In the language of the New Testament, the word compassion comes from the word sumpathes, from which we get our word ‘sympathy or sympathetic’. Compassion is rooted in a word that means ‘to experience pain together’. Someone said it this way, “Compassion is your pain in my heart.” When you and I have sympathy for someone, we feel their pain. Sympathy, or compassion, is an emotion.

Compassion is oftentimes mistakenly identified as love, though is it not like agape love. If you say of someone in a relationship, “Oh, I don’t love them anymore,” what you probably mean is “I no longer have compassion for them. I have no more feeling in my heart for their pain.” But, we mistakenly call it love. In fact, oftentimes people confuse being in love with having compassion. Compassion is an emotion that one has for someone. The Bible says agape love is a love that never fails. Agape love is not an emotion; it is a decision and a commitment. When you love someone, you may not have compassion for them, but you may still (and you ought to still) have a commitment for them. In other words, “I am still committed to monogamy in our relationship. I’m still going to be responsible to my duties.” But, it’s nice when there is feeling that goes along with it.

Compassion is used directly forty-one times in our English Bible. The first time it is used is along a river in Egypt where Pharaoh’s daughter is bathing and finds a little ark, or boat, floating down the river. When she opened the lid on that little boat, there was a baby in there, and the baby began to cry. Of course, we all know this was the baby Moses. The Bible says, “And when she had opened it she saw the child and behold the babe wept and she had compassion on him and said this is one of the Hebrew children.” She suffered with him. That’s actually how that word is translated in Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him (sumpathes), that we may be also glorified together.” In I Corinthians 12:26, the same word is translated all members suffer with it. “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it (sumpathes); or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”

Sympathy or compassion is when someone is hurting, and we hurt with them. I want you to understand with this exhortation of how to have compassion one of another, which is extremely important because usually when there is stress in a relationship or stress in your life, one of the first things to go is your compassion, because you don’t feel like being nice. You don’t feel like being kind. You don’t feel like being gentle. You don’t feel like being sacrificial. But you must remember, compassion is not a feeling! It is imperative that you and I learn how to have compassion when we are under stress in our relationships.

Over the next several Mondays, we are going to discuss this topic of compassion, its qualities, and how we can show compassion to those around us. First of all, I want you to notice that compassion is measurable. In Psalm 78, the Bible says, “God is full of compassion.” That is a measurement. If you and I are going to be like God, you and I are going to have to be filled with compassion. The Bible says concerning Jesus, that He was “touched with the feelings of our infirmities.” That means that He has compassion for us. You wonder, “Does anybody care?” Well my friend, you can be sure of this: Jesus cares for you. That’s why the Bible says, “Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you.” He has constant fullness of compassion for you and me. Remember, no one has more stress on His shoulders than Jesus. We sing that little song, “He’s got the whole world in His hands,” but He’s got more than that! He’s got it all in His hands; and yet, He has the time to have compassion on us. Our Lord is full of compassion. In fact, Psalm 86:15; 111:4; 112:4; and 145:8 all tell us of that very fact.

You may be full of compassion. If you are there, that is wonderful! What a blessing! However, you may be only half-full of compassion; and yet, some of you may have only the fumes. Your “compassion tank” may be on “E” and the lights are blinking, and you are barely sputtering along. How does this happen? The reality is that our circumstances and stresses of life can diminish our compassion and bring us to a place where we are numb to people’s pain. Now, let me tell you, this is not a good way to live. However, it is highly possible to do the right thing and not have any feeling in it at all. It is done all the time. People pretend to care, when really there is no genuine care at all. But this I know, you don’t have to get too close to a skunk before you can smell it! It is despicable when people pretend like they care when they really do not. Compassion is a measurable emotion. How does your compassion measure up right now?

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Matt was a young man of seventeen whom I first meet in my medical clinic in 1996. His mother brought him to me to address his drug use. Matt had been smoking, drinking, and sniffing glue since junior high. He then graduated to marijuana and a “little” cocaine in his early high school years.  He had recently dropped out of school because he could no longer “make the grade.” His girlfriend had turned him on to crystal methamphetamine (ice) within the past two months. The change in his behavior alarmed his mother and resulted in a visit to my office.

