“Sobriety checkpoints” are locations where law enforcement officers are stationed to check drivers for signs of intoxication and impairment. Governing authorities, in certain locales, have come to see the need to check drivers for being above the approved limit in regard to alcohol or drug usage. Sobriety enforcement is needed because people have been unable to police themselves. Issues with sobriety are especially common during the end of the year holiday season.
Interestingly, God wants us to be sober. As Christians we are to be sober or showing “self-mastery”. Christian sobriety is self-government or self-control, the foundation of a strong godly life, growth, and producing fruit. If a person cannot govern himself, if he cannot master his passions, he will certainly not have a good relationship with his fellowman or God. His life will likely be marked by major excesses.
The biblical writers use this word in various ways: to behave in an orderly manner, to be sober, serious, sane, sound-minded, discreet, self-disciplined, prudent, and moderate. In context of a person controlling himself, Paul writes, "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3; see Titus 2:6; I Peter 4:7).
A person who has self-mastery is even-handed, and his passions are under control. He makes proper use of his drives and desires, and his manner of life is not one of extremes. A person reflecting this quality will be making steady progress in growing into the perfectly balanced character of Jesus Christ.
Notice that the scriptures point out another way in which we are to be sober. It is in regard to our adversary, Satan. For those that have been called by God in this lifetime, we have eternity at stake here. If Satan can succeed in deceiving us to advocate for him more and more, he greatly increases our chances of being subject to the second death, the eternal death in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:14-15).
Peter warns us of the dangers that Satan poses to God's people: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:8). According to the Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, "sober" (Greek nepho) is a verb found in the New Testament only in the figurative sense, implying "sober watchfulness." In addition, "vigilant" (Greek gregoreuo) means "to keep awake, i.e., watch (literally or figuratively)."
Combining "sober" and "vigilant" paints an interesting word-picture for us. When a person is heavily intoxicated, he wants nothing more than to sleep it off, so it is impossible for the sleeping drunkard to be vigilant about anything. The message for us is that we must be attentive to our physical and spiritual condition so that we do not become spiritually intoxicated. This type of person is exactly the kind whom Satan seeks. If we enter this state, then we make ourselves a prime target to be devoured by the "roaring lion."
One final thing to consider in regard to sobriety is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”
The advice given to us is to watch. While asleep, one cannot watch. The Greek word for "watch" can be better translated "alert," and the word for "sober" is more correctly "self-controlled." So Paul advises, "Let us be alert and self-controlled." In other words, while all of the distractions of this world spin dizzyingly around us, we have to be alert to their appeal and controlled enough to discipline ourselves to prioritize in the right way.
Though such a task is not easy, we must forcibly set our wills to pay attention to those eternal things that are more important. If we fail in this task, we may begin conducting our lives in darkness, and living in darkness leads eventually to spiritual blindness. It is vital to our spiritual health to remain alert and self-controlled!
As the New Year is about to commence, we might do “a spiritual sobriety check” to make sure that we “alert and self-controlled”.
Have a most profitable Sabbath,
Gary Smith
Friday, December 28, 2018
Friday, November 16, 2018
Rising Up Early and Speaking a Message of Warning
In my Bible reading, I have been going through the Major Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel and the Minor Prophets, Daniel through Malachi. As I have been going through the prophets, a thought came to mind concerning the prophets of the 21st century. More specifically, my question is, “Where are the prophets of our time?”
As one goes back through the prophets, we find examples of messages being given to God’s people from Genesis down to the time of the book of Revelation. This would encompass a time span of about 1500 years.
For example, we find Noah at a minimum witnessing to his generation even if it was by his example of building a huge ship in a location without access to a large body of water. Did Noah go out and preach or did he simply warn his generation by building a ship? When asked about what he was up to, did he tell them of the flood that was to come unless people turned from their wicked ways? In all probability, yes, but no one heeded.
To me one of the most vivid reminders of the work of prophets is found in the prophet Jeremiah. There is a phrase that is repeated throughout the book regarding God and His prophets. Let’s consider a few examples of this phrasing:
The common theme in these verses is that God sent His servants, the prophets, with His message, “rising up early and speaking” a message of warning, but God’s people would not listen. Besides the scriptures cited, God also makes this point in Jeremiah 25:3; 25:4; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14; 44:4.
In reality, God had sent his message from the time Israel came out of Egypt until Jeremiah’s time. God’s warning to turn from their wicked ways had been delivered over a 700 year span and God’s people had not heeded.
As prophesied the consequences of sin eventuality came to pass as both Israel and Judah were conquered and taken into captivity.
Beyond Jeremiah’s time God’s warning to mankind continued to be delivered over and over again down to the final message given to God’s people by the Apostle John. Man’s response has continued to be the same: to ignore the prophetic word delivered.
As we consider this consistent pattern of the prophets rising up early to deliver God’s message, we might ask, “Where are the prophets of our time? Where are the prophets of the 21st century?”
We may not have many men in the flesh who are powerfully preaching God’s message to the people of our time. But the prophets are still speaking if people are willing to heed.
