*********************************************************************
Volume 2, No. 1
January 1990
*********************************************************************
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Casting all your care upon Him, for
He careth for you." Phil. 4:6, 1 Pet. 5:7.
Frank Boreham, in The Luggage of Life, relates how men from their infancy are dearly in
love with their "luggage", the burdens they have to bear. Here, however, is a
word for us today. Both Paul and Peter exhort us to leave all our care (the same Greek
word is used for "careful" and "care"), our worry, at the throne of
grace. It is not for us to worry over things outside our control, but it is up to us to
turn them over to Him Who is over all, God blessed forever.
"In everything" -- that's the WHEN! Scripture commands that men ought always to
pray and not to faint. Whether in good or bad, look to Him. "By prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving" -- that's the HOW! It is with thanksgiving. If I
always received from my dad without ever thanking him for things already granted, I'd have
a hard time gaining favors down the road. God delights in hearing us give thanks.
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
Our daily thanks employ,
Nor is the least a thankful heart
To taste those gifts with joy.
"Let your requests be made known unto God" -- that's the WHAT! It is not that He
is ignorant of our needs, for the Lord said, "Your Father knoweth what things ye have
need of before ye ask." It is for the comfort of our hearts! When you have nowhere
left to turn, LOOK UP! Cast your care upon Him, and "the peace of God, which passeth
all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
I'll never forget going with Keith to visit an ailing brother from Spanish Wells, Bahamas,
named Aziel Pinder. He worked as a fishing guide, and you'd hear him singing gospel
choruses from the back of elaborate yachts owned by American millionaires. He would give
them the gospel going out and coming in. Near the end of his life, he was in Miami for
cancer treatments. He was a skeleton of his former self. We asked him how he was making it
through. A smile burst on his face, and once more he started singing.
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind and compassionate friend,
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.
Beloved, won't you begin the new year by casting those old cares on Him? The Scripture
says, "He careth for you."
David Van Ryn
*********************************************************************
***A New Song***
"I have a song I love to sing, since I have been redeemed..." In Ex. 15:1-2, we
find "song" first mentioned in the Scriptures. Israel is singing a song of
redemption. They have seen a supernatural deliverance from their enemies. I understand the
thrust of the original language in the passage is "singing as I go" - the idea
of a singing minstrel. How redemption's song should characterize our journey!
The world has a song to sing referred to in Ps. 40:2 as "an horrible pit" -
margin: pit of noise. How happy we should be to sing that "new song" which He
has put in our mouths. Israel sang of the Lord: 1) strength, 2) song, 3) salvation - now
that is a 3-S tonic far superior to the old-time mountain remedy of southern states years
ago of the same name.
Then in Rev. 15:3-4 we find the last mention of the word "song" in the Word of
God. Please notice it is the "song of Moses, and the song of the Lamb". We shall
be singing of redemption throughout eternity - we'd better be tuning our voices now!! We
will ever be reminded that our redemption was costly: "precious blood", a Lamb
"as it had been slain". "Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by
the blood of the Lamb." We should be singing saints!
Bill Gustafson
Waynesboro, Georgia
*********************************************************************
***My Blessings at His Return***
The personal blessings of the Lord's return are more important than understanding all the
mysteries of prophecy! What will his return mean to me personally?
1) My trials of the wilderness journey will be ended - The journey of the Ark of the
Covenant began in Ex. 25:13-15 and two staves provided to carry it, until its final
resting place was reached; then they were removed. (2 Chron. 5:9) The journey was
finished! So will mine be finished at His return! "There remaineth therefore a rest
for the people of God." (Heb. 4:9)
2) My promised perfections will be realized - Phil. 1:6; Psa. 138:8. The perfection of my
physical body. (Rom. 8:23) I shall have "the dew of eternal youth." (Psa. 110:3;
Phil. 3:20, 21) I shall have the perfection of Christ-like character. (1 John 3:2) I shall
have the perfection of spiritual vision - "we shall see Him as He is." (1 John
3:2; Rev. 22:4)
3) My re-union with and recognition of all saints known - "Now I know in part; but
then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Cor. 13:12) In the Millennial kingdom,
God says, "All shall know Me, from the least to the greatest." (Heb. 8:11)
Through eternity I shall understand and clearly apprehend my Lord Jesus Christ! Until
then, may I grow in grace and the knowledge of Him. (2 Pet. 3:18)
4) My devotion and service will be perfect - "And His servants shall serve Him."
