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Volume 1, No. 1
June 1989
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***As Thy Days So Shall Thy Strength Be!***
Deuteronomy 33:25
When folk kindly inquire of my state of health, I do not begin to recount a catalog of
infirmities, (I have a few), or begin to give an "organ" recital, as another has
expressed it. No! I usually say I am fairly well for a young man, thank you! At 82, this
is not merely a touch of humor, but rather a desire to keep young in spirit, and maintain
the bloom of youth in the garden of life until I am transplanted above.
Now this is not presumptuous on my part; for does not the Scripture say, "Though our
outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." Again, "But they
that wait upon the Lord shall renew (or change) their strength: they shall mount up with
wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and shall walk and not faint." Keep
young!! His grace is sufficient for us, and our weakness is just our capacity to receive
His strength.
All in Christ, O wondrous truth,
Though the outward man decay,
There's renewal day by day.
Hearts may fail, and eyes grow dim,
Blest reversal now in Him!
In a life which cannot cease,
As thy days, thy powers increase.
Bernard Fell
Solihull, England
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***Four Warnings in Colossians 2.***
Paul was in great conflict of soul (vs. 1) for the believers, that they should be
"knit together" in love (vs.2). He uses the same word in Ephesians 4:16, where
it is translated "compacted", suggesting the need for closeness of fellowship
and unity amongst the saints. Even the world realizes the necessity for cooperation to
achieve a given goal when they say: "No man is an island."
The writer then goes on to give the warnings:
(1) Beware lest any man should beguile you (delude, deceive by false reasoning) with
enticing words (plausible, the employment of plausible arguments) - vs. 4.
You see in that one statement two tactics of Satan today...on the one hand he seeks to
delude us with false reasoning, such as the cults are using and then he entices us with
plausible arguments. Though something might seem so reasonable and logical, if it does not
"check" with the Word of God, we're better to flee! Many young people are led
into second-best situations by well meaning friends with enticing arguments.
(2) Beware lest any man spoil you (carry away captive) with philosophy (love of wisdom) -
vs.8.
This warning is sounded forth to caution us in pursuit of higher education...keep it in
its' proper perspective. Then too, the verse covers using men's logic and tradition as an
established principle of life, rather than God's Word as our sole pattern.
(3) Let no man judge you - vs. 16.
We are taught in Romans 14 that we are not to judge one another for we must all give
account of ourselves; and in I Corinthians 11, we are to judge ourselves. I suggest the
thought in our text is that we are not to be intimidated by the judgement of others: their
rules and regulations held out to us as standards of conduct for achieving spirituality,
etc. "Let no man despise thy youth."
(4) Let no man beguile you of your reward - vs.18.
Grant suggests: "Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary
humility---Christians were not to do their own will in that which looked indeed like
humility." Brothers and sisters, the same challenge stands before us today - do not
revert to gimmicks and "voluntary humility" to achieve favor in the eyes of God
or His people. Rather prove yourself by a consistent lifestyle---no pilgrimages necessary.
So there you have four warnings for both young and older believers alike - beware of the
influence of others if they are not "in the Book" consistently. Man can so
easily distract us ---Brethren beware!
Bill Gustafson
Waynesboro, Georgia
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***Finished the Work***
"I have glorified Thee on the earth; I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to
do." John 17:4
" For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth
the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it, lest ...all that behold it begin to mock
him." Luke 14:28-29
"I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do." One can easily imagine a
child speaking such words with pride to his father, informing him of an assigned job just
completed. But, oh, how majestic is the actual context in which these words were spoken!
Our Lord Jesus Christ, with Gethsemane, Golgotha, and the grave looming before Him, sums
up the brief 33-year sojourn in life amongst men by saying to God, His Father, "I
have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do."
Many who claim the name of Christ do not view their lives as composing a work for God.
Therefore, it is no wonder that although their life-span may be as much as two or three
times that of the Son of God, there is no 'finished work' that marks their lives.
The world gives little credit to the artist who half-finishes a painting, or to the
builder who does not complete the structure he has started. How much higher are the
standards of a holy and righteous God in viewing the "life's work" of His
children!
Let us labor to hear that glorious and honored acclamation, "Well done (finished),
thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!"
Let us labor for the Master
From the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous
Love and care,
Then when all of life is over
And our work on earth is done,
When the roll is called up yonder
I'll be there!
Brent Van Ryn
Sterling, Virginia
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***The Eternal Perspective***
"I was envious of the proud, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." Psalm 73
Nothing in life seems more unfair than the prosperity of the wicked. Christians battle
with temptation, suffer deprivation, and discipline themselves to live godly lives, and
yet it seems like it is the ungodly who get rich, enjoy themselves, and in general, get
the good things in life. It doesn't seem fair.
Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, felt this way. He was deeply distressed by the apparent
injustice of life until he saw life in the eternal perspective.
It's like those birthday cards where the front of the card has a window through which you
see a little picture. But when you open the card and see the whole picture, you realize
that what you saw through the window wasn't the true story. Imagine you are looking at
such a card, and through the window on the front you see--the wicked. He's riding a roller
coaster with a girl on each arm and wads of money bulging out his pockets. You say,
"It isn't fair! He's so ungodly and look at how well off he is!" Then you open
the card and you see that the roller coaster track ends just ahead in a 500 foot drop. Now
you say, "That poor fool. He's headed straight for destruction and he doesn't even
know it."
