UNFORGIVEN UN-FORGOTTEN

Forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ. - Ephesians 4:32b (TEV)

      Sometimes, it can be very hard to tell the truth, sometimes, it can be very hard to hear the truth. For the Peterson kids, Stella and Harold, this was to become a bold reality.

     Harold, had been grieving all week. In an attempt to try and cheer him up, Harold’s dad, Bill, helped him have a funeral for Muffy and to bury him, he even put a cross up on the grave. All Bill’s efforts seemed to be working and Harold was starting to cheer up but that was soon to come to an end.

     Although it had been nearly a week since Muffy had fought with the bear saving Stella’s life and giving his in the process, Harold hadn’t yet heard the whole story as to why. Stella was about to tell him.

     “What are you doing here!?” Harold snapped at Stella as she stood outside his bedroom door. “I need to talk to you about Muffy.” Stella told Him. “What’s left to talk about?” Harold growled, “He’s gone now, and he’ll never chew on your toys again.” “Well, Uh,” Stella continued, “ Dad wants me to tell him the whole story about what happened to Muffy.”

     “What story? What are you talking about?” Harold asked “Well,” stammered Stella, “Remember how you thought Muffy ran away? Well, he didn’t. Barney and Tracy and I helped take Muffy away and get him lost so he would never come back” “NO!” Harold injected, “So this is all your fault!” “Muffy always got in the way and caused problems,” Stella continued, “and you wouldn’t play with us anymore.”

     “Why would I want to play with you?” Harold shouted back at his sister. “Than there was the bear cub,” Stella started to say. “And you just couldn’t resist going and petting him because he was cute.” Harold interrupted his sister again. “Yeah, and that’s when the mother bear came.” Stella continued, “We tried to run away but I tripped. Than Muffy came and fought the bear. “He saved my life,”

     Upon hearing Stella story, Harold started screaming at his sister, “So you’re the reason Muffy died.” he said, “I’ll never forgive you for that. I HATE YOU. SISTERS ARE WORTHLESS. THAT BEAR SHOULD HAVE GOT YOU INSTEAD. Than Muffy would be here and the world would have one less girl in it. I’ll never forget what you did. I’ll hate you forever.” And with those words he slammed his door in her face leaving her crying in the hallway.

      How do you respond when you learn the truth? Matthew 6:14-15 says If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done. (TEV)

     Have you ever felt like Harold? Hurting, angry, and unwilling to forgive? Maybe it was a relative like Mom or Dad or a brother or a sister, etc. Maybe it was a coworker or a friend, soul-mate it might have even been an enemy or God himself that has somehow caused you to feel the way you do. And maybe it has happened one to many times and you've come to the end of your rope. Why should I forgive them – God will understand if I don't.... or will He?

     In Matthew 18:21 Peter came to Jesus and asked Him, “Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times? (TEV) Look at how Jesus answers him in the next verse “No, not seven times but seventy times seven.” Jesus than went on to explain why with a familiar story.

     The Kingdom of heaven is like this. Once there was a king who decided to check on his servants' accounts. He had just begun to do so when one of them was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. The servant did not have enough to pay his debt, so the king ordered him to be sold as a slave, with his wife and his children and all that he had, in order to pay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before the king. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay you everything!' The king felt sorry for him, so he forgave him the debt and let him go. "Then the man went out and met one of his fellow servants who owed him a few dollars. He grabbed him and started choking him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he said. His fellow servant fell down and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back!' But he refused; instead, he had him thrown into jail until he should pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were very upset and went to the king and told him everything. So he called the servant in. 'You worthless slave!' he said. 'I forgave you the whole amount you owed me, just because you asked me to. You should have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you.' The king was very angry, and he sent the servant to jail to be punished until he should pay back the whole amount." And Jesus concluded, "That is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 18:22-35 (TEV)

     To bring this into perspective 1 talent may have been worth at that time 15 years wages which would mean he owed 150,000 years worth of wages to the king. If you make $25,000 a year that would be the same as $3,750,000,000. Which of you would be able to pay that debt – on demand.

