WHEN NO-ONE SHOWED

Love never fails; 1 Corinthians 13:8a (NASB)

      It was looking to be a great Sunday morning for Randy Smith. He had been working real hard all week putting together his message, the final one in his series on what love is, and he was ready to give it all he had. Knowing his wife was going to be out of town for the weekend, along with Louie, he decided to get up early and head to the church.

     “Wow.” Randy thought as he pulled into the parking lot. “I can't remember the last time I was the church parking lot this bare on a Sunday.” After parking his car in his usual spot he headed for the main door but when he got there he found the door locked. “That's odd.” He thought to himself, “I would have thought that someone would have been here and opened that door already. Oh, well. Maybe I'm just a little too early.”

     After digging through an assortment of keys, Randy found the one for the door, unlocked it and opened it wide. Next, he took a quick stroll through the sanctuary to make sure it was clean, and went to get the bulletins to hand out and then he took up a spot in the foyer and waited for the everyone to start arriving.

     As he stood waiting, Randy thought of some of the greetings he would use. He liked to have one for the old guys like himself, a complimentary one for the ladies, some high fives for the teenagers and even some Donald Duck impressions for the little ones. He practiced these for what seemed like hours and until he started getting concerned that something was wrong. “I've know people to be late for church, and I've know people to miss church altogether” Randy began thinking to himself, “But not everyone, at the same time.”

     Finally, it was time for church to start and Randy headed for the front of the sanctuary. As he stepped up behind the pulpit has wondered if he should go ahead and start on time or wait just a few more minutes just in case someone would show up. He decided to wait but he stayed behind the pulpit looking at all the empty pews.

     “Where could they be?” Randy thought as he looked at where the McDonalds usually sat. “Maybe they had a problem on the farm. And where are those Petersons? Is Harold casing problems again? And the Greys are missing. I wonder if Robert forgot again. And where are the Millers and the Hendersons and....” over and over Randy kept going through the names of everyone in the congregation.

     Finally, Randy decided he had waited long enough and started the service. “Even though people may fail to show up,” he said, “Love will never fail. Let us read from 1 Corinthians 13.” Randy went on to complete the entire service on his own with no-one else in the building. When he was done he locked up and headed home.

     Feeling a little let down, because no-one showed up, Randy stopped to by himself a big donut at the donut shop. As he walked in Sergeant Halfway met him and told him he was looking forwarded to hearing his sermon tomorrow. “Tomorrow?” Randy questioned, “Why not today?” “Because I don't usually go to church on Saturday.” Halfway responded.

     Genesis 1:31 says And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. (ESV) As we look around us we can see that the world is not the same as when God made it. It's not very good and all around us things are failing including us. What happened?

     Let us move forward to Genesis 6:5-7 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them." (ESV) To sum things up – man happened. And because God is Holy and Just, man's sin had to be dealt with.

     Genesis 6:13-22 And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them." Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. (ESV)

     God dealt with man and the world would never be the same. Things would wear out and run down things would fail but not all. God made some promises in all of this. And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease." Genesis 8:21-22 (ESV) And then the rainbow was born. This promise has not failed. Love never fails either.

      Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NASB)

     Love never fails because God is love – 1 John 4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (ESV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you let your love fail God, others or self? Is it really love?
• How many and in what ways has God's love not failed you?

ALL DUG UP

Love … endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV)

      It had been one of those weeks, or so Randy thought. Earlier in the week his wife had called to say the basement was flooding from all the rain and now his wife had called to say unexpected company had dropped in and asked if he would stop and get some milk and eggs on his way home. And since his wife didn't want store bought milk or eggs it meant driving 10 miles out of the way to the McDonald's farm.

      “It's been one of those weeks.” Randy said to John when he pulled into the farm. “You can say that again.” John said in agreement, “In fact, I'll say it for you. It's been one of those weeks.” “You too?” Randy asked. “ I have seen some strange happenings before.” John replied, “But I think this one might take the cake.”

     “Well,” Randy said, “The flooding was pretty bad. “Flood?!” John said, “I was talking about the antics of one Harold Peterson.” “Harold?!” Randy said in return, “Your not talking about his story of Giant June Bugs are you? He was using that as an excuse not to plant his garden.” “Well,” John said quietly, “His mom finally talked him into planting it.”

     “That’s good.” Randy said, “It's about time he did something.” “Try telling that to the town's folks.” John declared, “Harold decided he would try and use my big tractor to till up his garden area.” “But his garden isn't that big.” Randy injected. “Try telling him that.” John continued, “He put the plow down and dug up his entire yard, in fact he dug up most of the neighborhood. And that’s not the worst of it.”

     Hearing that, Randy was afraid to ask what Harold did but he asked anyway. “What more did he do?” “He sliced through the phone cable, the TV cable and the main power cable to the town.” What happened when he hit the power cable?” Randy asked. “A sonic boom” John replied, “The town's power went out, Harold went flying through the air and the tractor, well, I don’t want to talk about it now.”

     “Wow” Randy said, “And I thought the power outage was from the storm. You're right, that does take the cake.” I don't know how his parents put up with him.” John said, “If my Tracy had behaved like that I think I would have buried her in a deep hole and left her there.” “You wouldn't” Randy gasped in shock. “No, not really,” John assured him, “Besides she’s a good girl who only messes up once in a while.”

     “Like the time she helped lose Muffy?” John said nodding his head. “She helped with that?” John said in surprise, “Well, at least she’s not like Harold. He’s always causing some sort of trouble. Even when he’s being good he puts people into shock.” “Well,” John commented, “You do have to admire Martha’s love for Harold. Well, I better be on my way.”

