Allegiance

Since man has been on this earth, allegiances varying from serious and grave and to frivolous and minor have been made. Many have pledged an allegiance to their nation in time of war, others to a cause they deem worthy. Many have pledged their love to a spouse, to their family and to friends. Still others ally themselves to a political party, ball team or a school. Whatever the object of our affections might be we understand the sense of fulfillment felt when we pledge our allegiance.

Once this commitment is made we find it very easy to comply with the rules of the organization. If we join the military we uphold the laws, which govern us, we follow in a long tradition of men and women who have served and worn the uniform of our country. When we support a cause political or otherwise we are expected to participate whether it is with our time and/or our finances. When we support a team we buy the hats, shirts, banners, etc that show our support.  We feel a sense of duty to do what is needed so that the cause may be furthered.

Where do your allegiances lie? For what cause do you stand? Who has received your pledge? Jesus calls out to each of us when he says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” Matt 11:28. All of us have experienced or may be experiencing this type of burden. It makes for a weary life. But, our Lord has reached out with open arms to change all of that. He merely asks for our allegiance. Notice what he says in Matt 16:24, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Here is where the commitment part comes into play. Jesus said WE must deny OURSELVES and take up OUR cross in order to follow HIM. We have to bring ourselves to Christ. Too many want to bring Christ to them and have Christ carry their cross. Oh, there is a sense in which Christ carries us but He expects, no, He demands that we carry our own cross, that we deny the pleasures of this life and dedicate our lives to Him.

The rich young ruler asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responded, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" Matt 19:21. One might think that if a person genuinely sought an answer to such a question they would also follow through on the advice given. Sadly, this young man was unwilling to deny himself. Jesus also saddened by the response gives us this powerful lesson by saying, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" Matt 19:23-24. His disciples were astonished asking, “Who then can be saved?" Matt 19:25. Jesus provides the key to our success in his answer, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” Matt 19:26.

When we pledge our allegiance to God He provides those things we need, not necessarily those things we want but what we NEED. These blessings are based upon our allegiance to God and God alone. Jesus said in Matt 6:22, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” He also says, “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Matt 6:25. He next illustrates God’s love for us by using two examples. First, He demonstrates how God takes care of the birds of the air by feeding them, than how He clothes the lilies of the field in such beauty that they make Solomon’s garments pale in comparison Matt 6:26-29. Jesus concludes this illustration by saying, “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matt 6:30. Only those of little or no faith will act as Gentiles. Gentiles would describe individuals who rebel against God, who seek the world first. It should not be so with a child of God. Jesus tells us what we should do in Matt 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Notice again we must first demonstrate our allegiance to God, then He will provide. He says we must seek HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness then and only then will we have these things added to our lives. Oh, how truly sweet life can be if we pledge our allegiance to God.

Carlos M. Aguilar

Just getting through the day in this sinful world can sometimes be terribly difficult. As Christians, we must see the importance of encouragement, of inspiring one another to greater hope, love, and service in the Lord 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” We should try to take advantage of encouraging others through every possible medium--our words, actions, and prayers.

After preaching a sermon on the value of written encouragement I received a note from a little girl named Micah, who is  only eight or nine. She had not just written me, but several others too! I got another note from her just the other day, and it included this precious line: "You are doing better now than the first time I wrote you." I couldn't help but laugh.

But you know she's exactly right! Written encouragement from Christians is like a spiritual blood transfusion--it lifts up and strengthens those who might be "running low" Romans 14:19 “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” Romans 15:2 “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.” Surely this is one of the reasons why Paul mentioned so many people by name in his epistles. Why should we practice the art of written encouragement?

IT SHOWS PURPOSE

Writing to someone shows the investment of time, doesn't it? Ephesians 5:16 “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Often the mere thought and the expense of effort mean more than the actual words written. God himself showed deliberate purpose in giving us His word, the greatest word of encouragement ever written 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Peter 1:19-21 “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

IT SHOWS PRACTICE

How often have we had good intentions about writing others, but simply never got around to it? God blesses the faith that works through love Galatians 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” When written  encouragement is done, it's done. There's something concrete about it.

IT SHOWS PRECISION

   Most of us cannot say things we can write. Written encouragement allows us carefully to choose our words and to say exactly what we desire to say. Written encouragement is powerful encouragement in the right direction! A postage stamp is still the bargain of the century for the encouragement it can give.

by Mike Vestal

DRL NOTE: Brethren, why not try to think up about ten people right now to whom YOU might write a word of encouragement? Include some who are in foreign fields laboring in the Lord's vineyard in your writing. With Email, we don't even have to sacrifice the cost of a stamp. 
 From LemmonsAid

Home and Family:

Will You Let The Home Die?

A woman accompanied her husband to the doctor's office. After his checkup, the doctor called the wife into his office alone. He said, "Your husband is suffering from a very severe disease, combined with horrible stress. If you don't do the following, your husband will surely die."

"Each morning, fix him a healthy breakfast, be pleasant and make sure he is in a good mood. For lunch, make him a nutritious meal. For dinner, prepare an especially nice meal. Don't burden him with chores, as he probably had a hard day. Don't discuss your problems with him, it will only make his stress worse. And most importantly, shower him with a lot of love and affection daily. If you can do this for the next ten months to a year, I think your husband will regain his health completely."

On the way home, the husband asked his wife, "What did the doctor say?"

"You’re going to die." She replied.

The home is in trouble and it is not just the home of the worldly. The home of the Christian is in trouble as well. It may be the home of the family who sits on the pew behind you or the ones next to you. It could even be your home!

The fact that Christians have troubled homes it not the problem. A reality check will reveal that Christians are human and as such, are prone to weakness. Add to this, that homes are made up of more than one personality and you have the ingredients for trouble in the home.

It is becoming more and more common for Christians to give up on having a trouble-free home. Some even give up to the point of destroying the home through divorce. Why? Is there no solution to this devastating problem?

There is good news and bad news. The good news is, 'YES,' there is an answer to the problem. The Bible teaches us how to have good, solid homes. It instructs us in the ways that will ensure a home complete with peace and harmony, a home where all members are happy and well adjusted, a home that will equip its members with the spiritual armor necessary to face the battles with the ungodly forces that surround the Christian.

Then why are there so many Christians homes that are unhappy and in disarray? That is the bad news. The bad news is that too many Christians are like the wife in our introduction to this article. They are not willing to do what is necessary to make the sick home well. Whether it is selfishness or just plain laziness, the things which would ensure success in the home are neglected. A selfish wife who constantly wants her way or a demanding husband who never considers his wife's needs, is a disaster waiting to happen. A self indulgent husband who surrounds himself with his 'toys' or a domineering wife who seeks to control every aspect of the relationship, will bring a home to ruin.

By Glen Young

Faithful Sayings
Titus 3:7-11

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Sentence Sermons

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. "
Galileo Galilei

"Well done is better than well said" - Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)