THE UNWANTED LETTER

     “How many of you like to get mail?” Randy Smith asked as he opened up the men's Thursday night Bible study. “I know I do, unless of course the mail is a bill asking me for money.” Upon hearing that a chuckle arose from the guys in the room. “Speaking of bills,” Randy continued, “Has anyone seen Bill? He's usually here early checking over the snacks.”

      “Randy.” Came Bill's voice. He was shacking like crazy and stuttering as he spoke, “I….I….I...” he said. Is something wrong, Bill?” Randy asked, “You're shaking worse than a ...” “I got a letter in the mail.” Bill said cutting Randy off. “A letter in the mail!” Randy exclaimed, “That's great because you can help me with...” “NO!” Bill shouted.

      “What?” Randy said taken aback, “You've helped me before.” “NO!” Bill shouted again, “You don''t understand.” “Come on Bill,” Randy said, “It won’t be that hard, and you’re among friends, you don’t need to keep stuttering and shaking. Why don't you tell us about your letter.”

      With his head bowed low, Bill started to read the letter. “Dear Bill,” he read. “Sounds like a normal opening.” Randy injected. “If you ever want to see..” Bill continued. “There’s a lot of things I would like to see.” Randy added. “Your Son again.” Bill said. “The sun is outside right ... “ Randy started to say but then stopped and asked, “Bill, how did they spell sun?”

      “S - O – N” Bill spelled out. “What?” Randy said, “What kind of letter is that?” “A ransom letter.” Bill said. “A ransom letter?” Randy said a bit confused. “They said I would never see Harold alive again if I didn’t give them the formula.” “You're sounding serious.” “John McDonald said, “Are you sure this is for real?”

      “I'm scared.” Bill said. “What did they say they wanted?” Dr. Henderson asked. “The formula.” Bill answered, “The one that created the Peterson disease.” “But you don't have that.” Tim said, “We couldn't even replicate it in the hospital lab.” “What am I going to do?” Bill asked, “I’ll never see Harold alive again.”

      “Why wasn't I informed about this.” Sergeant Halfway piped up. “Did the letter say why they wanted the formula?” “No” Bill said, “It just ended with a big Ha, Ha, Ha.” “Did the letter say who it was from?” Sergeant Halfway asked. “No.” Bill Said, “Not only that but the letter was made form words and letters from Magazines, so the FBI can’t even cross check the hand writing.”

      “FBI!?” Sergeant Halfway shouted, “How did they find out about this before I did?” “Your fellow officers have been trying to get a hold of you all day.” Bill said, “Is your radio on?” After making a quick check, “Sergeant Halfway gulped, “It is now. I better get to the station and see if I can help.” “And I think, instead of talking about letters tonight.” Randy added, “We should simply pray.”

      The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.

Genesis 21:1-3 (ESV)

       God had promised Abraham that he would one day have a son with his wife Sarah, a promise that he kept but then came the test. How much did Abraham really Love Isaac, Would he trust God to see him through, and would he see his son alive when all was done?

      After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. … And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." ...

Genesis 22:1-19 (ESV)

      There are some things we can learn from this story, there are things we can look at and ponder such as…

• We will be tested
  • Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin." (ESV)
  • Psalm 11:5 The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. (ESV)
• Obedience is required
  • Deuteronomy 32:46 he said to them, "Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. (ESV)
  • Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (ESV)
• Faith Will Be Needed
  • Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (ESV)
  • 2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. (ESV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• In what ways have you been tested?
• In what ways do you trust the Lord to see you through times of testing?

LOTS OF SPOTS BUT NO DATE

     BAM, BAM, BAM, came the sound at the front door of the Peterson's house along with a loud angry growl. BAM, BAM, BAM, came the sound again along with someone YELLING out “OPEN UP THIS DOOR NOW OR I'LL KILL HIM!” BAM, BAM, BAM, went the sound again. And this time the voice yelled out “I'LL KILL HIM EVEN IF YOU DO OPEN THE DOOR!”

     It was Mindy Miller and boy was she mad. “OPEN UP THIS DOOR NOW!” She screamed out as she continued beating on the door. “I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE HAROLD AND IF YOU DON'T OPEN UP THIS DOOR I'M GOING TO BREAK IT DOWN.” Then, as she gave one last push on the door it flew open and there stood Sergeant Halfway.

     “Sergeant!” Mindy called out in surprise, “What are you doing here? Did you come to arrest that pipsqueak Harold?” “Actually,” Sergeant Halfway said, I'm here to protect Harold and arrest girls like you who keep threatening to kill him.” “Well, he deserves it!” Mindy yelled out with a loud growl “And you're not going to stop me.”

     “You better calm down Mindy,” Sergeant Halfway said calmly, “You sound like your going to explode.” “ I am going to explode.” Mindy responded. “And when I do.... (Growl) watch out.” “What are you so angry about?” Halfway asked. “Harold ruined my date.” Mindy said. “How did Harold ruin your date?” Sergeant Halfway asked, “I thought he’s been being good and helping people.”

