TEMPT - A - SION

     Randy Smith always looked forward to the first Sunday of the new year especially the ones that came after a long deserved vacation. As he looked over the congregation, he couldn't but notice someone was missing. That someone was Harold Peterson. Seeing him missing gave Randy an uneasy feeling, a feeling that Harold was already showing signs that he hadn't changed.

     After the service he tried to catch up with the Bill or Martha but the left too quickly to be caught. Randy did, however, catch up with Barney. “Barney.” He called out, “I've just got to know, do you know how Harold is doing?” “Yes and no.” Barney answered. “Huh?” Randy said with puzzle look on his face. “Yes, I know how Harold is doing and no, I don’t know how he is doing.” Barney started to explain. But he made no sense to Randy who said so.

     “The last time I talked to Harold,” Barney continued to explain, “He was making some big plans on how he would stay out of trouble.” “That sounds promising.” Randy injected, “But how can you not know how he is doing?” “Nobody has seen him for over a week.” Barbey went on to say. “What?!” Randy exclaimed, “He's disappeared again?” “Sort of.” Barney shrugged.

     “What do you mean sort of?” Randy asked, “Either he’s disappeared or he hasn’t.” “Well,” Barney said, “It's like this. Harold was planning on leaving town for a while. And as I know he was telling everybody he was leaving. The whole town wants to throw he a get out of town party.” Where was he planning on going?” Randy asked. “To the monastery.” Barney answered.

     “The What?!” Randy shouted out in shock getting the attention of everybody left in the sanctuary. “The monastery.” Barney whispered. “But why” Randy asked. “Why is he going there?” “He was thinking that if he locked himself in a room at the monastery he would never get in trouble again.” Barney said. “That's interesting.” Randy said, “But I'm not sure it will work.”

     “How could it go wrong?” Barney asked, “I thought it was a good idea.” “trouble starts from within.” Randy started to explain. “You mean if he locks himself in a room trouble will start?” Barney asked. “No.” Randy said shaking his head. “Then it will work!” Barney exclaimed. “Has it ever worked before?” Randy asked. “Well,” Barney said bowing his head, “No, not really.”

     “All the trouble that Harold gets into starts in his own mind doesn’t it?” Randy asked pointing Barney toward to the real reason. “Well,” Barney replied, “I guess I’d have to agree with you there.” And unless I'm mistaken,” Randy continued, “He is going to take his mind with him.” After thinking about it Barney finally said “At least he won’t be bothering us, and besides, maybe he will learn something from all those bald guys.” “Bald Guys!” Randy shouted out and Barney ran off.

     Jesus had just been Baptized but He wasn't ready to start the job God sent Him to do. He needed to go through a time of preparation, that preparation came in a strange way.

     And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.' " And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, " 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.' " And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, " 'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and " 'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.' " And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.' " And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Luke 4:1-13 (ESV)

     Jesus was led for 40 days, ate nothing and was tempted. Being alone did not stop temptation from coming. Three temptations are named

• Turn rocks to Bread – Would He trust God to provide?
• Worship Devil – Did He want it all the easy way?
• Jump down – They would know Him for certain.

     Devil lost – retreated and waited.

     First things first – Jesus battled temptation with scripture. What does scripture say about temptation? It says...

• Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. James 1:13 (ESV)
• But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:14 (ESV)
• No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
• For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 (ESV)
• For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)
• Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41 (ESV)

     Locking ones self away won't keep temptation from coming because we can't hide ourselves from Satan nor can we hide ourselves from ourselves. We can stay away from things though that may encourage us to be tempted or give in. What will you do?

     Here's Something To Ponder

• What are the things that tempt you?
• What are the ways that you handle temptation?

LOOKING IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES

     Harold Peterson was still missing and the police department had gotten involved. Robert Grey, Harold's grandfather, had put together a search party with the help of one the police officers and now Sergeant Halfway was trying to follow up on the search to try and figure out the next move. As Halfway walked up the sidewalk to Robert's house, he wondered if he would even find him home.

      After several knocks, Sergeant Halfway turned to leave, figuring nobody was home at the Grey's home when he heard someone call out “Robert, Over here.” Turning around to see who was calling and from where, Halfway almost fell off the steps. After catching his balance, Sergeant Halfway headed towards the garage where he found who was calling him, Mr Grey himself.

