Treasure Digest

• Acid on the Tongue?
• Our "Lewis and Clark" Expedition
• Running With Weights or Wings?
• For the Time of Our Lives
• More Lessons From My Spanish Vineyard
• The Dings Will Fade Away!
• Turning the Hearts...The 10¢ Ice Cream Cone: Making Memories
• Question and Answer: Doesn't Acts 15 Do Away With the Law?
• Children's Corner [see PDF Version Page 11]
• Share Your Treasures!

Acid on the Tongue?

James tells us the tongue is "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). Ever noticed that people often resort to shouting when they are confused, lost or frustrated? The more upset and out of control they get, the more they shout. (Funny how that has never solved any problems.)

The worst outbursts I have encountered have usually come at a moment of high emotions, when self-control is at its lowest ebb. Words tumble out of our mouths and often these words have the ability to hurt. A converted person must not allow himself or herself to lose control. James 3 makes that abundantly clear.

What are some of the comments you have heard that drip with acid? What are some of the second meanings that you know are intended by the sarcastic tone of voice or choice of words directed toward you?

Have you ever intentionally or unintentionally allowed acid to drip from your tongue? It can even be a defense mechanism. Often the more we really deserve criticism, the more defensive we will be—and, therefore, the more biting our response.

Then there's sarcasm—"a bitter sneer; a satirical remark in scorn or contempt." We have all heard compliments that were not compliments at all, haven't we?

I love the last chapter of the book of Proverbs that speaks about the virtuous wife who has a value far greater than that of rubies. Proverbs 31:26 states: "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness." These words indicate understanding, knowledge, compassion and a bent toward being kind and considerate all of the time.

That's the antidote to the poisons of the acid-drenched tongue.

—Robert Berendt
Pastor, Edmonton, Alberta, congregation

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Our "Lewis and Clark" Expedition

Recently the United States has been commemorating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition (May 1804 to September 1806). In this journey of exploration, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark along with others set out to examine the western part of North America including parts of the Louisiana Purchase.

In 1803 the fledgling United States —a country for less than 30 years—had just purchased the massive area covered by the Louisiana Purchase. Although the Native Americans who lived in this territory were quite familiar with it, the U.S. government—headquartered on the Atlantic Coast —was not. In order to gather more information about the area, Lewis and Clark (and associates) set out on their expedition of discovery, which took over two years.

In planning their trip, which was undertaken well before accurate maps of the area were available, they sought the expertise of knowledgeable people, which is a sound biblical principle (Proverbs 11:14; 24:6; 15:22).

Lewis and Clark both had previous "wilderness" experience under their belts. Clark had mapmaking skills. Lewis, during the summer of 1803, studied plant and animal classifying. In 1804, they hired Toussaint Charbonneau and his Shoshone wife, Sacagawea, who could act as interpreters and guides.

A parallel to Lewis and Clark's expedition is the Christian's journey with God. When we first "discovered" the truth, it was a vast unknown territory of awesome heights and lush, green valleys that beckoned to us constantly. Our Bible study time was never enough. Hours sped by and there was still so much more to learn.

As the years flew by, more of the big picture became clear and many fascinating details came to light as more and more of the genius of the mind of God came to light. I suspect that God designed His Word to benefit every age—child, teen, adult and elderly—providing a lifelong learning experience.

For instance, when I was in my teens and 20s, I clearly remember the verse about the glory of young men being their strength. Now I am rediscovering that that was only half of the verse. The rest of Proverbs 20:29 dealt with the elderly. Lately I've been amazed at the hundreds of scriptures that deal with growing old, guidance and encouragement for the aged and the infirm and exhortation to endure to the end.

Just as Sacagawea guided the Lewis and Clark expedition, it has begun to sink in to my mind that we all need a guide to help us navigate our "uncharted" areas of Scripture. Does God give us a guide? Yes, when we ask Him for it, thankfully He does—the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).

