Treasure Digest

• Casting Out Fear and Inner Torment
• But for the Grace of God
• Bible Study Summary: Gambling
• Take the Time to Show You Care: Be a Good Listener
• Ruth's Decision
• Are You a Tree of Life?
• Overwhelmed? Take Two Steps and Call God in the Morning (and Noon and Night)
• Our Conversations With God
• Turning the Hearts: It Takes Two
• Be Ready to Give an Answer: Why Do You Believe Baptism Is Necessary?
• Share Your Word Treasures!

Casting Out Fear and Inner Torment

"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment... There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment" (1 John 4:17-18). That word "love" is agape.

Why are there some who are baptized who still experience doubts about their baptism and thus have inner torment? Usually it is because they have never really felt "accepted" at home, in school or in the Church. These are all real feelings some people have. They must be understood and overcome.

We may also have the notion that nothing we can do is good enough for God and that He has so much glory and power that He surely would not have time for us. These thoughts stir up concerns, doubts and fears. How can we come before God with the boldness spoken of in Hebrews 4:16 when we are riddled with such doubts? The answer is that we really cannot, and so we need to tackle those doubts.

Understanding what and who God is will help us greatly. Knowing Him as a loving and forgiving Father does help us comprehend the meaning of agape love. That is what He is. Anyone who is a parent understands the strong and almost unreasonable love parents have for their children. God has much more love for us than any parent.

It always boils down to trusting God and believing Him. Another way of thinking about this is that we need to have faith. Faith is hope that exists even when things seem unclear and impossible. Knowing God is a key to having faith.

God did not intend us to have torment and He has developed His plan of salvation, which is designed to remove that burden. If we experience great doubts about God and His love for us, it will affect out prayers and our spiritual lives. We will tend to pray with less confidence and begin to believe God does not hear our prayers.

God took great pains to ensure that the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were all carefully documented. He wants us to have confidence in that gift of life that He offers.

He has taken the responsibility of calling to repentance those who He sees will listen and obey. He cleanses us with the blood of Christ and gives His Holy Spirit to be our constant reminder that we are His children. He even writes our names in His book of life. God has done everything that He can possibly do to reassure us of His love and forgiveness. He has taken the steps to erase human inner torment, and the rest is up to us.

We need to display and develop faith and trust in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We need to confront our fears and understand how events of the past have left us scarred. We need to learn to love God. When we struggle with all of that and truly put our noses to the grindstone, we will find that inner torment will be a thing of the past.

We can then boldly come into His presence, walk with confidence and hold the hand of our loving Father, just as a child trustingly holds the hand of his or her parent. God is the greatest, the best, the most loving parent of all time. Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Come, and your inner torment will flee.

—Bob Berendt

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But for the Grace of God

Last night a 2-year-old child died in the next suburb. As we watched TV we were vaguely aware of a background noise of wailing sirens, then on the early morning radio we heard the news.

A grandfather pulled his car into the roadside to let a bicycle pass, before turning into his driveway. The driver of the car behind became angry, and insults were exchanged over a faulty taillight. As the family got out of the grandfather's car, now parked on their driveway, the enraged second driver turned and sped into the back of it. Unfortunately the 2-year-old, by now between the two cars, was crushed, and died a few hours later.

My heart goes out to the parents. They will be enduring agonies of grief, despair, remembrance, remorse, picking up the child's toys, holding his clothes, yearning desperately to turn back the clock and once more hold him in their arms.

What of the second driver? It's easy to condemn him, to vilify him, but he too is probably experiencing some of the same emotions, wishing he also could turn back the clock, undo this dreadful unintended consequence, wondering how he can live with the result of his road rage, still hardly able to comprehend the outcome of his fury and lack of control...

I agonize for him. I've never killed a child, but certainly at times my temper horrifies me, and in a similar way it's usually over such trivial occurrences.

