Calling The Prodigal

Charles H. Gabriel

God is calling the prodigal, come without delay,
Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee.
Tho’ you’ve wandered so far from His presence, come today,
Hear His loving voice calling still.

Refrain

Calling now for thee, O weary prodigal, come;
Calling now for thee, O weary prodigal, come.

Patient, loving and tenderly still the Father pleads,
Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee;
Oh! return while the Spirit in mercy intercedes,
Hear His loving voice calling still.

Refrain

Come, there’s bread in the house of the Father, and to spare,
Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee;
Lo! the table is spread and the feast is waiting there,
Hear His loving voice calling still.

Refrain

Lead Me To Calvary

Jennie E. Hussey

King of my life, I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.

Refrain

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid,
Tenderly mourned and wept;
Angels in robes of light arrayed
Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.

Refrain

Let me like Mary, through the gloom,
Come with a gift to Thee;
Show to me now the empty tomb,
Lead me to Calvary.

Refrain

May I be willing, Lord, to bear
Daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share,
Thou hast borne all for me.

Refrain

Speed Away

Fanny J. Crosby

Speed away, speed away, on your mission of light,
To the lands that are lying in darkness and night;
’Tis the Master’s command; go ye forth in His Name,
The wonderful Gospel of Jesus proclaim;
Take your lives in your hand, to the work while ’tis day,
Speed away, speed away, speed away.

Speed away, speed away with the life giving Word;
To the nations that know not the voice of the Lord;
Take the wings of the morning and fly o’er the wave,
In the strength of your Master the lost ones to save;
He is calling once more, not at moment’s delay,
Speed away, speed away, speed away.

Speed away, speed away with the message of rest,
To the souls by the tempter in bondage oppressed;
For the Savior has purchased their ransom from sin,
And the banquet is ready, O gather them in;
To the rescue make haste, there’s no time for delay,
Speed away, speed away, speed away.

]]> http://wd40nductape.wordpress.com/2008/07/06/speed-away/feed/ wd40nductape http://wd40nductape.wordpress.com/2008/07/06/rescue-the-perishing/ http://wd40nductape.wordpress.com/2008/07/06/rescue-the-perishing/#comments Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:00:12 +0000 wd40nductape http://wd40nductape.wordpress.com/?p=28

Rescue the Perishing

Fanny J. Crosby

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

Refrain

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.

Refrain

Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.

Refrain

Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

Refrain

Send The Light

Charles H. Gabriel

There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
There are souls to rescue there are souls to save,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Send the light, the blessèd Gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light, the blessèd Gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!

We have heard the Macedonian call today,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a golden offering at the cross we lay,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Let us pray that grace may everywhere abound,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a Christlike spirit everywhere be found,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Let us not grow weary in the work of love,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Church of Christ, O Sleep No More

Fanny J. Crosby

Church of Christ, thy Lord is calling;
Ope thine eyes, behold and see,
Precious souls, in chains of bondage,
Pleading now for aid from thee.
Up and work for those that perish,
Haste, the time will soon be o’er;
Fold thy arms of love around them,
Church of Christ, O sleep no more.

Lo, again thy Lord is calling;
Preach the Word, its truth proclaim;
Lift thy voice and, like a trumpet,
Sound aloud Jehovah’s Name.
Boding clouds are in the distance,
Billows foam, and surges roar,
Dark and wild the night is coming,
Church of Christ, O sleep no more.

Still again thy Lord is calling;
Take the lamp that once He gave;
Let its beams of peerless glory
Shine afar the lost to save.
Do His will and do it quickly,
For the time will soon be o’er;
He may come when least expected,
Church of Christ, O sleep no more.

1. Remember the precious inheritance promised to us (1:4)

2. Remember that your faith is more precious than gold (1:7)

3. Rejoice in the Lord (1:8).

4. Remember the faithfulness of the Old Testament characters (1:10-12)

5. Gird up the loins of your mind—be sober (get your mind—thinking— together) (1:13)

6. Obey God and avoid worldly lusts (1:15)

7. Be holy (1:15-16)

8. Remember that your redemption was purchased at great sacrifice—the death of Jesus as the spotless sacrificial Lamb (1:18-19)

