CHRISTMAS SURPRISE!

And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid,...” Luke 1:30 (ESV)

      It was the last night of practice for the big Christmas play the Pupperville Church kids were going to put on the Sunday before Christmas. The practice had gone very well and the kids were ready for the big night. Soon the parents would be dropping by to pick up their kids but tonight one of the parents was going to need to be picked up.

     As Randy was putting away the props from the play, Bill Peterson met him with a bit of a scowl on his face. “I need to talk too you.” he said “I want to know why you told Stella she needed a baby sister and why you’re teaching my kids songs like ‘Christmas Time In My Heart.’”

     “Oh, boy,” Randy said as he shook his head, “She didn’t really ask for a baby sister, did she?” “I’m afraid so.” Bill answered, “And it’s going to cause some problems.” “Well,” Randy started to answer, “It all started about a week ago as I was putting together a song list for Sunday School. Mindy and Stella had written a new song and they wanted me to include it in my list but it wasn’t a good song. As I tried to convince them to think about sharing instead of getting, Mindy told Stella how great sister’s were to share with and, well, you know the rest of the story.”

     “Oh.” Bill said in response to Randy’s answer, “I guess that explains that, but, how am I going to tell Stella she can’t have a sister for Christmas? As it is now, she’s not only asking but telling everyone that she’s getting one.” “How do you normally tell her she can’t have something?” Randy asked, but Bill just stuttered “I always get her everything.” “I suppose you could tell them what sisters are really like.” Randy told Bill, “Maybe that would change her mind.” “Can’t.” Bill answered, “I never had any sisters.”

     As the two of them stood there trying to figure things out, a giggling Martha came walking up. “What are you two up to?” she asked. “Randy and I are trying to figure out how to tell Stella she can’t have a sister for Christmas.” “I wouldn’t even bother.” came Martha’s reply. “Why not?” Bill asked as his lovely wife started giggling again.

     “SURPRISE!” Martha shouted back “We are going to have a baby.” Upon hearing that Bill started to stutter and than fainted falling flat on his face. Seeing her husband laying on the floor, Martha said “I think he took that well, now to go tell Harold and Stella.” and she stepped over Bill and left.

     As Randy helped Bill back to his feet, he thought about another surprise pregnancy, one that took place in Luke Chapter 1 for it is there we read these words The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus and he wondered if Joseph fainted when he found out as well.

     How many of you like surprises? I suppose it might depend on the surprise. Like Bill in our story, my wife has surprised me seven times but unlike Bill I never fainted at the news. Sometimes God surprises us. As we close in on Christmas Day I think of Joseph and Mary and the surprise God gave them. Maybe we can learn something form them on how to react when God surprises us.

     Fist we'll read of Mary's surprise from Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. (ESV)

     Do you see the surprise – Mary was to have a child – and her response - let God's will be done – How many of us would respond in such away?

     But let's not forget Joseph in all this for while he was to be married to Mary he was not the one who got her pregnant. We can read about him in Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). hen Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (ESV)

     Just imagine the surprise for Joseph when he learns his bride to be is pregnant an he had nothing to do with it. How did he react – Under the laws of the day he could have had Mary put to death but instead he wants to quietly call things off so as not to publicly disgrace her – he responded with mercy in love. Than an angel shows up in his dreams and tells him the rest of the story and that he is to go ahead and marry Mary and with out hesitating he does what God asks of him – he responds with obedience.

     Next week we'll look at Harold and Stella's response to Martha's surprise but until than...

      Here's Something To Ponder

• In what ways has God surprised you?
• How have you responded to the surprises God has sent your way?

CHRISTMAS GIMMIES

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35b (TLB)

      As the Apostle Paul prepared to leave the town of Ephesus for the last time in Acts 20 he told the people there in verse 35 that Jesus had said “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” At Christmas time we often get that verse mixed up like Mindy and Stella did.

      It was a few weeks before Christmas and Randy Smith was putting together a list of songs to sing for Sunday School Since it was almost Christmas he wanted to include several Christmas songs. As he sat in his office thinking about which ones to use, Mindy and Stella came bursting through his office door all excited about a song they wanted to sing.