One day I waited patiently in a crowded carpark while a driver pulled out. Before I could drive in, some smartypants young man rapidly took the space, jumped out and was gone, leaving me to wait for someone else to leave. The charitable thing to do was to believe he had not known anyone was waiting, but I didn't feel at all charitable, I felt murderous.

We are all victims of the society in which we live, resenting the constant rush and speed, the lack of control we have over many aspects of our lives. It gets to us, doesn't it? I know that if I don't allow myself plenty of time to get to my destination, I'm inclined to take risks, cut corners, and sometimes those corners have been too close for comfort. If a disaster occurs, whose is the responsibility? All too often we blame the traffic, the lights, any of the circumstances surrounding us. Isn't the onus really on us?

It all starts in the brain—the thoughts. Once they are out of control, watch out (James 1:19-20; Proverbs 29:22; Ephesians 4:26). Even the tongue is only secondary to what the mind is dwelling on (James 3:8). And all too often we fail to discipline and rule our thinking (Ephesians 4:31), and the anger, the bitterness, the resentment grows and flourishes. We feed on it and, without intention, it erupts into heedless action or speech.

And then, suddenly, it's too late to make amends. We have hit out, physically or verbally, caused an injury, or broken a relationship, all because we failed to govern our thoughts.

We yearn to turn back the clock and start again, to erase the consequences of our words or actions. But that is impossible, and it's at such times we realize how very desperately we need the fruit of God's Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), that crucifying of the flesh with its affections and lusts, and its replacement with God's thinking.

So, to return to the incident with which I started this article, there but for the grace of God go I. Only God's mind in me can stop me from acting on the same impulses that led to the second driver's actions, the results of which are irreversible. I am indicted of guilt as surely as he is, and as sorely in need of God's grace.

—Muriel Hacker

This article previously appeared in the April-June 2004 United News Australia.

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Bible Study Summary: Gambling

Gambling is becoming prevalent in the United States, Britain, Australia and other nations (see the excellent article, "The Growing Menace of Gambling" in the December 2004 World News and Prophecy).

Besides horse racing and private betting on sports contests and cards, many states have lotteries and licensed casinos. Even churches have bingo games and raffles.

But is gambling approved by God? What does the Bible say? The Teen Bible Study Discussion Guide on "Gambling" leads readers through 11 passages and 24 questions to discern what God's mind is on the subject.

The passages covered are: Haggai 2:8, Psalm 50:10; Psalm 24:1; Deuteronomy 8:18; Luke 16:1-2, 10-13; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5; Matthew 7:12; Romans 13:10; Philippians 2:3-4; and Ephesians 4:28.

Sample questions include:

• Are we stewards of what God has given us?
• Do good stewards waste the wealth with which they were entrusted?
• Is gambling ever wasteful? Is it risky? What are the chances, say, of winning a state lottery? Would a good steward gamble?
• Does gambling ever become addictive?
• Does gambling promote lust for money?
• Can desire for "easy money" have spiritual effects?
• Does gambling take from others without giving anything in return?
• Does gambling create wealth? Or does it just change the possessor of it?

For more, see www.ucg.org/teenstudy/gambling.htm.

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Take the Time to Show You Care: Be a Good Listener

Have you ever been talking with someone about some trials that were pulling you down, only to have the person look away and then interrupt you to talk about a totally unrelated subject? The person tuned out!

Have we ever done this ourselves? I have to ask myself, Do I listen to others intently and make them feel that at that time nothing else matters but them? Or am I too busy focusing on my own world? How can I improve?

Even while Jesus was going through His greatest trial, hanging on the cross, He took the time to show care for His mother, to pray for His enemies, to care for the men hanging on the cross beside Him. We must take the time to serve our neighbors first, before self. "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being" (1 Corinthians 10:24).

A favorite song of mine is sung by a young man, Josh Groban. It's called "You Raise Me Up!"

"When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary/ When troubles come and my heart burdened be/ Then, I am still and wait here in the silence/ Until you come and sit awhile with me.