      “Did you find Harold yet?” Sergeant Halfway called out. “No Robert replied, “I was just getting ready to come down to the station to see if you or your men had found him yet.” “My officer did say you put a search team together, right?” Halfway asked. “Finally.” Mr Grey answered, “But it took a lot of work to convince the town that Harold was worth looking for.”

      “I take it then,” Halfway asked, “You still haven’t found him?” “No!” Robert said sadly, “And we've looked everywhere.” “Where all have you looked?” Sergeant Halfway asked. “For starters,” Robert started to say, “His dad and mom searched his bedroom. It took them six hours. As you may know, Harold’s room is a condemned disaster zone.”

      “Wow!” Halfway injected, “I didn't realize his room was that bad.” “We’ve checked his tree house but all that we found there was a bunch of empty pop cans.” Robert continued, “We sent nearly twenty people out to the woods where he and Muffy used to go and play but all they found out there were a bunch of uncompleted and half eaten school assignments.”

“Is there any where else he would hide out?” Halfway asked. “We checked with the dock guide at the lake and he hadn't been down there all summer. We did learn though at the supermarket that he had been there and had bought six cases of candy bars.” “That sounds like Harold.” Sergeant Halfway laughed.”

      “We've looked everywhere.” Robert said shaking his head, “ I’m beginning to believe space aliens really did capture Harold and take him away.” “But there is no such thing as space aliens.” Halfway protested, “They couldn't have taken him.” “Are you sure?” Robert asked, “We even tried putting a plate of food out for him and that didn't work. We've tried everything.”

      “How about a prayer meeting?” Sergeant Halfway asked, “Did you hold a prayer meeting and ask God to help?” “Oops.” Mr. Grey said bowing his head in shame. “That should have been the first thing we did and we forgot all about it.” “Maybe you should try that next.” Halfway suggested. “And let me know when you hold the prayer meeting so I can attend.” “I'll do that.” Robert said and then got busy calling everyone.

      How many of us can say that we know everything? If we don't know something we could just forget it, not worry about knowing, we could wait for the answer to some how appear, we could go look it up in a book or on the Internet or we to could go ask someone. Of course we could find our selves asking the wrong person like Ahaziah. King Ahaziah wanted to know something about himself but things didn't work out they way he had planned for he went looking for answers in the wrong place.

      Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber which was in Samaria, and became ill. So he sent messengers and said to them, "Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this sickness." But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?' "Now therefore thus says the LORD, 'You shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but you shall surely die.' " Then Elijah departed. When the messengers returned to him he said to them, "Why have you returned?" They said to him, "A man came up to meet us and said to us, 'Go, return to the king who sent you and say to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.' ""' … So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And because he had no son, Jehoram became king in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.

2 Kings 1:2-17 (NASB)

      How often do we look for answers in the wrong places? - like the question - “Why are we here?” Solomon sought out such an answer. Ecclesiastes 1:12-13 I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. (NASB)

      Solomon found the answer and he has shared it with us in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. (NASB)

      In the New Testament we find more talk on how are being here is tied to not only God but to Christ as well.

• Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (NASB)
• John 6:67-69 So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. "We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." (NASB)
• John 15:1-5 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. (NASB)

      When Ahaziah went looking for an answer, he may have got one from the prophets of the so called god Baal-zebub but chances are it would not have been right. People today often look for answers in horoscopes, taro cards, etc

      Here's Something To Ponder

• When you have questions relating to life – where do you go looking?
• Is God and His word your first place to look?

MISSIN’ MUFFY

Do not depend on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5b (NLT)

     It was a beautiful afternoon and Barney was wandering around his back yard with his head bowed low. “I don’t understand.” he kept muttering to himself, “I just don’t understand.” “What don’t you understand?” came a familiar voice. It was Tracy’s. “Harold!” Barney answered.. “Does anybody ever understand Harold?” Tracy said back.

     “Just when you think you have some one figured out,” Barney told Tracy, “you find out you don’t.” “Tell me about it.” Stella said as she joined into the conversation, “Harold hasn’t been himself and Mom and Dad are getting worried about him” “It can’t be that bad can it?” Tracy asked.

