Today, we mourn the passing of an old friend by the name of "Common Sense". Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium.
No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare or foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm and life isn't always fair.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids). A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technology revolution, Common Sense survived cultural trends including body piercing, whole language, "new math", and don't ask don't tell. But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-It-Only-Helps-One-Person-It's-Worth-It" virus.
In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of federal regulation. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by lawyers and auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools implemented policies where a 6-year old boy is charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen is suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher is fired for reprimanding an unruly student.
Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges invaded everything from Boy Scouts to professional sports. As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic, but was kept informed of developments regarding regulations for asbestos, low flow toilets, "smart" guns, and mandatory air bags and he was in disbelief when told that the homeowners associations restricted exterior furniture only to that which enhanced property values. It was the aftermath of the 2000 Presidential election that caused him to breathe his last breath.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son Reason. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
(Author Unknown)
The present day moral and spiritual situation of our nation is, in part, due to the teaching and acceptance of evolution in place of Creation... Evolution teaches that there is no God, no creator, but that this world, and everything in it, evolved by scientific means or, as it has been stated, by a "big bang".
Therefore if there is no God, no creator... no supreme being to be subject to. So that gives licence to do as they please, not being answerable to a holy God, the Judge of all the earth, who created this world, man and all living creatures.
Paul (in Romans 1:18-32) warns those who would change the truth of God into a lie, and worship the creature more than the creator, who is blessed forever V. 25. That is why we have a number of organisations, such as Greenpeace, Friend of the Earth, and many others, who are only concerned for the creature and not the creator.
However all this comes down to the fact that, God has been forgotten. King David, over 3000 years ago, warned in Psalm 9.17: "The wicked, shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God." Can any deny, that the present moral and spiritual situations in our society, are not evidence that, as a people... we have forgotten God'?
Aleksander Solzhenitsyn, Russian philosopher and author, more than half a century ago, said when he was still a child, he recalled hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: men had forgotten God. This is why all this happened.
We have been spared Communism and its anti-God teaching, but materialism has almost been as devastating... The church, once the bastion of truth and righteousness, and salt and light in the community, is only a shadow of its former power. Sad to say, there is little burden, for the lost people without Christ and without hope, prayerlessness and little concern or vision to fulfil the great commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
The infallible word of God is questioned, maligned and doubted. The great truth of creation, the virgin birth and the Resurrection are doubted and are even being taught as not relevant by some of the church leaders.
God's word, as the Psalmist say in, Psalm 119:89: "Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven." Many of the mainline churches, sad to say, are mere social centres, over which God has written the word, "Ichabod", the glory has departed. Further, I believe one of the most insidious attacks on the bastion of fundamentalism today is the creeping onslaught of "worldly music" and "charismatic" influence... The popular opinion is that, if it draws crowds, it pleases the young people, it must be all right, if they get a blessing.
Jesus said: "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself". Not worldly, loud music, which is eroding the worship and sacredness of that true function of the church. Can we stem the tide of contemporary music (soft rock), country gospel rock, new age and other worldly or questionable types of music...? It will take commitment to firm action, humility, prayer and strong leadership to purge the problems and correct the course before it is too late.
Be committed to offering musical praise and worship only in styles appropriate to a holy God. Give the message, the place of primacy in the music. A beautiful sound, with no understandable message is of little value in teaching or in communicating praise of God.
Our beautiful country is sinking deeper into sin and moral decline, which must bring God's judgment. Only righteousness can exalt a nation. We as a people need to repent and this nation turn back to God.
(Bill, Naracoorte, SA)
The Dreamtime has elements of witchcraft and false teaching...
(1) Reincarnation - the heroes of the past re-appear as animals or birds.
(2) Animism - the belief that everything is spiritual - not only animals
and birds, but flowers and trees.
(3) Witchcraft - the four elements of witchcraft - earth, water, wind
and fire are right at the heart of the Aboriginal religion.
(4) Religious dancing - this involves cutting themselves (As Mark 5:1-10,
1 Kings 18:28).
(5) Medicine men - who are reputed to experience a form of death and
resurrection or meet the "Father Spirit"; dangerous satanic counterfeits.
(6) Rainbows - a great snake spirit or python, supposed to be a channel
of life-giving power (Acts 16:16).
(7) Women Heroines - daughters of the sun or daughters of the morning
star (Isa. 14;12-15).
(8) Moon god - also part of Aboriginal magic rituals (Matt. 17:15). (Thanks
to Peter, Crows Nest, NSW)
While one of Australia's most notorious bushrangers, Ned Kelly, awaited trial and possible execution in Melbourne Gaol, Dr. John Singleton visited him. He spoke about the Lord Jesus and encouraged Ned Kelly to make his peace with God before he would face his Creator.
We will not know until we enter heaven, whether Dr. Singleton's witnessing to Ned Kelly met with him asking for forgiveness and committing his life to Jesus Christ. What we do know is that Dr. Singleton visited Ned Kelly many times and was unashamed of witnessing for the Lord Jesus. Records show that Dr. Singleton led many drunkards and ruffians and other prisoners to Christ in Melbourne and Ballarat in the 1800's. His visits were stopped prior to Kelly's hanging in November 1880, by the Dean of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral, who objected to Singleton's visits to Kelly and his efforts to "convert him to the Protestant faith".
John Singleton committed his life to Christ in Ireland, trained as a medical doctor, and migrated to Australia, arriving in Melbourne in 1851. Over the next 40 years this amazing ambassador for Christ led many to Jesus and established some great institutions. Among hundreds that Dr. Singleton led to Jesus was a Chinese gold miner, Ah Fong Yat, who later returned to China and was ordained into the Christian ministry.
Singleton established a "Home for the Friendless and Fallen Women", night shelters and a Prisoner's Aid Society in Melbourne. He founded a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Melbourne Children's Hospital, using his own money. He also established a Gospel Mission Hall in Little Bourke Street, now owned by the Salvation Army, which saw over 1000 people a year come to Jesus Christ.
Dr. Singleton's life is a great encouragement to all Australians showing what a man and Jesus can do to win our nation for Christ. (From Don Prout, New Life (3/2/2000); reviewing Singleton's biography "Pioneer Doctor" by Mary Kent Hughes.)
The persecution of Protestants by Catholics... is not being reported by most "christian" missions organisations... With such ecumenical organisations the tactic is to generalise in such cases, deliberately hiding the fact that Protestants are being persecuted by Catholics... It is refreshing to see, by contrast, that the Metropolitan Tabernacle, a church which still holds fast to the old gospel, is not afraid to speak the truth (after all, truth and honesty should be, and in, fact are, the unmistakable evidences of true christianity)! (Trevor, Nanango, Qld)
The need is huge, and the 93 preachers (pastors and evangelists) who have served the Lord in East Timor for many years are a true example of dedication and suffering for the cause of Jesus Christ. These preachers have no transportation because the Catholics recently burned their motorcycles. Some have insufficient to eat. Nevertheless, they have been ready to give their lives for the sake of Christ's work. I praised God for being able to be in their midst, again witnessing their heroic work. They have lived under constant ill-treatment from the Catholics, suffering the destruction of their houses and belongings, yet they continue to smile.
We went to visit the church in Same via the church in Aileu. We also visited Lequidoe where the church building was recently destroyed. We did not see many Christians in this place because most were dispersed in the mountains at the time of the recent persecution. We bought some materials to repair the doors and windows of the church building. Some 800 members of this church are still in the refugee camps in West Timor.
Despite threats from the Catholics, we managed to gather together inside the destroyed building. However, during our service the Catholics formed a large procession and passed right in front of the building. We told our brothers and sisters to stay indoors to prevent further attacks from the mob... We also had a service in the church of Railako where we had the opportunity to meet a great number of Christians who had been waiting for us, despite the ongoing threats. But while we were conducting the service in Railako, a crowd gathered, carrying machetes, and started to encircle the place. The situation was extremely tense, but by the grace of God we approached some of them and explained about our mission. Finally we prayed for them. Later we heard that the crowd had been assembled by the Catholic leaders of the area, who are determined to make Catholicism the only religion of East Timor.
When we arrived back in Dill we received bad news... the chapels in Darun and Berlehu had been completely burned down, along with all the pastors' houses, and the members had been forced to flee to the mountains with only the clothes they wore. (Pastor Juvenal Clemente, Sword & Trowel, Issue 2000, # 4)
The quaint Bavarian village of Obergammergau hosts the world famous Passion Play once every decade to honour a solemn pledge to the Almighty.
In 1633 the black death swept all Europe. Almost one hundred villagers died in this small Bavarian village. The frightened survivors vowed that once every ten years as an act of faith, they would re-enact the agony and crucifixion of Christ. From that time there were no further deaths from the plague.
We were privileged to see the Year 2000 performance... A cast of over 600 actors, including children, and a chorus and orchestra of 105 conducted 110 performances, which went on all day, except for a 3 hour lunch break. The auditorium seated about 5000 people, with a beautiful back drop of sky and mountain. The play has many moving parts, like when our Lord rides into Jerusalem on a live donkey, and hundreds of people shout Hosanna... the crucifixion was so touching, and very movingly portrayed. The play is effective as a witness because it involves the audience. (Rhoda, Nuriootpa, SA)
I enjoyed the message on being part of a local church (# 55). Yes the Lord really needs builders in this day to join as one to express Him in each locality. I recently read about those who receive talents. The Lord knows those who receive the ten are indeed industrious, and will produce more material for His building.