(Rev. 22:3) My service will be without cessation, weariness, and failure; in the joy and
freedom of heavenly and eternal love!
5) My reward will be righteously bestowed -"What is my reward then?" - Is there
not the soul-winners crown to gain, the crown of rejoicing? (1 Thess. 2:19,20) Of
righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8) Of glory for faithful shepherds (1 Pet. 5:4) The incorruptible
crown (1 Cor. 9:24-27) The martyr's crown (Rev. 2:10). The nameless crown of Rev. 3:11,12.
Be reminded of the exhortation, "Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things
which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward." (2 John 8)
6) My longing heart shall be satisfied - "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with
thy likeness." (Ps. 17:15) Perfect and eternal satisfaction, and that FOREVER!
John Bramhall
Florence, South Carolina
*********************************************************************
**Our Desired Haven***
"He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad
because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven." Ps. 107:29-30
This appropriate passage of Scripture was clearly read in Westminster Abbey by the Prince
of Wales on the solemn occasion of the funeral of Lord Mountbatten, who died so tragically
in his small fishing boat. It was sad to hear of a brave sailor who passed through all the
dangers of war (the ship he commanded was torpedoed) only to be killed by terrorists in
the U.K. How quickly and unexpectedly can life end, and how important to be prepared in
time for eternity by trusting the Author of Life.
The Scripture portrays very vividly a storm at sea. Some of us who've travelled across the
oceans can enter this experience; lifted up on the crest of the waves, then again down to
the depths, with a squeamish feeling caused by the undulating motion. Although strict
teetotallers we reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and while not exactly at
our wits' end, we long for the journey's end! Is not life just the same with its stormy
ups and downs? We are not promised a smooth passage but a safe landing. Praise God, in
Christ there are no ins and outs, "once in Him, in Him forever, thus the eternal
covenant stands." In a changing world with changing moods, we have an unchanging Word
(our chart) and an unchanging Saviour (our Captain and Pilot) who says as we sail across
life's ocean in our frail barque, "Let us go over unto the other side", for us
not Galilee, but Glory.
Under His absolute control, we are safe and secure! The ship may flounder but it cannot
founder. He has promised to bring His people out of their distresses. He makes the storm a
calm, so that the waves thereof are still. He has passed through the storm of God's
judgment for us, and has reached His desired Haven. (Ps. 24:7) Very soon we shall cross
the Bar and enter into the Heavenly Harbour, to anchor by His spear-pierced side forever.
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus." "O that men would praise the Lord for His
goodness, and for His wonderful works!
Bernard Fell
Solihull, England
*********************************************************************
***But Now...***
"But now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." Luke 16:25
In all of scripture I have yet to find two words that offer greater potential for wisdom
and understanding to men who heed their counsel than these two words.
Encapsulated by the Lord Jesus in the story of the rich man and Lazarus found in Luke 16,
specifically verse 25, are man's greatest dreams and worst nightmares - both in this life
and the life to come.
Consider first the rich man. He was rich and enjoyed the finest comforts money could buy:
The finest clothes, a nice home, the best food for his table. He evidently was unconcerned
for a poor beggar who waited outside his gate desiring the crumbs that fell from his
table. Most people today would envy him and call him a successful man. But he neglected
one thing that money could not buy - his soul's salvation. And one day he died...
Consider the beggar Lazarus. He was the poorest of the poor. In terrible pain with
grievous sores covering his body, the filthy dogs of the streets were the only attendants
to his wounds. He was starving to death when, just a few feet away, the rich man's table
was laden with food. Most people today would despise him and call him a disgrace. But he
possessed the one thing that poor people everywhere can afford to own, for it is obtained
without money and without price - his soul's salvation. And one day he died...
