NEEDED INSTRUCTIONS

“And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15 NKJV).

The words of this verse give us some much needed instruction not only for our day but for every age. It speaks of a peril of life and gives a perspective of life.

Peril of life – “Take heed, and beware of covetousness.” Here the Lord Jesus is warning the people of a peril in life. He gives two warnings about this peril in life. Firstly, there is the greatness of the peril. The phrase “Take heed and beware” is a very strong warning because the peril is great. It is not an opinion, or just a recommendation; but it is a strong command. Some folk do not like such strong warnings; but if we do not pay attention when God says, “Take heed and beware,” we will experience great trouble and loss in life. Secondly, there is the guilefulness of the peril. “Covetousness.” The peril spoken of here is covetousness which is an insatiable appetite for the things of this world. It is a desire for possession of the things of this world which moves one to acting immorally, ungodly, and without concern for others. It is a greedy, materialistic attitude that bankrupts the soul and ruins character. Yet, it is an attitude that is acceptable today; much of our advertising especially appeals to covetousness.

Perspective of life – “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Life is more than one's possessions. Not many think that way but God does. Most value life in terms of dollars and cents, in terms of stocks and bonds, in terms of how many cars, houses, and clothes one has. God values your life according to what is in your heart. Many have their closets full, their banks full, and their cupboards full, but their heart is empty. They have focused only on this world and not on eternity. But you can take into eternity only what you have in your heart. For many this means a very bleak eternity.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“The pursuit of God’s kingdom should be our primary focus, trusting that He will provide for all our needs according to His riches in glory!”

Oswald Chambers (1874 - 1917)

Scottish Evangelical Bible Teacher and Military Chaplain

Word Study

Face

In Matt. 17:2 we read, “And He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light" (NKJV).

“Face” is the Greek word prósōpon (πρόσωπον = pros'-o-pon). It is made up of two words: “pros” which means towards, and “opt” which means eye. Literally, it means toward the eye or face. Thus the word means face, countenance, presence, appearance, and person. Here we see the fullness of the Godhead, which dwelt bodily in the Lord Jesus, now shone forth through His human nature. The radiance of His glory was evidenced in His face and in His garments that became as white as the light. It manifested to His disciples the Divinity which Peter had earlier confessed (cf. Matt. 16:16). It also showed these disciples the cessation of the authority of the law and the prophets. The Transfiguration revealed that the Lord Jesus was truly the Messiah, the divine Son of God.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men” (Luke 5:10 KJV).

Did You Know…

According to the Mosaic Law, foreigners, orphans and widows were permitted to walk through a field or vineyard and gather what the farmer left after harvest time (Deut.  24:19-22).

Bible Quiz

What was the name of the second son of David and Bathsheba?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: After clearing the temple of the money changers, what did the Lord Jesus accuse them of doing? Making the temple “a den of thieves” (Mark 11:17).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS”

"For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25 NJKV).

1. Meaning – SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS speaks of the Lord Jesus as the great Guardian of His church. He is Shepherd in that He feeds, guides, and protects his sheep.

2. Insights – Shepherd is an apt title for the Lord Jesus since it conveys His role as feeder, leader, protector, cleanser, and restorer of His flock. And believers as sheep is also an apt analogy because sheep are stupid, gullible, dirty, and defenseless. The Lord Jesus knows our wants, wishes, dangers, and provides for them. As our Shepherd, He leads us to the best pastures, defends us from our enemies, and guides us by His eye. The Lord Jesus is the Shepherd who watches over and guards His flock. Further, He is the good Shepherd that laid down His life for His sheep.

Did You Know – Christian History

John Philpot was born December 1515 in Compton, Hampshire, England. He was an Archdeacon of Winchester and an English Protestant martyr.

Philpot was educated at Winchester College, and was a man of great learning, with knowledge not only of the Bible but of its languages, especially Hebrew. To persuade him to recant his Protestant beliefs would have been a signal victory, but Philpot held to his beliefs. When Queen Mary Tudor came to the English throne in 1553, everyone expected she would restore the Roman Church to a nation which had become Protestant. Fearing brutality, some clergymen fled. One who stayed in England was John Philpot. Assured that he could speak freely, he debated Roman apologists in a convocation. Almost at once, his words were turned against him. He was arrested as a heretic and bullied by agents of the queen.

Philpot’s opponents vowed openly to bring him to the stake, but at the same time sought to persuade him to recant his heresies. Philpot held fast to his convictions through fourteen examinations. After eighteen months in prison, there were no signs that his resolve had weaken. Philpot managed to preserve secret notes about his hearings. Much of this material was later printed by John Foxe in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. On December 16th, 1555, Bishop Bonner passed the death sentence on Philpot. On December 17th, while he ate supper, Philpot was told he would die the next day. To this he replied joyfully, “I am ready: God grant me strength and a joyful resurrection.” Thanking God that he was counted worthy to suffer for truth, he went into his room.

On December 18, 1555, Philpot met the sheriff’s men joyfully and proceeded to the stake in Smithfield. The path was muddy and the sheriff's men offered to carry him. He refused, saying, ‘I am content to go to my journey’s end on foot.” When he came to the place of his execution, Philpot knelt and kissed the stake. He then recited Psalms 106, 107 and 108, was chained to the stake, and died in the flames.

A Little Humor

One day, a little girl is sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly notices that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast to her brunette hair. She looks at her mother and inquisitively asks: “Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?” Her mother replied: “Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.” The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then asked: “Mamma, how come all of grandma’s hairs are white?”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“It will cost you more to say no to God than to say yes!”