Articles by Alan Smith at Heartlight

I Don't Want Them to Change Me!

alansmith.servant@gmail.com (Alan Smith) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Elie Wiesel was brought up in a closely knit Jewish community in Sighet, Transylvania (Romania). When he was fifteen years old, his family was herded aboard a train and deported by Nazis to the Auschwitz death camp. Wiesel's mother and younger sister died at Auschwitz -- his two older sisters survived. Wiesel and his father were then taken to Buchenwald, where his father also perished. Wiesel has devoted his life to ensuring that the world does not forget the atrocities of the Nazis, and that they are not repeated. He tells this story:

A just man decided he must save humanity. So he chose a city, the most sinful of all cities. Then he studied. He learned all the art of moving people, changing minds, changing hearts. He came to a man and woman and said, "Don't forget that murder is not good, it is wrong." In the beginning, people gathered around him. It was so strange, somewhat like a circus. They gathered and they listened. He went on and on and on.

Days passed. Weeks passed. After a while, they stopped listening. After many years passed, a child stopped him and said, "What are you doing? Don't you see nobody is listening? Why do you continue shouting and shouting? Why?"

And the man answered the child, "I'll tell you why. In the beginning, I was convinced that if I were to shout loud enough, they would change. Now I know they won't change. But if I shout even louder, it's because I don't want them to change me."

We live in a world where there is a battle going on. I'm not talking about the conflict in Iraq or Afghanistan or Kenya. You may not even be aware that this battle is taking place, but I assure you that it is. It is a spiritual battle being waged between God and his people and Satan and his people (Ephesians 6:12). It is a battle for the control of the hearts and minds of men and women, including you and the people around you.

We sometimes use the word "evangelism" to describe our attempt to influence ungodly people in a way that will draw them to God, the God who created them and loves them. But, we sometimes forget that efforts -- sometimes diligent efforts -- are being made by ungodly forces to pull us away from God. Be assured of this: One of two things is happening, either you are having an influence on other people or other people are having an influence on you. It's a constant battle, much like a tug-of-war.

And there are times, as in the story above, when we need to speak up or take some action, not so much to change others, but to prevent others from changing us.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV).

Alan Smith ministers with the Church of Christ in White House, Tennessee and publishes the email devotional "Thought for the Day."

Website: Thought for the Day

Compassion

alansmith.servant@gmail.com (Alan Smith) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The following short story comes from an unknown author, but most of us can recognize it as something that could happen in any home with children.

I'd had a pretty hectic day with my four-year-old. When bedtime finally came, I laid down the law: "We're putting on your pajamas, brushing your teeth, and reading ONE book. Then it's lights out!"

Her arms went around my neck in a gentle embrace, and she said, "We learned in Sunday school about little boys and girls who don't have mommies and daddies."

Even after I'd been such a grouch, I thought, she was still grateful to have me. I felt tears begin to well up in my eyes, and then she whispered, "Maybe you could go be THEIR mom?"

You would think that being aware of others who are in need would make us more appreciative for what we have. That's not always the case. I can remember growing up hearing those words every child -- at least, many a child in the U.S. -- heard when we complained about not wanting to eat what was being served for dinner. "You need to eat your vegetables. There are children in China who are starving right now."

My first reaction was usually to think, "How is my eating this plate of food going to help them?"

My second reaction was usually to think, "How about if we just stick this food in an envelope and ship it off to them?"

Unfortunately, being aware of others who are in need does not always make us more appreciative for what we have -- while it should, it often doesn't. Being aware of people in the world who are suffering famine doesn't seem to make us appreciate that we have plenty of food. Being aware of Christians in the world who are being persecuted for their faith doesn't seem to make us appreciate that we have freedom of religion. Being aware of people in the world who have no family or friends doesn't seem to make us appreciate that we have both.

Sadly, it seems, often the only thing that makes us appreciate something is having it removed from our own lives for a while. Think about it. When do you most appreciate the fact that you enjoy electricity and running water? I'm guessing, if you're like me, that it's after you've had one or the other unavailable for a while.

In the prophets, God repeatedly rebuked his people for ignoring the needs of people all around them. Perhaps more than any other sin, the Israelites were guilty of a lack of compassion:

Woe to you ... Who lie in beds of ivory, stretch out on your couches, eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall ... who drink wine from bowls, and anoint yourselves with the best ointments, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph (Amos 6:3-6 NKJV).

Open your eyes to the needs of those around you. Take advantage of opportunities to help those whom you can. And allow the needs of others to cause you to reflect on how blessed you are, and the responsibility you have to use what God has blessed you with in a way that will glorify Him.

Alan Smith ministers with the Church of Christ in White House, Tennessee and publishes the email devotional "Thought for the Day."

