Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

The Highest Compliment Jesus Paid When you don’t want to do something, it is easy to find excuses for not doing it. Moses was in an “excuse mode” when God called on him to lead Israel out of Egyptian bondage. He made every excuse he could think of, from “I can’t talk” to “I don’t want to,” but God was having none of it.  One way He got Moses’ attention was to ask, “What is that in thy hand?” (Exodus 4:2). Moses had a shepherd’s rod. He and God used that rod to free Israel from Egyptian bondage. An event with a similar lesson is found in Mark 14. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anointed the feet of Jesus with an expensive ointment. Judas complained that the ointment could have been sold for the benefit of the poor. Jesus, however, says of Mary, “she hath done what she could.” There would be little time to prepare Jesus’ body for burial, and Jesus said, “..she hath anointed my body beforehand for the burial,” Mark 14:3-9. She could not prevent His crucifixion, but she did “what she could.” Moses used a “rod,” and it was a major factor in Pharaoh’s decision to let them go. Are we so blind that we are not aware of the tools we have in our hands to do the will of God? Young or old, you have means at your disposal by which you can serve God even now: You have a telephone There are mixed feelings about the telephone. Some say it is the greatest invention ever, while others hate it. But without leaving the comfort and warmth of your home you can offer help to a neighbor, a brother or sister in Christ – or anyone who is discouraged, sick or grieving over a loved one’s illness. Just one phone call may be the very thing that person needs—and you can do it. No excuses now – it just takes a few minutes. Costs little or nothing, and you may make a real difference in some person’s life! You have a computer, a typewriter or a pencil I know a lady, though not as healthy as she once was, who calls or writes to every person who is not able to come to the worship assembly. She uses that means to encourage, and some of you may have been on the receiving end of one of them. If you can e-mail or write, make use of what you have “in thy hand.” You have the keys to an automobile Some of us here today became Christians because someone brought us to assemble with others who were Christians. Do you have neighbors who would come with you if you invited them? Philip used a chariot as a place to teach the Ethiopian, Acts 8. Why not bring someone with you next time? Why not offer a ride to someone who needs to go to the grocery store or the post office. That’s something all of us can do. You have a Bible and a brain You can do no better favor for any of your friends than to open the pages of the Bible and show them the way of salvation. “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple,” Psalm 119:130. You have that which can brighten someone’s life today. Why not do what you can. You have a pair of glasses If you don’t need glasses you may not be able to imagine what it is like to be blind. Many cannot see well enough to read their own Bible. You could be their “eyes,” opening their heart to His word. You have an ear Many need someone who will just listen to them, talk to them and hear what they have to say. Can you imagine not having anyone to talk to? There are many who are very lonely, having no one who will listen. You may be able to fill that need in their life. But – it will take your time and your willingness to listen. That is something you have “in your hand” that only you can offer. How about it? You have recipes and an oven The gift of a hot loaf of homemade bread may be the best gift for some. A casserole or a freshly baked cake or cookies – what a blessed sight. It shows that you took the time to make something just for them. You men who “can’t cook,” the local bakery will do it for you, and similar results will be seen. You have a lawnmower and a set of tools You don’t need to have a great deal of skill with tools to do what needs to be done in a household. The lawn needs to be mowed, but if one is disabled, sick or not capable of pushing the mower, you can be a great help. Some men and women occasionally need help with the car, or with the plumbing…..or with a balky computer! If you have the know-how and the tools “in thy hand”, you can accomplish much good, and our young people will be blessed by these opportunities. You have a Bible and a tract You may think you don’t know the Bible well enough to teach someone, but you can give them a Bible, or a tract that teaches Bible principles. We have plenty of both, and all you need to do is take advantage of what is “in thy hand.”  Don’t forget Mary, for whom Jesus paid the highest compliment – “she hath done what she could.” That’s all God expects of any of us. Carl B Garner

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ,” Galatians 6:5 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her," Mark 14:9

What About Braided Hair? Question: “In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he seems to forbid a woman wearing her hair braided (2:9). Can you comment on this? What would be the reason behind this prohibition?” The full context of any passage, plus other relevant information elsewhere in the Bible on the same topic, must be employed to bring any ambiguous passage into clear focus. So it is with 1 Timothy 2:9. The passage is enjoining “modest” (well-ordered, decent) clothing, and is designed to protect the Christian woman against the inordinate attention of others. A woman (or man for that matter) may be immodest either by being underdressed, or extravagantly dressed. The emphasis of this passage is upon the development of inner spiritual qualities, which could be obscured by outlandish dress. Paul is not condemning the items mentioned per se. What he is prohibiting is that excess which would detract from the woman’s spiritual charms. It would not be sinful for a Christian woman to wear a wedding ring of “gold,” though “gold” is mentioned. It is, however, in my judgment, a sign of ostentation to see women wear- ing rings on virtually every finger, some on her toes, and three or four in each ear—not to mention nose and eyebrow rings, studs, etc. Historical sources indicate that in that era, it frequently was the case that women would braid their hair high atop their heads, having it intertwined with jewels, etc. It was a showcase—so elaborate as to be a sensation. One certainly may array himself or herself with pride and dignity, but to dress so as to flaunt the physical is not consistent with the will of Christ. Even preachers who are such flashy dressers that they distract from the gospel message are not exercising spiritual judgment. Moreover, Paul’s prohibition includes “costly raiment.” How much does “costly” cost? Compared to what many folks in third world countries wear, virtually anything we put on is “costly.” The way we dress within our culture is, therefore, to some degree a factor in exercising good judgment. When the Christian visits certain poor countries, he may need to “dress down” somewhat. In a passage of similar import, Peter condemns “putting on apparel” (1 Peter 3:3). Clearly this injunction is not intended to be absolute; rather, the language is relative. The point is this: for both women and men, one may dress well, and even fashionable within his cultural circumstances; however, he or she should avoid being show-offish. Inner traits should be paramount in our public demeanor. Christ should be magnified in us (Philippians 1:20). Wayne Jackson