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Volume 3, No.5
July 1991
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How are you feeling today, dear fellow believer? Have the pressures and the pleasures of
this life been such lately as to fill you with discouragement and depression?
Our text today is found in Hebrews 12:3-4: "For consider Him that endured such
contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye
have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin."
It is a holy art all but lost today in the hustle and bustle of our lives. It is not that
we misplaced it, but that we stopped using it and, thereby, have forfeited its benefit in
our lives. When was the last time you actually made time to stop and meditate on Him?
The writer to the Hebrews tells us that we become weary only when we forget to consider
Him. He is careful to point out that it is not just a consideration of Him, but also a
consideration of what He has done.
For the few lines left to us in this editorial, let us consider Him and what He has done!
Luke 3:21 tells us that our Lord opened His public ministry not with an eloquent sermon or
with some mighty miracle; rather, He chose to begin His ministry to us by prayer! Oh, the
importance our Lord placed on a life of prayer! It is immensely interesting that at the
end of His public ministry, we find Him engaged in the same thing - -prayer. Luke 23:34
tells us that it was then, and only then, after all mankind had done the very worst they
could do, that the Lord Jesus broke the silence which began from Gabbatha to Golgotha.
The angels, who had been charged with His keeping while He was here, were listening for
one Word from their Master - "Come!" They remembered how He had said, just after
the last sentry left Him alone in the garden, "...thinkest thou that I can not now
pray to my Father and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?"
The angelic multitude had gathered at the threshold of heaven and earth, expecting His
Word to come, having witnessed such cruelty and wickedness. They watched in wonder as the
Holy One painfully struggled to catch His breath so that He might speak. They were ready,
and now He would call ... "Father ... forgive them, for they know not what they
do!" Oh, how the guardians fell silent! Never before had they seen such grace
displayed, "for where sin abounded, grace did much more abound!" Did this world
of sinful beings really deserve anything short of judgment? The very last thing they
expected was an intercessory prayer for forgiveness. But, oh, such is the love and grace
of God to sinful men! It is no wonder that the angels "desire to look into these
things."
They watched with adoring wonder as our Lord would lift Himself up yet 6 more times to
speak from the cross. It is only after having endured the darkness and the terror of our
sin that they heard their Master pray yet once more. Having cried with a loud voice,
"It is finished!" the Lord Jesus prayed, "Father, into Thy hands I commend
My spirit, and having said this, He gave up the ghost."
The work is completed to perfection! Man's relationship with God can now be forever
restored. With His work once and forever done, the Testator dies so that this new
testament may have force (Hebrews 9:17). And here our souls may rest for all eternity!
When He commended His spirit to the Father in heaven, He commended the spirits of all
those who would believe on Him, as well. With His work forever completed, He is seated at
the Father's right hand, waiting until His work in us is completed so that we might reign
with Him.
Dear child of God, if our meditation of Him does not banish away all our discouragement,
then nothing will! May we, as the Psalmist, "meditate also of all Thy work, and talk
of Thy doing" (Psalm 77:12).
Scott Tucker
Grand Rapids, Michigan
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***Elijah's Prayer on Mt. Carmel ***
I Kings 18
In verse 21 of the chapter, we hear Elijah asking the soul-searching question: "How
long halt ye between two opinions?" We do well to ask that question today...of
ourselves and of those around us for Scripture teaches us that the "double-minded man
is unstable in all his ways." Those of us who are believers can have divided
affection just as easily as the unconverted. But in our chapter, Elijah stood out for the
Lord in the following ways: (1) he obeyed God's Word - vs. 30-31; (2) he was an example
for good - vs. 36; (3) he honored the Name of the Lord - vs. 37; and (4) forgiveness was
made available to others because the sacrifice was accepted. Oh, how we need to hear the
admonition of the apostle to Timothy when he said: "But be thou an example." My,
how many times we have failed in this area! Let's be like Elijah, so that men might
"see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven."
Bill Gustafson
Waynesboro, Georgia
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***The Father's Cup***
What perfect submission to the Father's will is shown by the Lord when He said to Peter,
"The cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11). The
portion of sorrow, suffering and death given Him can only be fully known to God the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Let us reverently seek to meditate on it for some blessing
and practical instruction.
