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?

IT'S HARD BEING LAZY

     It's that time of year again. The time of the year when people are hard at work getting ready for winter. Tim and Florence Henderson were doing just that. They were pulling the last of their produce from the garden, racking leaves, covering their windows with plastic and so on and singing as they worked. Little did they know, someone was hiding in their garden shed.

     As Tim and Florence entered the shed to put some stuff away, they were talking about how good it felt to get outside and work. When they said the word 'work,' someone, hiding under a pile of gunny sacks called out “Did I hear somebody say a nasty four letter word. You could get in big trouble for saying such things.”

     “Harold Peterson!” Tim called out rather loudly pulling the pile of gunny sacks to the side, “What are you doing hiding in my garden shed?” “What are you doing using nasty four letter words?” came Harold's reply. “I haven't said anything wrong.” Tim replied, “And you didn't answer me. What are you doing in my garden shed?”

     “Yes you did!” Harold exclaimed not wanting to answer the question, “You said 'work.'” “There is nothing nasty about work.” Tim replied, “You should try it sometime. If you really want a nasty four letter word I can give you one.” “You can?” Harold grinned, “What is it?” “Lazy.” Tim told him.

     “Lazy?” Harold exclaimed, “That's five letters.” “No, Harold,” Florence spoke up, “It's four. L A Z Y. You should have known that if you had been paying attention in spelling class.” “I can think of another reason he should know it.” Tim added. “Why?” Harold demanded. “Because it's your first name.” Tim said, “Now why are you in our garden shed.”

     “I am not lazy!!” Harold shouted back. “And that's why you blew up the sewer?” Tim asked. “I had a very good reason for not wanting to clean my bathroom.” Harold said. “What?” Michael Henderson said coming into the shed to put something away, “Afraid you would be attacked by space aliens?” “Very funny!” Harold scowled, “And why not?” Florence asked.

     “Because it was too big of a mess.” Harold claimed. “And why is that?” Florence asked. “Because I never clean it.” Harold answered. “Because you lazy.” Tim chipped in, “When was the last time you worked hard?” “Just last year I cleaned my entire bedroom.” Harold boasted. “You cleaned your room?” Florence started to ask but was interrupted by Tim “Hey!” he said, “ What are you doing out of your room anyway. I thought you were grounded till the end of the.”

     “I had to escape.” Harold claimed, “Or my mom was going to put me to work.” “Well,” Tim grinned, “What do you think we are going to do with you? I think it's time to put you to work. We need some help tilling the manure we got from John into the garden.” Upon hearing those words, the Henderson's found they had a new back door in their shed.

     Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Matthew 25:1 (ESV) In Matthew 25, Jesus is telling us about the coming of the kingdom of heaven. In the first 13 verses He talks of being ready, then in the next 17 he talks about being busy while waiting in the parable of the talents.

      "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV)

     Think about it. The lazy servant was punished not rewarded. You do not find the word lazy in most Bible translations but what you do find is the words sluggard and slothfulness which basically means lazy.

• Laziness brings poverty - Proverbs 24:30-34 - I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. (ESV)
• Laziness bring hunger - Proverbs 19:15 - Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. (ESV)
• Laziness brings death - Proverbs 21:25 - The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. (ESV)

     We may not always like the idea but we are to work – it's part of the curse in the Genesis 3:19 - By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (ESV) We should take Paul's advice in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 and aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may live properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. (ESV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you ever work hard to get out of work?
• How do you feel after doing work?

I WANT IT NOW

     Stella was sitting in her favorite chair watching her favorite television show. To her , life couldn't be better for Harold had been grounded and since he couldn't leave his room, he couldn't bother her. Yes, Stella thought life was just great or at least it was until she was startled by someone banging on the front door, causing her to spill a glass of grape juice all over her favorite outfit.

     “Quick, I need to see Harold!” Mindy said as she pushed the door open, knocking Stella to the floor. “Where is he?” “You can't see him!” Stella snapped back, “He's grounded and isn't aloud out of his room and no one is allowed in it. Now help me up!” “But I need to see him now.” Mindy said as she gave Stella her hand to help her up.”

     “Why would you want to see Harold?” Stella asked, “Do you need to kill him?” “No way.” Mindy said, “I need him alive so he can help me.” “Well,” Stella growled, you'll have to wait until next month and look what you made me do to my shirt.” “Next Month!” Mindy exclaimed, “I need to see him now as in N O W, now!”

     “What in the world could you possibly need Harold’s help for.” Stella asked, “Are you trying to get yourself into trouble so you'll be grounded?” “Well,” Mindy stuttered, “There is this new toy at the store and I just have to have it.” “You just have to have it?” Stella questioned. Are you sure you have to have it?”

     “Everybody’s getting one.” Mindy claimed. “Everybody?” Stella asked. “Yes!” Mindy exclaimed, “Everybody is getting one and I need Harold's help.” “Why?” Stella asked, “why don't you just go and get one.” “Uhm,” Mindy hesitated, “Because mom and dad won’t let me get one.” “They won't!” Stella exclaimed “No.” Mindy said, “They won't”

     “So.” Stella said, “What makes you think that Harold would be able to help you get one?” “That's easy.” Mindy answered, “Your mom and dad let him have whatever he wants.” “Not really.” Stella injected, “And when they don't he always figures out away to get things.” Mindy completed.