     “Helping people?” Mindy said with a snort, “Making those silly potions is not helping people. If I could catch him I’d pour the entire bottle down his throat.” “What potion?” Halfway asked, “Do you mean the one that gave everybody freckles? Form the looks of things you must have drank the potion too.”

     “Precisely.” Mindy growled, “If it wasn’t for that potion I wouldn’t have had to cancel my date.” “And just how did that potion mess up your date?” Sergeant Halfway asked glaring into her eyes. “Have you ever been covered with big itchy freckles from head to foot?” Mindy asked starting to feel a little uncomfortable.

Even though it was quite obvious to him, Sergeant Halfway asked, “Do you mean to say that you drank that potion too?” “Well, Uhm, Ahh, Yes.” Mindy stammered. “And did Harold make you drink it?” Halfway sternly asked.” ““Well, Uhm, Ahh No.” Mindy stammered again, “But everybody else was drinking it.”

     “Sounds to me as if you’re just blaming Harold for your own greed.” Sergeant Halfway said. “Well, somebody has to take the blame.” Mindy snorted with a growl.” “Then why don't you?” Sergeant Halfway asked. Not wanting to hear that, Mindy let out a loud growl and took off.” “Well,” Halfway said, “I sure hope she doesn’t do something stupid in her anger.” and went back to guarding the Peterson's house.

     So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth

Genesis 1:27-28a (ESV)

     We've seen that God created Adam and Eve and we see that God commanded them to be fruitful and multiply but that doesn't mean have fruit and do math. They were to have kids – lots of them. But as you may know, siblings don't always get along.

      Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, "I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD." And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it." Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?" And the LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth." Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." Then the LORD said to him, "Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Genesis 4:1-16 (ESV)

     Adam and Eve start having kids, First is Cain, Second is Abel. For some years they seemed to have gotten along together. Cain became a farmer of plants while Abel became a shepherd and in time they brought sacrifices to God from their work. While we are not told out right why, Cain's was rejected and Abel's' was accepted. Cain got angry and in his anger killed his brother.

     A key verse in this story is verse 7 which states “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Sin waits for us to get angry but it doesn't need to get us. Here are a few verse to consider when thinking of anger.

• Ecclesiastes 7:9 Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools. (HCSB)
• Proverbs 19:11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. (ESV)
• Ephesians 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (ESV)
• Proverbs 16:32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (ESV)

      What would thing have been like if Cain had controlled his anger?

      Here's Something To Ponder

• What is it like when you control your anger?
• What is it like when you fail to control your anger?

JAIL BREAK

     It was a great day, a great day to be fishing. Once again the guys from the church in Pupperville were gathered at the fishing dock at the park having a meeting of the minds while trying to catch some fish. Apparently news had gotten back to Randy by way of Daisy who had talked to April who had been talking to Barney about how church was boring and people were leaving as a result.

     As the guys discussed different ideas on how to keep church from becoming boring, Bill Peterson let out a holler. “I Got a bite!” he yelled. After fighting with it for nearly fifteen minutes, John McDonald finally reached down with the net and hauled him in. As Bill picked him up Robert Grey grabbed a camera and took take a picture of him with the fish.

     As soon as the picture was taken they gathered around the camera to see the pic and that's when they saw him. “Isn't that Bud in the picture?” Tim Henderson asked, “You know, the guy that shot Harold?” “Can't be” Bill said, “He's in jail.” “You're tight though.” Robert said, “It sure looks like him. By the way, Bill. You better get that fish back in the water before the police catch you an put you in jail for having too big of a fish.”

     As Bill slowly set the fish back in the water he heard a loud whistle and looked up to see a police officer running toward him. It was Sergeant Halfway and as he approached, the guys could here him hollering “Jail Break, Jail Break, Bud escaped.” “It was him!” Tim hollered. “We just saw him over that way.” Pointing to a tree.

     “We need to catch him.” Sergeant Halfway said and all the guys but Bill threw down their fishing poles and said “Lets go.” and took off with the Sergeant.” Bill decided to stay behind because he wasn't sure if he could handle coming face to face with Bud but he soon found out for Bud came sneaking around the fishing pure and with his fishing rod in hand, Bill cast it Bud's way and caught him.

     “I didn't do it, I didn't do it.” Bud yelled as Bill reeled him in. “Didn't what?” Bill Snapped at him “Break out of jail or shoot Harold?” “Neither one!” Bud said shaking in fear. “ You’re not going to convince me.” Bill said, “My own daughter saw you shoot Harold.” “No she didn’t.” Bud snapped back, “She only saw me aim the gun and pull the trigger. Someone else shot Harold.”

     “Try again!” Bill said “Nobodies going to believe you. Where did Sergeant Halfway go?” “You can't let them get me.” Bud cried out. “I'm innocent. The devil made me do it. He’s the one they need to put in jail.” As he said those words, he heard the police whistle and tried to get away but it was too late. Bill had reeled him in close enough and dropped the fishing net over him.

     A minute later, Sergeant Halfway hauled cuffed him and hauled him away. “No! I'm innocent” Bud cried out again. “The devil is the one you want.” I' don't think so.” Sergeant Halfway said “And you should be thankful Bill here didn't try to shoot you after what you did to his son.” “Great.” Bud said to himself “I sure picked the wrong person to try and save me.”

