Thursday, April 17, 2008

Be Careful Which Signs You Follow

We've all seen signs that make us laugh. Even as a kid I was struck by the fellows doing road work in our community who looked like they were moving in slow motion but essentially they were doing exactly what their sign said, Slow Men Working. We know that folks messing with signs can be very dangerous because if a needed warning is missed someone might suffer as a result. This tells us that signs are a very important part of how we are able to make our way and find our desired destination. As it relates to road signs, airport signs, and other instructional types of indicators, we've grown to depend upon those signs being accurate and trustworthy. Some have observed that we've become so dependent that we follow them almost without thinking and if they are wrong or have been tampered with we might well end up in trouble.

This leads me to the thought about making sure we follow the One Way signs that tell us how to get to heaven. We teach and believe the Bible as our road map, our signposts, and our trustworthy directions on how to get to heaven, how to live the life God wants us to live, and how to bring Him honor and glory. This is not to say that all who claim to be doing this, faithfully follow the Bible signs, directions, and instructions. Perhaps they have a teaching from an influential person who adds their own ideas or repaints the signs giving their interpretation which may not accurately reflect what the Bible says. Others may not pay enough attention to the road map that God has provided and because of this they miss out on the destination. I've said all this to point out how important it is to be directed as much as possible, with God's help, by "thus says the Word of the Lord."

We need only read today's newspaper to see the tragic results from folks who have been taught religious teachings that have been devastating to children and perhaps even criminal in many aspects. Yes, I, like many others begin to be very concerned when our government intrudes into religious practice. However, I do not know all the facts about exactly what has happened, therefore, we need to wait and see the government's case for what they have done. However, we need not wait to make a judgment on whether this sect and many others have a distorted and twisted view of what God's Word clearly says. God never condones the mistreatment of people and the manipulation of them and their lives for unholy reasons. You can take that to the bank, period, end of story.

Signs are important. Jesus was one who used signs to communicate truth. He gave the Jewish people the sign of Jonah the Prophet who was swallowed by the great fish and then spit up on the shore as a sign of His own burial and resurrection. He sent word to John the Baptist who wanted to be assured of Jesus being Messiah, that John should look at the things that were happening in the ministry of Jesus. The signs of Him being God's Son included as He said, the lame being made to walk, the blind being made to see, and multitudes being supernaturally fed. Yesterday I talked in my blog about you and I leaving some 'happy tracks' behind for others to follow. Parents do leave signs for their children that direct them in the critical directions they need in life. We leave signs for those we work with and those we have contact with. It's our privilege to do our best, with God's help, to make sure we are not Slow Men Working in the calling God has given to us. It is also our desire that the One Way sign we portray accurately reflects God's way of salvation so others near and far can find their way to Him. Enjoy a wonderful Thursday. We thank God that my mom is home now from the hospital as we continue to pray for so many who have great needs! ....More later.

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