I pulled into the Millington, TN Walmart parking lot and found quickly found a space up front, close to the store. I couldn’t believe my good fortune. It was the space right next to the handicap parking space. I was somewhat disturbed when I returned from doing my shopping, however, to discover that I had a parking ticket on my window. What was my infraction? One of my tires was on the line separating my parking space from the handicap parking space. As a result of not parking straight I had to pay a fine.
There are lines everywhere. There are lines down the middle of the road. Sometimes there are double lines down the middle of the road. There are lines on the football field, on the baseball diamond and on the basketball court. The lines are their for a purpose. They are to show you your limits and to give you direction.
As a youngster I remember getting into an argument with another boy. A line was drawn in the dirt and the dare went out, “You’d better not step over that line if you know what is good for you.â€
Elijah drew a line in the dirt as well. He said, 1 Kings 18:21 . . . How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. KJV
Jesus also drew a line in the dirt. He said, “You have a choice to make. Are you going to serve me or are you going to serve your own desires and worldly ambitions?â€
We today are faced with a choice. Will it be Christ? Or will it be Satan?
By Dr. Gayle Woods
Some of the excitement about the Second Appearing of our Lord is troubling. It is not the second appearing of the Lord that is troubling but rather the blatant commercialization of this truth by some Christians. To see respected Christian leaders using this truth for their own advantage is sickening. Movies and book series whether fiction or non-fiction used to frighten believers (most non-believers have no interest in this material) in the guise of teaching a scriptural truth are tainted with the appearance of covert manipulation. What is the motivation if it is not to get on the bandwagon of the Christian fear-fad which is a proven method for selling mediocre books and movies? I am troubled as well by the lack of a scripturally focused message in these materials. The emphasis should be not on whether we go up in the rapture or are left behind to suffer the horrors of the Tribulation. That fear comes out of the lazy American’s desire for ease, comfort and luxury. The emphasis should not be on what the sequence of events will be in the last days. That is a perfectionist’s craving to be right about everything in doctrine as well as Bible trivia. The emphasis should not be on the meaning of “generationâ€, the use of modern technology, or the definition of 666. The emphasis should be on living a holy life right now. Peter said it this way: Since we know that God is going to bring a terrible judgment on this world someday shouldn’t we be doing all that we can right now to live lives that are pleasing to Him and are an appealing witness to those who do not know Jesus as their Lord?
By Dr. Gayle Woods