I think it's interesting to note that Lewis and Clark documented their expedition well with journals, illustrations, maps, etc. As I am getting older, I am finding it helpful to write down the topics and scriptures of my Bible studies. Recently, I was about to start on an intriguing "new" topic of study. Only it was one that I'd already done a few years ago! It was disappointing to find out that that "canyon" had already been checked out, but the review of that knowledge in my "journal" naturally led into exploring other related topics, which were, likewise, "gold mines" of more information.

The Lewis and Clark expedition broke new ground by discovering a wealth of information about the western parts of North America. They employed the best guides they could find. In our journeys of discovery of Scripture, likewise, it is best to have a knowledgeable guide. Who knows the Holy Bible better than God?

—Joe Bellefeuille
Fargo, North Dakota, congregation

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Running With Weights or Wings?

Being around the Church some 43 years of my 51 years of life, I can recall many a sermon and many an analogy about the scripture Paul was inspired to write in a letter to Corinth . He stated colorfully in 1 Corinthians 9:24: "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it."

One of the keys to winning the spiritual race is that we have to cope with failure. Yes, winning and failing can go together, depending on how we deal with the failing. The point is that we have to get back up. After the "face-plant" that we all do, this pastor included, we can't lie in the dirt, wallowing in guilt or shame. We will be disqualified for quitting.

Even kings, the good kings, trip and fall. King David did big-time, yet he recovered. He enjoyed many good years after his fiasco. Though he also faced the painful consequences of his sin with Bathsheba, in the end, David made a beautiful comeback. He was like a runner who was sprinting, leaving everyone else in his dust—who then crashed. Some would just admit defeat, but not David. He got up and made it across the finish line.

Another point we must embrace is that if we want to run at God's pace, if we want to run fast, we have to run light. Would you run a 10K race wearing a backpack of clutter, a pack full of stuff, just because you are used to the stuff or clutter? I don't think so.

As you run the race of life, you need to periodically ask yourself about the different things you are doing—the things that have become a part of your life over time—are they weights or wings? Will they speed you on your way, or will they slow you down? Are they increasing your spiritual appetite or diminishing it? Are they making you stronger or weaker?

Can you have the courage to look in the mirror to see that some activity is slowing you down, diminishing your thirst for God or making you run slower? Then get rid of it. Jettison those things that slow you down or even pull you back, and run as lightly as you can.

If you listen to the apostle Paul, whose supreme coach was Jesus Christ, and you make a commitment to follow Christ, like David, you can get back in the race and make a beautiful finish! Yes, you can!

—Stuart Segall
Pastor, Crescent City and Eureka, California, congregations

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For the Time of Our Lives

Time—it's one of the limits of our present, physical existence (Ecclesiastes 3:18-20). How do we relate to its three divisions of past, present and future?

Past events have transpired but still greatly affect us. It can be beneficial to reflect on the positives of the past (finding the right mate, launching a successful career, etc.), but not to the extent of negating where we are in life today. Longing for "the good old days" just isn't a good idea (Ecclesiastes 7:10).

Conversely, what about problems we've had to deal with? Take personal suffering, as an example. Jesus Christ Himself learned from it (Hebrews 5:8), as should we (1 Peter 5:10). Is it not those very trials that lead us to rely on God more (1 Peter 1:3-9)?

How about the future? There's no question that it takes planning (Luke 14:28-32). But as we know, our plans don't always come to fruition—our company downsizes and we're out of a job, we're hit with a serious illness, etc. Regardless, God doesn't want us to live in fear of what might happen tomorrow (Matthew 6:25-34; Romans 8:28).

Yesterday's gone, tomorrow's not here yet—so what about today? The apostle Paul reminds us just how precious the present is (Ephesians 5:15-16). But we have so many things demanding our attention. Which is the most important (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)?

Working overtime tonight might add to our bank account, but perhaps those hours could be of greater value if they were invested in encouraging our son at his soccer game. Perhaps we might bypass the latest reality TV program to begin an exercise program.

As in any matter, it takes God's wisdom to find the right answer (Ecclesiastes 2:26). With His guidance we can know what to do and the best time to do it (Ecclesiastes 8:5).

And no matter what we do, it should all relate to the ultimate goal (Philippians 3:13-14). There is a Latin saying, carpe diem, which translates, "seize the day." As we look to and obey God, we can more confidently do just that, realizing it's all we really have.