One might ask, “Where are the prophets?” In reality, the prophets are speaking in the pages of the most widely published book in the world: The Bible. It is available to all in almost every language and dialect on earth. It is also available whether it is early or late. And it is most applicable to our time.
The prophets still speak in the pages of the Bible. The question remains, “Will mankind heed the prophetic word God sends to mankind?” That is the question that remains to be answered.
I hope this Sabbath Thought offers some food for consideration during God’s time of rest.
Gary Smith
As one goes back through the prophets, we find examples of messages being given to God’s people from Genesis down to the time of the book of Revelation. This would encompass a time span of about 1500 years.
For example, we find Noah at a minimum witnessing to his generation even if it was by his example of building a huge ship in a location without access to a large body of water. Did Noah go out and preach or did he simply warn his generation by building a ship? When asked about what he was up to, did he tell them of the flood that was to come unless people turned from their wicked ways? In all probability, yes, but no one heeded.
To me one of the most vivid reminders of the work of prophets is found in the prophet Jeremiah. There is a phrase that is repeated throughout the book regarding God and His prophets. Let’s consider a few examples of this phrasing:
- Jeremiah 7:13 “And now, because you have done all these works,” says the LORD, “and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer.”
- Jeremiah 7:25 “Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have even sent to you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them.”
- Jeremiah 11:7 “‘For I earnestly exhorted your fathers in the day I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, until this day, rising early and exhorting, saying, “Obey My voice.”
- Jeremiah 35:15 “I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ‘Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them; then you will dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me.”
The common theme in these verses is that God sent His servants, the prophets, with His message, “rising up early and speaking” a message of warning, but God’s people would not listen. Besides the scriptures cited, God also makes this point in Jeremiah 25:3; 25:4; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14; 44:4.
In reality, God had sent his message from the time Israel came out of Egypt until Jeremiah’s time. God’s warning to turn from their wicked ways had been delivered over a 700 year span and God’s people had not heeded.
As prophesied the consequences of sin eventuality came to pass as both Israel and Judah were conquered and taken into captivity.
Beyond Jeremiah’s time God’s warning to mankind continued to be delivered over and over again down to the final message given to God’s people by the Apostle John. Man’s response has continued to be the same: to ignore the prophetic word delivered.
As we consider this consistent pattern of the prophets rising up early to deliver God’s message, we might ask, “Where are the prophets of our time? Where are the prophets of the 21st century?”
We may not have many men in the flesh who are powerfully preaching God’s message to the people of our time. But the prophets are still speaking if people are willing to heed.
One might ask, “Where are the prophets?” In reality, the prophets are speaking in the pages of the most widely published book in the world: The Bible. It is available to all in almost every language and dialect on earth. It is also available whether it is early or late. And it is most applicable to our time.
The prophets still speak in the pages of the Bible. The question remains, “Will mankind heed the prophetic word God sends to mankind?” That is the question that remains to be answered.
I hope this Sabbath Thought offers some food for consideration during God’s time of rest.
Gary Smith
Friday, November 9, 2018
Prayer Request for Our Angolan Brethren
One of the things we enjoy on the Sabbath is being able to meet in peace. In my forty-some years of going to church services, we have been able to meet in peace.
We have been blessed not to face government or societal suppression and persecution. That is a blessing that has allowed us to meet for Sabbath services, Holy Days and to share the gospel on a wide scale.
Paul speaks of doors being opened to carry God’s message far and wide:
It is God who opens doors for us to find halls in which to meet and to hear the Christ’s gospel preached each Sabbath. It is God who makes it possible to meet in peace.
Just as Paul mentions adversaries in 1 Corinthians 16:9, we have “many adversaries” as well. Those adversaries may be human and they may also be of the spiritual variety as well, but they exist to thwart our coming together in peace and safety.
At the present time, we have a group of people affiliated with United who seek to meet each week to observe the Sabbath. However, they face a situation in which they might not be able to meet:
Prayer Request - Angolan Brethren Jorge de Campos, senior pastor, Portuguese speaking areas
The Angolan brethren, which number in excess of 5,000 men, women and children, request your prayers for their continued freedom to fellowship every Sabbath in Angola. The Angolan government just issued a decree that churches, to be able to gather in Angola, need to have 100,000 adult members in the country with their signatures duly notarized. The minimum threshold was established as 2/3 of that number in at least 2/3 of their provinces.
A number of churches which had been previously registered, had their previous registration revoked. What triggered this situation was that a number of small strange religions started appearing in Angola, originating from Brazil and other African countries, with weird practices causing what the Angolan government deemed as a nuisance and trouble. All churches had to submit their application to be recognized and allowed to continue gathering by yesterday (Monday, November 5th). The Angolan brethren submitted their application as required. They are appealing for an exception on the quantity of members and additionally they are referring to their ‘good works’ in the area of community schools and teachers that they are providing in various Angolan cities.
