The King James Bible is no longer printed in the UK, nor imported by its wholesalers. (Despatch, 1997)
David Peterson was jailed overnight in Ontario for spanking his 5-year-old daughter... The Canadian Criminal Code allows parents and teachers to use ‘reasonable force’ to correct a child. This is now under attack as ‘age discrimination.’ If this legal attack wins, spanking could become a crime throughout Canada. (Pulpit Helps, 1/98) The UN Treaty on The Rights of the Child calls corporal punishment (spanking) violating a child’s human rights. (News of Interest)
"In an Australian first, the Anglican, Catholic and Uniting churches will open a common theological training campus on Sunday." The common campus, where "weekly ecumenical worship services" will be held, is "hailed as a major step forward in relations between the churches. (Advertiser, 8/11/97). "
Many Nigerian leaders are now calling for Islamic Law. Many of the nation's Muslims are prepared to fight a Holy War to facilitate the implementation of Islamic Law. This could mean civil war, chaos, and thousands of Christian martyrs. Muslims have gone throughout Africa setting up Islamic Law, killing Christians, selling them into slavery, etc, and the UN denies the problem even exists. (News of Interest)
In Sudan, Christians have been carried into the desert in groups of fifty and abandoned. Their captors return daily to offer them food and water if they convert to Islam. Some choose food, water, and Islam; some choose martyrdom for Christ." (Pulpit Helps, 1/98)
Increasingly, gay/lesbian couples are becoming foster parents for thousands of children left stranded from parental abuse, abandonment or neglect- 3100 in San Francisco alone (C. News, 6/97).
The only thing that unites all Arab nations is the destruction of Israel. The Palestinian Authority (PA) released new maps on its internet web site which completely deny Israel’s existence. They call it ‘Palestine and Vicinity.’ The word Israel does not appear on any map published by the PA or any Arab state including the PA’s schools in Jerusalem! (Messianic Jewish Movement Newsletter, 12/97)
Jesus died to save us from our sin...our sinful nature and deeds or acts of sin. God is calling our peoples to worship Him, glorify Him in and through our cultural expression. We stand for truth first. We seek truth, speak truth, reveal truth, live truth, and then, in Christ, we have unity. (John Grosvenor, USA)
We need to work with each generation where they're at. Some new Gospel songs written by God's children speak to this generation. I don't advocate thrashing rock and drums, but we needn't just have traditional hymns. We can "sing unto the Lord a new song". (Paul, Warragul, Vic)
As long as we are worshiping, why does it matter if the accompaniment comes from a piano, an organ, a keyboard, or an electric guitar? God gave these people the gifts to use for Him, so who is anyone to say that they can't be used in church? God allows for the different forms of worship, and sees the dignity in each of them that man can not see with his eyes, nor can he accurately judge. Thank God that He tells us not to be silent, but to shout to the Lord, and sound cymbals and trumpets of brass, and sing hymns. (K. Edwards, Jacksonville, FL, USA)
The truly godly person not only loves the truth, but he hates that which is contrary to the truth. It is impossible to listen to music without being influenced by it, either for good or for evil. It is one of the most powerful influences of life. Rock music was my life before I was saved. I know the nature of that music. I know it cannot be sanctified for the Holy Master's use. It is destroying the spiritual discernment and power of God's people; it is breaking down the walls between truth and error; it is stirring up the sensual and the worldly. (David Cloud, USA)
Can't say that I'm opposed to having the public schools give out free condoms to school children. I just want them to give out knives at the same time. 'What!' you say. 'Knives?'
It sounds wrong, just like the proposal to give away condoms sounded wrong at first. But please remember that kids today are living in a different world than we grew up in. They mature earlier. And there is no disputing recent studies that found that kids armed with knives are better equipped for playground fights than are kids without knives. Yes, there are those who say that kids shouldn't be fighting on the playground. But kids will be kids, and you wouldn't want yours to be unequipped, would you? There are those who say that fighting is wrong, and that's their right - but who are they to cram their morality down my throat? (Anonymous, News of Interest)
(Written by Danny, age 8, from Chula Vista, California, for his third grade homework assignment to "Explain God.") "One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die so there will be enough people to take care of things here on earth. He doesn't make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way, He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.
"God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times besides bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV on account of this. Since He hears everything, not only prayers, there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off. God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere, which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your parent's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.
"Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any that come to our church.
"Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him. But He was good and kind like His Father and He told His Father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said OK. His Dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told Him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So He did. And now He helps His Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important, of course. You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to hear you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.
"You should always go to Church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God. Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong! And, besides, the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway. If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared in the dark or when you can't swim very good and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids. But you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases. And that's why I believe in God." (Pat Bowers, USA)
How do you define revival? Do you believe that we should not reach out for souls to be saved? Or that we should not pray and fast to that end? (Ed: I agree we should pray and work for God to send a spiritual awakening.) Also, you mentioned Brownsville. I do know that many people have made lasting decisions for Christ... An AOG pastor listened to the preaching about repentance from sin. He realised, after all these years, that he had never been saved!!! And this was after he'd been a pastor for many years. He decided that he would risk the shame he might feel, and went forward for salvation. He had gone through Bible College, gone through the motions, but never had a heart change. To him, ministry was just another job, to make money - just another vocation. This pastor heard a convicting sermon at Brownsville that caused him to change his course, repent, and get right with God. It would seem to me that fruit such as this could not be named "apostasy." We ought to rejoice that the gospel is being preached, and to give praise to God that the Word of God is bearing fruit there - that souls are coming into the kingdom, teens coming to Christ, and that backsliders are coming back to their first love, that people are being healed, and that people are committing their lives to Christ - and God is being glorified! (Phil. 1:15-18) (Karen, USA)
I live about 10 minutes from the Brownsville Assembly. The Bible clearly warns us about false teaching in the last days. Our guide is the Bible, not an unknown spirit... "Brownsville people are getting saved from sin, giving up their sinful desires..." Response: OK, praise the Lord one or two are doing that.... Most of the converts were retreads anyway. They talk Christians out of their salvation so they can get saved again.... The whole thing is built on a lie... (2 Th. 2:9-12, 1 John 4:1-6). (David Sargent, The Torch)
Christians are not to gather in dour clusters, bemoaning the state of the world, but are to storm the gates of hell continually, and if they can't get through, try the tradesman's entrance! Some of the joy I see on the faces of people supposedly healed at, say, a Benny Hinn meeting seems real. Who will imitate Job's "friends" and dictate to God how He will work? Who can tell if He would not rather bless expectant faith in a Toronto Blessing environment than regard a pious pessimist? Away with doom and gloom! Let's be a Billy Bray, and have our left foot say "Glory", and our right foot say "Hallelujah" as we tramp the King's Highway. (Ken, Qld)
"There will be a meeting of the Board immediately after the service," announced the pastor. After the close of the service, the group gathered at the back of the auditorium for the announced meeting. But there was a stranger in their midst. He was a visitor who had never attended their church before. "My friend," asked the pastor, did you understand that this is a meeting of the Board?" "Yes," said the visitor, "and after that sermon, I'm about as bored as you can get!" (Web Watch)
A man decided to become a monk, and joined an order where silence was the cardinal rule. He could say only two words once every decade. After 10 years the head monk called him in. "Well," he said, "you can say your two words now." The man replied "Food cold," and left the office. Another 10 years passed, and this time the man said, "Bed hard." After another 10 years, the man was once again summoned into the head monk’s office. "I quit," he said. The head monk replied, "I’m not surprised. You’ve been complaining ever since you got here." (Paul Snow)
False doctrine is giving people the wrong medicine. (From test papers given a Sunday School class; Anglican Digest)
Keep about your work, Do not flinch because the lion roars!
Do not stop to stone the devil’s dogs, do not fool away your time chasing
the devil’s rabbits.
Do your work; let liars lie, let sectarians quarrel, let editors publish, let
the devil do his worst!,
But see to it that nothing hinders you from fulfilling the work that God has
given you.
(Unknown; sent by Tibor, ACT)
My name is gossip, I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing, I break hearts and ruin lives, I am cunning and malicious, and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted the more I am believed, my victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me, because I have no name, and no face. To track me down is impossible, the harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody’s friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments, and wreck marriages. I make and ruin careers, and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion. I make innocent people cry in their pillows. Even my name hisses. I’m called gossip. I make headlines and travel the speed of lighting, by radio, by TV, the internet, the phone, and by wagging tongues so sweet and smooth. My speed outstrips the speed of a modern jet, I know no bounds, I travel the universe, and destroy the love of all who give me their soul, for God’s branded me by name, it is Satan. So be on guard - close your ears, and put a seal on your mouth, and pray the prayer, lead us not into temptation. Before you repeat a story, ask yourself; is it true - is it harmless? If it isn’t don't repeat it. (Bible Friend; Ron, Cobdogla, SA)
I am interested in that land because I have held a clear title to a bit of property there for over fifty years. I did not buy it - it was given to me without price but the Donor purchased it for me at tremendous sacrifice. I am not holding it for speculation, since the title is not transferable. It is not a vacant lot for I have been sending materials out of which the greatest Architect and Builder of the Universe has been building a home for me, which will never need remodelling or repairs because it will suit me perfectly, individually, and will never grow old. Termites can never undermine its foundations for they rest upon the Rock of Ages. Fire cannot destroy it. Floods cannot wash it away. No locks or bolts will ever be placed upon the doors, for the vicious person can never enter that land where my dwelling stands, now almost completed and almost ready for me to enter and abide in peace eternally, without fear of being rejected.
