1.    Lk. 22:31-32 – Peter is called “Simon” (“hear,” “listen”).  READ Luke 22:31-32.
2.    Did Peter really listen to what the Lord was trying to tell him?
3.    Verse 33– READ
4.    Verse 34 – READ
5.    Since Simon (a name meaning “hear”) refused to hear, Jesus used another technique to get this man’s attention.
6.    If we carefully study God’s word we find these subtle points which are really interesting and exciting.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATING THE IMPORTANT OF NAMES/TITLES IS IN REV. 2.

1)    Rev. 2:18 – READ
a)    John referred to Jesus as the “Son of God.”
b)    Why did or why might have John have referred to Jesus as Son of God?
c)    “Son of man” is used in Jn. 1:51; 3:14; etc.
2)    Son of God is a way of saying Jesus is deity – the qualities possessed by the Father are possessed by the Son.
3)    John warned that Christians at Thyatira that what followed in this letter was a message from God.
4)    If these descriptions were associated with a  mere man, they might be interesting.
5)    Eyes like fire might suggest another person is angry.
6)    John wanted us to see his descriptions from a distinct vantage point:  THE SON OF GOD.
7)    It was deity who was ready to do the things in verses 22-23 – Cast, kill, death.

GOD AND THE IMAGE OF FIRE.

1)    Acts 2 says the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost and He imparted “fire like tongues.”
2)    When Moses was spoken to by God in Ex. 3 we read about a “burning bush” (fire), Ex. 3:2-6.
3)    2 Thess. 1:7 – READ
4)    John the Baptist predicted that Jesus would “baptize people in fire” (Mt. 3:11).
5)    Jesus and the other members of the Godhead cannot be disconnected from the image of fire.
6)    In Ps. 89:46 we have this question being asked:  “How long will your wrath burn like fire?
7)    Isa. 66:15-16– READ
8)    Lam. 2:4 – READ
9)    Ezek. 21:31, speaking of ancient Babylon, talks about God “blowing on people with fire.”
10)    The Babylonians are described in Ezek. 22:31 as being “consumed” with the fire of God’s wrath.

SOMETIMES LITEARL FIRE IS ASSOCIATED WITH DEITY.

1)    2 Kgs.1:9-10 – READ
2)    Verses 11-12 – READ
3)    The God of the Bible is a “consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29).
4)    In this verse prior to this passage (Heb. 12:28) – we find encouragement to live the Christian life.
5)    If we will not follow the “Son of God” (Rev. 2:18) – we will one day face His “fire like eyes.”
6)    Thankfully God has a plan to deliver us from divine wrath – a plan that works 100% of the time.
7)    But to be delivered we must be obedient.  Have we obeyed and do we continue to be obedient?

If you were to “Google” the word paradise, you’ll get some remarkable pictures from across the globe and the mind of man. Many will show beautiful, lush tropical scenes with sandy beaches and sunny weather. Others will show scenes imagined by man for the likes of the old Land of the Lost television show or, more recently, Avatar.

The word paradise is only used three times in modern translations: Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:3; and Revelation 2:7. It is clear in 2 Corinthians 12:3 that paradise refers to heaven, the dwelling place of God since it is used as a synonym for the “third heaven.” It is also clear in Revelation 2:7 that paradise refers to heaven. In that passage, Jesus – through John – promises those Christians from Ephesus that if they conquer, they will eat of the tree of life in the “paradise of God”. Chapter 22 of Revelation places the tree of life in the Garden of God in heaven.

But what about Luke 23:43? To what destination does “paradise” refer? The Greek word paradeisos is a Persian word. Originally, it referred to parks or gardens of the kings and nobility. While the English word is not used in the Old Testament, the word paradeisos is used 47 times in the Greek translation of the Old Testament to refer to the Garden of Eden as well as the new “garden” to come with the Messiah.

As the prophets pictured the Messianic Age, they used Paradise motifs (Ezekiel 36:35 and Isaiah 51:3 are two among numerous references). In other words, the prophets were predicting another Garden of Eden to come, comparable with, if not better than, the first Garden. Confidence in a resurrection of the dead spread and as it did so, many believed they would also participate in this new garden (paradeisos).