Matt told me that after using ice, he was not the same. He thought that his brain had been damaged and wondered if I had any medicine to “fix it.” He promised me he would never use it again, but he did. In fact, he started to use it more and more until he lost his job, his girlfriend, and his mother threw him out of the house.

I saw him one other time soon after these events transpired. Something was dramatically different. His short term memory was gone. He would forget what he was talking about in mid-sentence. But, what concerned me the most was this penetrating paranoia that permeated his being. He was hyper-vigilant, scanning the waiting room, as he paced the room like a caged animal. He kept mentioning to me that “people” were out to get him.

I called his mother, and together we made every attempt to help Matt. Unfortunately, to no avail. Approximately three weeks later, his mother called me and informed me that Matt had found a gun and killed himself at age of eighteen.

This is a tragic story, but not an isolated one. Matt was a real person who learned the devastating consequences of ice use. This is a drug that is highly addictive and highly destructive. It is sweeping across our nation and will be knocking at the door of your RU chapter or church if it hasn’t already. Let me describe this drug they call, “Ice.”

“Ice” is ‘crystalline methamphetamine hydrochloride,’ and can be smoked or injected intravenously, whereas plain methamphetamine powder is snorted or taken orally. The ice form of the drug gives a more intense high, or “rush,” than the powder form of the drug. It is many times more addictive than the powder form. The powder form is frequently cut or diluted with other harmful substances, but ice crystals are usually pure drug, which is much more potent and destructive. The high is longer lasting than either cocaine or meth powder. Ice is by far the most addictive substance known to man. Almost nobody, like Matt, tries ice just once.

The high Matt and others received from ice gives them a sense of energy and alertness, competence and intelligence, power and control. Loss of appetite, hyperactivity, and endurance are common as well. Matt would go days without feeling tired or needing to sleep or eat. The euphoria is associated with delusions of power and invincibility.

The long-term consequences of ice or methamphetamine abuse include memory loss, hallucinations, delusions, panic, and rage. The later stages of addiction are characterized by a form of dementia – mothers abandon their babies, teenagers shoot their parents, families are destroyed, and communities are crippled. Addicts are unable to hold a job or care for their families; they are consumed with their drug use and cannot do anything else.

The real harm with ice is not only its highly addictive potential but its neuro-toxicity (neuro – brain, toxicity – damaging.) Ice is much more toxic to brain cells than cocaine. As devastating as the crack cocaine problem has been, ice promises to be much worse. Ice addicts sustain significant brain damage. Matt suffered from ‘methamphetamine psychosis’ with severe paranoia. He felt as if the whole world was “out to get him.”  Homicide, trauma, and suicide (as was the case with Matt) are the most common causes of death for ice addicts.  Within five years, 90% of addicts are either brain-damaged, dead, or in prison.

Ice is burning down homes (meth labs), destroying families, polluting the environment, and corrupting our neighborhoods. Ice is destroying our workforce and flooding our prisons, hospitals, and rehab centers with brain-damaged people. It is infiltrating our schools and churches and killing our young people. It is an epidemic that will touch millions.

We must kneel before our God and ask for His grace to help those in need, then stand and demonstrate the compassion of Christ to them. There is no answer to the ice epidemic outside of Jesus. The medical field can offer assistance in dealing with the complications caused by the damage done to the physical body (and this can be extensive); but the Answer is the TRUTH. We must reach out and freely offer to them the “Cure” which is Christ. The addict needs to exchange the methamphetamine for the Messiah!

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Charles Haddon Spurgeon called the 85th Psalm “the prayer of a patriot for his afflicted country.” He expressed his belief that David penned this national hymn when the land was oppressed by the Philistines. When we come to the 85th Psalm, we are reading a passionate prayer for revival. In fact, if you will notice, the first seven verses are a prayer that God has inspired, recorded, and kept for us that we might gain a better understanding of how revival comes to an individual and to a nation.  You cannot lose your salvation, but you can lose the joy of your salvation. You can lose the thrill of what it means to belong to Christ and to live for Him and love Him. That is the reality of life…and that is when we need a revival.