The local churches are the Lord's provision to enable all Christians to exercise, and spread Christ, so the spiritual content of our meetings increases and our Light can shine before all men. To become good and profitable servants we all need to invest our talent by serving in a local church. Every time we touch the heart of God through His Word and in prayer we receive His commission for our work within His dear body... Corporately we are able to capture a vision of God's building work, and of Christ's Holy Habitation which is being formed within the members of His body... as we give ourselves to the Lord for His work within the local church. Yours sincerely, a fellow believer in Christ and the church (S. L. C., Gold Coast, Qld)
A Sydney brothel has complained to the local council about plans to build a church in the same street - saying it will attract the wrong sort of people. La Petite Aroma, a legal brothel in North Shore Chatswood, has written to Willoughby Council raising concerns about plans to build a Uniting Church worship and community centre 50m away.
In a letter to the council, owner Linda Watson says she fears that parishioners could complain about the brothel and try to have it closed. Planning laws prevent brothels from being established within "pedestrian view" of places of worship and schools.
"It is interesting to note that when an application was made by me for the brothel, there was an objection by a church," Ms Watson wrote. She had nothing against a church being built near her business, which has operated since 1995 as the first legal brothel on the North Shore.
"We were just a bit worried about the sort of people it might bring in," she said.
Ms Watson said she had been heartened to learn that it was the Uniting Church which was building the chapel. "When I spoke to them they said, don't worry about us, we're the ones who've got the float in the (gay and lesbian) Mardi Gras," she said. The council has reassured Ms Watson no church would be able to close her brothel because it is a pre-existing, legal business.
(The Advertiser, 23rd October 2000)
For churches to close
For Sunday Schools to cease
For the Bible to be banned
For Gospel music to be forgotten
For God to be ignored
And for the Lord Jesus to be cast out again
Last week I voted
For church buildings to be sold
For ministers to be unemployed
For Christian charities to stop
For missionaries to come home
For Bible schools to be abandoned
And for Jesus to be crucified again
Last week I cast my vote for all this -
by the simple act of staying home from church.
(Selected)
I love a sunburnt country
Of FJ Holdens, and a holiday at the beach
Of rugged mountain ranges
A land of a fair go and freedom of true speech
Where I could waltz with Matilda, and get an honest job
A job, honest, an honest job for a hard day's work.
We worked for this country
Granddad and family, patriotic heritage teach
Uncle Joe fought for Australia, as did uncle Jim and Ned
Men died so a woman could walk alone, in peace and safety, peace and safety
Where his family could get work, honest work, hard but satisfying to the soul.
The FJ lasted thirty years you know
And mum's Singer sewing machine had a 25 year guarantee
She worked hard, honest and late, and patched me' pants to make ends meet
And I welded steel From BHP, hard work, honest it was, true blue
But an Aussie I am, like Vegemite and Arnotts, Rosella too
Hard workers 'em all, patriotic view - all gone, nationalised.
Well our hard work they've sold, and Gough got the chop
Railways and trains, they've sold the bloomin' lot
Privatise, privatise, restructure, downsize globalise
Multiskill, retrain, plastic society, cashless mentality imbue
Our hard work sold, true blue they've sold you too.
Silicon chip in your right hand, or forehead if you prefer
Computer will fine you when your 5 km over, satellite trace your street
The chip for banking and taxes, already now beneath your pets fur - (in NSW)
Good old days gone, new age lawless greedy adulteress millennium
Chemical warfare. ozone hole, Nino and Chernobyl meltdown fear.
Who will save us, Clinton or Saddam, the U.N.? Perhaps Cathy Freeman can?
Australia sold out, Telstra gone patriotic price
Maybe if we free whales God will still think that we're nice
Give back Mabo and say sorry, reconcile
Who will save us. and redeem our work, hard work, Australia?
We're working to save the earth, this earth, our earth
God said take care of it, and subdue the animals and plants
Look at your television, be honest, what do you see? The devil lied
Who will save you? and set your soul free, you me, free!
Do you long for a day to be saved? saved from what you honestly see.
Granddad's hard work in vain, war is ever present and uncle's long gone
Timor - Cosovo, Fiji coup and deaths on Ambon, Russia global nuclear threat
Great nations rise and fall, Australia how long, patriotism gone, how long have
we got mate?
Some men trust in money, real estate, Australia - I was trusting in you
Who will save me? Why did I leave it so long to read a Holy Bible - Don't leave
it too long, too...
(For reference to silicon chip "in right hand or forehead" (paragraph 5), see
King James Bible: Revelation 13:16)
(Ian, Newcastle, NSW)
"Brokenhearted...
How can I bear the pain?
So many plans...permanently interrupted.
So many dreams...shattered.
Hopes...dashed.
All gone.
Why?
Why us? Why me?
Helplessness...hopelessness...
Life will never be the same again.
Is it ever worth living?
Where are You, God?
I'm right here beside you, My child.
Even though you may not feel My presence,
I'm holding you close under the shadow of My wings.
I'll walk with you through this dark night.
Do not shrink from weeping.
I gave you tears for emotional release.
Don't try to hide your grief.
Let it become for you a source of healing,
A process of restoration,
For I have planned it so.
Those who mourn shall be blessed.
I'll be holding on to you,
Even when you feel you can't hold on to me.
Seek My face, child of Mine.
Receive My promise, impossible as it may seem now,
That joy will come in the morning,
It may take much time,
But I will heal your broken heart.
I know the night seems endless,
But MORNING WILL COME.
I have promised.
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" Psalm 30:5.
Author Unknown
(Haven of Rest newsletter)
Give of your best to the Master,
Naught else is worthy of His love,
He gave Himself for your ransom,
gave up His Glory above;
Laid down His life without murmur
you from sin's mire to save.
Give Him your heart's adoration
Give Him the best that you have.
(Norm & Ruth, Gympie, Qld)
My father decided to take a detour back to NSW via his birth-place at a place called Yaapeet near Hopetoun. "How would you like to see the very first Church that I attended?" He asked.
I thought that was a good idea and we soon headed off down a dusty country road, arriving at an intersection with another country lane. "Well, there it is son... what do you think?" I looked at the corner block where Dad was gazing, saw the smile upon his face, and thought: 'What is there to see?'
Dad knew what I was thinking and soon he was pointing out a large tree stump and indicated that the preacher would stand there, place his Bible on top and conduct the Sunday morning service. Then there was another tree (which was still standing) and he explained that as a child he would sit in the shade with the other children from the surrounding farms and sing hymns, pray and listen to the lay-preacher.
I have never forgotten this experience and I often wonder why it is that we have moved away from the simplicity that our forefathers enjoyed. Sure it's great to have a roof over our heads, but do we really need all the extras that have been added, like the amplified sound systems, the special effects and plethora of Gospel entertainment?
As Paul said in 2 Cor. 11:3 "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
(Ron, Coffs Harbour, NSW)
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the
Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21
I was walking down the road one day,
And I happened to see,
A billboard in the church yard,
With a message just for me!
'Call upon Jesus' bright and bold,
The words, they pierced my heart,
I knew there was no other way,
This was my brand new start.
Then, I heard the singing choir,
'Amazing Grace' they sang,
Sweet voices rose in one accord,
The whole of heaven rang.
Tears came flooding from my eyes,
As I listened there,
I walked into the church just then,
And knelt right down in prayer.
That day I called upon the Lord,
And He picked up my life,
He gave to me a peace within,
No more years of strife.
Ever since that glorious day,
My heart has known full peace,
Even though life is so hard,
My joy will not decrease.
Time is getting shorter now,
The Lord will soon be here,
No one knows the time or hour,
We must persevere!
Call on Jesus do it now,
While the time's at hand,
He will save your needy soul,
He'll cause you to stand.
Just like the choir sang that day,
You'll know 'Amazing Grace,'
As you kneel in repentant prayer,
In heaven you've a place.
Give up now your life of sin,
This poem is just for you.
Give your life to Jesus now,
He's faithful and He's true!
(Ian Chapman)
Once you walked along with me,
But that was long ago,
The joy you felt was real My friend,
But now you feel so low.
Many years have come and gone,
Your love for Me has waned,
Worldly pleasures brought you down,
Losing all you'd gained.
Now the time has come My friend,
To make your choice again,
Will you take the narrow path,
Or stalk the world that's vain?
I have always loved you true,
Before the world began,
Even in eternity,
You came within My plan.
So please respond, make up your mind,
It's deadly to delay,
Leave alone this world of night,
See the light of day.
My blood I shed on Calvary,
And died in agony,
so come back to Me today,
For I will set you free.
(Ian Chapman)
What if?
Would a captain leave a sinking ship?
A mother leave her son?
Would love between two people die,
As if it ne'er begun?
If all relationships dissolve,
And end in misery,
If everyone forsook God's love,
Where would this poor world be?
'No commitment' stains the heart,
Empties it inside,
No amount of love can quench,
The heart that's 'cut and dried'
But ... there's a ray of hope,
Jesus lives today!
But ... I know of His true love,
The truth, the life, the way!
Therefore when all people fail,
There's one I know who'll never,
Therefore I put my trust in Him,
His love no man can sever.