     “That's true.” Stella said in agreement, “But you need to remember, that he's always getting into trouble for doing it.” “Better him than me.” Mindy said but then her eye caught glimpse of something. “Hey, is that one of those new toys over there?” “Over where?” Stella asked looking to see what Mindy just saw.

     “I bet somebody lost it and I found it.” Mindy exclaimed with glee, “Finders keepers you know.” “What?” Stella exclaimed, “Wait a minute, that's not lost that's mine.” “Well it's mine now.” Mindy said as she ran to grab it. “It is not!” Stella screamed running after her, tackling her before she could get to it.

     Matthew 7:7-12 - "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 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! "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (ESV)

     God likes to give gifts, especially to those who ask but God doesn't give everybody everything. There are times when God doesn't want us to have something and then we decide otherwise. These three men did just that.

     Achan was told before destroying Jericho that all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD.- Joshua 6:19 (ESV) but... Achan answered Joshua, "Truly I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I did: when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath." Joshua 7:20-21 (ESV) Achan wanted what was not his, took it and lost his life.

     Gehazi served Elisha and when Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Syria was cured. And Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, "See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him." So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, "Is all well?" And he said, "All is well. My master has sent me to say, 'There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two festal garments.' " 2 Kings 5:20-22 (ESV) Gehazi wanted what was not his, took it and received leprosy.

     Ahab was a king in 1 Kings 21. He wanted a vineyard but when he asked for it he was told no. His wife, the wicked Jezebel, had the owner of the vineyard killed and seized the land for him. Ahab did and God pronounced punishment on him for doing so.

     The last of the ten commandments says - You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's. Exodus 20:17 (ESV) All of these men and many others have coveted – wanted something that wasn't theirs and went and took it and there in lies the biggest problem of coveting.

     The worst part about coveting what another has is things don't satisfy. Ecclesiastes 5:10 says He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. (ESV)

     The Bible reminds us that instead of coveting what others have we should simply be content with what we have.

• Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (ESV)

     When there are things we would like to have – work for them, ask God for them but don't covet them.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• What are the things that you covet?
• Are you content with all that you have?

GROUNDED

     Sergeant Halfway couldn't believe the report when he saw it. “That just doesn't sound like something he would do.” Robert thought to himself. “I better go check this out.” he said out loud and hopped into his police car and headed over Barney's house. When he knocked on the door, a rather sad looking boy answered and let him in.

     “It’s all Harold’s fault you know.” Barney said as he let the Sergeant in. “I do?” Robert questioned. “Of course.” Barney answered, “Who else would go to such lengths to get out of any kind of work. He spends more time trying to come up with ways to get out of work than the time it would take to do the work.”

     “I’ve been around a few people like that.” Sergeant Halfway said, “I even work with a few of them. “Well, this time he went to far,” Barney said, “And now I have to suffer. I’m grounded for a whole month because of Harold. ” “I wondered if Harold was connected to all this.” Halfway said, “Tell me exactly what happened and maybe the police can help get you ungrounded.”

     “What's to say,” Barney started, “Harold blew up the sewer.” “Kaboom!” Robert exclaimed when he heard that. “Something like that.” Barney continued, “And then when he got caught he told everybody I did it. And now I’m grounded.” “How in the world did he get anybody to believe him?” Robert wondered out loud, “Everybody knows what kind of trouble he is always getting into.”

     “He hid the gas can in my tree house.” Barney told Sergeant Halfway, “And then told everybody the reason my hair is black is by cause I burned it in the explosion.” “But your hair is always black.” Robert interrupted. “I know.” Barney continued, “But try telling that to a bunch of angry people.”

     “Why in the world would Harold blow up the sewer anyways?” Robert asked next. “Trying to get out of work.” Barney told him. “What kind of work could you possibly get out of by blowing up the sewer?” asked scratching his head. “What else.” Barney answered, “Cleaning his bathroom. And now his bathroom is a bigger mess and so is everybody else's.”

     “Do you know if anybody saw him?” Sergeant halfway asked. “I think so.” Barney answered rather sadly, “But he was wearing my clothes and a black wig. He took the clothes from our clothes line and who knows where he found the wig.”

     “Well, I believe you're innocent.” Robert said, “And knowing Harold, I'm 95 percent sure he will slip up and let the truth out.” “I sure hope so.” Barney said hopefully, “This grounding is boring.”

      While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him." And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. - Matthew 26:47-50 (ESV)

     Jesus had been spending His last free moments on earth with His disciples. He had eaten with them, sang with them and prayed with them. Then Judas and a band of men came and took Jesus away. Off He went to trial. But what did He do wrong?

     Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.' " And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death."

Matthew 26:57-66 (ESV)

      As of today, Jesus is still perfect. The chief priests and council tried to get FALSE testimony against Jesus. Theses are the people who should have know better, they were the people who studied God's laws, taught God's laws. They got many false witnesses to came forward but only two agreed and then they twisted Jesus words, words we find in John 2:19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (ESV) And finally they convicted Him on a false charge.

     So what does the law say, the law they should have known inside and out. - Exodus 20:16 - You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (ESV)

     But there is more they should have known and we need to know as well.

• Proverbs 6:16-19 - There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (ESV)
• Proverbs 25:18 - A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. (ESV)
• Proverbs 19:9 - A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. (ESV)

     Jesus said that the religious leaders of the day were not of God but of the devil and that is why they couldn't stand the truth. - John 8:44-45 - You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. (ESV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• How often do you lie getting someone else in trouble?
• In what ways do you appreciate it when others lie about you?