     With that, Randy got back in his car and headed for home, and yes it was one of those weeks for when John started telling him of his troubles, Randy forgot to get the milk and eggs. He did however, get a great sermon illustration.

      Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob." … Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him, "You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women. Arise, go to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel your mother's father, and take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother's brother. Genesis 27:41,28:1-2 (ESV)

     Things were looking pretty rough for Jacob. He'd stolen his brother's birthright and blessing, his brother wanted to kill him and now, of all things, he was being sent away to get married. But, could Jacob find someone he could truly love. Let's join Jacob at a well in a field...

      Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well's mouth was large, and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well. Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where do you come from?" They said, "We are from Haran." He said to them, "Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?" They said, "We know him." He said to them, "Is it well with him?" They said, "It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!" … Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel." Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me." So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed." So Laban gathered together all the people of the place and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her. And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?" Laban said, "It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years." Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.

Genesis 29:1-28 (ESV)

     Jacob makes a deal to work for Laban for 7 years to marry Rachel. He's tricked and ends up working 7 more years and all for Rachel His beautiful wife. Oh what Love endures. What are or would you put up with or do for loved ones? Do you endure?

• 1 Peter 2:19 - For God is pleased with you when, for the sake of your conscience, you patiently endure unfair treatment. (NLT)
• James 1:12 - God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (NLT)
• Matthew 10:22 - And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. But those who endure to the end will be saved. (NLT)

     Why would you bear sorrow, persevere under trials, endure hatred. Love motivates for God, love motivates for others.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Are you willing to endure the trials brought by the ones you should love?
• Do you make it hard for others to endure in their love for you?

HAROLD “NO HOPE”

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things... 1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV)

      After hearing her husbands story about his run in with Bernadette and her story about Giant June bugs, Daisy felt inspired to write one of her poems. As she strolled through the park she kept muttering possible lines and rhymes to herself but once and a while she said things out loud and people would look at her funny. On one of those times she blurted out “Giant June Bugs” and someone she knew heard her.

     “Giant June Bugs!!!” Martha called out, “Not you too!!!” “Well, hi Martha.” Daisy said as she looked up, “Beautiful day for a stroll in the park.” “Were you just talking about Giant June Bugs?” Martha asked. “The ones that are the size of a moose?” Daisy asked in return. “I thought so.” Martha said, “You were talking about them.”

     “Well, yeah, I was just talking about them.” Daisy said, “I'm working on writing a poem about them.” “I take it you’ve been talking to Harold?” Martha sort of asked. “No.” Daisy said shaking her head, “I haven’t seen Harold for quite some time. I heard about Giant June Bugs from my husband who heard about them from Bernadette.”

     “From Bernadette?” Martha said in surprise. “Yeah,” Daisy replied. “Randy said She was convinced that they would come and destroy us if we planted a garden.” “So, she's the one behind all this!” Martha injected. “Actually no.” Daisy continued, “Randy said “Harold told her about them. I presume he was the one that made them up.”

     “Your probably right on that.” Martha said. “He has been using them to keep from planting our garden.” “But I thought Harold liked food.” Daisy said a bit puzzled. “He does.” Martha affirmed, “But have you ever known Harold to like work.” “Now that you mention it.” Daisy said shaking her head. “No!”

     “He’s been telling everybody that Giant June Bugs will come and attack us if he plants the garden.” Martha said, “I’m beginning to believe that child is a hopeless case. I keep hoping for the best and getting the, the, well what ever is worse than the worse.” “Sounds like our Harold.” Daisy laughed, “Have you ever thought of fighting fire with fire?”

     “But he hasn’t started any fires, at least not yet.” Martha said a bit puzzled as to what Martha meant. “Not a real fire!” Daisy laughed, “I mean, if he won’t plant because of Giant June Bugs maybe you could tell him about the Red Ringers that will come if he doesn’t plant the garden.” “What are Red Ringers?” Martha asked, still a bit puzzled.

     “Nothing,” Daisy said with a smile, “But with Harold’s imagination it just might get him planting.” “I get you now.” Martha grinned, “Maybe there’s hope yet. Well, I better get going. I've got some Red Ringer Rumors to spread.”

     Psalm 39:7 reads - And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. (ESV) This Psalm, this verse, was written by King David, who according to the Bible was a man after God's own heart. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' Acts 13:22 (ESV) Even though David was a man after God's own heart, he was still human and like us, he made mistakes. In 2 Samuel we read of some of those mistakes in a familiar story starting in the 11^th chapter.(ESV)

      In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, "I am pregnant." … David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. In the letter he wrote, "Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die." And as Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant men. And the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, and some of the servants of David among the people fell. Uriah the Hittite also died. … When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD. … And the LORD sent Nathan to David. … David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die." Then Nathan went to his house. And the LORD afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick. David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, "Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm." But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" They said, "He is dead." Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. Then his servants said to him, "What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food." He said, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, 'Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me."

     Love hopes all things. David loved his child, David loved God, David held on to hope in hoping that God would change His mind and spare the child. Hope can keep us going when things look impossible, hope can keep us looking for the best when nothing good can be seen

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you easily give up on others when things seem impossible?
• When other have hope in you do you let them down?

GIANT JUNE BUGS

Love bears all things, believes all things, - 1 Corinthians 13:7a (ESV)

      It was another beautiful spring day and this time Randy didn't need to work at the office. His sermon was finished and he now had time to get his garden planted. After spending most of the morning pushing a tiller through the black dirt, Randy decided it was time to take a break and have a tall cold glass of lemonade.

