our loving creator! Let us be as careful to select appropriate songs 
for worship as we are about the teaching, giving as prospered, prayers, and the
Lord's Supper.
                                                                                                           RD

Copyright 2011

    

Worry

     Read Matthew 6:25-34. In this pericope of scripture a key word appears
six times. In the older versions we see the word "anxious" (KJV, ASV, RSV,
ESV), but in more recent versions such as the NRSV and NIV 2011 we see
the word "worry."

     Worry   is   a  translation of  the  Greek  word   merimnao. It  means  to
be uneasy in mind or spirit, and it extends the focus to worrying about meeting
one's  needs;  to  be  overly  concerned  about  things. It is appropriate to be
concerned  about  one's  health,  family,  work,  and  other  relationships and
responsibilities. The  "tricky"  part is knowing where to draw the line without
wallowing in worry.

     Most  people  never  consider  the  fact  that Jesus forbids worry just as
certainly as he forbids lying, stealing, and committing adultery. Matthew 6:25
says, "Therefore  I  tell  you, do not worry about your life..." Verse 31 says,
"Do not worry..." Verse 34 says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow..."
Why is it wrong to worry? 

     First,  worry shows a lack of confidence in God. Jesus says our heavenly
Father  feeds  the  birds,  "Are   you   not  much  more  valuable  than  they?"
(v. 26) He also says God clothes the grass of the field, "Will he not much more
clothe     you? "     (v.30)    His    point    is,    God   will      always   provide
for his own. So, why worry about that which is in God's hands? This  does  not 
mean  that we do not have  certain  responsibilities  in "making things happen."
God will feed and  clothe us through the work  of  our  own  hands (2 Thess.
3:7-10), or by assistance from others (Eph. 4:28; Jas. 2:14-17), but it is he
who provides the strength. (1 Pet. 4:11)

     Second, worry doesn't change anything in a positive way. It will change
one's mind from sound to unstable; it will change one's health from good to bad;
and it will change one's relationships. Worry-warts will find that people do not
enjoy being around them. Jesus asks, "Can any of you by worrying add a single
hour to your life?" (Mat. 6:27) Worry does not add an hour to one's life! Take
note  of  the  alternative. Worry  cannot  pay  a  debt,  save a life, strengthen a
relationship, or help a person be more faithful to God.

     Third, worry is a killer. It is a proven fact that many cases of heart attacks,
strokes,   and  some   forms  of  cancer  appear  to  be  stress  related.  Worry
compromises the  immune  system. It makes the body waste away. Worry will
make a  person   rot from  the inside out. Jesus said, "Therefore do not worry
about tomorrow, for  tomorrow  will worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own." (Mat. 6:34) One  of  the greatest lessons we can learn is,
don't worry about things you cannot change. If something needs changing and
can be changed, change it, and don't worry about it. Get over it and get on with
life.

     Fourth,  people  who  worry  focus  on  the  negative  side of human 
existence. When it rains they see a flood. When it snows they see a blizzard.
When they experience pain, they see death. In their mind there is no balance.
They only see extremes. It is sad that many people allow worry to rob them
of the joy that God wants them to experience. Heaven will certainly be a place
of ultimate comfort and joy, but life on earth can also be enjoyable. Paul said,
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!...Do not worry about
anything, but  in  every  situation,  by  prayer  and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding,  will  guard  your  hearts  and  your  minds  in Christ Jesus."
(Phil. 4:4-7) Let all of us remember the words of Jesus, "Do not worry."
                                                                                                 RD

Copyright 2011