|
B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #199
I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’
August 30, 2011
News – Pastor Nathanael Mayhew and Russ Schmidt leave for five weeks working with our brethren in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. May God bless the work for Him. The CLC – USA shows by this the great value we put on fellowship, working and praying together, supporting one another in the faith. And it shows the love we have for our brothers and sisters in the faith, which love is reciprocated by our overseas brethren. Ps. 133:1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. We all are eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph. 4:2
PARABLES
THE HUNTSMAN
It appeared to be such a splendid day. Light filtered through the overhanging boughs showing well the path I trod. The sounds of the forest held no warning. The cheerful song of birds, the droning of some busy insects, the rustling of branches as a gentle wind came through, but then I heard it at first though faintly, but with an increasing tenor. Such is the power of recall. Conscience called them forth and they came on with a daunting swiftness to overtake and encircle me. I heard their baying growing in intensity. From these first dreadful sounds and as it increased their intent was all too clear – to destroy the peace I had, to rip from me any sense and assurance of comfort, just as a wolf’s sharp-toothed maw tears the flesh from the body. At first they’d only stymie my progress forward, though ultimately they would leave me incapacitated to proceed on like a torn and bleeding body in the road.
They came after me at an alarming speed. Remembrance of my past sins pursued me like a pack of howling wolves. I break into a run to outdistance them and leave them in the past where they belong. Their screeching accusations assail my mind for I remember them alright. Looking over my shoulder into those days the snarling fangs loom ever larger as I am assaulted in my mind’s eye by what I did. The sweat rolls from my face and my heart races as I try to put them back where they belong, but to no
effect. Nervous exhaustion is all I gain as I by my own efforts seek to dispel what is past.
At may side is that One I had forgotten about in my panic, that Huntsman who slew these pursuing monsters and buried them that they might not assail and tear and rend. Seeing Him and remembering His valorous work for me I no longer fear the horrible howling. And those brutes who were gaining on me when I did my best to outdistance them are gone, like the mist with the coming of the morning sun. The Huntsman’s comforting words allay my rising fears. His loving encouragement courses through me and pushes out those so recent well-nigh overpowering feelings of guilt. My running from those dogged pursuers now turns to a walk through the forest toward my home beyond the woods. Ah, you say they who are now gone from sight and hearing were but an illusion. No, they were real enough for I know me.
I see Him still at my side. How could I have forgotten so easily before at the onset of my dread past? He had always been there, just as He assured me when He slew that which so recently unnerved me and sent me into a frenzy of my own effort. Yes, fear had beclouded my vision and as I turned my head to see them I lost my focus on Him, the strong Protector at my side. There is much yet to this trek through the forest until I reach that blessedly furnished cottage when I am at last out of the woods. His strong words assure me that as He has, so He will accompany me. If I lose my way, He knows the way as He has been through here before. While I must truthfully admit the darkness between the trees gives me some pause for worry, I but turn my eyes from the darkness to His presence and my pace remains firm and steady. I know not what lies ahead on this path through the forest, but I know what lies behind and above all I know Him who is at my side.
——————————————————————————————————
SACRIFICE
The study of Polycarp, Smyrna’s bishop who studied under the Apostle John , comes to mind in connection with sacrifice. Adamantly committed to the saving lordship of Jesus, which left no room for bowing to the empire, Polycarp was arrested and sentenced to death. Actually, he was given a chance to step out of the fire. The Roman proconsul gave Polycarp the choice of cursing the name of Jesus and worshiping Caesar to save his skin or continue embracing Jesus to his death. “Swear,” said the proconsul, “and I will set you at liberty, Reproach Christ.” Polycarp replied, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” After the proconsul threatened him again with the specter of burning at the stake, Polycarp added, “You threaten me with fire which awaits the wicked in judgment to come and in everlasting punishment. Why are you waiting? Come, do what you will.” As they approached him and prepared to tie him to the stake to be burned, he shouted, “Leave me as I am, for He who gives me power to endure the fire, will grant me to remain in the flames unmoved even without the security you will give by the nails.” Loosely bound, with flames flashing about him, Polycarp prayed, “Oh Lord God Almighty, Father of Thy beloved Child, Jesus Christ…..I bless Thee that Thou has granted unto me this day and hour, that I may share, among the number of the martyrs, in the cup of Thy Christ, for the resurrection to eternal life.” And so on February 23, A.D. 155, Polycarp paid the price. Then he went to heaven. The pay off is worth the price.