David begins his prayer with a look back at history and a remembrance of how God favored Israel with revival in times past. Notice verse one, “Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.” The word revive means “to make alive again.” It is bringing life back to that which is dead or dying.  When the Psalmist looked back on the days of revival, he saw a time of blessing, prosperity, and the favor of God.  When the children of Israel were in captivity because of sin, God brought them to a renewed freedom.

In verses two and three, we see how revival restores our relationship with God.  “Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.   Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.” I have no doubt that God is angry with us as a nation today.  And, it is not “them” out there that is the problem; we are.  I am talking about God’s people. There is no question that we are in desperate need of an old-fashioned, Holy Ghost, God-sent revival.  It is not the iniquity of the world that kindles God’s wrath, but the iniquity tolerated, overlooked, and even enjoyed by His own people.  When revival occurs, there will be remarkable forgiveness of sin and a turning away of God’s wrath.  Oh, how we need that today!

Look at the plea for revival David voices in verse 4, “Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.” We do not hear much praying like this today.  Most of our prayers are short and simple (and not very sweet).   This is an earnest, fervent, passionate prayer from a man who means business with God.  Prayers that do not bring tears to our eyes or a quivering to our lips or an emotion that torments the spirit do not produce revival.  Until we are serious about our need for revival, it is unlikely that we will ever experience revival.  We cannot expect revival until we reach the end of ourselves and recognize that is only through God that we can have life again.

What happens when a real revival comes?  The answer is found in verse six.  “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” Revival always brings a renewed joy to our relationship with God.   A person who experiences revival will rejoice in the Lord regardless of what else is going on in his life. You may be in times of great stress, difficulty, and challenge.   But, when revival takes place, God’s people rejoice; not necessarily in what is happening in their lives, but in what is happening in their relationship with God Himself. It is a rejoicing that is not born out of an appreciation for what God is doing for us, but of an appreciation for Who God is!

David concludes his prayer for revival in verse seven and then transitions to focus on what happens in the heart and life of a person who is looking for revival.  Psalm 85:7&8 says, “Show us thy mercy O Lord and grant us thy salvation.  I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.” What signs can we look for to indicate revival is coming?  The first thing David mentions is that God’s people will be in tune with God’s voice.  God can speak to you, and when He does, you do not want to miss it.  I have noticed in my own life, that when God is about to do something significant, His voice will become a priority to me.   My friend, our country needs revival.  Our churches need revival. Individually, we need revival!! Did you hear His voice today?

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II Kings 5: 1-14

Whatever is not of faith is sin; and faith is integrally linked to recognition of, and conformity to, the Word of Truth. Are we walking by faith, allowing the Word to lighten each step of our pilgrim pathway; or by sight, trusting the frailty of the flesh and the foolishness of self? Are we seeking to please ourselves or our Lord? Elisha and Gehazi illustrate these two different options left to every servant of God. Today, we look at Elisha; and in two weeks, we will look at Gehazi.

He was not well known or highly regarded by the dignitaries (vv. 5-6), but certainly was known as God’s man by a “little maid” (vv. 2-3). A faithful servant of the Lord today is not out to please men or impress the religious masses; his desired recognition is among those who are themselves seeking to walk according to Truth – God’s faithful remnant.

God’s power and glory (v. 8), not Naaman’s honor or self-aggrandizement (vv9-12), was Elisha’s concern. He wanted all to know that there was, in fact, a God in Israel; and that there was still a prophet of God who stood uncompromisingly as his servant. Elisha’s desire was to honor his Lord, not bring attention to self by trying to dazzle Naaman and his cohorts with a sensationalized or colorful ministry. Unpretentious, humble service is the crowning mark of the selfless servant.

Elisha was also careful as to how his ministry was perceived by others; he refused their gifts (vv. 15-16). A clear testimony, honoring to God and honest before men, was far more important than personal gain. Nor did he seek self-vindication when he was misrepresented by Gehazi before Naaman (v. 22). God’s judgment, not his own wrath, was pronounced by Elisha. God will set things straight and administer justice in the end (vv. 25-27). Until God finally sets things straight, we are to obey our Master’s commandments whether the immediate consequences might be favorable or not.