9. Put your faith and hope in God (1:21)

10. Love your brethren with a pure heart fervently (intensely and genuinely) (1:22)

11. Remember that God’s word abides forever, and it was through His word (the gospel) that you were saved (1:23-25)

12. Desire the sincere word of God in order to grow and be strong spiritually (2:2)

13. Don’t forget to render acceptable spiritual sacrifices to God (Worship Him) (2:5)

14. Remember that your spiritual foundation is Christ, who has chosen you as royalty (2:9)

15. Be honest and do good works (2:12)

16. Give honor when and where it is due (2:17)

17. Serve God faithfully—don’t give up (2:16)

18. Follow Christ’s example—walk in His steps (2:21)

19. Live righteously—There is no excuse for sin (3:10-12)

20. Be ready to give an answer (This requires study of the word) (3:15)

21. Faithfully speak God’s word to others (4:11)

22. Don’t stray from the flock or be a cause of grief or heartache to elders (5:1-3)

23. Be humble (5:6)

24. Cast all your cares upon the Lord—He really cares for you (5:7)

25. Watch out for Satan and his devices—He will do you no good—resist him (5:8).

Most people who become missionaries do so out of a sense of responsibility or oughtness. The motivation is much like the statement made by the apostle Paul, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Cor. 9:16. The motivation also involves what Paul mentioned in 2 Cor. 5:14, “The love of Christ constrains [compels] us….” A.T. Robertson wrote concerning this verse, “Paul’s conception of Christ’s love for him holds him together to his task whatever men think or say.” Paul was referring specifically to the apostles as “us,” but the motivation can be the same today for all brethren in Christ. Jesus gave to His disciples what men have called “the Great Commission.” The Great Commission is set forth in the first three books of the New Testament,

Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {teach…: or, make disciples, or, Christians of all nations}
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(KJV)

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

Why does one become a missionary to a foreign land? The reasons are manifold, but basically there is a love for souls, a desire to fulfill the Great Commission, and an understanding that the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16) is not just for the people of one’s own nation who have the same socio-economic status, the same race, the same color, the same ethnic background, the same educational background, the same language, the same religion, or anything else that may be the same, or similar. There must be a love for souls. A person cannot be a good or effective missionary who always allows race, color, language, etc. to be a problem. If one is biased or racially prejudiced against a certain people, then his effectiveness as a missionary will be compromised or rendered ineffective.

Some will say, “Well, why don’t you just stay in the USA, but go to a different state to do mission work?” There is a place for stateside mission work. But, there is also a place for foreign mission work as is seen in the activities of the disciples in the New Testament, and specifically, in the book of Acts. Jesus came to save people from sin, Luke 19:10. Which people did He come to save? All who would hear and obey Him, John 3:16. It was love that constrained Him. His love and the effects of His sacrificial death on the cross were not limited to one nation or race of people, but is extended to all mankind.

2 Cor 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2 Cor 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

The Great Commission of Christ was not a “limited commission” applying to only one generation in one location in the first century, but to all mankind until the end of time.

Many times when the missionary returns to his own homeland for the purposes of reporting on his work, to raise funds, or find some rest and reunion with his family, people will meet him and make interesting statements. Some will admire him for his “courage.” Some will admire him for leaving familiar surroundings and going to a nation where he has to learn a new culture and language. Others will think he is strange for leaving home and going abroad. Some cannot see why he should ever leave his home land. Many good and well-intentioned people will tell him how they admire and appreciate him for his sacrifice. He appreciates all of these things. But, deep in his heart he knows that unless many of these good people leave their homeland as he has done and become a part of another culture, and saturate themselves in that foreign culture, they will never really know what he is experiencing. They will never really know what effects all of this may have on him and his outlook on many things. They will never know the real sacrifices he and his family make daily. They will never know the pain and sometimes, suffering, he endures as he does his work in that foreign land. Good folks mean well, and they try to understand, but it is difficult to truly understand until one has experienced the matter personally.

Many people think that third world nations are very much like America, only with a little more poverty, a less-educated populace, and a backward culture. How shallow such thinking is! Many think that the problems confronted by people in a third world nation are very much like the problems Americans face, and that both peoples are facing the same things with the same intensity. Many Americans think that their problems are huge. Admittedly, some Americans do have big problems. But, when one compares and contrasts the situation in the USA with the problems faced by people in third world countries, there is no comparison. The people in the third world country face far more problems, bigger problems, bigger obstacles, and have less hope of overcoming them than those in America. And, it is so difficult to explain this to an American who has been brought up in at least a middle-class situation, and enjoys fairly good health, has at least a junior-high school education, and enjoys the freedoms afforded to him daily just because he grew up in America. Some folks just do not understand and will never understand unless they experience it first hand! They may try to understand; they may want to understand, but they do not.