      “Randy, Randy.” they hollered, “We have a new Christmas song we wrote and we want to sing it this Sunday. Can we? Please, Please, Please.” “Maybe,” Randy told them, “What is it?” He went on to ask them. “It’s called Christmas Time in My Heart, and you sing it to the tune of “It Is Summer Time In My Heart.”

      “That sounds like a great song.” Randy told them, “What are the words? “They’re real easy to learn,” Stella told him and than Mindy proceeded to sing it for him. “It is Christmas time in my heart, I want everything in the shopping cart, Every toy and every game, Just for me yes just for me yes just for me.” And when she was done singing Stella piped up and said “That goes double for me.” And than together, with big smiles on their faces, they asked Randy “Please!?”

      Upon hearing their song, Randy just shook his head “That’s not a good Christmas song,” he said, “It’s a selfish, greedy song, and no, I’m not going to sing it.” “But..” Mindy said, “That’s what Christmas is all about.” “Yeah,” Stella added, “It’s Christmas and why wouldn’t you want everything in the shopping cart, I know I do.” “So do I!” Mindy added, “I’ve already got my Christmas list up to 37 pages.”

      “At Christmas time we should be focused more on giving and sharing than on getting.” Randy told the girls. “But who do we share with?” the girls asked in return. “How about you sister, Cindy?” He asked Mindy “I don’t have a sister.” Stella injected, “All I have is.” she started to say and than she got a big grin on her face and turned to Mindy and asked her “Do you want to trade?”

      “No way!” Mindy told her, “ Nobody in their right mind would want to have Harold for a brother. Sorry, but you’re stuck with him.” “That figures.” Stella responded. “Maybe,” she continued, “Maybe.” and than she ran out of the office yelling at the top of her longs “MOM!!, CAN I HAVE A BABY SISTER FOR CHRISTMAS?” All Randy could do was stand there and shake his head.

      How many of you have parents that act like Mindy and Stella wanting everything at Christmas? More often than naught – Parents want to give, I know I do. For a long time now I've enjoyed giving gifts to my children at Christmas and before that my siblings and other people's children. When it comes to giving and Christmas we are often reminded of some wise men. Even though there story takes place sometime after Jesus was born, it is connected with His birth. We find the story in Matthew 2 where we read...

      Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: " 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' " Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV)

      When we think of these wise men we might note that they payed attention to prophesy and recognized the sign of Jesus' birth

      They went out of there way to see Jesus and it wasn't just a trip to the other side of town they traveled to a foreign country.

      The gifts they gave had great value and meaning but that's another story.

      There are those who think that the giving of gifts by the wise men inspired the modern day giving at Christmas but giving to other goes beyond Christmas. And, while giving is good for others it is good for us.

• Psalms 41:1-3 Happy is the person who thinks about the poor. When trouble comes, the Lord will save him. The Lord will protect him and spare his life and will bless him in the land. He will not let his enemies take him. The Lord will give him strength when he is sick, and he will make him well again. (NCV)
• Psalms 112:5-9 It is good to be merciful and generous. Those who are fair in their business will never be defeated. Good people will always be remembered. They won’t be afraid of bad news; their hearts are steady because they trust the Lord. They are confident and will not be afraid; they will look down on their enemies. They give freely to the poor. The things they do are right and will continue forever. They will be given great honor. (NCV)
• Proverbs 19:17 When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the Lord, and the Lord will pay you back. (TEV)
• Hebrews 13:16 Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God. (NLT)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• How much of what you get will truly make you happy?
• How often do you bless yourself by giving?

LOOKING FOR A TALENT

God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well Romans 12:6a (TLB)

      There was only one more week before the Pupperville Church’s annual talent show and the puppets were very busy getting ready. Bernadette was practicing her piano, Barney was practicing several passages from the Bible he planned to recite, Mindy, Cindy and Stella were practicing a short play, Tracy and her dad were working on a funny skit of their own, Daisy was practicing a new song she wrote, and April was writing a new poem.

