According to Arthur Fletcher, widely referred to as the father of affirmative action, our mind decides or controls everything in our life; thus, we become what we feed to our mind. Considering the significance of the mind, the critical questions to be asked are: How do you function in a strange environment? What are the three key points about the behaviors of the Israelites during captivity? On September 13, 2023, these questions were addressed at First Timothy Baptist Church’s Wednesday Night Bible Service.

Dr. Ronald Holmes was the facilitator for the bible study utilizing the book titled “Beyond the Sunday Sermon.” When dealing with a strange environment, Holmes advised the congregation that we can’t let anything contaminate our mind and cause us to sit idly by and stop worshiping the Lord. We must redirect our mind, hold our peace, and allow the Lord to fight for us. as noted in Exodus 14:14. Regarding the lesson on “Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land, Holmes noted three key points. They were: (1) the Israelites sat down by the rivers of Babylon; (2) the Israelites wept by the rivers of Babylon; and (3) the Israelites remembered Zion by the rivers of Babylon.

Dr. Holmes said the Israelites sat down by the rivers of Babylon because they were attacked by the Babylonians and carried away as captives from their home in Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 29:4). The captivity was due to their disobedience to God. While in captivity, the Israelites were told to build houses, start businesses, and raise families (Jeremiah 29: 5-6). In their mind, they questioned how they could sing the Lord’s song while being in a strange land (Psalm 137:4).

Dr. Holmes raised the question to the congregation, “Have you ever wept about something in your life? In this world, we will have to weep sometimes. The bible teaches us that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30: 5). Holmes said, when we are troubled by things in our life, we must keep the faith; and “calleth those things which be not as though they were” (Romans 4:17). We must feed our mind with the things the Lord has commanded us; and He will always be with us until the end of the world (Matthew 28: 20).

In response to key point three, Dr. Holmes noted the Israelites remembered Zion by the rivers of Babylon because of the positive relationships they had with the Lord; and the many blessings they received from Him such as good shelter, health, and wealth. Holmes said the Israelites were concerned about their earthly conditions of being carried into captivity that they stopped praising the Lord (Psalm 137:3). They failed right into the trap of Satan who delights in taking advantage of you (2 Corinthians 2:11).

On Wednesday, September 20, Dr. Holmes facilitated the lesson on “Never Say Die”  from the book, “Beyond the Sunday Sermon” on pages 213 – 218.  The book provides an opportunity for  readers to mediate, study and record their personal thoughts for each day after the weekly Sunday Sermon. The book can be purchased online from Amazon.com.

Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of 26 books and publisher of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper. Holmes is a former teacher, school administrator, test developer and district superintendent. He has written children’s books about the coronavirus, solar system, flowers, careers and school bullying.  His adult books focus on religion, hazing, workplace bullying, bipolar disorders, issues in education and completing the dissertation.