16 Rules For Happy Living

1. Learn to laugh (with others and at yourself) – Proverbs 17:22.
2. Spend time with the elderly (learn from their wisdom) – Proverbs 19:20.
3. Enjoy the innocence and purity of Children (they are great examples) – Matthew 18:1-6.
4. Work (with all your might) – Ecclesiastes 9:10.
5. Live life like you will live forever (because you will) – Ecclesiastes 3:11.
6. Plan as though you will die tomorrow (because you might) – James 4:14.
7. Say something encouraging to someone (be specific and genuine) – Hebrews 3:13.
8. Give something away (no strings attached) – 2 Corinthians 9:7.
9. Help someone in need (expect nothing in return) – Matthew 25:35-40.
10. Forgive others (as many times as needed) – Matthew 18:21-22.
11. Ask for forgiveness (a clean conscience makes for a soft pillow) - 1 John 1:9.
12. Pray (often and specific) – 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
13. Count your blessings (you might lose count) – Ephesians 1:3.
14. Love God, love your neighbors, and love yourself – Matthew 22:37-38.
15. Bow to the Lord (better now than later) – Philippians 2:10.
16. Obey God’s commands – Matthew 7:21-27.

*Idea inspired from sermonillustrations.com, "happiness." 

Liberty On Labor Day

Neal Pollard

In 1838, September 3 was also on a Monday.  It was many years before the first Monday of September was designated as the "Labor Day" holiday, but on that day a monumental effort occurred.  On September 3, 1838, Frederick Douglass escaped slavery disguised as a sailor.  Later, he would write a book about his life in slavery (www.historynet.com).

Douglass had to work for his freedom, to rely on his cunning and ability.  He left the fields of Maryland's Eastern Shore at the age of 18 to caulk ships, earning a wage for his master.  He borrowed a friend and fellow passenger's "sailor's protection" papers, which, if it had been examined closely, would have described a man much darker than himself.  To his favor, the conductor, who had been harsh and impatient with the other black passengers in the car, spoke pleasantly to him and the paper Douglass showed looked extremely official.  He spent all of September 3, 1838, hoping and praying that "slave catchers" in Maryland or Delaware would not snare him, but he survived the day and ultimately arrived in New York City.  He had to continue running, as slave-catchers resided there, too. Not long after, having arrived in New Bedford, Massachusetts, he hired himself out at the wharves. En route to search out this work, he asked if he could help put up a large pile of coal in front of a preacher's house.  The lady of the house gave him two silver half-dollars for the work, the first money he earned as a free man (www.eyewitnesstohistory.com).

You and I, outside of Christ, are described as "slaves of sin" (Rom. 6:6,16-18,20).  Yet, we could not obtain our freedom through our cunning, wit, or abilities.  Instead, we were totally dependent upon God's grace to emancipate us.  That does not mean that we were saved without obedience (Rom. 6:17), but it does mean that all the works and acts of obedience would be useless without God's amazing grace (Rom. 6:14-15).  We need freedom as desperately as any slave who has ever lived, but the only way to get it is through Christ (Rom. 6:8-11).  This includes baptism (Rom. 6:3-4).  

Thank God for giving us our freedom, which nothing and no one can revoke.  It was His labor, at Calvary, that brings us from sin to safety.

A FACTIOUS MAN

Neal Pollard

Titus had a challenging "local work."  He had to preach and minister on Crete, renowned for its "many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers" (1:10) in a culture renowned for its "liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons" (1:12).  They paid "attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men" and turned "away from the truth" (1:14).  Their deeds denied Him, they were detestable, disobedient, and  derelict (1:16).

What do you say to a guy who has such a lot in life?  Besides expressing sympathy to him, how can you help a man in such conditions?  You will notice Paul did not tell him to move on to a new work.  He guided Titus in how to appoint the right kind of leaders (1:5-11), how to equip the right kind of members (2:1-10), how to focus on the right things (like grace, godliness, hope, sanctification, the second coming, etc., 2:11-15), and how to restore and maintain the right focus (3:1-15).

Among the troubling and difficult personalities about which Paul writes to warn Titus, there is the "factious man."  Paul has strong, stern words of warning about him.  When we explore Paul's words about him in Titus 3:9-11, we come to appreciate what our relationship with such a man ought to be.