There is a valley of deep shadow between this place where I live and that to which I shall journey in a very short time. I cannot reach home in that city without passing through this valley, but I am not afraid because my best Friend went through this same valley and drove away its gloom. He has stuck with me through thick and thin since we first became acquainted years ago, and I hold His promise in printed form, never to forsake me or leave me abandoned. He will be with me as I walk through the Valley of the Shadow, and I shall not lose my way when He is with me. My ticket to Heaven has no date marked for the journey, no return coupon, and no permit for baggage. I am ready to go - and I hope to meet you in that land one day. (Selected)
The great falling away marks the nearing approach of the Man of Sin (2 Th. 2:10-12). Only a return to the faithful preaching of the Apostles Doctrine (Acts 2:41-42, Heb 2:3) can bring back Biblical standards in the household of faith and prevent the rot from spreading. It is an encouragement and a cause for praise to know that it is impossible to deceive the elect but it is possible they may be misled. Hence the warning, "come out of her my people that ye be not a partakers of her sins" (Rev. 18:4). Herein is the strongest motive to "cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet and shew my people their transgressions" (Isa. 58:1). "Woe unto them that cry peace, peace, when there is no peace ... for when they shall say peace and safety then cometh sudden destruction and they shall not escape" (1 Th. 5:3). Christendom is being softened up to accept the Harlot’s systemised religion, which will be the precursor of The Antichrist. The broad church has long ago given up standing for anything. This is the reason it falls for every new fad. (Les, Meeniyan, Vic)
The Bible commands us not to be yoked together with unbelievers. Should Protestants undo the Reformation by re-uniting with the Mother of Harlots? Would Luther, Calvin, or anyone listed in Foxe's Book of Martyrs advocate such a position? (Ed De Vries, USA)
Some believe... in order to attract the youth, churches ought to keep up with the times... be cool and groovy... (this) has resulted in a lot of misery, spiritual abuse and consequently spiritual ship wrecks. (Steffanie, Mitcham, Vic)
There is such turmoil around today, even churches are falling away, but this is what has been predicted will happen, so it is God’s will to show us that we are in the last days before His coming for us. (Abigail, Gawler, SA)
The mind - warping in society is so intense today that most people are totally unaware they've been brainwashed. The Word of God will become more and more precious for the remnant as the days of Globalism finally engulf mankind. (George, Geraldton, WA)
The ever increasing apostasy has forced us to come out time and time. Scripture exhorts us to be aware, not be deceived and to be ever alert for ravenous wolves amongst the flock. Only the Holy Spirit can give us the fortitude to stand against the devil's wiles and the discernment to "come out" of his snares. (Brian, Parkes, NSW)
I see one of our main responsibilities to be like the watchmen - to cry out about the on coming dangers. (Bruce, Murray Bridge, SA)
The Scriptures predict the FUTURE of the visible churches of Christendom as being APOSTASY. But the true Church, the invisible Body of Christ, has quite a different future, one of GLORY. What a contrast! (Wendy, Brisbane, Qld)
Jeremiah 5: 26 - 31 very aptly portrays the worldly, rich unscrupulous preacher who leads so many people astray. Satan surely laughs all the way to hell. The Scriptures contain numerous warnings (Rom. 13:13, Jer. 14:14, Eph. 4:14, Prov. 20:17, 2 Cor. 11:13, 14, Ps. 120:2-3, Ps. 34:13). (Neil, Perth, WA)
As believers in the Lord we do have a message of hope for this sin sick world that we live in at present, that there is salvation for every man, woman, boy and girl (Acts 4:12, John 3:16). Time is very short, we are living in the days of Noah, God is calling His people to build an ark for the saving of their households. We need to have our lives built on the Lord Jesus Christ and live for Jesus for nothing else will save us from this evil generation, as we see the establishing of the throne of the Antichrist in our day, but he will only have a few years. JESUS CHRIST will reign for 1,000 years and for all eternity, who do you want to serve? Who do you want to save you and give you a future? Who do you want as Lord of your life? (Ken & Sue, Murray Bridge, SA)
Check out the many scriptures pertaining to the ordained, earthly institution of government (Rom. 13, Prov. 29:2). Study the words authority, ruler, and government. Instead of resigning to fatalism that the world will wax worse and worse, we should work to see godly candidates stand for election. (Bill, Childers, Qld)
"I'll loan you a little child of mine", He said, for you to love while he lives and mourn for when he’s dead. It may be six or seven years or twenty-two or three but will you until I call him back, take care of him for Me? He’ll bring his charm to gladden you, and should his stay be brief, you’ll have his lovely memory as solace for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay since all from life return, but there are lessons taught down there, I want this child to learn. I’ve looked the wide world over, in search of teachers true, and from the throng that crowd life’s lanes I have selected you. Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain, nor hate Me when I come to take him back again ? I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done, for all the joys the child shall bring the risk of grief we’ll run. We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may, and for the happiness we have known, for ever grateful stay, but should the angels call him much sooner than we’ve planned, we’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand." (Selected)
I stand before the throne of God
And wonder how I got here.
I look behind me and see
Filthy rags He took from me.
They are there upon the ground,
But as I look I turn around
To see the throne and His Majesty,
I know it’s His love He shared with me
Was the means He set me free.
God's grace and love abounds to me.
(Peter Shepherd)
There are little eyes upon you,
And they’re watching night and day;
There are little ears that listen
To every word you say.There are little hands all eager
To do the things you do;
And a little boy who’s dreaming
Of the day he’ll be like you.
You’re the little fellow’s idol,
You’re the wisest of the wise;
In his little mind, about you No suspicions ever rise.
He believes in you devoutly,
Holds that all you say and do
He will say and do in your way
When he’s grown up just like you.
There’s a wide-eyed little fellow
Who believes you’re always right;
And his ears are always open
As he watches day and night.
You are setting an example
Every day in all you do,
For the little boy who’s watching
To grow up to be like you. (Edgar Guest)
It is recorded in history that some years ago a man was condemned to be put to death. When he came to lay his head on the block, the prince who had charge of the execution asked him if there was any one petition that he could grant him. All that the condemned man asked for was a glass of water. They went and got him a tumbler of water, but his hand trembled so that he could not get it to his mouth.
The prince said to him, "Your life is safe until you drink that water." He took the prince at his word, and dashed the water to the ground. They could not gather it up, and so he saved his life. My friend, you can be saved now by taking God at His Word. The water of life is offered to "whosoever will." Take it now, and live. (Selected)
The King James Bible has 790,685 words, The New International Version has 64,576 fewer words, The New King James Version 19,755 fewer words, and The Revised Standard Version 30,534 fewer. (G. Grady Daniel, Jr., News of Interest)
A famous publisher declares, ‘if you are an articulate person, you utter some 30,000 words a day.’ If those words were put in print they would amount to a fair sized book a day. Those books would, in a lifetime, fill a good sized college library." (Sword of the Lord, 12/12/97, p 10).
The KJV had a team of fifty scholars who each translated every word. No word was final until all 50 agreed on the word choice. The new versions have a dozen or so men with half the education who each translate only a small portion. They are inferior men, using inferior methods, to translate inferior texts. The readings in the newly found manuscripts were available to the KJV translators and rejected. Further, the same manuscripts were available to the churches for 1,800 years and were rejected. 68,000,000 people died to preserve the text of the KJV while rejecting the texts that scholars today call the "most reliable." (News of Interest)
I feel like so much time is spent preaching about this (King James) version being superior to any other that we forget the purpose of it all. The Pharisees were Bible experts, they knew the Scriptures like no one else, and zealously guarded the Scriptures, yet they missed Jesus. If we are going to preach, preach Jesus. If we are going to make a stand, stand on Jesus. If we are going to convince people of the truth of something, convince them of THE Truth, Jesus. Let's get a firm grasp on the grace of Jesus. In the end, what will really matter? That we had all of our theology lined up and perfect (or at least self-deceived enough to think that it is perfect), and that we won all the arguments about which version of the Bible is the best... Or that we have shown the Love of Jesus to the world, that we have a firm grasp of the Grace extended to us by God, that we are living examples of His Love to a dying and sinful world? I'm sure that satan, that old deceiver, would like nothing more than to get us all arguing with each other about who really has the truth, the real word of God. In reality there is only ONE Truth, one authentic version of God's voice to humanity - and His Name is JESUS! (Buck Schmidt, USA)
Many of us in the ministry have a "messiah/martyr" complex on which we feed until we are exhausted and we don’t realise that we have done it to ourselves. That God never called us to "save the whole world" ourselves. We need to realise that need alone does not constitute a call (check out Acts 16:1-10).
Are we doing a bunch of things that God never intended for us to do? At our Missions Conference this year the men on our church board sang "Let Me Burn Out for Thee Dear Lord." As I meditated on the message I really think that the meaning is found in the kerosene lamp. As long as the wick is a conduit for the oil it will last and last. However if the oil runs out or the wick is not down into the oil then the flame will consume the cotton of the wick. God wants us to be a channel - not the oil. The Holy Spirit is the oil and He should fill us so the flame always burns brightly. I think we have removed our "wicks" from the oil! (News of Interest)
This little prayer runs through my head every night I lie in bed... God bless my family and my friends too and God... Please one more thing might I ask of you... If you don’t mind me asking please bless my ‘puter too?
Now I know that it’s not normal to bless a small machine but please listen just a minute and I’ll tell you what I mean. You see, that little metal box holds more than odds and ends... inside those small components rest a hundred loving friends. Some, it’s true, I’ve never seen and most I’ve never met we’ve never shaken hands or hugged but on this I can bet...I know for sure they love me by the kindness that I get. And this little scrap of metal is how I get to where they live I know them by their words and deeds and the happiness they give. By faith is how I know them much the same as I know you. I want to hold them in my prayers, and so if it’s ok with you... Please take an extra minute from your duties up above... to bless this little hunk of steel that’s filled with so much love. (From Richard Barzdo)
The Spherical Shape of the Earth (Isa. 40:22; Job 26:7).