      As he stood looking over the freshly tilled dirt, Bernadette came running up to him breathing really hard. After giving her a couple minutes to catch her breath Randy asked her if he could help her. “What are you doing?” Bernadette asked almost as if she was scolding him. “Just standing here drinking some ice cold lemonade.” Randy answered, “Would you like some?”

      “You're not planting a garden, are you?” Bernadette asked, “Please tell me you're not.” “Of course I'm planting a garden, Bernadette,” Randy replied, “I do it every year. This year I'm panning on planting corn and potatoes and onions and carrots and beans and..” “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!” Bernadette screamed when she heard that cutting Randy off in mid sentence.

     “What's wrong, Bernadette?” Randy asked, “Are you okay?” “We're all doomed.” Bernadette muttered, “You planted a garden and now their going to come.” “Who's coming?” Randy asked. “The ... Giant ... June ... Bugs.” Bernadette said, “Their bigger than a moose.” “Did you see one?”, Randy asked, “Or are you making this up?”

     “I'm not making it up.” Bernadette pleaded, “It’s true. Harold told me all about them. He said he even saw one. He said they come every time you plant a garden and then, then, then, they destroy everything. We’re doomed. And it’s all your fault.” “Are you sure Harold isn’t making this up to get out of planting his own garden.” Randy asked almost positive Harold was.

     “Harold would never do that.” Bernadette pleaded, “He loves food too much. He said he heard all about them from his friend Bert.” “I didn't know Harold had any friends.” Randy injected, but Bernadette continued, “He said they came from outer space and there is nothing in the world that will stop them. He said they came back from the moon a the space shuttle.”

     “Space shuttle.” Randy said. “Now I know Harold is making this up. The space shuttle doesn’t even go to the moon.” “It doesn't?” Bernadette asked a bit puzzled. “Tell me” Randy said, “Do you believe everything you here?” “Of course not.” Bernadette cheerfully answered, “I only believe the believable stuff.” “Like space monsters?” Randy asked. “Yeah.” Bernadette answered.

     “If I don’t believe everything I could get in trouble.” Bernadette said after thinking about what she had just said yeah too. “One time my mom told me veggies were good for me. I didn’t believe that and I got in trouble so...” “I think you need to go practice some discernment to figure out who is telling the truth. And I need to get back to my garden.” “I'll try.” Bernadette said as she started to leave, “But I'm still keeping my eyes open for those Giant June Bugs.”

     1 Corinthians 13:7 tells us that love believes all things. If we are to experience and share God's love are we really suppose to believe everything? Are there times when we shouldn't believe things? In Matthew 24:23 Jesus says “if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it.” (ESV) Jesus talks of times when we are not to believe. When it comes to everyday life, there ends up being times when we should believe and we don't and times we shouldn't and we do like in this old Aesop fable.

     There was once a young Shepherd Boy who tended his sheep at the foot of a mountain near a dark forest. It was rather lonely for him all day, so he thought upon a plan by which he could get a little company and some excitement. He rushed down towards the village calling out “Wolf, Wolf,” and the villagers came out to meet him, and some of them stopped with him for a considerable time. This pleased the boy so much that a few days afterwards he tried the same trick, and again the villagers came to his help. But shortly after this a Wolf actually did come out from the forest, and began to worry the sheep, and the boy of course cried out “Wolf, Wolf,” still louder than before. But this time the villagers, who had been fooled twice before, thought the boy was again deceiving them, and nobody stirred to come to his help. So the Wolf made a good meal off the boy’s flock, and when the boy complained, the wise man of the village said: “A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.”

     While the focus of this story tends to be the boy who cried wolf, I tell it because of those who refused to believe the boy after they had been lied to several times. In a way, they failed to show love, they failed to over look the wrong, they failed to forgive.

     In the Greek, the word translated believe has the idea of thinking something to be true, to place confidence in, to trust someone. To be able to do that when we have been lied to we need to be able to forgive.

• Luke 17:3-4 - Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (HCSB)
• Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. (NCV)

     When someone becomes untrustworthy, unbelievable, yes, they may need to change but we need to be willing to believe, and trust if we are to love and that may mean putting the past aside.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• What are you willing to believe even when it is unbelievable?
• How do you react when others fail to believe you when you are telling the truth?

BEAR, BARE OR BEAR

Love bears all things, 1 Corinthians 13:7a (ESV)

      It was a beautiful spring day and Randy thought he would sit outside while studying for his next sermon on love. As he leaned back against a tree a gentle breeze blew across his face bringing the scent of blossoms and fresh cut grass. As he sat there taking in the scents of spring, he picked up his Bible and started reading, unfortunately the sounds of spring kept side tracking him.

     The first sounds he heard were the birds. “What beautiful sounds they make.” he thought and then there were the frogs which got him thinking about his younger years when he used to catch them and then there was the loud RRROOOAAARRR!!! of a bear.

     “All right, Harold!” Randy called out, “There are no bears around here. Come out with your hands up.” “I’m not Harold!” Bernadette stated as she came out from behind the tree Randy was leaning against. “Bernadette!?” said in surprise, “What are you doing here?” “I thought you could use some help with your sermon.” Bernadette answered.

     “Well,” Randy said, “You might be able to help me. Bye the way, what was that loud roar all about?” “You mean you don’t know.” Bernadette asked a bit puzzled, “I was pretending to be a bear. I thought it would help you with your sermon. “How will pretending to be a bear help me?” asked scratching is head.

