In Psalm 115 the psalmist is rightly critical of those who put their trust in man made idols. He says that men have created, by the works of their own hands, gods of silver and gold. They have mouths, but they do not speak. They have eyes, but they do not see. They
have ears, but they do not hear. They have noses, but they do not smell. They
have hands, but they cannot handle anything with them. They have feet, but
they do not walk. He goes on to say that those who make them are like them;
so is everyone who trusts in them. In other words, the idols are dumb gods
and those who trust in them are foolish men.
Most people may not have a dumb idol, but they do put other idols first in their life. Many people do the same thing today with modern idolatry, be it television, sports, hobbies, work, or wealth. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with these things but when we put them above the one true and living God we create an idol. When we do so we are as “dumb” as the idols we worship. Don’t think it is true? What do you put first in your life? Where are your priorities? When the church meets to study, worship, fellowship, and serve, where is your mouth, your eyes, your ears, your hands, and your feet? Be honest!
The one true and living God is a true shield in whom we can place all our
trust. He speaks, sees, hears, smells, handles, and walks. And we can, too,
when we bless Him, glorify Him, serve Him, worship Him, and put Him first
in our lives. He then blesses us…nothing else can! Be faithful!
Tim Dooley, via Chapman church of Christ. Ripley, MS
BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES
World Christian Broadcasting is a non-profit organization supported by concerned Christians whose purpose is to take God’s Word—through mass media—to people who may have no other means of hearing the Good News. The message of God is relevant to all times yet the ways that message is delivered must stay current. World Christian Broadcasting’s international shortwave broadcasting, communicates the Good News to millions every day. KNLS, located at the top of the world in Anchor Point, Alaska, has been on the air since 1983. A new station is presently under construction in the region of the Indian Ocean.
Romans 10:17 (ESV) “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES
PERSONAL CHALLENGES: I am willing to work and I am doing the work to the best I know I can. Apart from praying God for good health and a functional car to move about for his mission, the challenge I have is fueling the car based on my numerous speaking schedules. At this point I want to thank Doug Wheeler who has most often supported me with resources to cushion my traveling expenses.
Regarding the Nigerian Chariot, we have located and ordered a Mercedes Atego 4×4 1517 model from the dealership in Nigeria and will take delivery of it next week. Our brethren in Nigeria will then get a body built in Nigeria for the truck. If you can remember, late last year we flew a Nigerian body builder to Kenya to measure up and give us a price on building a chariot in Nigeria, but our Nigerian brethren decided to rather build in South Africa. So we have a price and company in Nigeria that measured up, but it’s a financial problem for us as we build two chariots at the same time.
Perhaps you have seen or heard this declaration of faith in God’s Word. As good as it may sound, it falls short of what ought to be said, ”God said it; that settles it, whether I believe it or not.” This certainly describes more accurately the true nature of God’s Word and the faith we are to have in it. The Psalmist declared, “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens…All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal…May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous” (Psalm 119:89, 160, 172).
BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES
Highland Lakes church of Christ 