His precious blood He shed for me,
He knew me even then,
His love is mine eternally,
But given to all men.
(Ian Chapman)
Sound Christian education in the local church is one of the keys to ensure the continued existence of the church... it is our duty and responsibility to teach and equip our children with the whole counsel of God... Many churches are busy with a baby and child minding ministry and not equipping and preparing young minds to become the next generation in the church. It is a pity that pastors and teachers do not realise the importance and fulfillment of a ministry teaching the next generation.
If we do not reach and teach the young people and the children, who will and when? If we don't Satan will. Taking the lack of commitment by church members to teaching Gods word to their own children, who will teach them and when will they learn the truth? The school system teaches evolution and evolution bring doubts to the minds of our youth and we find a massive falling away during the high school years... We pray that the Lord will enable us to be the light unto a lost world reaching the lost for Christ. (Albert, Toronto, NSW)
We were out there in the Central West this year of Ninety-eight,
The trip that we had waited for to see the land so great;
The Buffel grass had taken heart, and drank the water in,
Within a week you couldn't tell where that terrible drought had been.
We had camped at good old Barky, a night with touring friends;
No thought of what we'd wake to, nor what the good Lord sends;
The rain began to fall that day, excitement reigned supreme,
As the gutters all began to run, it was the answered dream.
On the trip back into Aramac it rained and rained some more,
The creeks and gullies overflowed as the rain gauge said near four;
'Tis five years that we've travelled in this dry and barren land;
To see the blessing God had sent was more than we could stand.
What a joy it was to drive through mud, to slip and slide and spin;
It means so much to even us to see the rains begin;
We built a fence, we mended taps, spent wet days there with ease,
And even robbed a wild bush nest, with stings from many bees.
We know it's not been easy for each one of you out there,
The sheep and cattle dying, no rain, it seemed not fair;
But God is good in all His ways, He knows just what's the best,
He's promised every trial He gives is just another test.
We've got to stop and thank Him for every meal we've had;
There's been food upon the table, even though the drought's been bad;
Thank the Lord for answered prayer, for He has brought you through,
And know He wants to guide you in everything you do.
(Kev Milson, Ingham, Qld)
When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts...
God knows how hard you have tried.
When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish...
God has counted your tears.
If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by...
God is waiting with you.
When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call...
God is by your side.
When you think you've tried every- thing and don't know where to turn...
God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated...
God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope...
God has whispered to you.
When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for...
God has blessed you.
When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe...
God has smiled upon you.
When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow...
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.
Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing...
GOD KNOWS!!!
(Reflections)
The Number One goal of the New World Order Plan is to formally end the individual sovereignty of each nation in the world, replacing it with a dictatorship of the United Nations, presided over by their planned New Age Christ, the man endowed with the supernatural Christ Conscious Spirit that will benevolently rule the world for 1,000 years!
This is their plan, and the World Heritage Site Program represents the first major step toward the ultimate United Nations sovereignty over all the nations of the world. When a nation agrees to allocate a certain site as a World Heritage Site, they surrender their sovereignty over that site... Israel has already given up sovereignty of Jerusalem to the United Nations... (Cutting Edge News)
Many churches major on "Healing services". It is my opinion and personal conclusion that MOST of these "services" are NOT of the presence and ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT, but from the counterfeit spirit, named by the famous C.H. Spurgeon and others, and found in some Dictionaries (you will find it in Websters Dictionary) named Aesclepsis, or in some as Esculapian, or Esculapius, the "god" of "healing". Note. I totally believe that JESUS Himself does HEAL and can truly testify to that in my OWN life on several occasions. I well remember a prominent Assembly of God pastor (Whom I respected and admired) for this compelling statement he made to me, "Alan, JESUS HEALED EVERYONE, and told no one." "We heal no one AND TELL EVERYONE." What a man, an open, honest, forthright brother. (Alan, Rockhampton, Qld)
A reader writes, after months of personal study...
The modern contraceptive pill is the most prescribed drug in Australia... It has been totally astounding to find that the oral and injection contraceptives are abortifacients (Definition: an agent or drug that induces abortion or miscarriage.) ...Their primary mechanism is to prevent ovulation, but should this fail to occur, there is a secondary mechanism inbuilt to prevent nidation (implantation of the fertilised ovum in the uterus wall). I've wondered how many of the public are aware of this latter factor. Not many at all if the people I have questioned are anything to go by. Believing that human life begins at conception, I reject this method of family planning. Abortion in any form is nothing less than murder. In all the books I've studied, there is no oral contraceptive that does not have this secondary action... "The pill" seems so entrenched in our modern lifestyle, that it would seem treason to question its use. (Thanks to one of our readers, Jeanie Christensen; this information from her detailed nursing studies thesis)
I looked upon a farm one day, that once I used to own;
The barn had fallen to the ground, the fields were overgrown.
The house in which my children grew, where we had lived for years,
I turned to see it broken down, and brushed aside the tears.
I looked upon my soul one day, to find it, too, had grown
With thorns and thistles everywhere, the seeds neglect had sown.
The years had passed while I had cared for things of lesser worth;
Heaven's treasures I'd let go, while minding things of earth.
To Christ I turned with bitter tears and cried, "O Lord, forgive!
"So little time is left for Thee, not many years to live."
The wasted years forever gone, the days I can't recall;
If I could live those days again, I'd make Him Lord of all.
(Author Unknown)
I wish that the Christians who disagree with your position on Catholicism could see what these eyes have seen: the gross idolatry, the persecution, and the sinful ignorance promoted by what I have come to believe is the largest non-Christian cult in the world. Why the compromise and talk of unity among Catholics and evangelicals? I believe the old wisdom of John Foxe and the Reformers will answer the question: "When Rome is in the minority, she is as gentle as a lamb, when in the equality, as sly as a fox; and when in the majority, as fierce as a tiger."
Most have not seen what Catholicism does when it gains an upper hand in a country. They have forgotten the uncompromising faith of the Reformers, and closed their ears to the cries of the butchered and bloody millions who dared stand against the false, unbiblical dogmas and doctrines that the Roman church proclaimed during the last millenium, and still proclaims today. If we love our RC friends we will tell them the truth. I'd rather offend someone into heaven than "love" him or her into hell. Seems to me that Jesus and Paul offended a few people with the truth, too. (Correspondent quoted in The Berean Call, from Mexico)
A real home is a gymnasium. The ideal of a healthy body is the first one to
give a child.
A real home is a lighthouse. A lighthouse reveals the breakers ahead and shows
a clear way past them.
A real home is a playground. Beware of the house where you "daren't frolic"
- there mischief is brewing for someone.
A real home is a workshop. Pity the boy without a kit of tools, or the girl
without a sewing basket. They haven't learned the fun of doing things - and
there is no fun like that!
A real home is a forum. Honest, open discussion of life's greatest problems
belongs originally in the family circle.
A real home is a secret society. Loyalty to one's family should mean keeping
silent on family matters - just this and nothing more.
A real home is a health resort. Mothers are the natural physicians.
A real home is a cooperative league. Households flourish where the interests
of each is made the interest of all.
A real home is a business concern. Order is a housewife's hobby, but order without
system is a harness without the horse.
A real home is a haven of refuge. The world does this for us all: it makes us
hunger for a loving sympathy and a calming, soothing touch.
A real home is a temple of worship. (Covenanter Witness).
They say that I am growing old,
I've heard them tell it times untold,
In language plain and bold--
But I'm not growing old.
This frail old shell in which I dwell
Is growing old, I know full well--
But I am not the shell.
What if my hair is turning grey?
Grey hairs are honorable, they say.
What if my eyesight's growing dim?
I still can see to follow Him
Who sacrificed His life for me
Upon the Cross of Calvary.
What should I care if Time's old plough
Has left its furrows on my brow?
Another house, not made with hand,
Awaits me in the Glory land.
What though I falter in my walk?
What though my tongue refuse to talk?
I still can tread the Narrow Way,
I still can watch, and praise and pray.
My hearing may not be as keen
As in the past it may have been,
Still I can hear my Saviour say
In whispers soft, "This is the way."
The outward man, do what I can
To lengthen out this life's short span,
Shall perish, and return to dust,
As everything in nature must.
The inward man, the Scriptures say,
Is growing stronger every day.
Then how can I be growing old
When safe within my Saviour's fold?
E're long my soul shall fly away.
And leave this tenement of clay,
This robe of flesh I'll drop and rise
To seize the "everlasting prize,"
I'll meet you on the Streets of Gold,
And prove that I'm not growing old.
(2 Cor. 4:16) (By John. E. Roberts - Sent by Sis Melva, Enfield, SA)
We baptised 27 in 53 weeks. We fell short of our goal, but still had the best year ever. (Ps Ralph, Innisfail, Qld)
The brethren Assembly where I attend is dwindling. We are mostly elderly people, several are sick with cancer, some have been called home, and we greatly need some younger godly people to join us. The Assembly is more than 120 years old, & has been a place of blessing. We have sent missionaries to different countries in past days, and 4 other Assemblies have been started from this one. May it please the Lord to visit us with reviving, renewing blessing! (Chas, Yolla, Tas)
God's Angels sit at the back of Sunday assemblies of believers and weep; as they see God's House of prayer gleefully welcoming in satan and his demons of deception, in the guise of Christian rock music, and other forms worldly entertainment. The Angels of God weep as they see no love from the heart and soul or even a deep Reverence for God. But praise God; for those who do assemble in true unconditional love and fellowship, to offer a True sacrifice of praise and worship to God. (John, Goolwa, SA)
Praise the Lord. He has enabled us to purchase our own church building in September 2000. It has been a great blessing. (B. Carver, Caloundra, Qld)
Monday - Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you
with perfect humility through the week ahead.
