June 17, 2001 Volume 2 Number 24
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FAITH in GOD There is an avid fascination with having role models in our lives. Athletes are constantly being placed in such a position; presidents, cultural leaders, and others are elevated to this lofty position. Many of these individuals while excellent at what they do, don't always meet the standards of what role models should be. In fact, Charles Barclay (basketball player) went to the extent of saying, "I'm not a role model." He realized his limitations. But for the Christian, role models are plentiful. We see role models from the O.T. to the N.T. Individuals who in the midst of great trials showed their faith, obeyed God, and were rewarded. God cannot lie, and those who take Him at His word have never been let down. Sometimes God uses miraculous means, sometimes He uses providential means, and sometimes He simply finds a man who will do the job for Him. But the exciting thing is that people with no chance even though in the right come out victorious because God helps them. Remember these people had no more assurance that God would help them than we do today. Consider Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego in Daniel Ch 3:14-18. After Daniel interprets King Nebudcanezzar's dream of the "Great Image," which was full of splendor and excellence and described not only King Nebudcanezzar’s kingdom but those that would follow, after promoting not only Daniel, but his friends; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for all their efforts, after all these things, King Nebudcanezzar makes an image of gold, which stood some 90 feet tall. He proclaimed that all should bow and worship this image when the music sounded; if one refused then they shall be put to death by means of a fiery furnace. Most did except a few Jews (3:8-14). These three men did not know whether God would deliver them in a way that Nebudcanezzar could see or not, but they knew God would deliver them one way or another. Finding true faith within our hearts in not always as easy as getting excited and thrilled about seeing it in the hearts of others. It is much easier to get excited and thrilled about seeing Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stand up to King Nebudcanezzar and later accept their sentence of death than for us to stand up for our convictions. It is much easier for us to watch Daniel pray in front of others than it is for us to pray in front of others. It is much easier to watch Jesus take moral and spiritual stands against the evils of his day than it is for us to take such a stand. It is easier for us to watch with admiration when Moses gave up the wealth and ease of Egypt for ill treatment with the people of God than it is for us to give up our pleasures and give more to the Lord and His kingdom. You see it's just easier… Yet whether it is easier or not, it still must be done if we are to be like them. The characteristic found in these individuals is necessary. The characteristic that made their sacrifices into meaningful examples, which we should willingly follow, is faith. Notice in Heb 11:1----It was by faith...Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain (vs. 4), Enoch was taken from this world (vs. 5), that Noah prepared an ark (vs. 7), Abraham left his own country (vs. 8), he offered Isaac up as a sacrifice (vs. 17), Moses gave up all wealth and ease (vs. 23-29), that the walls of Jericho fell (vs. 30), on and on (vs. 32-39). It is easier for us to read about these things than it is for us to bring them into being in our own lives... How do we know if we are like these people or not??????? This is an important question vs. 39 of Hebrews 11 says that these have obtained a good testimony through faith. It would behoove us to be like them, in order to have our faith be a good testimony for us. In Phil 4:6-7 Paul writes, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” One way we can know if we are like these people is by believing in the promises of God. We are not to look with fear and dread or with anxiety to the future. We are not to allow the loneliness and difficulties of this world consume us, we are to cast our cares on Him who cares for us, knowing that we are fellow workers with him. In 1 Pet 5:7 it says, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you,” and in 2 Cor 6:1 we read, “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” We should lay everything, whether it be affliction, embarrassment, or trials, everything relating to our spiritual condition, should be laid at our God's feet through prayer. The Scriptures teach plainly that God is pleased with prayer and He is ready to hear and bless them that come to Him. One important and essential condition is that the prayer must be in earnest and from the heart. When the heart earnestly desires a thing, it bends all the energies of the soul and body to the accomplishment of the end desired. Then when the heart prays for a thing the body is brought into active service to obtain it. The earnestness of the service in seeking the obedience is the measure of the desire of the heart. The thing needed to gain acceptance and favor for our prayers is earnest, self-sacrificing labor, and devotion on our part to gain that for which we pray. Then God will hear and grant our petitions. What is needed for our own good is to realize that our service to God should be more earnest and devoted full of self-sacrifice, which was evident in the lives of those characters in the Bible. Verse 7 gives us the promise, the peace and composure of God is given to those that trust in him. Jesus possessed it, as he lived a sinless and perfect life. Nothing ever excited his fear or apprehension. Amid all dangers and trials and threatening that would appall others he was quiet and composed. This peace, as stated, surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts. God gives all who trust him that peace of mind, which no one, from a human standpoint, can understand.