     “Well,” Barney started to say, “You know how much Harold likes to play ball?” “Yeah,” Tracy nodded, “For the past week,” Barney continued, “Harold has refused to play ball with me, in fact he won’t even say hi to me any more.” “So, he doesn’t want to play ball.” said Tracy, “That’s not that bad.”

     “That might not be,” Stella injected, “But Harold’s hardly eaten in over a week.” “Mr. Garbage Disposal not eating?” Barney said in shock. “Yeah,” Stella continued, “All he does is sit around and stare at, at, at... Muffy’s dog house.” “Wow,” Tracy responded, “That’s not how things were suppose to happen.”

     “I was sure that if Muffy was gone,” Barney told the girls, “Everything would be back to normal and Harold would have more time to play ball.” “Muffy doesn’t chew on my toys anymore and Harold doesn’t pick on me.” Stella added, “ But Harold doesn’t, doesn’t, doesn’t do anything. He won’t even help me with my math and won’t even go to church.”

     “I guess I miss the way things were too,” Tracy added, “Since we lost Muffy in the woods, I’ve had more work to do on the farm.” “What do you mean?” Stella asked. “Harold, and Muffy used to help me chase all the cows back to the barn.’ Tracy told her, “Now I have to do it by myself and it takes twice as long.”

     “I hate to say this,” Stella said sadly, “But I think we need to find Muffy.” “Before things get worse,” added Barney. “Let’s go,” said Tracy and they all took off to find Muffy.

     How often do we think we have everything figured out but in the end we only make things worse, we rely on our own understanding and really mess things up? Proverbs 3:5 says Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. (NLT) How many problems could we avoid if we would only heed that advice.

     Getting back or taking matters into our own hands because we think we know better may seem sweet but seldom if ever is it as we shall see.

     In 2 Samuel 18 we have the story of a man who thought he knew better and took things into his own hands. It didn't make things better and in the end it cost him his life. The man's name was Joab and he served under King David.

     In the previous chapter, David's son Absalom had led a rebellion and took the throne from his father. As result David had to flee and as we pick up the story David is dividing up his troops. He put 1/3 of them under Joab, 1/3 under Abishai and 1/3 under Ittai. He then gave command to the leaders to treat Absalom gently.

     The battle did not go well for Absalom and before long he was the one that needed to flee. Shortly after meeting up with David's troops, Absalom's donkey went under a large oak tree and he got his head caught in the branches where he was later found by one of Joab's men.

     Remembering King David's charge, the man who found Absalom, refused to harm him and that angered Joab. Not wasting any time, Joab grabbed three spears, found Absalom and thrust the spears through his heart. Some of Joab's men than finished him off, threw the body in a pit in the forest and covered it with stones.

     Upon hearing of his son's death David did not celebrate even though the battle had been won. But mourned and lamented, wishing that he might have died in his place. Years later, after the reign of the kingdom had been turned over to Solomon, Joab was brought to justice for his rebellion against the king's command.

     To think we know better than God and to take matters into our own hands can be more trouble than it's worth. The kids in Pupperville tried to fix things by getting even with Muffy, Joab tried to fix things by getting even with Absalom, We try to fix things by getting even with....

     Here's some of what God's word has to say on the matter.

• Proverbs 20:22 - Don’t say, “I’ll pay you back for the wrong you did.“ Wait for the LORD, and he will make things right. (NCV)
• Romans 12:19 - Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." (MSG)
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15 - See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else. (NLT)

     There are of course many more verses that talk of taking things in to our own hands and trusting that we know best and the problems that can pursue but we'll never need to worry about that, right?

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Have you ever thought you knew better than God?
• Have you ever refused to take matters into your own hands because you knew God would take care of things?

IT'S JUST A NAME?

Hallowed be Your name. - Matthew 6:9b (NAS)

      Sooner or later it was bound to happen and the other day it finally did. A lot of people thought it hard to tell the Miller twins apart, easily getting them mixed up, but this may have been even worse, for while the Miller twins looked alike, Harold and Harold looked nothing alike, in fact they were about as opposite as two boys could be.

     As for Harold Peterson, even when he tries to be good, he causes problems. When one mentions the name Harold, visions of disruption follow, and everyone knows he's not the smartest cookie in the class, well, that is when he is in class and not in the principles office. It's this kind of a reputation that Harold Henderson can't stand.

