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Volume 3, No. 1
January/February/March 1991
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"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8.
Oh, how marvelous to know that the Lord Jesus is always the same! His power is the same.
His love is the same. His judgments are the same. His promises are the same.
"All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." (Matt. 28:18). "All
things are upheld by the word of His power." (Heb. 1:3). "We are kept by the
power of God..." (I Pet. 1:5). It is wonderful to know that the Lord Jesus is in
control. The One with all power is the One who is gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous
in mercy. "He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our
iniquities." Praise His Name!
"He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love." "In this was made
known the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the
world, that we might live through Him." (I Jn. 4:8,9). Those who have put their trust
in the Lord Jesus and received Him as Saviour have His Word that "nothing can ever
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord!" (Rom. 8:39).
"The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." (Psa. 19:9).
David would pray in Psalm 139; "Search me, O God, and 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." Abraham asked; "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do
right?" As we look to the cross, we wonder afresh at the grace of God, when we see
"the Lord laying on Him (the Lord Jesus) the iniquity of us all". (Isa. 53:6).
"There hath not failed one word of all His good promise." (I Ki. 8:56).
"For all the promises of God in Him are yea and in Him Amen unto the glory of
God." (II Cor. 1:20). The Lord has not changed one bit, and He lives in the power of
an endless life so that He can see to it that His Word of promise is kept to the letter.
He is faithful that promised!
There has been much that has happened in the past months. Few of us ever dreamed we would
see what has happened in Europe, the war in Iraq and the ever increasing difficult times.
How important it is for us that know the Saviour simply to lean on His breast and never
forget that He is the same. He is the One "Who sitteth upon the circle of the
earth." (Isa.40:22). For those who have not yet put their trust in the Saviour,
please accept Him today. In a world that is constantly changing, praise His Name He never
changes. Yes, the One who is all powerful is all loving, and the One whose judgments are
the same is the One who bore our sins in His own body on the tree! He has promised to come
again..."Even so come, Lord Jesus."
Isn't it remarkable dear Christian, that God Who made the world in six days is still
putting up with us after all these years? How faithful He is to us. He will not quit
working with us until we are home with Him. "For it is God which worketh in you both
to will and to do of His good pleasure." (Phil. 2:13). Let us then be true and
faithful, trusting, serving every day...just one glimpse of Him in glory, will the toils
of life repay.
Keith Van Ryn
Atlanta, Georgia
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***Seen the Doctor Lately?***
Let me introduce you to the Great Physician who said, "They that be whole need not a
physician, but they that are sick." Matthew 9:12. He never lost a case of sickness
entrusted to His care, nor charged a single fee for His service. He actually created the
body so that we can say with the Psalmist, "I am fearfully and wonderfully
made". So, who could be more qualified to deal with our often infirmities than He?
The Great Physician is always at hand in time of need: there are no waiting lists, and no
appointment is necessary: for our prayer puts us in immediate touch, and faith lays hold
of His promise to help.
Good health is a great blessing but it is wise to have a medical overhaul occasionally,
specially as years increase. But more important is the health of the soul, and the need of
a constant spiritual check-up. "Beloved. I wish above all things that thou mayest
prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2. How is the
"hidden man of the heart" progressing these days? The local doctor may say,
"Let me feel your pulse". The rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as the blood
is propelled along them will reveal any hardening. The spiritual pulse will indicate if
the flow of the Spirit is in good supply, or hindered, quenched, or grieved. "Lest
any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" Hebrews 3:13, and the flow
of praise and thanksgiving to God be
curtailed.
"Let me test your heart", says the local doctor, as he applies the stethoscope
and listens carefully to its beat and will notice any disorderly action. The Great
Physician applies the instrument of His Word to this important organ, and what is the
diagnosis? "Deceitful above all things and incurably sick." Jeremiah 17:9. As
sinners, we all suffer from heart-trouble by nature, but by grace we are cleansed by the
precious blood of Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit! Does the spiritual check-up
reveal a heart untroubled (John 14:6), prayerful (Psalm 119:10), burning (Luke 24:32),
melodious, (Ephesians 5:19), and one that does not condemn us (John 3:21)?
