Topic(s): Wisdom

If you can’t be the pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley—but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

If you can’t be a bush, be a bit of the grass,
And some highway happier make.
If you can’t be a “muskie,” then just be a bass,
But the liveliest bass in the lake.

We can’t all be captains, some have to be crew,
There’s something for all of us here;
There’s work to be done, and we've all got to do
Our part in the way that’s sincere.

If you can’t be a highway, then just be a trail;
If you can’t be the sun, be a star;
It isn’t by size that you win or you fail;
Be the best of whatever you are.

—from Now I Can Fly!, Jane McWhorter

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might . . . ” —Ecclesiastes 9:10

The Lesson of the Ants

Topic(s): Evangelism

Several missionaries were having tea one afternoon, when an ant appeared on the white tablecloth, made its way to a tea cake, walked around it, and finding nothing to eat, made straight for the sugar bowl. After eating several bits, it walked off with a small piece. They watched it disappear underneath the door. It soon returned with several of its relations. They climbed the table leg, entered the sugar bowl, and ate their fill. They then departed, each with a piece of sugar in its mouth. But it did not end there—presently a swarm of ants arrived to partake of the same sweet food.

These ants teach us a lesson. The first went and told others the “good news,” who, in turn, went and told the glad story to many more. Like Isaiah, the demoniac, the woman of Samaria, and others, we must “go and tell” the glad story of God’s redeeming love! —Arthur Peterson

“Go . . . ” —Mark 16:15

Don’t Be Deceived

Topic(s): Sin

Know why the gasoline prices are alarming? We’re not used to them. They’re going up every week—almost daily. Wait until they level off and stay put for a while. Perhaps a year or two from now it will be no “big deal” to pay $3.00 per gallon for gasoline.

What’s true with the gasoline prices is also true with the price of sin. What once was considered “unthinkable” is now no “big deal.” Divorce. Living together before marriage. Lying. Adultery. Abortion. Homosexuality. We’ve gotten use to them. They’re not frowned upon as they once were.

Satan has done a number on us. He is the father of all lies (John 8:44). His primary tool is deception. No wonder God warns us over and over: “Be not deceived.”

A man is deceived when he thinks that sinners will be saved. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10).

A man is deceived when he thinks that bad company is good for him. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

A man is deceived when he thinks he can sow one thing and reap another. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7–8).

A man is deceived when he thinks he can just listen to the word and please God. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22).

A man is deceived when he thinks that he is without sin. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).

Brethren, don’t be deceived! —Keith Parker

Redefining Terms

Topic(s): Humor

• My idea of unity: Everybody agreeing with me.
• My idea of cooperation: Everybody working with me—carrying out my plans.
• My idea of visitation: Everybody coming to see me.
• My idea of fine eldership: Elders that I can control.
• My idea of sympathy: Everybody suffering with me.
• My idea of a sinner: The man for whom I have a personal dislike.
• My idea of a righteous man: The man I like.
• My idea of a meek man: The man who yields to me.
• My idea of a contentious man: One who takes issue with me.
• My idea of a wise man: The man who listens to me.
• My idea of brotherly love: Everybody petting me.
• My idea of great music: Everybody singing my praises.

—Diotrophes [via Bulletin of Huntington Park Church of Christ (as published in The Minister’s Monthly, May 1968)]

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” —Galatians 5:13