Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

How Solomon Wound up with 700 Wives Things sometimes happen so gradually that we have no inkling of what is coming. We learn several lessons on this theme in Old and New Testaments alike. The church Jesus promised to build was organized in such a way that men with certain qualifications were to serve as overseers or shepherds, 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1. The purpose for this is manifold, but part of the reason is that these men must keep watch over Christ’s church to the extent that faithfulness to God will continue, even when subtle, gradual changes are seen everywhere about them. These shepherds, or elders, were to “watch” for the souls of their brethren. Solomon began his reign as Israel’s king with flying colors, but gradually, as time passed, he abandoned and violated the law of God. In 1 Kings 11:1-11 we read: “Solomon loved many foreign women…Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them...he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines…his wives turned away his heart after other gods…And the Lord was angry with Solomon.” The decline of a nation’s morals takes place like that-bit by bit. Before you know it you live in a culture in which “anything goes.” Who would have guessed in 1952 that within fifty years America would be aborting more babies than the number of those who have died in all our nation’s wars? Who could have imagined that our Supreme Court would allow the most gross forms of pornography to be protected by law, while reading the Bible to our school children is prohibited. Little by little—that’s the way Solomon wound up with all those wives—and why he lost the respect of God and man. These things occurred so slowly, so very gradually that many of us did not see them coming until suddenly they overwhelmed us. Alexander Pope said it this way: We don’t go down with a quick hard fall; we just glide along. Little by little we lighten our load, till we cannot tell right from wrong. Sin is a monster of such frightful countenance; That to be hated needs but to be seen. But, seen too often, familiar with its face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace! That is exactly how profanity got into TV and the movies—bit by bit; little by little. That’s also how people become hardened and insensitive to immorality. There is something far more serious than that—how Christ’s church can drift away from its moorings in the scripture. What is to keep us from going down that same “little by little” path? How did God plan for that to be avoided? Qualified overseers, elders, shepherds—that’s one way. See Titus 1:5-9, Hebrews 13:17. Some demand that we be more “ecumenical.” Some plead for us to go along with modern denominational views in doctrine, in appointing women preachers and elders. Others want to extend fellowship to anyone who claims to believe in God. Yes, that is happening now in some places—even in the church of Christ. This could happen to us here in Dripping Springs if we are not vigilant and sober in our thinking. That is why there is a need for alert, sober thinking and an uncompromising loyalty to the scriptures as we seek to maintain the purity of Christ’s bride. God gave that responsibility to men who will be alert to Satan’s devices, and make sure God’s truth is preached and taught, and that we remain true to scripture. Elders (shepherds, pastors, overseers) are not perfect men, but they must be dedicated to the task of keeping us true to God’s word, and true to our task, that of taking the gospel to the lost. To our younger men I speak: we need you to purpose in your heart to so live that you develop all those qualifications so you may take the torch in the future and prepare yourself for service in this noble office. It will take time and determination, but you will be serving the Lord in a significant way. The first thing to do is to study your Bible, develop your faith, and grow as a Christian should. We need you! Carl B. Garner

I don’t know this story’s origin, but the point is true: “They say that if you put a frog into a pan of hot water, he will do everything possible to get out as fast as he can. But if you put him in a pan of cool water, then turn up the heat to the boiling point, he may be boiled before he knows the water is hot.” The gradual onslaught of sin is like that—it takes you before you realize it. Don’t fall asleep as a Christian! And watch out for boiling water!

Eleven Suggestions to Make Prayer More Meaningful Pray More. The average Christian spends a very limited amount of time in prayer. We often reserve prayer for emergency use only. How much time would you estimate you spent in prayer yesterday? How much time last week? More Daniels are needed today (Dan. 6:10). Be More Specific in Prayer. Prayers are often far too general, too vague. More praying should be done for specific people, specific needs, etc. Prayer should be fitted to the occasion and need. Too often our prayers are like that of the young boy when he and a friend found themselves in the pathway of what appeared to be sure disaster with no way of escape. One of the boys prayed the only prayer he had ever heard his father pray, and that before meals. He said, "God, make us thankful for what we are about to receive!" It may be that our prayers are often no more appropriate for the occasion than was his. Pray with Greater Faith. James said that weak faith and futile prayers are connected (James 1:6). Doubts and uncertainties hinder prayers. The source for a greater faith is God's Word (Romans 10:17). Rise Above the Sin of Covetousness. James also tells us that a covetous spirit hinders our prayers (4:2). Selfish hearts do not gain the ear of God. A loving and giving God is seeking to bless those with generous spirits. Pray with Greater Zeal and Fervency. Another important ingredients is enthusiasm or fervency, so declares James (5:16). Prayers coming only from the lips, and not from the hearts, are hollow and empty. The Pharisees of Jesus' day prayed such prayers. Grow More Godly. The more righteous we become, the more prayer accomplishes (James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12). Elijah's success in prayer was directly related to his righteousness in life. The rebellious spirit and the unrepented sins will always hinder our prayers (Proverbs 1:28; Isaiah 59:2). Improve Marital Relationships. Peter tells us that relationships between husbands and wives either help or hinder prayers (1 Peter 3:7). When relationships break down between marriage partners, our relationship with God is affected. Grow in Humility. The first beatitude named by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount was on humility (Matthew 5:3). The proud heart is rejected by God (James 4:6). The Pharisee's prayer was rejected because of pride (Luke 18). Cultivate a Forgiving Spirit. Jesus declared that we cannot expect forgiveness from God if we refuse to forgive our fellowman (Matthew 6:12). This is just one of numerous biblical warnings that God's treatment of us is connected with our treatment of others. Persistence in Prayer. Jesus taught two parables regarding the importance of persistence in prayer (Luke, chapters 11 and 18). In each instance, perseverance was a key ingredient to success. Combine Action With Prayers. Pray as though everything depends upon God. Then work as though everything depends upon you. Somewhere, I read about a farmer with this sign on his farm: "Pray for a good harvest, but keep on plowing." by Charles L. Brown