1. PREPARED BY THE FATHER'S WISDOM - In his Pentecostal sermon, Peter declared that though
wicked hands crucified the Lord, it was "by the determined counsel and foreknowledge
of God" (Acts 2:23). Later, he writes that it was "verily foreordained before
the foundation of the world" (1 Pet. 1:20). He was the sacrificial Lamb,
"without blemish and without spot," for our redemption. "Oh, the depth of
the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God" (Rom. 11:33). The cup was prepared in
a past eternity!
2. APPOINTED IN THE FATHER'S LOVE - The Father loved Him "before the foundation of
the world" (John 17:24). He loved Him when on the earth (John 3:35; 5:20). Loved Him
in death (John 10:17)! The Son of His love knew the cup prepared was offered with His
Father's love, for the Son eternally dwells in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18). The
cup, with its awful contents, was the appointment from the Father of love!
3. DESIGNED FOR THE FATHER'S SON - It is "given ME," said Jesus. Myriads of
celestial and terrestrial beings have been created, but this cup was for the Son alone. He
"made BY HIMSELF the purification of sins." (Heb. 1:3 - J.N.D. Trans. Quote -
"The form of the verb here - made - had a peculiar reflexive force - having done it
for Himself.' Though we, as sinners alone, have the profit, yet the work was done within
His own Person, without us.") Why "for Himself?" He purchased the
"Pearl of great price" for Himself (Matt. 13:45,46). The redemption and
glorification of His Bride was for Himself (Eph. 5:25-27)! The Father's design was to
bestow upon His beloved Son everlasting joy and glory through eternal ages (Eph. 3:21;
Rev. 11:15).
4. ACCEPTED FOR THE FATHER'S SAKE - "Shall I not drink it?" said the Lord. Did
not the Son declare to His Father, "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God" (Heb.
10:7,9). To His disciples He said, "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me,
and to finish His work" (John 4:34). His agony in Gethsemane, as the cup pressed
nearer to His soul, we hear Him say, "Nevertheless, not My will but Thine be
done" (Lk. 22:42), as He pours out His burdened heart to the Father. Perfect
submission! For the Father's sake, He goes to the cross and drains the bitter cup (John
17:4).
"Death and the Curse were in our cup -
O Christ! 'twas full for Thee!
But Thou hast drained the last dark drop,
'Tis empty now for me.
That bitter cup - love drank it up;
Left but the love for me."
Beloved, has not the Father prepared our cup in His wisdom? Appointed it in His love?
Designed it for His child? Shall we not accept it for the Father's sake and glory? Ours
can never be compared with His cup that He drank. Why should it then be hard to say,
"Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done!"
"Every joy and trial, falleth from above;
Traced upon our dial, by the SON OF LOVE"
From our Savior's example, may we truly learn that - THE GREATEST MISSION IN THE WORLD IS
SUBMISSION!
John Bramhall
Florence, South Carolina
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***The Offerings***
In Leviticus 9, Moses told the children of Israel to bring a sin offering, a burnt
offering, peace offerings, and a meal offering and offer them before the Lord. Why? Was
there some gross sin today? No! Was the whole congregation disobedient to God today? No!
Well, then, why? "For today the Lord will appear unto you" was the reason given.
What about today, 1991? Have we offered our sin offering unto the Lord? No, not an animal
sacrifice, but the "sacrifice of praise...the fruit of our lips" to God for
Jesus, our sin offering (Heb. 13:15). Have we offered our burnt (voluntary) offering?
"But to do good and to share forget not, for with such sacrifices God is
well-pleased. I beseech you, therefore, brethren...that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice" (Heb. 13:16; Rom. 12:1-2). Have we brought our peace offering of
thanksgiving? "Abounding with thanksgiving" (Col. 2:7) for the One Who has made
"peace (with God) through the blood of His cross" (Col. 1:18). "Now the God
of peace" (Heb. 13:20), Who made peace possible to us wants a meal (holy) offering.
Perhaps our offering would be to allow "the God of peace" to "make you (us)
perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you (us) that which is well-pleasing
in His sight, through Jesus Christ" (Heb. 13:21), "Be ye holy, as I am
holy" (1 Pet. 1:15-16). May our sacrifice of praise excel to God today for His Son.
May we willingly sacrifice our lives today for Him. May we abound in the sacrifice of
thanksgivings to the God of peace, as He makes us holy through the Lord Jesus Christ! Why?
"For today the Lord will appear unto you!"