"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains/ You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas/ I am strong, when I am on your shoulders/ You raise me up... to more than I can be."

These are words that we should fulfill with one another. How can we make sure that no one goes away from us feeling empty and discouraged?

1. Put your trials, activities and concerns aside and listen to your brother or sister.
2. Keep eye contact. Looking away makes it seem you are not interested in what is being said.
3. Don't allow interruptions.
4. Follow up! Go back to the person and ask how he or she is doing.

When I was going through a trial a few months ago, a minister friend called and left a message on my voice mail at work. He said, "I just called to see how you are." This happened in May and I still have not erased that message. Why? Because he took the time to call and care, which was music to my ears.

Maybe you can't solve other people's problems, but many times people just want to know that you care and you are with them throughout their trial.

God has called us to be encouragers. It takes sacrifice and putting our needs aside to do this. Are you helping people to walk on stormy seas? For a time it may require holding them on your shoulders so they can become strong. Take the time to show you truly care.

— Janet Treadway
Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation

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Ruth's Decision

Does God give the stranger a "better" name because He knows how much more the stranger has to give up to follow Him (Isaiah 56:3-7)?

An excellent example of what the stranger has to give up is given in the book of Ruth. Ruth left her family, her native land and customs—everything that was familiar to her—and went with her mother-in-law to an unknown land to live among people whom she must have suspected would hate her (after all, she was a Moabite woman), all to follow God.

"'Look,' said Naomi, 'your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.' But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God'" (Ruth 1:15-16, NIV).

I know everyone focuses on the words, "Where you go I will go," but what about the words, "Your people will be my people and your God my God"? We can see in verse 15 that the other sister-in-law had gone back to "her gods." But Ruth made, at some time, the decision to become a follower of the God of Israel.

Ruth put her faith in God, made her decision to turn her back on the land of Moab and followed a whole new path, wherever that would lead her, despite the hardships or tragedies and despite Naomi's bitterness of the moment.

God valued Ruth's decision and faith, so much so that Ruth, a Moabite woman, married Boaz and was counted in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ.

— Victoria E. Nelson
Los Angeles, California, congregation

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Are You a Tree of Life?

Young and old alike, we in the Church of God can sing from memory these words from our hymnal:

"He shall be a tree that grows, planted by the riverside, which in season yields its fruit, green its leaves abide."

And therein lies a tremendous lesson for you and me. From Genesis 2 to Revelation 22, God has always wanted trees of life, bearing fruit.

Are you a tree of life? Am I? Are you a tree that can withstand the heat and drought of the summer or the cold and storms of winter? Are you bearing firstfruits of God's Spirit? Is your growth evident? And can you nourish others by your fruit? Has your time in the Church made you a tree of life?

From Genesis to Revelation, God inspired scores of examples regarding trees. In the Old Testament, trees were used for righteousness or sinning, for feeding others or leading others to death. But we don't want to be a tree of death!

In the New Testament, Jesus found a fig tree without fruit. He came looking for a fig. He was hungry for a fig. But there were no figs on the tree. Does Jesus look for fruit in you and me, only to be disappointed?

In Luke 13, Jesus described an owner who expected fruit for three years! So the owner told the keeper to chop down the tree. Nevertheless, the gardener went to bat for the tree, asking for time to work with it, dig around it and dung it. He wanted to heal the tree so it could become fruitful.

Does Jesus Christ ever tell God the Father, "Let Me work with so and so longer?" I think so. Does the ministry beseech God and Christ in the same way because they care so deeply for us? Absolutely! Therefore, when we are pruned, and the ground falls out from underneath us, and there seems to be a lot of dung around us, perhaps God is really trying to work with us.

During our anniversary, Lynn and I came upon an evergreen tree. Suddenly she said, "Look at the needles!" The old darker parts were hard. But the newer parts were lighter in color, soft and tender!

