Jamaica Patois Wisdom #4

By Jefferson David Tant

(The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come to appreciate some things about their culture. – Jefferson David Tant)

Patois: Mi ole but mi nuh cowl

English: I am old, but I am not cold

Meaning: Being elderly does not rob one of his/her pleasures.

From what I have seen in the Scriptures, I have not found passages explaining our spiritual retirement or pension benefits when we get older while still living this side of eternity. I have seen too many who seem content to sit idly by and twiddle their thumbs while they “enjoy” their retirement. Oh, they are faithful in attending the assembly, but that is the extent of their involvement. I recognize that some have physical conditions that certainly restrict them, but there are others who have strength and ability that can be put to good use in the kingdom.

As newlyweds, my wife and I worked in a little village among the Choctaw Indians in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. Among the members in the small congregation were Pappy and Mammy Osbourn. Hospitality was a part of their service. Though in her 80s, Mammy prepared dinner every Sunday and invited someone to come. Pappy took it upon himself to be sure all the songbooks were in the racks after the services, and always made sure that visitors were welcomed. One Sunday when someone forgot to pick them up, Harry Pickup, Jr. was on his way to preach that Sunday, and found them out on the road hitchhiking.

Don Sadler was one of our faithful members at Roswell and, even though he suffered from Parkinson’s disease, he was always present, and had some laminated cards made up with some encouraging Bible passages on them.  His widow Jo  is still with us, and often has an encouraging word, and regularly sets aside some funds to share with those who are in need.

Margaret Head is our resident angel, and for years has helped in caring for the sick at both Roswell and back in Wichita, Kansas where she formerly lived. She helped care for my parents in their last days on this earth, even though she was advanced in years herself.

Terry Cocson was a man we knew in the Philippines. He was crippled, and could only take 6-inch steps. I learned he had walked 4 hours to attend our preaching service. There was not a lot he could do, but his effort surely was an encouragement to many.

I knew of an older woman in Zimbabwe who had one leg amputated, but that did not seem to slow her down too much. She walked on crutches 12 miles to come hear the gospel. What an example!

What can older folks do? They can use the telephone to call those who need encouragement. They can also write letters of encouragement. They can certainly pray for others. “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16). They may take some younger person “under their wings” who could use some older wisdom. If they are able, they can visit the sick and shut-ins.

Abraham was 75 years old when he left Haran for Canaan. Moses was 80 years old then he led Israel out of Egypt. “The prophetess, Anna was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fasting and prayers” (Luke 2:36). Truly, there is pleasure in serving and God values the aged. “A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness” (Prov. 16:31). &

Spending Time with God’s Word

By R.J. Evans

I will never forget the time I was baptized into Christ on November 7, 1965. Also, I have never forgotten the words of my dear brother Charles Wilson, the local preacher, who baptized me. While still back in the baptistery changing room, he gave me the following advice: In order to remain faithful unto God, I encourage you to always do three things— (1) Faithfully study God’s Word; (2) Pray fervently; and (3) Every time the doors of the church building are opened for a service, be there. I have always appreciated those words and I have tried to practice them faithfully all the days of my life. In fact, I have passed them on to those I have personally baptized through the years.

In this article, I would like to give special attention to the first word of advice given — “Faithfully study God’s Word.” There are tremendous blessings that result from spending time with God’s Word. The Psalmist described such a person as “his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night” (Psa. 1:2). Let us consider some good reasons for spending time with God’s Word.

SPENDING TIME WITH GOD’S WORD WILL HELP IN ESTABLISHING A HEALTHY FEAR OF GOD IN OUR HEARTS. Solomon, after experimenting with practically every vain thing under the sun, came to the following conclusion — “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). Moses once gave some requirements for kings who would one day rule over Israel. Among other things, he emphasized the need for the king to spend time with God’s Word, which would help put reverence and respect for God in his heart. “...when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes” (Deut. 18:18-19). Unfortunately, most of the kings failed to heed and put into practice these words.

SPENDING TIME WITH GOD’S WORD WILL GIVE US JOY. The Prophet Jeremiah found this to be true — “Your words were found, And I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jer. 15:16). In the great Psalm that speaks constantly of the blessings of God’s Word, the Psalmist stated: “Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction” (Psa. 119:92). In times of trouble and sorrow, what comfort and joy can be found in spending time with God’s Word.

SPENDING TIME WITH GOD’S WORD PROVIDES COMFORT IN OUR AFFLICTIONS. The Psalmist certainly found this to be true. In fact, he made it a constant practice to turn to God’s Word when he was hurting — “This is my comfort in my affliction; For Your word has given me life” (Psa. 119:50). In times of trouble and sorrow, we especially need comfort, and nowhere can we find this comfort more than in spending time with God’s Word. When a fellow-Christian dies there is the hope of the future return of Christ, the resurrection from the dead, and meeting the Lord in the air and forever being with Him in heaven. Paul said, “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18).

SPENDING TIME WITH GOD’S WORD PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION. The Psalmist said, “You word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Psa. 119:105). Reading, studying and coming to an understanding of God’s Word, helps us know what the will and way of the Lord is — “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:6). That He shall direct our paths is so encouraging in light of the fact that “the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23).

SPENDING TIME WITH GOD’S WORD CAN HELP RENEW OUR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH. Paul told the Ephesian brethren to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10). He told Timothy, “my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1). Spending time with God’s Word can help bring this to pass — “And now brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

There is just no substitute for SPENDING TIME WITH GOD’S WORD. &

Just Say “No”

Bob Myhan

During the 1980’s, First Lady, Nancy Reagan, unofficially led an anti-drug abuse campaign by urging young people to just say “No” when enticed by others to use controlled substances. This is basically what Solomon told his son, and would tell all the sons of every generation, by writing,

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

My son, if sinners entice you,

do not consent.

If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;

let us ambush the innocent

without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us, we will all have one purse” –

my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. (Proverbs 1:8-19)

No one can make you do something you do not want to do. They can pressure you into going along with them by the threat of bodily harm or ridicule. But the wrong you will suffer by refusing to go along will pale in comparison to the reward you will receive for doing right (2 Cor. 4:17; 1 Peter 4:15,16). &

Sentence Sermons

Often, silence does more harm to the truth than do lies.

We too frequently interpret scripture to fit what we believe instead of adjusting what we believe to fit scripture.

Atheism is not nearly the enemy of faithful Christians that indifferent Christians are.

Christian discipleship is more than a faith system; it is a way of life.

Bibles that are falling apart usually belong to people who aren't.

A theory is a hunch with a college education.

God can accomplish amazing results with imperfect but yielding people.

If a tombstone is all that's left to remind the world we've been here, it's a grave mistake.

If you turn green with envy, you are ripe for trouble.

Praying frequently helps us pray fervently.