Our motivation for ministry must be pure and selfless, too. We must constantly guard against the temptation to trim the message or let down the Biblical parameters for faithful ministry in an effort to enhance our image or broaden our fellowship. God’s glory is the issue here, not our popularity. If we are identified with Truth in every way possible, then we will necessarily be out of step with this current evil age. God is seeking workers today who are willing to bear his reproach. Let’s all be selfless servants!

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“And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!”

(Luke 15:16-17)

Enablement defined is “any approach that provides means or opportunity.” A leading question among workers dealing with addicted people is, “How do I know the difference between enabling them and showing them love?” In the CD (available through Reformers Unanimous) entitled, “How to Minister to the Addicted”, I discuss three different models or philosophies in dealing with those who are addicted.

One of those models is the “impaired model of addictions.”  It deals with people who are looking at the actions and reactions of an addicted individual and judging that person based on what they see.  This model is prevalent in most churches today. They believe that it is just a lack of character that keeps this addicted individual bound and they just need to repent and exercise will power to stop their addiction.  However, but other times they will feel sorry for them and will continue to enable them-giving them enablement-a help that hurts! In this model of addiction, it is believed that the only treatment is to change the addict’s behavior through  shame, guilt, rejection, or by enabling them – which results in a deeper shame-based identity and stronger addiction.

To make this topic of “enablement” clearer, I want to list some examples to help you.  Many Christians want to help, out of a good heart and bowels of compassion, but that compassion should not be based on “soulical” needs of those we are trying to help, but rather spiritual needs. You see, you cannot help someone UNTIL they, just like the prodigal son mentioned in the verse above, come to the end of themselves. It does not mean that we do not help them, but it does mean that we do not enable them. In the years of watching some of our leaders here in Rockford minister to people that would have continued their habit; I want to present some situations in which you can show love without enabling:

1. If a student asks for food money -
   1. One who would enable them would give them money–quickly
   2. One who would love them could meet them at Wal-Mart and purchase the items the student needs, while spending time with them and developing them in spiritual ways.
2. If a student needs gas for his/her vehicle -
   1. Someone who would enable them would give them money. (Don’t ever give money! When a drug addict gets money they buy drugs!)
   2. Someone who would love them would take them to the gas station and put gas in their car for them, also spending time with them.
3. If a student’s car gets impounded for various reasons -
   1. A person who enables them will get their car out of the car impound without doing anything to help change their behavior.
   2. A person who would love them may look for other options (bus, bicycle, carpool,) without getting the car out of the car impound, to reveal to them that the consequences for our sin are inevitable, incalculable, and up to God. (Principle #9) We do not want to get in the way of what God is trying to do.

The Bible is clear that man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. The real need of an individual is not to change their circumstances on the outside, but to be used of God to change their heart. The very thing that needs to be changed, their heart, is often used to manipulate and control all circumstances to their advantage. Once someone in leadership clearly sees this pattern, through the eyes of God’s love, they will realize (like the prodigal son’s father) that there was a time to give his son his inheritance with no strings attached. This was necessary for the son to get him in the position where no man was willing to give to him again to help him continue his behavior, his life style, and his heart’s appetites and desires. At Reformers Unanimous, we know that God will put a new heart in every believer, and that the power of the Gospel is able to transform anyone’s life – if they are willing to turn.  In summary, that for which an addict may be asking is not really what they need; and what you would like to do for them may not be what He would like to do in them. One thing is for sure, God has bestowed upon us His love, given us His Spirit, and the fruit of that Spirit is love, and may God help every one of us to demonstrate that I Corinthians 13 love in a way that would help people without hurting them.

Current Housing Needs

Don’t ask-Tell!

Understanding Nehemiah’s view in sharing his needs to people…

“We don’t ask man for money, we ask God-He owns it anyway! -Steven Curington

Our goals have grown away from asking people to help us with this project and that project.  Our need been met so many times simply because we asked God to meet then and shortly thereafter someone requested information on our needs and then just like that, the needs were met.

So please pray over our needs in your spare time…at least once! How about now? There are just a few….

