Treasure Digest

• A Little Tent Talk
• I’m Not Married—Is There Something Wrong With Me?
• When You’re Kicked Down, Get Back Up!
• The Military Meaning of the Term to Stand
• Lessons From the Canna Lilies
• The Much-Anticipated Harvest
• House Rules
• Look Upward and Outward
• Turning the Hearts . . .The Movie Your Children See Daily!
• Children's Corner - Coded Proverbs About Speech [See PDF version]
• Share Your Treasures!

A Little Tent Talk

When Jan and I were first married, we went camping four or five times. After several days of living in a tent, we were always ready to break camp and go home to enjoy the luxuries of a hot shower, clean clothes and a roof over our heads. We were truly happy camp breakers. No withdrawals; no need to attend any meetings of "Campers Anonymous." We like to camp inside dwellings with doorknobs.

Referring to his imminent death, the apostle Paul, wrote, "The time of my departure is at hand" (2 Timothy 4:6). He chose a very interesting word here, because in the original language, the word departure could also be described as breaking camp.

This can help us remember that when our death comes, our tent, also known as our body, will be laid aside when our spirit is stored with God while we sleep for a moment. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:1, "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

The word departure Paul used could also be translated, "to be released from shackles." It is the picture of a prisoner who was bound, but his shackles are being released. What a sight—what a relief!

Lastly, the word departure in the original language also describes a boat being untied from its moorings. So Paul was saying, "It's time to set sail. It's time to be freed from the shackles. It's time to break camp. It is good news, because after a twinkle nap (‘in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,' 1 Corinthians 15:52), I am going to a better location when the trumpet sounds."

This "departure" is a part of life, not the conclusion of it. It is a beginning, not something to be feared. It is not an ending, but it brings us to the verge of a joyous new beginning.

—Stuart Segall
Pastor of the Crescent City, Eureka and Red Bluff, California, congregations

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I’m Not Married—Is There Something Wrong With Me?

"My mate hasn't been called—is there something wrong with me?" "I'm married but can't have children—is there something wrong with me?" "I was married but my mate died—is there something wrong with me?"

No one goes through life without trials. And being single can indeed be a trial. But so is poor health, being childless, losing a mate, being out of work, bearing a handicapped child, etc. So unless you are also going to look at others with various trials and ask if there's "something wrong" with them, you shouldn't look at yourself as single as being any different or having any greater trial than they do. Paul was talking to those in the Church when he said, "No temptation [trial] has overtaken you except such as is common to man …" (1 Corinthians 10:13, emphasis added).

While a good marriage is wonderful and to be desired, being single is definitely superior to being in a bad marriage. The heart-wrenching anguish of being married to someone who is totally incompatible to you, abusive, immature or selfish is so much worse than being single that there is no comparison! You think it's a trial being single? Try being married to the wrong person!

God promotes marriage, but He neither promises that all will be married nor that all marriages will be happy. He wants us to have children, but He neither promises that all marriage unions will have them nor that all babies will be born perfect. He heals and blesses and protects, but He doesn't promise that we'll never suffer.

Being single may be a trial—but it's not a disgrace!

— Carol Taylor
Los Angeles, California, congregation

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When You’re Kicked Down, Get Back Up!

Did you know a baby giraffe can fall more than six feet from its mother's womb and that it usually lands on its back? Ouch! Within seconds it rolls over and tucks its legs under its body. From the shadow of its mother it considers the world for the first time. Then, as if it were not enough to fall so far when born, the mother giraffe rudely introduces her offspring to the reality of life.

In his book, A New View From the Zoo, Gary Richmond describes how a newborn giraffe learns its first lesson. The mother giraffe lowers her head to take a quick look. Then she positions herself directly over her calf. She waits for about a minute, and then she does "the most unreasonable thing," as Mr. Richmond put it. She swings her long leg outward and kicks her baby, so that it is sent sprawling head over heels.

If it doesn't get up, the violent process is repeated over and over again. The struggle to rise is monumental. As the baby calf grows tired, the mother kicks it again to stimulate its efforts. Finally, the calf stands for the first time on its wobbly legs.

Then the mother giraffe does a remarkable thing. She kicks it off its feet again! Why? Animal keeper Jack Badal explains, "She wants it to remember how it got up." In the wild, baby giraffes must be able to get up as quickly as possible to stay with the herd where there is safety. Lions, hyenas and leopards all enjoy eating young giraffes, and they'd get to, if the mother didn't teach her calf to get up quickly.

So how well do we get back up when life knocks us down, as it does from time to time? Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been.

The apostle Peter described the value of trials: "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7).

"A righteous man falls seven times and rises again" (Proverbs 24:16, emphasis added throughout). Paul said we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:21-22). "If we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end," then we shall obtain the reward (Hebrews 3:14).

So when we are kicked down, we must with the help of Christ get back up. With each time we will, just like the baby giraffe, become stronger and attain our reward in the end.

— Janet Treadway
Cincinnati, Ohio, East congregation

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The Military Meaning of the Term to Stand

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13, emphasis added throughout). Just what is Paul getting at when he says, "to stand"?