Think how easy it is in the USA to run to the local Wal-Mart or K-Mart and buy just whatever we need when we need it. Think about how easy it is to do our repairs around the house because we have the tools with which to make the repairs. Think about how easy it is to jump in one’s car and head out on the highway and go wherever we wish to go at a moment’s notice, and ride on good safe highways and bridges in good, safe automobiles, and eat uncontaminated food and drink plenty of uncontaminated water. It is not the same in a third world nation! In some third world nations a person does not have the word for “door-handle” or “doorknob” or for “shoe laces.” Even though there are door knobs and shoe laces in those countries, many do not know the words for them. Does that astound you? It astounded me when I pointed to a door knob and asked a native girl, “What is the name of this?” She replied, “I don’t know.” I asked a native man the same question. His response was to shake his head–he did not know. Do you know why they did not know? They did not have doors on their houses–just an open doorway with a cloth hanging over it. I walked into a shoe store looking for shoe laces, and pointed to my shoe laces. I asked one of the employees, “What is the name of this?” She replied, “I do not know.” She worked in a shoe store! But, she did not know the word for “shoe laces.” Many people in third world nations do not even have shoes.

Are you aware that most people in third world nations do not have cars? Most walk. Many ride bicycles. Some ride small motorcycles. Do you know that in many third world nations you may have a piece of paper that says that you own a piece of land, but that the land can be taken away from you in a moment, and you have little or no recourse to be able to reclaim it? For an American property owner or landowner, such is preposterous! “We have rights!” Yet, it is a reality in many other nations that you may not be able to hold on to your land.

Do you know that of all the nations in southeast Asia, only one southeast Asian nation has clean water that one can drink from the tap?  Singapore.  In all other nations one must purchase bottled water that has been purified, or one has to do his own purifying. No where else is the water clean and safe enough to drink from the tap. Water is precious!  Income is so low that the annual wage in some nations is less than the equivalent of US$500-1,000. In such nations many people deal daily with the danger of malaria, dengue fever, dysentery, bird flu, typhoid, polio, and other diseases. Due to poor health conditions such people face the danger of their children being stillborn, or dying soon after birth. Some face a higher risk of having children born with birth defects or delivering Siamese (conjoined) twins.

Some face intense religious oppression and prejudice that many in the world know nothing about due to news blackouts. Such nations declare religious freedom, but they do not have it. We have witnessed news footage on local television of soldiers and local policemen standing and watching while people of one religion burn the church buildings of those who do not follow the majority religion in that nation. There is no recourse for justice!

What if every time you wanted to do almost anything–anything–that involved a government service, postal service, local police, drivers license bureau, immigration, etc, everyone has his hand extended to receive a payoff? You cannot pick up your package at the Post Office unless you pay a “fee” or “special tax” to the official. The idea is, “Pay me extra for the package that has already had the legitimate postage paid for it, or I may not give you the package!” You cannot pick up your new drivers’ license unless you respond with extra money to the official who hands your license to you. When he asks, “Do you have something special for me?” the meaning is, “Pay me extra or I may not give you the license that you just paid the legitimate fee to obtain!” This is a daily problem faced over and over by millions of people.

Many Americans would throw up (yes, I mean vomit) or weep at what they see on the streets of some cities in third world nations–people using the toilet in public, transvestites cruising the street intersections looking for money or lovers, beggars as young as two years old coming to your car at a stop light pleading for money, naked people covered in dirt and soot walking down the street without their right mind.

All cultures are not like the American culture or background. Many foreigners only dream about going to America, To them, America is heaven. Can you change your eating habits? Can you change the kinds of food that you eat daily? Can you do without the foods to which you are accustomed and begin eating a regular diet of foods that you did not grow up eating?

What about language? It has been our experience that most Americans who move to a foreign land do not wish to learn the language of that foreign land if it is not English. Many Americans who move to foreign nations often stay close together and continue speaking English with one another. Many of them never learn the language of the nation to which they have moved. To the local people that may appear to be a form of arrogance. When one spends the time and energy to learn the language of the nation to which he has moved, new doors begin to open, new things are learned, opportunities are available, friendships begin to be formed with the indigenous people, and one’s credibility with the local people begins to be established.

