DAILY BREAD, 1-31-07

DAILY BREAD, Wednesday 1-30-07

"Master, Here I Am"
Neal Pollard

"Master, here I am, but don't send me;
Despite the whitened harvest of opportunity.
I know the Great Commission, but I fail to see
Why I must personally fulfill it if I would please Thee."
"Master, here I am, but don't use me;
You've given me much talent, but truthfully
I'll never use it anyway, I'm so busy.
Let someone else go labor in my community."
"Master, here I am, but don't count on me;
I may show up for worship if I find that I am free.
I'll eventually do my part and be found actively,
Working for You, Master, but let's just wait and see."
"Master, here I am, but don't watch me;
I have some lifestyle choices that you just shouldn't see.
Please turn Your head, so I can sin in secrecy;
Perhaps you will not notice my insincerity."
"Master, here I am, but please don't leave me!
Sickness, trials, heartache all are pressing steadily.
I promise to be faithful if these ills will flee.
Oops... Did I say promise? I think I meant, 'Maybe.'"
"Master, her I am, and please Lord, forgive me!
I haven't been a servant, I've lived so selfishly.
Unless I turn to righteousness, my life hurts Thee;
So I'll read Your word and trust each day, and follow faithfully!"
(cf. Isaiah 6:5-8)

DAILY BREAD, 1-30-07

DAILY BREAD, Tuesday 1-30-07

A Reason To Love Lovie
Neal Pollard

A Chicago Bears player was interviewed in Miami on Sunday. Asked if his head coach, Lovie Smith, ever raised his voice on the field in practice or a game, he replied, "Never! And, for sure he's never even used a curse word." I have always been impressed with Smith's demeanor in post-game interviews. He comes across as a man very much in control of himself, composed and poised. In fact, one has to go back to the days of Landry and Shula to find such a collected person in Smith's profession. I have no way to know whether or not Mr. Smith is a New Testament Christian, but the world needs so many more men and women who are Christians to have such glowing testimony from those who know, work and play with them.
In Titus two, Paul gives commands to Titus concerning the old and young and male and female members on Crete. In Titus 2:6-8, he tells the young men, "Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. " In these three verses, Paul gives the command for these young men to "think soberly." How were they to obey this imperative?
Paul tells Titus they were to be found "holding along an example of good works." That means that others should be able to look at them and see the right way to live. Good works are then further defined as incorruptible teaching and healthy words. They were to be teaching the right things and using the right kind of speech. So much was at stake. There are plenty of people in the world who speak evil of Christianity. However, Christians who are disciplined enough to teach the truth and use godly language demonstrate a dignity that puts the scoffers on trial!
Choose wholesome speech and avoid ungodly talk. As Lovie demonstrates, there are others, even those whose language and lifestyle may be very suspect, who are watching. The positive leavening effect can be tremendous. That's why I'm beginning to love Lovie!

DAILY BREAD, 1-29-07

DAILY BREAD, Monday, 1-29-07

SOMETHING ALL FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS MUST WATCH!
Neal Pollard

Proverbs seems to do the most thorough job of dealing with the matter about which all faithful Christians today should be very aware. The Hebrew word rakil is found six times in the Old Testament, variously translated as "slanderer" (Prov. 20:19) and "backbiting" (Prov. 11:13). Proverbs 20:19 also uses the word "gossip" (pathah), which in that passage literally means "to be spacious, wide, and open."
Of all sins that it is easier to see in others than in ourselves, gossip would have to occupy a chief seat! It is easy to find ourselves, whether out of genuine or feigned concern for someone else's physical, social, or spiritual welfare, out of anger about their actions, attitudes, or lifestyle, out of frustration, or another reason, talking to someone else about a third party who is not present to hear or defend himself or herself. We might "backbite" about our family, our co-workers, our neighbors, or others at church. How do we discern when it crosses the line from concern or inquiry into gossip?

• If we would write the statement about the "subject" and sign our names to it, it is gossip.

• If we say it in their absence and would not say it in their presence, it is gossip.

• Even if the information is true and accurate but is said behind the back, it is still gossip.

• If we pass along information received about a person to another person, it is gossip.

• If we are only the hearer and not the "disher," it is still gossip.

• If it is hearsay, no matter our motives in sharing, it is still gossip.

• If we are speaking about a person in a way in which we would not appreciate being spoken about, we should ask if it isn't gossip.

• Even if we believe we are acting in the best interest of another, if it meets the definition it is still gossip!

We are to think on the right sort of things (Phil. 4:8). Let us also say the right things in the right ways. As Marshall Keeble would say, "Let us first taste our words" before we speak them. If they are not spiritually profitable or adequately thoughtful, let us leave them unsaid.

"Daily Bread" is sent out by Neal Pollard from the Bear Valley church of Christ in Denver, Colorado.