Website: Thought for the Day

Lessons from a Hummingbird

alansmith.servant@gmail.com (Alan Smith) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

I want to share with you something that happened to me a couple of years ago. I was doing some yard work around the house. After I finished, I went through the garage to get back into the house.

But, as I was climbing the stairs, I heard a loud fluttering of wings above me. My first thought was that a large moth or small bat had gotten itself trapped, but then I realized it was a tiny bird - a hummingbird! Its wings were flapping with great intensity as the bird slammed itself repeatedly into the ceiling. It was clearly intent on flying upward, but there was no way out in that direction No doubt the poor bird had to be exhausted, and it was evident that it wasn't going to find its way out by itself.

Using my hand, I carefully guided the hummingbird out into the middle of the garage, thinking it would have no trouble finding an exit with the garage door wide open. The bird quickly found a resting spot, but when it tried to leave, it once again headed upward, banging itself into the ceiling over and over. Could it not see the wide open door with freedom just a few feet away? Why was it intent on searching for an escape route straight up? Finally, with a little assistance from my son, the bird made its way outside.

I couldn't help but think how much like that hummingbird we all are. The difference is that our search is for happiness and the "meaning of life." We search in all the wrong places over and over again, looking to material goods or immorality or addictive substances, all without success. And instead of seeing the wide open door that God has provided, we continue to painfully beat our heads in frustration.

We try again and again without finding the happiness we crave, so we try even harder. We work longer hours to collect more "stuff"; we sample something a little bit stronger. Why are we so blind that we cannot see what God has made available? He wants us to find the freedom of living for Him. Time and again, He gently nudges us in the right direction. But we're so blind (or stubborn?).

"In the Lord I take refuge ... Flee as a bird to your mountain" (Psalm 11:1 NASB).

Lord, please open our eyes. Help us to see the frustration of our attempts to seek happiness apart from you. Help us to see the need to yield ourselves to your nudges as you seek to move us in the right direction. Thank you for the blessings that you have made so richly available and that you desire for us to enjoy. In Jesus' name, amen.

Alan Smith ministers with the Church of Christ in White House, Tennessee and publishes the email devotional "Thought for the Day."

Website: Thought for the Day

Lay Your Burden Down

alansmith.servant@gmail.com (Alan Smith) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

On August 15, 1930, a New York State Supreme Court Justice named Joseph Carter hailed a cab and was never seen or heard from again. The FBI thought his disappearance might be related to his work as a judge because of mob cases heard before his court. But since there was no hard evidence to support this theory, the case remains open to this day. All the work led investigators to a dead end. The only clue was a note Joseph Carter left for his wife, which said: "I am very, very tired. Love, Joe." That was it, no one ever heard from him.

I can't help but feel that there are a lot of us who feel the same way. And Jesus has something to say to the person who is exhausted, worn out, frustrated, and weary. Jesus invited us to accept his offer of rest.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

While we are looking forward to the rest that awaits us in heaven, I don't think Jesus is talking about heaven in this situation (Matthew 11). I think he's offering rest for our souls here and now. Somebody to help carry our burden.

The apostle Paul would later say, "Bear one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2). We can do that for one another. There have been some times in my life when I've gone through some things that I just don't think I could have handled if I didn't have brothers and sisters in Christ to be there for me. But what we do for one another in a small way, Christ does for us to a much greater measure.

Whatever burden you are carrying right now, Christ says he'll be there for you. Whether it's problems in your marriage or your children are in trouble at school or with the law. Maybe it's burdens of loneliness, burdens of taking care of sick relatives, burdens of disappointment, or burdens of rejection, or the oppressive burdens of addictions. Maybe it's the burden of not knowing which way to turn next. Life is filled with stress, with cares, and with worries.

The reality is that life can be very difficult, but these are the very kinds of burdens that Jesus wants us to bring to him. Jesus is saying, "Come to me all you who are struggling with life in any way, and those of you who have burdens that you can't carry alone, and I will help you with your struggles."

Do you remember the last time you made a trip to the airport with all your luggage? A couple of years ago, we took our daughter to the airport. She had absolutely crammed her suitcases as full as she could get them because she was moving to Germany. One of them weighed 65 pounds and the other one weighed 83 pounds. Fortunately they had the little wheels on them because I can't imagine what it would have been like if we had to lug those things all over the airport trying to find the right ticket counter. And, I want to tell you, when the ticket agent took those suitcases from us and we didn't have to carry them around anymore, that was a wonderful feeling. No more burden.

That's what Jesus does for us. Jesus is always on the lookout for hurting people. People who are bold enough to admit, "Lord, I need some help. I can't carry these problems alone." And he's promised to do it. He said, "Come to me ... and I will give you rest."