     It seemed like everyone was having a good time preparing except for one little boy. “It’s just no use” He kept mumbling to himself, “I’ll never be good at anything. I might as well quit trying.” That little boy was none other than Louie Blackwood, the red headed, freckle faced orphan boy who lives with the Smith’s.

     “Why aren’t you practicing for the talent show?” some one asked him as he was sitting in the nursery, staring off into space. It was Harold and Stella’s grandpa, who had come to pick his grand kids up from practice. “I’m not going to be in the show.” Louie told him “I’m just no good at anything so I’m not even going to try.”

     “No good at anything?” Robert had to ask Louie, “Are you sure God didn’t give you any special talents or abilities?” “No.” replied Louie, “I think He missed me. I’ve often wished I could be like Barney or Bernadette, or Daisy or even Randy, but I’m not. I’m just plain old Louie. No talent, No abilities, No nothing.”

     “Now, that’s just not true.” Robert tried to reassure him, “God gives all of us special talents to share with others.” “Not me.” Louie complained, “I don’t have any talents and every time I try to do something it turns into a big failure.”

     “Just because you don’t not know what your talents and abilities are now,” Robert said as he continued to try and encourage Louie, “Doesn’t mean you should give up trying to find out what they are. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works. We are created to do good things, but sometimes it takes time to figure what it is we have been created to do.”

     “Maybe I can be like Harold.” Louie said as if he wasn’t listening to Robert. “No, I don’t’ think that would be a good idea.” Robert quickly replied “Why not?” Louie quipped in return, “At least he’s good at getting in to trouble. I think I’ll go and find him.”

     Well, it took some time, but eventually, Louie did find one of his talents, but that’s another story.

     How many of you have ever felt like Louie? In Matthew chapter 25 Jesus gives us the parable of the talents. Starting in verse 14 we read - For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. "In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. (NAS) The story goes on to tell how the three servants had to give an account of what they did and how the master treated each one accordingly with the third servant losing all he had and be cast out.

     Many years ago I did a twist on this parable substituting talents for talents. The talents in Jesus' parable were sums of money – I switched it for abilities and handed out to my listeners papers with various abilities on them and when the story was done they turned their paper over to see what they did with their talents. While I no longer remember everything I wrote down, I do remember that the one who had one talent was given the abilities to listen and all he did was sit in front of a television listening to sitcoms while the others used theirs talents for the good of others.

     The Bible reminds us more than once that our God is a God that gives. Two such reminders are:

• Matthew 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (ESV)
• Romans 8:32 Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else? (NLT)

     Amongst the things that God gives us are abilities and talents. When you look yourself and those around you, you may notice how somethings come so easy to some people and to others they will always be hard. Some people are talented speakers while others stutter to no end if they even get that far. Of course the list could go on and on. When it comes to our abilities and talents the Bbile has more to say.

• Romans 12:6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. (NLT)
• 1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings. (TLB)

     Some of us know what the talents are the God has give us, some of us are still learning, some of us need to remember that are talents are to be used. James 4:17 reminds us it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• What are the talents or abilities God has given you?
• Are you using them as God would have you use them?

NO THANKS

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, - Psalms 100:4a (NKJV)

      It was the day after Thanksgiving and Helen and Daisy were heading out together to do some early Christmas shopping. Hoping to get to the mall before the long lines formed, they left at 4:30 in the morning but they soon found they weren’t alone. As they pulled into the mall parking lot they found it already full.

     After driving around the parking lot ten times, they finally found a spot to park and headed into the stores. Once inside, they found themselves standing in long lines no matter where they went. As they stood in the line at the shoe store Daisy happened to ask Helen how her Thanksgiving went.

