YOUR PRIORITY-RECORD

     Do you want to prove to anybody exactly what the
priorities of your life are?  Show them your check-record.

     The things upon which you spend your finances, labors,
emotions and thoughts are the things which are most
important to you.

     "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and
steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where moth and rust do not break in and steal.  For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
(Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)

     This very emphatic Hebrew expression does not
necessarily outlaw having a savings account.
     The point is that God calls us to make the investments
of our life in heavenly things, the things of the kingdom
of God.

     Part of spreading the Kingdom of God is the command
in Genesis 1 to "have dominion" over the world and every
legitimate area of human life.  This includes flooding the
world with strong Christian doctors, jurists,
entrepreneurs, artists and musicians, etc., who will pursue
excellence in their fields to the glory of God.

     This "cultural mandate" is restated in the New
Covenant as the Great Commission: to preach the Gospel to
every creature and to disciple all nations to obey Jesus
Christ.

     Only two things on earth will endure throughout
eternity: the Word of God and, either in heaven or hell,
the souls of people.

     The best investments we can make in the "market" of
earth are those which build the Word, life and character of
Jesus Christ in the lives of people.  The work of the local
church and mission and parachurch organizations which are
truly obeying the Great Commission are the best long term
investments in the universe.

     Nothing else will last.
                                   [Clyde Price--Scraps20]





          FACE VALUE SPEECH

     Facial expression, body language and vocal inflection
can change the meaning of our words 180 degrees.  Sarcasm,
exaggeration, and just plain lying are standard means of
vocal communication in our society.

     We are so used to it that we automatically table much
that we hear to see later what the speaker meant by it.

     The Bible teaches that words are VERY important, and
the ways we use words are important.

     "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No', 'No';
anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew
5:37 NIV)

     According to the Lord Jesus, the evil one is delighted
when our "yes"es and our "no"es mean something else.  The
prophet Isaiah pronounces a Woe on those who confuse
darkness and light, good and evil, sweet and bitter (Isaiah
5:20).

     For many of us, this is a profound and difficult
change of thought and lifestyle: using words in such a way
that the meaning conveyed is consistent with the face-value
meaning of the words we are using.  We north Americans live
in a media-saturated society which blares at us, "I'm BAD,
I'm BAD..." "He's a BAD dude."  et cetera, ad nauseam.  For
those of us taught to use sarcasm from early childhood,
this switch is a fight.

     When the Lord Jesus says "Yes", He means it.  The
Bible says that all of God's promises are "Yes" in Christ
(II Corinthians 1:20).  When Jesus says "NO one comes to
the Father but through Me", He means NO ONE.

     We challenge you to read the Gospel of John, and the
rest of the New Testament for yourself, and keep this in
mind:  These aren't just pretty words; it means what it
says.
                                   [Clyde Price--SCRAPS21]





          RELIGIOUS FOLK

     You probably know a person who is very religious, yet
continually offends people, takes friends and family for
granted, and constantly self-justifies insensitive
self-centeredness. (Could this person be sitting in YOUR
chair?)

     It may shock you that Jesus Christ is more concerned
about your personal relationships than He is about your
outward religious activities.

     "If you are offering your gift at the altar and there
remember that your brother has something against you, leave
your gift there in front of the altar.  First go and be
reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift."
(Matthew 5:23-24 NIV)

     This does not mean you should put off receiving Jesus
as Savior and Lord.  But clearing up debts, either moral or
financial, should be a top priority after conversion, and a
prerequisite for consecration to Christian service.
Clearing up personal offenses is considered a prerequisite
to sharing in the Lord's Supper (see also I Corinthians
11).

     If you are not a Spirit-born, blood-washed member of
the Forever Family, just remember that Christians don't
claim to be perfect, just forgiven.  Please don't let
sanctimonious religionists fence you away from the true and
living God revealed in Scripture.

     You can find the freedom of forgiveness through faith
in our King Jesus, and you will in turn receive the grace
in your own heart to forgive others.

     Put your trust in Jesus, and receive the gift of
forgiveness.
                                   [Clyde Price--SCRAPS22]




          ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?

     "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "And I will make you
fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19 NIV)

     Are you a "fisher of people"?  Are you actively
seeking to help people in YOUR world find eternal, abundant
life in Jesus?

     "Well, I don't believe in trying to cram the gospel
down somebody else's throat."  That is a cop-out for
disobedience.  Jesus said to His followers, "Preach the
gospel to EVERY CREATURE." (Mark 16:15)  This means YOU,
and "every" includes the people around you.

     One aspect of the gospel is like telling folks about
the only exit from a burning building.  People NEED to
hear, whether they WANT TO or not.

     Another aspect of the gospel is sharing the most
exciting, interesting, captivating Person in the universe.
Certainly you would tell an acquaintance about a nice place
to eat, a good sale, a special event, or another
interesting person.  How much more would you share about
your Friend, Lover, Betrothed Husband, and King?

     Christian, picture yourself looking into the eyes of
your next-door neighbor on Judgment Day and being asked,
"Why didn't you TELL me?"
                                   [Clyde Price--SCRAPS23]





          A CRAVING SATISFIED

     Have you ever had a CRAVING for something, but you
weren't sure exactly WHAT it was you wanted?  Maybe even
after you had just glutted out on pizza and ice cream, you
felt somehow unsatisfied, unfulfilled.  Perhaps there's a
dietary requirement you've missed.

