"The Five-Second Rule"

Transcription

1 SPY OUT THE LAND There came a point in time when God told Moses to send twelve men into the promised land to search it (Numbers 13). Don t just send any men, but choose a ruler from each tribe. All the men that Moses sent were heads of the children of Israel. Most likely the only two that you would recognize would be Joshua and Caleb. We generally remember the bad and forget the good, but these two were the exception. Notice that God told Moses to send these men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel. That statement would play a major role in the outcome of the mission. The men went as they were told to do and checked out the land. They were to see what the land and the people were like. See if the people are strong or weak, few or many. See what kind of land it is. See if the cities are fortified strong holds or tents. See if the land is rich or poor, whether or not trees are plentiful. Moses closes the instructions with words of encouragement. Be of good courage. And bring of the fruit of the land (Num. 13:20). The Bible states that they returned with a cluster of grapes that had to be carried on a pole between two men. God had stated earlier that the land he would give them was a land that flowed with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8). It would be a prosperous land that he was giving them. After wandering in the wilderness for some time, you would think they would be excited about receiving the land that had been promised. The problem was that ten of the spies came back with a bad report and discouraged the people from entering the land. Their response was the land does indeed flow with milk and honey, nevertheless the people are strong, the cities are fortified and there are giants in that land. Caleb wanted to do what God had said. Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it (Num. 13:30). The other men refused to go, The problem was they were putting their faith in the ability of man and Joshua and Caleb were placing their faith in God who had promised the land to them. Remember the statement we made earlier. The land which I am giving to the children of Israel (Num. 13:1). They did not have the faith to trust that God would do what he said he would do. End results: 40 years of wandering. -L. Cole

2 "The Five-Second Rule" You know right away what I'm referring to, don't you? It's an almost universal maxim that children follow (their parents often do, too). If you accidentally drop a chicken nugget onto the floor, do you eat it? "Five-second rule!" is the usual reply, meaning that if you pick it up within five seconds, it's OK to eat it. Germs and bacteria will not have had time to latch onto that tasty nugget. Science has again spoiled our fun. Researchers at Rutgers University have shown (according to a story carried by Associated Press on September 9) "that bacteria can contaminate food that falls on the floor instantaneously". It is true, the article pointed out, that longer contact time allows more bacterial transfer. Still, food is contaminated once it strikes the floor. Bacteria, it turns out, are fiercely opportunistic organisms. Another web site ( made this recommendation about dropped food: "When in doubt, toss it out." Not all bacteria will make you sick, the article admits, but some have the potential to mightily disrupt your digestive system. Parents would do well to tell their children that the five-second rule is just not true (after they have learned it themselves, of course). Does this principle of contamination only apply to food? How about things we allow into our minds and hearts? Some may think that a certain TV show or musical recording only has "a little bit" of questionable content. Does that mean it can't do great damage? How long did David gaze upon Bathsheba as she bathed herself (2 Samuel 11)? That was likely an accidental sighting, but David didn't turn away; he allowed the scene to arouse impure thoughts in his heart. That incident illustrates the truthfulness of James' lesson on temptation: "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James 1:14,15). Death! Like David, we sometimes stumble upon enticing images without meaning to. Other times, though, we have a pretty good idea that watching an R-rated movie might contain some lurid scenes. Do we show good judgment in choosing to watch it? We're not sure if David's words in Psalm 101:3 were written before or after the Bathsheba event, but they present a principle all should follow: "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."