As you might expect, the idea that this new paradeisos was hidden also became popular. Throughout Jewish literature written between the Old Testament and the New, paradeisos came to be used for that hidden garden wherein dwelt the souls of the patriarchs long dead as well as the righteous, God’s elect.

It seems that this unseen paradeisos, the dwelling place of the righteous departed, is the place where Jesus says He will be with the thief on the cross in Luke 23:43. The thief would have fellowship with the Messiah in that garden. The thief wanted to be remembered in the kingdom (23:42). Jesus told him that he would be with Jesus in paradise/garden (23:43).

The place where Jesus went at death was not to be with the Father. That came at the ascension (John 20:17; Acts 1:9-11). Jesus did, however, go to the dwelling place of the righteous dead (hades; Acts 2:27, 31), the place He calls “paradise” to the thief. It is the garden before you get to the eternal garden of God, which is in heaven where the tree of life is located (Revelation 22). Jesus is the One who brings back (or makes available) the paradeisos of God to everyone, both Jew and Gentile.

–Paul Holland

A “Funny” Near Death Experience

A friend of mine read what I had written recently on near death experiences and shared a story from a website. In Apple Valley, MN, a four-year-old boy had a near death experience while having an emergency surgery on his spleen. As so many have “testified”, little Jeremy also saw Jesus and some family members. His experience gave him a book contract.

What is “funny” about Jeremy’s NDE is that he did not see his grandmother in heaven. His mother, Brenda, beamed that the day he “returned” was the “most wonderful day of our lives” – until he stated that he did not see Grandma there. He listed a host of relatives he had seen there – but no Grandma.

Brenda asked Jeremy if he had seen Grandma – “She ain’t there.” She reports that her smile froze in place. “All the comfort I’ve had since her death vanished.” The family quizzed the little four-year-old again two days later. His story was the same – some relatives were there; Grandma was not.

The “revelation” has divided the family. Some even doubt that Jeremy did not really have an NDE. Others suggest that Grandma was out doing business for God and was not around. Still others are beginnig to wonder if Grandma was a Chrsitian after all! Another daugther, Beatrice, has been racking her brain to recall if Grandma ever “claimed Christ or not.” Now, when these members of the family look at pictures of Grandma, they are filled with grief and anger. Some even wish Jeremy had not gone to heaven after all!

Beatrice concludes the news report (larknews.com): “As wonderful as it was for him, the rest of us are going out of our minds. I wish someone could go back to heaven and find out for sure.”

I am sorry for this family’s grief. Yet, it is a little comical, in the light of biblical teaching. You see, NDE’s are not biblical. When God actually gave one person – Paul – an “out-of-body” experience, He specifically told Paul not to tell anyone what he saw: “And I know that this man was caught up into paradise–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows– and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter” (2 Corinthians 12:3-4).

Another thought – what we need to “hold on to” is not where Grandpa or Grandma spends eternity. We need to hold on to our relationship to God. It is our relationship with God through Christ that makes all the difference.

Third, the Bible says very little about who is actually in heaven. Enoch and Elijah went straight to heaven. God buried Moses, who appeared with Elijah with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. But the eternal destination of most of the Bible’s men and women remains a complete mystery as far as the written record is concerned. Is there a reason for that?

Finally, our relationship with God on earth and our happiness in heaven should not be dependent on where other family members spend eternity. Our relationship with God is personal and cannot be dependent on others. Jesus suggests that our happiness in heaven will be dependent on the power of God (Matthew 22:29). He can see to it that we are happy, regardless of who else is there.

–Paul Holland

Mary plays an important role in the raising of Jesus. Yet, the things she did for her Son are things Moms can do today. You may not raise a Jesus but you can raise a faithful disciple of Jesus if you’ll follow Mary’s example.

MARY VALUED HER CHILD’S YOUTH – 2:19
But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

We need to understand, acknowledge, and appreciate the uniqueness of our children. Moms, value your children’s youth. Don’t try to make them grow up too fast.