Am I a tree of life to my family and friends? Do I use tender words of praise, uplifting words of encouragement, for my spouse, my children, my Church friends, my associates? Even in correction or instruction, am I kind? Am I soft and light, easily entreated? Or am I hard and dark, closed up, negative and complaining, carping on others?

Isaiah 61:3 says we are to become "trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." So when we become discouraged or are feeling tempted to be dark, negative or sinful, let's remember these words from our hymnal: "He shall be a tree that grows, planted by the riverside, which in season yields its fruit, green its leaves abide."

— John Fox
Salt Lake City, Utah, congregation

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Overwhelmed? Take Two Steps and Call God in the Morning (and Noon and Night)

The suffering represented by page after page of prayer request updates can be overwhelming. Add the suffering in our families, communities and around the world seen in the news...

Thankfully we have hope of a better world to come, and a responsibility to spread that hope.

But we're such a small church, and it's such a big world. How can we reach our own community, let alone Eastern Europe, the Middle East or Asia?

Two steps can help us cope with these feelings of being paralyzed by the enormity of it all:

1. Do what you can. Don't let this list overwhelm you, but why not pick at least one item to start on this week (or come up with your own)?

• Send a card.
• Help with a Good Works or other fund-raiser.
• Get involved in member participation programs (check with your pastor or contact John LaBissoniere john_labissoniere@ucg.org).
• Volunteer to help at services.
• Be hospitable—invite someone over for tea, snacks and conversation, or a whole dinner if you can.
• Speak often one with another, encouraging and supporting our spiritual family.
• Write a short article for "Treasure Digest," trying to solve the world's problems in 400 words or less.

You can't do it all, but adding another candle beats cursing (or being overwhelmed by) the darkness.

2. Cast your cares on God (1 Peter 5:6-7). This includes sighing and crying out to Him about the troubles you see (Ezekiel 9:4) and urgently praying for Christ's return (Revelation 22:20). Christ promises rest for the weary who come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30). Remember, God is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20)—a sure cure for overwhelming cares.

— Mike Bennett

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Our Conversations With God

"Dear Father, I need..." "Father, could you please give me..." "God, I want..."

Is this how most of your prayers begin? I'm sorry to say that it is how many of mine begin. We feel that God is there and waiting to answer our every request, and He is. Jesus said in Mark 11:24, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (NIV throughout). But should our prayers only be requests for what God can do for us and perhaps others? Our conversations with God should be much deeper than that. In order to get to know God better, we need to talk with Him heart-to-heart.

If you had a friend or a relative who only called you when he or she needed something, you probably would stop answering that person's calls. Of course, God is not like us. After the death of Moses, God told Joshua in Joshua 1:5, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."

We know that God is always there when we need Him. But have you ever asked yourself, Am I there when God needs me? Do we ever ask God what He needs? This might seem like a silly question. Of course, God doesn't need anything from us, but maybe He might want a few things from us.

Have you ever taken the time just to sit and talk to God? God longs to hear from us. God misses the time we spend with Him when we neglect talking to Him in prayer. We all long to talk with those we love after their death. Can you imagine that God desires to hear their voices as well?

We have the opportunity now, while we are alive, to talk to God. In Psalm 116:1-2 David states, "I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."

Just sit down and tell Him how you feel and what has been happening in your life. We might say, "God is God and He already knows what's going on with me." Yet like a loving father, God wants to hear from us, His children, even when He already knows our needs.

Here are a couple of points to remember if you are interested in improving your relationship with our Heavenly Father. First, talk to Him. I don't mean just going down a list of your needs or even the needs of others. Just start talking to Him. Tell Him your hopes and dreams. Let Him know about your joys and accomplishments, as well as your wants and needs. Share your life with Him, the good as well as the bad. You won't be disappointed.

Listen to Him. God wants to help us. He has inspired the writing of an entire book, the Bible, to help answer our questions. If you have a problem, go to your Bible concordance. Let's say you have a problem with anger. I found over 20 scriptures in my Bible relating to the subject. Are you afraid? There were over 50 scriptural references concerning fear! God has a lot to say to us, if we give Him the chance.

