THE WORLD OR THE WORD?

Make a choice! No one with a double heart can please God or be useful to serve in His kingdom. A double heart describes people of the world (Psa. 12:2). But even they know that half-heartedness will get you nowhere! Those who desire to be of service to God must do so "without doubting" (1 Tim. 2:8). The good soldiers in Israel were "not of a double heart" (1 Cr. 12:33). "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (Jas. 1:7). Such cannot please God and will receive nothing in answer to their prayers (Jas. 1:8).
      One of Eve's errors in Eden was that she was unable to quote correctly the simple instructions that God had given Adam in Genesis 2:16-17. If a child in Sunday School were to say what she said, he would be mistaken and not rewarded.
      In a conference for young adults I asked for a show of hands of those who could name at least three players for the Real Madrid or Barcelona soccer teams. Many hands went up. Then I asked how many could name all 12 apostles of the Lord. No hands were raised. This shows the inverted and confused values that afflict the churches today, not only among young people but also those who are older and are giving a bad example. (The same could be said about other sports). It is sad that so many are familiar with vain, spoiled, often immoral and even violent "sports heroes" who have absolutely no importance in the kingdom of God and heaven, and are ignorant of the apostles of our Lord, whose names are immortalized in the Word of God and in the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:4). Time to apply James 4:8, "Purify your hearts, ye double minded!"

     I fear the same would happen if we spoke of singers and actors, politicians and their parties, television programs and stars, and many other vain things that will be destroyed and forgotten for all eternity. Some know all the words of songs in the Top 40, but not a single hymn! The devil knows how important the mind and heart are, and provides a world full of things to occupy and distract them.

       Young brethren, the apostle Paul exhorted young Timothy, "exercise thyself rather unto godliness." (1 Tim. 4:7), and this includes the use of the mind, the memory and the things with which we choose to occupy ourselves. Is it not time to dedicate ourselves to know and imitate the saints and faithful of the Scriptures?

Do you know and appreciate the following? Could you name them by memory? Could you comment something about each one?

· The 12 Sons of Jacob
· The 12 Tribes of Israel
· The Judges of Israel
· The 16 Writing Prophets 
· The 12 Apostles of the Lord, and the two who came later
· The Faithful of Hebrews 11 
        *  These are recorded as examples of how to live by faith and please God, so that we might imitate them. How can we do this if we don't even know who they are, if we don't study them and meditate on the lessons provided?

 · The 7 churches of Asia en Revelation 2 and 3
·  The 3 sets of seven judgments in Revelation
 

More!

What do you know about Melchizedek? In what books is he mentioned? When did he live, what did he do, and what is his importance?

What do you know about the red heifer? What book is it in and what is its importance?

Can you name the 5 different Levitical offerings and explain what each one has to do with Christ?

What do you know about the Tabernacle and its furnishings, and how they are figures of Christ?

Can you name the seven Feasts of Jehovah and explain each one briefly?

Can you explain the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ?

Can you name any or all of the Messianic Psalms?

Who are the 144,000, where are they found and what do they do?

Can you give a brief summary of each of the 66  books of the Bible?

Someone is going to ask me, "Do you know all those things?" and my answer is, "Most, yes, and I'm working on the rest!" Are you? We should renounce and free our minds of the vain and useless trivia of this world, and occupy our minds with the knowledge of God and His Word. Not to win a memory contest like some glorified spelling bee, but to fill our hearts and minds with God's Word and the precious truths therein. The Psalmist exclaimed:  "O, how I love thy law; it is my meditation all the day" (Psa. 119:97). Can we honestly say the same?

Hebrews 6:12  

"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.".  

Romans 12:2  

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ".  

Hymn by Henry Bennet (1813-1868)

Satisfied with Thee, Lord Jesus, I am blest;
Peace which passeth understanding, on Thy breast;
No more doubting, no more trembling,
Oh, what rest! Oh, what rest!

Occupied with Thee, Lord Jesus, in Thy grace;
All Thy ways and thoughts about me only trace 

Deeper stories of the glories

Of Thy grace, of Thy grace.

Taken up with Thee, Lord Jesus, I would be;
Finding joy and satisfaction all in Thee;
Thou the nearest and the dearest
Unto me, unto me.

Listening for Thy shout, Lord Jesus, in the air!
When Thy saints shall rise with joy to meet Thee there;
O what gladness! no more sadness,
Sin nor care, sin nor care.