The process will now go through governmental review (for an unidentified period of time). We really do not know how long this will take. The Angolan government may ask for additional evidence, such as the notarized signatures, at any future time. As obtaining these signatures is a cost which to many of the local brethren is prohibitive (even though to us is only about US$7 per signature), UCGIA has sent them an unsolicited amount from the GCE approved Portuguese subsidy. This will help them in paying for a number of the notarized signatures of the brethren. The Angolan brethren are very grateful for all the help that they are receiving from UCG. However from now on, they will continue to gather in faith and they request your petitions to our Heavenly Father that they may continue to gather every Sabbath as it is commanded, and as per God’s will.
Thank you.
____________________________________________________________________________
We don’t have the power to change this, but God most certainly does. As we do offer up prayers on this matter please remember:
2 Timothy 2:1-3 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.
It would be most appropriate that we would offer up our “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks” to God that our fellow brethren in Angola “may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence”.
Have a pleasant Sabbath,
Gary Smith
We have been blessed not to face government or societal suppression and persecution. That is a blessing that has allowed us to meet for Sabbath services, Holy Days and to share the gospel on a wide scale.
Paul speaks of doors being opened to carry God’s message far and wide:
- 1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
- 2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord
- Colossians 4:3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains
It is God who opens doors for us to find halls in which to meet and to hear the Christ’s gospel preached each Sabbath. It is God who makes it possible to meet in peace.
Just as Paul mentions adversaries in 1 Corinthians 16:9, we have “many adversaries” as well. Those adversaries may be human and they may also be of the spiritual variety as well, but they exist to thwart our coming together in peace and safety.
At the present time, we have a group of people affiliated with United who seek to meet each week to observe the Sabbath. However, they face a situation in which they might not be able to meet:
Prayer Request - Angolan Brethren Jorge de Campos, senior pastor, Portuguese speaking areas
The Angolan brethren, which number in excess of 5,000 men, women and children, request your prayers for their continued freedom to fellowship every Sabbath in Angola. The Angolan government just issued a decree that churches, to be able to gather in Angola, need to have 100,000 adult members in the country with their signatures duly notarized. The minimum threshold was established as 2/3 of that number in at least 2/3 of their provinces.
A number of churches which had been previously registered, had their previous registration revoked. What triggered this situation was that a number of small strange religions started appearing in Angola, originating from Brazil and other African countries, with weird practices causing what the Angolan government deemed as a nuisance and trouble. All churches had to submit their application to be recognized and allowed to continue gathering by yesterday (Monday, November 5th). The Angolan brethren submitted their application as required. They are appealing for an exception on the quantity of members and additionally they are referring to their ‘good works’ in the area of community schools and teachers that they are providing in various Angolan cities.
The process will now go through governmental review (for an unidentified period of time). We really do not know how long this will take. The Angolan government may ask for additional evidence, such as the notarized signatures, at any future time. As obtaining these signatures is a cost which to many of the local brethren is prohibitive (even though to us is only about US$7 per signature), UCGIA has sent them an unsolicited amount from the GCE approved Portuguese subsidy. This will help them in paying for a number of the notarized signatures of the brethren. The Angolan brethren are very grateful for all the help that they are receiving from UCG. However from now on, they will continue to gather in faith and they request your petitions to our Heavenly Father that they may continue to gather every Sabbath as it is commanded, and as per God’s will.
Thank you.
____________________________________________________________________________
We don’t have the power to change this, but God most certainly does. As we do offer up prayers on this matter please remember:
2 Timothy 2:1-3 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.
It would be most appropriate that we would offer up our “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks” to God that our fellow brethren in Angola “may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence”.
Have a pleasant Sabbath,
Gary Smith
Friday, October 12, 2018
Biblical Principles in the Political World
We, as church members, have been able to go up to the Feast of Tabernacles once again in 2018. It is a time characterized by humility, service, patience, cooperation, giving, thoughtfulness, and sacrifice. Above all the truth of God’s soon coming Kingdom has been expounded. We have been reminded by the speakers of the righteous reign of Jesus Christ on earth and all of the wonderful things that will flow from God’s rule.
In returning home, if we tuned in to the news, in whatever format, we find strife, conflict, and a complete lack of civility in all too many situations. It is hurtful to see people raging at one another over things that could be settled peacefully if God and His word prevailed.
Let’s imagine God and His word being the foundational principle on which we decided who would be a justice of the Supreme Court.
The strife that unfolded in the selection process of a judge to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Anthony Kennedy was based upon a false premise. The false premise is that the right to have an abortion is a court ruling that must be defended no matter how down and dirty the opponents of the nominee have to go to defeat him.
If all parties accepted God and His word as the final arbiter, then the abortion issue would not be an issue at all. They would be led to see that life begins at conception. The miraculous cell splitting process that begins to unfold in the womb is the beginning of a human life. From God’s standpoint all human beings are precious because they all have the potential to be part of the family of God (Hebrew 2:10). From God’s point of view the Sixth Commandment, “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13) would be the guiding principle.