     “I don’t know.” Bernadette said putting her hands on her hips, “All I know is I heard you were going to talk about a bear for your next sermon.” Randy scratched his head some more trying to remember saying he was going to talk a bout a bear. “If you talk about “Teddy bears” I can help you out a lot.” said, “I’ve got thirteen of them. My favorite is the pink one with yellow pok-a-dots.”

     “Well, I’m not talking about teddy bears.” Randy said. “How about Panda bears?” Bernadette asked, “There pretty cute. Or maybe some polar bears or black bears or brown bears or maybe even a Big Ferocious Grizzly Bear.” “I am not talking about bears.” Randy interrupted almost shouting, “I’m talking about love and how it bares all things.”

     “A love bear, how cute.” Bernadette chirped when she heard that, but before she could carry on Randy let out a big RRRROOOOAAAARRRR!!!! himself which caused her to scream “AAAUUUGGGHH!!! A bear. Help!!! Help!!! .......” “Calm down, Bernadette” Randy laughed. “Calm down?” Bernadette quipped, “I heard a bear. You’ve got to protect me.”

     “Protect you? Hmm.” Randy thought out loud, “I think you just helped me with my sermon.” “What?!” Bernadette screamed, “ I’m being attacked by a bear and all you can think about is your sermon.” “Calm down Bernadette.” Randy said again, “ There is no bear but if there was I would protect you. As for my sermon, It's not about bears but about how love bears all things.”

     “Love bears things?” Bernadette asked trying to figure out what the meant. After a few minutes her eyes got big and she blurted out, “I'm not going to help you with that. I'm not going to bare myself, I'm keeping my clothes on.” and with those words she left on the run as Randy called after here to no avail “Not that kind of bare.”

     Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:1-3 (ESV)

     What do you know about sheep? – They're black, white, fluffy, dumb and needful of a shepherd? Throughout the Bible people are often represented by sheep. There are many stories in the Bible that teach us lessons using sheep to represent us and some of these stories about sheep well help us with our bear. Let's look at some familiar stories involving sheep.

     And David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth." But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. - 1 Samuel 17:32-35 (ESV)

     Did you see the sheep in this story? David, in trying to convince Saul he could handle Goliath tells of tacking care of his sheep, of rescuing them from bears and lions.

      “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. - Luke 15:4-5 (ESV)

     Did you see the sheep in this story? It was lost and needed to be found and it was.

      So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, - John 10:7-14 (ESV)

     Did you see the sheep in this story? Did you see how the good shepherd take scare of them? Did you see that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are the sheep?

     1 Corinthians 13 :7 tells us that love bears all things. The word for bear in the original language has the idea of holding up, or covering up as in a roof which is meant to protect. This is what love does.

     Try these verses out

• 1 Peter 4:8 - Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. (NASB)
• Romans 15:1 - We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (ESV)
• Galatians 6:2 - Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (ESV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• In what ways have you been protected by love?
• In what ways are you letting your love protect others?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY?

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. - 1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)

      It could have been do to the fact that Robert had quietly slipped inside the church without making a sound. It could have been do to the fact that Randy was deeply involved in his study for his next sermon on Love and wasn't expecting it. Which ever it was, when Robert popped through the offices door and hollered SURPRISE, Randy was totally surprised.

     “Woe!” Randy hollered throwing his hands in the air and then Robert started singing “Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you. Happy....” “Robert?” Randy interrupted, “Who are you singing happy birthday to?” “Like, you don't know.” Robert said with a smile, “How humble.” “I really don't know.” Randy ensured him.

     “I'll give you a hint then.” Robert said and started to sing again. “Happy birthday dear Robert, Happy...” “Stop! Stop! Stop.” Randy interrupted. “What’s wrong?” Robert asked stopping his singing, “Don’t you like surprises?” “Do you like surprises?” Randy answered with a question of his own. “Of course I do.” Robert replied. “Why?” “Because I have a surprise for you.” Randy told Robert, “Today is not my birthday.”

     “WHAT!!??” Robert shouted “It's got to be!” “Nope” Randy chirped, “It’s not my birthday. My birthday isn’t till next month.” Hearing that, Robert stood silent for several minutes thinking then proclaimed, “I know, you don’t want anybody to know you are turning 40 today.” “Robert!” Randy said next, “It’s not my birthday and I’m not turning 40.”

     “Does that mean there won't be any party?” Robert asked “No party.” randy said shaking his head. “Then what should I do with all this cake and ice cream?” Robert asked next. “I suppose you could feed it to your grandson Harold.” Randy told him, “I'm sure he wouldn't mind.” “And what about all of the party favors I bought?” Robert asked, “I don't want them to go to waste.” “I'm sure the church nursery could find a use for them.” Randy told him

     The next thing Randy knew, there was a monkey trying to climb onto his head. “Where did this monkey come from?” he asked. “Oh, “Robert laughed, “He's the singing monkey that came with the package.... that reminds me, I have a big birthday package here for you too.” When Randy heard that he perked up, “You have a big package for me?” He asked.

     “It was suppose to be your present but I better save it.” Robert said shaking his head, “I can’t believe I got your birthdays all mixed up.” Who's birthday's?” Randy asked, a little puzzled by Robert's statement. “Why, yours .... and .... Bills.” Robert started to answer. “Oops.” he said stopping himself, “I think I’m in the wrong spot. All this stuff belongs at Bills surprise party. I better be going.”

     I could ask if you like surprises but I'll leave the surprises to another day. I could ask if you like birthdays but not this time. But I could ask if you like to party, to celebrate, to rejoice when something wonderful happens.

     Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: - Luke 15:1-3 (ESV) Jesus was far from what the Pharisees expected. They didn't think anyone who was religious or godly, as they thought they were and Jesus claimed, should have anything to do with IRS agents and sinners and yet that is where Jesus was found. They grumbled and complained. And Jesus answered them three times over with stories of rejoicing

      "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

      "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

     And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants." ' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

Luke 15:4-32 (ESV)

     Love rejoices with the truth – what is right and good. The Bible talks of rejoicing when it says:

• Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! - Psalm 32:11 (ESV)
• Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. - Philippians 4:4 (ESV)
• Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. - Romans 12:15 (ESV)

     A problem I see today is more people would rather rejoice in what is not true and right and run from what is true but that is not what love is all about.

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you rejoice in that which is true and right?
• Do you cringe at the truth?

THE BOPPIN PIG

Love does not delight in evil - 1 Corinthians 13:6a (NIV)

      “Has anybody ever read from the book of Third Corinthians?” Randy asked as he started off a discussion for the youth group. His goal was to teach a little history from the early church fathers but before he could ever get to the lesson, he decided he needed to talk about role models instead mostly thanks to Tracy McDonald.

     “Third Corinthians?” Stella smirked when she heard that, “There’s no such book in the Bible.” “You’re right.” Randy told her, “There is however a letter written to the Corinthians by a man named Clement.” “Cement?” Bernadette exclaimed, “That must be a hard to read.” “Clement not cement, Bernadette.” Randy replied “And it’s possible he is the same Clement that Paul mentions in his letter to the Philippians. Isn’t that cool.” Randy knew teenagers liked to use the word “cool.”

     “Maybe.” Tracy responded, “But it’s not as cool as the Boppin Pig.” “The Boppin Pig?” Randy questioned, “Who or what may I ask is the Boppin Pig?” “That's the code name for Tom Smith” Tracy answered. “And who is Tom Smith?” Randy asked. “Just a man about the size of a semi truck.” Tracy said, “And he's so cool.”

     “The size of a Semi Truck?” Randy asked. “Just about.” Tracy replied. “According to the farm news on TV last night he weighs in at 852 pounds. He is so cool.” “852 pounds!” Randy exclaimed, “No one ways that much.” “But he does.” Tracy said, “They interviewed him while he was eating and I can see why. He ate like a pig. I wish I could eat like that.”

     “What! You want to eat like a pig?” Randy asked in shock. “Yeah.” Tracy replied, “I'm tired of table manners.” “Sounds like your Tom Smith needs someone to teach him manners.” Randy claimed. “I don't think so.” Tracy laughed, “The interviewer tried and it was so cool.” “What was cool” Randy asked. “You don’t tell a 852 pound man what to do.” Tracy responded, “He bopped him.”

     “He bopped him?” Randy questioned. “Yeah.” Tracy giggled, “He sent him flying clear across the room and then it was the camera mans turn. He scolded Tom for boppin Joe. So Tom got up knocking over the table, picked up the camera man and threw him out the window. It was so cool.” “That doesn’t sound cool to me.” Randy shuddered, “In fact it’s sounds out right terrible.”

     “I guess he does it all the time.” Tracy responded, “He even has a fan mail club and a web sight. WWW dot Boppin Pig.” “You mean People actually like what he does?” Randy asked. “Of course,” Tracy replied, “After all, he’s so cool.” Trying to turn things back to God, Randy asked, “Do you think God likes what he does?” “As big as he is,” Tracy replied, “I don’t think God would even try to stop him.” With those words, Randy set aside his scheduled talk on history and focused on God's size and our role models.”

     Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me." But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together.

1 Samuel 31:1-6 (ESV)

     A tragic end comes to king Saul and his sons. They are at war with the Philistines, again, and this time an arrow hits Saul. To avoid capture he asks his armor bearer to kill him but he refuses. Saul kills himself and than the armor bearer follows suit. But somebody was watching. Here is a summary of 2 Samuel 1:1-16

 

     On the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. David said to him, "How did it go? Tell me." And he answered, "The people fled from the battle, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead." Then David said to the young man who told him, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?" And the young man who told him said, "Saul said to me, 'Stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still lingers.' So I stood beside him and killed him and I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord." Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening. And David said to the young man "How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?" Then David called one of the young men and said, "Go, execute him."

     Unlike the man who claimed to kill Saul, unlike Tracy who thought the Boppin Pig was cool, David did not delight in evil. Problem is, too many of us do and God warns against such behavior for it does not match with the Bible's definition of Love.

     There is much danger when it comes to treating evil as good. Here's is some of what the Bible has to say:

• Malachi 2:17 - You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say, "How have we wearied him?" By saying, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them." Or by asking, "Where is the God of justice?" (ESV)
• Proverbs 17:15 - He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD. (ESV)
• Proverbs 24:24 - Whoever says to the wicked, "You are in the right," will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, (ESV)
• Isaiah 5:20 - Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (ESV)

     Of course, Love does not delight in evil.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• How many things that are “evil” find there way into your “Good” list?
• Are you truly saddened by what is being called good that is evil?

WHY AM I HERE

Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. - 1 Corinthians 13:5b (NCV)

      “Where is she?” Randy asked himself over and over as he kept looking at the clock and then out the window. “I'm sure I said to be here at 3:00” Randy thought, “But then again, When you get old, the first thing to go is your mind. Maybe I didn't tell Robert the right time or day to tell his wife. If she doesn't get here soon I'll have to go on with out her.”

