1. That God gets the glory.  Without Him, we can do nothing John 15:5  "I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; without Me you can do nothing."
2. That you pray for us.

By:  Simons Says Ministries

Topic: Staying in the Word.

Summary:  After trying to pass off several incomplete items as “just fine,” we see a Christian w/o the word. 

Characters:  Two friends.  Each scene can be played by 2 different people, if desired.

Setting:  Anywhere.

Props: Set of keys, tennis racquet without strings, tennis ball, glasses w/o lenses, Bible

#1 is waiting to meet up with #2.  #2 enters.

#1: Hey!  How's it going?

#2: Great!  You'll never believe what I just got!

#1: What is it?

#2: (takes a set of keys from pockets) A new car!

#1: No way!  Tell me about it.

#2: It's great!  It's brand new.   All the extras, power locks, power windows, power sunroof, ac, cd changer, leather interior…

#1: Hey, wait a minute!

#2: What?

#1: Why did you take the bus to get here instead of driving your car?

#2: Because it doesn't have an engine…

#1: What!?!  No engine!  What good is it?  It's not complete.

#2: It looks great.  Did I mention it has anti lock breaks?

Same as Scene 1.  #2 enters with tennis racquet and ball.

#2: Hi George.  Let's play tennis.

#1: With that racquet?

#2: Sure. Why not?

#1: Don't you think that it's missing something?

#2: No.  Here, throw me the ball.  (tosses ball to #1)

#1: But I don't think it's a good idea.  Your racquet is missing the…

#2: Just throw the ball.

#1: Ok, if you insist. 

(#1 tosses the ball back to #2, and when he tries to hit it, it goes right through the racquet.)

#2: Hey, what happened?

#1: I've been trying to tell you, your racquet is missing the strings.  It's not complete.

#2: Hmmmm…. must be my swing.  Here, let's try again.  (gives ball back to #1)

Same as before.  This time #1 enters, and sees #2 wearing the glasses.

#1: Well, what do you know?  George got new glasses.

#2: Frank, is that you?  

#1: Yea.  Hey, wait a minute.  Those glasses….

#2: Really bring out the blue in my eyes.  I know.  Aren't they great.

#1: Well, I guess so.  But what I was going to say is that…

#2: They complement my face very well.

#1: They do, but…

#2: Aren't they just so perfect.

#1: No.

#2: What do you mean, no?

#1: Let's put it this way, How many fingers am I holding up?  (holds up a few fingers)

#2: Uhm…12?

#1: That's what I thought.  Your glasses don't have any lenses.

#2: I know.  That's so I don't have to worry about them getting scratched.

# 1 is getting ready to go to work or school.

#1: (to himself)  I'm running late as usual.  Where are my keys?  Why can't I ever find them?  (Looks around for a while, then finally realizes that they are in his pocket.  Just before he reaches the door he turns and looks at the Bible.)  I know I should read you, but I just don't have time.  After all, I can do it tonight.  I promise.  (leaves, and after a few seconds, comes back in, clothes out of place and hair messed up) What a day!  I thought it would never end.  It seems like every thing went wrong today.  I'm so tired.  (picks up the Bible)  I would, but I'm just to tired.  (puts it back down and walks away)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete...”   So many times we forsake the Word of God.  We sleep that extra 20 minutes, we watch that other TV show, we play that extra game, and we put aside God's Word.  Like a car with out an engine, we are powerless.  Like a tennis racquet without strings, we have no impact. Like glasses without lenses, we can't focus.  We are incomplete because we have forsaken God's Word, and in doing so, turned our back on God Himself.

By:  Simons Says Ministries 

Topic: Forsaking our excuses to follow Christ.

Summary:  Three soldiers are waiting to join the front lines. 

Characters:  Three soldiers. 

Setting:   The soldiers are looking out from behind/over a bunker. 

Props: Toy guns, camo’s, walkie talkie, anything military.  A turned over table can be used for the bunker.

SOLDIER 1: (talking into a walkie talkie)  Yeah, we see the front line from here.  

SOLDIER 2: Wow, we are so close, I can smell it!

SOLDIER 1: This is what we've prepared for.