Womens Home:

• Twelve girls to fill beds in the new home.  Reduced tuition for them if needed and accepted.
• A 15-passenger van, used but nice, for the Joy Belle’s summer tour.
• A 30 or more shuttle bus to transport ladies to work, church, and back.
• An “In Memory” or “In Honor” donor for the south wing rooms.
• A “Window of Opportunity” for individual donors to purchase a window for the girl’s bedrooms.Current windows are worn and will not last until or through winter.
• The commercial kitchen will remain closed until we can fill it with used, but nice, commercial kitchen appliances and equipment. One need at a time is our goal.  Though the home opens this week, the cafeteria will remain shuttered till God meets that need.

Men’s Home:

• Nine men to fill beds in the existing home. There is some tuition money available through the Timothy Fund to help a few.
• Tuition dollars “in memory” or “in honor” of someone you love to help men and women attend our program who could not otherwise afford it.

National Ministry:

• We need one man to fill a role of Marketing/Public Relations and Communications.  This interested candidate must be gain his Pastor’s permission before sending his resume and would require his move to Rockford preferably by June 15.
• We also are need of a strong Operations Director.  Someone who understands people movement, policy informant personal management and problem solvement.  This person works for me and oversees 75 staff, students and volunteers. Both positions report directly to Bro. Curington.
• We need talented graphic designers to assist our workload in our creative department.  This person does NOT need to relocate to Rockford, but will work independent of headquarters on plan preparation.  Chosen candidate will work for Will Fowler.

National Conference of Workshops: The Way is Agape!

To say that I am excited about this year’s conference is an understatement would be unparalleled in our ministry.  My excitement has been replaced with personal refinement.  I am learning so much about our topic of love and its alternative forms offered by man-Phileo; and what is offered by the enemy-Eros. I cannot wait to teach you what I have learned and the lessons I have spurned in an effort to become addicted to aggressive striving in the work of my ministry.  This aggressive striving led to an addiction to affirmation of those whom I strived to serve, whether students or pastors.  This addiction led to be seek the affirmation and praise of man.  This reciprocal cycle caused me to abandon what is common among family-time and energy; for that which was being blessed by my calling-my ministry.  I would tell my family I loved them, but when the day was done and I had only two weary hours left before their bedtime, they could sense something wasn’t right.  Disappointment and regret, rather than appreciation and affirmation set in and I was doomed.  Not making my family happy, with my people, staff and students struggling with many wants demanding they be met, they often voiced their great displeasure with me.  With vendors and customers waiting for money or product that we could not deliver and with churches dropping support regularly, I became a man not only unappreciated, I became a man most miserable whom people sensed the only way to help me was to request of me that which would only make me more miserable!

It is at this time I refined our topic to “The Way is Agape:  Learning to Live for the Audience of One!” As we teach, train, and coach your workers to this all important intimacy with the Father, we must understand how important that it be to us.  It must be our all sufficiency.  It must give us humility, transparency, sensibility and accountability.  And then, the way others feel for you or about you will change.  Not because they will cease to love you, but rather love you more because you are not expressing to them the Father’s love which has been bestowed upon you.

We surely hope your church and chapter can attend this year’s event.  Mark your calendars – Monday, September 27^th through Thursday, September 30. The Formal Banquet will be the evening of the 29^th.  You won’t want to miss this yearly awe-inspiring highlight.

RIP – Reformers Institutional Program

Here is a testimony from an incarcerated individual participating in the program:

“I love RU. My parole officer introduced me to the program. It is much better than A.A. I was saved back when I was 20 years old and in the U.S.M.C at Camp Pendleton, CA, but didn’t stay with the Lord. I was baptized in Oceanside, CA. I always felt a pull to God but didn’t know how to go to Him. I was brought up with a God who only punished, and I wasn’t taught about God’s loving side. I spent many years in prison for the crimes I committed. Being in Reformers has changed my life for the better. My family and friends (the few I have left) have seen a change in me. The nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, next to God’s gift of Jesus’ sacrifice and the Holy Spirit, was introduce me to R.U. My life will never be the same.”