Calvin Fritchey
Pembroke Pines, Florida
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***CALEB...wholly followed the Lord!***
Josh. 14:8 - Separation and Obedience
Josh. 14:9 - Promised Inheritance
Josh. 14:14 - Rest and Fellowship
What a remarkable lesson for us that, even after 45 years (including the 40 years of
wilderness wanderings), it could still be said of Caleb that he followed the Lord! How
discouraging it must have been, and so many years had passed (more than half his life),
and yet how consistent this man of God really was. His name means "forcible,"
suggesting to us one who moves ahead in spite of obstacles or public opinion. His mind is
made up and he will not be deterred from his goal.
The phrase, "wholly followed," used in the three verses mentioned above suggests
an interesting contrast. "Wholly" means to run forward, to precede, to run
before, to outstrip, to make full. "Followed" means hind part, after, behind, to
fulfill after, and suggests full obedience. Though at first glance the terms seem to
contradict one another, I think a closer look reveals a fascinating attitude. We are to
"seek first the kingdom of God" - before all others, before any other pursuit or
relationship or goal; while, at the same time, our chief ambition is to be "not my
will but Thine be done."
Paul wrote Timothy: "Meditate upon these things; give thyself WHOLLY to them, that
thy profiting may appear to all" (1 Tim. 4:15). We read in I Kings 18:21 that Elijah
said to the people, "If the Lord be God, follow him...." And Peter states that
"Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps"
(1 Peter 2:21).
Caleb was not bothered by the problems of the day. He said in verse 12 of our chapter,
"Give me this mountain (that which looms, a row of hills)." He wasn't concerned
about things that "loomed" before him, or even a series of problems (hills). He
was ready to take the challenge because he "wholly followed." May the Lord give
us a willingness to separate ourselves from the philosophies of the day so that our lives
will be characterized by obedience (vs. 8). Then we, too, shall enjoy a "promised
inheritance," not just in eternity, but here and now. Then we shall be privileged to
enjoy the rest and fellowship of our Lord and Savior (for the name Hebron means
association vs. 14-15).
Oh, how much we need men and women, and youth as well, who will determine to
"wholly" follow God!
Bill Gustafson
Waynesboro, Georgia
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Volume 3, No. 6
August 1991
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They were cast from the hands of a friend and apostle. Clattering across the floor, they
finally came to rest in deathly silence. Cold and silent, they lay still within the temple
of God in silent witness to betrayal. The price of blood. The price of God.
Finally, they were picked up by the chief priests. Thirty pieces of silver, each coin
bearing the image and words of man. Their sum total was exchanged for one life, a life
which bore the image and words of God. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, God the Son. Ringing
down the corridors of eternity into the realm of time came His words recorded in Zechariah
11:12, "Give Me My price...".
It was He Who had earlier driven mercenary businessmen out of the temple of God, wielding
a scourge of small cords along with His convicting, haunting words: "Take these
things hence; make not My Father's house an house of merchandise." Later, in the very
same place the price of His own life and blood would later clatter across the floor and
come to rest. Thirty pieces of silver, witnesses to the values of a man who allowed the
love of merchandise to fill his heart instead of the love of God. Judas Iscariot, a name
forever inscribed in the rolls of infamy. His transaction would bring into action another
scourge which would plow long, bloody furrows in the back of the Saviour.
The Bible says of every Christian in 2 Corinthians 6:16, "Ye are the temple (Father's
house) of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I
will be their God, and they shall be My people." What love fills your heart today,
friend? Have you fallen into the error of Judas Iscariot in allowing the love of
merchandise to fill your heart? The love of God for you is not measured in silver; rather,
it is measured in crimson - the precious blood of Christ. When the love of merchandise
begins to well up in your heart, remember thirty pieces of silver, and the words of the
Lord Jesus: "One of you shall betray Me." How sad if we must admit to Him,
"It is I."
Brent Van Ryn
Sterling, Virginia
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***SLIPPERY PLACES***
A prayer of David recorded in Ps. 17:5 would seem appropriate for each of us daily:
"hold up my goings (growth or increase) in thy paths, that my footsteps slip
not." We are to be reminded of what Christ has done for us. "He brought me up
also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and
established my goings" (Ps. 40:2).