     It's not uncommon to find people in the news who do something stupid and then try to blame someone else, Often time they'll even try to blame the victim. Even in Bible times we find those who want to pass the blame. Take for instance...

     Adam & Eve - Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the LORD God had made. "Really?" he asked the woman. "Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?" "Of course we may eat it," the woman told him. "It's only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die." "You won't die!" the serpent hissed. "God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil." The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they strung fig leaves together around their hips to cover themselves. Toward evening they heard the LORD God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees. The LORD God called to Adam, "Where are you?" He replied, "I heard you, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked." "Who told you that you were naked?" the LORD God asked. "Have you eaten the fruit I commanded you not to eat?" "Yes," Adam admitted, "but it was the woman you gave me who brought me the fruit, and I ate it." Then the LORD God asked the woman, "How could you do such a thing?" "The serpent tricked me," she replied. "That's why I ate it." - Genesis 3:1-13 (NLT)

      And what about Aaron - Aaron said to the people, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, sons, and daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.“ So all the people took their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from the people and formed it with a tool and made a statue of a calf. Then the people said, “Israel, these are your gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!“ When Aaron saw all this, he built an altar before the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a special feast to honor the LORD.“ The people got up early the next morning and offered whole burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. They sat down to eat and drink, and then they got up and sinned sexually. … When Moses came close to the camp, he saw the gold calf and the dancing, and he became very angry. He threw down the stone tablets that he was carrying and broke them at the bottom of the mountain. Then he took the calf that the people had made and melted it in the fire. He ground it into powder. Then he threw the powder into the water and forced the Israelites to drink it. Moses said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you? Why did you cause them to do such a terrible sin?“ Aaron answered, “Don’t be angry, master. You know that these people are always ready to do wrong. The people said to me, ’Moses led us out of Egypt, but we don’t know what has happened to him. Make us gods who will lead us.’ So I told the people, ’Take off your gold jewelry.’ When they gave me the gold, I threw it into the fire and out came this calf!“ - Exodus 32:2-24 (NCV)

     Even King Saul tried to pass the blame. - Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to appoint you king over Israel. Now listen to his message. This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: ’When the Israelites came out of Egypt, the Amalekites tried to stop them from going to Canaan. So I will punish them. Now go, attack the Amalekites and destroy everything they own as an offering to the LORD. Don’t let anything live. Put to death men and women, children and small babies, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’ “ So Saul called the army together at Telaim. There were two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah. … Saul and the army let Agag live, along with the best sheep, fat cattle, and lambs. They let every good animal live, because they did not want to destroy them. But when they found an animal that was weak or useless, they killed it. … When Samuel came to Saul, Saul said, “May the LORD bless you! I have obeyed the LORD’S commands. But Samuel said, “Then why do I hear cattle mooing and sheep bleating?“ Saul answered, “The soldiers took them from the Amalekites. They saved the best sheep and cattle to offer as sacrifices to the LORD your God, but we destroyed all the other animals.“ - 1 Samuel 15:1-35 (NCV)

     Here are somethings to remember when it comes to passing the blame

• 2 Chronicles 19:7 Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes." (ESV)
• Colossians 3:25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. (ESV)
• 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (ESV)

     There's more that could be said but I think you can get the point – Adam, Eve, Aaron & Saul all did.

 

     Here's Something To Ponder

• In what ways have you tried to pass blame to someone or something else?
• Why would you want to pass blame when you know God sees all?

SHOW DOWN

     After spending nearly 20 minutes trying to real in the big fish, Bill and Randy finally netted their catch. “Wow!” Tim exclaimed, That's got to be the biggest fish I've ever seen.” “It's bigger than anything I've ever caught.” John added. “Well, I had one bigger.” Robert Grey said as he joined the group fishing on the dock. “He was so big I had to shoot him.”

      As Robert said those words the sound of a gun shot echoed through the park. “You didn't have to shoot him again.” Robert called out. “No-one here has a gun.” Tim said “I wonder who shot then? Bill asked and then was run over buy a bald headed, dark skinned guy with a sinister laugh.” “Who was that?” Randy asked has he helped Bill back on his feet.

      Before anyone could answer Randy, Stella went running by “HE SHOT HIM, HE SHOT HIM.” At the top of her lungs. The next thing the guys new the air was filled with the sound of sirens. “I'm going to go and see if I can find out what's going.” John Said and took off in the direction they had heard the shot come from.

      While the guys were waiting for John to return, Tim's pager went off “I'm needed at the hospital right away.” He said after looking at his pager, “Someone HAS been shot.” and off he ran. Five minutes later, John came back huffing and puffing. “Bill,” He said, 'It's Harold. Harold's been shot. You better get to the hospital.”

      “Let's go!” Robert said to Bill. I”ll drive. He may be your son, but he's my grandson or something like that.” As they took off, John looked at Randy, “And I thought Harold was going to be the hero and stop all the rebelling going on. I guess he won’t be stopping anything now.” he said. “I should head up to the hospital too.” Randy said and then changed his mind, “No, I need to get to the church and call a prayer meeting.”