     Since Harold Henderson is still new to the area, no-one thinks of him when they hear the name Harold and they often think that because his name is Harold he is just like Harold Peterson but that couldn't be further from the truth. Harold Henderson has never spent time in the principles' office, he never causes trouble, he gets straight A's in every class, he's always willing to help and it's that kind of reputation that Harold Peterson can't stand.

     Harold Peterson was getting tired of people telling him he should be more like the other Harold. He didn't want to be someone else, especially someone like Harold Henderson, and Harold Henderson was tired of people treating him as if he was the worst person in town simply because his name was the same as you know who.

     As you might imagine, Harold thinks Harold should change his name and Harold thinks Harold should change his name because they each thought the other was dishonoring his name. Finally, Harold had, had enough and so had Harold and the other day it happened, the grand showdown between Harold and Harold.

     The showdown took place right in the middle of the church parking lot right after a special prayer meeting and if it hadn't been for the intervention of Robert and Robert it may have lasted all night. It took Robert and Robert almost twenty minutes to get Harold and Harold separated and calmed down so they could find out what the problem was. Once they learned how the two boys thought the other was ruining their name, they burst into laughter, for they shared a name as well.

     Once he calmed down from laughing, Sargent Robert Halfway suggested the four of them go sit around a pizza and talk about the importance of one's name for he knew from his experience in law enforcement how important it is to respect every one's name. In the end the boys were full of pizza and they at least agreed on one thing – the name Harold was the best.

     Proverbs 22:1 - If you must choose, take a good name rather than great riches; for to be held in loving esteem is better than silver and gold. (TLB) In the Hebrew culture, a person’s name was more than a mere label - it was synonymous with his character or reputation. When a person’s name was mentioned, it brought to mind all that he was.

     When we think of God's name what kind of reputation do we attach to it? Do we think of someone who is loving, giving, forgiving, listening, deaf, judgmental, involved, uncaring and distant... God's name more than just a name. In the Hebrew culture, the name Jehovah was the special and significant name by which God revealed himself to the ancient Hebrews. This name was held by the later Jews to be so sacred that it was never pronounced except by the high priest on the great Day of Atonement, when he entered into the most holy place.

     In Matthew 6:9, when Jesus was teaching us how to pray He said these words ... Hallowed be Your name. (NAS) Like the ancient Jews we need to hallow God's name but how do you hallow something?

     To hallow something is to make it holy, to set apart, to make uncommon. To help illustrate this, lets think about your toothbrush. Your toothbrush is special and important to you because of the unique purpose to which it has been dedicated. You wouldn’t take kindly to anyone using your toothbrush for a different purpose. Imagine your reaction if your youngster comes in and announces that he has just brushed the dog’s teeth with your brush! In a similar manner, anything in the Bible that is holy has been dedicated for a special purpose and therefore is deserving of special treatment.

     The Bible lets us know that God's name is holy in many spots. In various scenes of God's throne room we find creatures worshiping God repeating Holy, Holy, Holy. In Leviticus 19:2 we read Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. (ESV) ans in Psalms 111:9 we read He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! (ESV)

     Despite all of this we have had to be warned no to misuse Go's name. From the ten commandments we read You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Exodus 20:7 (ESV) An d while we may say we won't misuse God's name, while we may say we will treat it special we often do the opposite.

     With our words we abuse His name through profanity and vulgarity, by using His name in some frivolous, dishonoring, or light way. With our actions we treat God's name as non-special by:

• Professing God's name but living for self and the world
• Using God's name to manipulate people for our advantage.
• Using God's name to get support for ungodly things

      I'm sure we could all come up with more ways we misuse and abuse God's name even though we say we will honor it. I know more could be said but I think the idea is clear – are you ready to pray “hallowed be Thy name?”

      Here's Something To Ponder

• How do you like your name treated?
• Are you treating God's name as Holy?

PACKAGED PRAYERS

So when you pray, you should pray like this: (NCV) Matthew 6:9a

      In some ways, Harold Henderson could be considered a book worm. He can often be found at the local library or book store looking for a book he hadn't read yet. Yesterday while at the book store he found a book that he was sure would revitalize his life and maybe even the Pupperville Church and all for only $5.95 plus tax.

