An elderly Christian complained about his church. He felt that church was boring, the Sunday services were predictable, the congregation was indifferent, and it all seemed irrelevant to his every day living.

Eventually he realized that in being so critical of his church, he was really describing his own spiritual condition. He began to see that he was "dull and dreary and dead." He admitted that he was not reading the Bible seriously, wasn't praying regularly, wasn't really involved in the congregation, and was waiting for someone or something in church to awaken him, to get him excited, to motivate him. When it didn't happen, he was critical.

When he started taking responsibility for his own spiritual well being, he testified that it affected his hearing and his sight. The preacher sounded better. The congregation looked different. Church suddenly wasn't so boring or predictable. And, best of all, he was no longer so critical.

What made the difference in his life? He had to have surgery. The surgery took a lot out of him. His body was wounded, weak and desperate for rest. The doctors and nurses looked after him and did all they could. He saw a hospital video which ended with final words that told him "Your healing is up to you."

He came to see it was so true. He had to get up and get moving (even though he didn't at all feel like it). He had to exercise (sometimes painfully) his damaged muscles. He had to eat regularly and in a healthful way. He had to fight depression. If he didn't do these things, it would impede the healing process. He made the connection to his spiritual life and well being. No wonder he was in lousy spiritual shape. No wonder he was so negative. He had to start helping himself. He had to take responsibility for his own spiritual development. The church and his Christian brethren could provide an atmosphere for growth, but it was all really up to him.

As he read a contemporary paraphrase of the Psalms, Gospels, and the Epistles, he began to notice how active verbs stood out: encourage, support, speak, reach out, live, grow, redeemed, restored, choose, and celebrate. Certain phrases were just loaded with energy: work in faith, serve in joy, commend one another, pray for one another, shine like the stars, be grateful for others. As positive spiritual energy flooded him, he felt better both physically and spiritually. He testified that he felt hopeful and positive. He became affirming instead of critical.

It is so easy to be critical. It is so easy to blame others for our own problems. It is so simple to see the problems and faults in our church. It is much harder to recognize, admit, and take responsibility for ourselves. I sincerely appreciate our church. I am grateful for all the support I receive from my brothers and sisters in the church body. Ultimately, though, I am responsible for my spiritual life, health, and growth. I pray that each of us may be responsible.

“For now I see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (I Cor. 13:12)

We often find there are things in life that happen which we just don't understand. I have had my share of circumstances where I question God on things that have happened in my life or around me. I may say, "Why did this happen, God?" Even though I believe completely what the Bible teaches, I still have times where things that have happened just don't make sense; deaths, illnesses, accidents, relationship breakdowns, and the list goes on. We believe we know why some of these happen, but there are those other areas where we just draw a blank. No matter how diligently we study the Word and seek God for answers, we often come up blank or assume the worst, that God has some how failed us.

One of my sons and I were discussing this issue. We began discussing people who have fallen away from the Lord; and in many cases, there is some anger and bitterness with God over things that have happened in their lives.

Without getting into all the theological debates of our often futile attempts to explain these things, I would like to personally share how I am trying to deal with these "Why, God?" areas in my own life. I feel this may help and encourage some of you, and prayerfully, keep you from making some of the same mistakes I have made.

How I am trying to deal with this is so basic and practical, yet it has helped me stay in love with my Lord. In spite of my perceived knowledge of the Word of God and thinking I know what the Bible answer is for almost every given situation, I have learned to acknowledge that God is all-knowing and Roy is not. I see through a spiritual glass or mirror, but ever so darkly and dimly. Now, in all my knowing, I only know in part a fragment of the Truth. But, Praise God, the day is coming when I will get to the other side and I will see clearly, knowing even as I am known! (I Cor. 13:12)

Do not get angry or bitter with God concerning things that happen in your life or around you; even if you're convinced that you are so right and God is so wrong. Your thinking is wrong if it justifies your anger or bitterness with God. It may not be until you get to the other side that you will fully understand how or why something has happened. But when that day comes, whether in this lifetime or on the other side, you will surely see that God was always just. All things will then make sense and you will see that all anger and bitterness toward God was unfounded. You will then wonder how you could have been so foolish or blind as to think that being angry or bitter with God was appropriate.