Tuesday - Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected though
the years so that I may see the beauty in others.
Wednesday - Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.
Thursday - Cleaning Day
Lord , help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the
secret corners of my heart.
Friday - Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness
for myself and all others in need of love.
Saturday - Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it
with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.
Sunday - The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart as my
honored guest so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.
Author Unknown (Sentiment for the soul)
Dear Jesus why do I feel the way I do?
Lonely as if I've been torn away from You
Fearful I cannot face what's around the bend
Tearful without You Jesus my truest Friend
I repent of my wrongful ways and pray You draw nigh
Your Holy Spirit is water to my soul - parched and dry
My feelings directed the way
As I put Your love letter away
I won't neglect Your words again
They are for me a spiritual rain
Your words wash me and make me anew
I live this life Jesus in hope of seeing You.
(Jessica Ward)
I'm sooo ashamed of Christians! What they need is a good dose of stern, hard religion breathed on them from a lofty, stern pulpit! More doctrine I say!
Let us get back to a religion that knows, ah, from carefully selected scriptures, what God, I mean god; can't do anymore!! Bolster this proposition with a hefty helping of theology to clearly explain to these miracle seeking, loonies (heretics), why god can't do anything, anymore, too!
Your website site (although we know the internet is satanic?) has won me over! I want to know if there are more links to those, "Why Christians need more suffering & misery", sites? What I would give to be slowly strangled or disembowelled for Christ! Good Christianity, real righteous living should be more akin to, shall we say, a stomach ache. And shame on us Christians, SHAME!! (email name: wombat)
Ed: What's wrong with doctrine - so long as it is sound, and stacks up? Would we rather have fairy floss and cotton candy - a sort of sugar-coated, feel-good religion that doesn't care for the truth? I am sure we'd both agree, there are loonies all over, in all "camps".
I for one am sure that God can do anything He wants to. Thankfully in His grace He has stayed judgment day a little longer. A dose of suffering might help wake up us slack Western Christians, although I am glad we have relative ease for now. Certainly we are in the minority in planet earth. Are we faithful stewards of the good things we enjoy here in Australia? Righteous living is something fulfilling and God-pleasing. Certainly it isn't people walking around with a "holier-than-thou" look about them. I'd like to meet you, and you can see for yourself, I'm just an average kind of guy, with a love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know HIm? I hope so. He loves you and I pray that He will bless you there, Mr or Ms Wombat.
Title: Request for Transfer
TO: Commander and Chief, Spiritual Armed Forces, Jesus Christ
Dear Lord:
I am writing this to You to request a transfer to a desk job. I herewith present my reasons:
I began my career as a private, but because of the intensity of the battle, You have quickly moved me up in the ranks. You have made me an officer and given me a tremendous amount of responsibility. There are many soldiers and recruits under my charge. I am constantly being called upon to dispense wisdom, make judgments, and find solutions to complex problems. You have placed me in a position to function as an officer, when in my heart I know I have only the skills of a private. I realize that you have promised to supply all I would need for the battle. But Sir, I must present You a realistic picture of my equipment.
My uniform, once so crisp and starched, is now stained with tears and blood of those I have tried to assist. The soles of my boots are cracked and worn from the miles I have walked, trying to enlist and encourage the instructed troops. My weapons are marred, tarnished and chipped from constant battle against the enemy. Even the Book of Regulations I was issued has been torn and tattered from endless use. The words are now smeared.
You have promised You would be with me throughout, but when the noise of the battle is so loud and the confusion is so great, I can neither see nor hear You. I feel so alone. I'm tired. I'm discouraged. I have Battle Fatigue.
I would never ask you for a discharge. I love being in Your service. But I humbly request a demotion and transfer. I'll file papers or clean latrines.
Just get me out of the battle -- please, Sir.
Your Faithful, but Tired Soldier,
HIS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S REPLY
To: Faithful, but Tired Soldier, Spiritual Armed Forces
Location: The Battlefield
SUBJECT: Transfer
Dear Soldier:
Your request for transfer has been denied. I herewith present My reasons:
You are needed in this battle. I have selected you, and I will keep My Word to supply your need. You do not need a demotion and transfer. You need a period of "R and R" -- Renewal and Rekindling. I am setting aside a place on the battlefield that is insulated from all sound and fully protected from the enemy. I will meet you there and I will give you rest. I will remove your old equipment and "make all things new."
You have been wounded in the battle, My soldier. Your wounds are not visible, but you have received grave internal injuries. You need to be healed. I will heal you. You have been weakened in the battle. You need to be strengthened. I will strengthen you and be your strength. I will instill in you confidence and ability. My Words will rekindle within you a renewed love, zeal and enthusiasm. Report to Me tattered and empty. I will refill you.
Compassionately,
Your Commander-in-Chief,
Jesus Christ
These words were written by an "unknown soldier." I cannot help but think of the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier", which is a continuous memorial for all to behold, in the capitol city of Washington, D.C. We may never come to know who he/she is, but his/her words will live in the hearts of many "unknown soldiers"... Let these words also be a continuous memorial for all to behold.
Please feel free to send this to an "unknown soldier" you know.
(Submitted by John, Lincoln, England)
We possess eternal Life. "Whosoever believeth in Him... hath eternal life"
(John 3:15).
We are secured in an eternal Covenant. "Through the blood of the everlasting
Covenant" (Heb. 13:20).
We are saved with an eternal Salvation. "He became the Author of eternal salvation"
(Heb. 5:9).
We are liberated by an eternal Redemption. "Having obtained eternal redemption
for us" (Heb. 9:12).
We have an eternal House. "A house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens"
(II Cor. 5:1).
We are called to eternal Glory. "Who hath called us unto His eternal glory"
(I Peter 5:10).
We are kept for an eternal Inheritance. "Might receive the promise of an eternal
inheritance" (Heb. 9:15).
We are cheered by an eternal Comfort. "Hath given us everlasting consolation"
(II Thess. 2:16).
We know there is an eternal Weight of Glory in the future. "Worketh for us a
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (II Cor. 4:17).
We shall dwell in eternal Tabernacles. "Receive you into everlasting habitations"
(Luke 16:9).
We are aiming to have an abundant entrance into the eternal Kingdom. "An entrance
shall be ministered unto you abundantly... everlasting kingdom" (II Peter 1:11).
(F. E. Marsh)
In 1787 King George III of England sent the "Bounty" to the island of Tahiti to gather breadfruit trees. The trees were to be taken to Jamaica and transplanted to increase the food supply for the inhabitants. While they gathered the trees the sailors became restless. They were more interested in the local girls than in their work.
Finally the ship was filled with breadfruit trees and left the beautiful tropical isle. Sailing among the Tonga group, the crew mutinied and set Lt. William Bligh and 18 men adrift in a small boat. After 48 hazardous days on the open seas, with sheer determination and superb seamanship, Bligh and his sailors managed to reach a friendly port on the island of Timor. From there they made their way back to England.
An expedition soon set out from England. It captured 14 of the mutineers, but nine escaped on the "Bounty." These, with six Tahitian men, nine women, and a girl of 15, finally landed on the island of Pitcairn.
The early history of Pitcairn is one of degradation, sin, and bloodshed. One of the sailors who had worked in a distillery in Scotland made alcohol from a native plant. Before long all of the Tahitian men and all but one of the mutineers were dead from violence.
Thus Alexander Smith was left with a harem of women and a flock of children, his own and those of his now-dead companions. Realizing at last the sinfulness of his life, and concerned about the future of those who looked to him for leadership, he began to think seriously of God.
In one of the chests taken from the "Bounty" before it was scuttled, he found a Bible and began to read and study it faithfully every day. As a result he repented of his sins and began to live a God-fearing life. To demonstrate how completely he had reformed, he changed his name to John Adams. Then he taught the people on the island to read God's Book. The children grew up and were married, and more children were born.
In 1808 the American whaler "Topaz" called at Pitcairn and brought back the first word of those mutineers who had escaped the hangman 18 years before. But things were very different now. There was no jail, no hospital, no insane asylum, no illiteracy, no crime, no disease, no liquor. The island appeared to be 100 percent Christian.
What had changed this little island from a hell on earth to a little spot of heaven dropped down in the South Seas? It was one Book, the Holy Bible. (By H. M. S. Richards, Jr.)
We had a tent with no walls. At the front was a table with some tracts and a few catchy signs. Next to the table was a coffin. Inside was a skeleton. We'd ask "Do you wanna take a look in the box?" They'd look and we'd say, "Doesn't look too good - does he?"
They'd say "no" and we'd say, "but you know one day you'll look just like this guy and when that day comes are you 50%, 75%, 0r 100% sure your soul will be in heaven?" They'd answer and we'd ask them if they'd like to be 100% sure. We'd invite them in the tent where we had a table set up with chairs and a large print Bible. 11 came in the tent and 9 were saved.