     The other fellow, well his 100 denari was 100 days wages. If you made $10.00 and hour that would be a debt of about $8,000 (more or less depending on what you make.) compared to the first fellow his debt was almost non existent.

     We are the first fellow before God, the second fellow is any body else before us. The money is the wrongs that have been done. Do you get the picture? We need to forgive because we need even more forgiveness than we may ever have to hand out.

     God is willing to forgive us – 1 John 1:9 reminds us of that But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. (TEV) There for we need to be like God and forgive those around us - Ephesians 4:32 be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ. (TEV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• When was the last time you needed forgiveness from God?
• When was the last time you failed to forgive some one who needed it from you?

HE DIDN’T MAKE IT

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, - 2 Corinthians 12:9a

     In the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel, David’s newborn son was dying and he went before the Lord and fasted in hopes that God would heal the child. Seven days later he received word that his child had died. This time God said no. Harold Peterson was about to learn that God doesn’t always say yes

     Randy was the first to find Harold as he sat in the front pew of the church crying. “Have you seen my Dad yet?” Harold asked when he saw Randy walk in, “He said he would come as soon as he got news from the vet.” “About Muffy?” Randy asked. “Yeah” Harold replied, “The vet will make him better and God won’t let him die, will he?”

     “Well, sometimes....” Randy started to tell Harold but Harold interrupted “I can’t wait till Muffy is better and we can go running around again. I keep praying and praying and praying so I know he’ll get better.” As Randy tried to finish what he had started to say, Harold’s dad Bill showed up.

     “Dad!” Harold said looking around “Where’s Muffy?” “I couldn’t bring him” came a sad reply from his dad. “Oh,” Harold said, “he has to stay there to get better. That’s okay.” “If only that was so.” Harold’s dad said, “Muffy didn’t make it.” “What do you mean?” Harold said with a puzzled look on his face, “What didn’t Muffy make?”

     “Harold.” Bill said with a lump in his throat, “Muffy died.” “No he didn’t,” Harold quickly replied, “ He’s just sleeping. I know because I prayed and God is going to make him better. When can I go and see him? I have really missed him a lot.”

     “You can’t go see him,” Bill told Harold “Muffy didn’t make it, The vet couldn’t save him. He died” “.NO! NO! NO! YOU’RE LYING!” Harold shouted back at his dad, “I’ll prove it to you. He’s still alive. He has to be alive, Randy tell him Muffy is alive.” “I can’t” came Randy’s reply “NOOOOOOOOOOO!” Harold screamed and ran off. It was going to be a long night at the Peterson household.

     2 Corinthians 12:9a But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (ESV) I wish I could say everything has a happy ending but as we all know not everything does.

     Have you ever prayed for something and received an answer you didn't want? Even great men in the Bible didn't always have things turn out for them the way they wanted. Let's look briefly at three of them.

     The first of our men is David, a man who would be called “A man after God's own heart.” Of all the men in in the Bible, surely God answer David prayers with a yes, but wait, David was still human.

     In 2 Samuel 11 & 12 we read of on not so wonderful moment in David's life. While walking around on the roof of his palace he saw nude Bathsheba taking a bath and though she belonged to another, David called for her, had sex with her and got her pregnant. In attempt to cover up his ill gotten deed, he had Bathsheba's husband killed. God saw it all and as a punishment David was told that the child was going to die.

     For the next seven days David fasted and prayed to God in hopes that he might change God's mind and that he would let the child live but it was to no avail, the Child died. God had said no to David's prayer.

     The next man is the Apostle Paul. Surely God would listen to the man who wrote much of the New Testament and preached the Gospel to the Gentiles convincing many to be come Christians. Yet, like David, Paul was still human.

     Unlike David, Paul did not commit sexual immorality but he needed to be held at bay. Because of his closeness to God, He had been given special revelations and with such special privileges comes the temptation to become proud. God sent Paul a “Thorn in the Flesh” to keep him at bay. Paul didn't like it and he prayed three times to God to have it taken away. (2 Corinthians 12:7) God said no! Paul had to live with his thorn.