The Stars are Innumerable (Gen. 15:5).
The Existence of Valleys in the Seas (2 Sam. 22:16).
The Existence of Springs and Fountains in the Seas (Gen. 7:11, 8:2; Prov. 8:28).
The Existence of Water Paths (Ocean Currents) in the Seas (Ps. 8:8).
The Hydrologic Cycle (Job 26:8, 36:27-28, Ecc. 1:6-7).
The Concept of Entropy (Ps. 102:25-26).
The Nature of Health, Sanitation, and Sickness (Leviticus chapters 12-14).
(From Peter, Moonta, SA)
Over 400,000 deaths each year are attributed to smoking. (A forthcoming book says obesity claims 300,000 premature deaths a year!) But the same arguments used against the tobacco industry can be used against the liquor industry. While the number of alcohol related deaths in the U.S. each year is placed at 108,000, it kills in their prime, often in car crashes. It deprives people of more years of life than smoking does. Almost 14 million adults abused or were dependent on alcohol in 1992. Thirty percent of suicides, 50 percent of homicides, and 30 percent of accidental deaths are related to alcohol abuse. Two-thirds of violent crimes are committed by perpetrators using alcohol, and many babies are afflicted with fetal alcohol syndrome. (Plains Baptist Challenger, 12/97)
There are as many as 3,500 "new" religious groups in the US today. The New Age Movement is an ecumenical movement of epic proportion sweeping our world today. It offers a menu of spiritual choices, which can be combined like making soup. Pastor William Bischoff said: "New Age thinking has permeated every area of society. Because it is so broad and diverse, it may seem difficult to pinpoint its basic philosophy; but such is not the case. The NAM is the embodiment of Eastern mysticism and has its origin in ancient Hinduism and the mystery religions of the Orient... New Age groups believe in the inter-connectedness of all things. All is one, and God is all. Therefore...God [is] in us. Man’s great need is to discover the deity within [through] positive thinking, meditation, visualisation or drugs...." For Christians, the New Age world view is the same old ancient, occult cosmology used by Satan in the Garden of Eden to tempt Eve." (Plains Baptist Challenger, 12/97)
I looked down from a hill and saw the small houses, and cars that looked like toys, moving at snail’s pace. I saw people like ants doing their own things, as if they were of the utmost importance.
And I heard the sound that all in Worldtown fears the most - the fire alarm. I looked and in the distance I saw a terrible thing, mighty, destroying all in its path. The town’s people broke into a panic, for now they could smell the smoke, the danger at hand, and yet very few seemed prepared, and where was the fire brigade?
I quickly looked and found the fire station, and to my amazement the fire-fighters were standing outside discussing which way to go, which hoses to use, whether to use their winter uniform or their summer one, and who should sit in which seat.
What was wrong with them? They had the key. They were the only ones that could save the people and the town, and they just talked about it. They had all the equipment and training, but they just didn’t use it. It was a terrible thing to sit there and watch Worldtown being destroyed by an uncaring fire.
I looked down from the skies and saw the world as it really was; people scurrying to and fro in their own seemingly important worlds. Many alarms and warnings were going off that should have opened the people’s eyes to the destroying fire of sin, filth and selfishness that was slowly but surely engulfing the world. Few people seemed to be aware of the danger, and where was the Church?
I quickly looked for the Christians, and to my amazement most of them were in the buildings discussing what they could do, what Bibles they should use, whether or not to wear ties, and who should actually tell the people.
What was wrong with them? They had the key. They were the only ones that could save the people, and they just talked about it. They had all the equipment and training, but they didn’t use it. They could have fought the fire, but they didn’t. It was a terrible thing to see the world being destroyed, by the uncaring, insidious fire. (Andrew North)
A Post Office relays messages from the creator to you. You and I are human post offices. We are daily giving out messages of some sort to the world. They do not come from us, but through us; we do not create, we convey. And they come from either heaven or hell.
Every Christian is a postmaster for God. His duty is to pass out good news from above. If the postmaster kept all the mail and refused to give it out, he would soon be in trouble. He would be a poor postmaster who spent his time decorating the post office and failed to distribute the mail. Deliver the letters. Pass on the messages from the heavenly headquarters. (Based on The Best of Vance Havner)
On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur there once was a crude little lifesaving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept up a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves went out day and night tirelessly searching for the lost.
Many lives were saved by this wonderful little station, so that it became famous. Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding area wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money and effort for the support of its work.
New boats were bought and new crews trained. The little life saving station grew.
Some of the members of the lifesaving station were unhappy that the building was so crude and poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea. So they replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in the enlarged building.
Now the lifesaving station became a popular gathering place for its members and they decorated it beautifully and furnished it exquisitely, because they used it as a sort of club.
Fewer members were now interested in going to sea on lifesaving missions, so they hired lifeboat crews to do this work.
The lifesaving motif still prevailed in this clubs decoration and there was a liturgical lifeboat in the room where the club invitations were held. About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast and the hired crews brought in boat loads of cold, wet, and half-drowned people. They were dirty and sick and some of them had black skin and yellow skin.
The beautiful new club was in chaos. So the property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of the shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside.
At the next meeting there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club’s lifesaving activities as being unsavoury and a hindrance to the normal social life of the club.
Some members insisted on lifesaving as their primary service and pointed out that they were still called a lifesaving station.
But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save the lives of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters they could begin their own lifesaving station down the coast. They did.
As the years went by the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. It evolved into a club and yet another lifesaving station was founded.
History continued to repeat itself and if you visit that seacoast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along the shore. Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but most of the people drown! (Australia for Christ, 6/88) Throw out the lifeline!
A ship is in difficulty. She sends out her SOS. A company of men on the beach, with a life boat nearby, are talking excitedly. You approach them, and ask, "Do you men see that ship and hear the cry of distress from lives in danger of perishing?" "Yes, we see and hear." "Do you know anything about that life boat? Can you man it?" "Well, we are the life-boat and life-saving crew, but seeing we are not agreed about certain points on launching the craft, and also of the meaning of certain ‘nautical terminology’, which we are discussing, we cannot undertake the task until we are agreed." (George Brown, Conversational Evangelism)
"Follow Me and I will make you Fishers of Men" (Mt. 4:19)
Fish have to be sought to be caught. Don’t normally jump in the boat. Have
to hunt for them.
You have to float your boat. You can’t catch fish by swimming after it,
or leaving boat on dry land.
You have to wet your net. Throw in the net. A dry net isn’t going to catch
anything.
(William Mikler, Review, 10/92)
How will you feel when you reach Home Port and the Master Fisherman asks, "How many did you catch for Me?" Get your fishing line in the water!
The fish weren’t biting! We should study the fish and its habits. Know what food it eats, where it lurks and swims, and the time of day best for catching that kind of fish. Know the kind of hook, bait, how to throw the line. Study different methods.
Blame the weather. It’s too hot/cold.
The hook was dull. Are we using the blunt hook of human wisdom - sharp
truth of the Word of God.
In the wrong spot. "I’m told the fish are really biting in
South America right now!" Fish where God has planted you.
Water too rough. Fishing can still be successful despite rough waves
and stormy winds.
Out of gas! Come back to Calvary, gaze afresh on the lamb of God who
died for us and for the world. Ask God to renew our passion for souls, power
in witnessing, and zeal in service.
(Based on "Excuses" by Ted Rendall, Prairie Overcomer,
quoted in CHHB of 7/8/92)
A group existed who called themselves fishermen. And lo, there were many fish in the waters all around. In fact, the whole area was surrounded with streams and lakes filled with fish. And the fish were hungry.
Week after week, month after month, year after year these men, who called themselves fishermen, met in meetings and talked about their call to fish, the abundance of fish, and how they might go about fishing. Year after year they carefully defined what fishing meant, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared that fishing is always the primary task of fishermen.
They sought better methods, and promoted different ways of fishing, new fishing equipment, fish calls, and bait. They sponsored special meetings. These fishermen built large, beautiful buildings. The plea was that everyone should be a fisherman, and every fisherman should fish. One thing they didn’t do, however, they didn’t fish.
They formed a board to speak about fishing, to define fishing, and to promote the idea of fishing in faraway streams and lakes where many other fish of different colours lived. They hired staff and appointed committees and held many meetings to define fishing, to defend fishing, and to decide what new streams should be thought about.
Large, elaborate, and expensive training centres were built whose original and primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Over the years courses were offered on the needs of fish, the nature of fish, the history of fishing, where to find fish, the psychological reactions of fish. Those who taught had doctorates in fishology. But the teachers did not fish. They only taught fishing. Year after year, after tedious training many were graduated and were given fishing licences.
The fishermen built large printing houses to publish fishing guides. Presses were kept busy producing materials devoted to fishing methods, equipment, and programs to arrange and to encourage meetings to talk about fishing. (Based on John Drescher, Harrisburg, PA)
I saw a dark and stormy ocean. Over it the black clouds hung heavily, the winds moaned, loud thunder rolled, and the waves rose and foamed.
In that ocean I saw myriads of poor human beings plunging and floating, shouting and shrieking, cursing and struggling and drowning; and as they cursed and screamed, they rose and shrieked again, and then some sank to rise no more.
And I saw out of this dark angry ocean, a mighty rock that rose up with its summit towering high above the black clouds that overhung the stormy sea. And all around the base of this rock I saw a vast platform. Onto this platform, I saw with delight a number of the poor, struggling, drowning wretches continually climbing out of the angry ocean. And I saw a few of those that were already safe on the platform who were helping the poor creatures still in the angry waters to reach the place of safety.
