Scripture

You carefully study the Scriptures. You think that they give you eternal life. These same Scriptures tell about me! But you refuse to come to me to have that life.

~John 5:39-40, ERV

Quote

He who has Christ and everything else, has no more than he who has Christ only.

~C.S. Lewis

Few things are more sad than a life spent in pursuit of the wrong things. It is like climbing a ladder to the top of a wall, only to discover when you finally get to the top that you are on the wrong wall. The Pharsees did this very thing. They studied the scriptures. They memorized them. Yet they never understood the real message of the Bible which is Jesus. The bible is our HIM book; it is all about Him. The bible is not about religion or rule keeping; it is about a relationship with Christ. Last year I met a pastor, in a neighboring county, who is also a writer. In one of his books he tells about a coon dog contest. They put a coon in a small cage and tie the cage in the tops of one of the trees in a grove of trees. I guess the first dog that trees the coon is the winner. The term “barking up the wrong tree” refers to a hunting dog that makes a mistake by barking up the wrong tree. Today the phrase is used to describe anyone who has completely misunderstood something or is totally wrong. What about a person who spends their entire life acquiring wealth and then loses it all due to misfortune or bad health. Like the Pharisees of old, they were barking up the wrong tree.

Unfortunately, it happens. I have a nagging fear that many Baptist are barking up the wrong tree and there is no question that many demoninations are barking up the wrong tree. Salvation is by grace through faith; it is not secured by works. If it could be, it would produce inordinate pride which is the opposite of what God wants. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be humble, grateful and kind. Those who understand their depravity and the unworthiness of their soul tend to be humble. They know that salvation is an undeserved gift coming from a loving gracious Father. This creates a spirit of thanksgiving. The Pharisees recognized the sins of others but not their own. They felt entitled, not thankful. They were critical and judgmental because they were barking up the wrong tree. Jesus is the answer, not religion and not our morality.

Extra

We we down just a tad on the BREAKFAST WITH the Bible yesterday morning but I am tickled pink that it has created a buzz. I had a friend tell me last night that he was going to check it out. We met at 5:15 at Warehouse Coffee on main street in Hartselle on Tuesday.

Ken Nelson has taken a turn for the worse. Again, I would say, he is in critical condition. The children and Ken are discouraged. Pray for the Nelsons.

I hope you have a great day!