In all of this, after a few years, things sometimes change in the mind of the missionary. He can become cynical about the people of his own homeland. He sees them enjoying so many blessings and so much wealth (for which many have worked hard), and he thinks of those with whom he lives and works daily in the third world nation who can barely survive from day to day. It affects one’s thinking. It makes one wonder if those “back home” who have so much materially have any clue as to how the rest of the population of the world really lives! It even may make him wonder if the people “back home” have any regard for him any more. Things change in one’s life when one has lived among the native people in a third world nation. One begins to wonder just how deep or how shallow the thinking of some is. So many people deal in trivialities and matters that are insignificant. Things of importance among Americans are not necessarily the things of importance in other parts of the world. A person from my homeland may ask me a question, and I may not respond in the fashion that he or she expected because my thinking is not what it used to be. Priorities change.

Missionaries need support. Of course, there is a need for financial support. But, there is a need for other kinds of support as well. What about encouragement from the people “back home”? Rather than always receiving a message stating something like, “Isn’t it about time that you moved back home?” why not send a message of encouragement that might motivate him to stay in the mission field and do more and better the mission he is trying to fulfill? Since before I moved to a third world nation there were people “back home” trying to discourage me from going into the foreign mission field. One missionary had not been overseas very long when he received a message from a good and well-intentioned person, “You have done your job; come home!” The person had no idea whether the missionary had done his job or not. Furthermore, when is the Lord’s work ever done? Jesus taught in Matthew 19:29, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” I know He was referring to the commitment one must make to become a disciple of His. But, when one decides to become a missionary he also decides to make certain sacrifices concerning family, houses, and other material matters. Missionaries do what they do knowing that they are making a commitment and a sacrifice. It is a life that is chosen. The sacrifices are a “given.” Therefore, we should not complain. Do we need supporters back home? Yes. If some did not stay at home and send support, we would never have missionaries. Our purpose here is not to complain, but to explain in a small way to those who have no clue what may be involved in mission work, or the sacrifices made by missionaries, or what is faced in other nations.

So, when the missionary returns home to report on his work, or for some R & R, why not give him some much-needed time and be willing to listen to what he says about his work and the people with whom he lives and works daily? Someone one time said, “I just hate to listen to missionaries who talk about the people they work with; they mention so many names!” Well, guess what? We work with PEOPLE! People have souls! Local preachers in the USA work with people everyday. And, I suspect that most members of the church in the USA know the names almost every member of their local church. It’s all about people! What is that long list of people’s names doing on that PowerPoint announcement at your local church each time you attend? Oh, those are the “sick folks” in our congregation. It never has been NOT about people. The Lord’s work is about people. Let the missionary share his work with you. You be a sharer with him in his work by enthusiastically listening to what he says and looking at his pictures. That is the kind of support he needs. He needs to know that you care! Don’t bother him with trivialities.

For all of the education and progress one may find in America, there are certain pockets of complete ignorance (lack of knowledge). One of those pockets of ignorance for many is how other people in third world nations live, and an understanding of the work of missionaries in those nations. If you think you see yourself in this article and you really do not understand some of these things, then I would I ask something of you — when you go to bed each night, pray for wisdom and understanding, and pray for that missionary and his family (including his loved ones “back home”) and thank God for him or her, please!

God bless you, my good brethren! We love you!

]]> http://wd40nductape.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/missionary-thoughts-from-a-third-world-nation/feed/ wd40nductape http://wd40nductape.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/materialism-a-sin-rarely-confessed/ http://wd40nductape.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/materialism-a-sin-rarely-confessed/#comments Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:55:20 +0000 wd40nductape http://wd40nductape.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/materialism-a-sin-rarely-confessed/

The Bible warns frequently about the dangers and sin of materialism–the love of “things,” greed, avarice, the obsession of wanting more and more. Jesus taught the following, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” Luke 12:15. Jesus had much to say about people and their possessions. He had much to say about how we deal with our possessions, how we look upon them and value them. In Luke 12:15-34, Jesus taught very clearly about the priorities in one’s life. He taught concerning placing so much value on “what we have” in contrast with the really important matters in life–primarily, the priceless value of one’s own eternal soul. All of one’s life is not composed of his material possessions, according to Jesus. Yet, so many people fail to realize that fact. Their lives revolve around how much land they own or can own; how many vehicles they have or can have, and how much more they can put into their bank accounts and other accounts. Some will even steal or gamble to obtain more money or goods. Some will lie on their tax return to avoid having to part with any of what they have.