Asaph was envious of the prosperous wicked until he understood their end (verses 17-20).
When you get discouraged because the wicked seem to be better off in life, read Psalm 73
and get the "Eternal Perspective!"
If I gained the world, but lost the Saviour,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that soon must pass away?
If I gained the world, but had no Saviour,
Would my gain be worth the life-long strife?
Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing
For a moment with a Christ-filled life?
Fran Schmidt
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Volume 1, No.2
July 1989
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We are often weighed down by the cares of this life, and the Scripture exhorts us in these
times to "think on (consider) these things." We are to "consider Him that
endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in
your minds." Heb. 12:3. If we but stop and consider what He endured on our behalf,
our troubles would fade from view, and we would see Jesus only.
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an
one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Gal.
6:1. The emphasis here is not on the fault, but on restoration, yet often we as believers
are quick to criticize the erring one, and be more concerned with the awfulness of the
sin, instead of the awfulness of the separation from fellowship. Our words should be as
the Lord's words, "Go, and sin no more."
"Consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works." Heb. 10:24. I
found it real easy as a child to provoke my brother to a fight, but a bit more difficult
to provoke to love. However, the Scripture is clear - as we consider Him, and consider
ourselves, we can consider one another for good.
David Van Ryn
With the Lord September 9, 1990
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***Go Again Seven Times***
It was an embarrassment to the organist, and to the brother who opened the meeting for me
at Current, North Eleuthera, when at the second verse of the first hymn, the music faded
out completely. In this minor emergency, we were thankful our vocal organs continued to
function fairly well! In times past, I was able to put in order the old-type pump organ,
but when I saw a bunch of wires in this modern instrument, and knowing nothing of
electronics, I knew my old-time skill would not avail! We were in need of a serviceman,
but in those more remote parts, such an one is hard to find, and to send to Nassau would
take time and expense.
In the apartment adjoining the Chapel, I sought the Lord's help the next day, and returned
to the empty Chapel in the confidence of faith that God would answer my prayer. I gently
pressed down the keys, but there was nothing, and silence still prevailed. I returned to
the apartment a little disappointed, when the Word came to me, "Go again seven
times." 1 Kings 18:43. In Elijah's day the seventh time brought forth the showers,
and as my fingers (of a man's hand) ouched the keys, the dumb instrument brought forth the
sound of abundance of melody! And never did music sound sweeter to my ears than at that
moment!
Another brother opened the meeting that night, and remarked, "I see we have the
music. I do not know who fixed the organ, but we are happy to see it working." In the
message which followed, I made it clear Who "fixed it".
If the note of praise and worship has disappeared from your life, pray that God will
reproduce the heavenly music. The Throne of Grace is always at hand, and, if need be,
"Go again seven times!"
He takes our humble talents now,
And with them blends His power,
He fills the soul with music sweet,
And charms the lonesome hour.
With grace to tarry by our side,
Our feeble hands employ,
From life's sad discords reproduce
Sweet harmonies of joy.
Bernard Fell
Solihull, England
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***What is Success?***
Much is thought, said and written about "success" in these days. People by the
thousands are desperately trying to attain it in the political, business, social and even
the so-called religious spheres. Scores of "success books" are being disgorged
from the presses and eagerly snapped up by the budding aspirants to fame.
It has been described by one as "the ability to make more money to meet obligations
you wouldn't have if you didn't have so much money." The dictionary is the only place
where "success" comes before "work". Success is a ladder which cannot
be climbed with your hands in your pockets.
God also desires His people to be successful, in the Scriptural and spiritual sense of
that term. He makes certain characters to appear before us as such, including Enoch, Noah,
Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Daniel and many others.
Another group is notorious because of their failure. Lot depicts the failure of a
successful businessman; King Saul, the smallest big man; Solomon, the wisest fool; and
Samson, the weakest strong man.
The word "success" is used but once in the King James version of our Bible. God
gave to Joshua in Chapter One of that book the Divine prescription of true success: (1)
The Promise of His Presence - vs. 5 - "as I was with Moses, so I will be with
thee."; (2) The Assurance of His Faithfulness - vs. 5 - "I will not forsake
thee."; (3) The Encouragement of His Word - vs. 6 - "I sware unto their fathers
to give them" the land.; (4) The Necessity of Obedience - vs. 7 - "Do, according
to all the law"; (5) Meditate therein day and night - vs. 8. It was to be read by
word of mouth, recalled by meditation, and reproduced by obedience! The result? "Then
thou shalt have good success!" Vs. 8.
A young Christian, after graduating from college, obtained an interview with the president
of the corporation for whom his Dad had worked for many years. The president, after
extolling the merits of his company and the many opportunities for an ambitious young man,
said: "Success should not be measured by a man's material attainment. I suppose you
think that if you got my job some day, you would have made the grade? Well, I have a man
who has worked for me since he was your age. He has made a greater success of his life,
than I have of mine. Do you know who I am talking about? "I surely do," answered
the young fellow, for he knew that his Dad had put the Lord first in his life.