Alan Smith ministers with the Church of Christ in White House, Tennessee and publishes the email devotional "Thought for the Day."

Website: Thought for the Day

Missed Opportunities

alansmith.servant@gmail.com (Alan Smith) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer's beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, "Son, go stand out in that field and I'm going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter."

The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood - pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber -- as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed ... but the bull had no tail!

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass -- often in hopes of something better -- those opportunities may never again be available.

The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors -- opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us. If we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message (Colossians 4:2-3 NCV).

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).

May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

Alan Smith ministers with the Church of Christ in White House, Tennessee and publishes the email devotional "Thought for the Day."

Website: Thought for the Day

Get Rich Quick?

alansmith.servant@gmail.com (Alan Smith) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Linda was on vacation playing the slot machines. It was her first time in a casino, and she wasn't sure how the machines operated.

"Excuse me," she said to a casino employee. "How does this work?" The worker showed her how to insert a bill, hit the spin button, and operate the release handle.

"And where does the money come out?" she asked.

He smiled and motioned to a far wall before saying, "Usually at the ATM."

That's the trouble with gambling and other "get rich quick" schemes. There's only one person getting rich, and it's not you! The lure of the schemes, however, is quite strong. The temptation is that you might come away with that big jackpot and go home with your pockets full without putting forth much effort. The reality, however, is much more like the apostle Paul said:

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition (1 Timothy 6:9 NKJV).

Considering the constant temptation of money, it's not surprising that Jesus had much to say about the subject. It is significant, though, that Jesus didn't talk as much about what to do with our money as he talked about the right kind of attitude we ought to have toward it.

Agur, in his pearls of wisdom contained in Proverbs, also had much to say about our attitude toward wealth. One of my favorite verses on the subject is this one:

Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the LORD?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God (Proverbs 30:8-9).

May you be sufficiently blessed. But, may your riches -- and your desire for them -- never diminish your sense of need for God.

Alan Smith ministers with the Church of Christ in White House, Tennessee and publishes the email devotional "Thought for the Day."

Website: Thought for the Day

Ready to Vanish Away

alansmith.servant@gmail.com (Alan Smith) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Let's begin with a bit of convicting humor!

An older lady was in the hospital reading her Bible when her doctor came in for his visit. She asked him how she was doing.

He told her to read, Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV), which says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever," meaning she was about the same.

However, she reversed the numbers and read Hebrews 8:13, "Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away," which concerned her very much.

While the writer of Hebrews was writing about the "old covenant," the words could just as accurately been written to describe each and every one of us. Like it or not, we are all growing old and it won't be very long before we will vanish away from this world. God's Word describes our life on this earth as a "flower of the field" that passes away (James 1:10) and "a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14).

We don't like to think of life in that way. We live in an age that likes to think it makes things that last. We have our plastic and non-breakable jars and cups. We buy a car battery and are given a guarantee that it will last as long as we own our car. So, we would like a guarantee that our bodies could last forever, and somebody -- usually trying to sell us something -- may try to tell us they can. However, this is just not the case.

Admitting that we are "vanishing away" can be a frightening thought. It can also be comforting. For someone whose life is wrapped up in material things, death means losing everything he or she considers to be of value. But, for someone who has laid up treasures in heaven, death is an opportunity to shed the trials and tribulations of this world and enjoy an eternity in the presence of our Father and our eternal family. Which is it for you?

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NKJV).

Alan Smith ministers with the Church of Christ in White House, Tennessee and publishes the email devotional "Thought for the Day."

Website: Thought for the Day

Children on Thanksgiving

alansmith.servant@gmail.com (Alan Smith) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

With today being Thanksgiving for those in the U.S., I thought you might enjoy these excerpts from a book called "Then Some Other Things Happened", a collection of short pieces about history written by eighth graders and compiled by Bill Lawrence, a teacher and columnist.

The Pilgrams were a bunch of English wonderers who wanted to worship as they wanted to. They excaped the Church of England and came over here because they heard that American churches were different.

The May Flower was the ship with which they came in. It didn't have a bathroom on board so there was quite an oder. Priscillia Mullins was the captain.

First the Pilgrams had gone to Holland but left when their children started developing customs there. After a stopover at Williamsbug when a large storm blew them off course they landed on a big, slimey rock in Massatusetts. They spent the winter there.

Before they got off the ship even they drew up an agreement for the people of Plymouth to agree on the voting for governors and congressmen. They kept this hid in the May Flower Compact. Lord Delaware was elected the first governor of Plymouth Rock.