The rich man's eyes in his lifetime saw only pleasures; but now he lifted up his eyes in
torments to behold that his life's work had earned him his place in hell. It had not
seemed important to him in his lifetime to consider Moses and the prophets...but now...an
eternity of now tragically awakened him to the truth...but now it was forever too late.
The poor beggar Lazarus knew only pain and torments in his lifetime, but now he is
comforted. But now he is enjoying the bliss of heaven forever, but now he is rich beyond
anything any man can imagine, but now he is an heir of God, and joint-heir with Christ.
But now the sores and tears are forever gone...now.
Men in their lifetime conjure up many excuses for refusing or delaying coming to Christ -
always saying "But" to God. And always His reply is "Now."
"Behold, now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2) So
much in life seems so important to us now...but will it really matter one moment after we
enter the now of eternity?
Brent Van Ryn
Sterling, Virginia
*********************************************************************
***Light Unapproachable***
"Our Lord Jesus Christ...Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no
man can approach unto." 1 Tim. 6:16
If the approach to God were left up to man, we would be in a sad state because of this
verse. We would devise great and many schemes to seek to approach God, but all would be in
vain. There is nothing that can approach the unapproachable!
But "thanks be to God Who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(1 Cor. 15:57) He Who is unapproachable by sinner man devised the plan whereby we could be
"changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye...for the dead shall be raised
incorruptible...and this mortal shall...put on immortality." (1 Cor. 15:51-54). He
called us "out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Pet. 2:9) He provided
His Son, for "in Him was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:4¬5)
This One, Who was "a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people
Israel" (Lk. 2:32) wants to shine into your life! Be not as those in 2 Cor. 4:4, who
allow Satan to blind their minds, "lest the light of the glorious gospel of
Christ...should shine unto them." May you be as those spoken of in verse 6. "For
God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shone in our hearts, to give
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
Calvin Fritchey
Pembroke Pines, Florida
*********************************************************************
*********************************************************************
Volume 2, No. 2
February 1990
*********************************************************************
One of my father's stories goes like this; A gentleman stood up in a church one day and
suggested that the church buy a new chandelier. Another man jumped to his feet and said;
"I'm opposed to that for three reasons. First of all, it's too expensive. Secondly,
there isn't a man or woman who can play the thing, and thirdly, what we need around here
is a little more light!"
Oh, isn't that what the world needs today? Isn't that what we need as believers? How
thankful we should be that the Lord Jesus, came to bring light to a dark world! He could
say, "I am the Light of the World!" (John 9:5). One day the world will see Him
as the three disciples saw Him that day on the Mount of Transfiguration in all of His
radiant glory. His garment was whiter than any fuller could make them. (Mark 9:3). The
spectrum of colors radiated from Him. Men hated Him because "they loved darkness
rather than light because their deeds are evil." (John 3:19).
There are those who still are in darkness. Those who have not seen the Light, the Lord
Jesus. "Satan hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them!" (2
Corinthians 4:4). How does he blind our minds? He keeps our minds occupied with other
things, things that have no real meaning. God destroyed the world in Noah's day. Why?
Because "every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart was only evil
continually." (Genesis 6:5). How dark the world must have been! It still is today.
"What think ye of Christ?" Have you accepted Him, the Light, into your dark,
sinful heart? Accept Him today and know the forgiveness of your sins.
Dear Christian, how we need to "walk in the light as He is in the light" today!