It is the Doctor who carries out the examination, not the patient. The Psalmist said,
"Search me, O God, and know my heart." Self-examination is profitable but often
not very deep. The true knowledge of our spiritual condition is revealed when we allow the
Great Physician to search us in the unsullied light of His presence, and adjust
accordingly.
Thank God, "though our outward man perish (or decays), the inner man is renewed day
by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16. In the meantime, we await the coming of the Lord
"Who shall change our body of humiliation that it may be fashioned like unto His body
of glory." Philippians 3:21.
"Then we shall be where we would be,
Then we shall be what we should be,
Things that are not now, nor could be,
Then shall be our own."
Bernard Fell
Solihull, England
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***Elijah, a Man Like Us***
How amazing to read 1 Kings 19:1-7 and see the turn of events in the life of this great
man of prayer and faith; and yet, how much like each of us. We, too, let others bother or
intimidate us (vs. 2). James would remind us that "if any is afflicted, let him
pray." (Jas. 5:13) Elijah began to flee when "he saw" (vs. 3). Doesn't that
remind us of Peter who took his eyes off the Lord and began to flounder beneath the waves.
We, too, shall experience that same unsettling feeling if we look at the situation and
circumstances instead of the Lord. Then we read in verse 4 that "he requested for
himself" - in other words, he had a totally improper perspective of his situation.
When you and I let self step to the forefront, we're headed for defeat and disappointment.
How much better if he had prayed, "Not my will, but Thine be done."
Elijah was right on one point, however. At the end of verse four we hear him say, "I
am not better than my fathers." We must often be reminded that "by the grace of
God I am what I am." We certainly are not any better than the person next to
us...we've just been recipients of the grace and mercy of a loving God. God gives His best
to those who leave the choice with him! How often we must echo the words of Rom. 8:26,
"We know not what to pray for as we ought." The Psalmist said in 61:2, "I
cry unto thee when my heart is overwhelmed."
Then to top it off, Elijah fell asleep on the job - don't we do the same? "It is now
high time to awake out of sleep." Notice, too, that God didn't shorten the journey
(even if it was too great for him), but He did bring Elijah's strength up to withstand the
journey. We can enjoy that same provision today, in spite of failure on our part,
unbelief, doubt, question, the arduous journey of life, etc. Our Great God is able to
guide and provide all along the way. PRAISE HIS NAME! He is faithful!
Bill Gustafson
Waynesboro, Georgia
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***Approachable***
"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 many great schemes to seek an approach to 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 sinners devised the plan where 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." (Jn. 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
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Volume 3, No. 2
April 1991
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"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)
We had just loaded up the car and were about to strap our two boys in when my oldest son
blurted out, "... Turn the light on, Daddy, so I can see!"
Isn't this the problem we have as believers today? We live in a "world of
darkness"; therefore, it is necessary for us to turn on the light of God's Word, so
that we can see.
The Psalmist reminds us of the two things that God's Word does. First, it shows us the
condition of our walk, by showing us our feet, "... a lamp unto my feet."
Secondly, it shows us the condition of the path we take, "... a light unto my
path." Notice the order here. If our feet are not right - if we are not in fellowship
with God - then it does not matter what the condition of the path may be, for we will
always be in the dark.
Oh, that we would allow God's Word to illuminate our lives on a more regular basis, so
that we may be able to be in constant fellowship with Him.
Paul says that ... "we all with open face beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory
of the Lord, are changed from glory to glory ... for God ... hath shined in our hearts to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor.
3:18; 4:6). God's Word accurately reflects the Lord's glory into our lives and changes us
into His blessed image.
Having taken notice of our feet, we then move out in ever widening circles as we allow
God's Word to shine upon our path.
Once we have corrected the condition of our walk, it is essential for us to concern
ourselves with the path we are traveling. It was the Lord's desire for His wayward people
who had forsaken Him to "... stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths,
where is the good way, and walk in it ... and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they
said, we will not walk in it" (Jer. 6:16).