A couple of other biblical principles which would have been helpful in sorting out the nomination process:
Sadly, we don’t see the application of biblical principles in the political world. As a result, we will continue to see strife and conflict on regular display.
The good news is that we are nearing the end of the time when raw, carnal nature will be on display on the nightly news. We have been reminded by going up to the Feast that Christ will return to this earth and judge in righteousness and equity for all.
Rejoice this Sabbath in the rest that is sure to come through the return of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:11).
Gary Smith
In returning home, if we tuned in to the news, in whatever format, we find strife, conflict, and a complete lack of civility in all too many situations. It is hurtful to see people raging at one another over things that could be settled peacefully if God and His word prevailed.
Let’s imagine God and His word being the foundational principle on which we decided who would be a justice of the Supreme Court.
The strife that unfolded in the selection process of a judge to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Anthony Kennedy was based upon a false premise. The false premise is that the right to have an abortion is a court ruling that must be defended no matter how down and dirty the opponents of the nominee have to go to defeat him.
If all parties accepted God and His word as the final arbiter, then the abortion issue would not be an issue at all. They would be led to see that life begins at conception. The miraculous cell splitting process that begins to unfold in the womb is the beginning of a human life. From God’s standpoint all human beings are precious because they all have the potential to be part of the family of God (Hebrew 2:10). From God’s point of view the Sixth Commandment, “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13) would be the guiding principle.
A couple of other biblical principles which would have been helpful in sorting out the nomination process:
- The 9th Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
Sadly, we don’t see the application of biblical principles in the political world. As a result, we will continue to see strife and conflict on regular display.
The good news is that we are nearing the end of the time when raw, carnal nature will be on display on the nightly news. We have been reminded by going up to the Feast that Christ will return to this earth and judge in righteousness and equity for all.
Rejoice this Sabbath in the rest that is sure to come through the return of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:11).
Gary Smith
Friday, June 8, 2018
Hope: An Anchor of the Soul
Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain are two celebrities who have recently taken their own lives. How many others have ended their lives this week?
These individuals had money, celebrity and every good thing life could offer. Yet on some level something was missing and they concluded there was no point in going on in this life.
I don’t know either one of the celebrities mentioned above but I am acquainted with a young man who Liz and I came to know through camp. For several years it seemed that he was getting his life together. Then he decided, for reasons we don’t understand, to reverse course and go back into the world. In fairly recent times, he made another stab at coming to church services and getting his life in order. Sadly, he could not continue on the positive path and ended his life. His funeral was this week.
There are varying reasons why someone would choose to end their life. Thankfully, for most of those who commit suicide we know that God is merciful. There is a coming second resurrection and a time for them to embrace God’s vision for man and get on the path to salvation.
Many of us still living can probably hearken back to dark times in our lives. We may have contemplated that there was no reason to carry on. The ending of life may have seemed like a viable option. However, this is not godly thinking but Satan’s mindset. The fact that we are still living indicates we chose the better path.
God desires that each and every person who has been given life would fulfill His purpose in their lives. But most people don’t know what God’s purpose is and they have no hope. Paul made this point in Ephesians 2:12-13, “That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
In the verse cited, Paul points out what gives a Christian hope. As Christians, we have Christ, we are part of the commonwealth of Israel (the Church, the body of Christ), and we have entered into covenant with God so we can enjoy the blessings of God’s promises. All of this has been made possible through “the blood of Christ.”
I would venture to say that Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain knew nothing of Ephesians 2:12-13 and were therefore without hope and without God in the world.
Additionally, I would say the young man who ended his life recently did get a glimpse of God’s great plan for him. Sadly, he did not grasp it well enough to establish it as a foundational part of his life. He was not at peace and lost hope. When one reaches this low ebb, this dark place, it actually seems like a reasonable decision to end one’s life.
The question for all of us who remain in the faith, “Do we have peace and hope?”
Regardless of the setbacks, disappointments, and other difficulties in life, we can be at peace. Peace is a state of mind that allows us to hold it together no matter what tribulations we face. In this life we can be at peace. In addition to being at peace, we can have the immovable hope of God’s coming Kingdom. As it is said in Hebrews 6:18-19, “. . . we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast….”
As we have this state of mind, we can reject the negative pull of discouragement and hopelessness and instead keep our eyes on the goal: eternal life in God’s Kingdom. That goal gives us every reason to keep pushing on until the end of the race.
Happy Sabbath
Gary Smith
These individuals had money, celebrity and every good thing life could offer. Yet on some level something was missing and they concluded there was no point in going on in this life.
I don’t know either one of the celebrities mentioned above but I am acquainted with a young man who Liz and I came to know through camp. For several years it seemed that he was getting his life together. Then he decided, for reasons we don’t understand, to reverse course and go back into the world. In fairly recent times, he made another stab at coming to church services and getting his life in order. Sadly, he could not continue on the positive path and ended his life. His funeral was this week.
There are varying reasons why someone would choose to end their life. Thankfully, for most of those who commit suicide we know that God is merciful. There is a coming second resurrection and a time for them to embrace God’s vision for man and get on the path to salvation.