So, if you have any area in your life, and I have many, that just doesn’t make any sense, a "Why, God?" area, please leave it alone. God in His time will give you the answer even if it is on the other side after your life on earth ends. Do not let the incomprehensible get in the way of your love walk with your Heavenly Father! If this article spoke to you, you may want to pray this prayer:

Heavenly Father,
There are things that have happened in my life, around me, and in this world that have made me angry or bitter with You. I ask You to forgive me for the anger or bitterness. I ask You to help me trust You enough to leave the incomprehensible happenings alone and for You to answer in Your time, even if that time is after I leave this world to be with you in Eternity. Let me ever remember that I see everything dimly and that I know only in part. Thank You that someday all of this will make sense and I will see that You never for a moment stopped being my loving God.
In Jesus' name, Amen!

In Memory of Marv

Our Brother Marvin passed away on July 13, 2005. After many surgeries, hospital stays, and doctor visits, Marvin remained very strong and faithful to the end. Even while hospitalized, he was a blessing and encouragement to others. We thank God for his faithfulness and service to the Lord and the brethren he dearly loved. He had just recently celebrated his 74 birthday. He had a private military burial on July 20. He was a Korean War Veteran. On July 23, there was a Memorial Service for him at the Berean Bible Students Church, celebrating his life. Glenda E. was the organist, David F. sang the beautiful hymn, "Beyond the Sunset," and the opening prayer was offered by Joe K. His favorite Bible verses were:  Heb. 11:6, "Without faith it is impossible to please God," and Matt. 6:33-34. Marvin's life in a sermon was given by Adam T., his brother-in-law. It was a joy to hear about his life, family, and commitment to the Lord. His son, Art, prepared a family tribute entitled, "The Gifts from My Father." He presented all the family and talked about how the physical family, as well as the spiritual family, had touched and molded his father's life. Marvin's favorite hymns were:  Majesty, How Great Thou Art, and My Tribute. His nephew, James T., closed the service with prayer. We will cherish the many memories we have of Marvin and look forward to seeing him in the coming resurrection. We extend our deepest sympathy, love and comfort to his wife, Cynthia, his son, Art, daughter-in-law, Carol, and his grandchildren, Michelle and Melanie, but thank God for his precious promises that we all share through Christ our Lord that we will see him again!

Ebenezers
A Priest Must Learn, Lev. 10

Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire before the Lord, which they were told not to do. The Lord sent fire down on them and they died on the spot. Why? Because Nadab and Abihu were priests of the Living God, that's why.

Their father was Aaron, the High Priest of the Tabernacle, and their uncle was Moses, God's chosen messenger. It was the honor of Nadab and Abihu to be priests in the Tabernacle, a holy place, indeed.

Nadab and Abihu were priests after the order of Aaron. We, too, are priests, members of a royal priesthood, after the order of Melchisedek, and priests must learn. The consequences for a priest who doesn't learn are not pretty. When Moses and Aaron saw what happened to Nadab and Abihu, their father was devastated. His sons died from fire sent by the Lord. Aaron then asked why, and his brother replied, "It is as the Lord told us, ‘I will be sanctified in them that come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified.’"

A priest, by definition, comes near the Lord. And the Lord has said, "I will be sanctified in them." Why? So that before all people the Lord will be glorified. This is why it is so important that a priest must learn what the Lord tells him. Nadab and Abihu did something in a holy place which they were specifically told not to do, and they paid a heavy price.

Later that day, the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, "Do not drink wine or strong drink, you or your sons, when you go in the Tabernacle, or you will die." The implication here is that not only had Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire, but they were also intoxicated; a double whammy, indeed. Then the Lord tells Aaron, "You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean." Why? Because "you must teach."

Priests are to teach people about the Lord, therefore, a priest must be able to distinguish between things which are holy and things which are common. The Tabernacle was in the center of the camp of Israel. It was the focal point of the people, and the priests were given the honor of glorifying God in what they did.But with honor comes responsibility. There is, then, responsibility to do what the Lord has said, and not to do what the Lord has commanded us not to do. There is responsibility to distinguish between things holy and things common, and between the unclean and the clean.

Scripture tells us that we are "a royal priesthood." Our high priest is also our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who, "though he were a Son, learned obedience hy the things which he suffered." As priests ourselves, the lesson provided by Nadab and Abihu is sobering indeed. Yet we can remain confident "that he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion." Praise the Lord!