As stated above, materialism is a sin rarely confessed, and it is such because the materialist, the greedy person obsessed with what he has or can obtain materially, cannot see himself or herself for the greedy, obsessed vulture that he is. Others can see it in him, but he rarely sees himself as greedy. In fact, if one were to confront him with his sin of evil desire and obsession, he would probably become so angry that he might even try to physically strike one who confronted him about the matter! He is blinded spiritually and is not objective about his own desires. It is a blessing to be able to have material things, but it could also be a curse. Much of it depends on how one obtains what he has, and what one does with what he has. That was what Jesus was saying in the text in Luke 12. The man in the story was so wrapped up in himself and his possessions, and in obtaining more and more that he never once mentioned God. He never considered his eternal soul and its destiny. He never considered his fellowman who might have need of his assistance.

Are we saying that having things or that going through the legitimate process of obtaining things is wrong? No. In First Timothy 6:17-19, the apostle Paul wrote,
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

These verses imply that a Christian may, indeed, have material wealth. But, they also tell us what must be done with such wealth!

The apostle John warns us in First John 2:15-17,
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Do you see the warning about “the things that are in the world”?

In all of my years of teaching and preaching (over 40 years), I can only recall one person publicly confessing the sin of greed or materialism, and that occurred immediately after preaching on this very subject. Generally, people who are guilty of this just never can see themselves as being guilty of it, perhaps because they rationalize away what is really in their heart. Maybe they reason within themselves that they are emphasizing material things so they can have much to provide for their adult children after they are dead. Whatever the reason, love of money and obsession with material things is still a sin.

In dealing with this sin and related sins, Paul wrote in First Timothy 6:5-12, the following words:
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 ¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Do we see the contrast in the sinful, money-obsessed, things-obsessed person and what God really expects of His people?

Paul also mentions this sin again his writings to the church at Colosse in Colossians 3:5-6,
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (NKJV)
6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, (NKJV)

Covetousness is idolatry, according to the inspired apostle. Paul said that this evil desire in our hearts (worship of material things) is something that must be put to death so that we may be true disciples of our Lord Jesus. Many religious people pride themselves on their righteousness and they count their righteousness based upon how often they attend the worship services, Bible study classes, and how much they contribute monetarily on Sunday. True righteousness comes from right actions and right attitudes of heart that are molded and shaped by the proper application of God’s word in our lives.

Jesus again warned in Matthew 16:24-27,
24 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

What is your attitude toward money, possessions, lands, etc., and toward how you obtain them? How much time do you spend thinking about such things? How much time do you spend involved in such things?

In contrast to that, how much do you really contribute to the cause of Christ on the first day of the week? How much do you give, personally, to worthy mission efforts? How much do you provide for the widows and orphans on an individual basis? How hospitable are you in opening your home to the needy? How much time, energy, and personal finances do you spend in seeking to help save those who are lost? What do you do more than others to help your fellowman and glorify your Father who is in heaven? Jesus taught, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.

I recently received several “forwarded” email attachments from well-meaning people concerning a certain Presidential candidate. I do not agree with the candidate under consideration, and I do not plan to vote for him/her should he/she become a nominee for President of the United States. But, I am very concerned about people telling the truth. I may not agree with a person’s politics, but I believe that it is immoral to purposely lie, tell an untruth, or half-truth in order to turn people against someone. Usually, there is enough clear truth, facts, and evidence to properly use to persuade people not to vote for someone, or to vote in favor of someone.

Some of the email attachments I have received claim that the website “snopes.com” has verified the truthfulness of the outrageous claims made against this candidate. The fact is that “snopes.com” has NOT verified such information, and in fact, “snopes.com” has shown such claims to be false. When people begin to simply “forward” email attachments without checking out the veracity of such claims, it may be said that such “forwarders” have perpetuated a lie, a slander, or a libel. It usually only takes a few minutes to check out a story or a claim to find whether it is true or false.

Many people receive email attachments daily. Some foolishly believe that just because someone sent them an email the contents of the email must be true. After all (they reason), it was on the internet! And, they somehow feel an obligation to carbon copy it and forward it to a few dozen other unsuspecting people. Maybe this comes as news to some people, but the internet is used for all kinds of evil, including lies. Often, the contents of emails are simply the figment of someone’s imagination. A person should always check out the truthfulness of an email before sending it to others. But, remember this, some emails are just not worth sending on to others anyway, even if they are true.

Why not be a truth-seeker and truth-teller, rather than a slanderer, or libelous, or a talebearer? Check it out before sending it on! Also ask yourself, is it really necessary to send this on? In the overall scheme of things, what good will it do?