     After spending most of last night pouring through the book, he decided that he needed to go to the church and find Randy. When he got to the church he found Randy in his study praying. Instead of being quiet and letting Randy finish his praying, Harold started shouting with excitement, “Randy, Randy, Randy, I've got it, I've got it, I've got it.”

     “Excuse me!” Randy said as he looked up in disgust, “I'm praying.” “Perfect!” Harold squealed in delight, “what are you praying about?” “I was praying about my Sermon for Sunday,” Randy told him, “Or at least I was until you interrupted. I hope this is important.” “It is, It is.” Harold chirped back.

     “Okay,” Randy said, “What is so important that you had to interrupt my pray time?” “It's this new book I got about pray.” Harold told him, “It's called “Prayers For Every Occasion. And it,s absolutely fantastic. It's got prayers for everything including one on preparing a sermon.” “Well, I suppose that could be handy.” Randy said, “How does it go?

     “It's right here on page 52.” Harold said as he flipped to the page. “It goes like this - Dear Lord, I'm stuck here in my study, While my kids are getting muddy, I'd rather be out there, Than sitting in my chair, So help me with my sermon, So I can be with Herman.” “Isn't this great” Harold said after finishing the prayer “And there are hundreds more.”

     As Harold carried on about all the different prayers he had found in his new book and how he thought everyone in the church should have a copy of the prayer book so they could recite the prayers, Randy decided to interrupt him and ask him if he had a prayer for when you're about to be eaten by lions or for when you're in the belly of a sea monster.

     Without missing a beat, Harold promptly found a prayer for both situations. After reciting them Randy asked him if he thought Daniel or Jonah would have been satisfied with reciting those prayers. After thinking about it for a moment Harold said they would have like the prayer on page 76 better and than skipped off to tell someone else about his new find. As for Randy, he decided to stick with his own prayer.

     There is a prayer found in Matthew 6 that has been mistakenly called the “Lord's Prayer” and recited as if its our prayer. The prayer in Matthew 6 is neither the Lord's prayer (why would He have to ask for forgiveness) nor is it our prayer to recite but rather a model to help us know how to pray and yes we are to pray for in 4 of the 5 verses preceding this prayer Jesus uses the words “when you pray,” not if you pray.”

     Of course, not everyone is familiar with prayer. Two men were out walking one day. One guy challenged his buddy by saying, “If you’re so religious, let me hear you quote the Lord’s Prayer. I’ll bet you $10 you can’t do it.” The second guy responded, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” The first guy pulled out his wallet, fished out a $10 bill and muttered, “I didn’t think you could do it!” - How many of you can remember learning this prayer as a kid. How many of you, if challenged in such a way could recite the “Lord’s Prayer?” - Mt 6:9-13 puts it this way in the 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 'Give us this day our daily bread. 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.' (NAS)

     When you look at this model you might notice that it's not full of fancy words or ramblings. Fancy words and ramblings are for those who only want to look good, to look religious. Jesus warned against such praying just before he gave us this model.

     We also find this prayer in Luke where Jesus' disciples are recorded as having asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. What they didn't ask was teach us a prayer to recite. There's a big difference between knowing how to pray and how to repeat someone else's words. Prayer is to be personal, it is to be one on one with God. Can you imagine one of these two characters from the Old Testament reciting some packaged prayer.

• While it wasn’t by his choice, Jonah got away to pray, one on one with God, in the stomach of a fish - Jonah 2:1-9
• While he had nothing to do with it, Daniel was about to be executed. Time for some one on one with God, - Daniel 2:20-23

     The ship was sinking and the captain was passing out the life belts. Suddenly he called out to the passengers, and asked if anyone there knew how to pray. A preacher among the passengers eagerly announced that he did. "Thank goodness for you," said the captain. "We are short one life belt." - Time for fancy prayers? Time for reciting the “Lord’s Prayer?” What would you be doing on such an occasion?

      James 5:16b says The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Maybe the reason a righteous man’s prayer accomplish much is because they're not someone else’s, they’re his from the heart. So, how about you? Are you ready to pray your own prayer?