SOLDIER 2: If there ever will be a time for battle, this is it!

SOLDIER 3:  Lets go!

SOLDIER 1: Are we ready?

2 AND 3: Yes Sir!

SOLDIER 1: On three….

SOLDIER 2: One….

SOLDIER 3: Two…

SOLDIER 2: Wait!  Hold it!

SOLDIER 1: What's wrong?

SOLDIER 2: I forgot my Soldier Handbook.

SOLDIER 1:  That's why you should have been reading it, and memorizing it.

SOLDIER 2: Well, Sarg., I haven't read all of my Soldier Handbook yet. 

SOLDIER 1: What do you mean?  Haven't you been reading it on a daily basis?

SOLDIER 2: Well, no.  I just thought that I could get by without it.  You know, that we wouldn't be in the battle quite yet.

SOLDIER 1: You were wrong.

SOLDIER 2: I'm just not ready for battle.

SOLDIER 1: It's a little to late for that now, don't you think?

SOLDIER 2: I know.  How about this, I'll just wait here until ya’ll are done.  I'll cover your back.

SOLDIER 1: You're coming with us, handbook or not.  Williams, are you ready?

SOLDIER 3: Yes sir.

SOLDIER 1: Well then, let's move out.  On three…

SOLDIER 3: One…

SOLDIER 1: Two…

SOLDIER 3: Hold it!

SOLDIER 1: What is it now?

SOLDIER 3: You know those classes we were supposed to take in basic training?

SOLDIER 1: What do you mean “supposed to take?”

SOLDIER 3: Well, you see, I didn't think that I would ever need them.  So, I kinda skipped most of them.

SOLDIER 1: Skipped most of them?

SOLDIER 3: Ok, ok.  I skipped all of them, but I was so tired.  Besides, I thought that I could learn just as much by myself.  

SOLDIER 1: Did you?

SOLDIER 3: No, but you should see some of the fish I caught.  There's this one that must have been at least this big, and it must have weighed…

SOLDIER 1: QUIET!  We have a battle to fight, and a war to win!  Now let's get out there and fight!  I'm tired of these excuses!

SOLDIER 2: But look at this watch!  It's a priceless family heirloom.  I can't risk breaking it in battle!

SOLDIER 3: And my necklace.  What would my girl back home say if I lost it?

SOLDIER 1: I'm fighting even if I have to leave you here.  I'll do it alone if I have to!

SOLDIER 2: You'll never make it.

SOLDIER 3: Your crazy.  One person can't make a difference.

SOLDIER 1: At least I'm going to try.  

(Soldier 1 gets up and takes off from the bunker.)

SOLDIER 2: Look at him go!

SOLDIER 3: He might actually make it!

(Soldier 1 gets hit and falls to the floor.)

SOLDIER 2: Oh no!

SOLDIER 3: He's hit!

SOLDIER 2: Go help him.

SOLDIER 3: I don't think so.  Why don't you go help him?

SOLDIER 2: I knew he wouldn't make it.

SOLDIER 3: I told him not to try it.

SOLDIER 2: He should of listened to us.

SOLDIER 3: What a shame.

SOLDIER 2: And to think, he wanted us to go out there!

SOLDIER 3: Good thing we didn't.  Let's head for home.

SOLDIER 2: I right behind you.

(Soldier 2 and 3 get up and start to leave.)

SOLDIER 3: I think I saw a Dairy Queen a couple of miles back.

SOLDIER 2: Great!  I'm starved.
 

2 Timothy 2:3-4 says, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”  As members of God's army, we should be willing to put away our excuses and live for Him.  Yet, so many times we get entangled by the things of this world.  We make excuses for not witnessing.  “I don't have my Bible with me. I'm not trained enough.  I don't want to say something wrong….” And the list goes on.  We make excuses for not teaching classes at church, for not taking the nursery, for not going to the church work days.   But when it comes down to it, that's all they are. Just excuses.  Then, when someone who is trying falls, we shoot the wounded. We talk about them, and condemn them. We should be loving them and trying to restore them.  When will we realize that's what Christ would do, and has done for us. Christ gave His life for us, it's time we live our lives for Him.