      Wondering what to do now that he was alone, John started to clean up the fishing tackle the guys left on the dock when Sergeant Halfway showed up. “John.” he called out, “I need to talk to you about the shooting. I need to know if you saw or heard anything unusual around here.”

      “Yeah I did.” John said, “I was sitting down there on the dock when here she come, running through the park screaming 'He Shot Him.' at the top of her lungs.” “Who did you see?” Halfway asked, “It was Stella.” John answered, Harold's sister. “Hmm.” Sergeant Halfway said, “I wonder who 'he' is?”

      “I don't know if this will help you or not.” John said, “But earlier today we saw Stella running through the park looking for someone she called 'Bud.'” “Did she say anything else about this Bud guy?” Sergeant Halfway asked. “No but from what we did get her to say, it sounded like he was behind this rebellion thing going on.”

      “That might be a clue.” Halfway said, “Anything else?” “Yeah,” John said, “Just after the shot a bald headed, dark skinned, guy ran through here with a sinister laugh. I think he was headed towards the boat house down by the landing.” “Thanks John,” Halfway said, “I'll get my men searching right away.”

      Conflict between good and evil is a part of life. While they may often operate side by side, eventually a show down, a confrontation will occur.

Now Korah, Dathan and Abiram took men and they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, and he said to Korah and all his company, "In the morning the LORD will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him. … And let every one of you take his censer and put incense on it, and every one of you bring before the LORD his censer, 250 censers; you also, and Aaron, each his censer." So every man took his censer and put fire in them and laid incense on them and stood at the entrance of the tent of meeting with Moses and Aaron. Then Korah assembled all the congregation against them at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And the glory of the LORD appeared to all the congregation. … And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Say to the congregation, Get away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram." Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spoke to the congregation, saying, "Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away with all their sins." … And Moses said, "Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the LORD has not sent me. But if the LORD creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the LORD." And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart. And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. … And fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men offering the incense.

Numbers 16: (ESV)

     Many such conflicts can be found throughout the Bible and time. When such times arise we need to remember the words found in Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." (ESV)

 

      Here are some more encouraging words for such times.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. (ESV)
• Joshua 23:8 but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day. (ESV)
• 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (ESV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• When conflict comes your way, what do you hold to?
• In what ways do you tackle conflict?

TARDY PARTY

     It was Wednesday evening and the youth group was gathering for their weekly meeting in one of the classrooms at the church building, or at least they were suppose to be gathering. Start time for the youth group was 6:30 but it was now a quarter to seven and no-one had showed up. Wondering if she was waiting in the wrong room, Daisy Smith decided to go check the other classrooms.

     “Hello!” Daisy called out as she headed down the hall to the other rooms, “Is anybody there?” “In here!” came a reply from behind a closed door to one of the rooms. “Is that you Randy?” the voice called out again, “Come on in.” Opening the door to the room, she found Robert Grey and Bill Peterson playing a game of Foosball.

     “You're not Randy.” Robert said looking up from the game. “I sure hope not.” Daisy said, “I'm not ready to go bald yet.” As Daisy scanned the room she noticed that beside Bill and Robert at the foosball table, John McDonald, Timothy Harrison and Sergeant Halfway. “You're not having a board meeting tonight are you?” She asked.

     “No.” Robert said “We're just having a guys night out.” “Actually,” Bill piped in, “The bowling alley is closed due to some kind of flooding issue so we came over here.” “So,” John hollered out “Can we help you some how?” “You might be able to.” Daisy said, “I’m looking for all the kids for the youth group meeting.”

     “Which kids?” John asked. “ Barney, Stella, Mindy, Cindy, and so on.” Daisy said, “The meeting was suppose to start 15 minutes ago and nobody has showed up.” “What in the world is going on in Pupperville?” Timothy said looking up. “I’m almost afraid to ask what’s going to happen next.” Sergeant Halfway added.

     “Well,” Bill said, “I know for a fact the Stella left a half hour and said she was suppose to be picked up by Tracy to head to youth group.” “What?” John said, “Tracy said she was getting Mindy and Cindy. She left home an hour early and she didn't say anything about getting Stella.” “What about Louie?” Bill asked, “Didn't he come with you, Daisy?”

     “Now that you mention it...” Daisy said, “No, he didn't. He said he was going to meet up with Barney for some special project before coming here.” “Speaking of boys,” Timothy piped up, “My boys said they didn't feel well tonight and wanted to stay home but my wife paged me a little while ago and said they had left.”

     “This doesn't sound good.” Halfway said shaking his head. “I hope they're not up to some kind of trouble. I better go check in at the station and make sure.” I think we should all go do some checking.” John said. Everyone agreed and soon Daisy was left standing in a vacant room wondering where everybody was.

      Now there happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said, "We have no portion in David, and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel!" So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 20:1-2 (ESV)

     Although David was a man after God's own heart and although he was a great king, he still had problems. One of those problems came in the form of a worthless man named Sheba but in taking care of him, another problem surfaced.