Afterward we gave them a decision card and they wrote on the back what happened. We then had their address for follow-up. (Dr Ed De Vries)
We are trying to have a Christian witness - with tracts and Christian mags in the cabins and cottages, and in the laundry library. (Tricia, Nowra, NSW)
Praise the LORD - yesterday while out door knocking with one of my daughters I lead my 138th soul to Christ this year, New Zealand is such a hard place, you're either soul winning or soul sinning, into evangelism or calvinism, out door interacting or indoor interneting, and instead of praying with out ceasing you've ceased with out praying . (The Hadfields)
This afternoon I placed some washing in the dryer and forgot about them. It was not until some time later that I went back and retrieved them.
The reason that I forgot about my clothes in the dryer is that I took it for granted because it took so little effort to put them there. Even the simple chore of washing and drying one's clothes is much easier than in days gone by. The fact that the machines are fully automated means that we can easily put them in the machine and forget about them.
We take so much for granted these days and on Saturday at 11:00 am on 11/11 I had to be reminded of the special significance of the day. It was Remembrance day of course, and I no doubt, along with a lot of others, had forgotten about the day.
If it is so easy to forget about one's washing in the clothes dryer, so easy to forget an important day like remembrance day, how easy would it be to forget all the little things that God does for us?
Like many others I am quick to praise God when things are going right, but slow to praise God when things are not going so well.
If we remember to praise God when troubles desert us, we are more likely to remember God for all the little things in life as well. (Mervyn, Toowoomba, Qld)
We now only use versions of the original first and third verses, of the orginal five. In the interests of truth, Graeme.
Australia's National Anthem - Advance Australia Fair -
"Advance Australia Fair" (The National Anthem of Australia) was composed by Peter Dodds McCormick sometime around the turn of this century.
Several versions with different combinations of the verses are found in different references.
Some Australian governments seemed to disapprove of the sentiment of some of these verses, and passively discouraged their remembrance. Consequently, several of these verses are very difficult to find unless one searches for old and original references. Notably, the original first line was "Australia's sons let us rejoice", however this has been replaced with the more 'politically correct' first line as follows ...
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in Nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing,
"Advance Australia fair!"
When gallant Cook from Albion sail'd,
To trace wide oceans o'er,
True British courage bore him on,
Till he landed on our shore.
Then here he raised Old England's flag,
The standard of the brave;
With all her faults we love her still,
"Brittannia rules the wave!"
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"
Beneath our radiant southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"
While other nations of the globe
Behold us from afar,
We'll rise to high renown and shine
Like our glorious southern star;
From England, Scotia, Erin's Isle,
Who come our lot to share,
Let all combine with heart and hand
To advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"
Shou'd foreign foe e'er sight our coast,
Or dare a foot to land,
We'll rouse to arms like sires of yore
To guard our native strand;
Britannia then shall surely know,
Beyond wide ocean's roll,
Her sons in fair Australia's land
Still keep a British soul.
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"
I decided to respond to your "Don't be a chook", and write, especially when I read "Editor's dad" on a couple of messages... Even the editor's dad can be wrong, and how! Most non-Christians think born again Christians are mad, even if they don't speak in tongues. As far as the Holy Ghost opening your understanding regarding the gifts, we believe you have heard the wrong voice, or you have been watching too much TV and your filter is blocked up, or you have listened to the Paradise AOG too much - it's amazing what they're up to!
It so clear in the Book of Acts that they spoke with tongues... as immediate, supernatural, outward expression, convincing not only the receiver but also providing startling evidence to the people that a divine power was controlling them. Dad your great revelation that the Bible was mainly written by Jews or Greek Jews does not matter, but what does matter is that we have in the Bible what God intended us to have. Take God's whole word, Dad, or toss in the towel. There is no grey with God, either black or white. No two bob each way with God. Do you really believe that the gifts are modified today? Does God change? We have always believed that God is unchanging and true to His Word. God bless you Dad. (Richard & Jean, Victor Harbor, SA)
My response: God's dealings with man change, as is evident through His various times and seasons down through His-Story. Tongues had a special purpose and reason. What is mistakenly occurring today amongst well-meaning believers is simply not the Biblical gift of other languages. (Ed)
I attend Bethel Bible Baptist Church in Glenfield. This year I decided to do more for the Lord, and after speaking to my pastor, I started teaching Sunday school. It has been a great blessing to me, as well as a challenge. I enjoy preparing lessons for the kids (primary school age) and teaching them. We have been going through the principle of obedience by learning from examples in the Bible - Abraham, Isaac, Daniel, Saul, and now Jonah.
However, the greatest blessing has been seeing my best friend saved. I have been praying for her for years, but last year she started thinking more about Christianity and what it means to be a Christian. In the quiet of her own home on Father's day she accepted Christ, and since then she has been baptised, and has been assisting me with Sunday School. We are going through a discipleship program now. The struggle she faces is her family - as they are not saved. We are both praying for them, though, and when she gets the opportunity, she witnesses to them in a loving manner. (Jane, Kentlyn, NSW)
Failure does not mean you are a failure,
It does mean you have not succeeded yet.
Failure does not mean you have accomplished nothing,
It does mean you have learnt something.
Failure does not mean you have been a fool,
It does mean you have a lot of faith.
Failure does not mean you have been disgraced,
It does mean you are willing to try.
failure does not mean you do not have it,
It does mean you have to do something in a different way.
Failure does not mean you are inferior,
It does mean you are not perfect.
Failure does not mean you have wasted your life,
It does mean you have to start afresh.
Failure does not mean you should give up,
It does mean you must try harder.
Failure does not mean you will never make it,
It does mean it will take a little longer.
Failure does not mean GOD has abandoned you,
It does mean GOD has a better idea.
(From Jane, Kentlyn, NSW)
His Sacrifice - written in the stars.
God always had the cross in mind
Because He stands outside of time
(Past, Present and Future).
I didn't choose Him
He chose me first
He saved me from that dreadful curse
That I might live.
Look at the Cross and behold
Where Roman soldiers pierced our Lord
You don't believe me?
(It's on the record!)
Just look up - and see!
See the One, who set us free
Freed us for all eternity
Freed us from what?
You may ask
He freed us from the devil's grasp.
Should wicked hands
All Bibles destroy
Heaven's canvas eternally records
What no human hand can erase.
The heavens declare the glory of God
The heavens declare that Jesus is Lord!
Just look up and see!
To all unbelievers
Just one thing more
God said, "It is finished"
Forevermore
Just look up - and see!
Our Flag records history
In more ways than one
It records the life
Of His dear Son.
Died on the Cross
For you and me
Died on the Cross at Calvary.
To all "unbelieving theologians"
Hear my plea
For there's none so blind
As those,
who will not see -
The glory of God.
(Anon)
Day in day out I am always suffering
No permanent place to sleep
Hunger, hunger my stomach complains
The mouth always dry
Bins are the sources of my food
Clothes are tattered and torn
When I cry for help , no one comes to my rescue
Everyday I am always shouting
Begging in the city centre streets
Where the rich do their shopping
Sometimes I don't because of weakness and hunger
They always scold me and neglect me
I walk barefooted
My teeth always dirt
My hair scruffy
No toothpaste and soap available
I use water from public places
My fellows go to school
Whilst I am busy walking in the streets
My relatives denied me
I am an orphan
I have no one to care for me
When I seek help from churches
They say we have no money
They think I am insane
I hope one day in my life
God will rescue me
From this bondage of poverty
(Handsen Chikowore, Zimbabwe)
As a former teacher and supporter of modern spiritual warfare methods, I know how difficult it is to re-evaluate the subject of demons and deliverance.
For me, fighting demonic forces was a daily routine. I don't recall many meetings which did not include casting out devils, pulling down strongholds or breaking through walls of demonic resistance.
I truly believed that I was doing some good by waging countless spiritual battles. I truly believed that my efforts were biblical.
But eight years ago, I began to re-evaluate these tactics and questioned the biblical accuracy of my ministry. I... examined the validity of today's spiritual warfare teachings. I knew that the Bible said, "our weapons are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds". However, I began to ask, "what happens when we war after the flesh and call it spiritual?" Are we pulling down strongholds that are not biblical or casting out demons that have been fabricated by men? What happens when we spiritualize our carnal weapons?
I began to intensely study Jesus' earthly ministry. I discovered that Jesus regularly cast out devils. But I also discovered that we in the modern Church were casting out demons that Jesus never heard of.
I took extra effort to notice when Jesus did not cast out devils. I wanted to find out if my ministry was different from His - especially in situations where I would have normally attempted to take on demonic forces and He would not. As an example, Jesus did not cast out demons of deception or religious spirits out of the Pharisees. I would have attempted it. Jesus confronted their teachings and their religious ideas.
If we were to deal with the Pharisees, we would do it differently. As usual, we would blame their false doctrines on demonic strongholds. It is now common for us to believe that people are not responsible for their own deceptions. Today, we credit spiritual blindness to powerful demonic forces which are assigned against individuals, churches, or cities.
I have come to understand that we tend to believe that people love the truth and it's the devil who keeps it from them. Therefore, we deem it necessary to remove the blindness so they can eagerly grasp the truth.
We seem to forget that Jesus came as the light of the world but was rejected by men because, "men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil." (John 3:19)
I also discovered that Jesus did not cast out the spirits of murder or the spirits of alcoholism as we do today.