     “Horrible!” Helen told her, “I had my daughter’s family over for Thanksgiving.” “It couldn’t have been that bad could it?” Daisy asked as their line moved forward a couple of feet. “Isn’t Thanksgiving a day to spend in a spirit of thanksgiving, especially to God?” Helen asked in return “It’s suppose to be.” Daisy replied

     “That’s what I thought,”Helen told her, “But the only thanks I heard all day was a short prayer before we ate. I thought Psalms 100:4 says to Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, (NKJV)” “No one was thankful?” Daisy said in shock “You’re kidding aren’t you?”

     “I wish I was.” Helen complained, “All Robert and Bill did all day was sit in front of the big screen TV watching football and yelling at the referees. Instead of helping me in the kitchen, Martha just stood in my way and complained about Harold and Stella. And as for those two grand kids of mine, I should have taken them out back with a whip.”

     “On Thanksgiving!” Daisy said with a gasp. “All those two kids did in the morning was fight and argue about which parade to watch.” Helen continued, “Stella even broke one of my good plates on Harold’s head. At lunch Harold turned into a pig spilling lots of food and gulping down everything in sight. I didn’t think anybody could eat that much and still be hungry. At least Harold didn’t leave any leftovers”

     “I guess you’re right.” Daisy told Helen, “Your Thanksgiving was horrible. How about you? How thankful were you yesterday?” “Me?” Helen replied “What was there to be thankful for? Besides, I was too busy in the kitchen.” “Sounds like you had more of an Un-Thanksgiving to me.” replied Daisy as their line moved forward two more feet.

     What was your Thanksgiving like? Was it anything like the Helen had with her family? More often than not we are guilty of having a Thanksgiving much like theirs. Thankfully we have many examples of thankfulness in the Bible that we can turn to for encouragement like the story of Belteshazzar.

     Who was Belteshazzar? Belteshazzar was a young man who had it all and nothing. More than once he found his life on the line while living in a foreign country where he was loved and despised.

     As a young man he was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and brought to his court where he was trained up to serve the king. One may wonder if he had any reason to be thankful especially when we find that he was to be executed along with his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah and many others

     You see, the king had, had a very bad dream and it scared him. He wanted to know what the dream meant but he couldn't remember what the dream even was. He called for the magicians, the conjurers, the sorcerers and the Chaldeans to come and tell him what his dream was and what it meant but none of them could do it. This angered the king and he issued the execution of all the wise men which included Belteshazzar.

     Upon learning that he was to be executed Belteshazzar also known as Daniel went in and requested of the king that he would give him time, in order that he might declare the interpretation to the king. Daniel was given the dream and its meaning and Daniel responded with these words.

     "Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king's matter.”

     We don't need to wait until Thanksgiving day to be thankful. We don't need to wait until we go through situations like Daniel went through to be thankful. We can be thankful 100% of the time

• Deuteronomy 8:10 - When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. (NIV)
• Psalms 100:4 - Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (NKJV)
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (HCSB) – This verse is the theme of one of my other blogs called Everyday Thankfulness

     In Luke 17:11-19 we read of the cleansing of the ten lepers and how only one – a foreigner – came back, bowed down at Jesus' feet and thanked Him. Let's not be the other like the other nine.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Were you truly thankful on Thanksgiving?
• Do you find ways to be thankful everyday?

TABLOID NEWS FLASH

Test everything that is said 1 Thessalonians 5:21a (TLB)

     There are several verses in the Bible similar to what we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 where it says “test everything that is said to be sure it is true, and if it is, then accept it.” (TLB) But all to often we fail to check things out as happened to Bernadette one month after a trip to the super market..

     For a whole week, Bernadette had been walking around scared, scared form something she had read while standing in line at the supermarket. This day was no different and Daisy could tell something was bothering Bernadette all through Sunday School. As all the other kids were leaving the class room, Daisy called Bernadette to her desk.

     “Are you okay?” Daisy asked Bernadette when she made it to her desk. “We’re all doomed and there’s no way to escape.” came Bernadette’s reply. “It’s coming from outer space and it’s going to eat all of us.”