     There is no way God would say no to our third person or at least you would think He wouldn't say no, after all we're talking about God's Son Jesus. On top of being God's Son, he was perfect in every way but we are still human, and we have fallen short of God's glory and need redemption.

     To redeem us, God sent Jesus into the world to die on the cross. The night before he was to be killed he prayed asking God for another way but in the end, God turned His back on Jesus and left Him to die on the cross. (Luke 22 & 23)

     God doesn't always answers us the way we would like. Sometimes it's because we don't deserve an answer but other times it's because He has something better in store for us for His ways are so much better than ours. Think of these two verses

• Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. .(ESV)
• Psalm 18:30 The ways of God are without fault. The LORD’S words are pure. He is a shield to those who trust him. (NCV)

     The next time you pray and God doesn't answer you the way you think He should remember, He knows what He's doing and we should dwell on the positive out comes we can not yet see rather than the negative outcomes we feel.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• When God gives you the wrong answer do you turn on Him?
• Have you found the positive outcome from one or more of God's answers?

FEARLESS FRIEND

Greater love has no one than this.... John 15:13a (ESV)

      Determined to try and set things right, Stella and Tracy headed back into the woods where they had lost Muffy in hopes that they could find him again and bring him home to Harold. Tracy kept blowing on her dog whistle while Stella kept calling out “Here, Muffy. Here, Muffy.”

     After searching for nearly an hour, Tracy had to ask, “Stella, Are you sure this is the right way?” “Of course it is.” Stella replied, “I’m always right” “Then why did you send Barney down the other path?” Tracy asked “Just in case.” Stella answered. “In case you’re wrong?” Tracy interrupted but was quickly cut off when Stella yelled, “It’s Him!”

     “Where?” Tracy asked as she spun around looking for him. “Behind that tree!” Stella yelled back, “Let’s go get him.” As the girls neared the tree, Tracy suddenly froze and yelled “Stella!” “What, now?” Stella said as she reached the tree. “That’s not Muffy,” said as her voice started to crack, “It’s a bear cub, we need to get out of here fast.”

     Now Stella should have known better but when she saw that bear cub something came over her and she decided she needed to try and pet that bear cub. “NO, STELLA!” Tracy screamed at Stella, “The mama bear won’t like that.” “I don’t see any mama bear,” Stella said as she crept up on the bear cub, “Besides, he’s so cute”

     The next thing the girls knew a great big mama bear let out a loud ROAR and charged at them. “Run, Stella, Run.” Tracy called out as she took off running. Just than Stella tripped and let out a scream “OOOOOOOUUUUUUUCCCCCCCHHHHHHH My leg! I can’t run” As the bear readied to pounce on Stella a familiar Woof, Woof, Woof jumped in front of her.

     It was Muffy and they had found him or he had found them. For the next five minutes Muffy and the bear growled, howled, snarled and roared as the fought with each other. In the mean time Stella had managed to stand up and started to limp away when everything went silent.

     “The bear is leaving.” Tracy whispered to Stella “Muffy saved us” “Muffy is a hero!” Stella shouted out, “Three cheers for Muffy, Hooray, Hooray, Ho.... Muffy’s not moving.” “What’s wrong?” Tracy asked? “He’s, He’s Dying.” Stella said as she started to cry. “We need my Dad and fast.” Tracy told Stella, “He knows the vet. Let’s see if we can find him before it’s too late.”

     John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. (ESV) How much love do we have for our friends?

     In the week prior to writing the original script that became this puppet story there was a real bear cub in my backyard, however the idea of having a bear showing up in the story was not inspired by it. Most people (I hope) should know that coming between a mother bear and her cub is very dangerous yet more dangerous than getting between a mother bear and her cub is giving in to sin.

     Instead of running from danger, Stella tried to embrace it and as a result, she needed to be saved. Thankfully Muffy came to the rescue. People are constantly flirting with sin and while they may not always suffer the consequences immediately, sooner or later, sin's consequences will come due unless of course we have a friend who is willing to take the consequences on himself.

