My wife often uses the acronym “PAL” indicating “Parents Always Lie”. Whether it is a parent, patient, or partner – the result of a lie is a breakdown in communication, healing, and/or trust.

Colossians 3:9 (ESV) — ⁹ Do not LIE to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

LIES fall into three categories: pathological, protective, or defensive. The way you can tell a pathological liar from the other two categories is their lips are moving. Defensive liars don’t like conflict – and so tell “white lies”. Protective liars justify their behavior by believing they are protecting someone with the “half-truth”.

Ephesians 5:6 (ESV) — ⁶ Let no one DECEIVE you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

DECEPTION is a little more dangerous. We can be deceived, and we can deceive. When you lie to deceive, you are causing a schism that may never be able to be repaired. This is like having a “secret affair”. How can trust ever exist after someone has deceived you? I will never forget Scott’s words on this topic: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!” (Sir Walter Scott, 1808)

Proverbs 29:5 (ESV) — ⁵ A man who FLATTERS his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

FLATTERY is the most dangerous lie of all. It can be described as a chocolate covered lemon drop. Sweet on the outside but oh so sour on the inside. It is often used by men trying to entrap a woman. The only hint you may find is that it is always everyone else’s fault.

Friend, can the devil be called your father (Jn.8:44)? Or is your integrity such that your word is your bond?

This semester, one of the texts I am translating is Horace’s Art of Poetry (Ars Poetica). It is a poem written to two young aspiring play-writes in ancient Rome on how to compose good literature and plays.  Around halfway through the poem, Horace comments on how Roman critics were too indulgent toward the careless mistakes of poets. He writes, “Therefore [since they are so lenient] shall I wander around and write without restraint? Or thinking that everyone will see my errors, shall I seek safety and caution with the anticipation of pardon? In this case I have avoided fault, but I have not earned praise.” In essence, he says we should not write thinking that our readers will be gracious to us. That only achieves mediocrity. We must strive to be faultless and brilliant in our art so as to earn praise.

This sort of mentality seems to apply to every craft in life, even the art of living well, ars vita. We do not strive to simply get by, but rather want to live an excellent—that is, virtuous—life. Peter likewise commands us to adorn to our faith different excellencies in life, rather than getting by at the bare minimum (2 Pet 1:3–11). As Christians, we are not called to simply exist and live whatever life we want. We have a higher purpose and are endowed with everything we need for living a virtuous life (1:3). We may be tempted to slack off because it is socially acceptable. We can get by in life just by going to work and then coming home and chilling by the TV the rest of the day. While we committed no wrong by doing so, we have simply avoided fault. We have not earned praise. We have not lived up to our calling

The standard for how we should live our lives is not secular society. Like the Roman poetry critics Horace mentions, the world’s standards are too low. If you base your life off what the world says, you will fall far short of the excellent life God expects of his followers. Sadly, even the standard of many in the church is far more lenient and far less lofty than the standard God holds us too. We must look to God’s word for how to live well. God calls us above spiritual mediocrity and to a live a life that partakes of the divine nature (1:4). Will you choose to live up to this lofty and divine calling?

The politically correct WOKE type movements of today have not provided the Answers Humans are needing. If anything, they have created a generation of unhappy, lonely, and angry young people.

Below you will find that Jesus is the answer to (M.A.P.S.) Marriage, Anxiety, Parenting & Solitude.

1. He gives us a MARRIAGE MOLD in Genesis 2:18ff. He creates woman from man to where they realize they are part of each other as helpers towards a common goal. In this atmosphere they flourish as they live out the five steps of what it means to be married (leave, cleave, one flesh, naked, and unashamed).

2. He gives us an ANSWER TO ANXIETY BORN ADVERSITY in Mark 4:35-41. He does this by whispering three sweet words into our unsettled world … PEACE, BE STILL.

3. He gives us a PARENTING PATTERN in Ephesians 6:1-4. Simply put, children obey your parents in the Lord and parents don’t push your kids’ buttons (provoke to anger).

4. He gives us a SOLITUDE SOLUTION in Hebrews 8. He joins directly to our lonely hearts (8:1-10) through intimate knowledge (8:11) and the removal of the cause of all loneliness (8:12).

As a church that prioritizes scripture over tradition, and as a part of a society that seeks to overturn tradition, studying and appreciating the history of Church traditions seems pointless. Things are different now. We have advanced our knowledge and technology. We know more than people did in the past. Why should the average churchgoer learn about obsolete ideas and practices? Well, there are many reasons:

First, through church history, we can better understand the religious world we live in today. Why are there so many denominations? Why do Catholics believe what they believe? What is the relationship between “churches of Christ” and “Christian Churches?” All these questions and more can be answered through studying church history. Therefore, by studying church history, you can better understand others who worship in various denominations — a useful skill in personal evangelism.

Secondly, we can learn from the struggles, successes, and mistakes of past saints. Church history records numerous schisms and heresies along with various reactions and responses to these heresies. Sometimes these ancient heresies make a comeback in modernity. Learning about how past Christians responded to apostasy and “Unitarianism” can help us as we figure out our responses to these problems. Additionally, different movements in the church can help us to recognize that certain movements within our own congregation are either healthy or unhealthy. Monasticism, while it had good intentions, also created (and still creates) many problems. Studying monasticism warns us against practicing hyper-asceticism and the pride it often creates in its adherents.