- Jerry B. in New Jersey

(Click here to read other testimonies…)

It is exciting to see the continual growth of the Reformers Institutional Program (RIP) here and abroad. Testimonies like the one above come into our offices every single day. It is even more exciting to hear of those men that have been released from incarceration that have joined both the Friday night RU programs and local churches across this country. There is an exciting parallel going on between ministering to those that are incarcerated while at the same time ministering to their family members in the community through the local RU Chapter. We have discovered that, because of their stronger relationship with God, the reunion of the incarcerated with their loved ones is much sweeter, and the end result is families joining local churches all across America. If you are interested in starting a RIP program in your community please contact our offices at 815-986-0460, ext 150, or email us at rip@reformu.com.

Note to current RIP Programs:

Recently we were made aware that the bookmark awards for the RIP program are not able to go into a large majority of the jails and prisons, therefore we have discontinued these items and made certificates for those challenges. We have limited supplies of those bookmarks still available, and if your program allows you to use them you may purchase them through the sales manager, Barry Curington, at sales@reformu.com.

Rockford Training Days

The increased number of chapters this year encourages us. We have started nearly 50 chapters since January 1^st, using our new model of director training. Recently, we sent an email to pastors and directors of current RU chapters, encouraging them to attend one of these conferences here in Rockford to get retraining and re-certification in operating an RU Program. We have been surprised by the numbers of leaders, helpers, and even students that have attended these classes on overcoming stubborn habits and effectively helping others in your community. We invite you to learn more about these free opportunities of training by going to http://register.reformu.com/. Please note that this training would not be superior to that of our National Conference, but it would be a great addition to anyone or any chapter that is currently struggling.

RU Schools of Discipleship

“Looking back, I never would have seen it coming, and if you would have told me that my first hit of marijuana would have lead me to becoming a heroin addict, I wouldn’t have believed you. Because of my rebellion to God, I started to experiment with drugs and alcohol when I was 14 years old. By the time I was 19, I had already been to jail on numerous occasions. The last time I was arrested there was no hope of a release anytime soon. That’s where I heard about the Reformers Unanimous program. I started to attend the program, and gave my heart and my life back to God. Then I got court ordered to the Men’s School of Discipleship in Rockford, Illinois. There, I learned what it really meant to walk with God, and what it meant to study the Bible. Through the It’s Personal Daily Journal, and the Strongholds Study Course, I learned what it meant to be discipled and worship God. The accountability taught me about the structure and discipline I never had as a fatherless teenager. The daily counseling with the Stewad, Jeff R., got me through most of the program. He was always turning my heart towards God. The constant accountability also helped me to learn that freedom is found in boundaries. Today, I have the wonderful privilege and opportunity of not only studying for the work of the ministry in Bible College, but also working full-time in ministry underneath my pastor. I thank God almost everyday for the RIP Program that introduced me to Reformers Unanimous, as well as the School of Discipleship for changing my life.”

- Michie D. in Illinois

(click here to read more testimonies…)

There are people like Michie all across America who want help and are searching for freedom, but they cannot do it on their own. They need the extra accountability of an in-patient program. They can follow the same path to freedom and success. If you know of someone who could benefit from our 8 to 10 month Schools of Discipleship, please email us at weneedu@reformu.com or call us at (815) 986-0460 ext 115. We love you…at RU!

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Psalm 96: 1-13
“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness…” This exhortation in verse nine is familiar to most believers. Sadly, it is not always practiced. As we study this Psalm, it would be well to ask ourselves if we are worshiping the Lord in the beauty of holiness, in our hearts, in our homes, and in our churches.

It is a very sad fact to contemplate, but most Christians are well aware that much of what goes on in the name of worshiping the Lord today is not in the beauty of holiness, but in the ugliness of unholiness. It is easy to blame someone else for this sad situation, but what fills your heart and mind when you gather with fellow believers to worship the Lord?

Many churches are being torn apart today because so many people come to church just to criticize the preacher or to find fault with others in the church. Even for one hour many believers seem unable to bring their own lives fully into subjection to the Lord and His Word so that a worship service can be truly in the beauty of holiness – in an attitude of reverence – and with a spirit of forgiveness and understanding in connection with the needs and problems of others.