     Think of what our greatest friend went through for us, to take the eternal consequences of our sin upon himself. Here is what he went through:

• John 19:1-3 Then Pilate ordered that Jesus be taken away and whipped. (NCV)
• Luke 22:63-65 The men who were guarding Jesus began making fun of him and beating him. They blindfolded him and said, “Prove that you are a prophet, and tell us who hit you.“ They said many cruel things to Jesus. (NCV)
• Matthew 27:27-31The governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s palace, and they all gathered around him. They took off his clothes and put a red robe on him. Using thorny branches, they made a crown, put it on his head, and put a stick in his right hand. Then the soldiers bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!“ They spat on Jesus. Then they took his stick and began to beat him on the head. After they finished, the soldiers took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. (NCV)

     In Matthew 11:19 we learn that Jesus had some unusual friends, they were called sinners - The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."' But wisdom is proved right by her actions." (NIV)

     Unless you want to God a liar, the Bible also claims that we have all sinned, therefore we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 is just one such verse that makes this clear. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (NIV)

     Add to these two verses Romans 5:8 which reads God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NIV) We can learn that We are all sinners yet we are Jesus' friends for whom he died so that we may not have to suffer eternal consequences of our sins.

     I suppose Stella could have told Muffy to back off, she didn't need any help taking on the mother bear and I suppose we could tell Jesus we don't want His help over coming the consequences of sin but neither would be wise.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you think you can over come sin's eternal consequences on your own?
• Are you thankful for Jesus being your friend willing to help?

MISSIN’ MUFFY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     Here's Something To Ponder

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

MUFFY’S MESS UPS

The godly are concerned for the welfare of their animals, Proverbs 12:10a (NLT)

     Time and time again, the kids in Pupperville were getting plowed over by one extra large dog named Muffy. Time and time again, the kids in Pupperville had wanted Harold to play with them but he was too busy chasing an extra large dog named Muffy, and now the time had come for somebody to do something about it.

     It was Barney that had secretly sent out notices of a meeting at his house to discuss plans on how to fix the problem of Muffy and soon the meeting would start. Stella, Harold’s sister, was the first to arrive and was she ever ready to do something about Muffy. “Does Harold suspect anything yet?” Barney asked her. “I don’t think so.” Stella answered.

     “What don’t you think?” asked Tracy as she arrived. “I don’t think Harold suspects anything,” Stella replied. “I don’t think he does either,” Tracy said with a big smile, “And I don’t think we should have to worry about him or Muffy the rest of the day.”

     “Perfect!” Barney said “Where is he?” “Well,” Tracy started to answer, “He went back on his promise to take me to a movie.” “That’s right!” Stella interrupted, “He chickened out because they wouldn’t let Muffy in the theatre.” “” Tracy continued, “And, because he broke his promise he’ll be cleaning my dad’s barn the rest of the day.”

     “Do you think we should wait for others to come or should we start the meeting?” Barney asked once he knew Harold wouldn’t be around. “Let’s get started!” Tracy and Stella answered back in unison. “Yeah,” Tracy continued, “We need to put a woof on all of Muffy’s mess ups.” “I think every one including Harold has trouble with Muffy.” Stella added “And we need to get rid of Muffy for our sakes and Harold’s.”

     “He’s been chewing and drooling on all my favorite toys.” Stella told the group. “He dug up all of the flowers I planted.” Tracy added. And not to be left out, Barney told them how Muffy always knocks him down and sits on him every time he goes to Harold’s to play and how Harold never has time to play with him because he has to go catch Muffy.

     “Let’s lose him in the forest.” Tracy said “Good idea,” Stella told her, “But first we need to do to him what he does to us.” “You mean bury him and jump on him?” Barney asked. “Yeah!” replied Stella, “And kick him a few times so he’ll never want to come back.” “Sounds great.” Tracy told them, “I’ve got the dog whistle, so let’s go do it before Harold gets done cleaning the barn.

     Proverbs 12:10 says The godly are concerned for the welfare of their animals, but even the kindness of the wicked is cruel (NLT) Maybe the kids should have read this verse before they decided to be mean to Muffy. How do you treat your animals?