      Then the king said to Amasa, "Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here yourself." So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him. And David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord's servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us." And there went out after him Joab's men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing a soldier's garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh, and as he went forward it fell out. And Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab's hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. And one of Joab's young men took his stand by Amasa and said, "Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab." And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the highway. And anyone who came by, seeing him, stopped. And when the man saw that all the people stopped, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field and threw a garment over him. When he was taken out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

2 Samuel 20:4-13 (ESV)

     Why was it important for Amasa to act quickly? How often do we procrastinate, hesitate, put off what needs to be done now?

• But Lot delayed. So the two men took the hands of Lot, his wife, and his two daughters and led them safely out of the city. So the LORD was merciful to Lot and his family. Genesis 19:16 (NCV) – Lot was almost wiped out because he couldn't let go and leave. Do we have things that hold us back.
• So while the five foolish bridesmaids went to buy oil, the bridegroom came. The bridesmaids who were ready went in with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. Then the door was closed and locked. Matthew 25:10 (NCV) They were left behind because they were not ready are we like them?
• Another man said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to my family.” Luke 9:61 (NCV) Don't you think God wants us to be punctual, ready now instead of later?

     Opportunities for us to act are all around us if we are ready, if we don't hesitate, if we make the most of them and we should for we read this in the Bible...

• Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Ephesians 5:16 (NLT)
• Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5 (NLT)

     Someday. Jesus is coming like a thief in the night. We need to be ready.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• What is it that keeps you from being ready, that would make you late when Jesus returns?
• Are you ever late today serving God?

GREEN GRAFFITI

    It had been a beautiful week in Pupperville,that was until the blizzard. “Blizzards are suppose to happen in January and February, not April.” Randy Smith said to his wife as he prepared to head over to the church building. “Things were starting to show signs of turning green.” he continued, but now everything is white again. We must of got two feet of snow last night.”

     As Randy pulled into the church parking lot, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. “This can't be!” Randy exclaimed at what he saw. Even though the parking lot had already been plowed, Randy still had to shovel a path to the nearest door so he could get to his office and make a phone call to the police station.

     “It's Green.” He said when Sergeant Halfway answered the phone. “Well, uhm,” Halfway stammered, “Things this time of year usually do turn green, out side of last nights blizzard that is.” You mean you already know about it?” Randy asked a bit puzzled. “Of course I do.” Halfway went on to explain, “It happens every year.”

     “Well,” Randy said, “This is the first year I have ever seen it happen. And if Harold wasn’t in the monastery I would blame him for it.” “What are you talking about?” Halfway asked when he heard that a bit puzzled himself. “I was talking about the church building.” Randy answered, “What are you talking about?”

     “I was talking about spring” Halfway replied, “And the fact that we will soon be seeing GREEN grass and green leaves and … Did you say the church building?” “Somebody painted green graffiti all over the church building.” Randy said. After a short pause, Sergeant Halfway asked “Who is this? Is this some kind of April Fools Joke?”

     “This Is Randy Smith.” Randy said, “And this is no joke. It's even worse than what happened at the Peterson's.” “Oh,” Halfway said almost in shock, “What happened there?” “Didn’t you hear?” Randy asked, “Harold’s room mysteriously turned into a trash heap after it was cleaned.” “Wow!” Halfway exclaimed not knowing what else to say. “And now the church building is being painted on.” Randy continued, “What will be next? If it wasn’t for Harold being gone I would have blamed him but this is a real stumper.”

     “When did it happen?” Halfway asked. “It must have happened during the storm.” Randy explained, “All the foot prints were filled in.” “Have you told the police yet?” Halfway asked. “You ARE the police.” Randy said in disgust. “Oh, yeah.” Sergeant Halfway laughed, “ I am. I'll send someone over right away.”

      Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.

Haggai 1:3-9 (ESV)

     God's chosen people were suffering, but why? Haggai looks for an answer and receives a response from God “My house is in ruins.” But who do you suppose would do such a thing? Sometimes it's those who know better. Take for example the following:

• At that time Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath and took it. But when Hazael set his face to go up against Jerusalem, Jehoash king of Judah took all the sacred gifts that Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah his fathers, the kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own sacred gifts, and all the gold that was found in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent these to Hazael king of Syria. Then Hazael went away from Jerusalem. - 2 Kings 12:17-18 (ESV)
• And the bronze altar that was before the LORD Ahaz removed from the front of the house, from the place between his altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of his altar. And the covered way for the Sabbath that had been built inside the house and the outer entrance for the king he caused to go around the house of the LORD, because of the king of Assyria. - 2 Kings 16:14,18 (ESV)
• In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them. And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, "I have done wrong; withdraw from me. Whatever you impose on me I will bear." And the king of Assyria required of Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king's house. At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD and from the doorposts that Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid and gave it to the king of Assyria. - 2 Kings 18:13-16 (ESV)
• And Manasseh built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, "In Jerusalem will I put my name." And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with wizards. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger. And the carved image of Asherah that he had made he set in the house of which the LORD said to David and to Solomon his son, "In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever. - 2 Kings 21:4-7 (ESV)

     Here are some thoughts to go with these verses

• Everything is God's (We're just entrusted with it.) - 1 Corinthians 10:26 For "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." (NLT)
• Mark 12:29-31 says Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: `Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." (NLT) – Do we love God enough to take care of what He has entrusted with us? We are not only to Love God but others as well and that means taking care of them as well.
• We (people) are God's temple - Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will bring ruin upon anyone who ruins this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you Christians are that temple. - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NLT)
• We can, by our activities ruin ourselves and others. - And if another Christian is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Romans 14:15 (NLT)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you let what belongs to God go to ruin? Remember He owns it all.
• Do you, by your actions, ruin others?