     "Jesus answered, 'It is written, "Man does not live on
bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of
God."'" (Matthew 4:4 NIV)

     God created the human race to be not only physical and
psychological beings, but also eternal spiritual beings
capable of being (becoming) containers of the very nature
of Deity (see I Peter 1).

     No human being can be complete apart from a personal
relationship with God, through faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ.

     No believer can ever be complete, healthy, "normal",
without a balanced, complete diet for the SPIRIT as well as
the mind and body.  Our minimum requirements include every
bit of the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures: NOT just
favorite verses and passages.

     We would like to give you a one-year Bible reading
schedule, free of charge.  Contact us...
                                     [Clyde Price SCRAPS24]






          STAY AWAY!

     The Bible teaches that we believers are to love
people, but that does not mean necessarily that we can, or
should, spend time with just anybody.

     The Bible actually warns believers to AVOID some types
of people.

     "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
Therefore, DO NOT ASSOCIATE with a gossip." (Proverbs 20:19
NAS)  Want everybody to know your secrets?  Tell a gossip.

     Some of these warnings are good to remember when you
are thinking about people to go into business with or to
date/marry.  "DO NOT ASSOCIATE with a man [person] given to
anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man [or woman],  Lest you
learn his ways,  And find a snare for yourself." (Proverbs
22:24-25)

     If you shouldn't associate with them, it would
probably be a good idea not to marry them, either.  Angry
people tend to do things that are not wise, not right (see
James 1:20).

     We are warned against involvements with those given to
(unnecessary) change (Proverbs 24:21), and against business
connections with heavy drinkers and gluttons (Proverbs
23:20f.).  Obviously, this would affect our choice of
employers, partners, friends, and spouse.  God's Word gives
good guidelines for living.

     If you happen to BE in one of these "avoid"
categories, don't become a hermit.  Repent, and come in
faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, and learn how to follow Him
into abundant life.  He can clean you up, turn you around,
set you straight, and get you going on the right track with
His mighty power.  The Gospel of John will tell you how to
start.  Do it today.  Put your trust in Jesus.
                                    [Clyde Price--SCRAPS25]





          WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?

     "God!  Why did You do this to me?!"

     Because we live in a sin-polluted world, sometimes
things happen around us or to us that we believe we had
nothing to do with, but which cause us pain.

     Often, though, we see the working of a spiritual law:
     "Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of
God.  A person will reap exactly what he plants.  If he
plants in the field of his natural desires, from it he will
gather the harvest of death;  if he plants in the field of
the Spirit, from the Spirit he will gather the harvest of
eternal life."  (Galatians 6:7-8 Good News Bible)

     Usually we are doing what we are doing, where we are,
and with whom we are, because of the general direction WE
have set for our lives.

     "Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid
actions and then blame the Lord." (Proverbs 19:3 GNB)

     In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives the remedy,
"Instead be concerned above everything else with the
Kingdom of God and what He requires of you, and he will
provide you with all these other things." (Matthew 6:33
GNB)

     Happiness and contentment are byproducts of serving
the Lord Jesus Christ.  Even genuine children of God have
problems, but we also have God's power to deal with them.

     Don't blame God for the messes you and others have
gotten yourself into.  What "field" have you been planting
in?  Read the Gospel of John, and find out how to transfer
to God's field.  Put your trust in Jesus.
                                    [Clyde Price--SCRAPS26]





          COMPARISON-SHOPPING FOR A CHURCH?

     The Bible teaches that adultery, fornication, theft,
dishonest business practices, murder of the post-born or
pre-born, homosexual acts and involvement in the occult or
witchcraft are all very clearly SIN.

     Some people practice and justify activities such as
these and yet try to maintain an appearance of religious
involvement.  In many places, it's considered "nice" to
attend church, even if you have to shop around for a church
that doesn't cramp your lifestyle.

     Some of these folks think, or maybe just claim, that
they have a personal relationship with God, and "talk with
Him all the time."

     The book of Proverbs tells us, "He who turns away his
ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an
abomination."

     Right and wrong have never changed.  The ceremonial
law of the Old Testament was a picture of the complete
redemption from sin accomplished by the Messiah, Jesus of
Nazareth, in His death on the cross for sinners and his
resurrection from the dead.  The moral law remains God's
standard of righteous behavior for people.  God has never
changed His mind about what He calls SIN.

     Some well-meaning church people respond immediately to
this, "But this is the NEW Covenant; we're NOT UNDER THE
LAW!"  Paul said repeatedly that no one in all of time
would be saved by the works of the Law.  Salvation is by
grace through faith from the exit of Eden to the last
tribulation convert.  If you still object to this, read
through the Old Testament, and make a list of all the laws
you want to break.

     "If I regard (or cherish) wickedness in my heart, the
Lord will not hear."  (Psalm 66:18)

     Stop fooling yourself.  Repent (turn) from your sin,
and flee in faith to the risen and living King, Jesus
Christ.  He will forgive you, free you, cleanse you, and
give you power to live an abundant, joyful and CLEAN life.
     Put your trust in Jesus.
                                    [Clyde Price--SCRAPS27]