We have invented new extra-biblical demons. How convenient! We can now credit our fleshly lusts to demons of pornography. We can blame our anger on spirits of rage that come and go as they please. We have no control over them. We wouldn't get angry any longer if someone could just cast them out of our bodies. We can now attribute our abusive tendencies to family spirits and generational curses. All kinds of emotional problems can now be assigned to familiar spirits. Our Adamic nature is no longer at fault. Our unhappiness can now be attributed to spirits of oppression. We can blame our addictions on spirits of alcoholism or demons of nicotine.
In defense of our modern deliverance ministries we claim, "We are doing what Jesus did." But in reality we are not doing what Jesus did, we are doing what He did not do. Why didn't Jesus deal with these demons? These spirits have been around since the beginning of time... so where were they during Jesus earthly ministry? Our usual response is, "We are doing the greater works"...
We no longer understand the Gospel of crucifixion. We have trespassed the doctrine of Christ and we are stepping beyond Jesus teachings. Our deliverance ministries belittle Jesus' earthly ministry. We are more anti-Christ than we would dare admit.
My discoveries during my quest to understand the ministry of Christ led me to believe that we need to once again exalt Christ as the ultimate minister. His ministry was complete. There was nothing left to do. He did the entire will of God. All the works that are of God can be found in His ministry. Every sermon he preached was more revelation than we can fathom in this lifetime. The miracles he performed are all the miracles we need. He was the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Christ is sufficient. (Ted Brooks)
An elderly woman and her little grandson, whose face was sprinkled with bright freckles, spent the day at the zoo. Lots of children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws.
"You've got so many freckles, there's no place to paint!" a girl in the line said to the little fella.
Embarrassed, the little boy dropped his head. His grandmother knelt down next to him. "I love your freckles. When I was a little girl I always wanted freckles," she said, while tracing her finger across the child's cheek. "Freckles are beautiful."
The boy looked up, "Really?"
"Of course," said the grandmother. "Why just name me one thing that's prettier than freckles."
The little boy thought for a moment, peered intensely into his grandma's face, and softly whispered, Wrinkles." (The Story of Encouragement)
I would rather stumble a thousand times
Attempting to reach a goal,
Than to sit in a crowd
In my weather-proof shroud,
A shriveled and self-satisfied soul.
I would rather be doing and daring
All of my error-filled days,
Than watching, and waiting, and dying,
Smug in my perfect ways.
I would rather wonder and blunder,
Stumbling blindly ahead,
Than for safety's sake
Lest I make a mistake,
Be sure, be safe, be dead.
(Author Unknown, Encounter)
"The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall himself be watered" Proverbs 11:25.
We'll be "fat" when we become liberal. That is, we will be prospered, and we will grow... the one who gives shall also get... "Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over."
1. We need to be liberal in our praise of God. "God inhabits the praises of His people." "Let all the people praise thee, O Lord." We ought to be liberal in praise.
We can praise the Lord because He is our Owner. He is the Lord of life. We can say again, "He has made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." We can celebrate the truth of God's ownership...
We can praise the Lord for His power. Psalms 62:11 states that "power belongs unto the Lord." Climb a mountain one day and look at the big, solid boulders or ledges. He placed the mountains in their place and the valleys where they are. God is the omnipotent Lord. He can do all things. We praise Him for His power.
We can praise God for His mercy. Micah 7:18 says the Lord delights in mercy. Wow! He has mercy on us. We remember that a publican, a sinful man, walked into the temple one day and prayed. His prayer was brief: "Lord be merciful to me the sinner." He returned to his house justified. God shows His mercy to us over and over again. He showed mercy to Jonah. When the run-away prophet called out to God, the Lord answered and delivered him.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 about some of his converts. Some had been drunkards, some homosexuals, some idol worshipers, and the list goes on. But he also wrote, "And such were some of you, but you are washed, , sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God." God showed mercy upon those people and saved them. The Lord is in the business of saving people today. He makes saints out of sinners. He makes Satan's people change into God's people. God is merciful. We can praise Him for His mercy! Thus, let's be liberal in praise to the Lord.
2. We need to be liberal in our relationships with others. We can learn to tolerate and get along with all kinds of people. We may not agree with some. We may be of different persuasions. But we can be liberal in our dealings with and relations with others...
Someone has written the meaningful lines: "To live with saints in heaven will be bliss and glory; to live with saints on earth, oh my soul, that's another story!" We can have good and meaningful relations with others.
We can encourage others. The world around us needs a word to lift them up, to inspire and help. Solomon wrote in 25:11, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." A framed picture of silver that has golden apples is a beautiful sight. That kind of picture animates and encourages the viewer. So do words that are spoken that warm the heart. They change one's life. All of us speak words. They can be words to uplift, or they can be words to break the spirit. Which will they be?
3. We can be liberal in our support of God's Cause. In the verse before the text in Proverbs 11:24 these words are found, "There is that which scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty."
We need to be liberal in giving because this honors God. Proverbs 3:9 states, "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase." Then the glowing words follow that God will cause our own barns to overflow we goods. He will bless us as we honor Him with our gifts... We worship God with our gifts. All of us need to see giving as an act of holy worship. We honor the Lord as we give back to Him.
We need to be liberal in giving because this helps meet spiritual and material needs to the ends of the earth. The local Church keeps going and thrives in part by the way we support the work where we live.
We need to be liberal in giving because this helps our eternal well being... The Saviour said for us to lay up treasure in heaven. We do this as we give. We have eternal benefits, not just temporal ones, as we share in giving to God's cause. Let's be liberal in giving.
4. We can be liberal in our witnessing to others about Jesus. In the same chapter as the text in verse 30 of chapter eleven we read, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Every Christian can be a witness. We can be God's missionaries where we are. We need to testify to God's love in Jesus Christ.
We ought to witness because we have good news to share. In fact, the greatest news in all world history is the story of Jesus. We tell about Jesus. We tell of His death for us. He gave His life for you and me. He shed His blood for our salvation, our redemption. We turn from our sin, we repent. We trust Jesus. We ask Him to save us, to live in our lives as Savior and friend. Then we tell the good news to others that Jesus changes one's life, that He gives eternal life. This is the only lasting good news story in world history. Life unending through Jesus is great news!
We ought to witness because others wait for "His Story," the story of Jesus. Many people don't understand that they can be saved, that God loves them, that God changes life, that God gives redemption from sin, that the Lord gives holiness and sanctity and joy and unending bliss. Many wait for us to take the initiative and tell them.
One Indian doctor in a Texas city was invited by a member of the First Baptist Church of that town to visit them. Dr. Varshney asked, "You mean to that beautiful building there on the highway?" He was told yes. Then he said, "Well, I didn't think that anyone like me would be able to attend your Church." Some people may be afraid to come to visit because they don't know that a welcome sign is out for them. Some may think that the Church is a little club for a few members. We need to share, to witness, so everyone can know that God's House is a house for all people.
We can be liberal in our outreach. Are we doing this, or simply mentioning or glossing over the facts on some occasions as we come to mission days or mission offerings. Let's witness - - really spread the news of Jesus.
Let's learn to be liberal, to be generous in every area of life. God will bless the individual and the Church as we learn to think of others, as we give, and give, and give. What will we do about the challenge of being liberal and generous? (Preston A. Taylor)
The Lord is my Shepherd -- THAT'S RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want -- THAT'S SUPPLY!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures -- THAT'S REST!
He leadeth me beside still waters -- THAT'S REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul -- THAT'S HEALING!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness -- THAT'S GUIDANCE!
For His name sake -- THAT'S PURPOSE!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death -- THAT'S TESTING!
I will fear no evil -- THAT'S PROTECTION!
For thou art with me -- THAT'S FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me -- THAT'S DISCIPLINE!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies -- THAT'S HOPE!
Thou anointest my head with oil -- THAT'S CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over -- THAT'S ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life -- THAT'S
BLESSING!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord -- THAT'S SECURITY!
Forever -- THAT'S ETERNITY!
AMEN
1. He should be able to preach plainly and in order.
2. He should have a good head.
3. He should have good power of speech.
4. He should have a good voice.
5. He should have good memory.
6. He should be sure of what he means to say.
7. He should be ready to stake body and life, goods and glory on it's truth.
8. He should know when to stop.
9. He should study diligently.
10. He should allow himself to be vexed and criticised by every one.
(Martin Luther)
Occasionally someone will say, "Our pastor never stops to visit in our home."
If the pastor never stops at your home, you probably should thank God. It means
death has not struck, that no serious illnesses have laid you low, that the
surgeon's knife has not been necessary, that you have had no serious family
problem, or that you are not a spiritually delinquent member. As a rule, your
pastor does not have time for "social calls." It is not that he doesn't want
to nor that he would not enjoy doing so, it is simply a matter of priorities.....putting
first things first. Your pastor does not have time to do everything he would
like to do. However, you may be sure of this: your pastor is willing to come
to the hospital, or your home, the jail, the street corner, or anywhere at any
hour of the day or night when he is needed. Call him if you need him. Otherwise,
he will not know of your need until it is too late. For the moment, thank God
you have not needed him. One day you will need him and he will be there when
you call. Now he is visiting with someone else who does need him.