We need to examine ourselves and pray as David; "Search me O God, know my heart; try
me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting." (Psalm 139:23,24). There is only one thing that can cause an eclipse,
it is when the world comes in between the Son and the Church. The apostle could say that
"now we see through a glass darkly; but then, face to face." (I Corinthians
13:12). So many things come between us and our Light, the Lord Jesus. If we expect to
shine as lights to this dark world, there must be nothing between us and Him. If there is
mud on a mirror it won't reflect much. Neither will we if there is sin in our hearts! If
there is something between the light and a mirror there will be no reflection. It is the
same when we allow anything to come between us and our glorious Light. May the Lord help
us to be what we should be. That we may not be guilty of hiding the Light, but that we may
be a clear reflection of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world of sinners who still lie in
darkness! May we also continue to learn more of Him and spend more time with Him that our
faces may shine even as Moses' face shone. The Lord Jesus said, "Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who is in
heaven." (Matthew 5:16). What we need around here is a little more light!!!
Keith Van Ryn
Atlanta, Georgia
*********************************************************************
***Make A Joyful Noise***
"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord...come before His presence with singing." Ps.
100:1-2
When meeting with the Christians at Harbour Island, Eleuthera, to worship the Lord in the
beauty of holiness, there was a dear old brother in the little circle who always sang out
of tune. The saints did not appear to mind the discord, however. You see, they were
singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord! But to my musical ears it was anything but
a joyful noise! Yet, thought I, because this brother's heart was in full harmony with the
Lord, his tuneless voice was sweet to Him Who leads the praises of His people in the midst
of the Church.
This brother did better than some who never sang at all. I once asked a sister, "Why
do you not sing?" "I cannot carry a tune," was the reply. "You never
will unless you try to raise a note," I answered. We may not be singing artists, but
we all can be singing saints. The unbeliever has no song at all, but we have a new song
put into our mouth, even praise unto our God. Let us continue to sing with the spirit and
with the understanding also.
If you're not a singing artist,
Let a joyful noise arise!
Let the heart be tuned to heaven,
Be a minstrel of the skies!
For with singing is no sighing,
Wrong is oft o'ercome with song,
Take the harp from weeping willows:
Praise the Lord the whole day long!
Bernard Fell
Solihull, England
*********************************************************************
***Thoughts...***
"That I may know Him..." Philippians 3:10
God does not keep us alive because we have a job to do, but because we have a God to
know!" I Corinthians 2:12
"At the judgment seat of Christ we shall be held accountable for not only what we
knew and what we did with it; but for what we might have known and did not."
*********************************************************************
***THE BATH: THE BASIN: ***
THE BOSOM
John 13:10, 13:5, 13:23
Meditate on these Scriptures in their spiritual order of significance and may God's rich
blessing be yours from the precious truths they present:
1 - The Bath: The Judicial Cleansing of the Soul. "Jesus says to him, he that is
washed all over, needs not to wash save his feet, but is wholly clean, and ye are
clean." (Jn. 13:10 - JND Trans.) The context reveals that Peter, after being told he
would have no part with the Lord unless his feet were washed, ardently demands to be
washed from head to foot. The Lord declares he is "wholly clean" and need but
the feet washed. Note John 15:3 where the Lord said to them, "Now are ye clean
through the word which I have spoken unto you." The disciples (except Judas) had
received their judicial cleansing of their souls! This is the bath the sinner needs; the
bath each believer receives when he or she has their sins washed away! How did we receive
this judicial bath? Read Rev. 1:5; 5:9; 7:14. We receive it through the precious blood of
Christ, as Peter declares in 1 Pet. 1:18,19, as John declares in 1 John 1:7; and as other
Scriptures testify. That one bath is satisfactory to God forever! "For by one
offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." (Heb. 10:14) Do you
remember the time you had this bath?
2 - The Basin: Moral Cleansing From Daily Defilement. "He poureth water into a basin,
and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was
girded." (Jn. 13:5) The ministry of "THE BASIN" was for their feet, the
"water" typifying the Word of God that cleanses our walk through this defiled
world! It was for our hands also. Note Eph. 5:25-26 and see the Lord's provision for
keeping His Church "sanctified" and "cleansed" until He returns -
"with the washing of water by the Word". The Psalmist wrote, "Wherewithal
shall a young man cleanse his way; by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word"
(Psa.119:9) Without this ministry, collectively or individually, our walk down here would
not be in fellowship with Him - see John 13:8.