THE BALD GUY

     Things had been really quiet around the police station while Harold was visiting the monastery and Sergeant Halfway was somewhat enjoying the quiet, well, almost. For the Sergeant it had become almost too quiet. So much so, he was getting bored. “Well,” he said to himself, “I guess that's another day.” and grabbed his coat and headed for the door but he never made it.

      Although it was quitting time, he had his duty to fulfill and when the phone started ringing, he had to answer it. “Hello.” he said. “This is Sergeant Halfway, can I help you?” “My husband is missing.” came the frantic voice on the other end of the line. “Alright.” he said slumping back into his chair, “What is his name?

      “It's Robert Grey.” came the voice on the line. “Is this Helen?” Halfway asked. “If I remember correctly, he's not lost, he went to the monastery a couple weeks ago to visit Harold, or did he forget where he was going?” “Oh, he made it there alright,” Helen replied, “And came home a couple days ago.”

      Hearing that, Halfway forgot about Robert being lost and started asking how Harold was doing. “He seems to be doing alright.” Helen said, “But I guess he's been kind of cold.” “Cold?” Sergeant Halfway laughed, “I've never heard of a kid that eats as much as Harold does ever get cold.” “Well,” Martha said, “He hasn't been able to eat like that and Robert said they don't keep the monastery heated and remember that mop of hair that sits on Harold's head?” “How could I knot?” Halfway replied. “Well,” Helen continued, “It's gone. Robert said he shaved it clean off.”

      Hearing that must have put Sergeant Halfway into shock. After several moments of silence, he finally said, “Do, you mean he is bald?” “Balder than my husband.” Helen replied. “I bet he looks funny.” Halfway half laughed. “That's what my husband thought too.” Helen responded. “I once shaved my head bald too and I remember looking funny.” Halfway laughed. “You still do.” Helen replied with a laugh.

      Not liking the direction the conversation was going after that remark, Sergeant Halfway turned things back to the missing Robert. “So,” He said, “What can you tell me about your missing husband?” “Well,” Helen said, “I told you that Harold shaved his head so he asked Robert to find his space helmet and send it to him so he could keep his head warm.”

      “So,” Halfway asked, “What does this helmet have to do with your husband missing?” “Robert went to find it and hasn't been seen since.” Helen told him. “When and where did he go to look for it?” Halfway asked. “He went looking for it two days ago in Harold's room.” Helen said. When he heard that, Sergeant Halfway started sputtering, “I think you'll be on your own on this one.” he said, “I can't spare anybody to help in case they get lost too. I will pray for you though.” “Alright.” Helen sighed, “I guess I'll just wait.”

     What do you do with the things you consider valuable? In Matthew 13:45-46 Jesus tells of a man who found something he considered to be valuable - a pearl of great value. So, he sold all he had to buy it, took it home and then.... Did he take care of it? We usually don't want to lose things of value but I know of four men who all lost something that I would consider valuable.

      The first was a man named Goliath. Goliath makes a challenge, David accepts and... Here's the story in brief. And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. And as he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. And David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine. And the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. - 1 Samuel 17:20-51 (ESV)

      The second man was Saul. He was in a battle with the Philistines 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. Thus Saul died. The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. So they cut off his head. - 1 Samuel 31:1-10 (ESV)

      The third man was Ish-bosheth and he was taking a nap when they came into the midst of the house as if to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. When they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and put him to death and beheaded him. They took his head and went by the way of the Arabah all night, - 2 Samuel 4:5-8 (ESV)

      Are you seeing a pattern? You may then guess what Sheba lost. Sheba led a revolt against David, lost and ran. Joab found him. And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah. They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down. Then a wise woman called from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, 'Come here, that I may speak to you.' " Joab answered, "Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city." And the woman said to Joab, "Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall." Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab.- 2 Samuel 20:1-22 (ESV)

      Do you see the pattern? Heads are valuable, at least I wouldn't want to lose mine. In Ephesians 6:17 Paul says and take the helmet of salvation, (ESV) and as we all know, the helmet protects the head and the head contains the brain or the mind. Here are some versus o the mind.

• Romans 8:6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (ESV)
• Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
• Ephesians 4:22-24 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (ESV)
• 2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (ESV)

      The mind is very important so lets use it and Ponder On These Things.

• Do you go out go the way to protect your mind – what goes in?
• Do you use your mind in a proper way before God?

LOSING HOPE

      The prayer meeting had come to a close but Bill Peterson was not feeling any better. Harold had gone missing and no-one had been able to find him. He was hoping really hard that the prayer meeting would help make a difference in the search for his missing son and as much as he trusted God to help, he couldn't keep himself from thinking he would never see Harold again and he couldn't keep himself from crying.