Many of us still living can probably hearken back to dark times in our lives. We may have contemplated that there was no reason to carry on. The ending of life may have seemed like a viable option. However, this is not godly thinking but Satan’s mindset. The fact that we are still living indicates we chose the better path.
God desires that each and every person who has been given life would fulfill His purpose in their lives. But most people don’t know what God’s purpose is and they have no hope. Paul made this point in Ephesians 2:12-13, “That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
In the verse cited, Paul points out what gives a Christian hope. As Christians, we have Christ, we are part of the commonwealth of Israel (the Church, the body of Christ), and we have entered into covenant with God so we can enjoy the blessings of God’s promises. All of this has been made possible through “the blood of Christ.”
I would venture to say that Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain knew nothing of Ephesians 2:12-13 and were therefore without hope and without God in the world.
Additionally, I would say the young man who ended his life recently did get a glimpse of God’s great plan for him. Sadly, he did not grasp it well enough to establish it as a foundational part of his life. He was not at peace and lost hope. When one reaches this low ebb, this dark place, it actually seems like a reasonable decision to end one’s life.
The question for all of us who remain in the faith, “Do we have peace and hope?”
Regardless of the setbacks, disappointments, and other difficulties in life, we can be at peace. Peace is a state of mind that allows us to hold it together no matter what tribulations we face. In this life we can be at peace. In addition to being at peace, we can have the immovable hope of God’s coming Kingdom. As it is said in Hebrews 6:18-19, “. . . we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast….”
As we have this state of mind, we can reject the negative pull of discouragement and hopelessness and instead keep our eyes on the goal: eternal life in God’s Kingdom. That goal gives us every reason to keep pushing on until the end of the race.
Happy Sabbath
Gary Smith
Friday, June 1, 2018
If You Diligently Heed the Voice of the LORD Your God
As a minister, one of my duties is to visit the sick and as request is made to anoint as instructed in James 5:14. Last week, I went to Texas Medical Center in order to visit with a lady from the Houston congregation who had undergone surgery.
In going to the Medical Center, I was amazed at how much it had expanded since I moved to Houston in 2011.
Here are a few facts about the Medical Center: The Texas Medical Center (TMC) is a 2.1-square-mile medical district and neighborhood in south-central Houston. Over sixty medical institutions, largely concentrated in a triangular area between Brays Bayou, Rice University, and Hermann Park, are members of the Texas Medical Center Corporation—a non-profit umbrella organization—which constitutes the largest medical complex in the world. The TMC has an extremely high density of clinical facilities for patient care, basic science, and translational research. Finally, the Texas Medical Center employs over 106,000 people, hosts 10 million patient encounters annually, and has a gross domestic product of US$25 billion.
It is a truly amazing facility. A number of members have sought treatment there and have received excellent medical care.
From the first time I visited the medical complex, I have been overwhelmed by the concentration of buildings and the bustling nature of the services offered there.
My most significant conclusion about my visit to the Medical Center last week is that the facility is full of people with a whole variety of ailments.
Why so many sick and injured people? I think it is reflective of the fact that we live in a world that is sick on many levels and sadly that is not going to change much until we turn back to God and live by His word.
God’s blessing on a people who live by His word is spelled out in Exodus 15:26 “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”
While medical science can address our ailments and offer some relief and healing, they do not through medical procedures address the core issue which is moral.
If our society would “do what is right in His (God’s) sight” and “give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes”, then we will not be plagued by the sicknesses and diseases all too common in the 21st century.
God promises us that there is a world that is coming that will be healthy and massive medical center will no longer be necessary.
As we keep the Sabbath, we can rejoice that there is a rest to come.
Gary Smith
In going to the Medical Center, I was amazed at how much it had expanded since I moved to Houston in 2011.
Here are a few facts about the Medical Center: The Texas Medical Center (TMC) is a 2.1-square-mile medical district and neighborhood in south-central Houston. Over sixty medical institutions, largely concentrated in a triangular area between Brays Bayou, Rice University, and Hermann Park, are members of the Texas Medical Center Corporation—a non-profit umbrella organization—which constitutes the largest medical complex in the world. The TMC has an extremely high density of clinical facilities for patient care, basic science, and translational research. Finally, the Texas Medical Center employs over 106,000 people, hosts 10 million patient encounters annually, and has a gross domestic product of US$25 billion.
It is a truly amazing facility. A number of members have sought treatment there and have received excellent medical care.
From the first time I visited the medical complex, I have been overwhelmed by the concentration of buildings and the bustling nature of the services offered there.
My most significant conclusion about my visit to the Medical Center last week is that the facility is full of people with a whole variety of ailments.
Why so many sick and injured people? I think it is reflective of the fact that we live in a world that is sick on many levels and sadly that is not going to change much until we turn back to God and live by His word.
God’s blessing on a people who live by His word is spelled out in Exodus 15:26 “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”
While medical science can address our ailments and offer some relief and healing, they do not through medical procedures address the core issue which is moral.