On looking more closely I found a number of those who had been rescued, industriously working and scheming by ladders, ropes, boats and other means more effective, to deliver the poor strugglers out of this sea. Here and there were some who actually jumped into the water, regardless of all the consequences, in their passion to "rescue the perishing". And I hardly know which gladdened me the most - the sight of the poor drowning people climbing onto the rocks reaching the place of safety, or the devotion and self-sacrifice of those whose whole being was wrapped up in the effort for their deliverance.
As I looked on, very few of the occupants of the platform seemed to make it their business to get the people out of the sea. What puzzled me the most was the fact that though all of them had been rescued at one time or another from the ocean, nearly everyone seemed to have forgotten all about it. It seemed that the memory of its darkness and danger no longer troubled them at all. They did not seem to have any agonising care about the poor perishing ones who were struggling and drowning right before their very eyes. Many of whom were their own husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, and even their own children.
They lived right there in the full sight of it all and even talked about it sometimes. Many even went regularly to hear lectures and sermons in which the awful state of these poor drowning creatures was described.
The people were busy in different pursuits and past-times. Some of them were absorbed night and day in trading and business in order to make gain, storing up their savings in boxes, safes, and the like. Many spent their time in amusing themselves, with growing flowers in the side of the rock, others in painting or playing music, or dressing themselves up in different styles and walking about to be admired. Some occupied themselves chiefly in eating and drinking, others in arguing. The multitude went on right before them struggling in the surging sea, and shrieking and drowning in the darkness. (From William Booth)
There is a Great Need - Unsaved Multitudes - A Lost World (1 Jn. 5:19).
A ship’s officer who survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 died a year after the catastrophe. His last words were, "We must get them all into the lifeboats." The sense of duty which burned upon his soul in that hour of tragedy stayed with him until his death. The saving of some did not make him indifferent to the loss of others. His only thought was to get all men, women, and children on board into the lifeboats.
There were approximately 2,200 people aboard the Titanic for this maiden voyage. The ship carried only 20 lifeboats with a capacity of 1,100 people. There were 1,517 lives lost and only 705 saved.
In a real sense the world of humanity is like the Titanic, going down to a watery grave with the lives of those on board in jeopardy. Only those who get into the boats are saved. (Walter Barwick, COG Evangel, 8/95)
Sleepless, I heard the tom-toms thumping,
echoing through the darkness of night;
It gave the dark night life, a lifeblood pumping,
I lay awake and looked, and saw this sight.
I stood high on a green and grassy plateau,
and looking down saw only endless space,
Where cloud shapes coiled in wisps of empty hollows,
shadow shrouded, furiously they raced.
Then lines of human forms came slowly walking,
single file, all bowed, across the grass;
making for the edge, the darkness stalking,
with faltering step and eyes like steely glass.
A woman with her child, a baby crying,
another to her skirt he tightly clung;
A moment at the edge - then they were flying,
down into the darkness they were flung.
Then more came stumbling on towards the chasm,
each one blind, unseeing, I could tell;
And from their mouths, as though a painful spasm,
came screams of terror as their bodies fell.
I wondered then why no one tried to help them;
why no one came to stop them at the peak.
I myself was held by hands unknown;
and could not move my body, could not speak.
Through the darkness dim I saw the sentries,
spaced along the edge amid the grass;
But they were few in number; ineffective,
and could not help but let the blind folk pass.
Then I saw in contrast to this horror,
beneath some trees, their backs toward the gulf,
A group of people sat arranging flowers,
each one concerned respective to himself.
Occasionally a piercing shriek would reach them,
and one might rise to aid the blinded ones;
But others stayed him, saying almost curtly,
"No, we must wait until our ‘calling’ comes."
"Besides, you haven’t finished crafting daisies,
and really, it would set a selfish tone
If you decide to go help those crazies,
and leave us here to work alone."
There was another group whose great desire
was to try to send out sentries to assist;
But few of these the courage could acquire,
and so the vital sentries were missed.
One girl stood her place, her warnings shouted,
and some were saved, a new path did they take;
But relatives and friends were quick to tell her,
her ‘furlough’ due, the rules she must not break.
She left; her need to rest was her instruction,
but no one was prepared to take her place,
And many blinded souls fell to destruction
like snowflakes in the emptiness of space.
One little child grasped at some grass in terror,
to stop her falling into darkness deep.
But as the roots tore out she knew her error,
and plunged headlong into the chasm steep.
Her screams of horror reached the resting sentry,
she rose to go, but friends reproved her still,
"Do not be concerned," they told her quickly,
"There’s always ‘someone else’ the gap to fill."
Then these began to sing a hymn so sweetly,
but through their song came such a mournful wail,
And horror filled my anxious heart completely,
I felt my blood run cold, my face grew pale;
For there I heard the million broken-hearted,
all crying in one hopeless, futile flood,
A horror to my soul this sound imparted,
for I heard their cry - it was the cry of blood.
Where were all the ‘saved’ in this disaster,
who will deny themselves a life of ease?
Who follow in the footsteps of their Master,
to bring His Gospel to such folk as these?
A sinful, dying world is crying sadly,
yet very few will bring the Gospel breath;
And millions of those souls are rushing sadly,
unhindered, to the precipice of death.
(The Faithful Witness, 3/94)
I will not fear,
For He is so caring, and will always be near.
So, as long as I follow His leading each day,
I will not fear trouble: I'll be content in His way,
For His love, and His blessing, upon me does rest,
In each situation, He knows what is best.
He wants only good for me. Remember, I must
Never to wander, and always to trust,
So I'll follow Him closely, and trust in His love
Till He takes me one day to His mansions above. (Ivy Whitmore)
A missionary on furlough told this true story while visiting his home church in Michigan... While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, every two weeks I travelled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. This was a journey of two days and required camping overnight at the halfway point. On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city where I planned to collect money from a bank, purchase medicine and supplies, and then begin my two-day journey back to the field hospital. Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting, one of whom had been seriously injured. I treated him for his injuries and at the same time witnessed to him of the Lord Jesus Christ. I then travelled two days, camping overnight, and arrived home without incident.
Two weeks later I repeated my journey. Upon arriving in the city, I was approached by the young man I had treated. He told me that he had known I carried money and medicines. He said, "Some friends and I followed you into the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight. We planned to kill you and take your money and drugs. But just as we were about to move into your camp, we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards." At this I laughed and said that I was certainly all alone out in that jungle campsite. The young man pressed the point, however, and said, "No sir, I was not the only person to see the guards. My five friends also saw them, and we all counted them. It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone."
At this point in the sermon, one of the men in the congregation jumped to his feet and interrupted the missionary and asked if he could tell him the exact day that this happened. The missionary told the congregation the date and the man who interrupted told him this story: "On the night of your incident in Africa, it was morning here and I was preparing to go play golf. I was about to putt when I felt the urge to pray for you. In fact, the urging of the Lord was so strong, I called men in this church to meet with me here in the sanctuary to pray for you. Would all of those men who met with me on that day stand up?" The men who had met together that day stood up. The missionary wasn’t concerned with who they were—he was too busy counting how many men he saw. There were 26.
This story is an incredible example of how the Spirit of the Lord moves in mysterious ways. If you ever hear such prodding, go along with it. Nothing is ever hurt by prayer except the gates of hell. (From Randy King)
A certain woman had a baby girl, and raised her to know the Lord. She taught her to memorise scripture at a young age. One of the first verses she learned was "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." She learned this at four years of age. Every night when mommy and daddy would put her to bed, after they prayed with her, she would quote her memory verse out loud. The one verse the little girl always remembered was "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." The parents then kissed her and said good night, happy that she remembered that much. Her parents came to know this verse very well that year. Everywhere they went, no matter what the circumstance, a little voice from the back seat of the car could be heard saying ‘Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might’. If daddy was cut off by a bad driver, and getting mad, she would say "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might". If a Christian was sad and needed comfort, she’d tell them "Be strong in the Lord." One day, her mommy and daddy were facing a very serious problem, and they didn’t know what to do. Daddy turned to his little daughter and said, "Honey, what would you do?" She just smiled and said, ‘Daddy, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." He smiled back and hugged her and said, "Honey, you’re right." He turned to his wife and said, "You know, I never thought there was just one verse could cover every circumstance, but if there is, Eph. 6:10 is it! (From Clifford Marlowe)
God has been doing tremendous things in us. We have been set free and released from hurts of the past. Simeon has been baptised and made a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ... Even though the last few years have been very traumatic and painful, we give the Lord Jesus Christ all the glory, for his grace, strength, mercy, and love, and the way he has constantly sustained us. It is only through the trials that we grow and are strengthened, by his love. We have been really stretched, but the Lord is holding us in the palm of his hand. (Bernadette, Hamilton, Vic)
There is a very deep movement of the Spirit of God in the lives of a number of folk in the communities, for which we praise God. (Frank, Kalgoorlie, WA)
My mother recently died and my mother's house where I lived all my life had to be auctioned. Based on Matthew 7:7, "Ask and it shall be given unto you", I asked, Lord, I would like you to find me a place to live near to my Church and shops... My request was perfectly answered. You can never go wrong trusting God. God will always approve faithful. He is worthy of eternal praise. (Doug, Hammondville, NSW)
The day of my father's funeral came upon us... We were able to stand strong and supportive of those who were torn down by the grief of the occasion. I with a courage that could have come only from my Lord was able to deliver the eulogy, comfort my mother and answer questions the undertakers and minister had. (Ray, Dandenong, Vic.)