      I don;'t know about you but I smell trouble brewing for Harold's dog Muffy. Of course, Muffy wouldn't be the first dog or animal to be treated mean. I'm sure many of us know we have or know of someone who has at one time or another been mean to an animal. As I think of this story I'm reminded of someone in the Bible who had an animal he was being mean to. Let's look at Numbers 22.

     As we start our story, the people of Israel were still wandering in the wilderness because they had refused to go into the promise land after they had been freed from slavery in Egypt. During this time God had been taking care of Israel and helping them win battles along the way. Knowledge of those victories were spreading and nations were becoming afraid.

     The Moabites were one of the nations whose fear of Israel was growing and their king Balak along with various other leaders decided to try and stop the Israelites buy means of a man named Balaam for they had learned that whoever Balaam blessed was blessed and whoever he cursed was cursed and they wanted him to curse Israel.

     Now the reason Balaam was able to bless and curse people and have the blessing or curses come true was because he was a prophet of God and God was making things happen. So when Ballam got the message he went and talked to God but God said NO and Balaam sent the people away. Needless to say, Balak didn't like the answer so he sent different people and made a great offer of wealth.

     While Balaam laid claimed that he couldn't curse the people for a house full of silver and gold unless God allowed him, That money must have got to him and it led to trouble. When he asked God about going this time God said yes but only say what I tell you but Balaam must have had other ideas for as he went on the way only to meet an angel with a sword drawn and ready to kill him.

     Before he saw the angel his donkey that he had been riding had and three times tried to protect Balaam's life and three times Balaam beat him for it. Finally God had, had enough and let two things happen, he allowed the donkey to talk to Balaam and than opened Balaam's eyes so he could see the angel and the sword. That got Balaam's attention. I wonder how much animals can see that we do not.

     If we go back to the beginning, to the first chapter of Genesis we read that God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said, “Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:27-28 (NCV)

     In those verse we learn that while God created the animals, he left man in charge of them, to rule over them but he didn't give us permission to be cruel to them or to worship them. We have people today that go both directions, they're both bad.

     Proverbs 12:10 which was quoted earlier is good reminder of how the godly should be concerned for animals. And how those who are ungodly (wicked) have no concern. The godly are concerned because they see the animals as part of God's creation and if one doesn't believe in God one has no real reason to care for with out God what self wants is really all that matters.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you believe God is the creator of the animals?
• How do you treat the animals you come in contact with?

IN JESUS' NAME

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, - Colossians 3:17a (ESV)

      Some people eat nuts. Some people are nuts. Some people drive people nuts. Harold Peterson is one of those people who fits all three descriptions. He eats nuts, he is nuts and he drives everybody nuts but lately he is being driven nuts along with his good friend Barney by a kid in school who thinks Jesus' name is some kind of magic word.

     It was during phy-ed class that Harold first noticed it. On that particular day he was playing catcher in a game of kick ball. Every time the kid would come up to kick the ball he would shout “I kick you in the name of Jesus.” Half the time he would miss the ball and once, Harold told Barney, “He fell flat on his back.”

     “In math class last week,” Barney said next, “The teacher called him to the front of the class to work a math problem on the board. The problem was kind of hard but no to hard. Anyway after five minutes he circled his answer and said 'The answer is 35 in Jesus' name.' 35 wasn't even close to being the right answer.”

     “He's been really annoying at lunch everyday for the last two weeks.” Harold continued. “Worse than you?” Barney questioned. “Way worse.” Harold responded, “He had just about everyone, including the cooks, ready to throw him in the compost pile. He must have said 'I eat this in the name of Jesus.' a hundred times at every meal.”

     As the boys continued to talk about the kid at school, Louie walked up. “Is he the same kid that got caught passing notes in Jesus' name in history and shooting rubber bands in Jesus' name in English class?” Louie asked. Barney and Harold looked at each other and than at Louie and said in unison “In Jesus' name.” and then cracked up laughing.

