By Joe Widick
Last week Elaine and I experienced first hand college football. We had the opportunity to see UT play Mississippi State. It was an exciting experience for us. Elaine was able to scream and holler as loud as she wanted. For those who do not follow college football, Tennessee has not had one of there best seasons. As a matter of facts there were a few boos that went up at the start when the team did not do as well as the bleacher coaches thought they should. The weather was probably the coolest of the season, but Elaine and I were determined to see the entire game. When the score reached 34-3 in favor of Tennessee, we decided to leave the massive stadium. I believe it holds 107,000 people. There were a lot of empty seats, but still there were a lot of people. As we were leaving most everyone seemed to be in a positive mood, spirits were high. It was interesting to me to watch the people, the masses of people as they walked down the ramps, departing the stadium. It made me think about a time that is coming sometime in the future. One day you and I will be standing before our God, and he is going to know what our lives have been, the good, as well as the bad. He is going to make a judgment that will send us to heaven or hell for an eternity. As I watched the people on the ramps, happy and excited about a victory, I wondered what it will be like to hear the words “well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of heaven.” Can you imagine the joy and excitement as you travel with the saints, the redeemed of all ages through that narrow gate that leads to heaven?
Unfortunately, Tennessee has lost some games at home. I can only imagine the disappointment in the fans as they left that same stadium, only this time filled with disappointment. There will be two groups on that Day of Judgment. Some will hear the creator/sustainer of life say; “depart from me” They will then join the other masses of people on a different path. It is a wide path and the gate is wide. Their journey into eternity will be filled with disappointment, hurt, and anguish.
I am thankful that Elaine and I had the opportunity to attend the game we did. I enjoyed the experience! I am also thankful that for me there was something I could take with me above and beyond the thrill of the victory. I was reminded that I want to be on that path, that journey that is going to lead to life eternal.
I entitled this “journey” Go Vols. That was to catch your attention. I should have entitled it Go Christians. Truly our efforts in our journey of life will be well worth it to hear “well done!”
Prayer Thought: Help me to travel the narrow path that leads to life eternal.
By Joe Widick
You may never meet him. I hope that come this December I will have the opportunity to. His name is Juancito Guerra. In December Elaine and I are planning to go to Honduras and prayerfully be able to travel to Siquatepeque, where our missionary Juan Carlos Santamaria serves the Lord. Once a month Juan will send me a report of the activities of the congregation. In his September report Juan told me about Juancito. Juancito has been a Christian since 2000. He is a man who loves to sing praises to God. He is the one who leads singing at the worship services. This forty-six year old man is evidently very special to the Lord. He has never learned to read or write. The songs that he directs are songs that he has memorized. During the work day Juancito works hard as a bricklayer. Each night during the week he is going to a primary school learning to read. Can you imagine a bricklayer in a third world country in an out of the way city going back to school to learn to read and write? He has of course a two fold purpose in wanting to go learn to read and write. One he wants to learn more and more songs to lead and number two he wants to be able to read his Bible.
I do not know about you, but I take for granted the rich blessing of being able to pick-up God’s word and reading it whenever I want to. Imagine picking up a Bible and not being able to know what any of those words actually were. As I read and reread the report I was thrilled and amazed. Juan concluded the report by saying two things. One: too often our children who can read and write do not have an interest in reading the precious word of God. Two: We need to all remember that when we are Christians there are new forces that drive our lives. I have to ask myself as well as any who read this article, is Christ such an important part of your life that you treasure each and every moment with Him in His word? Or have you and I grown complacent, taking this blessing for granted. Remember that we are in the midst of a “Year of Discovery.” We are discovering this quarter the “God’s Good News.” As we do so we have been encouraged to do something that would be very difficult for Juancito to do. Read and memorize three passages. I know he could learn the passages if someone read them over and over again. Think how much more meaningful it would be actually pick up the Bible and read; “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; It stands firm in the heavens.” Psalm 119:89
Prayer Thought: Praise God for men and women who are committed to knowing Your truth.
By Joe Widick
It is always important to realize that little eyes are watching you at home and little ears are listening. Because of that, it becomes important to set those good examples especially at home in the presence of our children. I do not watch David Letterman at night (can’t stay awake much past 10). I have however seen his commercials and his top ten list about a variety of subjects. I have compiled a list that I would like to call THE TOP 10 WAYS TO TURN OFF YOUR KIDS TO CHURCH
10. Schedule personal or family events to conflict with church services and activities
9. Don’t get too close to anyone in church. Refrain from developing relationships with Christians lest your children learn the joy and benefits of being with other believers.