So much of our world seems to be running out of control; and yet, our mighty God is in control, and we can trust Him to do more than we ask or think. We are a pair of well over 70-year-olds, with varying health problems... but we praise the Lord that as our bodies are deteriorating, we are renewed inwardly day by day. His Word tells us so, and we believe it. (Ivy, Kingaroy Heights, Qld)
Pakistan is surrounded by hostile nations. Many small, well-armed armies are operating in Karachi; it is a hotbed for assassination, ethnic violence and torture. Australian citizens have been warned on many occasions not to visit there. In Punjab, religious fundamentalism is rife with false blasphemy cases, murders and attacks on Christians and property the norm. Recently Pakistan was placed on the list of terrorist nations along with Libya, Iran, Iraq. If there is anyone interested in borrowing a video on Pakistan, or visiting this Islamic stronghold as a part time missionary, please play about it. (Contact: Clive Smith, Box 3141, Village Fair, Toowoomba, Qld 4350)
David & Raelene Thompson offer help with cult-exiting and trauma and abuse counselling (Watchman Ministries, PO Box 279, Belair, SA 5052).
Les Harper of "Stratholm", Mirrool, NSW 2665 offers free loan videos of Condell Park Baptist services to interested folk. This could particularly help folk who are isolated or shut-ins.
Moreno Dal Bello offers a free catalogue covering 1,500 items of false teachings and groups, as well as biblically based material gathered from the Internet, and other sources (Box 303, Reservoir, Vic 3073).
I have purchased a bus and am going back on the road again... I go as the Lord leads, looking to serve the Lord among the Aboriginal people. (Charles, Christie Downs, SA)
We have letterbox dropped 1,000 Independent Announcers (Newsletters)... total response after one week NIL! We felt disappointed but are plowing on. We think we may have to beef up the next headline and really sock it to them, "Do you know you're going to HELL?" (Alistair, Austral, NSW)
I am 85, and have been giving out tracts for 69 years. We send out "To the Householder", and have just covered the West of this State. Just three of us bear the cost; two of us are pensioners. (Andrew, Bonalbo, NSW)
Another couple and ourselves came up with the idea of outreach to the many overseas visitors (mainly Japanese) that frequent Australian shores. We made up our own Japanese tract, plus English tracts as well. Armed with these tracts we set off on our trip around Australia, visiting the popular tourist destinations... the Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs. In Cairns we handed out up to 700 tracts to visitors from Japan, Hong Kong, England, China, and Americans. People from all over the world. These people were very courteous, and we never had one word said to us out of turn. A lot of people have asked us for some tracts because they often have Japanese students staying in their homes. Cheryl made some handmade bookmarks with Australian wildlife on them to give to the Japanese. Our youngest son, David wants to design a tract for the young to capture them and be able to bring them to the Lord also. (Ken, Bundaberg, Qld)
I have no fear of persecution and even execution for the sake of the Lord Jesus and the Gospel. It is time that we, the Body of Christ, endeavor to spread the basic Gospel message far and wide. Every believer, if willing, is able to contribute to this cause in his own local community, both in Australia and overseas, in a low cost and effective way, reaching every dwelling. I am prepared to co-ordinate and organise this work, as well as meet as many as possible in parts of Queensland, NT, and NW Australia in June - August 1988. For more information and suggestions, interested readers can write to me including a large stamped self-addressed envelope. (Nat Polito, Box 588, Childers, Qld, 4660)
We are dedicated to street children in Third World countries, in particular Guatemala. One has to see for him/herself the conditions children have to live under, because words just do not give the complete picture. My wife and I have stood hugging children in the streets of Guatemala City and crying with a feeling of helplessness at the magnitude of the problem. We have been asked by the Guatemala Government to open or sponsor an emergency refuge in the city of Coban in Guatemala.
There seems to be a general apathy growing in the church, and people are turning a blind eye to the plight of the needy around the world. Of course many are doing something, but I believe that the blessings only come when our efforts become a sacrifice. In today's economic climate, many seem to be drifting back into the worries of the world instead of trusting more and more in God to supply their needs. Painting the house, a new car, new dress for a party, presents for relatives at Christmas...all seem to be a high priority these days than the needs of the poor. I saw a thing on TV a few nights ago where a chap from Mission Australia said we had a lot of poverty in Australia and was seeking donations. I tell you Andrew there is NO POVERTY in Australia! Sure some live with low incomes, but there are many help agencies and of course we have a generous social security system. There is none of this in Third World countries! (Ron Aubrey, Family Connections Ministries)
Here at Avonsleigh, I am kept busy with the Christian school and the church work. Preparing for two Bible studies per week and the Lord’s day ministry keep me busy although I have been restricted due to lack of energy in recent days. I have a heart condition, which leaves me very tired at times. I would appreciate your prayers on my behalf. The heart runs far too fast at times failing to pump enough blood and oxygen, hence the physical problem. Praise the Lord, our times are in His hands and I just bless Him for the many wonderful years in serving Him. Fifty-three years this year since He saved me and He has enriched my life with a good wife, five children of our own, and seventeen grandchildren with another only three weeks away from birth. Eleven of the grandchildren have passed through the school and some are currently still with us. We are in our thirteenth year this year with the Christian school and have been greatly encouraged with the students who have graduated at twelfth year. They have gone all over the world serving Him in Christian schools, Bible college for others, some running their own businesses etc. (Syd, Avonsleigh, Vic.)
I was born into a Catholic Family. I was educated in Catholic Schools from Kindergarten to Year 12. All my relatives are Catholics, some are priests and my aunty is a nun. My aunty was the Mother Superior of all the Marist Nuns in the world...(A Catholic Order of Nuns). My aunt was based in Rome for 10 years.
I was baptised as a child, made my first confession and my first communion and was confirmed in the Church. I prayed to Mary more than I prayed to God. We were taught that she was our Heavenly Mother. We had "Religion" at school every week and sometimes we would study the New Testament. I attended mass every Sunday, and eventually became a Catholic Youth Group leader in my parish church.
At the age of 19, I travelled to Rome, there I was able to see the man we were taught was God’s representative, Pope John Paul II. I was also able to stay in various convents in Britain and Europe. The nuns were very kind to me and were very sincere in their faith. I saw the "riches" of Rome and visited many Catholic Shrines, in parts of Europe and Ireland.
When I returned from overseas, I met a Christian girl who is now my wife. I began to go to her church, (Beecroft Uniting Church), in the evenings with her, and I attended my church in the mornings. An Evangelist came one night, I responded to his message and after the meeting a lady shared with me what Jesus had done for me, that he personally had died for my sins. I was shown John 3.16, and went away, knowing that God had come in the flesh, in the person of Jesus.
I continued for some time going to mass in the morning and to the Uniting Church in the evening. I saw nothing wrong with attending both.
Eventually a friend of mine who was also a Catholic came over to my place one afternoon, he gave me two "Jack Chick Tracts" about Roman Catholicism. These tracts clearly showed me that the Roman Catholic Church was not of God. It was a false Church system offering, man-made forgiveness and false sacrifices.
I had to make a choice, did I believe that the sacrifice of Christ was sufficient for the forgiveness of my sins or did I believe the Church that I had spent 20 years in? The Catholic Church has a sacrifice for sins at every mass. I chose to believe that Christ and Christ alone could forgive my sins and that his sacrifice was offered once, never to be repeated again. (Heb 7:27, 9:26, 9:28, 10:10-12, 1 Pet 3:18).
I saw that the sacrifice that my local priest offered was a false sacrifice. "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins." (Heb 10:11)
The Catholic Church is not a Christian Church, it grieves me to think that many Christian people assume that Catholics are Christians. I believe that Catholics are an untouched mission field, for so few Christians really understand their beliefs. We need to call them out of a system that distorts the Gospel. The Gospel plus anything added for salvation, is not the Gospel at all.
Paul had a desire that his own people would be saved. I echo his sentiments for my family. There is not one, that I know out of all my Catholic relatives, who have come to trust Christ as Saviour. "Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God... is, that they might be saved... For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." (Rom 10:1-3)
God in his grace led me to Bible College and eventually He called me to preach His Gospel of Grace. I am now the Pastor of Villawood Baptist Church. I am happy to send anyone a tape of my testimony, and am happy to speak to Churches or those struggling with leaving the Catholic Church.
(Vincent Wall, 62 Railway St, Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153, Ph: 014- 996 368)
I have been considering in my Church History Studies about the worship of Caesar. People had to worship the emperors of Rome, after which they received a certificate. Armed with this document they could go and bow down to any other god. Christians would not follow this practice and suffered the consequences, for they had one God only they worshipped - the Lord Jesus Christ. The death penalty hung over the heads of those who did not worship Casear as well.
This practice will soon be revived because people will be required to take the Mark of the Beast, as explained in Revelation 13. No doubt the Churches, which have cast aside their loyalty to the Holy Bible and their worship and faith in the lord jesus Christ as taught in the Gospels and by the writings of the Apostles, will provide the venues for people to receive the Mark. Accepting the Mark will be a statement of faith in satan or lucifer and the next Caesar, the Antichrist, and dooms these people to Hell, or the Lake of Fire, promised to all who make that choice.
Those who refuse to take the Mark may suffer death, as happened in Rome almost 2000 years ago, but they will have shown their love and loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ, and will spend an eternity with their Lord.
The present practices in the churches, which cause those who love the Lord much concern, are conditioning people to accept the Antichrist. This has been happening as hymns about Jesus Christ and Biblical doctrine have been discarded in favour of choruses of dubious value as clear doctrinal statements. New Bible translations which have been altered in favour of Antichrist are used. The groundwork for terrible times is being prepared. (Betty, Margate, Tas)
There are 566 members in our church.