(Source Unknown)
REVERENCE- I owe my pastor reverent attention as the ambassador of God sent to teach men a better way of living.
AFFECTION- I owe my pastor affection that he may be strengthened by the knowledge that the members of the church are with him in the bondsd of holy life and unity.
TRUST- I owe my pastor trust that he may be free to serve the church unhampered by fault-finding.
GENEROSITY- I owe my pastor generosity, that if his methods seem a little strange to me, I may not be narrow enough to insist that he change them.
PRAYER- I owe it to my pastor to pray for him each day, that God may bless him and make his ministry a blessing.
PROTECTION- I owe to my pastor the protection of kindly silence by refraining from repeating in his presence the slander or unkind gossip that would burden him and prevent him from doing his best work.
AID- I owe it to my pastor to aid him in his preaching in that I not burden him before the services( or any time for that matter) with my personal gripes or disapprovals. This hinders the work of the Holy Spirit, for He is trying at this time to drive deep the burden for the lost.
TIME- I owe to my pastor enough time to help in his work, when and where he leads me.
ENCOURAGEMENT- I owe to my pastor encouragement when vexations and annoyances make his work difficult, or when he feels discouraged.
APPRECIATION- I owe to my pastor a kindly word of appreciation when his ministry is especially helpful to me.
CONSIDERATION- I owe it to my pastor not to interrupt and hinder his work with petty and unnecessary calls upon his time.
ATTENTION- I owe it to my pastor the courtesy of attention when I go to church that he may not be annoyed by my careless actions.
(Sawdust Trail)
I am a conservative Christian, born of a conservative Christian family. My wife, children and I worship at a conservative church and I am involved in conservative ministry. I hold dearly and with strength to the inerrancy of God's word, if I had a motto it would read "No Compromise". I am not in any way, shape or form in favour of anything, entertainment or otherwise that leads to a dilution of the gospel message, that is the unchanging gospel given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. I strongly believe that this same gospel is as relevant today in Australia (and the rest of the world) as it was 2000 years ago in Palestine. What I am in favour of however is changing the way in which the gospel is presented to the people of the 21st Century. Many, many Christians today cling to an anglicised, 19th Century version of Christianity that is proving to be less and less relevant to today's population, and will continue down this path for as long as it is held on to. There is a misnomer held onto by the traditionalists within the Church that this 'model' of Christianity is somehow parallel to the Christianity practiced by the Christians of the First Century. Anyone who has attended a Jewish Shabbat service will know that this is not the case.
Yes, I believe that in many ways the modern Church needs to return to many of the practices of the early Church, practices that include taking the Gospel to the streets, letting the world know just how relevant it is for today regardless of what society thinks or claims however I also believe that this needs to be done in a way that will be understood and more easily accepted by the people of today. Paul states "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way" (Romans 14:13). In other words, if it doesn't mess with the 'not negotiables' of the Christian faith and if it is an obstacle to others knowing and loving the Lord then it doesn't matter. If holding a video games night for un-churched youth means that the same kids, who have little knowledge of Jesus, gain a greater understanding and better still commit their lives to Him isn't it worth while? If holding a lively youth service once a month in your church and encouraging the young adults to invite non-Christian friends along to hear the timeless truths of the gospel in an environment that makes them feel less on edge and more comfortable means that these people have the opportunity to hear and believe isn't it worth it?
I find church exciting and yes, even entertaining when I am able to participate in lively heartfelt worship, worship that enables us to express our gratitude to God for all that He has done for us. I find church exciting when I hear a sermon that reveals a totally new and radical aspect of the gospel, that encourages me to look at my own understanding and that reveals the majesty and glory of God and causes me to want to fall on my face before the Lord of Lords. I have nothing against hymns, my favourite song of all time is Amazing Grace. I do not believe that the church is necessarily the place for 'rock music' but I do believe that Christian 'rock music' does hold a valuable position as a ministry tool for reaching the young people of today. I also believe that to return to the days of 'condemnation preaching' as so many seem to want, would be a backward step. Jesus said that He came not to condemn but to save, it is this amazing message of grace that needs to be shared with those that do not believe, and sure, the consequences of refusing God's gift needs to be dealt with but not over and above the main focus of Jesus ministry here on earth. That is the Good News.
Don't be fooled. The Christianity that many of us so dearly hold onto is not a product of the first century, it is the product of 1800 years of Christianity. Our forefathers have left us a legacy of faith, that is something to hold onto, let us pass on to our children and grandchildren the same legacy. Let the church change but the message remain the same so that there will be a hope of salvation, a salvation that is understood in light of today's culture and circumstance whilst remaining firmly rooted in the Bible and the will of the Alpha and the Omega.
(Andrew Rigg)
(Editor: I reserve the right to edit, due to very limited space in the magazine.)
We need to glorify God, Psalm 96:7-8, 1 Chronicles 16:28-29, 1 Cor. 10:31.
Why should we glorify the Lord?
Because He is holy. God is perfect. Psalms 99:9.
Because He is merciful, Romans 15:9.
Because He is faithful to us. Lamentations 3:21-22.
Because He is going to judge the evil that's all around us. Ezekiel 28:22.
How do we glorify the Lord?
As we believe His Word.
As we praise Him, Psalm 50:23.
As we are patient in suffering. Isaiah 24:15.
As we are fruitful. John 15:8. (Preston A. Taylor)
The zoo residents were agog as the Olympiad dominated our TV, we were transfixed as we watched humans forcing every atom of their being to do things that come so easily to those of us in here - turning somersaults, swinging on bars, jumping, flying, honestly, when I'm reclassified as human, watch me win a gold medal in the gymnastics! Think I'm joking? The religion of evolution is promoting the idea that we should be elevated to a species of "monkey sapiens" so gold medal here I come! But, where does it stop, I was reading recently that a 1998 study at the University of California concluded that the common housefly has "the fastest visual system on the planet with eyes that can move ten times faster than a humans, while it can react to danger in under 3/100ths of a second, enabling it to change course five times faster than an Olympic sprinter can leave the starting-blocks!" Do we have to consider a division for house flies? Goodness, they'll ban the sales of swatters next, and where does that leave the Aussie salute and Mortein sales? As for me I'll just thank the Lord that He made me a Chimp and give all Glory to the King of Creation as I watch the zoo blowies perform! Pip pip! (Chugley is a "half-man, half-monkey", Alias Alistair, who lives in NSW)
I am encouraged by Timothy's discernment that there is much wrong with the Papacy and Church of Rome, (Man of Sin, Catholicism - It's Another Gospel, FD #57). I do not disagree that there will be a "catching away" of believers who are alive at the Lord's return. However, the purpose of this miracle is not to escape tribulation, but to receive a new, transformed eternal body without first passing through death, (see 1 Cor. 15:51 ff.).
No Christian in Church history taught an escape from tribulation prior to the late 18th century, when the first seeds of the 'secret' Rapture theory was promulgated by the Jesuit Alcazar. How is it possible that our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, has failed to teach this alleged doctrine to the greatest Church teachers of the past? (Rand, Forestville, CA)
Judy... quite rightly proves that the disciples wrongly believed that the end of the world was near. However, though we are not to speculate on the day and the hour of Christ's return to end the age, (Matt. 24:36; Acts 1:7), we are to know the signs of the times, (Luke 12:54-57). The Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes did not discern the time of Christ's first advent, nor did they see Him as the predicted Messiah, despite His abundant miracles and wise teachings. In like manner, the professing Church of today does not know the signs of the times of the advent of the papal Antichrist in our midst, nor do they see him as the predicted Man of Sin, despite his abundant lying signs and wonders, and false teachings. Prophecy foretells truths imperative to one's walk with God. To dismiss prophecy is to dismiss the mind and will of God, which is our solemn duty to know and to obey. (Rand, Forestville, CA)
The article, Born Again!by J. Armstrong, contained many excellent truths. I would draw attention to another great truth not necessarily perceived by many believers: Salvation is the gracious work of God, independent of the will of man. Just as a newborn is passive in both his conception and birth, so, too, is the sinner passive in his new birth from above. In other words, the will of man does not cooperate with the will of God in salvation. God alone brings the sinner to new life in Christ because salvation is of the Lord. To God alone be the glory, not to be shared with His creature in any way. By the time a true believer "receives Jesus into his heart," it's too late. Jesus has already entered! His Spirit is what moves the sinner to true repentance in the first place! (John 3:8; Acts 11:18.)
(Rand, Forestville, CA)
Smiling is infectious
You catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner
And someone saw my grin
When he smiled I realized
I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile
Then I realized its worth
A single smile, just like mine
Could travel round the earth.
So if you feel a smile begin
Don't leave it undetected
Let's start an epidemic quick
And get the world infected.
(Selected)
"Is the sermon finished?" a friend asked a man as he came home from Church earlier than usual. 'No, not yet,'" he replied, "it is preached, but it still remains to be done."
Alexander being asked how he conquered the world, replied, "By not delaying."
"Sleepy Christian let me shout in thine ears. Thou art sleeping while souls are being lost, sleeping while men are being damned, sleeping while hell is being peopled, sleeping while Christ is being dishonoured, sleeping while the devil is grinning at thy sleepy face, sleeping while demons are dancing around thy slumbering carcass, and telling it in hell that a Christian is asleep." (C. H. Spurgeon)
My husband Vic, went to be with the Lord on the 31st August, 2000 after a 5 month battle with stomach cancer. He was in much pain and discomfort but he never stopped telling friends and relatives about the Lord, even in his bed at Palliative Care.
