What Will Others Think?
Joe Slater
	What scares you most? I’m not talking about bungee jumping or visiting the house of horrors at the amusement park. Rather, I’m asking about fears that hinder us from doing and being what God desires.
	Sometimes we’re afraid of public opinion. Even the most independent personality has some regard for what others think. Peter, for example, served as God’s messenger to open up the Kingdom to the Gentiles (Acts 10); yet later, at Antioch, Peter “withdrew and separated himself” from the Gentile Christians. Why? Because he “[feared] those who were of the circumcision” (Galatians 2:12). Paul had to rebuke him for his hypocrisy.
	Desiring the approval of other people is not necessarily sinful. By God’s design, we are social beings. Problems arise, however, when our craving for popular acceptance outweighs our determination to please God.
	During Jesus’ earthly ministry, many of the Jewish leaders believed in Him; “but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42, 43).
	Fear of what others might think can paralyze us relative to our service to God. Do I want my friends to know that I actually believe Jesus of Nazareth was God in the flesh? If they find out that I “go to church” for three hours every Sunday and another hour Wednesday, won’t they think I’m a fanatic? Maybe they will tolerate me if I just keep my faith to myself; but if I share the gospel with them, I’m afraid they may have nothing more to do with me.
	Then there are the social and recreational activities; how will it look if I am the only one abstaining from alcohol? They’ll figure I’m a geek for sure if I tell them I won’t go with them to the movie because it is rated “R.”
	Brethren, faith overcomes fear. Only a warped personality enjoys being rejected by friends (or even enemies). But faith motivates us, as it did Moses, to take our stand with God regardless of what others think or do (Hebrews 11:24-26). Let us fill our hearts with God’s word, develop a strong faith, and conquer the fear that would keep us from serving God and living with Him eternally!
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Why Don’t You Attend
Every Service?

Too busy?			Read	      Hebrews 9:27
Too many hypocrites?	Read	      Revelation 3:3
Too tired?			Read	      Matthew 11:28
Too far?			Read	      Romans 8:38, 39
Hurt feelings?		Read	      Matthew 6:12
Poor clothing?		Read	      James 2:1-5
Church not popular?	Read	      Matthew 7:13, 14
Had company?		Read	      Luke 10:38-42
Don’t want to?		Read	      Hebrews 4:1
Searching for Jesus
	“And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he (Herod) began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born.  And they said to him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet'" (Matthew 2:4-5).
	Though Herod's reason for finding Jesus was wrong, he went to the right source to find Him: he went to the scriptures. Because he did not know the scriptures well enough himself, he gathered the religious authorities who did know the scriptures.
	The truth that we need to see is that if one wants to find Jesus, he must go to the scriptures.  Jesus himself said, "these...bear witness of me" (John 5:39). We will not find Jesus in the creeds and opinions of men. We will not even find Him by our feelings.  Jesus is found by searching the scriptures.
	The second truth that these verses teach us is that we must ask ourselves, "Why are we searching for Jesus?" Herod was searching for the right Person in the right place, but for the wrong motive. Not everyone today searches for Jesus for the right motive. Some are following Jesus just for physical blessings (John 6:26). Some follow because it's a habit.  Some follow just because their spouse is a Christian.
	Are you searching for Jesus? Where are you searching for Him? Why are you searching for Jesus?  Remember, the right place to search is the Bible.  The right motive is to worship and serve.
	--Wayne Burger (Conifer, CO)