     “I got here as soon as I could.” Sergeant Halfway said walking over to Bill but when he saw him crying he could only think the worse. “You're crying, Bill. Did something bad happen to Harold?” “We still can't find him.” Bill replied between the sobs, “And I'm starting to lose all hope of ever seeing him again.”

     “Is the search team still out looking for him? Sergeant Halfway asked. “No” Bill sobbed, “The search got called off.” “What?” Halfway exclaimed in surprise. “My officers never told me that.” “They've looked everywhere.” Bill said. “There's no where left to look.”

     “How long has been missing now?” Halfway asked. “It seems like it's been forever.” Bill told him, “And, and, I don’t think I can keep going. I’m losing hope.” “What about the prayer meeting you just had?” Halfway wondered, “Surely it did some good.” “I'd like to think so.” Bill replied, “But I'm not sure it will do any good.”

     “What do you mean?” Halfway asked. “I think we waited too long.” Bill explained, “Besides, half of the people are beginning to believe that Harold was really taken captive by space aliens.” “But there is no such thing as space aliens.” Sergeant Halfway said sternly. “Are you sure?” Bill asked, “Were you at the cemetery?

     “Well,” Sergeant Halfway said, “ What did you see when you went to the cemetery?” “I, didn't actually go there myself.” Bill stammered, “But I heard that something had been out there and some trees were destroyed.” “Well, if you didn't go to the cemetery,” Halfway said, “Who did? Somebody had to have gone there and checked it out.”

     “I don’t think anybody went out there and looked.” Bill said, “Cemeteries are creepy enough, but a cemetery with space aliens... No way.” “Bill!” Sergeant Halfway said sternly, “That should have been the first place any body should have looked.”

     “But why” Bill protested, “If Harold had really been trying to scare somebody do you really think he would have stayed there?” “No.” Halfway answered, “But he might have left a clue as to where he did go.” “Well, Bill said hesitantly, “If it will help me find Harold I guess I’ll go but if I don't come back the space aliens got me.”

     But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?" But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourselves know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar." Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, "To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go."

Acts 25:9-12 (ESV)

     Paul had been in jail for preaching - in fact, he'd been there a couple of years. Festus, wanting to please the Jews wanted to have a trial in Jerusalem for Paul but Paul, knowing he had done nothing wrong, made an appeal to Caesar which he could do as a Roman citizen. So, off to Rome he goes.

     And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. … the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. … We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. … But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. … Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.' So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. … And so it was that all were brought safely to land. Acts 27:1-44 (ESV)

     You can go to the Bible and read the complete story, I've just shortened to catch some of the highlights. Like Bill in our puppet story the men of the ship had lost hope.

     What is Hope? It is to wish with expectation, it is to have confidence or trust that something will come to be, it is to expect or desire something to happen. The Bible has some things to say about hope.

• Job 8:13 Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish. (ESV)
• Ephesians 2:12 Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (ESV)
• Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. (ESV)
• 1 Timothy 1:1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, (ESV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Like Bill, Have you ever felt hopeless?
• In who or what do you place your hope?

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?

LOST OR JUST HIDING

     “I hate this time of year.” Sergeant Robert Halfway thought to himself while he was busy writing reports. “Every year it's the same thing. Why can't we just eliminate Halloween. It would make life here at the station so much easier. And look here, another report about aliens. That reminds me, I still haven't checked out Louie's story. Maybe I should give Bill a call.”

     Reaching for his phone, Sergeant Halfway started to dial the number for Bill Peterson, a number he knew by heart from how many time Harold had been in trouble, but before he could dial the first number, Bill poked his head into the door. “Well, Hi there Bill.” Halfway said putting down the phone, “I was just getting ready to call you.”

     “Have you seen Harold lately?” Bill asked “No,” Halfway said cautiously, “I was just getting ready to call you about him. Is he in some kind of trouble again?” “He seems to have disappeared.” Bill replied. “Disappeared?” Robert asked remembering Louie's story, “Harold's always disappearing.” “That's true” Bill said “But this time no one can find him.”

     “No one can find him?” Halfway questioned, “Isn't that a good thing?” “Louie said some green aliens came and took him away.” Bill said. “Yeah,” Halfway said, “He told me the same story. Aliens that shoot laser beams out of there eyes.” “Louie told you about Harold's disappearance?' Bill said a bit surprised. “Yeah.” Robert continued, “He said they were trying to scare somebody in the cemetery when space aliens came and took Harold away.”

     “The cemetery?!” Bill exclaimed, “Louie never told me about that. That makes things even worse.” “Why?” Robert asked. “The newspaper said something strange landed in the cemetery.” Bill answered, “And it said a whole bunch of trees were destroyed. It was if they had been hit by powerful laser beams.” “Hmmm.” Halfway responded, “Louie said they shot some trees. But there are no such things as space aliens.”

     “But Harold is still missing.” Bill reminded Sergeant Halfway, “And Louie did say that space aliens grabbed him.” “Well,” Halfway said with a humph, “If you want my opinion, Harold is just hiding somewhere. “I sure hope you're right.” Bill said, “After all, it’s not like Harold to miss turkey and mashed potatoes three days in a row.” “You're right.” Robert said in agreement, “That isn’t like Harold.”