Then there was Patrick Hamilton who studied under Martin Luther in Wittenberg. He literally ignited the Reformation in Scotland. As he burned at the stake in 1527, he said, “As to my confession, I will not deny it for awe of your fire, for my confession and belief is in Jesus Christ….I will rather be content that my body burn in this fire for confession of my faith in Christ than have my soul burn in the fire of hell for denying the same.”
——————————————————————————————————
HELPS FOR THE NEW CHRISTIAN
Look up these verses and read the complete verse. Modern Bible translations may make some of these verses clearer for the new Christian. The King James Version was used here.
ASSURANCE
“they shall never perish”…………………………………………………John 10:27-29
“yet shall he live”……………………………………………………………..John 11:25,26
“is passed from death unto life.”……………………………………………John 5:24
“neither death, nor life..shall..separate us”…………………Romans 8:38,39
“He that hath the Son hath life,”……………………………………..I John 5:11,12
“he which hath begun…will perform it”……………………….. Philippians 1:6
“an inheritance incorruptible”……………………………………………….I Peter 1:4
WHEN FACED WITH TEMPTATIONS
“temptation”….is common to man”…………………………I Corinthians 10:13
“the devil…seeking whom…devour”…………………………………..I Peter 5:8,9
“the man that endureth temptation……………………………………..James 1:12
“I have overcome the world.”………………………………………………John 16:33
“do all things through Christ”……………………………………..Philippians 4:13
IF SINS OCCUR
“if we confess our sins”…………………………………………………………I John 1:9
“return unto the LORD”………………………………………………………..Isaiah 55:7
“a contrite heart…wilt not despise”……………………………………Psalm 51:17
“we have an advocate”…………………………………………………………..I John 2:1
“seek my face, and turn”……………………………………………II Chronicles 7:14
“confesseth and forsaketh them”…………………………………Proverbs 28:13
GROWING AS A CHRISTIAN
IN THE WORD OF GOD
“desire…milk of the word”………………………………………………………I Peter 2:2
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart”…………………………………Psalm 119:11
“were written for our learning”…………………………………………Romans 15:4
“scripture…is profitable”……………………………………………II Timothy 3:16,17
“Study to show thyself approved”………………………………..II Timothy 2:15
“Thy word is a lamp…feet…path.”………………………………….Psalm 119:105
“delight is in the law of the LORD”……………………………………..Psalm 1:1,2
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER
“by prayer and supplication”……………………………………..Philippians 4:6.7
“call upon the name of the LORD.”………………………………….Psalm 116:17
“ye shall ask”…………………………………………………………………………..John 15:7
“Ask, and it shall be given you”………………………………………..Luke 11:9,10
“And when thou prayest”………………………………………………Matthew 6:5-15
“Pray without ceasing”……………………………………I Thessalonians 5:17,18
“Praying always with all prayer”…………………………………..Ephesians 6:18
“Take ye heed, watch and pray”…………………………………………..Mark 13:33
THE IMPORTANCE OF FELLOWSHIP
“Not forsaking the assembling”…………………………………….Hebrews 10:25
“teaching and admonishing one another”…………………Colossians 3:16
“Speaking to yourselves”…………………………………………….Ephesians 5:19
“the body…hath many members……………………………..I Corinthians 12:12
“members should have….care”………………………….I Corinthians 12:25-27
Taken from:Anonymous
Pastor Koenig
|
