So, as I was scrolling through my Facebook feed just a few moments ago I saw a picture of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is in Arlington National Cemetery. This picture (which is to your left) depicts a group of our service men standing guard at the tomb during what has been called the worst storm to hit the northeast in a very, very long time. When I saw this picture it struck the strings of my heart since I hold the military very close to my heart and support our troops because of their unrelenting service to us in keeping our freedoms safe. This picture is AMAZING! I am so happy and proud to be able to see this and know that they aren't going to stop just because of some storm. 

I wish we could all say that! Christians are called "soldiers" of Christ (2 tim. 2:3) but sometimes we don't portray the mindset of a true soldier. A true soldier will continue to do their jobs in the face of powerful storms, whether those storms be physical or metaphysical (i.e. that of our life). Every Christian soldier is going to go through storms in this life that would keep some from doing their work but it is the true soldier that stands guard and continues his work. What are some storms that could face a Christian soldier? 

• Physical storms - I wonder how many evangelists on their way to some distant country have had their plans changed because of some storm that grounded the aircraft on which they were about to board and yet have not given up and simply boarded the next flight that would allow them to reach their destination. 
• Spiritual storms - There is not one verse in the inspired word of God that ever should give the Christian the idea that his life is going to be void of troubles in his faith. In fact, I believe these storms actually help the Christian! They teach us and help us to found our faith upon surety and trust in the Lord. 
• Storms of this life - There are a number of things that could be said about these types of storms... They include lack of money, lack of family, or lack of anything else which could cause a Christian soldier to slow, or even stop, his Christian service to the Lord. And yet, we shouldn't allow them to stop us any more than physical storms or spiritual storms!

Let's keep doing our job and use these soldiers as an example to follow in our Christian service to the Lord, and not worry about getting wet (whether it be physically or in any other way) and simply worry about doing our job. 

I enjoy watching police shows! Anything that has to do with the criminal justice system and is on TV, chances are I'm going to like it. Last night I was watching Alaskan Troopers, a show that is much the same as the famous Cops show but is based completely out of Alaska and follows the police officers of the Alaska State Troopers. These guys are amazing! They are everything all rolled into one body with a giant hat! Anyways, as I was watching an episode of this great show last night I was also working on my computer (the job of a preacher never stops) and heard something that I had to rewind it to see if I actually heard it correctly! The narrator actually said that they were going to have 4 officers on shift that night for an area THE SIZE OF MARYLAND!!! That blew my mind! These men are risking their lives protecting the people of Alaska from other people who would want to do harm and from the animals that most of us have seen of Discovery Channel (If you haven't seen "Grizzly Man" you need to!) along with protecting the wildlife of Alaska from the people that want to hurt them for no reason other than to have a nice big mount on their wall (I told you they did everything). 

So, I did some research and while I couldn't find the actual numbers of state police officers actually in the state of Maryland I did find that there has to be hundreds! After all, there is 22 barracks and a barrack is in charge of a county with multiple officers for each barrack. Now I know that little statistic may not mean much now but just give me a minute!

So 4 men, while being very well qualified, were going to have to cover the same area that hundreds of officers are in charge of in the state that is the size of the Alaskan Troopers area and they were going to have to cover everything that had to do with law enforcement in that area instead of having different divisions and organizations to cover the different aspects. That sounds so daunting, and I'm sure the troopers know just how daunting it is.

(If this blog does nothing but encourage the Alaska Troopers and maybe spread the word about the work these men and women are doing I would be satisfied, but that isn't it!)

Let's think about this in light of Scripture. These 4 men were to take something that most, if not all, that heard of it would say is impossible and yet they accomplished their goal. Sound familiar?

I have even said myself, in the past, that carrying the Gospel to the world in one generation is impossible! After all, we have very few Christians in the world and even fewer that would actually evangelize like they are commanded to. But if the troopers of Alaska can show us anything it is that dynamite comes in small packages and if a person, or small group of people, puts his mind to it then he can do whatever is set before him. I remember reading somewhere that Jesus said the "fields are white for harvest (John 4:35)" and all that was needed was someone to go and harvest them. That is true today! Even though Matthew 28:19-20 seems as though it is impossible, it isn't because we have God and because small groups of people can do amazing things if they will put their minds to it. Sometimes it doesn't even take that much to harvest the fields! 

So as you go about the rest of your week keep the Alaska State Troopers in your thoughts and prayers, not only because they protect a large number of people but because their influence and example is what needs to be in the heart of a Christian! - We CAN do it, now the question is... WILL WE?

This week's blog is taken from the blog recently advertised in the PFP. From My Desk For His Glory (click the name to be taken to the site) is written by a good friend of mine, Chris Clevenger. I was contemplating writing on evangelism this week and Chris put it so plainly that I couldn't say it any better. Enjoy, and remember to always APPLY what you read. 