One of the greatest compliments to the success of Joshua's life was paid following his
death, by an inspired scribe, as related in the last chapter of that book: "And
Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that over
lived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord, that the Lord had done for
Israel." (Josh. 24:31)
Donald Parker
With the Lord
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***Who, What and When?***
"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. A little while, and he that shall come
will come, and will not tarry." Luke 12:32, Galatians 5:9, & Hebrews 10:37.
Who? The sheep of Christ, a little flock, are destined to share in the everlasting kingdom
of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of these He says, "I know My sheep, and am known of
mine...they shall never perish." John 10:14, 27-28.
What? In the Church, a little evil - moral or doctrinal - affects the whole body. How
important, then, to confess and forsake all known sin, for "to love the Lord is to
hate evil."
When? We await His return from heaven. Seven times over in John 16:16-19, His absence is
called a "little while". He does not promise that He is coming soon, but He does
promise He is coming suddenly. "Surely, I come quickly!" (Rev. 22:20).
Elliot Van Ryn
Hialeah, Florida
A little while, come, Savior, come,
For Thee Thy Bride has waited long,
Oh, take Thy wearied pilgrims home,
To sing the new, eternal song.
To see Thy glory and to be
In everything conformed to thee.
James Deck.
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***The History of Christianity***
Beloved of the Lord, Christianity is not a religion! It is a blessed PERSON - and is the
HISTORY OF CHRIST! We turn from secular writings to consider the illuminating words of the
Son of God in John 16:28: "I came out from the Father, and have come into the world;
again, I leave the world, and go to the Father." - J.N. Darby Trans. Four fundamental
facts summarize the history of Christ as stated by Him in these precious words.
1 - His Unoriginated Sonship - "I came out from the Father" - revealing to us
His pre-existence in a past eternity and the perfect Oneness of the Father and the Son!
They also emphasize the essential relationship of Christ as the Son of the Father before
He became incarnate! He did not become the Son at His birth, as some teach, failing to
recognize Him as "the only begotten Son, Who IS in the bosom of the Father."
John 1:18. When John by the Spirit wrote the word "IS", he declared it to be an
eternal "IS"! HOLD THIS FACT!
2 - His Incarnation - "and have come into the world". Here we have His earthly
pilgrimage from the manger to the cross! His birth, life, and ministry are all involved.
"The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14. Paul
declared, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Timothy 1:15. An
incomparable, impeccable and incorruptible life was His - "holy, harmless, undefiled,
separate from sinners" Hebrews 7:26. The history of Christianity is built upon a
sinless Man Who said, "Which of you convinceth Me of sin?" John 8:46. Hold fast
the truth of His Impeccability! Not alone that He did not sin, but that He could not sin!
3 - His Death, Resurrection, Ascension - "again, I leave the world." How did He
depart? His departure was uniquely impressive, different from all others! He foreknew it -
"Jesus, knowing that His hour had come that He should depart out of this world",
etc. John 13:1. How? By being "obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross." Philippians 2:8. It is the matchless, wondrous story of our redemption when
He became the sacrifice of all the ages for the whole world - John 1:29, 1 John 2:2. Yet
"raised the third day, according to the Scriptures" - 1 Cor. 15:4; then
"carried up to heaven" - Luke 24:51, Acts 1:9-11. This is the Gospel "which
ye have received, in which ye also stand, by which also ye are saved!" - 1 Cor. 15:2.
The history of Christianity alone proclaims a crucified, buried and risen Savior! This was
the Father's way for Him to leave the world. By doing so, He provided an eternal
redemption for you and for me. No man in all human history, nor all men together, has done
nor could do such a work of eternal salvation. He stands alone as the Savior of the world.
Hold it, yes, TELL IT!
4 - His Exaltation - "and go to the Father." Back to the Father, to the One to
Whom He was related in eternity past as the eternal Son! Coming from the Father and
returning to the Father are inseparably linked to His eternal Sonship. The Father never
ceased to be with Him! "I and My Father are One" - John 10:30. When all forsook
Him, He said, "and yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me" - John 16:32.
Listen to His words at the close of His sacrificial work on the cross, a darkness and
experience beyond our human comprehension, yet when finished, He cried with a loud voice,
"Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit!" Can it be presumptuous to say that
in the sufferings of the cross His heart delighted to know He was doing the will of His
Father? or that the Father was delighted in His Son at that time doing the Father's will?
Then when all was finished, truly could he pray, "Father, I am no longer in the
world...I come to Thee!" - John 17:11. Now He is exalted! To be the King of the
world, the universe - and you and I to share that coming glory with Him. This is the story
of Christianity - The HISTORY OF CHRIST! What a history! - and eternal glories yet to be
revealed! HOLD IT!! It is beyond human comprehension, but not beyond believing!
John Bramhall
Florence, South Carolina
But the high mysteries of His Name,
The creature's grasp transcend,
The Father only - glorious claim!
The Son can comprehend.
Joseph Conder.
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