Who Is The Factious Man?  Given the context, he must be the man described in verse nine.  He is a man embroiled in "foolish controversies," "genealogies," and "unprofitable and worthless disputes."  The literal meaning of "factious" here is "heretical."  He is a heretic, and he is such because of foolish controversies and worthless disputes.  What are those?  Those are matters a man will not give up fighting about but which cannot be proven to be right or wrong.  He may think them right or wrong, but he lacks scriptural support.

What Do You Do With Him?  To me, this is the most startling response.  Paul says, "Reject him."  Literally, you dismiss him.  Why?  Because he has proven himself to be an argument-monger.  At some point, engaging with such a person is counter-intuitive and counter-productive.

When Do You Do It?  Paul lays out a specific plan of action, "after a first and second warning."  Notice that even factious men deserve our patience and forbearance.  But, that is not to be indefinite or limitless.  Paul's patience had its limits (cf. Gal. 2:5).  Did you know even God's patience can be exhausted (cf. 1 Pet. 3:20)?  There comes a point when one's efforts with a person is likened to "pearls before swine" (Mt. 7:6).

Why Do You Do It?  You do it because of knowledge.  Paul says, "Knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned" (11).  Such a man will not listen or accept admonition.  The inspired analysis of such a man is frighteningly judgmental.  With three terms, Paul concludes such a man to be lost!

The man here was hung up about the Law of Moses, but certainly such a man (or woman) can exist today.  Scripture is timeless and boundless.  Anything without rational, scriptural support that becomes one's hobby horse and becomes divisive must be avoided.  We are to reject it.  The factious one must cease or continue at his or her own peril.

The Difference Between "Change Of Heart" And "Remission"

Neal Pollard

In 1914, Firm Foundation published a book of sermons E.M. Borden preached in Neosho, Missouri.  At the end of the book is a section of extracts, including one entitled "Change of Heart and Remission."  In this short article, Borden writes, "One very common occurrence in this age of the world is for people to mistake a change of heart for the remission of sins" (307).  Later in the article, he adds, "There is a feeling that comes with the change of heart, which is the result of making up the mind to quit the wicked habits.  Too many times that is taken for salvation" (ibid.).  Borden's correct conclusion is that change of heart happens on earth, but remission of sins takes place in heaven in the mind of God.

No doubt, there are many today who come to church services and worship with us.  They are exposed to teaching that effects their heart and causes them to want to live better.  That change in how they view life and the world, that appreciation for Bible teaching, and the other good things they feel and experience are necessary things.  However, a changed outlook, mentality, or worldview, alone, will not change one's eternal destination.  However, the right state of heart and thinking will surely lead one to do what God says to do in order to receive His forgiveness.  

When does remission (or forgiveness) take place?  All we can do is trust scripture for the answer to this.  When people 2000 years ago first asked the question, "What shall we do?", they were told by Peter, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).  They had to repent, a change of heart leading to a change of life, and be baptized, immersed, in order for God to forgive them.  Mankind tries to complicate matters, but it is truly that simple.

Pregnant, Due, and Still Waiting

Today my expecting wife reached 40 weeks and 2 days.  Even though she is only 2 days past the due date, we have been expecting our baby boy to come for weeks now.  The medical professionals said that Julie would likely go into labor weeks before her actual due date.  So, for about 3-4 weeks, we have been expecting our boy to come “any day now.”  But, obviously here we are, still waiting.  Since all of this has been at the forefront of my mind, it has been difficult to concentrate on much else, hence this article.

With our little boy due to make his arrival at any moment, it has been essential that we are completely prepared.  We have bags packed and sitting by the door.  We have his room all set up.  We have the car seats installed.  We have cleared our calendar.  We have generous people ready to drop everything at a moments notice to come help with our daughter.  This weekend I even had to cancel a commitment that would have taken me an hour outside of town.  While we don’t know when our baby boy will come, we know for sure that eventually he will come.

It is amazing how similar this is to Christ.  We know for sure that Christ is coming (Matthew 24:36, 42-44; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).  Are our spiritual bags packed?  Are we completely prepared to meet with the Lord?  We have been given plenty of time to prepare so there is no excuse not to be ready.  On that day we will hear one of two answers.  If we are prepared, we will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23).  If we are not ready, we will hear, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23).

We know Jesus is coming.  It could be today or tomorrow.  This leaves one last question, “Are you ready?”