Third, we grow in humility. We recognize that we, as God’s church, are imperfect as we strive to live holy lives. While we can recognize the mistakes that Christians have made in the past, we need to know that there are mistakes that others can criticize us for. This type of “ecclesiastical” arrogance is extremely common in churches of Christ because we believe that we have a perfect understanding of Scripture – But so do many other churches. We must have humility and not trust in our own ecclesiastic purity, but in the only Son of God.

How much time do you spend in God’s Word? The Bible is not a collection of stories, fables, myths, or merely human ideas about God. Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed His person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down His message for His people. This process is known as “inspiration”. The writers wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts. Although they used their own minds, talents, language and style, they wrote what God wanted them to write. Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing. Its words are entirely authoritative for our faith and lives.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”

Paul said that the word of God continued to work in the believers’ lives. Paul knew that God’s words are not mere sermons or documents, it is not a human book, but a real source of transforming power.

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

The whole Bible is God’s inspired Word. Because it is inspired and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our lives. The Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live. It is our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved.

The Bible is “God breathed”, it is full of real and living power. Its words are transforming lives all over the world every day. Read it. Encourage fellow believers to read it. All who do so, truly seeking to learn, will be touched by its power. They will never be the same. Read it regularly to discover God’s truth, use its teachings to guide your life and to become confident in your life and faith.

This past Monday I received one of the best email messages ever: “I was wondering if I could schedule a meeting with you to discuss baptism.”

While we are experiencing the wonderful freedom of living in the light, there are billions who are enslaved in the darkness of sin. They have no idea of the wonderful blessings of being a baptized believer. What would you say were the top five benefits?

1. Victory Over Sin. Romans 6:14 ESV, For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

2. Peace of Mind. John 14:27 ESV, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

3. Refuge, Strength, Help, & Rest. Psalm 46:1 ESV, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Matthew 11:28 ESV Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

4. Holy Spirit as a helper. John 16:13 ESV, When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

5. A bright future and hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Father God, please lead me to some soul today.

The Pauline injunction to “Bear one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2a; NASB) has become proverbial in many parts of society. Sometimes our society fulfills this command. When disaster strikes – fires burning homes, tornadoes tearing apart towns, hurricanes destroying cities ­– we see groups of volunteers from all over the country drive down to help, and even more people donate goods to help those who have lost their possessions.

Yet, there are other ways in which we fail at this in society and even in our churches. First, when we hear that one of our brothers or sisters is suffering, do we reach out to them? Do we write them a card, give them a call or visit, send them a text or email? At the very least, do we pray for them daily or do we forget our own family members?

Second, do we make the effort to know if members of our heavenly family are suffering? Are we involved in each other’s lives enough to know if someone has been struck down by trials and temptations? Even more so, when we see each other, do we make a point to share our burdens with one another? Does our pride keep us from sharing our loads with others because we do not want to appear weak?

Sadly, I often fail in most of these areas. Being conscious of them, though, helps me to realize that I need to make a greater effort to comfort those who are in grief, to encourage those who are downcast, and to spend more time checking in with my church family. Hopefully, we can all take more time to get to know one another and gain the courage to share our own failings, struggles, and burdens so that others can help us carry them. Together, the synergy of our joint efforts will make the burdens lighter for everyone. And it is only “together” that we can fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2b). 

It Is written, “My House will be a House of Prayer!”  Matthew 21:12

Prayer should be a very important part of every Christian life.  Prayer is a time we talk directly to God through Jesus Christ who hears all of our prayers. In 1 Thessalonians Paul encourages us to “Pray continually.”  Jesus encouraged his disciples to pray and never give up. In Luke 18, Jesus tells us a praying person is someone who cries out to God night and day.  Praying to a Christian should be a normal part of your spiritual nature, as food is a normal part of your physical nature.

Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 2:8, I want men “everywhere” to lift up holy hands in prayer.  Everywhere? Some might say, I thought we only prayed at Church and before meals?  A Christian should be building a close relationship with the heavenly father. You talk daily with friends and loved ones.   Shouldn’t your relationship with God deserve that type of daily conversation?

Brothers and Sisters, let me encourage you to pray without ceasing!  As the theme for 2023 will be “Growing in Christ” I believe one of the best ways to do this is in our prayer life!  As Paul tells us to pray everywhere, that could mean at school, work, the gym, the store, hospitals, and family gatherings. Let’s make next year a big year for the Lord’s Church at Summit, and grow in our Lord Jesus Christ!  So that Summit will be known as a “House Of Prayer!”

As Christians it is wise to secure our “undivided devotion to the Lord” (1 Co 7:35). Be aware that distraction is often what Satan uses to draw us away from our Savior.

• For Martha distraction in the kitchen led her to becoming “anxious and troubled about many things” (Lk.10:41).

• For Sampson it was being distracted from his purpose by Delilah (Jud.13-16).

• For King David distraction on the rooftop caused him to forget what he had (2 Sam.11:2).

So, how do we create a protective distraction-free bubble around us? Consider the following:

SEEK GOD EARLY EVERY MORNING (Ps.63:1 KJV). For instance, if you cannot live without your early morning cup of coffee, let seeking Jesus take precedence.

SET YOUR PRIORITY FOR THE DAY. In Ps.63:2, after seeing God’s “power and glory” David vows to prioritize God by praising Him “with joyful lips” (Ps.63:3-5).

SUSTAIN YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST THROUGHOUT THE DAY. In Ps.63:8 David says his “soul clings to” God. Ask yourself, as Paul did: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people” (Gal.1:10)?