WHAT DOES GOD THINK?
WHAT DOES GOD THINK ABOUT -- "O MY GOD!"?
It appears that the phrase, O MY GOD, has become an acceptable part of the daily vocabulary. It is heard many times coming from the lips of faithful church-attending people, as well as from those who have no use for the church. If a person who professes a faith in Christ would be asked about why they use those words to express surprise, enjoyment, disappointment or sorrow, they would probably say, "It doesn’t mean anything; it is just a phrase that everybody uses."
I enjoy watching the TV show where Ty and his crew lead others in the Extreme Makeover of a house for a needy family. At the same time I am bothered by the fact that on many of the shows, the first words out of the mouths of the family as they enter the house and then the rooms is "O My God." On the program that I watched just a few minutes before writing this, even the youngest child, in her joy, happily cried out, O My God."
As I have written before, I do not assume that I know what God thinks; I only know what I believe He thinks. I admit that sometimes these words can deliberately be spoken as a prayer and that God would approve. I also believe that when they are used as a meaningless phrase, God does not approve. God speaks in Exodus 20:7 where He says:
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." (NKJV) One of the ways of taking God’s Name in vain is to speak or write it in a way that is useless, having no meaning or relationship to God. If you say, "O MY GOD," do you say it in a way that God will approve or disapprove?
One thing about the TV program, while I rejoice at the good fortune of the families who are helped, my heart goes out to the many other desperate families who need help, but there is not enough to go around.
I urge you to support groups like Habitat for Humanity with your time, talents, and monetary contributions. Some small towns have Habitat groups that might be operating right where you are. You might even form a group to take on such a task yourself. To do something for others, with no strings attached, is something that I am sure GOD DOES APPROVE.
God’s Peace. See You At The House.
01/15/07
370 MILLION DOLLARS -- HOW SAD...
On Monday night there were at least two winners of the 370 million dollar 12 state Lottery. My response is, HOW SAD...
HOW SAD for the winners whose lifestyle will be forever changed. They will be hounded by everyone who is seeking money, both legitimately and illegitimately.
HOW SAD for those who were sure they were going to win and had made great plans for spending the prize. Their hopes were dashed as they were brought back to reality.
HOW SAD for those who bought tickets that they could not afford. They still have unpaid bills that might now be late and that will mean additional interest. They might not be able to provide for themselves or their families as they would have if they still had the many dollars they spent.
HOW SAD because the millions of dollars that are spent on Lottery tickets, of all kinds, every week could be spent to support so many needed charitable causes.
HOW SAD that people have more concern for themselves than they do for the needs of society, education, adequate police and fire protection, services for youth that will guide them on the paths to good citizenship, and so many more services that would be pleasing to God.
HOW SAD it is that when we buy a ticket, we do it without asking God if our action is pleasing to Him.
HOW GLAD I am that even though I bought many lottery tickets in the past, I don’t do it any more.
GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.
A COMMENT RECEIVED:
A very good article. C. C.
03/08/07
THERE WILL BE A BENEFIT NEXT WEEK FOR......
In Church bulletins and newsletters, as well as the local newspaper, there
are often announcements that read "There will be a Benefit next week
for...." Information will include the time, place, type of event and most
of all, the reason for the Benefit. This has become a rather popular way
of people gathering together to support a family in need because of major
medical bills, a fire, a sudden early death, or a need for special medical
equipment. It may also be for special church or community needs. It is a
great idea. However (it seems like I always have a However), each person
who participates and/or attends really needs to ask this question: WHO IS
THIS BENEFIT FOR?
There are those who attend the benefit and when they get to the place
where the free will offering is received, they pretend to drop in money.
Yes, this does happen. There are some that even fake giving a gift, and
when they are finished, they request carry out dinners. WHO IS THIS
BENEFIT FOR?
There are those who attend and put less than the value of the meal in the
offering. This is very acceptable if it is all that they can afford, and
it is a joy to have them present. To me, it seems odd that at some
benefits when you divide the number of meals into the total dollars
received it come out to a little over $5.00 per meal. When you know that
many people are generous with their gifts, you have to ask, WHO IS THIS
BENEFIT FOR?
There are those who give generously because they know the cause, they know
the need, they have the ability to give and they KNOW WHO THIS BENEFIT IS
FOR.
GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.
03/14/07