3 By refusing to eat food dropped on the floor, I make it more likely I'll not get sick. By determining not to allow darkness to invade my soul, I'll more likely maintain my purity. This is, after all, the teaching of Jesus (see Matthew 6:22,23). Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Copyright, 2016, Timothy D. Hall., Light Grams 09/15/16 CALLED TO BE SAINTS We have been called to be saints. Paul addressed his Roman epistle "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, CALLED TO BE SAINTS...(Rom. 1:7). His first writing to the Corinthians employs almost identical terminology, "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, CALLED TO BE SAINTS...(1 Cor. 1:2). Saints are not perfect, sinless creatures who have attained a spirituality that is almost divine. If that were the case we would have some trouble harmonizing Paul's reference to the Corinthians as saints in chapter 1 with his inspired indictment of their carnality in chapter 3. But, what does it mean to be a saint? This question can best be answered by understanding what it means to be sanctified. After all, saints are those who have been sanctified. The word sanctified simply means set apart for a holy service. W.E. Vine says that sanctification is used in the New Testament to refer to the separation of the believer from evil things and evil ways. Those who are sanctified are those who turn away from such things as dishonour God and his gospel (2 Tim. 2:21). Those who are sanctified are those who have come out from wickedness and uncleanness of the world to be separate and holy (2 Cor. 6:17-7:1). Holiness is a status we have been commanded to attain (1 Ptr. 1:15,16). "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (ASV translates holiness as "sanctification") (1 Thess. 4:7). Holiness is attained through obedience to the truth and continued faithfulness to it (1 Ptr. 1:22, 1 Jn. 3:6,9). If any man would see the Lord he must follow after holiness or sanctification (Heb. 12:14). A sanctified life is a consecrated life for God. God's children are commonly referred to in the New Testament as saints, i.e., "sanctified" or "holy ones." The word is used 62 times in the New Testament.

4 Saints are those who have been set apart by the Lord through the agency of the water and the word (Eph. 5:26, Jn. 3:3-5). Saints are those who have been set apart by the truth of God's word and their obedience to that truth (Jn. 17:17). Saints are Christians and Christians are saints. So be careful when you tell people that you're not a saint. You are denying your Christianity at the same time. We have been called to be saints. Let us ever strive to walk worthy of the calling wherewith we've been called (Eph. 4:1). B. J. Clarke POWER 09/16 MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OCT 09, 2016 THOSE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00 AM Coordinator Billy Halliburton Announcements George Clay Scripture Reading Acts 12: Austin Clay Song Leader Jimmy Smith Opening Prayer Jacky Carver, Sr. Lord s Supper-Preside: Mitchell Brooks Serve: Steve Anderson,, Brian Smith, Justin Draper, Ted Russell Closing Prayer... Ben Silcox Greeter Dallas & Paige Eddie Greeter Roger & Cynthia Draper [Greeters, please be here by 8:40 to greet before services] Count Offering Jacky Carver, Sr Kaleb Bush AM Sermon Peter in Prison (Acts 12). PM Sermon- Psalm 139 (Search Me) WORSHIP---SUNDAY---6:00 PM Announcements George Clay Song Leader Glen Reece Scripture Reading Psa. 139:23,24.. Austin Clay Opening Prayer Kaleb Bush Lord s Supper Robert Hackett Addison Halliburton Closing Prayer Steve Anderson

5 BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM Announcements George Clay Song Leader Jacky Carver, Sr. First Prayer Mitchell Brooks Opening Prayer Dallas Eddie Closing Prayer Roger Draper Prepare Communion for October Cynthia and Paige Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed above, please notify the coordinator so that he can find a replacement. MONTROSE BULLETIN BOARD NURSING HOME:, Opal Agee, (Kindred Health Care) Huey Smith Red Boiling Springs Pearl Anderson Knollwood Manor, Lafayette Kasel Dillehay Overton Co. Health Care Those on the sick list: Kathy Harville Jimmie Faye Cole Cindy Bennett Charlie Pinckley W. A. Gibbs Gladys Bowling Gaye Yeaman Janice Pinckley Sue Buckner OUR RECORD OF LOVE FOR CHRIST 10/02/16 Wednesday Worship Sunday AM Bible Study Sunday AM Daily Bible Readers Worship Sunday PM UPCOMING EVENTS: Oct th. Fall Lectureship with Tom Miller Theme will be The Whole Body Fitly Joined Together Ephesians 4:1-16 Oct. 23rd.. Kaleb Bush will speak Oct. 30th. Fifth Sunday Dallas Eddie will speak

6 BIBLE READING SCHEDULE FOR OCT. 01 Micah Nahum Hab Zeph Hag. 1-2; Zech 1 06 Zech Zech Zech Zech ; Mal Mal Matt Matt Matt Matt Matt Matt Matt Matt Matt ; Mk.1 20 Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark 16; Lk Luk Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Lk ; Jo. 1