—Nicolas Nick
Dayton, Ohio, congregation

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More Lessons From My Spanish Vineyard

After a heavy pre-Unleavened Bread pruning (discussed in "Lessons From My Small Vineyard, June United News, page 11), what do vines do for the rest of the year?

It seems that by the time Pentecost comes around, some are in full leaf, which is nice, but the runners (false vines) have come right back again in full force. This means another round of pruning, which if done quickly, can be left to rot back into the soil as fertilizer. However, when not removed quickly, they harden into wood, which must be collected and burned (John 15:6).

Each vine again needs focused attention from the husbandman to put it back on the best track to produce fruit, and this is the time when the true condition of the vine shows. Some are strong and lush, despite no water, with grapes already forming.

Others can barely push out a few branches and leaves, and some now only have runners coming from the base—the rest of the vine looks dead. These don't get dug out—perhaps next year they may just come around... Some are only runners; the vines have broken off. These can be dug out.

Working on oneself is much harder than all this. God makes us aware of our problem areas through His Word, and He gives us time, endurance, patience and faith, while we keep going over and over these areas, slowly pruning out, taking stock and very imperceptibly developing fruit.

We, like the green grapes waiting to ripen, sit in the hot, dry, tiring heat of this world, inexorably moving toward the harvest. The harvest is coming to my vineyard, and we know by God's Word that it's coming to His Church.

—Wendy Culff
Spain

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The Dings Will Fade Away!

Do you ever feel that your weaknesses, faults and mistakes are just glaring for all to see? Well, I experienced that with a lot of loud dings!

It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. After years of being out of school, I decided to take some college courses at the young age of 40! Some of the classes that I decided to take were in the computer field.

When I started the computer classes, I knew nothing about computers. The only mouse I knew about was the small, beady-eyed creature that I would never consider holding in my hand. So here I was, in college for the first time, told to hold on to the mouse and learn all I could about PowerPoint, Word, Excel and Access. This was all jammed into that one short semester!

After a few short weeks, it was time for my first exam. This was unlike any other test I had ever taken. On a written test, if you do not know the answer to a question, then only you and the professor know. But not with this computer exam! During this exam, every time I made a mistake, the computer would ding, and ding loudly! The whole class heard it!

It was a vicious cycle! The more the computer dinged to announce to the whole class, "she got it wrong again," the more stressed I became. And the more stressed I became, the more wrong answers I chose, and, of course, the more dings I heard!

I felt every eye was staring at me, and I was so afraid to look up to see if the professor was glaring at me—for I heard no one else's computer dinging. I wanted so badly to just get up and run out of that class, never to return.

I did not give in to my strong impulse to run out, but I realized then and there that all those dings meant I had some serious work to do to learn the computer. I stayed with it, and I studied harder so my computer would not ding. In the end, I passed that class!

Our Christian lives can sometimes seem like we are in that class taking a not-so-silent exam. Sometimes our flaws and sins are obvious to everyone. It can be very humbling.

"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:11).

We will be uncomfortable for a moment, as I was in that class, as our flaws are exposed, but if we do not run but simply humble ourselves in the Master's hands and lay all those sins and flaws at God's feet, He will help us. Through endurance and God's help, we will master all those dings and flaws.

—Janet Treadway
Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation

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Turning the Hearts...
The 10¢ Ice Cream Cone: Making Memories

While visiting at the hospital with my ailing 97-year-old father, I brought a smile to his face while reminiscing about the 10-cent ice cream cone he used to buy our family. When I was a child of 8, my dad, my mom, my older brother and I would all get into our 1940 Chevrolet and drive about 20 miles to the only Dairy Queen in the vicinity. At that time, the drive took about 40 minutes. We all enjoyed the soft ice cream as we returned to our home.

It is amazing to realize the positive memory that incident created in my heart as a child. My dad smiled and remembered that 10-cent cone as well. We also may create wonderful memories in the hearts of our children by simply doing acts of kindness for or sharing experiences with our children.