To some the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) is simply a subordinate suggestion. To others the call of Jesus to preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15) is a virtual impossibility. Christians are tempted to act as if the ringing of the message of the cross throughout the whole world (Luke 24:47) is a logistical nightmare. After all, how can we, being so few in number, possibly reach a world of seven-billion people? 

Perhaps those same mindsets were shared by many of our brethren in the First Century. It is possible that many new Christians thought the task of global evangelization was impossible. It is also possible that many balked when the Great Commission was given unto them by the authority of the apostles (Matthew 28:20). Yet there was one man who was committed to the Commission. His name was Paul.

Paul described his commitment to the cause of Christ by employing three words: debtor, ready and ashamed (in the negative). He wrote to the Romans: 

"I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:14-16)

When it came down to the proclamation of the Message, the apostle was motivated and prepared for the task. Because of Paul's debt to God he felt as if woe was upon him if he did not teach the lost (1 Corinthians 9:16); therefore, he prepared himself and preformed the task.

Why don't we, as Christians, evangelize like Paul? We are told to be followers of him as he followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). What disarms our desires and undermines our efforts to reach a world that is lost with the only Message that will save?

1. Perhaps we aren't convicted. The apostle Paul realized that he was a "debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise" (Romans 1:14). He did not incur this debt because of a kindness extended to him by any mortal man. Rather Paul was indebted to all men because of the freedom he had been granted in Christ. He had been under the debt and weight of sin, yet Christ had redeemed him (Romans 6:23). As a man freed from the slavery of sin and subject unto the Lordship of Christ he was required to propagate the Message that had brought him so great a salvation. We are in the same spiritual boat of safety. We've been redeemed by Christ (Ephesians 1:7). Perhaps we are guilty of not evangelizing because we are convicted of our own debt.

2. Perhaps we aren't concerned. Paul's words ring with enthusiasm: "as much as in me is" (Romans 1:15). He knew that the vast majority of those in Rome were lost and remained dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). His concern for the salvation of lost souls moved him to spread the Gospel. I often wonder how tormented our lives would be if we saw people as God saw them. We know that God looks not upon the outward appearance but upon the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). When God looks at our friends, neighbors, family members and co-workers He sees souls who are dying in sin. Perhaps we would be more concerned about the spiritual welfare of our fellow men if we saw them as the spiritual "walking dead".

3. Perhaps we aren't conditioned. The apostles of Christ were always "ready to preach the Gospel" (Romans 1:15). During His earthly ministry Christ had conditioned these men for the task of global evangelization. Furthermore, He had sent the Holy Spirit to reveal the entire Message unto them (John 16:13). Paul was no different than the others even though he was "one born out of due season" (1 Corinthians 15:8). We may not have the miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit or three years with our Lord in Galilee; however, we do have something superior: the completed Gospel of Christ, the New Testament (2 Peter 1:19-21). We are given the charge to equip ourselves for the task of teaching others (2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 3:15). Maybe we are like lazy soldiers and aren't spiritually conditioned as we should be in order to evangelize.

4. Perhaps we are too cowardly. Paul was not ashamed to preach the Gospel whether it was to the Jew or the Greek (Romans 1:16). He recognized that the Cross provided the only means whereby man could be saved. He was willing to live for the Cross or die for the Cross. He recognized that the Gospel could not be spread throughout the world if Christians cowered in fear. If we are convicted of our debt to God, profess concern for our fellow man, and are adequately studied so as to be conditioned to preach yet we still do not evangelize, then the only other reason for our lack of obedience to the Great Commission is cowardice. The Message for which Christ died and for which the apostles suffered martyrdom is often hidden away in the recesses of our lives and neglected in our manifold relationships. We may espouse undying loyalty to the cause of Christ one moment (Matthew 26:35), yet we repeatedly deny Him by spreading His Message. If we are too cowardly to evangelize, then one day the final cock with crow (Matthew 26:69-75).

Who have you taught the Gospel in the past seven days? Have you tried to reach a lost soul with the Message of salvation recently? Why not?

     Jesus has been rightly described by many as the master teacher.  Any good educator will recognize that, for one to be a master teacher, one must become a master in various styles of teaching.  Jesus used various styles to teach the good news which He came to bring.  Likely, Jesus’ most memorable style of teaching was His use of parables.  The word parable comes from the Greek parabolhv (parav- beside, bavllw- to cast/throw).  Jesus, in essence, cast spiritual teachings beside earthly examples.  
     The parable of the Pearl of Great Price is one of the “kingdom parables” which describes some aspect of the coming kingdom which was prophesied of old (Isaiah 2:2, 3; Daniel 2:44, 45), and its coming was preached by John the Baptizer (Matthew 3:2) and Jesus (Matthew 4:17, 10:7).  The preaching of the coming kingdom was fulfilled in the establishment of the church (Matthew 16:17-19; Acts 2:47), making the kingdom and the church equivalent to one another. The parable of the Pearl of Great Price only encompasses two verses (Matthew 13:45-46), but contains a great deal of meaning which is applicable to all of mankind today.