If our society would “do what is right in His (God’s) sight” and “give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes”, then we will not be plagued by the sicknesses and diseases all too common in the 21st century.
God promises us that there is a world that is coming that will be healthy and massive medical center will no longer be necessary.
As we keep the Sabbath, we can rejoice that there is a rest to come.
Gary Smith
Friday, February 16, 2018
Sin Lies at the Door for All of Us
As the Sabbath begins, we can rejoice in the peace, purpose, and hope that God gives to us. Sadly, remembering our Creator and being reminded of the plan of God does not block out everything from a week that has come to an end.
This week a young man went into a Florida school and opened fire killing and wounding students and faculty.
One of the sad things about the event is that people had noticed and reported warning signs about the nineteen-year old shooter. The young man had been expelled from school, and surely the faculty of the school had issued warnings about the destructive path the young man had been on.
It is a strange quirk of human nature that human beings all too often fail to heed warnings of danger. The failure to listen to wise counsel leads all too often to serious consequences.
To me this coincides with the biblical example found in the story of Cain and Abel.
The two sons of Adam and Eve came to God with offerings. God recognized Abel’s offering because it met the criteria that God had apparently established. Cain’s offering did not meet the standard God had established. Note Genesis 4:5, “He (God) did not respect Cain and his offering.” Not only did God not respect Cain’s offering but He did not respect Cain because of his wrong attitude.
Did Cain have a wrong attitude? We only have to look at the end of Genesis 4:5 where we find Cain filled with anger and “his countenance fell” over God’s rejection of his offering. If you had been on the scene of this event, Cain’s wrong attitude would have been clearly visible.
Did God recognize the problem? We only have to look at Genesis 4:6-7 where God addresses Cain’s wrong attitude, “So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."”
God pointed out that Cain was being ruled by sin and if he did not change his line of thinking there would be a terrible outcome. God counseled Cain to recognize his wrong mindset and rule over it. God knew the potential that could unfold if Cain did not reverse his course. Sadly, Cain did not heed God’s counsel. He allowed anger to rule and explode into the murder of his brother.
As we look at the all too common atrocities in our world, we are not going to end their occurrence until we recognize that “sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you and you should rule over it.” Until men and women recognize sin lurking at the door and take measures to reject the sinful mindset, evil of all kinds will continue.
Unfortunately, how many people are self-aware enough to reject sin? Even if the majority of the world’s population are oblivious to the need to rule over sin, we in the church know this to be a crucial aspect of the Christian life.
As the Passover draws close, we need to recognize that “sin lies at the door” for all of us. Do we recognize the pulls and pressures of sin? Do we seek to repent of those sins that still plague us? Do we beseech God for His help to rule over sin?
As we ready ourselves to come before God at Passover, is our attitude like that of Abel: humble, faithful, obedient, offering the first and best? Or is our attitude like Cain: prideful, disobedient, offering that which is blemished?
Where we stand in regard to the Passover is a most worthwhile consideration for the Sabbath.
Have a pleasant and profitable Sabbath,
Gary Smith
This week a young man went into a Florida school and opened fire killing and wounding students and faculty.
One of the sad things about the event is that people had noticed and reported warning signs about the nineteen-year old shooter. The young man had been expelled from school, and surely the faculty of the school had issued warnings about the destructive path the young man had been on.
It is a strange quirk of human nature that human beings all too often fail to heed warnings of danger. The failure to listen to wise counsel leads all too often to serious consequences.
To me this coincides with the biblical example found in the story of Cain and Abel.
The two sons of Adam and Eve came to God with offerings. God recognized Abel’s offering because it met the criteria that God had apparently established. Cain’s offering did not meet the standard God had established. Note Genesis 4:5, “He (God) did not respect Cain and his offering.” Not only did God not respect Cain’s offering but He did not respect Cain because of his wrong attitude.
Did Cain have a wrong attitude? We only have to look at the end of Genesis 4:5 where we find Cain filled with anger and “his countenance fell” over God’s rejection of his offering. If you had been on the scene of this event, Cain’s wrong attitude would have been clearly visible.
Did God recognize the problem? We only have to look at Genesis 4:6-7 where God addresses Cain’s wrong attitude, “So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."”
God pointed out that Cain was being ruled by sin and if he did not change his line of thinking there would be a terrible outcome. God counseled Cain to recognize his wrong mindset and rule over it. God knew the potential that could unfold if Cain did not reverse his course. Sadly, Cain did not heed God’s counsel. He allowed anger to rule and explode into the murder of his brother.
As we look at the all too common atrocities in our world, we are not going to end their occurrence until we recognize that “sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you and you should rule over it.” Until men and women recognize sin lurking at the door and take measures to reject the sinful mindset, evil of all kinds will continue.
Unfortunately, how many people are self-aware enough to reject sin? Even if the majority of the world’s population are oblivious to the need to rule over sin, we in the church know this to be a crucial aspect of the Christian life.
As the Passover draws close, we need to recognize that “sin lies at the door” for all of us. Do we recognize the pulls and pressures of sin? Do we seek to repent of those sins that still plague us? Do we beseech God for His help to rule over sin?