     With a no show, Randy finally decided he had waited long enough and started to go with out her but as he did, he noticed the Grey's car pull in the parking lot. “Well, what do you know,” he said, “It looks like Martha finally made it.” But a few minutes later it wasn't Martha that stepped through the door to his office but her husband Bill.

     “Here I am. Are you ready?” Bill said as he walked into the office, “I’m in a bit of a hurry so if we could go ahead and get started it would be much appreciated.” “Uhm, okay,” Randy stuttered, “Where are we going?” “How am I supposed to know?” Robert asked, “You were the one who asked me to help you.”

     “I never asked you to help me.” Randy said. “Yes you did.” Robert claimed, “You said, 'Robert will you ask your wife to help me this coming week?” “That's right.” Randy exclaimed, “and are you your wife?” he asked. “My wife? Oops.” Robert said turning red in the face. “Is there anything I can do since I messed up?”

     “I thought you were in a hurry to get going?” Randy asked. “I was?” Robert asked in return. “That's what you said when you got here.” Randy reminded him. “I did?” Robert asked, “Where was I going?” “How should I know?” Randy replied, “You never said.” “I didn't?” Robert said, “Oh well, it's a good thing I remember to write things down in my notebook.”

     “It sure is.” Randy said in agreement, “So, where is your note book?” “At home. I forgot to bring it with.” Robert told him and then added, “I suppose I should go home and get it.” “Sounds like a good idea.” Randy said, “And maybe you could get your wife.” “By the way.” Robert said, “Why am I here?' “You thought you were your wife.” Robert replied

     “Oh, yeah. Almost forgot.” Robert said with a laugh, “Well, I better head off to the park.” “The park?” Randy questioned, “I thought you were heading home to get your notebook.” “Oh, yeah” Robert laughed again, “Just testing you. You you’d think I was losing my memory or something. See you later.”

     “I hope I'm never like that.” Randy thought to himself after Robert left. But before he could get back to what he had been trying to do, Robert stuck his head back in the door, “I thought you left?” Randy said. “I did.” Robert said, “But I forgot where I was going.” “Home!” Randy said, “HOME.”

     Jesus said "When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? `A servant is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you! - John 15:18-20 (NLT)

     Jesus has done nothing to deserve hatred, Jesus had done nothing to deserve persecution and yet he was killed. Since His coming there has and continues to be great hostility towards Him and all who follow Him. Stephen was one of those men who followed Him. Stephen was one of those men that felt the persecution. Stephen was killed.

      And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us." And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. And the high priest said, "Are these things so?" And Stephen said: "Brothers and fathers, hear me. … Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 6:8-7:2, 7:54-60 (ESV)

     Stephen was performing great wonders and signs, people tried to argue against him but were unable so they created lies and drug him before the council. A history lesson follows ending with an accusation. The men refused to listen, grabbed Stephen, drove him out of the city and stoned him. Just before he died he called out “Lord, do not hold this sin against them."

     Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love forgives. Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. (NCV)

• Luke 23:34 - Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.“ The soldiers threw lots to decide who would get his clothes. (NCV)

     Jesus also said:

• Mark 11:25 - When you are praying, if you are angry with someone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins.“ (NCV)
• Luke 17:4 - If he sins against you seven times in one day and says that he is sorry each time, forgive him.“ (NCV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Why do you hold onto past wrongs when you know you should forgive?
• Do you willing want God to forgive you the way you forgive others?

SUFFERING FROM S.T.

Is not provoked, 1 Corinthians 13:5b (NASB)

     It was Wednesday evening and almost time for youth group to start. Randy already knew that Mindy and Cindy we're not going to be around after their recent incident at the last church potluck and it didn't really surprise him when Bill popped in to say that there was no way that Harold or Stella would be showing up either.

     “Just thought I'd let you know,” Bill said, “Harold and Stella won't be here tonight as they had to go somewhere else.” “That's too bad.” Randy said, “I know they were looking forward to being here tonight. Where did they have to go?” “Too bed.” Bill told him. “Too bed?” randy asked a bit puzzled, “I thought their bed time was later?” “It usually is.” Bill answered but “Doctor's orders.”

     “Doctor's orders?!” Randy exclaimed, “Are they sick? Is it contagious?” “I'm not 100 percent certain, but they appear to be suffering from S.T.” “Ooh, sounds bad.” Randy exclaimed, “How bad is it?” “Well,” Bill explained, “it gave Harold a broken arm and as a result it's in a cast and he can’t come out of his room for several weeks..

     “That's bad.” Randy said in agreement. “What about Stella?” “It gave her a broken nose and a very bad head-ache.” Bill claimed, “Furthermore, she’s grounded to her room for several weeks.” “I sure hope I don’t get this S.T.” Randy said “Is there a cure for it?” “I think there is.” Bill said, “but each case is a little different.”

     “How did Harold and Stella get it?” Randy asked hoping he would be able to avoid it. “I’m not sure,” Bill told him, “but I think it got started over Stella’s new bicycle.” “I didn’t know bicycles can make you sick.” Randy interrupted. “Apparently,” Bill continued, “Harold was riding it with out permission and he was doing wheelies on it.” “And that gave them S.T.?” Randy interrupted again.

     “I think so.” Bill continued, “Stella saw Harold on the bike, lost her temper, ran over and through him off the bike breaking his arm. Then Harold lost his temper, swung his unbroken arm and punched Stella in the nose sending her backwards into a tree.” “And all because of S.T.” Randy exclaimed, “That must be some powerful disease. What does S.T. stand for?”