8. Look often at your watch during worship and complain bitterly, look annoyed, or freak out when church lasts longer than you think it should
7. Financially support the church and its missions with the same enthusiasm you pay taxes.
6. Do the best you can to make sure the kids arrive on time to soccer lessons and school events, but don’t worry if they miss or are late to church.
5. Bring your family to church only when you (a) have nothing better to do; (b) have a personal need; (c) feel guilty.
4. Don’t volunteer for anything or make any kind of long term commitment at church. Remember, you’ve got to keep your options open to do things that are more important.
3. Change churches every few years.
2. Remind your kids how imperfect your church leaders are and regularly point out their mistakes.
1. And whatever you do, don’t let church influence the way you live your life!
We need to continually have in our thinking that we have responsibilities to our children. I remember one Saturday, as I helped our youngest son move into a new apartment. He was beginning a new work as a youth minister. One of the fathers was there helping us move in. I will never forget hearing him say; “So you are the new youth minister who is going to take care of our kids.” It is our responsibility as parents to set the right examples and to encourage our children in their walk with the Lord.
Prayer Thought: Thank you Lord for Christian Homes.
By Joe Widick
I came to the office this morning, knowing that I had to come up with my weekly article. To be truthful, I had no idea what to write about. Trice came by and I told him of my situation and he simply said write about the weather!
Thursday morning was a crisp October morning. Our thermometer at home said 37 degrees. I don’t like cold mornings, but I deeply enjoy the cool fall mornings. There seems to be a freshness in the air that is not present at any other season. In a few days the leaves will be turning, and God will paint a beautiful scene for each of us to behold. Some will be able to see trees from their windows that are turning orange, yellow and red. As you drive to work, school or worship you will begin to note the change. How beautiful is God’s paint brush. But alas this beautiful sight is only for A LIMITED TIME ONLY! Since it is for a limited time only, I want to enjoy each moment, each beautiful tree laden hill, every clear crisp morning that that God gives me. The idea of A LIMITED TIME ONLY gives me a sense of urgency, for you see Autumn leaves that are golden today are often gone tomorrow
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Have you ever noticed or thought about the fact that our opportunities to obey God’s promptings are also fleeting. The inspired writer James warned against an arrogance that assumes endless days will be available to carry out our good intentions. He wrote; “You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away…Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is a sin.” (James 4:14 7 17). Do those inspired words mean anything to you today? Is there an act of kindness or encouragement that God has urged you to do for someone in His name? How long has it been since that first prompting? With so many demands on our valuable time, the urgent tasks demand our attention while the more important things can always be postponed. The reality of matters is that there will come a time when even the important matters can no longer be done. They are for A LIMITED TIME ONLY. Can we not understand that by doing what is right today means that we have no regrets tomorrow?
Prayer Thought: May I understand the importance of following God’s urging with action NOW.
By Joe Widick
As I was preparing my lesson for this past Sunday I knew that I wanted to use the video of Mario to illustrate how appreciative he is of the goodness of God. I failed to realize that it had been 6 months since Lisa had had her transplant, just another wonderful example of the goodness of God. As I studied I came across one other example that I knew at some point I would have to use. Most of us have probably never heard of Nick Vujicic. He is truly a remarkable individual. You see Nick has never had a sore arm. He’s never had knee problems. He has never smashed his finger in a door, or had the misfortune to stub his toe on a piece of furniture. As a matter of fact he has never experienced having his shin banged against a coffee table. Wow that seems to be truly remarkable! There is however a reason. Nick doesn’t have a shin, or a toe, or a finger. He doesn’t have arms. You see Nick was born with no arms and no legs. When I first read about his condition instinctively I began to feel sorry for him. Imagine going through life in his condition. Then I felt that maybe this was a made-up story for illustration purposes. I did some research and the pictures of Nick on the internet are remarkable. Feeling sorry for him is not an option. Nick stated; “God won’t let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. I completely gave my life to Christ at the age of fifteen. I had been reading John 9 about the man that was born blind. Jesus said in John 9:3; “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” Nick is one of those unique people who will not let the circumstances of life get him down. He wants to show as many as possible the joy of being used just the way he is. Everywhere he travels he is able to tell people about the love of Jesus. I do not know what type of “religious” background he has. What I do know is that his life and example take away any excuses that I might think that I have for trusting in the Lord and sharing with others the love that Christ has for me. Nick said it this way; “If I can trust in God with my circumstances, then you can trust in God with your circumstances. The greatest joy of all is having Jesus Christ in my life and living the godly purpose he has for me. It seems that the lesson I can learn is that trusting God turns problems into opportunities. When one takes hold of those opportunities, to serve and make a difference, then that individual becomes richly blessed. In case you don’t know, I truly believe that God is good all the time.
Prayer Thought: Thank you God for being so good to me, even when I disappoint you.