In the Greek language, the word he used was histemi. Its uses include, "1)… b) to make firm, fix, establish 1) to cause a person or a thing to keep his or its place 2) to stand, be kept intact (of family, a kingdom), to escape in safety 3) to establish a thing, cause it to stand a) to uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything…" (http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=G2476).

The earlier term that Paul used, withstand, was translated from the Greek word anthistemi, which means to withstand the attacks of an enemy. The connotations provided here have all the trappings of a military stand. How are we to understand this principle of "standing"? It basically means to stand up to your enemy and come out victorious. It means to not be defeated by the enemy.

For example, the American military made a major stand against the Japanese at Guadalcanal, and that stopped the momentum that the Japanese Empire had in World War II, marking the beginning of the end of the struggle with Japan—even though hostilities would continue a little while longer.

In war there are many battles. However, without an effective and successful stand against the enemy, there can be no victory. As the apostle Paul said, having done all, we must stand (Ephesians 6:10-13)!

Many Americans died at Guadalcanal, but their sacrifice brought them a major victory—and ended Japanese advances.

We must support one another in this great struggle for eternity, even if we must physically die, for we know that God, beyond human death, will greatly reward those who make the great sacrifice in this war. We must understand that ours is a collective battle requiring all of the members of the Body of Christ to do their part in the great commission that Christ has given us to do. We must support one another in this struggle. Pray for the unity of God's Church. Let's use God's power to make our stand!

—Derrick Smith
Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation

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Lessons From the Canna Lilies

Canna lilies are taller; calla lilies are shorter. Both produce incredible blossoms that today are here and tomorrow are cast upon the compost pile.

In fact, in our subtropical neighborhood of San Carlos, California, about 10 miles east of downtown San Diego, one home's canna lilies produced—multiplied—so prodigiously that the owners had to uproot several feet of productive rhizomes just so their garden wouldn't be all cannas.

They placed them on the parkway across the street at an entrance to a hiking trail where anyone could see them and wrote a sign that said, "Help yourself" or "Free," I forget which.

I saw them while walking the dog and after getting home, I drove back and picked up the ones that were left.

We planted them last winter next to a fence that we wanted to cover, and this spring we watched them stretch for the sky, turn green, bud, blossom and entirely fill our faces with red-flecked bright yellow flowers and a few "hazard" orange blooms.

They gave away those roots—how very generous, I thought.

Then I had another thought: God designed those magnificent colors in filigreed petals to—to do what?

They didn't evolve for any practical purpose. They didn't evolve at all. They were created to show and establish, beyond any human doubt, that God creates beautifully and shares that creation with us!

My neighbor was generous, but God is much more abundantly generous! Everything good that we can marvel at and enjoy comes from God—with love.

Let's thank and acknowledge Him.

— Skip Miller
An elder in the San Diego, California, congregation

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The Much-Anticipated Harvest

There is such joy and gratitude in picking a red, ripe, juicy tomato from the plant, a refreshing, crisp cucumber from the vine or a beautiful, fragrant rose from the bush growing in your own garden!

Hopefully, our work in preparing, planting and maintaining our physical and spiritual gardens has been very rewarding. The summer and autumn have all too quickly ticked away, which unfortunately means that we in the northern hemisphere have had our last pickings and harvest.

The Feast of Pentecost reminded us that we ourselves are firstfruits (Romans 8:23), that we also have God's Holy Spirit flowing through us (Romans 8:14-16).

The Feast of Trumpets reminded us of Christ's glorious return and the first resurrection—God's first harvest (James 1:17-18; 5:7-8; Revelation 20:6; 1 Peter 5:4).

Considering this great harvest that God has opened our minds to, let's ask a question of ourselves. How is the quality of my spiritual harvest? We have all been given many opportunities for growth. Prayerfully seek God's direction and make a list of items that you have worked on that you, through God's help, have grown in (James 3:17-18; Psalm 63:1-7).

Praise Him and thank Him for working in you, for knowing you and remembering you. Thank the Overseer of the entire universe for making you a priority. Truly take the time to give Him the glory, for without Him we are nothing (Colossians 1:17; John 15:5).

What a true blessing it is to see fruits of progress (Galatians 6:8; Philippians 1:6, 11)! Of course we aren't perfect, but we can be in a deep attitude of gratitude for what He has worked in us. Without Him we can do nothing (Colossians 1:12-13). We are reminded in Philippians 4:17 that God desires fruit of us. We are but a small branch on the vine of Christ (John 15:4).

Now, let's make another list of items that we would like to continue to grow in (Philippians 4:9). With prayer, Bible study and meditation, we can decide what fruits we need to continue to focus on. We must not allow ourselves to become dormant (Philippians 3:13-14). Just as the winter wheat will be growing under the snow, we too can continue our growth, right to the spring Passover, so that we can also share in the crown of righteousness Paul looked forward to (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

— Tina Rupp
Youngstown, Ohio, congregation

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House Rules

As I was straightening and picking up around the house, I thought about house rules. One of ours is "pick up after yourself." This is generally kept, but not always. When it is not kept, it causes disruption and sometimes anger. That is not a happy home.