     “It is.” Bill claimed, “It loses it’s self over the littlest things. Kaboom!” “Yes,” Randy agreed, “But what do the letters S and T stand for?” “Oh,” Bill said, “That's easy. The S is for short and the T is for temper. Well, I better get going.” “Wow,” Randy thought to himself after Bill left, I wonder if I could use that for an illustration in my sermon on self control?

     Have you ever heard of King Absalom?

      Then Absalom sent messengers throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron!’ ” Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They had been invited and were going innocently, for they knew nothing about the whole matter. While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for David’s adviser Ahithophel the Gilonite, from his city of Giloh. So the conspiracy grew strong, and the people supporting Absalom continued to increase. Then an informer came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Get up. We have to flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! Leave quickly, or he will overtake us, heap disaster on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

2 Samuel 15:10-14 (HCSB)

     Absalom was King David's oldest son. He decided he wanted to be king. He devised a plan to get Israel on his side and proclaim himself king and his plan was working. But, this isn't about him, it is about David while on the run. Here is the story an how he refused to act like Harold and Stella.

      When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he was yelling curses as he approached. He threw stones at David and at all the royal servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left. Shimei said as he cursed: “Get out, get out, you worthless murderer! The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you rule, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a murderer!” Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut his head off!” The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses [me] this way because the Lord told him, ‘Curse David!’ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that?’ ” Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, intends to take my life—how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse [me]; the Lord has told him to. Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.” So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed [David], and threw stones and dirt at him. Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, so they rested there.

2 Samuel 16:5-14 (HCSB)

     As David and his men were running for their lives they met a man named Shimei. Shimei was cursing David and throwing things at him. This, in and of itself, may have been enough to get someone to retaliate. On top of this, Abishai, David's servant wanted David to let him go and cut off Shimei's. David could have said, let's do it. David kept control saying this may be from God and he kept traveling on.

     1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, (NASB) One of the things about love is it's self control, it's not easily provoked, it stays calm.

     Proverbs 14:17 reminds us that - A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated (NIV) While Proverbs 16:32 reminds us that Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (ESV)

     There are more verses than these in the Bible but these should suffice to get one pondering, so....

      Here's Something To Ponder

• What things do you allow to provoke you to the point of loosing control?
• What do you do when you would rather not loose control?

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT

Love is not rude, is not selfish, - 1 Corinthians 13:5A (NCV)

     It was a wonderful Sunday afternoon, Randy thought, as he walked through the fellowship dinner line at church. He had just finished giving a great sermon on how love is not selfish and now he was sharing in the wonderful cooking of so many of those in the church. Even the teens, at least Mindy and Cindy, were commenting on the sermon and how they needed to work on their sharing.

     After making it through the line and eating twice what he should have, Randy decided he better not go back for deserts, that was until he caught the aroma of a fresh baked pie. The aroma came from the table behind him and he wasn't the only one to catch drift of it and what he heard in relation to that pie made him wonder if the Miller twins had truly been listening.

     “Is that wonderful aroma coming from you?” Randy heard Cindy ask her sister, “It smells delicious,” she continued, “What is it?” “It's you're favorite.” Mindy replied, “It's a … fresh … baked … blueberry … pie. And I made by myself.”

     “YUM!” Cindy exclaimed, “You're such a wonderful sister. “Thank you.” Mindy replied. “When do I get some?” Cindy asked next but what Randy heard after that, well, it wasn't pleasant. “Get some?” Mindy snorted, “You gotta be kidding. “I don't care if your my sister, I made this pie by MYSELF and I am going to eat it by MYSELF.”

     “Then why did you bring it here?” Cindy demanded to know. “Why do you think I brought?” Mindy laughed, “I brought it to tease you because I know you love blue … berry … pie.” “That's not nice!” Cindy snapped at her sister. “I don’t care.” Mindy laughed again, “It’s MY pie and I’ll do with it as I please. I'm not sharing with anybody, not even you.”

     Randy sadly shook his head, “I guess Mindy didn't learn a thing.” he thought to himself, “I wonder if Cindy did.” Of course, it didn't take long for Randy to find out. “That’s too bad.” He heard Cindy say, “I guess I’ll just have to eat this all too my self.” “Eat what?” Mindy asked, temporally forgetting about her pie.

     “Oh,” Cindy smirked, “Just this banana split I thought of sharing with you since they are your favorite, but you probably don’t want any since you have a whole blueberry pie to eat all by yourself.” “Well, I, um, um.” Mindy stuttered, “Are you sure you won’t share?” “How about some of that pie?” Cindy asked.

     “Pie!” Mindy exclaimed, “What pie? I don’t smell any pie? Besides, you know I would share with you if I had one.” “Wow Randy thought “Now she's lying through her teeth. What next?” “You're just a big liar.” Cindy snorted at her sister. “Oh, yeah,” Mindy exclaimed, “Well, take this.” and then Mindy stood up and through the pie into her sister's face.

     That didn't sit well with Cindy and she grabbed her banana split, covered it in hot sauce and stuck it down Mindy's back. Before Mindy could retaliate Randy saw their dad step in. “Well, now,” Randy heard him say, “Since you couldn't share you treats, you're going to have to share the punishment for your behavior.” and then he marched them out of the church building.

     How selfish can a person be? How unthoughtful of others can a person be? How unsharing and uncaring can a person be? David had been on the run because the king wanted him dead. The king wanted him dead not because he had done wrong but because he had served faithfully and the king was jealous. While David was on the run and unable to settle down in any one place, he didn't let that stop him from serving his country and protecting he fellow country men of which Nabal was one.

     The story of Nabal can be found in 1 Samuel 25 if you would like to read it in full. Here I'll just try to summarize the story.

