As Powerful as a PC-Jr

The computer field is full of phrases and sayings that have developed during the short but interesting Information Age: we refer to "bugs" in the system - a phrase coined when a live insect infiltrated one of the first computers and caused the system to fail. "Garbage In - Garbage Out" is used to emphasize the infallibility of the computer, and the frequent fallibility of the user. When I worked for IBM, the much-maligned IBM PC Jr. became the generic name for any computer that was under powered and quickly abandoned by the market. To be as powerful as a PC Jr., was not the highest compliment a computer could be paid!

"Then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them; and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will cast out of My sight. So Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples." 1 Kings 9:7

"Israel will become a proverb..."

What an interesting way to describe the people of God. Yet God warned that if they were not faithful to Him, they would end up as only a proverb; a footnote in history; a slang phrase used by anyone making a joke about a nation that was under powered and abandoned.

As tragic as that would have been for Israel, the same warning is true for the people of God today. Perhaps you already hear the cliches from those around you,

The church is full of hypocrites, I would never go there. Church is just for
women and children. All they ever talk about is me giving them my money.

And on and on until we run the risk of becoming a church that has become a proverb to the world around us. A church that is not in touch with the realities of a fast-paced, wealth driven society that no longer perceives the need for a church, much less the God it represents. God's remedy for this is found in verse 6 of that same passage and is actually quite simple:

"Follow Me"

When the world is so distracted by their own definitions of success that they write off the church as an artifact from a bygone time...
Follow Me

When your co-workers cannot understand your insistence on honesty and truthfulness, even when it could cost the company money, or you your job...
Follow Me

When society tries to arrange your schedule so that you no longer have any time left for your relationship with God...
Follow Me

And when the sins of a godless society begin to unravel that society at the seams, and those around you look for a source of refuge and security, you can point them to the God that has carried you through and simply say...
Follow Me

"...then I will establish the throne of your kingdom
over Israel forever, just as I promised..." 1 Kings 9:5

If you're interested, there is more information about:
The most important event of all time and
The most important Book of all time.

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Contributed by Ellis Bush (All Rights Reserved) 74357.246@compuserve.com