Look at the Priest in the Old Testament. When instituted to the office he was given a
ceremonial bath (see Ex.29:4; Lev.8:6) and only once. Yet, when serving Jehovah in
connection with the Tabernacle ministry, he must wash his hands and feet before each act
of service. Read Ex.30:17-21 and see its importance. What a blessed type for us! One bath,
but always using the laver of the Word of God! Saint, do not neglect the
"BASIN". The Risen Lord still uses this to wash our feet and to wipe them gently
with a towel. Is it not written, "He will keep the feet of His saints?" (1 Sam.
2:9)
3 - The Bosom: The Divine Purpose. - To reach the Bosom of Christ! "Now there was
leaning on Jesus' bosom, one of the disciples whom Jesus loved." (Jn. 13:23) Is not
this where the ministry of the "BASIN" will bring us? Nearer to the One sent
from the "bosom of the Father" (Jn. 1:18), in order that we may now lean on
"the bosom of His Son!" John knew this above the others and proved it, enjoyed
it! He boasts not of his love for Jesus, but the love of Jesus for him! There is room for
you, and me, on His bosom. There we find REST! (Psa.37:7; Matt.11:28-30) Rest for heart
and mind; from heartaches and trials. We also find SAFETY, for it is the bosom of Divine
Omnipotence. "Upon God alone O my soul, rest peacefully." (Psa.62:5; Song of
Solomon 8:5; Psa. 23:4) There we find KNOWLEDGE - John alone was near to Jesus to ask
Peter's question. (Jn. 13:23-25) Read Deut. 29:29 and 1 Cor. 2:15 and see when upon His
breast we learn His secrets! Best of all and greatest - we find HIS LOVE! John's secret
nearness was knowing how much Jesus loved him! His love is INSEPARABLE (Rom.8:35-39) It is
INFINITE (Eph.3:19) It is IMPELLING (2 Cor. 5:14) Are you and am I finding out His love?
My fellow believer, rejoice in your BATH! and use the BASIN to get to the BOSOM! It will
support you all the way home to glory, until we see His face! Let our prayer be -
"Nearer! Still nearer! Close to Thine heart,
Draw me my Saviour, So precious Thou art;
Fold me, oh fold me, Close to Thy breast -
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest!"
John Bramhall
Florence, South Carolina
*********************************************************************
***Alive...For Him***
I read recently and believe to be true this statement, "The vast majority of
individuals who accept Christ as their Saviour do so because of a life lived for Christ by
someone that person knows!"
I so often think of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, as he sat at the table with
the Lord Jesus in John 12. It says, "that the leaders of the Jews sought to kill him
because many believed on Christ because of him." It does not say that he did anything
or said anything. Of course in the 11th chapter of John it tells us that he was dead and
the Lord raised him from the dead. So he that had been dead was now alive and so it is in
the life of the one who lives for Christ. We are as Paul says; "I am crucified with
Christ, nevertheless I live, (I died but now live) yet not I but Christ liveth in me and
the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me
and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
I thought of that verse in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven!"
Isn't that precious? We are to live in the light, if our light would shine, we are to walk
in the light as He is in the light. When we do that, we expose our sins and clean them up
and thus live more Godlike, and what does God do?? He cares for others, so we care for
others, and thus our good works are known.
The very special part of this verse is that when we truly walk that way and do good works,
we do not get in the way of the One Who is living in us and deserves the glory. When we
are walking pleasing to Him, people will see Christ in every action and they will not
glorify us, but Him. How very precious for many reasons; (1) It is our joy to honor Him;
(2) It is a blessing for others to see Him; (3) We shall not lose our reward; (4) Pride is
done away with; (5) Contentions are done away with because it is for Him.
Hide it under a basket? NO!! You see he does not call on us to serve, follow or care for
others without supplying the resources, power and the companionship, so why shouldn't they
glorify HIM?
Carroll Van Ryn
Frostproof, Florida
*********************************************************************