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you repeat some patterned prayer just to say you prayed?
• Are your prayers from the heart?

HAROLD MEET HAROLD

     It was Friday and while most kids had already left school for the weekend, Harold found himself staying late to clean gum off desks in his classroom. He told the teacher he was just saving it for later but she didn't buy it and now he had to clean it off from every desk but first he had to find the custodian and get some cleaning supplies.

     “Hello!” Harold called out when he got to the custodian's supply room, “Anybody here?” Receiving no answer, Harold started rummaging around looking for something to get the gum off the desks and he soon realized he was actually in the teacher's supply room and with all that stuff to get into he quickly forgot why he was even there.

     “Just think of all the things I could do with this paint.” Harold thought out loud as he sat down on the floor to take a closer look. As he reached to take some a shove in his pocket he heard someone enter the room. Knowing he shouldn't be in there and not wanting to get caught he quickly rolled under a bottom shelf.

     It wasn't long before Harold could see the feet of two teachers standing beside the shelf he was hiding under. As the teachers stood there, Harold could hear them talking about some of the kids in his class. He didn't pay much attention until one of the teachers mentioned the name Harold.

     Thinking that they would have nothing good to say about him he was very surprised when he heard one start talking about how good he was. “I think Harold is the best student I have ever had.” he heard one of them say. “Wow!” Harold thought “I never knew I was that good. I wonder if they'll say anything else about me.”

     “I have to agree.” the other teacher replied, “And Monday I plan to give Harold the Good Student Award in front of the entire class.” “Well,” The other teacher responded, “He sure deserves it. Harold is the first person I have ever had to ace the big test.” “Monday is really going to be a great day.” Harold thought to himself as he laid there for another half hour soaking in the praise of the teachers.

     All weekend Harold could think of nothing but receiving the Good Student Award and rubbing it in his sister's face -literally and when Monday came around he couldn't wait to get to school.

     “Class.” the teacher called out just before time to go home. “I would like to hand out the Good Student Award and I would like Harold Henderson to come to the front of the room.” Upon hearing the name Harold, Harold jumped up and headed to the front of the room. “I'm here!” Harold told the teacher. “Why?” The teacher asked, “I didn't call your name, I called Harold Henderson. But, as long as you are here, you need to report to the principle's office. You forgot to do something last Friday.”

     “Oh, great!” Harold mumbled and turned to leave and as he did he bumped into a boy with glasses and a pencil over his ear. “Hi, Harold.” he said, “I'm Harold Henderson. See you later.” “This is not good.” Harold mumbled and than walked into a closed door embarrassing himself even more.

     In the book of Esther there is this story of a man who was just like Harold Peterson - conceited. Here's the story.

     That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the historical records of his kingdom so they could be read to him. In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king's private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate the king. "What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?" the king asked. His attendants replied, "Nothing has been done." "Who is that in the outer court?" the king inquired. Now, as it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai from the gallows he had prepared. So the attendants replied to the king, "Haman is out there." "Bring him in," the king ordered. So Haman came in, and the king said, "What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?" Haman thought to himself, "Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?" So he replied, "If the king wishes to honor someone, he should bring out one of the king's own royal robes, as well as the king's own horse with a royal emblem on its head. Instruct one of the king's most noble princes to dress the man in the king's robe and to lead him through the city square on the king's own horse. Have the prince shout as they go, `This is what happens to those the king wishes to honor!' " "Excellent!" the king said to Haman. "Hurry and get the robe and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Do not fail to carry out everything you have suggested." So Haman took the robe and put it on Mordecai, placed him on the king's own horse, and led him through the city square, shouting, "This is what happens to those the king wishes to honor!" Afterward Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home dejected and completely humiliated. - Esther 6:1-12 (NLT)

     Haman's conceit eventually led him to a hanging – his own. God's word gives us many warning when it comes to being conceited. Here are some. Of them

• Proverbs 3:7a Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; (TEV)
• Romans 12:3a Because God has given me a special gift, I have something to say to everyone among you. Do not think you are better than you are. (NCV)
• Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! (NLT)
• Philippians 2:3-4 Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. (NLT)

     The answer to conceit is also found in the verses above and it is humility.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you think yourself better than you really are?
• When you are praised, do you let it go to your head?