BIBLE TRIVIA

1. To control their enemies and their flocks
2. To reach into the heavens and be as gods
3. To make a name for themselves and not be scattered abroad over the face of the earth
4. To keep watch over the fertile plains and keep the tribes of God together

2.  When Abram (Abraham and Sarai (Sarah), his wife, went down to Egypt to escape a famine, what did they tell the Egyptains?

1. That Abram was a leper
2. That they were actually brother and sister
3. That God had sent them to punish Egypt
4. That Sarai was pregnant

THEY, NOBODY, WE AND ME

BY STEVE NIEMEIER

Have you ever noticed how the term “they” is used by those that are members of the church that the Lord built?  It seems when a decision is made that someone of the congregation doesn't like “they” made it.  When there is a blank space to perform a duty such as preparing the communion “they” did not sign up.  When the preacher preaches on the subject of giving “they” needed it.  When it is time for a business meeting “they” can handle it.  When teachers are needed “they” need to do it.  “They” always are to blame for everything that happens.

This is much like children and their use of the word “nobody.”  Surely those that are parents have experienced this great phenomenon.  You wake up one morning and go the the refrigerator and the door has been open for hours and the items in it are basically ruined and you ask “who left the refrigerator door open?” and the response is “nobody.”  In our house it seemed that “nobody” was responsible for most of the problems we had.  Of course “nobody” was second to “they” when all of our children were home.

Why is it that we carry some of these traits from our childhood with us all through our lives and forget some of the traits that we should carry?  Whatever happened to the trait of “I will do it” when we were youngsters and wanted to do whatever our moms and dads were doing such as opening a can or vacuuming the floor or mowing the yard.  Volunteering seems to be a lost art!

Have you ever wondered what happened to the word “we?”  A congregation of people serving the Lord is made up of individuals.  A group of individuals that come together to work for the Lord in a particular location.  The work is the responsibility of each member!  Sometimes “we” may have to step up and do more when “they” don't.  In fact, just to make sure that “we” do step up to the tasks that need to be done “I” will make sure that “I” am part of the “we” that will do the tasks.

A preacher once preached on the subject of “they.”  After the sermon one individual came up and wanted to know just “who” the preacher was talking about.  Without hesitation the preacher took the individual to a mirror and stood him in fornt of the mirror.  the preacher then just stood out of the way so the man could only see himself.  He then took the man to the bulletin board and all the duty sheets that were there and pointed out all the blanks that “no one” had signed.  The message was clear; the preacher was talking about every individual in the congregation including this gentleman and the preacher!  Nothing else needed to be said!

It would seem to me that “we” starts with “me” and together “we” would eliminate “they” as “we” (including “me”) would be doing the work together that the Lord has for us to do!