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By Chris Watson

Those of you who know me know that we have had an addition to the family approximately every 2 years for the last 9 years. Over that time there are a few things that I have grown accustomed to: Diapers, stepping on toys in the middle of the night, and kid’s shows on the television. Over the years there have been many shows that have come and gone based on my different child’s preferences, but one of the shows that have remained the same has been Super Why! It is all about the values and things you can learn while reading. Typically the show is set up with a problem and when they need to find the answer they “Look in a book.” 

In 2 Kings 22-23, we see Josiah, the boy king take over the throne at the ripe old age of 8 years old. He had inherited considerable problems from his predecessors Manasseh and Amon, as they had driven God’s people into further disobedience to the Lord. Unlike his father and grandfather, it tells us that Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely in the ways of David. One day as they were repairing the temple, The Book of the Law was found. They brought it to Josiah and read it to him and at the hearing of these words, Josiah tore his robes and wept. He began to tear down all of the temples and sacraments to false gods and renewed a covenant to follow the Lord alone and keep His commandments. 

So where do we look when we have a problem? We look in The Book. God’s word has the answers to all of the problems that have surrounded us in the past, that surround us now, and that will come in the future. His word is timeless and can penetrate the soul. We see in the days of Josiah, that much of the lawlessness, wickedness, and evil that are going on today, was going on during that time as well. So as we look for answers to the problems we face, the hurts that we experience, and the struggles we encounter, look to the Lord and to His word, for in Him we find life, meaning, purpose, and hope.

By Jacob Mock

As we enter week 37 in our Bible in one year plan, we start out in 1 Corinthians 13. This chapter of scripture is commonly referred to as “The love chapter,” which is a very timely passage. Being Christians and church members, most of us are certainly aware that love is an extremely important aspect of the Christian life. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us just how important it is. 

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

How well are you loving the people around you? Are you patient with them? Are you kind to them? Or are you quick tempered and rude? It makes sense that the world is not loving, but as Christians we should be the most loving people on earth! No other character trait can replace love. God’s word says that it does not matter how much money you give away, how many hours you serve, or how many weeks in a row you attend church. If you are not a loving person, then you have nothing! This chapter in the Bible should cause us all to stop and reflect on how we treat the people around us. Let’s be sure to love those around us well!

By Derward Poole

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 - “So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” (NLT)

Upon completing our education, most of us are relieved not to have any more tests. Two summers ago, when I walked out of the office of Dr. Bret Sullivan, President of Covington Seminary, it was like a six year heavy weight had been removed. However, our testing days aren’t quite over, because God has a final examination of sorts for believers. And just as we needed to study to demonstrate scholastic progress, we should also be preparing for the day when the Lord assesses our life.

Although believers won’t be judged for their sins since Jesus bore them on the cross, we are nevertheless accountable to God for how we have lived since salvation. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to have our works evaluated for the purpose of reward. Some of the deeds that we thought were good will be found worthless by the Judge who knows our motives, whereas others will be rewarded.

There are many factors by which the Lord evaluates our lives, and His knowledge of every detail is absolute. We will have no excuses for wrong motives or wasted time and opportunities. Therefore, we should live in light of eternity every day of our life, seeking to please the Lord with our thoughts, motives, words, and deeds.