As we ready ourselves to come before God at Passover, is our attitude like that of Abel: humble, faithful, obedient, offering the first and best? Or is our attitude like Cain: prideful, disobedient, offering that which is blemished?
Where we stand in regard to the Passover is a most worthwhile consideration for the Sabbath.
Have a pleasant and profitable Sabbath,
Gary Smith
Friday, February 2, 2018
Remember That Time That Guy in the Bible Interpreted That Dream? Both of Them?
For your consideration this Sabbath, I’d like to hearken back to the time of the prophet Daniel. We were asked to write down, as part of the Scripture Writing, Daniel 2:21, “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” In writing down the verse for the day, I looked at the verses before and after.
Daniel 2:21 is recorded in the context of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The king had the dream and he sought for it to be interpreted. The Chaldeans, astrologers, and magicians were asked to supply the details of the dream and the interpretation. The king was not going to tell them the dream out of fear they would make up an answer of some kind. The penalty for not revealing the details of the dream and the interpretation was death.
The response of those tasked with interpreting dreams was to express the impossibility of such a task, “The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, "There is not a man on earth who can tell the king's matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean. It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh." (Daniel 2:10-11).
There was panic among the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans. They were all in fear of the death penalty being imposed for their failure to fulfill the king’s request. They knew that they had no way to discern the dream nor interpret it.
The king’s guard, Arioch was sent out to execute the wise men of Babylon. In the process of carrying out the king’s command, he came to Daniel. He was told of the king’s demand and he went before Nebuchadnezzar to request time to interpret the dream.
Where did Daniel go for a solution? He went to God, who, “… reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” Daniel knew that he had no special skill to answer King Nebuchadnezzar, but God knew the dream and its interpretation. In other words, Daniel knew God could shine His light on what was in the darkness for physical human beings.
My thought, as I looked at this scenario playing out, was to consider the possibility that Daniel was aware of a similar situation almost 1000 years in the past? Daniel was well aware of the scriptures, since they had been in the possession of the children of Israel since the time of Moses. Was Daniel encouraged in his dire situation by the example of Joseph interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams recorded in the book of Genesis?
The Bible doesn’t tell us that Daniel drew encouragement from God revealing the Pharaoh’s dream and meaning to Joseph. But we can surmise, if Daniel remembered the biblical record, then Joseph’s experience could translate to his own time and situation.
The related experiences of Daniel and Joseph provide us just one example of why familiarity with the Bible record is so important to our everyday lives.
Have a pleasant Sabbath day,
Gary Smith
Daniel 2:21 is recorded in the context of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The king had the dream and he sought for it to be interpreted. The Chaldeans, astrologers, and magicians were asked to supply the details of the dream and the interpretation. The king was not going to tell them the dream out of fear they would make up an answer of some kind. The penalty for not revealing the details of the dream and the interpretation was death.
The response of those tasked with interpreting dreams was to express the impossibility of such a task, “The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, "There is not a man on earth who can tell the king's matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean. It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh." (Daniel 2:10-11).
There was panic among the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans. They were all in fear of the death penalty being imposed for their failure to fulfill the king’s request. They knew that they had no way to discern the dream nor interpret it.
The king’s guard, Arioch was sent out to execute the wise men of Babylon. In the process of carrying out the king’s command, he came to Daniel. He was told of the king’s demand and he went before Nebuchadnezzar to request time to interpret the dream.
Where did Daniel go for a solution? He went to God, who, “… reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” Daniel knew that he had no special skill to answer King Nebuchadnezzar, but God knew the dream and its interpretation. In other words, Daniel knew God could shine His light on what was in the darkness for physical human beings.
My thought, as I looked at this scenario playing out, was to consider the possibility that Daniel was aware of a similar situation almost 1000 years in the past? Daniel was well aware of the scriptures, since they had been in the possession of the children of Israel since the time of Moses. Was Daniel encouraged in his dire situation by the example of Joseph interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams recorded in the book of Genesis?
The Bible doesn’t tell us that Daniel drew encouragement from God revealing the Pharaoh’s dream and meaning to Joseph. But we can surmise, if Daniel remembered the biblical record, then Joseph’s experience could translate to his own time and situation.
The related experiences of Daniel and Joseph provide us just one example of why familiarity with the Bible record is so important to our everyday lives.
Have a pleasant Sabbath day,
Gary Smith
Friday, January 19, 2018
Congratulations! You Now Have a Degree in Opinions
I am reading Not A Day Care: The Devastating Consequences of Abandoning Truth by Dr. Everett Piper. The book caught my attention from the start so I thought I would share one of his observations about the current state of university education. Dr. Piper can speak with some authority on higher education since he is President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
He states, “Our universities are doing a tremendous disservice, both to students and our culture, by letting students think they can bend reality to fit their whims. In the real world, people don’t get paid to be selfish and disruptive, but rather, to be productive members of society. They are rewarded for cooperation and teamwork, not for dividing people because they have negative feelings about another race or feel offended by those from a different socioeconomic background. Our universities are producing a generation of Americans who are unable to function in the real world. We are quickly becoming a culture of Peter Pans, believing we can avoid reality in a Neverland of our own making. We’re encouraging students to embrace their selfish fantasies and to expect everyone around them to bend and submit to their narcissistic whims and personal prejudices. We have created a generation that expects to receive affirmation for every feeling they have and every emotion they feel. Objective reality doesn’t matter. Subjective opinions are king.