Focus on children individually. Spending time with each child communicates that he or she is an important individual and not just “one of the kids.”

Treat each child as a unique individual created in God’s image. When you look at a child as an individual, you see their individual strengths and weaknesses.

MARY WORSHIPPED SCRIPTURALLY – 2:41ff
It was the Law of Moses that all male Jews should present themselves in Jerusalem three times a year. Only men were required to make the journey so the fact that Mary went with Joseph shows her level of dedication. Plus, the trip from Nazareth to Jerusalem was 80 miles so it would be a long, tedious journey of about three days.

We see the impact of this habit from Mary on Jesus later in Luke 4:16 – “He came to Nazareth where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath…”

It is rare that a child will rise above his upbringing. He may sink below his upbringing quite easily but he (or she) usually does not rise above the training received in the home. So, Moms, look at yourself and your pattern of worship. Will your children follow you in your pattern and what will their life be like if they do so?

MARY TAUGHT JESUS TO OBEY – 2:51:
This passage clearly shows that He submitted to His mom and dad which means they taught Him to submit. If you look back at 2:48, the question of Mary: “Why have you treated us this way?” – there is a hint of a reproach – “You should not treat your Mom this way.”

Despite the fact that Jesus was God in the flesh and was the one who spoke the world into existence, He still modified His behavior and left Jerusalem, returning home and continued His submission to His parents (cf. Hebrews 5:8-9).

Moms – working with Dads – need to make boundaries relative to how children should act. Explain the rules to your children. Enforce the rules seriously, calmly, and lovingly. Be creative with your punishment but be firm and follow through. Our children need to learn that actions have consequences.

MARY LEARNED HER PLACE – 8:19-21:
At first, this little incident seems harmless, even benign. Luke does not indicate to us the motivation of Mary and the siblings in trying to get Jesus.

But Jesus took the opportunity to show that it is our spiritual relationship to Him that is paramount, over a physical relationship. There is, in the least, an element of possessiveness to this statement.

Moms, your job is to teach your children to fall in love with Jesus and then get out of the way. They need to be dedicated and committed to their Lord and Master and go where their conviction leads them. Do not stand in the way of them serving the Lord.

Follow Mary’s example and you can raise faithful disciples of Christ.
–Paul Holland

This is an adaptation of an outline given me by Jerry Carmichael, preacher in Dry Ridge, KY.

In 1 John 4:4, the apostle writes: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” In verses 17-18, he continues, “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” Finally, in 5:4, John writes: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.”
It seems that many Christians are of the notion that we are to live our lives in fear of our spiritual enemy, Satan. Perhaps this is because of passages such as 1 Peter 5:8. However, “beware” is not the same thing as “be fearful”.

FOR THE CHRISTIAN TO LIVE IN A SPIRIT OF FEAR IS CONDEMNED IN THE BIBLE
According to 1 John 4:17-18, fear subsides as one matures and as love grows. John tells us in Revelation 21:8 that cowards will have their part in the lake of punishment! Mary was told by the angels, “Do not be afraid” (Luke 1:30). The Hebrew writer encourages us, “The Lord is my Helper I will not fear what man can do to me” (13:5-6).
Christians don’t have to walk in constant fear of Satan because “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4)! We have overcome the world (1 John 5:4)!

SATAN IS NOT OMNISCIENT (ALL KNOWING)!
The cross is evidence of this fact. If Satan were omniscient he would have known that the cross would be his undoing (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Therefore, rather than working to have Jesus crucified, he would have worked to keep Him from the cross! He must not have known the end result. He also does not know everything about humans.

SATAN IS NOT OMNIPOTENT (ALL POWERFUL)!
He could not afflict Job more than what He was allowed by God (Job 1:6-2:6). He could not destroy the apostles without  “asking” God’s permission (Luke 22:31). According to John 10:28-29, he can’t snatch the obedient believer from the protection of God. He can’t do what we won’t allow him! He can be overcome (1 John 2:12-14)!