How will we be able to proclaim the true gospel message to the heathen, and remind him of his righteous judgment (v. 10) if we are not worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness ourselves? Note also verse 13 where God says that He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth. Those who would sacrifice truth on the altar of expediency are denying God’s righteous judgment, and ignoring His will.

Only those who worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness can be faithful witnesses for Jesus Christ. Only those who worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness can sing unto the Lord a new song (v. 1). If we would give the Lord the glory due His name, and bring an offering that would please Him, then we must not follow those in our day who are willing to tolerate error. We cannot give the excuse that unholiness in the church and in the proclamation of the Gospel are justified in an attempt to fulfill the Great Commission.

It is difficult to obey the word of the Lord when the majority of the Christians are disobeying it. But let us not forget that the results of disobedience are always disastrous. Let us desire to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

Dr. George Crabb D.O.

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Good Morning! We are 138 days into 2010…how are you doing with those New Year’s resolutions?  One of the most popular resolutions is the promise to stop smoking. However, it is also the resolution that usually doesn’t last past January.  Why is it so hard to stop smoking?

Tobacco, with its drug nicotine, is probably the most widely abused chemical substance in the world. It is one of the most difficult addictions to conquer. It is difficult to conquer because there is not only a strong physical addiction to the nicotine which basically touches every part of the body but there is a significant psychological addiction to the activities associated with smoking. I have had some patients who struggled more with the psychological addiction than the physical, but both can be a formidable foe. Tobacco is dangerous and deadly and needs to be taken seriously.

Cigarettes are designed to addict. They are chemically engineered to deliver nicotine to your brain. Along with the nicotine there are numerous other dangerous substances in the cigarette smoke which cause devastating health issues. Some of these substances are acetone, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and formaldehyde. These chemicals are added to the tobacco which makes the cigarette even more deadly. These added chemicals are given the general name “tar” and include everything in a cigarette but nicotine and water. The cigarette is manufactured with a deadly delivery system, designed to efficiently send high doses of nicotine to the brain. As you inhale the cigarette smoke, the tar infiltrates your lungs, and the nicotine “rides the tar” into the blood stream. As the cigarette smoke is inhaled there are over four thousand compounds present in that smoke to make that “rush” of nicotine faster and more enjoyable. Out of the over four thousand compounds present in cigarette smoke, at least sixty of them are known to be carcinogens (cancer-forming chemicals).

Tobacco is quite insidious with its consequences. Unlike cocaine, heroin, or other dangerous drugs, tobacco’s nicotine and poison can go undetected for many years. Tobacco can gradually create addiction to nicotine and gradually kill. Tobacco is legal and accessible, but it is one of the leading causes of death throughout the world, causing almost half a million deaths in the United States annually.

As people smoke cigarettes they are not only exposing themselves to the dangers of tobacco but also their loved ones and friends they smoke around. Second-hand smoke was once considered harmless but we now know better. Second-hand smoke is poisonous and it kills. It is estimated that exposure to second-hand smoke causes an estimated three thousand lung cancer deaths each year among non-smoking American adults.

Nicotine withdrawal is a very unpleasant process to go through. For you see, when you take nicotine away, your body craves it, and makes you feel like you need more nicotine or you will die or get sick. Your body will rebel with all kinds of symptoms such as: headaches, anxiety, depression, fatigue, hunger, trouble sleeping, thirst, decreased attention span, agitation, irritability, anger, and frustration amongst many others. The above symptoms can occur in just a few short hours after your last cigarette. They will be at their worst two to three days later and can last for weeks. It is not only a physical withdrawal from nicotine that a smoker goes through. In quitting tobacco, there are physiological and emotional changes that occur. For you see, smokers just don’t depend on nicotine physically. They depend on it behaviorally and psychologically. Smoking is what they do when they get together with friends. And, in fact, it is a major means by which they blow off steam when they are feeling tense. It is what they do while drinking their morning coffee or relaxing after dinner. That is why breaking the bondage of nicotine addiction can be difficult and, in fact, be harder to quit in some instances than heroin or cocaine. A patient of mine that was involved in polysubstance abuse (including tobacco) stated to me, “It (tobacco) was the hardest to quit, and it was the last to leave.” He went on to say, “The thoughts of tobacco use still haunt me.” But, breaking the bondage to your nicotine addiction is of vital importance for you and those around you. Breaking this bondage is well worth the effort.