     The only way for this parable to have its intended meaning is for there to be recognition of the lasting, intrinsic value of pearls.  Pearls are held in high esteem today as heirlooms and are generally worn by those considered in the upper echelon of society. They were not an item of limited value for a limited time, nor where they a passing fad.  Lightfoot writes briefly about the value of pearls through the eyes of the ancients.
     The Pearl in ancient times was a gem of great delight.  Pearls had a high value in terms of dollars and cents.  It is reported that Cleopatra had two precious pearls, worth $400,000 apiece.  Beyond their money value, pearls were desired in themselves.  They held a fascination for the Oriental mind.  Simply to look at a pearl, to hold it, to turn it through the fingers, was considered a source of great satisfaction.  Pearl merchants looked far and wide for new pearls (Lessons from the Parables, 41).

     Much care must be taken by the Bible student to recognize that parables have one main point, or one central theme.  Many try to break down each particular detail and apply some meaning to it, yet every detail of a parable does not necessarily have a spiritual application.  Though several lessons may be learned, the key idea must be sought out first.  The central theme of the parable of the Pearl of Great Price is the great value of the kingdom of God. 

     There is value in the kingdom. - There was an intrinsic value within the pearl which the merchant sought.  One today must recognize the value of the kingdom/church, and if he does, he will be much more likely to seek it.  God gave up His son for the church (Jn. 3:16).  Jesus left heaven and took on the form of man, so He could die for the church (Philippians 2:5-8).  Christ blood was required to purchase the church (Acts 20:28).  Christ gave Himself for the church (Ephesians 5:25).  There is value in the church because it is the totality of the saved (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:25). 
     Denominations and religious groups outside of the church which belongs to Christ might seem to have value, but in the end, they fall short of that which is most important, obedience which leads to salvation (Hebrews 5:9).  Many have wasted great amounts of money for fool’s gold and fake pearls, just as many have put all of their spiritual hopes in a religion from which they will gain no spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3).  We must seek after the true church of Christ, just as the merchant sought after the true costly pearl.
     There is value in seeking for the kingdom. - The merchant took it upon himself to search diligently for the precious pearl.  There is no doubt that a merchant on such a search would find pearls of varying degrees, but there was only one pearl which could satisfy his desire.  He would continue searching until he found that one precious pearl.
     While it is possible for one who is not seeking the kingdom to find it (Matthew 13:34), it is much more likely for one to find the kingdom who has sought after it diligently.  Jesus taught the importance of seeking the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God (Matthew 6:33).  All of the worries of life can be overcome by recognizing the blessings of placing the kingdom of God first.  
     Many aver that man cannot seek God, but that it is only God who can seek us.  Lockyer states as much in his book, All of the Parables of the Bible (200-201).  Using that idea, many twist this parable to fit their Calvinistic bias.  While it is true that God sought us first (Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:19), mankind is commanded to seek God (Matthew 7:7; Hebrews 11:6).  If one does not seek God, he could never be saved by God, nor could he ever be pleasing to God.
     There is value in sacrificing for the kingdom. - When the merchant found the precious pearl, he gave up all he had to obtain it.  He must have seen enough worth within that pearl to be willing to sacrifice all that he had.  The church is an organization of great value, and one should be willing to give up anything to be a part of it (Matthew 16:26).  The apostle Paul is a great example of sacrificing for the kingdom.  Although he excelled in the Jewish religion far beyond many of his own age (Galatians 1:14), he counted all he gave up as nothing so he could gainhis own age (Galatians 1:14), he counted all he gave up as nothing so he could gain Christ (Ephesians 3:8) .Jesus teaches about some of the things one may have to give up to follow Him.  Those who would come after Him must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23).  One must give up His life for Christ (Luke 9:24; Galatians 2:20).  Some might have to give up family (Matthew 10:37).  One must be willing to lay himself on the figurative altar as a living sacrifice to follow Him (Romans 12:2).  Although great sacrifice is necessary to be a follower of Christ, no price would be too much to pay to be able to take part in the riches of Christ.
     There is value in securing a place in the kingdom. - The reason the merchant was willing to give all that he had was because that was what was necessary to secure the precious pearl.  It is incumbent upon us to do whatever is necessary to secure a place in the kingdom.  If one recognizes the great value of the kingdom of God, no price would be too great to gain and maintain a place within it.
     Jesus taught that one must be born of water and the Spirit to enter into the kingdom (John 3:3-5).  That was the message which Peter preached to the Pentecostians (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).  Having believed that Jesus was the Son of God, those present on Pentecost asked what was necessary for them to be back in a right relationship with God.  Peter explained to them that it was necessary for them to repent and be baptized.  Peter explained that continued spiritual growth was necessary to have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom (2 Peter 1:5-11).  Jesus, through the pen of John, explained to the church at Smyrna that continued faithfulness was necessary to maintain their saved state (Revelation 2:10).  May we be diligent to recognize the value of the kingdom, sacrifice for the kingdom, and do whatever is necessary to secure a place in the kingdom.