Teaching Stones
January 18, 2013.

"Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it" (Habakkuk 2:19).

How foolish are those who worship idols--objects of wood and stone with no life in them, not even when they are adorned in silver and gold. Can inanimate objects come to life and even become teachers? A child knows better.

But not college professors! All over the land, these proud purveyors of "science falsely so called" are indoctrinating young minds with the absurd belief that inorganic substances can somehow first become simple living substances and then eventually organize themselves all the way up to being people. They would not, of course, suggest that sticks and stones could suddenly become human (neither did the ancient idolaters, for that matter). They just believe that time--lots of it--can magically develop people out of much simpler substances than even these ancient philosophers ever imagined. "In the beginning, hydrogen" is their arrogant notion.

But God will not be mocked in this way forever. Life can only come from life--ultimately from the living God! The wooden idol of the pagan is every bit as scientific as the evolutionary models of the modern intellectual; neither one can create life. "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: . . . They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them" (Psalm 115:4-5, .

Only God can create life, and He can even cause stones to teach. "Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: . . . Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?" (Job 12:8-9). HMM

For more . . . .

Daily Manna

Humility In Victory.
Friday, January 18, 2013

TEXT: DANIEL 11:5-12

"And the king of the south shall be moved with anger, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand" (Daniel 11:11).

Mahatma Ghandi, one of the greatest founding fathers of modern India was once quoted as saying that, “victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat for it is momentary.” Life experiences have shown that such observation has always been the lot of those who fail to pursue godly and righteous means of achieving victory or success.

Unfortunately, many great warriors forget too soon the fact that life itself is transient and success in life does not depend on anyone’s wisdom or prowess. Being drunken with inordinate ambition for greatness and driven with the lust for fame and earthly glory always comes with the attendant danger of forgetting God.

In the passage under reference, we are given the picture of the natural tendencies among the ancient rulers. Kings, emperors, and generals in ancient kingdoms often desire war and pursue victory in such wars with all the skills and military resources at their disposal. Their major objectives ranged from expanding conquered territories and levying same with taxes and tributes to develop their own lands, accumulating riches and fame, taking slaves and servants for pleasure and sports amongst other self-serving reasons. King Ptolemy conquered Jerusalem by treachery and inordinately gained several other victories. One of his sons, Ptolemy Philopater also followed his steps, conquered Antiochus and expanded his own kingdom as well.

On gaining the victory however, his heart was lifted up. He became proud and arrogant. History tells us that upon entering Judea, he went into the temple in Jerusalem and the holy place which was against the law. That was the beginning of his downfall and destruction.

As Christian pilgrims, we must shun whatever that does not glorify God. And in victory, we must remain humble knowing fully well that God must take all the glory. Above all, the real victory of saints is never in material gratifications; it is always in the indomitable conquest over sin and Satan.

Thought for today: “Pride goeth before a fall” remains a timeless truth"[/size]