SATAN IS NOT OMNIPRESENT (EVERYPLACE AT ONCE)!
James encourages us in James 4:7 that Satan flees when he is resisted. He waits outside for an opening to get into our lives (Genesis 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8). He cannot inhabit our lives if we don’t allow it! He can also be driven out (Matthew 12:43-45).

CONCLUSION:
Rather than living our lives in the fear of Satan, we should be living in the “joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25:21-23; Neh. 8:10)! Christians are more powerful than Satan because of the One who dwells in us (1 John 4:4)! The fox is not a threat to the chickens unless he is allowed into the coup! Satan is not a threat to us unless we let down our guard and allow him to return to our “empty house” (Matt. 12:43-45).

–Paul Holland

All of us who are married want to be happy. No one says “I do”, wanting a 4-cylinder marriage after a V-8 romance, much less expecting to be divorced one day. What can we do – what can you do – to be a “happy couple”?

A Women’s Health magazine article on Foxnews.com gives several pointers. Its author, Shelia Monaghan, offers these suggestions: Pretend you just met. In other words, go out on dates and talk about something other than the normal, daily mundane topics. Second, don’t watch too many romance movies. She makes a good point here – it’s almost similar to pornography for men. Magazines and movies create unreal expectations which normal people – rather than staged scenes with actors and actresses – cannot fulfill. That creates fake “magical moments” that are unsustainable and impossible to fulfill.

Third, be a beauty to his beast. What she means is to be supportive of one another; invest in each other’s welfare. The apostle Paul will say it this way: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). If there is any relationship in which these principles are important to live out, it is in the marriage relationship.

Fourth – control the booze. I’ve got a better suggestion – get rid of the booze. Nothing good ever comes out of hitting the bottle. Fifth, she suggests you “hold a grudge” as long as it doesn’t spill over into other areas of the relationship. This suggestion is anti-biblical and defies common sense. Who can argue or hold a grudge in one area and it not “spill over” into other areas? Actually, Paul tells us that forgiving as soon as possible is a better act of love: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Eph. 4:31). “Bitterness” here is “grudge.” Put it away.

Ms. Monaghan had five more suggestions but it seems to me that biblical principles on being a selfless, other-centered person is the best way to be a happy couple. If you want better application of biblical principles, I suggest a book by a former professor of mine, Magnificent Marriage: Ten Beacons Show the Way to Marriage Happiness.

Mother’s Day 5/12/13

REVELATION 2:18-19 – TEXT
1)    God said he knew about the “works” of His people at Thyatira.
2)    In life a lot of the works – especially those done by moms – go unnoticed.
a)    There is not a single good act done by a mother which goes unnoticed by God.
b)    No matter how small a mom’s actions are or how early or late something is done, God knows about it.
3)    In the first part of verse 19 we also find the word “love.”
a)    For many the word “love” describes a good, nice, or warm feeling.
b)    When the Bible delves deeply into the subject of love, we find it being expressed as a verb.
4)    True love causes people to act and act in a good way.
5)    Some of what love causes people to do is explained by Paul in 1 Cor. 13.
a)    Paul said love “suffers long” (1 Cor. 13:4); this quality is practiced by good mothers.
b)    Love is “kind” (same verse), and we know good mothers try to excel at kindness.
c)    Good women try to avoid envy and boasting (1 Cor. 13:4)
d)    Good moms are mindful of the need to engage in selfless behavior (1 Cor. 13:5).
e)    Paul said true love is not “easily provoked” (1 Cor. 13:5).
f)    “Provoked” in 1 Cor. 13 has the sense of not flying into a state of rage or getting carried with anger.
g)    Love doe not “take account of evil” (1 Cor. 13:5) – with true love records of wrongs are expunged.
h)    Forgiveness is given and grudges are not held.
i)    Those with true love to do rejoice with unrighteousness (they take no pleasure in sin), 1 Cor. 13:6.
j)    This same verse says they “rejoice with the truth.”
6)    Mothers and others with true love “bear all things, believe, hope, and endure all things” (1 Cor. 13:7).
7)    FAITH – Rev. 2:19.
8)    Mary Jane Kurtz.
9)    Faith is a natural outgrowth from the love and works described by John in Rev. 2:19.