     “What’s coming form outer space?” Daisy asked. “The ‘Great Octo’ space creature,” Bernadette told her, “It has eight legs and arms and huge bulgy eyes and it’s the size of a 20 story building and it eats people and nothing can stop it and....” “And I think you’ve been hanging around Harold too much,” Daisy interrupted, “How can you believe such a corny idea?”

     “I haven’t seen Harold in weeks,” Bernadette replied, “He’s too busy chasing Muffy, and the story isn’t corny, it’s true, I read it in the news magazine at the supermarket. Not only are we in trouble from the ‘Great Octo’ space creature, but people are starting to burst into flames while taking showers. I’m afraid to even go near the bath tub.”

     “What news magazine have you been reading?” Daisy asked as she tried to think of one that would publish such corny stories. “The ‘Blue Moon News’,” came Bernadette’s reply. “I read it while I was waiting in line at the checkout stand.” Upon hearing that, Daisy started to laugh, but Bernadette didn’t think it was funny. “What’s so funny?” she asked.

     “Bernadette,” Daisy answered her, “The ‘Blue Moon News’ is nothing but a gossip tabloid. Those stories aren’t true at all.” “A gossip tabloid?” Bernadette said with a bit of surprise in her voice, “You mean I can take showers again, and we’re not going to be eaten by a space creature?” “That’s right.” Daisy encouraged her.

     “That’s great news.” Bernadette exclaimed, “I need to go tell Stella we can take showers again. Thanks for helping me, Daisy.” And with that Bernadette took off with a smile on her face.

     Have you ever heard stories like those Bernadette mentioned? Or read the headlines in the tabloids at the checkout stand? (You wouldn't actually buy one, right) The two stories Bernadette talked about were based on actually headlines I saw while standing in a check out line. I've seen many other headlines and they often make them appear real but you can't believe you read or hear if you do you may end up like Bernadette or Joshua and the Israelites.

     The story I'm referring to is found in Joshua chapter 9 and when we get to verse 3 we read - When the people of Gibeon heard how Joshua had defeated Jericho and Ai, they decided to trick the Israelites. They gathered old sacks and old leather wine bags that were cracked and mended, and they put them on the backs of their donkeys. They put old sandals on their feet and wore old clothes, and they took some dry, moldy bread. Then they went to Joshua in the camp near Gilgal. The men said to Joshua and the Israelites, “We have traveled from a faraway country. Make a peace agreement with us.”

     When we drop down to verse 14 we read that The men of Israel tasted the bread, but they did not ask the Lord what to do. So Joshua agreed to make peace with the Gibeonites and to let them live. And the leaders of the Israelites swore an oath to keep the agreement. Three days after they had made the agreement, the Israelites learned that the Gibeonites lived nearby. (NCV)

     To sum the story up, the Gibeonites lied, Joshua believed them and instead of destroying them as God had commanded the treaty forced Joshua to save them because it was promised before God.

     How easily are we tricked into believing things that are false? Proverbs 14:15 says “A fool will believe anything; smart people watch their step. (TEV) When it comes to some things we almost always disbelieve what we hear or read but there are times when we accept things with out question when we should have checked things out.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:21 - but test everything that is said to be sure it is true, and if it is, then accept it. (TLB)
• 1 John 4:1 - Dearly loved friends, don't always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around, (TLB)
• Acts 17:10-11 - That same night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea where they went to the Jewish synagogue. These Jews were more willing to listen than the Jews in Thessalonica. The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true. (NCV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you believe things that you should have checked out?
• Do you fail to believe things that you should have checked out?

HIDING FROM LIES

Stop telling lies. - Ephesians 4:25 (NLT)

     It was a quiet afternoon and Cindy decided to spend some time studying her Bible in the tree house. As she climbed up into the tree house and opened up her Bible she happened to glance up and see her sister sneaking around as if she was trying to hide from someone or something.

     “I wonder what kind of trouble Mindy’s in this time.” Cindy said to herself as she turned her attention to the Bible verse she was trying to memorize. The next she knew Mindy came bursting through the door slamming it behind her. “Mindy!” Cindy yelled at her sister and scared her half to death “What are you doing?”