A friendly Indian named Rhone Oak showed the Pilgrams how to plant corn by putting it in the ground. Rhone Oak had been the first Indian to come to America. He traveled around with Miles Standy and translated language. He knew enough English to interupt.

Another interupter for the white man was Squanto, who was called that because he was so short. Squanto drew up a declaration to give the settlers freedom of goverment in the new land. The Pilgrams gave the Indians thanks for all this and that's what started Thanksgiving.

The Pilgrams then appointed Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Abraham Lincoln later pronounced it and gave it to them and it soon became a national holiday all around the world.

These people always wore old shoes with a big buckel on the top of them. The men wore pants that only came a little ways past the knees and the girls wore funny bonets.

But if these people wouldn't had of come to America the United States wouldn't be like it is today.
It's easy to forget the Source of all we enjoy.

Thanksgiving is a time for turkey (with all the trimmings), family get-togethers, football, and pumpkin pie. More importantly, however, it is a time to be reminded of how God has richly blessed us. "It's easy to forget the Source of all we enjoy." Perhaps we would do well to be reminded of the warning given to the Israelites as they entered the land of Canaan:

Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest -- when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage ... then you say in your heart, "My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth." And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:10-18).

Have a great Thanksgiving and let's remember why we're giving thanks!

Alan Smith ministers with the Church of Christ in White House, Tennessee and publishes the email devotional "Thought for the Day."

Website: Thought for the Day

In My Next Life

alansmith.servant@gmail.com (Alan Smith) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

You may have seen this bit of humor making its way around the Internet:

In my next life, I want to be a bear ...

If you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that, too.

If you're a bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute cuddly cubs. I could deal with that in a big way.

If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them, too. I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

Yup ... gonna be a bear!

I admit it sounds tempting -- especially the part about being able to eat and sleep and growl! But, for those of us who are Christians, there's something even BETTER that lies ahead. What could possibly be better than bear?

How about a life where there's no more pain and no more heartache? A family reunion where you're surrounded by people who all have a heart for God and have God's heart for you? A place where you don't have to live in fear and suspicion? A place where all your needs are met? An eternity in the arms of your heavenly Father?

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true" (Revelation 21:3-5 TNIV).

I don't know about you, but in my next life, I don't want to be a bear ... I want to be with God!

Alan Smith ministers with the Church of Christ in White House, Tennessee and publishes the email devotional "Thought for the Day."

Website: Thought for the Day

The Color of Grace

alansmith.servant@gmail.com (Alan Smith) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Ralph Milton tells of a teacher who asked the kids one day, "If all the bad children were painted red and all the good children were painted green, which color would you be?"

One child answered the teacher: "Striped."

No matter what you may think of an exercise like this done with kids, it's an important question for us as adults. Think about it. What color would you be? Red? Green? Striped? It's a really tough question when you have only two options and one of them isn't striped!

When we compare ourselves with God, we realize that we're not "good" by divine standards -- as Jesus said, "There is no one good but God alone" (Mark 10:18). Those of us who follow Christ know that we're far from perfect. ("If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" -- 1 John 1:8 TNIV.) The apostle Paul reminds us that we've all fallen short of God's righteousness and holiness. ("There is no one who is righteous, not even one; ... since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" -- Romans 3:9-23.)

I once had an elder who got upset every time I referred to Christians as "sinners," but even the apostle Paul said, "I am the chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). I know he was trying to emphasize that we've all been forgiven, but the fact remains, I stumble and sin. So am I good? Not when compared to God!

But, am I bad?

Hmm, that's an interesting question! The apostle John draws a definite distinction between those who truly follow Jesus and those who continue to live in (persist in) sin. "The one who practices sin is of the devil ..." (1 John 3:8 NASB) and they either deny their sin, claim their sin doesn't matter, or that they have no guilt for their sin so they just keep on with the lifestyle (1 John 1:5-10). Those following Jesus have honestly come clean about their sinfulness and have been forgiven and cleansed of all their sin (1 John 1:5-2:2). The focus of their lives is not sin and ungodliness, but righteousness and holiness. Those following Jesus are trying to put off the "old person" of their sinful past along with its "former conduct" (Ephesians 4:22). While they struggle with temptation, and sometimes even fail, are they bad?

No, I don't believe so. God forgives, cleanses, and restores them because of what Jesus has done (1 John 5:7).

So which color would you be?

Were it not for a dear Friend who died in my stead, I would have no choice but to paint myself red. But, because Jesus Christ took on the color red -- in a very literal way -- and because of my obedient trust in Him, He has transferred His righteousness to me, and I can proudly wear the color green!

"God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21 TNIV).

Alan Smith ministers with the Church of Christ in White House, Tennessee and publishes the email devotional "Thought for the Day."

Website: Thought for the Day