So, we see the significance of breaking the bondage to nicotine/tobacco addiction. It is so important from the physical side as well as the mental side, but also, and even more importantly, from the spiritual side. What you need to do instead of picking up your cigarette with your morning coffee, pick up your Bible and read it. Instead of lighting up a cigarette on your drive home, put in a preaching CD or a Joy Belle music CD. Instead of a cigarette after dinner, take a walk and meditate on the things of God.

Friend, regardless of where you may be in your struggle with nicotine addiction, the good news is that there is life after cigarettes. Please trade in your cigarettes for Christ Jesus and your nicotine for the name above all names – Jesus. Let Him, the Truth, make you free…finally.

If you failed to keep your New Year’s resolution, don’t wait until January 1, 2011 to try again!  You can start today!  Give God the glory for what He can do in you!  I Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Dr. George Crabb D.O.

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See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.  For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (Hebrews 12:25)

I heard about a little boy who was not getting good grades in school because he had not been paying attention to his teacher.  One day, his teacher sent a note home for his parents about his conduct and his grades.  The next day, he came up to the teacher and said, “I don’t want to scare you, but my dad told me last night that if I don’t start getting better grades somebody’s going to get a spanking!”  However, we know the teacher is not the problem!  Bad things happen when we do not pay attention.  I do not know how many times someone has sat in my office who was desperately seeking help, and I heard them say, “I wish I had listened.”  This concept of listening is not just hearing; the idea is listening with the full intention of heeding what is said.

For the past several weeks, we have been discussing how God speaks to us in four distinct ways.  The first way is through Jesus’ blood; the second way is through His Word; the third way is through His Spirit.  Today we will discuss the final way that God speaks to us and that is through others.

God speaks to us through the testimony of faithful believers. Hebrews 3:13 says, “But exhort one another daily while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” God’s plan is for us to encourage and uplift each other.  He speaks to us through other believers.  Thank God for those people who care enough about you to come alongside and say, “Listen, you need to change this.  You need to dedicate your life to Christ.  You need to serve Him with your whole heart.”  Sometimes, people resent those who correct them; that is foolish and dangerous.  God is speaking to you through their words.

Also, understand that if you are listening to the voice of the Spirit of God and walking in fellowship with the Lord, God wants to use you to encourage others.  Your words and your testimony and your encouragement can make the difference for another believer who is struggling with adversity.  Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” So often we speak rashly, without thinking about the impact of our words.  If we speak through the flesh instead of the Spirit, we have a negative impact on the other runners in the race.  God wants us to encourage and exhort each other.

It is interesting that this is not meant to be an occasional action—God says to do it “daily.” You can be walking in fellowship with God on Saturday and be walking away from God on Sunday.  We need daily exhortation.  Not only can we be inspired by living believers; but we can also learn from the pattern and example of those who have gone before.  Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” Abel has been in Heaven for thousands of years, yet his testimony of faith still encourages us today.  Your testimony, whether good or bad, will outlive your life.

I first heard Richard Wurmbrand speak when I was sixteen years old.  He was a pastor in Romania, who spent fourteen years in a Communist prison, being tortured for his faith.  When he walked to the pulpit, I saw a little man, thin and emaciated, with hollowed out eyes and sunken in cheeks.  But, when he talked, his face lit up with a radiant glow.  As he told the story of his ministry in the underground church, God used his testimony to stir my heart.  He has been with the Lord for several years now, but his voice is still speaking today.  The impact of his testimony is still encouraging and motivating me and thousands of others who heard him speak.  That is the kind of testimony I want to leave behind for the glory of God.  But, I can only leave that testimony if I listen to His blood, His Word, His Spirit, and the testimony of other faithful believers.  When you hear God speak, do not refuse Him.  Do not turn away.  Do not turn back.  Obey His voice.  Run to Him and find His will. Do His will and forever you will be blessed. Listen to your teachers!

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