Many years ago, before Vic became a Christian, he and his younger brother John, played in a rock band with 3 other young men. John arranged for a reunion with them all, and the 4 of then came up to hospital to see Vic two days before he died.
I gave testimony to them of how Vic and I had met and how we only sang songs to glorify God now and how He had worked in our lives. They had a brought a guitar in and had sung a couple of songs, and then Vic got out of his bed and took the guitar and sang to them a song that he had composed himself called, "He Set the Captives Free."
How he did that, I can only say it was through the Grace of God because he was very weak and frail at that stage. So right to the end he never let an opportunity pass by. His illness, and how we coped, was a great testimony to many and especially to his unsaved brother. I believe there were many seeds planted throughout this ordeal. Unfortunately, Vic's beloved mother died of a massive heart attack 6 weeks after his death. But, praise God, she knew the Lord.
Vic and his uncle, James from The Gap, have been printing out booklets for a number of years as an outreach to the unsaved. I have taken over this ministry from Vic, and James does up all the masters and prints many booklets himself and puts a tremendous amount of work into them and I photocopy them also and collate them into booklets and we give them out freely wherever we can. Our church has a stall at the Saturday markets at Deception Bay, and we give away many of these booklets which are on over 20 or so subjects. This stall has been a very effective means of outreach and we give away many other tracts and Christian literature, bookmarks, etc. We also gave away many lovely wooden plaques which were made up by a number of people from our church, over the Christmas, New Year period. The people that run this markets are very supportive of us being there and they don't even charge us anymore for our table.
Throughout Vic's illness, we read a lot from the book of Job and took much comfort from it. He tried all the so-called health cures but he never once blamed God for his illness and in the end, he just wanted to go home to be with his Lord. Job says, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust Him". That was Vic's attitude. I know that when he reached Heaven the Lord would have said to him, "well done, good and faithful servant".
(Rose, Petrie, Qld)
The circumstances amid which you live determine your reputation, the truth
you believe determines your character.
Reputation is what you are supposed to be; character is what you are.
Reputation is the photographer; character is the face.
Reputation comes over one from without; character grows from within.
Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community; character is what
you have when you go away.
Your reputation is learned in an hour; your character does not come to light
for a year.
Reputation is made in a moment: character is built in a lifetime.
Reputation grows like a mushroom; character grows like the oak.
Reputation goes like the mist; character lasts like eternity.
A single newspaper report gives you your reputation; a life of toil gives you
your character.
Reputation makes you rich or pour; character makes you happy or makes you miserable.
Reputation 'may determine your epitaph: character is what you are in the sight
of God.
My Father was a Christian- most of his family have deceased but I had not been aware if any of his brothers and sisters (22 in all) were. His Father had a variety of occupations including Engineer, Bridge Builder, Ship-wright and Carpenter and has been mentioned in a number of publications in this state as to his various abilities.
Some two years ago I was loaned a "Life Story" written by one of the early Evangelists. This man travelled extensively throughout Australia preaching The Gospel, and worked for some time with the Australian Aboriginals at Doomadgee and Burketown. On one of his travels in Tasmania he boarded a Steam boat that was going from Launceston to Burnie. On the way he met up with my Step-Uncle who told him he had trusted The Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour at a Baptist Church in Victoria, following which they had much in common to discuss.
It so happened that this Evangelist decided to get work on a bridge construction on the North West Coast. To his surprise he met up again with my Uncle and his Father who was the Engineer and where they worked together for some time. The work on this bridge was very dangerous because of its height, the Evangelist spoke of the many times when he was working at heights and would experience tools etc of the men working above, flying past him and had many near misses.
He used to hold the occasional Gospel meeting for the men at the Camp site. Because of the dangerous situation he decided to leave as it was too risky. His last Sunday there the men asked if he would conduct a final meeting which he agreed to. After his usual message at wi:ich he spoke on "The thief on the Cross" and pointed out that the thief could do nothing to save himself, he could confess Christ as Lord and that he did before the taunting rabble, and that is all God asks any poor sinner to do. Romans 10.9. He then asked if anyone would like to give a testimony and my Uncle rose to his feet and confessed Christ as his Lord and told how he was converted and how he was ready to meet his Lord. The next day the Evangelist left for Wynyard on the North West Coast where he had relatives. Three days later he learnt that my Uncle had fallen from the bridge and met his death as a result.
Apparently my Grandfather (The Engineer) was spoken to by his son's testimony at the meeting, the Evangelist was told that two weeks after the funeral that Grandfather had trusted The Lord Jesus and went to the Pastor of the local Methodist Church and advised him of his decision. I was delighted to read this account which came to me many years after my relative's decease.
My Father had discussed with me many of his experiences over the years before his decease but had never mentioned the conversion of his Father and Step Brother and I doubt if he ever knew.
I never met the uncle or grandfather, but I am looking forward to when we get to glory. (A., Tasmania)
Every time Christians were filled with the Spirit, they witnessed...
In the Book of Acts
(1) Peter and the 120 (2:4, 41) - 3000 saved and baptised;
(2) Peter (4:8, 13, 21) - could say nothing against;
(3) All (4:31), spake with boldness;
(4) Seven (6:3, 7) - Word of God increased;
(5) Stephen (6:8,10) - not able to resist;
(6) Stephen (7:55, 57) - stopped their ears;
(7) Paul (9:17, 20, 21) - were amazed;
(8) Barnabas (11:22, 24) - much people were added;
(9) Paul (13:9, 12) - deputy believed; and
(10) Disciples (14:1, 13:52) - great multitude believed.
(Ralph Bitner)
When D. L. Moody was asked what he thought of Spurgeon, he said:
"He is a perpetual stream of Christian sunlight. One Sunday morning in London," continued Mr. Moody, "Spurgeon said to me, just before he commenced his sermon: 'Moody, I want you to notice that family there in one of the front seats, and when we go horne I want to tell you their story.'
"When we got home," said Moody, "I asked him for the story,
and he said: "'All that family were won by a smile.'
"'Why,' said I, 'how's that?'
"'Well,' said he, 'as I was walking down a street one day, I saw a child at a window; the child smiled, and I smiled, and we bowed. It was the same the second time; I bowed, she bowed. It was not long before there was another child, and I had got in the habit of looking and bowing, and pretty soon the group grew, and at last, as I went by, a lady was with them. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to bow to her, but I knew all the children expected it, and so ! bowed to them all. And the mother saw that I was a minister, because I carried a Bible every Sunday morning. So the children followed me the next Sunday and found I was a minister. And they thought I was the greatest preacher, and their parents must hear me. A minister who is kind to a child and gives him a pat on the head, why, the children will think he is the greatest preacher in the world. Kindness goes a great way. And finally, the father and mother and five children were converted, and they are going to join our church next Sunday.'
"Won to Christ by a smile!" said Moody. "We must get the wrinkles out of our brows, and we must have smiling faces, if we want to succeed in our work of love."
(1) Thou shalt not gossip. (Prov 18:8). Before any evil story whispered in the ear is passed on, it should be treated as the housewife treats apples for a pie ...first peeled, then quartered, and cored, then what remains liberally sugared.
(2) Thou shalt not use a multitude of empty words.(Prov. 10:19 ). Your tongue reveals the nature of your thinking and your character. The divine Master Himself admonishes the children of men to "let your admonishes be yea, yea, nay, nay, for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."
(3) Thou shalt not boast.(Prov. 27:2) A small man makes long, loud boastings in order to centre the spotlight of attention on himself; the great man works quietly, Silently polishing the beacon that it may guide the ship safely into the desired haven.
(4) Thou shalt not flatter. (Prov. 26:28). Someone has said that "Flattery is like soft soap; it is 90% lye" - and you can count on the ratio being just about right. The words of the man or woman who would flatter you, according to the psalmist, who had a great deal of experience with that sort of thing, are "softer than oil, yet withdrawn swords."
(5) Thou shalt not grumble. (Phil. 2:14). The prescription for this malady is to saturate your life with loving kindness. Let it enter every pore and the process will be absolutely foolproof against the gnawing frets and worries that are worse than termites, to eat the soul out of you.
(6) Thou shalt not backbite or slander. (Psalm 64:3) The tongue that backbites or slanders is the weapon that empties churches, pours streams of bickering humans into divorce courts, fills our jails with wretched humanity, and lashes men and woman to Satan's kingdom.
(7) Thou shalt not mock or make fun.(Job 11:3). Let us learn sympathy and give our fellows a helping hand instead of mockery, no matter how peculiar or odd they may be. Remember angels visit the earth in all kinds of guises.
(8) Thou shalt not lie.(Ex. 20:16). The first recorded lie was told in the garden of Eden. Since then, the practice has spread like a plague throughout the whole earth. Everyone hates a lying tongue.
(9) Thou shalt not swear. (Ex. 20:7). Profanity is the official language of the devil's kingdom. Have no part in it for it will disqualify you for heaven.
(10) Thou shalt not argue in anger. (Hosea 7:16). Whatever the provocation
is remember that "silence is golden" and that "a soft answer turneth away wrath;
but grievous words stir up anger" (Prov. 15:11).
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