But 100 are frail and elderly. That leaves 466 to do all the work.
But 80 are young people at college. That leaves 386 to do all the work.
But 150 are tired business men, so that leaves 236 to do all the work.
And 150 are housewives with children. That leaves 86 to do all the work.
A further 46 have other important interests. That leaves 40 to do all the work.
But 15 live too far away to come regularly. So that leaves 25 to do all the
work.
And 23 say they've done their bit. So that leaves YOU and ME.
And I'm exhausted. Good luck to you!
(Anon)
Two ingredients seem to me to be sadly lacking in our Christian churches and indeed, in our own personal lives: (1) Prayer, and (2) Worship.
In Psalm 138:3-4, David said, "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth, for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, [and] strengthenedst me [with] strength in my soul."
It would seem today that Christendom has built an expressway, a by-pass road around "The City of Prayer". This is proving to be a disaster for the professing church, indeed for professing Christians. We need today more than ever before a return to a Revival of intercessory prayer among God’s people. Strong prayer, prevailing prayer, believing prayer. God moving, sanctifying, hell defeating, sinner-saving, and work-producing prayer. This quality praying ascends to the very nostrils of God as a "Sweet-smelling savour". We get the ear of God and He hears and responds.
Looking at the Word of God, we see some great giants of prayer: Daniel, Nehemiah, Elijah, David, Paul. These men changed the course of history. Stopped the mouths of lions, witnessed a water-soaked sacrifice being consumed by fire, built walls in defiance of the enemy. Witnessed a drought that brought a nation to its knees. Prayed Holy-Ghost prayer that reached the very heart of God.
The people of God need a fresh vision of the Lord as He hung upon that awful cross for us. Prayer permeated with the very blood and passion of the Saviour Himself.
2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Listen to Nehemiah. His burdened heart, as he prays; "The city lieth waste. The gates are burned. Ye see the distress we are in." If only the church could see the distress that we are in today.
Prayer grasps eternity. Prayer is not the sound that clamorous lips repeat. Prayer is the "Silence of the soul" that clasps Jehovah’s feet. We need as Christians to understand this.
It has been well said; A sinning man will stop praying. But a praying man will stop sinning.
When they prayed in that upper room, the place was shaken. Holy-Ghost power descended upon praying brethren; They were all filled with the Holy Ghost.
What the church needs is a fresh vision of God. The cherubim and seraphim were not crying, Omnipotent, omniscient is our God. They were crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God, Almighty." Where there is no vision, the people perish. Where there is no passion, the church perishes.
Previous generations witnessed Holy unction in the pulpit. The result: Holy Ghost action in the pews. Where is the "Amen corner" gone? Passed away with the T-model Ford.
Materialism is choking the church. "The dearest idol I have known; Whate’er that idol be; Help me to tear it from thy throne and worship only Thee."
Jesus said to the blind man; What wilt thou have me to do. He replied; Lord, that I might receive my sight. We need to pray that prayer; "That we might receive our sight."
We need upward sight. To see the Lord in all His holiness and beauty.
We need inward sight. To see ourselves and our need for fresh cleansing in His precious blood.
We need outward sight. To see a world perishing and in need of a Saviour.
Robert Murray McCheyne said, "A holy man is an awesome weapon in the hands of a Holy God." Isaiah had a three-fold vision of a Holy God. lsaiah 6:1 "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple."
In verse 5, we have a "Woe". A Word of confession. "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King- the LORD of hosts."
In verse 7, we have a "Lo". A Word of Cleansing. "And he laid [it] upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged."
In verse 9, we have a "Go". A Word of Commission. "And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed..."
In verse 5, he had an upward vision. He saw the Lord.
In verse 7, he had an inward vision. He saw himself.
In verse 9, he had an outward vision. He saw the world.
In verse 8, he heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"
May God give us as believers a fresh vision of the Lord in these last days that we may take a fresh look at He who died for us and say with Isaiah. "Here am I, Lord, send me."
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." How many of us have read the story of "Praying Payson"? After he passed into the presence of His Lord, the Undertakers were preparing his body for burial. They noticed his knees had huge calluses on them. On enquiring about these, they visited his room where he spent many hours in prayer on his knees. Here, they found two deep worn trenches in the bare floor-boards where "Praying Payson" prayed for hours, rocking backward and forward, wrestling with God in prayer.
David Brainerd, that mighty man of prayer, related the story of coming out of his tent one morning among the Indians. They were sinning and committing wickedness as usual and he said; I had no-where to pray; In a high fever, he went out into the forest to pray. The snow was up to his neck as he knelt down just as the sun was coming over the hill. He said; I did so wrestle in prayer with God. Twelve hours on his knees and as he finished praying that day, the fever had melted the snow around his fever-racked body till it had melted down to his feet.
Oh, God. Move your people today back to the "Prayer room" where we will be filled again with Holy-Ghost power and with practical, powerful, praising tongues, to serve you with full hearts and pure lives as we await your coming. (Syd Bell, Pastor, Avonsleigh Christian Church)
As much, O Lord, as is in me, I am ready;
To live, to give, to go for Thee, Lord, I’m ready.
If called to go to distant lands, I am ready;
To Afric’s suns or India’s sands, Lord, I’m ready.
To live my life as Thou didst live I am ready;
To give my all as Thou didst give, Lord, I’m ready.
If called to part with child or friend, I am ready;
And send them to earth’s farthest end, Lord, I’m ready.
Soon shall I meet Thee in the air, But I’m ready;
For all my heart and hope are there; Lord, I’m ready.
And so as much as is in me, I am ready;
To do, to dare, to die for Thee, Lord, I’m ready.
(Sent by Rob, Port Lincoln, SA)
'The road is rough', I said;
'It is uphill all the way;
No flowers, but thorns instead;
And the skies overhead are grey.'
But One took my hand at the entrance dim,
And sweet is the road that I walk with Him.
'The cross is great', I cried-
'More than the back can bear,
So rough and heavy and wide,
And nobody by to care.'
But One stooped softly and touched my hand,
'I know, I care, and I understand.'
Then why do we fret and sigh?
Cross-bearers all we go;
But the road ends by and by
In the dearest place we know,
And every step of the journey we
May take in God's own company. (Selected)
Some years ago, while conducting a series of meetings in Michigan City, I was asked to preach to the convicts in the State prison. I sat on the platform while the prisoners marched in, 700 men, young and old. They marched in lock-step, every man's hand on the shoulder of the man before him. At the word of command they sat down. Among that number there were seventy-six "lifers," men who had been committed to prison for life for murder.
After the singing I arose to preach, but could hardly speak for weeping. Disregarding all the rules of the prison, in my earnestness to help the poor, fallen men, I left the platform and walked down the aisle among them, taking one and then another by the hand and praying for him. At the end of the row of men who were committed for murder, sat a man who, more than his fellows, seemed marked by sin's blighting curse. His face was seamed with scars and marks of vice and sin. He looked as though he might be a demon incarnate, if once aroused to anger. I placed my hand upon his shoulder and wept and prayed with and for him.
When the service was over, the governor said to me, "Well, Kain, do you know you have broken the rules of the prison by leaving the platform?" "Yes, governor, but I never can keep any rule while preaching. And I did want to get up close to the poor, despairing fellows, and pray for them, and tell them of the love of Jesus the Saviour. 'He came to seek and to save that which was lost.' 'This Man [Jesus] receiveth sinners and eateth with them'" (Luke 19:10; 15:2).
"Do you remember," said the governor, "the man at the end of the line in the lifers' row, whom you prayed with? Would you like. to hear his history?" "Yes," I answered, "gladly." "Well, here it is in brief. Tom Galson was sent here about eight years ago for murder. He was, without doubt, one of the most desperate and vicious characters we had ever received, and, as was expected, gave us a great deal of trouble.
"About six years ago, duty compelled me to spend the night at the prison, instead of at home as I had anticipated. Early in the morning, while it was yet dark, I left the prison for my home, my pockets full of presents for my little girl. It was a bitter cold morning, and I buttoned my overcoat up to protect myself from the cutting wind that swept in from the lake. As I hurried along, I thought I saw somebody skulking in the shadow of the prison wall. I stopped and looked a little more closely, and then saw a little girl, wretchedly clothed in a thin dress, her bare feet thrust into a pair of shoes much the worse for wear. In her hand she held tightly clasped, a small paper parcel. Wondering who she was, and why she was out so early in the morning, and yet too weary to be interested, I hurried on. But I soon heard that I was being followed. I stopped, and turned around, and there before me stood the same wretched-looking child.
"'What do you want ?' I asked sharply. 'Are you the governor of the prison,
sir?'
"'Yes; who are you, and why are you not at home?'
"'Please, sir, I have no home; mamma died in the poor-house two weeks ago,
an' she told me just before she died that papa, that is Tom Galson, was in prison;
an' she thought that maybe he would like to see his little girl, now that mamma
is dead. Please can't you let me see my papa? I want to give him a present.'
"'No,' I replied gruffly, 'you will have to wait until visitors' day,' and started on. I had not gone many steps when I felt a pull at my coat, and a pleading voice said, 'Please, don't go.' I stopped once more, and looked into the pinched, beseeching face before me. Great tears were in her eyes, while her little chin quivered with emotion.
"'Mister,' she said, 'if your little girl was me, and your little girl's mamma had died in the poor-house, an' her papa was in the prison, an' she had no place to go an' no one to love her, don't you think she would like to see her papa? If your little girl came to me, if I was governor of the prison, an' asked me to please let her see her papa to give him a present, don't you -- don't you think I would say, Yes?'