Every abode—whether a castle or one room—has what are known as house rules. Some house rules are many and strict; some, few and simple; and others, in-between. They are all necessary to keep the abode and its occupants from creating disharmony and unhappiness.

House rules often carry over from one abode to another. Children after leaving home often find themselves using the same house rules their parents used, even if they did not like them then. Businesses have house rules that must be followed or there is disruption and sometimes dismissal.

The Bible tells us of God's house rules. In the beginning God prepared an abode on earth in anticipation that two future children of His would occupy it. It was spacious, and had everything that would be needed for them to live, grow and enjoy their lives.

But Adam and Eve were given one specific house rule. Do not eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That rule was broken and the occupants were cast out to lives of disharmony and unhappiness, until it got so unbearable at the time of Noah that humanity's earthly abode had to be destroyed.

To preserve the human race, God had another abode built—an ark. The eight residents of the ark also had house rules. They were to eat only clean foods as designated by God, and to obey God in righteousness. After the Flood again the rules were not followed and disharmony and unhappiness prevailed.

God later prepared a land flowing with milk and honey and promised that a selected nation would occupy it. They were taught God's 10 main house rules, the Ten Commandments, along with various other rules. Did they obey them? No! Thereafter disharmony ruled and unhappiness reigned.

Jesus Christ is now preparing abodes to be occupied in the future by the elect saints (John 14:2-4). These occupants will be carefully selected for their willingness to keep the spiritual house rules, thereby living forever in harmony and complete happiness with God the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son.

If anyone will not abide by God's 10 house rules now, he or she will not enter God's Kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Revelation 21:8; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5; and Isaiah 66:15-17).

Are you willing to follow Jesus by keeping the house rules now, and any others there will be in the Kingdom? If the answer is "Yes," you will be able to reside happily in the abodes of God's Kingdom forever.

Thanks be to God!

—Phyllis Newton
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, congregation

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Look Upward and Outward

As we go through life's trials and tribulations, we can easily fall prey to discouragement. When you find yourself focusing inward—wrapped up in your own troubles—you can fight back by turning your eyes upward to God and outward toward your neighbor. We are commanded to love God and to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40).

We love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). God chose to love us when we were still His enemies (Romans 5:8). It is God's pleasure to give us the Kingdom (Luke 12:32). His love for us is not conditioned on our performance. It is not based on how we feel about ourselves. God simply chooses to love us.

He has promised that He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5) and that He will finish the work He has started in us (Philippians 1:6). When you are feeling discouraged, think about God's promises, His Kingdom and the love He chooses to have toward all of us. Look upward!

In 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul reassures us that the trials we face are not unique, and that God will see us through them. The fact that so many other people face similar issues means that there are people out there who will understand our trials—and it means that God can use our experience to help others.

We can fight the inward focus of discouragement by reaching out to others—looking outward. Learning how to comfort others is part of the purpose of trials:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Focus on the positive. Focus on God's love, God's Kingdom and the needs of God's people.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

—Jay Turner
San Jose, California, congregation

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Turning the Hearts . . .The Movie Your Children See Daily!

Did you know that we are movie stars? Each parent is a star in the movie his or her children see every day. That's right.

You see, our children are very impressionable. And repetition is said to be the best teacher. Daily, our children see a movie on parenting, family relations, husband-wife relationships, friendships, how to have a relationship with God, courtesy, communications, handling problems, dealing with addictions, sharing and a host of other topics found in normal and not-so-normal families.

I have watched snippets of certain movies many times, but not daily. I can, by having seen various portions several times, repeat almost verbatim the lines from some particular scenes.

Think of what our children see and experience daily from the home movie they see and the impact it has upon them. Our children see how to be a parent. Our children see how to be a husband or wife. Our children see how to treat others. They experience the art of sharing or greed. They learn how to solve problems or run from them. They learn what good or poor communication habits are. They learn how to deal with alcohol and possibly other addictive substances. And more importantly, they see how the "stars" build and maintain a relationship with the God of the universe.

Often in counseling, a person has certain habits that he or she cannot understand. After discussion, we realize that he or she learned those behaviors in the home—and often by merely seeing an example of that behavior every day for 18 or 20 years. Once the person realizes where that habit came from, he or she is able to change the script.

No wonder our examples are so important (Matthew 5:16). Paul wrote to Titus (2:1-8) about the need for the older and younger members to be setting the proper examples for the Church family— "in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works" (verse 7). Paul speaks of being temperate, watching our words, having proper husband-wife relationships, being solid spiritually, loving and patient. Why? So that others may be benefited by our examples.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences may not give us an Oscar for our performances, but Jesus Christ wants to say to us: "Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34). And, in 2 Timothy 4:8 we read, "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day." That is the great award we will receive if we fulfill our roles in a godly manner.

In addition, our children will learn from our home movie the skills, behaviors and examples by which to live happy, successful, godly lives. Bring on the popcorn!

— Gary E. Antion

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Share Your 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.

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