The world changes all around us! The "old" is being refused for the
"new" and "improved". How dangerous it is for us as believers to think
that the old paths are not adequate for us today.
Let us follow the paths of the first century believers. "They continued steadfastly
in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. They distributed to
all men as every man had need; they continued daily breaking bread from house to house,
they ate with gladness and singleness of heart, and found favor with all men as the Lord
added daily to the church such as should be saved" (Acts 2:41-47).
As the Lord's people, isn't this what we really desire, in this century? Perhaps we have
forsaken the old paths and with them the One Who originally forged them out in this world.
Will we allow our foolish pride to say, yet once more, "I will not walk in it?"
By His grace, may we allow His Word to shine in both our life and way. To Him be all the
glory!
Scott Tucker
Grand Rapids, Michigan
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***Do You Remember?***
We do well to remember that the aim of true Biblical teaching is to produce not just
orthodoxy (which is absolutely essential), but love..."out of a pure heart, and of a
good conscience, and of faith unfeigned" (1 Tim. 1:5). Simply put, if my knowledge of
truth results not in loving devotion, dependence, and confidence in the Lord Jesus, my
faith is in danger of shipwreck at sea while on my journey to glory. It is not enough just
to be doctrinally sound as to the Christian faith. H. Smith wrote, "Does not
Scripture warn us that it is possible to preach with all the eloquence of men and
angels, and yet be nothing? That which bears fruit for God, and will have its bright
reward in the day to come, is the life of godliness from which all true service must
flow." The life of godliness is
rooted in fervent love for Christ (John 14:15,21,23,31; 15:13-14).
I find it solemn that this Ephesian church of I Tim. 1:5, which Timothy was charged to
instruct in sound doctrine, is later declared very orthodox by the Lord Jesus Himself, but
rebuked for forsaking Him as their first love (Rev. 2:2-4)! Note, this took place as they
walked sound in doctrine. It happened to the Galatians through error in doctrine (Gal.
4:9). They exchanged genuine interaction with God for the error and fleshliness of ritual.
They were so apart from truth they could never properly know Him to love Him. But the
Ephesians left their first love while in truth. Knowingly did John write, "Grace be
with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son
of the Father, in truth and love" (2 John 3). It is not possible to love apart from
truth, but truth is not made perfect without love (notice all the Ephesian church was
commended for, yet were lacking in -- Rev. 2:2,3).
So how does the Lord address this condition in those spiritually mature those who, tried
in faith and labors, had proven patient, but nevertheless grown cold? Those who had
possibly slowly shifted their dependence from the Lord Jesus to their orthodoxy, or their
accomplishments, or their track record? Those who, in all their ant-like activity so right
in itself, had allowed a tragedy? The Lord told them, "Remember therefore from whence
thou art fallen...and repent...and do the first works" (Rev. 2:5).
What an ironic twist! Those of spiritual maturity are told to REMEMBER -- to turn to the
condition of heart with which they first embraced the Lord Jesus in spiritual infancy,
when they sensed their need of Him in every area of life -- that original, fresh,
enthusiastic, and intimate devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Remember...that moment when He forgave you and made out of your sin-ravaged life a child
of God instead? How you anointed His feet with the ointment of your loving, grateful
worship and ceased not to kiss the feet of Him Whose glory was your aim (Luke 7:44- 47)?
"Love...out of a pure heart."
Remember...how precious His presence was the time He first entered your life? How He
affected all you did and being right with Him overshadowed the value of all else as you
said, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any
thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold" (Luke 19:8)?
"Love...of a good conscience."
Remember...that instant "the Christ, the Son of the living God" was revealed to
your being? When the light of His glory from heaven shining round about you obscured all
other power, dominion, or purpose from your sight, and you entrusted all and said,
"Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" because you just couldn't wait to do only
what the Lord of glory purposed for you (Acts 9:6)? "Love...of faith unfeigned."
Consider 2 Kings 2:19-21: "And the men of the city said unto Elisha, `Behold, I pray
thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught,
and the ground barren...." And what was the answer to this condition? The Lord
Himself! -- For He said, "I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence
any more death or barren land."
So beware, beloved, lest we be found with many things...not Him.