"By this time a great lump was in my throat, and my eyes were swimming in tears. I answered, 'Yes, my little girl, I think you would, and you shall see your papa'; and, taking her hand, I hurried back to the prison, thinking of my own fair-haired little girl at home. Arriving in my office, I bade her come near the warm stove, while I sent a guard to bring No. 37 from his cell. As soon as he came into the office he saw the little girl. His face clouded with an angry frown, and in a gruff, savage tone he snapped out:
"'Nellie, what are you doing here? What do you want? Go back to your mother.' 'Please, papa', sobbed the little girl, 'mamma's dead. She died two weeks ago in the poor-house, an' before she died she told me to take care of little Jimmie, 'cause you loved him so; an' told me to tell you she loved you, too - but, papa,' and her voice broke in sobs and tears - 'Jimmie died, too, last week, an' now I am alone, papa, an' - and I thought, maybe as you loved Jimmie, you would like a little present from him.'
"Here she unrolled the little bundle she held in her hand, until she came to a little package of tissue paper, from which she took a little fair curl, and put it in her father's hand, saying, as she did so: 'I cut it from dear little Jimmie's head, papa, just afore they buried him.'
"No. 37 by this time was sobbing like a child, and so was I. Stooping down, 37 picked up the little girl, and pressed her convulsively to his breast while his great frame shook with suppressed emotion.
"The scene was too sacred for me to look upon, so I softly opened the door and left them alone. In about an hour I returned. No. 37 sat near the stove, with his little daughter on his knee. He looked at me sheepishly for a moment, and then said, 'Governor, I haven't any money'; then suddenly stripping off his prison jacket, he said, 'Don't let my little girl go out this bitter cold day with that thin dress. Let me give her this coat. I'll work early and late; I'll do anything. I'll be a man. Please, governor, let me cover her with this coat.' Tears were streaming down the face of the hardened man.
"'No, Galson,' I said. 'keep your coat; your little girl shall not suffer. I'll take her to my home and see what my wife can do for her.'
'God bless you,' sobbed Galson.
I took the girl to my home. She remained with us a number of years and became a true Christian by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
God's Book shows man's need and God's remedy. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God..." (See Rom. 3:9-24.)
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (See Jn 3:1-16.)
Tom Galson also became a Christian, and then he gave the prison authorities no more trouble (Luke 8:35).
A year ago, when I visited the prison again, the governor said to me, "Kain,
would you like to see Tom Galson, whose story I told you a few years ago?"
"Yes, I would," I answered.
The governor took me down a quiet street, and stopping at a neat home, knocked at the door. The door was opened by a cheerful woman, who greeted the governor with the utmost cordiality.
We went in, and then the governor introduced me to Nellie and her father, who, because of the governor's information, had received pardon, and was now living an upright Christian life with his daughter, whose little gift had broken his hard heart.
"Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom. 5:6). And, dear reader, He died for YOU! Will you not trust Him too? (Bible Truth Publishers)
Many years ago the artist Stenburg stood in his Dusseldorf studio. He had just promised to provide a painting of the crucifixion for a church building. It was to be a masterpiece, and he would be paid a big price for his work.
In the weeks that followed Stenburg searched out all he could of the facts of the death of Jesus. He was talented; he was famous; he was becoming wealthier every year. But Stenburg did not have peace.
The first brushful of colour touched the canvas, then another, and another. One day the cross stood stark and upright on Calvary's hill. Day after day Stenburg's brush caressed the canvas.
Then suddenly he was tired. "I'll forget this," he declared. I'll walk out to the country and sketch."
It was spring and the woods were green. At the edge of the forest Stenburg stopped. There a gipsy girl plaited a straw basket. Blue-black hair reached her waist; her red dress was faded and torn. Her eyes were black, large, and restless.
"What a painting!" thought Stenburg.
The girl stared up at the artist. She smiled, threw her straw down, sprang up and raised her hands high above her head. She twirled and danced gaily in front of him.
"Stand," cried Stenburg. The girl dropped her arms. "This week
you must come to my studio; I'll paint you."
"But, Signor," the girl said shyly, "I'm only a poor gipsy girl."
"Come," he said. And she came, in her red dress, with her hair tucked
back with a flower. Stenburg was ready. "Stand! Sit!" he commanded.
Pepita had never been in an artist's studio before. Her questions amused Stenburg. But suddenly her eyes stopped at the painting of the crucifixion. It was almost completed.
"Who is it?" she asked.
"The Christ," the artist said, carelessly. "But what are they
doing to Him?"
"Crucifying Him," he answered.
"But who are those cruel people?"
Stenburg threw his brush down. "Now look here," he said. "You
stand there... still ... and do not move your lips to speak."
Pepita closed her lips. But her eyes never left the crucifixion.
Posing for the day was over. At the door, Pepita stopped. "Was He bad?"
she asked.
"No, no; very good," Stenburg said. "Remember! Be here the day
after tomorrow."
Each day that she came, she asked another question. "If He was good, why
did they do it?"
Stenburg tipped his head to one side. "Listen! I will tell you once for
all." Hurriedly, he repeated the facts of Christ's death, and as he talked
he saw her black eyes fill with tears.
One day, both paintings were finished -the one of the crucifixion and the Spanish dancing girl. For the last time Pepita came to the studio. When she saw herself on the canvas, she clapped her hands with pleasure. Then she walked over to the other painting and stood silently. She turned to Stenburg. "You must love Him very much, Signor, when He has done all that for you; do you not?" Then she was gone.
Stenburg stood looking after her; but the street noises refused to drown out the sound of Pepita's voice: "Love Him very much when He has done so much for you."
But all week, he heard the question: "You must love Him very much, do you not?" His restlessness, his dissatisfaction grew. He could stand no more. He tried going to church, and the vicar gave him absolution. "All will be well," he said, but when Stenburg left his heart was still tormented.
He determined to present his masterpiece to the church at a fraction of its cost. He found the vicar and told him his decision. "For what you have done," said the vicar, "God be with you." But even such a wonderful gift as this brought him no peace. Stenburg knew God was not with him. All that was with him was the question: "You must love Him very much, do you not?"
He walked night and day up and down the streets of Dusseldorf, trying to shake off his sadness of spirit, but in vain. One night he idly watched a group of people hurrying through a low doorway. It was curious, he thought, that the people who entered looked so happy.
Then Stenburg went one day to the house.
He entered and sat down with the happy people. He listened to the preacher, a man who seemed to have found what Stenburg was looking for. That night Stenburg found the answer to the restlessness in his life. No church-going, no gift was enough! Jesus Christ had died on the cross for Stenburg; and at last the artist could say, "And how much I love Him!"
The next morning, he could not keep this joy to himself. "How can I tell others?" he asked himself. "I can paint," he said with decision.
And soon a great masterpiece was presented to the Dusseldorf gallery for every visitor to see, a sermon for all to hear.
One day he found in front of his picture a girl, weeping. She turned, and it was Pepita. "It is you, Signor," she cried out. "Oh, Signor, if He had but loved me so"
They both sat in front of the painting and he told her the story of that wondrous death, and the glorious resurrection. 'For all men, for the gipsies, for everyone - Christ Jesus has suffered and bled on the cross. All this He did for thee, Pepita."
The gipsy girl was quiet. Then she looked up. "I believe it," she said, simply.
Two years later Pepita died, trusting in Jesus. Her last words were, "All this I did for thee." '
The artist grew older. Eventually, he must put his brush aside. Dusseldorf lost its artist, but the painting still hung for all to see.Years later, a young German nobleman wandered into the gallery and stopped in front of the Stenburg masterpiece. He read the words on the frame. "All this I did for thee. What hast thou done for Me?"
Hours passed. That night the young count made a decision. That nobleman was Zinzendorf. In Dusseldorf he decided to give his life to answering the question under the Stenburg painting.
The gallery burned years ago, and with it the famous canvas. But the question for everyone - for you, dear reader, for me - remains the same. "All this I did for thee. What hast thou done for Me?"
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." (1 Tim. 1:15).
"The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20. (Submitted by Andrew, Old Bonalbo, NSW)
"Why stand ye here all the day idle?" (Mt. 20:6) "Idletry" may not be in the dictionary, but there is a great deal of it in the church. Many who would resent being called idolators certainly must admit to being "idletors." If you are an idle Christian, it isn't because:
1. There is Nothing to do.
"The harvest truly is plenteous." "The duty of the many should
not be the task of the few".
2. There is Plenty of Time.
Time is running out on us. Time is running out on us. There is much to be done
and little time in which to do it. "I must work... while it is day."
3. The Pay is Small.
Godliness is profitable, here and hereafter. "Behold I come quickly; and
my reward is with me." "Woe to them that area t ease in Zion."
(Paul Holdcraft)
"What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? "Mark 8:36) Some place much emphasis upon the cost of discipleship to Christ, upon the demands of the Church. In fairness, we should contrast what it costs not to be a Christian.
1. The Sacrifice of Peace.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee."
"There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."
2. The Sacrifice of the Highest Joy.
The non - Christian may have joy, but not the highest joy. "That your joy
might be full."
3. The Sacrifice of True Success in Life.
One may make money, and acquire fame, without being a Christian. One may have
all the world can offer, yet be a consummate failure.
4. The Loss of One's Soul.
"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life."
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die."
5. The Loss of Heaven.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father but by me." (Howard Pope)
There is a story of a young knight in shining armour riding off to do something great with his life. In the course of his journey he came across various people in need. Among others, there was a farmer trying to pull a cart out of a bog and, further along the road, a woman struggling to carry a load of firewood. They all asked the young knight to help, but he said he could not stop because he was on his way to do something great. Of course the story ended with him still riding down the road of lost opportunities.