Think of how you feel when your children call or sit down with you and tell you what is going on in their lives. They may even ask how you are doing or what has been happening in your life.

Doesn't it make you feel good to know they are concerned about you? How would you feel if they only talked about what they needed or wanted? Has your child ever asked for your advice? Aren't you glad that he or she wanted to come to you for help? Do you wonder if this is how God might feel?

So remember, the next time you talk with God, ask Him how He's doing. You may gain a whole new perspective.

— Debra Doss
Chattanooga, Tennessee, congregation

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Turning the Hearts: It Takes Two

Jesus Christ replied to the questioning Pharisees, "Have you not read... For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh" (Matthew 19:4-6).

There is a very important lesson in this verse. Marriage takes two! Two people of the opposite sex are joined together as one in that wonderful institution called marriage.

One of the greatest blessings children may receive from parents is to be reared in the presence of a happy marriage. Understanding and using this important key will help any married couple to grow in their marital relationship.

The Scriptures are clear that the husband is the top authority in the family according to the biblical model. The husband is ultimately responsible for the family and its success or failure. God inspired Paul to write, "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything" (Ephesians 5:22-24).

But how should the husband be the head of the wife? Does this mean that marriage is only for the husband to fulfill his desires? Shouldn't both the husband and the wife make decisions that affect the marriage jointly? Should either mate be in a marriage only to fulfill his or her own personal desires and needs?

Since the Bible designates the husband as the head, he must be especially careful that he does not function on his own with little or no consideration for his wife (and family). Paul was inspired to continue, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25).

To love one's wife, there needs to be outgoing concern for her and her feelings. The husband shouldn't discount her thoughts and input in major decisions that affect her and the family.
We'll cover more on this important subject next issue.

— Gary E. Antion

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Be Ready to Give an Answer:
Why Do You Believe Baptism Is Necessary?

When thousands of repentant Jews asked Peter and the other apostles how to act on their convictions, Peter's response was to the point: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). The biblical record shows that the ministers baptized converts by immersing them in water (John 3:23). (Baptize is from the Greek word baptizo, which means "to immerse.")

No one has the willpower to be a Christian; we all need the help of God's Holy Spirit. And the way He promised we'd receive it is through baptism. The Scriptures further reveal that God gives the Spirit through the laying on of hands and prayer by His ministry at baptism. The believer then becomes part of the spiritual Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Symbol and Sign: Baptism is a reminder of several deep spiritual truths. It represents death, burial and resurrection—both of Jesus and ourselves. Baptism shows that we accept the shed blood of Christ for our sins and pictures the death of our former life in the baptismal grave.

As Jesus was resurrected a spirit being, our coming out of the grave—rising out of the baptismal water—symbolizes our new Spirit-led life. Understanding the true meaning of repentance and conversion lifts baptism to much more than just a symbol; it becomes a profound, life-changing event. Baptism also reminds us of the promise of the believer's future resurrection into the Kingdom of God.

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change of heart and mind. Hebrews 9:14 tells us that Jesus' sacrifice, which we formally accept at baptism, "cleanse[s] your conscience from dead works to serve the living God." This means that, through repentance and baptism, we receive forgiveness and no longer need to feel guilty for our past sins.

Jesus' Example and Commission: Jesus Himself was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17), not because He needed to be forgiven, but as an example for His disciples throughout all ages.
Jesus regarded the ceremony of baptism to be so important that He commissioned His Church to go all over the world baptizing disciples who believe the gospel message. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations," He said, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:19-20).

For More Information, read or request our free booklets Fundamental Beliefs (chapter on "Water Baptism") and Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion (www.ucg.org/booklets).

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Share Your Word Treasures!

Do you have any short items of biblical wisdom, humor or practical information that you would like to share in this section? Or if you have any suggestions, please contact United News, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027 or mike_bennett@ucg.org