     “Gramps is trying to put a search team together right now.” Bill said, “But he's having a very hard time. Nobody wants Harold to be found.” “But if he is lost...” Halfway added, “He might not survive. I'll send one of my officers over to help as soon as I can spare one.” “Thank you.” Bill said and then left.

      So, what has happened to Harold? Did aliens take him? Is he just hiding? Have you ever wished you could hide? Have you ever done something that you wish you had never done? Have you ever felt guilty and not want anyone to know? Have you ever said I don't want to do that and disappeared, just gone into hiding?

     Think about these people

• Adam and Eve sinned against God and tried to hide. Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.' " But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. - Genesis 3:1-8 (ESV)
• Jonah heard God, didn't agree with Him and tried to run away. Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. Jonah 1:1-3 (ESV)
• David sinned, left behind evidence and tried to cover it up. 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. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, "I am pregnant." ... In the morning 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." 2 Samuel 11:1-15 (ESV)

      We often try to hide or cover up, We are often lost and unwilling to be found, yet, we cannot hide from God

     We may try to hide behind excuses, we may hide from responsibility, we may try to hide from consequences but we can never hide from God.

     Psalm 139:1-12 - O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. (ESV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• What are things in your life you wish could be hidden?
• Knowing God can see everything and everywhere, what will you do?

SCARED STIFF

      Sergeant Halfway was standing behind the counter at the police station looking over a report that had just come in. Gladys Fisher had reported seeing aliens down at the cemetery again. “Where does she come up with these stories?” Robert thought to himself. “This is the fifth time this month. When will she learn? Well, I suppose I should go at least look at the sky.”

     As Sergeant Halfway reached for his coat to go look, Louie Blackwood, came bursting into the police station shaking in fright hollering “POLICE! POLICE!” “Whoa.” Halfway said walking over to Louie, “Are you okay?” “They got him! They got him!” Louie screamed out. “What are you talking about?” Halfway asked. “They came out of no where and they got him.” Came Louie response.

     “Got Who?” Halfway asked as he kneeled down to look Louie in the eye. “We tried to get away.” Louie said still shaking, “But they got him.” “Louie!” Sergeant Halfway half shouted, “Calm down. You're shaking like an earthquake.” “DON’T LET THEM GET ME TOO!” Louie screamed. “Let who get you?” Halfway said trying to calm Louie down. “THE SPACE ALIENS!” Louie screamed back.

     “Space aliens.” Halfway said with a laugh. I think you've been hanging around Gladys too much. When Louie heard that he started crying. “It's not that bad.” Sergeant Halfway tried to assure Louie. “But they got Harold.” Louie cried. “Who's got Harold?” Halfway asked. “The space aliens got him.” Louie replied.

 

     “There's no such thing as space aliens.” Halfway tried to explain. “Yes there is.” Louie countered, “I saw them, and they got Harold.” “Is this some kind of Halloween prank?” Halfway asked not believing Louie. “No!” Louie plead, “I really saw them. They were down at the Pupperville Cemetery.”

     When Sergeant Halfway heard the cemetery, his ears perked up. “What were you doing at the cemetery?” He demanded to know. “ Harold and I were going to try and scare somebody.” Louie started to explain, “But we didn’t know there were real space aliens hiding out there too. “If I know Harold,” Halfway said with a sigh, “He’s probably still out there in the cemetery laughing is head off for scaring you and Gladys too.”

     “He wasn't laughing.” Louie said shaking his head, “He was screaming.” “Probably trying to scare you even more.” Halfway said. “But I saw the aliens.” Louie claimed, “They were huge and green with things sticking out of there heads and they glowed and shot laser beams out of their eyes. They even shot up a bunch of trees, I can even show them to you.”

     “Alright.” Halfway said, “If it will make you feel better I'll do some checking around, but I'm telling you, there is no such thing as aliens.”

     From Genesis to Revelation it happened. It happened to the weak as well to the strong. It happened to Louie and it happens to us. From time to time we become afraid and we need to be encouraged Let's look at some people in the Bible who God had to send encouragement to.

• Jacob – On his trip to Egypt - Genesis 46:2-3 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here am I." Then he said, "I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. (ESV)
• Joshua – As he prepares for battle - Joshua 11:4-6 And they came out with all their troops, a great horde, in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots. And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight with Israel. And the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire." (ESV)
• Elijah – Going to meet an enemy king - 2 Kings 1:13-15 Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, "O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight." Then the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." So he arose and went down with him to the king (ESV)
• Paul – While preaching in Corinth - Acts 18:9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, (ESV)
• John – While receiving a vision - Revelation 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, (ESV)

     When it comes to fear, to being afraid, to being scared Remember this:

• God delivers from fears - Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (ESV)
• God will give strength - Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (ESV)
• Put God first and do not worry - Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (ESV)
• We're valuable to God - Matthew 10:31-32 - Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, (ESV)
• There's no fear in love - 1 John 4:16-18 - 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. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (ESV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• What are the fears that you hold on to and why?
• How can turning them over to God help you?