The moral of the story is always relevant. We can all make the mistake of living in the future or in the past, instead of living in the present. "Live one day at a time" is advice frequently heard but not always followed.
Some people, like the young knight, allow the present to be spoilt by the future. As Christians we must not allow this to happen to us. We must care for the needy right now, this very day! (Selected)
Yes there is a new trend. Many people are coming out and away from the denominational systems. Into home fellowships or away altogether if they don't know of, or can't find one. Which all would agree to be quite sad. We pray for them. God's people are moving away from the so - called conventional churches as they become more and more disheartened in what they hear and see going on. These denominational systems are divided, and all have different names. Some dote on their buildings, and play up to the flesh. We've read many a time of some of the strange goings on, which continues to spread.
The old Church of Paul's and the apostle's time quite often met in people's homes. Their meetings tended to be rather informal, uninhibited to praise, worship, remember Christ sacrifice and break bread. Don't fall down, stand up for God. The Church as a whole seems to need to lift its game, present company included, "me". Let's all work on it together and pray. (Joh, Kalgoorlie)
So many are caught up in what is happening in many church buildings. We are becoming part of the invisible church and study in the Holy Bible and learn to depend every day on the blood of Jesus to deliver us and endeavour to cast out every thought or idea that does not exalt the knowledge of God and the name of Jesus Christ. (Herb, Mourilyan, Qld)
We can do nothing of everlasting value without God's grace, and we pray that a little of his divine nature may shine through the clouds of unbelief. (Clif, Innisfail, Qld)
The church is going well with new people coming in and new ones getting saved. God is moving on people's lives, and we need to be ever ready to feed them the true word of God . I don't agree with all that's going on in the churches today and I don't agree with some things in your magazine. I know a lot of folk let the flesh rule, but there is also genuine folk who God is touching and setting free. Non- of us are perfect and God looks on the heart (just as well). God only knows how to deal with people and set them free to love and serve him. (Frank, Charleville, Qld)
The history of the Church is strewn with contradictions, wars in which people kill each other over what they perceive to be true, right down to religious bigotry amongst neighbours and friends, and the dividing of families on the basis of doctrines. I am now 68 years old and have been involved in ministry for a great many years and have questioned the Lord about many things I could not understand. I have helped pick up young women who have been cast out of the Church because they fell pregnant. Why should this be so? God loves the sinner as much as He loves you and me, or you and I don't have a chance. The slide away from the organised Church is continuing because many are so disillusioned with what they see. As far back as 1972 in the Billy Graham's crusade in Haringay, 72% of the decision cards handed in had false addresses on them. The organisers stated the reason being people wanted God but not the package deal with the Church, so they did not want the Church to find them. (Des, Buderim, Qld)
In Romans 16, Paul identified some 40 people who must have all done different tasks, but all were a part of the program. (Graeme, Wynnum, Qld)
What I really value about the Christian family, the Church, is...
That we can hug one another without being hypocrites.
That we can say to God and each other - I love you, and really mean it.
That there is no falsehood but a keen desire for openness, honesty and truth.
I love the Church 'cause there is no gossip and slander, no suspicion and false
accusation,
no jealousy and worldly strife, no competition, no fear, no vain arguments and
quarrels.
A society of godly people, content without frustration, anger and fighting.
A people free from sin, any unholy thing, always ready to do what is right,
seeking justice and peace.
In the Church there are people with loving hearts so full of compassion
that they can prefer one another and submit to God and each other.
Where else do you find a humble people going to help and able to encourage
and build each other up, rather than tearing each other down to exalt themselves.
A people who can worship God in the spirit of love and honest truth.
A family of humans not seeking their own gain but always interested in the welfare
of others.
Nowhere else in humanity can we find such readiness among people to even lay
down their lives for each other.
(Hans, Gosnells, WA)
This generation is confused and has lost direction, both morally and spiritually. As our nation draws closer to the end of the twentieth century, our youth, some as young as 10 years, are dying from AIDS-related diseases, substance abuse, suicide, murder, and both street and domestic - related violence.
Has the Church played a role in allowing a generation to become lost? Tying this addiction together is the roaring sound of Rock music. Christian youth are daily being deceived by a very clear deception of satan, which has very softly crept into the Church, replacing almost 90 percent of true worship and praise to our living God. By the end of this century, if this deception is not eradicated, there will be no more true blue worship - praise in any Church in this country. What is this deception called? They say we need to bring in the young people to Church. This despite the evidence of God's Word, which has stood alone and with its absolute authority and power has been received by generation succeeding generation, without gimmicks or sideshow antics, as which has today become part of Church doctrine. Praise God, there is still hope for this our lost generation of today. This is the hope that can only be found in the transforming power of our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter who you are or what your life is, Jesus can and will release you, and make a new creation in his image (2 Cor. 5:17). (John, Goolwa, SA)
The average television viewing time for a child from 6 to 16 years of age is between 20 and 24 hours a week. If a child lives to be 80, and continues to watch TV at that rate, he will have spent 8 to 10 years of his life watching television. Of the nearly 30,000 days of his live, about 4,000 days will have been spent in front of the television.
If a child studies the Bible only at Sunday School once a week, every week of the year for 80 years, he will still have devoted only 4,160 hours, or 173 days. Then, subtract an average of 1 absence from Church per month, and the figure drops even more.
Let us love our children enough to turn off the television occasionally and turn on the Bible. Let us read the Bible daily and help them learn God's word. Let us help make our children God's children. (Richmond Plaza Baptist Church)
Although some programs are educational and provide wholesome relaxation, more and more of them have irreverent and immoral content. Because they entertain us, these programs make it easy for us to find pleasure in viewing the very things God hates. As a result, our sensitivity to sin is dulled. (M. R. De Haan III)
What horrible programs we get on TV. During the coming year, I will go nowhere I cannot take Jesus, I will say nothing I would not want him to hear, I will do nothing I would not want him to know about. (Ron, Cobdogla, SA)
Thank you for your excellent magazine - it has certainly been to my wife and I a source of strength and encouragement. We seem to be living in times of great confusion and compromise ... yet by God's grace he has enabled us to stand.
Our background is a charismatic. Over the past few years I have been increasingly troubled in my spirit with the departure from the sole self-sufficiency of the Word of God. We have had many strong winds blow through our denomination - Church growth movement, Rodney Howard Browne/Toronto blessing, Youth Alive emphasis (contemporary (read compromise) approach to drawing youth to Christ, etc) the faith movement, praise and worship, vineyard, unity, etc. All of which have created much confusion, unsettledness, and carnal desires in God's people. I have taken a stand against these things only in the last two years and have sought to go back to the basics of the faith. It has not been easy and we have lost families over this position, however, I can honestly say that we have felt the grace and anointing of God in a real way in these last days.
It seems to me that God is calling His people to come out from among them and be separate. And not touch the unclean things. I always thought this spoke of our separation from the world (which it does), but more and more I feel it relates also to that form or type of Christianity that is carnal and compromising God's holy Word and character.
I don't think we realise just how asleep we have been and how friendly we have been with the world (James 4: 4)? Let me give you an illustration. For a long time now my soul has been vexed with the ungodliness of television. Yet what was I doing about it? I tried to only find the "good shows" that my children could watch, but even these were peppered with grossly immoral advertisements between each segment. Finally I did something about it. I put the TV and video out into the garden shed. The results have been, to say the least, startling. For example - in the first week I noticed my daughters began opening up to my wife in conversation sharing their joys and problems at school, etc. I myself went personal witnessing for the first time in years last Friday, at the local shopping mall. I spoke to three elderly people about the certainty of judgment and the need of faith in Christ for true salvation from hell. They all received a tract - praise God! On Saturday evening the whole family - 6 children - prepared a spiritual song with singing and instruments which we shared the next morning with the Church. Some may not be convinced, but I believe the absence of TV from our home had something to do with these events I have described. I personally believe that the television had a sleepy effect upon our spiritual life. Andrew - I might mention the good effect the article Mr Jenner had in giving me courage to step out in faith and begin witnessing again. In and of ourselves we are nothing, but through our God we shall do valiantly!
I have become disillusioned with the whole Pentecostal scene which has promised so much but delivered so little. I still believe strongly in the baptism in the Holy spirit and the availability of the gifts, etc, but admittedly have seen so little real power. I am convinced that many of the so - called gifts in operation are in fact lying signs and wonders. May we all receive the love of the truth, which alone will keep us and sanctify us. (AOG Pastor, NSW)
Imagine your lot cast upon a far off, yet beautiful isle; you are unexpectedly landed and left there; you construct your home, you adorn it with every decoration of arras and tapestry, and you rest as in a summer of beauty - you live as in a fairy scene. When lo, wandering inland you hear, amidst the desert - a groan here, and a groan there; the further you go, the worse. Here you alight on a corpse in dreadful corruption, and there upon skeleton forms of human misery, seeking, in death, to live on the husks which the swine may eat. My God you say, what a land is this! a land of very howling! a land of desolateness! a land of the shadow of death!
What a picture is this of those professors of Christ - who, nursing themselves, know nothing of the dark, dreadful moral scene around them. Alongside their own quiet, inglorious existence, within reach of them are souls--dark, dark! Dead, dead! Perishing, dying! Dying, perishing! Ah! I would not conclude wrongfully or uncharitably; but, believe me, the day of judgment will declare it, that there are thousands, whose religious life consists in a mere nursing - of that life, to the neglect, if not forgetfulness, of the dead and lost around them. Oh! My brothers, my sisters, never forget that this world, as much as heaven or hell, is a world of spirits! And that each one near you will soon be in heaven or in hell forever. (Winnowed Grain, dated 1859)