Pierced Ears

Then he will be his servant for life. -Exodus 21:6-

John Carvalho goes to a pretty conservative church, so the sight of men wearing earrings still causes raised eyebrows. So you can imagine their surprise when he chairman of their board of deacons showed up at a church meeting wearing one. (It was all a joke; the earring was held on with a magnet.)

In Moses' time, a pierced ear was not used to make a fashion statement. Instead, it showed a slave's devoted love for a kind master.

In Exodus 21, it tells us that according to God's law, all slave owners were to free their slaves every seventh year. But if a slave loved his master, he would have his ear pierced at his master's doorpost. This demonstrated that the slave was making a lifetime commitment to his master.

The apostle Paul urged us to make the same kind of commitment to the Lord. In fact, Paul often referred to himself as Christ's servant (Romans 1:1; Philippians 1;1), signifying the same slavery by choice.

In one sense, God offers us our freedom every day. We are free either to serve Him or to serve our own selfish desires. The challenge is for us to present our bodies to Him as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), not desiring selfish freedom but willingly following God.

No, you don't have to go out and pierce your ear to show your loyalty to Christ. Instead, let your life show everyone around you that you are God's servant to life-because He redeemed you through Jesus Christ and because you want to serve Him.

Written by John Carvalho
Campus Journal

Children of The King

We are God's children. -Romans 8:16-


For many British subjects, the royal family is no longer a symbol of national pride but a royal embarrassment!

Granted, the rabid British tabloid newspapers focus a hostile spotlight on them. At such close range, it singes the inhabitants of the House of Windsor. Even so, the flood of negative press-from Fergie's sunbathing to Prince Charles' strange phone conversations-has Britons wondering: Why can't the royal family act a bit more, uh, regal?

It's a tough but true principle: With royal benefits come royal responsibilities and public accountabilities. The same principle holds true for those of us who are members of god's royal family.

As today's passage reminds us, becasue we have put our faith in Christ, we are children of God. And because we are children of the King, we are joint-heirs with Jesus (Rom. 8:17). One of our responsibilities as god's children is to exhibit a lifestyle compatible with our royal heritage (Col. 1:10-14).

Mere humans would collapse under the weight of such lofty expectations (as our British royal friends demonstrate). But God has taken care of that for us by graciously giving us His Holy Spirit. In the Spirit's power we can live a life that pleases God (Rom. 8:13-14).

If we try to live as God's royal family in our own strength, it's not going to happen (v.8). God has set us free from this cycle of failure. Far from condemning our inability, God instead gives us His Spirit to help us.

I wouldn't pretend to judge the British royal family. I'm just glad (speaking as one heir to another) that I don't have to function under that kind of pressure!

Written By John Carvalho
Campus Journal Volume 3

Getting Happy

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous.
Psalm 32:11

Do you know anyone who's afraid of being too happy? For instance, if you were talking with some non-Christian friends, would any of them say that they just couldn't put their trust in Jesus because it might give them too much joy?

Just the opposite would be true, don't you think? Your energetic, go-for-it friends would probably say that following Jesus would make them less happy. They'd be afraid they'd have to give up all the stuff that makes life fun.

Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade, said that before he put his faith in Christ, he was a "happy pagan." He thought he was perfectly happy as a non-Christian because he had lots of money and a great job. He says now, though, that he didn't really find out what happiness is all about until he accepted Jesus.

This whole idea should challenge us as believers. Do we show by our attitudes and actions that we are happier, more content, and generally better off than our non-Christian friends? Is there any indication that the forgiveness we enjoy as Christians helps us to "be glad," as David talked about in Psalm 32?

Your friends and fellow students try to get happy in so many ways. Some turn to alcohol, only to suffer the consequences. Some turn to sex and then have to worry about the physical and psychological fallout for the rest of their lives. Others look for it in fast cars or drugs or taking every dare that comes along.

Why not show your non-Christian friends that true happiness and lasting joy come through forgiveness from sin, not indulgence in it. Let them know about "the Lord's unfailing love" (Ps. 32:10). That's what getting happy is all about.

Written By Dave Branon

New Songs

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
-Psalms 40:1-8=

Quick Quiz: What sings with high- and low-pitch groanings and changes tunes all the time?

a. Your roommate in the shower.
b. A beginning oboe player.
c. The beginning humpback whale.

Answer: If you guessed c, you're correct. (But, I've never heard your roommate.)

The humpback whale has one of the strangest songs in nature. It makes weird sound combinations, varying its song all the time. These giants of the deep continually create new sound patterns and drop old ones, in effect singing a new song.

This makes me think of followers of Christ. We should be composing new songs all the time-songs of praise for the fresh mercies of God. As we grow in Christ and have new experiences serving Him, our praise song will change.

Unfortunately, many of can't sing new songs because we are not maturing or having anything new or exciting happening in our relationship with Christ. We're singing the same old song because we're in the same old rut.

The psalm writer said, however, that God keeps on working many wonderful things in the lives of His people, and that each one gives us a new reason to express His praise. (Ps. 40:5)

How about our song? Are we still singing the same tune we did last year? Two years ago? If so, we need a fresh experience of the mercies of the cross and the power of Christ's resurrection(Phil. 3:10). And that comes only through growth and accepting new opportunities to serve Him.

The gospel story never changes. Thank God that it doesn't! But as growing, serving Christians entering a new year, our songs of praise should never end. - Mart De Haan

Taken from Campus Journal 1995

Decisions!Decisions!

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
-James 4:13-17-
King James Version

Life is full of decisions! What am I going to wear today? What will I have for breakfast? Should I ride my bike to class or whole day.

Researchers tell us that we make between 300 and 1500 decisions everyday. Sure most of these choices are fairly inconsequential, such as where to sit in the cafeteria or what color shirt to wear, but add all these choices up and you could get a headache.

And then there are The Big Ones. Like: what major to declare. Whether or not to stay out of school a year and work, or should I make a commitment to this budding relationship with the person I'm dating?

For some help with The Big Ones, here are six wise choice-making steps. They will not always guarantee the right decision, but they w9ll help you avoid costly mistakes.

1. Define the problem.
2. Gather all necessary facts.
3. List the options.
4. Consider the consequences.
5. Identify and order the values
6. Make the decision

There's one other important factor that must not be left out: Include God in each decision.

that's what James was saying in today's Scripture. When you make important decisions, consider the Lord. Saying, "If it is the Lord's will,"means that you acknowledge His presence and power in everything that happens.

Got a big decision ahead of you? Follow wise , time-tested decision-making procedures. And above all, be sure to include the Lord. -Dave Egner-

REFLECTION
What important decision am I making right now? College? Career? Job? Relationship? How have I included God in the process?