MINISTRY / SERVICE – REV. 2:19.

1)    This word seems to describe the “level” or “degree” of a person’s service.
2)    God intends for Christians to have a certain level of commitment.
3)    This commitment means putting spiritual things first in life (Mt. 6:33).
4)    he end of this verse says these Christians became even busier as time passed.
5)    We have come to a time when many parents want to shirk their responsibly when it comes to their children.
6)    Prov. 22:6 says children need to be “trained.”
7)    Deut. 6:7 speaks about “diligently training” our children.
8)    Eph. 6:4 says fathers are to “nurture” their children.
9)    This kind of activity takes work.
a)    PATIENTCE – Rev. 2:19 – “endurance in spite of hardships/difficulties.”
10)    When some of the first century Christians were persecuted, they were sometimes tempted to turn tail and run.
11)    God’s word teaches His people – and this includes parents – to endure difficult circumstances.
12)    Works, love, faith, service, and patience (endurance).
13)    If you are practicing these things, GREAT!
14)    If not, will you recognize the need for these things in your life and choose to begin pursing them today?

Two preadolescent children were hospitalized in northern Spain for “cell phone addiction.”  The director of the hospital’s center for adolescent psychiatry said the two children had their phones for about eighteen months and were using them non-stop.  Their parents did not restrain them, according to the director, and this incessant use lead to academic problems.
The students, ages 12 and 13, would have to be hospitalized up to two years.  The Spanish drug enforcement agency estimates that 10% of teenagers from Madrid are addicted to either the internet or cell phones.  In Spain, the average age for acquiring a cell phone is between ages 12-14 while “experts” suggest that teenagers not buy cell phones until they reach 16 years old.
That statement that the doctor made regarding parents not restraining their teenagers reminds me of the sons of Eli.  Their names were Hophni and Phineas and they were priests, men of God, mediators for the people. But they are also described as “worthless men” (1 Samuel 2:12).
It is noteworthy that “worthless” in the New American Standard and English Standard versions (the NIV has “wicked”) translate the Hebrew which means literally, “sons of Belial” (cf. KJV).  “Sons of” is a Hebrew idiom that means “characterized by” or “having the qualities of”.  For example, Jesus tells us to become “sons of light” (John 12:36). That is, we should believe in the light that we may be “characterized by light” or “have the qualities of light”.
“Belial” is a Hebrew word meaning “worthlessness” or “wickedness”.  So, Hophni and Phineas were two priests who were characterized by worthlessness.  Or, they had the qualities of being wicked.  These were two worthless and wicked sons.  They were not boys; they were men.
Why were they worthless and wicked? For starters, though they were priests, the text goes on to say “they did not know the LORD”. That is, while they knew about Jehovah, they did follow His ways. That’s the sense in which they did not know the Lord.  The historian gives us an example of their wickedness in that they extorted from the people while they sacrificed (2:13-16).  In that way, they “despised the offering [i.e., the worship] of the Lord” (vs 17).
The historian tells us that Hophni and Phineas “lay with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting” (vs 22). These were supposedly men of God – but they are guilty of flagrant immorality, abusing their position as priests.  Eli gave the two men a mild rebuke, but “they would not listen to the voice of their father” (vs 25).
God sent a prophet, his name we do not know, who rebukes Eli and foretells that his sons would both die in one day (vs 34). “Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of every offering of My people Israel?” (vs 29).
It does not seem that Eli was guilty of the wickedness in which his sons thrived but he was guilty, according to God, of one error relative to his fatherhood. God tells Samuel in chapter three: “For I have told him [Eli] that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them” (3:13). Other translations use the word restrain. The verb can also mean “set one right”.
Eli’s mistake as a father was that he did not tell his kids “no”.  We are living in an extremely permissive society today. It’s not always easy being a parent. Knowing when to say “yes” and when to say “no” is a challenge sometimes. Too many “no’s” can squelch a child’s drive, energy and inquisitive nature. Too many “yes’s” can turn a selfless five-year-old into a selfish fifteen-year-old.
A good dose of moral instruction from God’s word and a healthy dose of common sense (18 months talking on a cell phone?) will help the Christian parent have the wisdom to say “yes” and “no” when each is appropriate.
“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29:15).