Please notice the sequence of these texts: Ps. 18:36 - "Thou hast enlarged my steps
under me, that my feet did not slip." Ps. 73:2 - "But as for me, my feet were
almost gone; my steps had almost slipped." Ps. 94:18 - "When I said, my foot
slippeth, thy mercy, O Lord, held me up."
The work of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf is to enable us to walk without slipping
(falling out of the course or pathway). We must be aware of the fact that "When my
foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me" (Ps. 38:16). We are not to give
the world any excuse of rejecting the Gospel because of our inconsistent life-style. Ps.
73:18 tells us that God has set the ungodly in slippery places. They deserve instability,
and destruction ... while we are to live in such a way that they might see our good works
and glorify our Father which is in heaven. May the Lord help us to maintain a consistent
testimony before Him daily.
Bill Gustafson
Waynesboro, Georgia
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***ENOCH WAS TRANSLATED***
There are four distinctive features in Enoch's life that should be in your life and mine:
1. He walked with God.
2. He pleased God.
3. He spoke for God.
4. He was translated by God.
1.) ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD - Gen. 5:22. All we read of the other patriarchs recorded in
Genesis 5, is that they "lived" and "died", nothing more. But of Enoch
it is added, "he walked with God," and that he was not, "for God took
him." What divine dignity and honor is conferred upon Enoch in the midst of moral
ruin before the Flood! Let us not be content to live and die upon the earth without
enjoying the privilege of walking with God (see Amos 3:3)! Enoch walked with God 300 years
(quite a long walk), surrounded by a wicked world and also experiencing the cares and
trials of family life. Nothing was permitted, in all his circumstances, to hinder
fellowship with God; and he had no written BIBLE! We have (Psalm 119:105).
2.) ENOCH PLEASED GOD - Heb. 11:5. This was the result of his walk with God, for God will
not withhold this testimony from those who walk with Him. It is not the testimony of
acceptance such as Abel had in common with all who approach God and are accepted through
the excellent sacrifice of Christ - Heb. 11:4. This testimony that Enoch had was dependent
upon his walk, and if we desire the same, it is dependent on our walk. Enoch must have
yielded his will entirely to God "by faith," for it is impossible to please Him
"without faith" (Heb. 11:6). If we desire the same result, to please God, it is
dependent upon our yieldedness (Rom. 12:1,2).
3.) ENOCH SPOKE FOR GOD - Jude vs. 14,15. Passing through an ungodly world, he faithfully
warned of God's displeasure and coming judgment; being convinced of its divine certainty,
he vigorously proclaimed the inevitable doom. Future judgment is an important message
entrusted in the Gospel today! The world does not realize how near it is to divine
judgment, like men in Noah's day who "knew not until the day that Noah entered the
ark" (Matt. 24:39). Noah himself preached for 120 years (Gen. 6:3), and when God shut
him in the ark, it was then too late to be saved! Is it not our responsibility to
"snatch them out of the fire?" (Jude vs. 23). As we preach and witness today,
are we faithful in giving the world this message of judgment?
4.) ENOCH TRANSLATED BY GOD - Heb. 11:5. "By FAITH Enoch was translated." Why is
this attributed to Enoch as an act of faith? Did his faith spread its wings and bear the
patriarch out of this scene and from the natural death he expected? If faith could do
this, many a saint would attempt to fly away and be at rest (Psa. 55:6). Yet faith itself
can do no such thing, for such power belongs to God alone. It is written of Enoch that
"GOD TOOK HIM" (Gen. 5:22). "He was not found, because God had translated
him" (Heb. 11:5).
But it is in the realm of faith to BELIEVE GOD, and He revealed to Enoch that he should
not taste death (Heb. 11:5), accrediting his translation as an act of faith. This is the
basis of ALL faith - GOD AND HIS WORD! Similarly, we today can have faith to rest upon all
the divine promise of our translation (I Thess. 4:15-17). Are we living in the power of it
and waiting patiently for it? Are we EXPECTING Him? If our Lord came today, how many would
say, "Lord, I KNEW IT! You promised to come for me and I was waiting for YOU!"
Many saints have died in the faith of this promise, and surely their faith will be
accredited to them. Enoch's faith is available today for all who are alive when Jesus
comes.
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if Jesus came today?
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were caught away?
To be with Him forevermore and ne'er from Him to stray -
Wouldn't it be wonderful if Jesus came TODAY?"
John Bramhall
Florence, South Carolina
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