What's more, little else can discourage other believers more (especially the younger ones)
or give them a false impression of what spiritual maturity should be, than this condition
in older, more mature brethren.
"Now the end (aim) of the commandment is love...." Are you in love?
Henry Sardiņa
Union, Missouri
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***She Loved Much***
One of the highest commendations given by the Lord was to "a woman in the city which
was a sinner" (Lk. 7:37). He declared of her, "SHE LOVED MUCH" (Lk. 7:47).
Why such great love? Let us consider her conversion in Luke 7:37-38. Seven facts about her
are given - not what she SAID, but what she DID! Actions speak louder than words!
1 - SHE CAME TO HIS FEET - the place of DECISION. She sought the Saviour only, being
oblivious to all others present. JESUS WAS THERE! - and to HIM alone she came! What did
others matter? She wanted HIM! Like the prodigal of Luke 15, the language of her heart
was, "I will arise; and go to HIM, saying, I have sinned against heaven and before
Thee." It was the most momentous decision of her life, for time and eternity!
2 - SHE STOOD AT HIS FEET - the place of SUBMISSION. Silent, immovable, she stands in His
presence. His words of mercy, love and grace had won her heart and now she indicates her
yieldedness to His claims, as though to say, like Saul of Tarsus, "Lord, what wilt
THOU have me to do" (Acts 9:6)? He had knocked at her heart's door and now she stood
at His heart's door in SUBMISSION!
3 - SHE WEPT AT HIS FEET - the place of true CONTRITION. Her lips inaudible, but with
unmistakable proof of sorrow and remorse for her past, and blessed relief for the
forgiveness she had found, her tears of love and joy flow over His feet. It expressed the
language of a sincere penitent as though to say, "Wash me thoroughly from mine
iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin" (Ps. 51:2). "Out of much affliction of
heart..and with many tears" (2 Cor.2:4), she poured on His feet her token of
contrition. It was the best place, and before the best Person, to weep!
4 - SHE WASHED HIS FEET - the place of HUMILIATION. Simon failed in hospitality to his
illustrious GUEST, but her tears flowed copiously upon His feet and washed them. She could
stoop no lower than He Himself did, when washing the disciples' feet in the upper room
(John 13). Was she not fulfilling those words of exhortation written later by Paul,
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5). She now
possessed the lowly mind of her Saviour!
To be in humility at His blessed feet!
5 - SHE WIPED HIS FEET - the place of CONSECRATION. When the Lord washed His disciples'
feet, He used basin and towel; but she took her glory ("for if a woman have long
hair, it is a glory to her") and thus she wiped His feet (1 Cor. 11:15). The truth of
Rom. 12:1 was fulfilled: the yielding of her "body" - presenting herself as
"a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service." What an act of literal consecration was this!
6 - SHE KISSED HIS FEET - the place of AFFECTION. Not once, but unceasingly, she planted
her kisses on those blessed feet (Lk. 7:45). Judas planted a betrayal kiss on the blessed
cheek of the Lord, but "this woman hath not ceased to kiss my feet," said Jesus.
But why His feet? "How BEAUTIFUL are the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings"
(Isa. 52:7)! They were the most beautiful feet in all humanity to her and should be to us!
The true place for our affection is AT HIS FEET.
7 - SHE ANOINTED HIS FEET - the place of ADORATION. The precious, fragrant anointing oil
upon His feet was the climactic evidence of her appreciation and love. Like Mary of
Bethany, the odor of the ointment must have filled the house. It was WORSHIP - "in
the Spirit and rejoicing in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:3).
Her attitude and actions demonstrated the completeness of her salvation without one word
being spoken! Have we demonstrated by our attitude and actions what can be done to please
HIM? And that is - AT HIS FEET! That is where we, too, can "LOVE MUCH!"
"Low at Thy feet, Lord Jesus,
Only Thyself, Lord Jesus,
This is the place for me;
Conquered my wayward will;
Here I have learned sweet lessons,
But, for Thy love constraining,
Truth that has set me free.
I had been wayward still."
John Bramhall
Florence, South Carolina
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