     “That kid must think Jesus' name is some kind of magic word” Barney said through his laughter. “Why would anyone want to use Jesus' name like that?” “Well,” Louie stammered, “ Randy uses Jesus' name after his prayers.” “Yeah,” Barney responded, But he knows how to use it properly.”

     “Anyway,” Louie told them, “I just saw him in the back of Sgt. Halfway's police car.” “What?” Harold asked “Did some one get tired of him saying 'In Jesus' name.' after everything he did?” “Sort of.” Louie continued, “He was caught shoplifting. He tried to walk out of the supermarket with a big bag of candy and said he didn't need to pay for it because he was taking it in Jesus' name.”

     “I hope the judge throw the book at him for being such a nuisance.” Barney said happily. “And I hope he does it in Jesus' name.” Harold added and than all three burst into laughter.

     Proverbs 22:1a A good name is more desirable than great riches; (NIV) - To many people fail to realize the importance of a good name and when I talk about a good name I’m not talking about a name like Frank or George being a better than a name like Buster or Nim Com Poop. I’m talking about a name that has behind it a good reputation.

     There are people who have great reputations, people from whom you would love to be associated with, people for whom the mere mention of their name can make things happen, can get things done. Jesus has one of those names. Think of some of the things that were and are done in Jesus' name:

• In Jesus' name Peter made a lame man walk – Acts 3:6
• In Jesus' name demons became subject to the disciples – Luke 10:17
• In Jesus' name we are to be baptized for salvation – Acts 2:38
• In Jesus' name we are to give thanks – Ephesians 5:20
• In Jesus' name we are to do all things – Colossians 3:17

     And of course, staying true to the theme of this series, when we pray we are to ask for things in Jesus' name - John 16:23 At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. The truth is, you can go directly to the Father and ask him, and he will grant your request because you use my name. (NLT)

     So, what does it mean to ask for something in another’s name? Is it simply some magic word to be used? I suppose it could mean that the name of the person doing the asking is insufficient to get the request fulfilled, or it could also mean that we are asking so that another receives the credit or glory, or maybe both.

     If a man who has money in a bank authorizes us to draw it, we are said to do it in his name. If a son authorizes us to apply to his father for aid because we are his friends, we do it in the name of the son, and the favor will be bestowed on us from the regard which the parent has to his son, and through him to all his friends.

     If we are to ask for things or do things in Jesus' name we need to make sure we can. The Bible gives us examples of demons being cast out in Jesus' name but it also give example of those who tried and failed. In Acts 19 we read of the failures of the sons of Sceva.

      Some Jews who travelled around and drove out evil spirits also tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to do this. They said to the evil spirits, "I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches." Seven brothers, who were the sons of a Jewish High Priest named Sceva, were doing this. But the evil spirit said to them, "I know Jesus, and I know about Paul; but you—who are you?" The man who had the evil spirit in him attacked them with such violence that he overpowered them all. They ran away from his house, wounded and with their clothes torn off. - Acts 19:13-16 (TEV)

     They tried it in Jesus’ name and failed miserably. They failed miserably because the were not known, they weren't really followers of Jesus and it's likely they had no faith. Once in Matthew 17:14-20 the disciples tried to cast out a demon and failed and when they asked Jesus why He told them they failed because of their lack of faith.

     The name of Jesus is wonderful. Through the years some have tried to use it to accomplish their wrong doings and in so doing have given the world a bad view of the name of Jesus. Before we try to do something in Jesus’ name, let’s make sure we are doing it right, that we are doing what He would have us to do, Let’s make sure we are ready - even in prayer, to do it in Jesus' name.

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you show respect to Jesus' name?
• Do you pray in Jesus' name and mean it?

WHY? WHY? WHY?

Colossians 4:2a - Be persistent in prayer, (TEV)

      It was two weeks before Mother's Day and Cindy Miller was desperate to earn some money so she could get a certain gift for her Mom. As she scanned through the help wanted section in the local newspaper she found an ad for a baby sitter and the house was only two blocks away. “How hard could baby sitting be?” She thought to herself and picked up the phone and called the listed number. Now, she wishes she hadn't and so does Tracy McDonald.