My daughters "tease" me about the time when I wanted to create a "memory" with them. We wanted to do something special at the Feast in Johnson City , Tennessee . So, we drove to the location of Davy Crockett's birthplace. The cabin was closed, and we spent all of a few minutes looking from the outside. We drove away and my wife and I took the girls shopping, which they enjoyed more than the excursion. However, 23 years later, both daughters still remember the event with fondness. We created a memory together that still brings smiles.

Outings, new experiences, new places, small acts of kindness, verbal expressions of love and appreciation—all will help our children remember their youth positively. This will help them feel well-grounded and established in life by giving a positive connection with the past.

Creating positive memories with our families will help our family members bond. Sharing special events with our loved ones is something we all appreciate and need for successful families.

The biblical principle of remembering is found in Psalm 77:11-12. "I will remember the works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds."

When God has done good deeds for us, He creates memories with us too. His deeds on our behalf help us to positively remember Him and to strengthen our relationship with Him.

Remembering those special memories with our families will put a smile on our faces and in our hearts.

—Gary E. Antion

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Question and Answer: Doesn't Acts 15 Do Away With the Law?

Acts 15 discusses a ministerial conference in Jerusalem. The first verse clearly spells out the issue at the heart of the controversy. Some Christians of Jewish descent troubled non-Jewish Christians with the assertion, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." There are actually two parts to the assertion: the claim that God required circumcision for all male Christians, and the implication that practicing circumcision would earn salvation.

Of course, this would mean adult circumcision, which God required of Israel only once (Joshua 5:1-3). Acts 15:10 acknowledges how difficult this would be.

After convening with members and elders, the leaders of the Church at Jerusalem issued a formal statement, showing the errors in this reasoning (verses 23-29). Because some continued to debate whether God required circumcision for many years, the New Testament often repeats the indisputable fact that physical deeds can never earn salvation. Circumcision was the identifying mark of one who was subject to the covenant that God made with Abraham (Genesis 17:1-14). The Jews viewed it as a formal and binding requirement on all the people of God. Followed for many generations, the Jews viewed circumcision as a virtual badge of godly citizenship; and therefore, it was difficult for them to consider it no longer essential.

Paul added clarity later by explaining that it was indeed essential, but that "circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter" (Romans 2:29). He was referring, of course, to the cutting off of human nature and the conversion of the mind. God actually revealed this fuller spiritual understanding of the circumcision covenant through the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 4:4), but the unconverted Israelites missed its meaning.

Modern readers of Acts 15 often overlook the background or purpose of the conference in Jerusalem, perhaps because the question of circumcision doesn't concern most people today. However, some people today attempt to read an antilaw message into verses 24-29. But the ministry did not convene a conference at Jerusalem to discuss the law.

A little common sense shows the fallacy of any attempt to force the idea that these verses end the law of God. If anyone says that verses 24-29, especially verses 28-29, show that the early Church didn't believe God binds the Christian to any laws other than those stated, he must also accept the logical extension—the early Church taught that God permits swearing, idolatry, dishonoring of parents, murder, adultery, stealing and lying! Of course, that is absurd, but it illustrates the point. The Jerusalem Church leaders were not abrogating these laws, and neither did they invalidate the Sabbath law (the only one of the Ten Commandments objected to by modern Christians).

So, the Church leaders stated that God did not require male Christians to undergo circumcision for salvation. The issues specifically noted in verses 28-29 related to problems common to the gentile population from which God was calling people to Christianity. The ministry pointedly reminded them of the need to withdraw from those unacceptable practices—not that such change would earn them salvation. God requires obedience of Christians, but it earns nothing. Salvation is a gift.

The Jerusalem Church leaders were not abrogating any of the Scriptures. Our booklet, The Ten Commandments, explains in clear language that the Ten Commandments are applicable and necessary in everyday Christian living. In addition, a follower of Jesus is to study all the Scriptures, as He clearly stated, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

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Share Your Treasures!

Do you have any short items of biblical wisdom, humor or practical information that you would like to share in this section? Or if you have any suggestions, please contact United News, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027 or mike_bennett@ucg.org.

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