“Many of today’s universities seem content to give degrees in opinions, as opposed to degrees grounded in knowledge and the classical pursuit of wisdom, beauty, and truth. I once warned our graduating students of this danger in an Oklahoma Wesleyan commencement address:
Today we are all here to celebrate! You have made it. Over the next few minutes I’m going to give you a long-winded commencement address. . .. But after I’m done, I’m going to call you up to the stage. You’ll stand to my left and wait for your name to be called. Then you’ll march proudly across the stage. I’ll thereby, shake your hand, give you your diploma and whisper in your ear, “Congratulations! You now have a degree in opinions. “. . . That’s insulting isn’t it? I surely hope you got more than that from your college education! Today as you graduate, I do not care what your opinion is, nor should you care that much about mine. You did not major in opinions. I’m not going to give you a diploma in opinions. A good education is not about opinions. It’s about learning what’s true.
“Pol Pot, Mao, Robespierre, Stalin, Chavez, Hitler, Mussolini and all the despots of history had opinions—and it did not end well. Opinions always lead to slavery and bondage, but Jesus told us that the truth shall set you free. I surely hope if you majored in nursing that you have a little more knowledge today about of the truths of biology, physiology, and chemistry than you did before you came here. Because if you’re going to administer medication to me on the basis of your opinion, stay away from me. You are dangerous. If you’re going to design an airplane on the basis of your opinion, please tell me which one it is because it will never fly. Today we are celebrating truth, not your opinion. Now come and get your diploma” (Not A Day Care, Piper, page 15- 17).
As Christians, we are focused on the truth found in the word of God. The word of God is not opinion, but it is instead the truth (John 17:17).
We might ask ourselves this Sabbath, “Is my life based upon the truth or opinion?” Truth leads to life and opinion leads only to death. I hope we are all choosing life based on the truth.
Happy Sabbath,
Gary Smith
He states, “Our universities are doing a tremendous disservice, both to students and our culture, by letting students think they can bend reality to fit their whims. In the real world, people don’t get paid to be selfish and disruptive, but rather, to be productive members of society. They are rewarded for cooperation and teamwork, not for dividing people because they have negative feelings about another race or feel offended by those from a different socioeconomic background. Our universities are producing a generation of Americans who are unable to function in the real world. We are quickly becoming a culture of Peter Pans, believing we can avoid reality in a Neverland of our own making. We’re encouraging students to embrace their selfish fantasies and to expect everyone around them to bend and submit to their narcissistic whims and personal prejudices. We have created a generation that expects to receive affirmation for every feeling they have and every emotion they feel. Objective reality doesn’t matter. Subjective opinions are king.
“Many of today’s universities seem content to give degrees in opinions, as opposed to degrees grounded in knowledge and the classical pursuit of wisdom, beauty, and truth. I once warned our graduating students of this danger in an Oklahoma Wesleyan commencement address:
Today we are all here to celebrate! You have made it. Over the next few minutes I’m going to give you a long-winded commencement address. . .. But after I’m done, I’m going to call you up to the stage. You’ll stand to my left and wait for your name to be called. Then you’ll march proudly across the stage. I’ll thereby, shake your hand, give you your diploma and whisper in your ear, “Congratulations! You now have a degree in opinions. “. . . That’s insulting isn’t it? I surely hope you got more than that from your college education! Today as you graduate, I do not care what your opinion is, nor should you care that much about mine. You did not major in opinions. I’m not going to give you a diploma in opinions. A good education is not about opinions. It’s about learning what’s true.
“Pol Pot, Mao, Robespierre, Stalin, Chavez, Hitler, Mussolini and all the despots of history had opinions—and it did not end well. Opinions always lead to slavery and bondage, but Jesus told us that the truth shall set you free. I surely hope if you majored in nursing that you have a little more knowledge today about of the truths of biology, physiology, and chemistry than you did before you came here. Because if you’re going to administer medication to me on the basis of your opinion, stay away from me. You are dangerous. If you’re going to design an airplane on the basis of your opinion, please tell me which one it is because it will never fly. Today we are celebrating truth, not your opinion. Now come and get your diploma” (Not A Day Care, Piper, page 15- 17).
As Christians, we are focused on the truth found in the word of God. The word of God is not opinion, but it is instead the truth (John 17:17).
We might ask ourselves this Sabbath, “Is my life based upon the truth or opinion?” Truth leads to life and opinion leads only to death. I hope we are all choosing life based on the truth.
Happy Sabbath,
Gary Smith
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