     For the last two hours Tracy has been on the phone with Cindy listening to Cindy whine and complain about her babysitting job. “I never in my life thought a three year old girl could be such a pain.” Cindy told Tracy. “Three year old girls are suppose to sit quietly and play with baby dolls.” “Did you play with baby dolls when you were three?” Tracy asked but Cindy never quit talking long enough to hear her.

     “I thought I was going to be able to just sit and watch television and talk on the phone while the pest played dolls but no way. Before I could even get comfortable on the couch I had a ton of books dropped on my lap. I told her I didn't want to read and was that ever a mistake. Every time I answered her she just kept asking Why? Why? Why? and she wouldn't quit.

     “Did you...” Tracy started to ask but Cindy cut her off. “I tried to read to her but she kept interrupting me with questions. She asked more questions than the test we had in history last week. And every time I tried to answer one she started asking Why? Why? Why? I would have loved to have found a dirty old sock and shoved it in her mouth but than I probably wouldn't have gotten payed. As it was I don't think I got payed enough.”

     “How much did...” Tracy tried to ask but Cindy kept right on complaining. “I wonder if I could find a dirty old sock/” Tracy thought to herself “I sure hope my mom appreciates what I had to put up with .” Cindy kept on jabbering. “Kids are nothing but a nuisance. It took me nearly three hours to get the brat to be quiet.”

      Finally, Tracy had enough and decided the only way she was going to get Cindy to quit was to start asking why?. After asking why to everything Cindy said. Three minutes later Cindy fell very quiet and then Tracy heard a click and buzzzzzzzz.. “I should have thought of that sooner.” Tracy thought to herself and headed to the barn to do some chores. As for Cindy she called Stella and started complaining all over again until Stella started asking why.

     Little children can be very persistent when it comes to asking why or anything else. As children of God, how persistent are we when it comes to asking?

     We honestly and earnestly pray to God to give us blessings, and he withholds them. The sickness is not removed, the life not spared, the burden not lightened, the child not reclaimed, the friend not reconciled, the cause not blessed, the wrong not stayed, the faithful not delivered; and the hearts of the people of God are filled with sorrow and dismay; and the question that rises to their lips is, “How long, O Lord, how long will you not respond?” And we give up asking, we give up praying just like that.

     We have many exampled of people praying in the Bible, people who didn't just say a simple short prayer and then go on, They kept praying, and they kept coming back to pray. I can think of Hannah praying for a child, Daniel under threat of a lion's den continuing 3 times a day, the apostles and the early church that dedicated themselves to prayer and let's not forget Jesus who at times would pray all night.

     Jesus used two different parables to teach us to be persistent in our praying and to not give up. The first parable is in Luke 11:5-8 He also said to them: “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’ Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. (HCSB)

     The second parable is in Luke 18:1-7 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must keep praying until the answer comes. "There was a city judge," he said, "a very godless man who had great contempt for everyone. A widow of that city came to him frequently to appeal for justice against a man who had harmed her. The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she got on his nerves. " `I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself, `but this woman bothers me. I'm going to see that she gets justice, for she is wearing me out with her constant coming!' " Then the Lord said, "If even an evil judge can be worn down like that, don't you think that God will surely give justice to his people who plead with him day and night? (TLB)

     If these parables are not enough, try these verses.

• 1 Chronicles 16:11 - Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! (ESV) J. Vernon McGee's in his Thru The Bible commentary asks some questions in regards to this verse. He asks; Do you seek His face continually? What is the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning? When you go to bed at night, what is the last thing you think about? Do you think about God all during the day? Or do you just leave God behind when you go to work or go to school or go to a social gathering?
• Ephesians 6:18 - Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God’s people. (NCV)
• Colossians 4:2 - Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God. (TEV)
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray all the time; (MSG)

     Phillips Brooks said that prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying hold of His highest willingness. Persistence in prayer is not an attempt to change God's mind but to get ourselves to the place where He can trust us with the answer.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• What are your needs, wants or desires?
• Are you consistently bringing them to God in prayer?