     Nabal was very rich owning 3000 sheep and 1000 goats and had a beautiful and wise wife named Abigail. Unfortunately, Nabal was not well behaved and was harsh towards others. Now the time had come for Nabal to have his sheep shaved and was in Carmel, (the place)

     David had been protecting his flocks behind the scenes and decided that it was time to send some men to see Nabal and ask for some handouts in return. What the men received was a harsh no and they were sent away and that didn't set well with David. Nor did it sit well with Nabal's servants.

     As a result of Nabal's treatment of David's men, David prepared to go to war against Nabal while Nabal's servants went to Abigail knowing that Nabal's response was going to bring trouble. Quick to see that the servants were right, Abigail responded by loading up lots of food and immediately heading out to intercept David, all without telling her husband.

     When Abigail saw David, she hurried and fell before him on her face and bowed to the ground and she pleaded with him not to make war on her husband, her household and the servants. Upon hearing Abigail's plea, David blessed the Lord, restrained himself from going to war and accepted Abigail's gift of food.

     Latter, Nabal found out what had happened and to make this long story short, God took Nabal's life and David got Abagail as a wife.

     1 Corinthians 13:5 tells us that love is not selfish or self seeking. It may vary depending on the version you read but the idea is still the same. Selfishness comes in many forms including that of Cindy, Mindy and Nabal.

     The opposite of selfishness could be what we find in ....

• Romans 15:1-3 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." (ESV)
• Philippians 2:4 - Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (ESV)
• 1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. (ESV)
• 2 Corinthians 5:15 Christ died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from the dead so that they would live for him. (NCV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• In what ways are you selfish?
• In what ways do you put others first?

BEHAVING

Love is not rude, 1 Corinthians 13:5a (NCV)

      It had been another long day for Randy and he couldn't wait till he was home and in bed sleeping. There was a slight problem with that though for he knew he would be up late talking with the missionary family that was visiting and not only were they visiting, they were staying at his house. After saying a short prayer, Randy locked up and headed home.

     When Randy got home, he walked into a vary quiet house. “Where is everybody?” he wondered and then he caught a glimpse of a clock. He knew he had had a long day but until he saw the clock, he hadn't know how long. It was 2:00 in the morning. With out a sound, he quietly headed to his bedroom where he found his wife laying in bed quietly humming.

     “You won’t believe what one little boy did today?” Daisy said as he crawled in beside her. “Oh Boy!” Randy thought for lately he had been hearing that statement a lot and it was always about one particular boy. “What did Harold do this time?” he asked. “Harold?” Daisy responded, “Who said anything about Harold? It was Louie.”

     “Oh Boy!” Randy said out loud, “What kind of trouble has he gotten himself into.” “Trouble?” Daisy replied, “Who said anything about trouble?” “You mean, Louie isn't in trouble?” Randy asked. “No.” Daisy said, “And right no, I couldn’t be more proud of him.” “He didn't bring another elephant home, did he?” Randy asked hoping he had done something else.

     “Well,” Daisy said, “I’m sure you know we have some missionaries visiting us from Africa.” “Yeah, the Bezaks.” Randy said, “And I'm sorry I was so late getting home.” “That's okay Dear.” Daisy said as she snuggled up to her hubby, “Louie helped make the evening perfect.” “Wow.” Randy said to himself, “I wish I would have been here.”

     “Being in a strange place,” Daisy said, “There baby girl wanted to cry and cry but thanks to Louie, she didn't. Louie willingly went and helped calm her down so the mom could have a rest.” “Wow.” Randy said but this time out loud and with a big yawn. “He got the baby quiet. I could use someone like that during my sermons on Sunday.”

     “Not only did he quiet the baby,” Daisy continued, “He willingly gave up his room for them to sleep in and he went and slept in he basement. I wish every kid could be like Louie. And to think you thought I was talking about Harold, why, if Harold behaved like that we would think the world had come to an end and besides, even if Harold gave up his room it would take weeks to find his bed. Come to think of it, I wish every adult could be like Louie too, don't you agree Dear?”

     “Zzzzzzz” came Randy's reply followed by some quiet snoring. “Oh, well.” Daisy said and started quietly humming.

     In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. - Judges 21:25 (NKJV)

     Israel did not have a king, or a president, or a governor, or.... From the time of Joshua's death to the end of Joshua, it was God who was suppose to lead Israel through the Levitical Priesthood and He sort of was. I say sort of because there was a problem.

     At the beginning of 1 Samuel we find Eli as the high priest and he had two sons Hophni and Phinehas. - Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD. The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you but only raw." And if the man said to him, "Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish," he would say, "No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force." Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt.

1 Samuel 2:12-17 (ESV)

     Two sons who “served God” but didn't know God. People would bring sacrifices to God, part of which would be for the priests. These men were taking what was not theirs and sometimes they would take it by force. I would have to say that unlike Louie, Hophni and Phinehas were rude, they didn't behave in a loving manner.

     According to Paul love is not rude, the sixth definition in Paul's list in 1 Corinthians 13:5. One of the ways we show love is though our behavior which is important to God.

     We often think of the book of Proverbs as being a book of wise sayings but we don't always think about why it was written. From the first few verses of Proverbs we learn that in part it was written to guide our behavior. Proverbs 1:1-3 - The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; (NASB)

     Here are a few more verses that talk about our behavior

• 1 Peter 1:15 - But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; (NASB)
• 1 Peter 2:12 - Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. (NASB)
• James 3:13 - Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. (NASB)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Are you more apt to act like Louie or Hophni and Phinehas?
• Which way would God see you as behaving?