On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur, there was a crude little lifesaving station. The building was no more than a hut, and there was only one boat; but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea. With no thought for themselves, they went out day and night, tirelessly searching for the lost. Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding area, wanted to be associated with the station and give their time, money, and effort to support the work. New boats were bought and new crews trained. The little lifesaving station grew. Some of these new members
of the lifesaving station were unhappy that the building was so crude
and poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place should be
provided as the first refuge of those who were saved from the sea. They
replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in the
enlarged building. Now, the lifesaving station became a popular
gathering place for its members, and they decorated it beautifully and
furnished it exquisitely because they used it as a clubhouse. Fewer
members were now interested in going to sea on missions, About this time a large
ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boatlaods
of cold, wet, half-drowned people. They were dirty and sick, and some of
them were foreigners. The beautiful new club was in chaos. Immediately,
the property committee hired someone to rig up At the next meeting,
there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to
stop the club's lifesaving activities because they felt they were
unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal social life of the club. A
small number of members insisted upon lifesaving as their primary As the years went by, however, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old station. It evolved into a club, and yet another lifesaving station was founded. History continued to repeat itself, and if you visit that seacoast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore. Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but most of the passengers drown. When Jesus returns, what will He find? Our first obligation as Christians is to save souls (Mt 28:19). If we ever lose sight of this purpose we are no longer the Lord's church. We are simply a social club. Let's each resolve to be about the work of our heavenly Father and be, "...doers of the word, and not hearers only…”James1:22. With but a bit of thought, we could make an association between many congregations of the Lord's church and the lifesaving station described in the fable above. It ought not so to be!!! Who's The Father? Have you seen our title above on billboards around the nation? I have seen it several times. What does such a public advertisement tell us? It tells us more than we want to know, and very little of it is good. First, it tells us that sexual immorality is rampant in our society. If it were not, such a sign would be impractical. The fact that it is posted along busy expressways shows that a great number of unmarried women are pregnant. Since not every sexual relationship results in conception, the fact that there are enough to warrant a general ad shows how widespread the problem is. Second, it speaks to us about how promiscuous many are. Though it does not excuse it, we might "understand" that two people sinned and a baby was conceived. However, the question, "Who's The Father?" indicates two or more sexual partners within the span of a few weeks at most. What a sordid shame! Third, since it is true that "righteousness exalteth a nation," our unrighteousness disgraces our nation. Governmental power "is established by righteousness" (Prov. 16:12). Moral force builds and maintains. Immoral force tears down and destroys. Fourth, the fact that such services are offered publicly without a blush is another symbol of the corruption of the American spirit. "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush" (Jer. 6:15). Fifth, the billboard cries out to us to train our children in the ways of virtue of heart, purity of mind and body, and modesty in dress and demeanor (Prov. 5:18-20; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; 1 Pet. 2:11; 3:3, 4; 4:3, 4; 2 Pet. 1:5-7). May the Lord help us all to serve as models of godly living to our children, and may he help them to avoid sinful lusts which will drown them in guilt and despair. Finally, let us ask, "Who Is Your Father?" Is God your Father, or do you live as a child of the devil (Jn. 8:44; 1 Jn. 2:29; 3:7)? There is no "800" number for you to call for information, but if you want to know more, we will be glad to study with you so that you, too, may know "Who's The Father?" THE DASH Previously posted as Author unknown Removed at author Linda Ellis' instruction Author may be contacted at: The Spirit Expressly
Says ... How Do I Know That Miracles Have Ended? There was a time in which God worked in signs, wonders, and miracles. But, today, He no longer works directly in the affairs of world. How do I know, The Bible tells me so. Notice:
Food For Thought A man may go to heaven without health, wealth, fame, a famous name, education, culture, beauty, friends and ten thousand other things the world may consider essential to a good life, but he can never go to heaven without Christ. We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study. 2
Sam 22:31
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