     “I’m not here” Mindy told her sister as she sat in a corner and pulled a blanket over her head. “Yes you are!” Cindy said with an irritated voice, “What’s going on? Are you in trouble?” “I can’t hear you.” came a muffled reply from under the blanket. “I told you, I’m not here.” “Yes you are!” Cindy yelled back, “Don’t lie!”

     “I already did.” Mindy replied with a muffled voice “What?” Cindy replied as she went and pulled the blanket off of Mindy’s head. “Remember how Mom and Dad said I could go to Bernadette’s house last night?” “Yeah.” Cindy said as she remembered the fuss her sister made until her parents said yes. “Well, Dad just found out Bernadette isn’t in town.”

     “What!?” Cindy said, “Then where were you last night?” “On a date.” Mindy replied as she drew the blanket back over her head. “A date!” Cindy shrieked. “You know we can’t date until we’re 17. What were you thinking? You’ll be grounded for the rest of your life when Dad find’s out” “If he find’s out.” Mindy said from under the blanket.

     “What going to happen when your date come’s looking for you?” Cindy asked her sister “Dad will surely find out than.” “Um, ah, I told him I was you.” Mindy told Cindy. “Who is he?” Cindy had to ask. “George Olson.” Mindy told her. “You mean Cherry’s older brother?” “Yeah.” Mindy replied with a look of wonderment in her eyes, “How do you know Cherry?”

     “Cherry,” Cindy said “is one of my friends and she was here last night playing card games with Dad and me” “What!” Mindy shouted when she learned that “No Way! I’m doomed. Do you think I should just run away?” “Actually, I think you should go fess up to your lies, you know, tell the truth.”Cindy told her “And let me get back to my Bible verse.”

     “What verse is that?” Mindy asked. “Ephesians 4:25 Stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. (NLT)” Cindy told her. “That figures.” Mindy responded as grabbed for another blanket to hide under

       In 1 Samuel 8 we learn that when Samuel was old he made his sons judges over Israel but they were corrupt. As a result the people came to Samuel and asked him to appoint a king over them like all the other nations. While this displeased Samuel, with God's help he did what the people wanted and he appointed Saul as their first king, a tall handsome man with a few screws loose.

      On one occasion, Samuel said to Saul, "The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.' " 1 Samuel 15:1-3 (ESV)

      As we read further we find that Saul immediately put together an army and headed off to war to do as God had bid him but we read in verse 9 that Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. This brought another visit form Samuel.

       When Samuel arrived, Saul went out to meet him and made a bold claim “I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” Samuel knew otherwise for not only did God tell Samuel, the evidence that Saul had not preformed the commandment of the Lord was bleating. After being confronted with the facts Saul again tried to lay claim that he had obeyed God but Samuel didn't buy it. This led to Samuel famous words in verses 23-23 “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”

     Lying is never a good thing.

• Lies are an abomination to God - Proverbs 12:22a Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, (ESV)
• Liars will not be allowed in God's presence - Psalms 101:7 I will not allow deceivers to serve me, and liars will not be allowed to enter my presence. (NLT)
• Liars will not go unpunished – Proverbs 19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free. (NIV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• How many times have lies come back to haunt you?
• Are you willing to tell the truth?

MR. KLINKER KLUNKER

I urge you to imitate me. - 1 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT)

      It was late afternoon when Cindy finished her school work and headed outside to play with her sister. As usual, she found her in the tree house in the backyard and as always, she was mumbling on about something. “Mindy,” Cindy called out to her, “Do you want to play?” But all Mindy could say in response was “Oooooooh, Aaaaaaah. I think I am in love.”

     “Mindy,” Cindy called again, “Do you want to play?” And this time Mindy responded with an “Aaaaaaah. Mr. Klinker Klunker .I would gladly go with you.” and an “Oooooooh, I thought you would never ask.” “What?” Cindy replied, “Who are you talking too?” But Mindy never heard her.