-Paul Holland

A woman’s house in Bowie County, Texas burned down in late March. That is not all that unusual. It is the method of its burning that is unusual. A spokesman for the Sherriff’s department gave the details.

The woman saw a snake in the grass outside her home. She obtained some gasoline and poured it on the snake. Then she set the snake of fire. Unfortunately, the snake did something the woman had not anticipated. It slithered into a pile of brush close to the house, setting it on fire. That brush fire then set the house on fire. Several fire departments responded to the scene but the house could not be saved.

That is sad. I wonder how the insurance company responded. That clearly is not an act of God. Do insurance companies take into account “acts of Satan”? After all, it was a snake.

Sometimes we do the same thing with our tongues. We think we are doing something only for the moment but the fire we spark by saying the wrong thing or with the wrong tone or wrong attitude can burn down our house.

James brings these two ideas together in James 3. First, he writes in verse 5: “the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” It only takes a spark to get a fire going… Then in verse 8, he brings in the imagery of the snake: “no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

The mentality that creates this flaming poison is identified by Paul in Galatians 5:20 as “outbursts of wrath/anger” (NKJV; NASV) or “fits of anger/rage” (ESV/NIV).

To avoid burning our house down through the poison of our fiery tongue, we must exercise self-control. As my dad would say, “We’ve got to put our mind into gear before we put our mouth in to motion.” Taste your words first. Are they going to have the impact that you intend for them to have? Are they going to build up or tear down? Are they going to improve the situation or worsen the situation?

Don’t throw flames with your tongue. You may burn your house down.

–Paul Holland

A Third-Mile Christian

            Under Roman law, any official of the state or the army could draft any citizen into service for the moment – but not more than one mile out of the way. Jesus alludes to this law in Matthew 5:41: “if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” Simon of Cyrene was compeled to carry Jesus’ cross. In Matthew 5:41, Jesus asks us to do the extra for one another. To be ready to sacrifice time and energy to be helpful to those who are in need. The Christian ought not to take a yard stick and say, “Here ends the mile. I will go no further.”

To illustrate this same principle, in Luke 10:25-29, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan with which we are quite familiar. When asked what the two greatest commandments were, by a lawyer wanting to excuse his own racial prejudice, Jesus responded that the second was: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

To answer the next question the lawyer proposed: “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus gives us the story of the Samaritan. The road to Jericho was about 18 miles of mostly desolate mountainous terrain. By the time of the great biblical scholar, Jerome, in the 4^th century, it was known as the “Bloody Way.” The priest and the Levite walked by on the other side.

The Samaritan – the last individual expected to be “good” by Jesus’ audience – began his act of kindness in his heart. The text says when he saw the injured man, he “had compassion” (10:33). That’s where Christianity starts – in the heart. This compassion led the Samaritan to act like a Christian – he “bound up his wounds.” Being a “good neighbor” is a self-evident behavior. If you see a need, you fill it.

The Samaritan continued his act of compassion by going the second mile. He took time out of his day and schedule to load the injured man on his own animal and brought him to the inn. There, he took care of him. That is “second-mile” Christianity. If Jesus had stopped there, we would be impressed with the Samaritans compassion, his concern, and his interest. We would have said, “You did well.”

But then the Samaritan went one step further than even that. The next day, he told the inn keeper, “Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back,” giving him two denarii. That’s two days’ wages. Equivalent of a few hundred dollars. It would have paid for basic room and board for about two weeks. The good Samaritan went the third mile. It is obvious that his eye, his heart, his hand, and his foot as well as his wallet were all subservient to the law and expectations of God.

There are two sides of the road – the side of indifference and apathy and the side of compassion and service. Which side of the road are you traveling?

–Paul Holland