     “Me? Be Mrs. Klinker Klunker? You’re so wonderful!” MIndy called out a little but later. After hearing that, Cindy decided her sister needed to be brought back to real life. “Who is Mr. Klinker Klunker?” “My hero.” replied Mindy with a dreamy look on her face.

     “You have a crush on someone, don’t you?” Cindy asked her sister. “Oh, I would do anything for him.” Mindy replied. “Anything?” quizzed Cindy. “And someday I want to be just like him and star in my own movie.” Mindy continued. “Mr. Klunker is a movie star?” Cindy asked. “Heavenly, isn’t it.”Mindy said, still looking dreamy.

     “What kind of movies does he star in?” Cindy asked but Mindy didn’t know all she said was “I’ve never seen one. Mom and Dad won’t let me watch R rated movies” “R rated!” exclaimed Cindy. “Yeah, Mom says it’s because he’s indecent, and Dad says his language is terrible.” Than how do you know who he even is?” Cindy wondered out loud.

     “I saw him on a talk show once and he was Sooooooo handsome,” Mindy replied, “I liked the way he tore down all those people on the show and the way he hit that one guy shows how strong he is.” “Mindy,” Cindy replied, “You know we’re not suppose to have ungodly heros. Mr, Klinker is nothing but a klunker, just like Dad’s old car.”

     “What does God have to do with it?” asked Mindy. “Everything.” answered Cindy. “I was just reading about it this morning in the Bible. It says in 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. We need to be sure to imitate godly people instead of the Klinker Klunkers in our life.”

     “You sure know how to spoil a good time.” Mindy said as she climbed down from the tree house. “I’ll see you later.”

     Have you ever had a klunker for a hero? Have you ever said when I grow up I want to be just like ..... ? Sometimes we lift up everyday people to hero status which is not always a bad thing but sometimes we lift up the wrong people or lift them up to far as happened to Paul - the one who wrote 1 Corinthians 11:1 and a few other versus.

     Paul and Barnabas were on a missionary journey and had entered into Lystra to do some preaching. One day they met a man who had been crippled from birth and as a result had never walked. Lets pick the story up in Acts 14:8 and see what happened.

     As this man was listening to Paul speak, Paul looked straight at him and saw that he believed God could heal him. So he cried out, “Stand up on your feet!“ The man jumped up and began walking around. When the crowds saw what Paul did, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like humans and have come down to us!“ Then the people began to call Barnabas “Zeus“ and Paul “Hermes,“ because he was the main speaker. The priest in the temple of Zeus, which was near the city, brought some bulls and flowers to the city gates. He and the people wanted to offer a sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas. But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard about it, they tore their clothes. They ran in among the people, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing these things? We are only human beings like you. We are bringing you the Good News and are telling you to turn away from these worthless things and turn to the living God. He is the One who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. In the past, God let all the nations do what they wanted. Yet he proved he is real by showing kindness, by giving you rain from heaven and crops at the right times, by giving you food and filling your hearts with joy.“ Even with these words, they were barely able to keep the crowd from offering sacrifices to them. - Acts 14:9-18 (NCV)

     Writing to those in Corinth Paul says in1 Corinthians 4:14-16 - I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I urge you to imitate me. (NLT) While Paul and Barnabas were definitely looked up to after they healed the crippled man and while that's not a bad thing, the people of Lystra went to far and lifted Paul and Barnabas to god status.

     When one looks at the first couple commandments in the Ten Commandments we are reminded that there is to be one God and we are not to lift another to that status or be god ourself. - Exodus 20:1-6 - Then God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt where you were slaves. “You must not have any other gods except me. “You must not make for yourselves an idol that looks like anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the water below the land. You must not worship or serve any idol, because I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. If you hate me, I will punish your children, and even your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But I show kindness to thousands who love me and obey my commands. (NCV)

     When we raise up people to be our hero - not god status - so that we might follow their examples - let us do so because they are ultimately imitators of Christ as Paul mentions as a reason for imitating him. Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.- 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NAS)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• What kind of people are you imitating - are they Christ like?
• What kind of example are you to others - are you Christ like?