Multitude

A Christian traveler was once packing his suitcase when he remarked to a friend, "Well, I still wish to pack a guidebook, a lamp, a mirror, a telescope, a book of poems, a number of biographies, a bundle of letters, a hymn book, a sharp sword, a small library containing 66 volumes...."

"But," his friend interrupted him, "you've only got about six inches left in one side of your suitcase. How are you ever going to manage to get it all in?" The Christian smiled and his eyes twinkled, "That will be very easy," he said. "You see, all I have to do is put my Bible in the suitcase, for it is all the things that I have mentioned."

Familiarize Yourself With Your Weapon-the Bible

In spiritual warfare as in physical warfare, the effectiveness of any weapon is directly proportionate to the efficiency of the one operating it. For this reason, during a late, great war, the U.S. Army assigned a new recruit one rifle which he kept throughout his training. It was called his "piece," and it became a part of him. The recruit handled the piece continually, disassembling and reassembling it. He cleaned it. He conducted basic maintenance. He carried it 12 hours a day. When crossing rivers or streams his head might have gotten wet, but his piece had to stay dry.

Six months later in the heat of battle, the soldier knew every inch of it-every mechanism. He understood things that could malfunction and how to remedy them. He could break it down and reassemble it in just seconds, blindfolded. Man and weapon had become a synchronized and deadly, efficient fighting machine.

The spiritual warrior's proficiency with his basic weapons should be no less remarkable. But quite sadly, if believers had to rely on their own Bible familiarity in life and death situations, the majority would helplessly perish.

Just Use Me

Most of us resent being "used," but here is something which could change the world, and it is crying out to be used:

Just use me-I am the Bible.

I am God's wonderful library.

I am always-and above all-the Truth.

To the weary pilgrim, I am a good strong staff.

To the one who sits in gloom, I am a glorious light.

To those who stoop beneath heavy burden, I am sweet rest.

To him who has lost his way, I am a safe guide.

To those who have been hurt by sin, I am healing balm.

To the discouraged, I whisper glad messages of hope.

To those who are distressed by the storms of life, I am an anchor.

To those who suffer in lonely solitude, I am a cool, soft hand resting on a fevered brow

O, child of man, to best defend me, just use me!

If you have not yet discovered that wonderful book we call the Bible, it's time you did. In the words of Samuel to Saul, "Stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the Word of God" (1Sa_9:27).

A Woman's Aching Prayer Request

by Jon Walker

“Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church – a love marked by giving, not getting.” (Ephesians 5:25 MSG)

For a long time I carried in my wallet a deep, aching prayer request from a woman in my church. The request was anonymous, but it could have been made by any number of women across the country. In fact, it’s the number one complaint I hear from Christian women wherever and whenever I visit other congregations.

The request came my way in – and I give away my age by using this phrase – a prayer meeting. The pastor distributed blank pieces of paper and asked everyone present to write down one specific prayer need. Then he collected them all and randomly redistributed them. He asked us to pray for the request we received and for the person who made the request.

I say he redistributed these prayer requests randomly, but is anything random in God’s universe? When I opened the prayer request I had received, it took my breath away. It was written in pencil with an elegant script. It read, “Pray that my husband will be the spiritual leader in our home.”

It's an open secret that Christian men consistently and continually fail to provide godly leadership within the home. But I was particularly shocked by the request because just days before, my wife had made the same request of me. Here I was in ministry, yet my wife felt I was neglecting the spiritual nurturing of my own home. Sort of like the cobbler’s children being the ones with the worst shoes.

I’d come to the prayer meeting wrestling with this very issue, and when it came time for me to write my prayer request, I wrote out: “Pray that I will become the spiritual leader of my home.” My request also went out anonymously and, like a divine boomerang, this anonymous woman's request returned to me. There, in the same meeting, another family was struggling with the same problem, and because of my wife I knew how deeply this other woman’s heart ached.

So what?

· Pray for godly leadership – If you're not already doing so, start praying for godly leadership in your home and for the godly leadership in your home (note the distinction). Pray that husbands will trust God and provide humble, godly spiritual leadership.

· Lead with God’s wisdom – Ask God to give you (or your spouse) his wisdom and his strength to be the kind of Christian leader God requires: gentle, loving, and other-centered.

· Go “all out” for your wife – “Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church – a love marked by giving, not getting.” (Ephesians 5:25 MSG)

· Pray for consistency – Pray for me, my friend. I’m still inconsistent and struggling in this area. And I will be praying for you.

© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved

GOD IS PATIENT

WORSHIP:

Suggested Songs: Your Love is Beautiful / Now That You’re Near/ You Alone / Purify My Heart

WELCOME:

In what area is your patience tested the most? Recount a recent incident.

WORD:

What parable shows us God’s fatherly love that waits patiently?

(Luke 15:11-24) The parable of the prodigal son, who left his father to live the worldly life, but when he came to his senses, he found his father waiting for his return, welcoming him with open arms, forgiving him and letting him have more of his inheritance.

What do we do that places us in the same situation as the prodigal son?

(Galatians 5:13-21) We do acts of the sinful nature to ourselves and others.

What spiritual truths do we all need to know, that we may truly turn to God and live our lives for Him?

· (Hebrews 4:7) God is patient, waiting for us to repent and turn to Jesus, because He does not want anyone to perish.

· (John 1:12) We are all creatures of God, but we are not all children of God. Only those who believe in the Name of Jesus and receive Him are given the right to become children of God.

· (Revelation 3:14-19) Because God has shown us His loving-kindness, He wants us to be on fire for Him. Those who are lukewarm, He will spit out.

What do these mean for us?

· (Matthew 13:24-30) There are the tares (weeds) and the wheat, the bad as well as the good among us even in the Body of Christ.

· (1 Peter 4:17) If God’s judgment begins with us in the church, then how pitiful for those outside the church who reject the Gospel.

What should we do based on the foregoing?

· Do a spiritual check-up. Ask ourselves whether we have truly repented and turned to Christ, and if we have indeed committed and surrendered our lives to the lordship of Jesus.

· (Philippians 2:12) For those already in the faith, to choose to act as saved children of God serving Him, practicing Christianity as evidence that we have truly been saved and preaching the Gospel to others.

· For those who have not opened their hearts to Jesus, to believe Him and to receive Him as personal Lord and Savior, and likewise live for Christ.

WORKS:

1. Share with us your conversion story that speaks of God’s patience. (Or tell us how God has been patient with you.)

2. Which of the following are you at risk of having? Expound.

· Spiritual blindness (not seeing God’s holiness and your own sinfulness)

· Spiritual loss of hearing (not hearing the voice of God)

· Spiritual leprosy (numbed of senses)

· Spiritual stroke (mind gets attacked)

· Spiritual heart attack (hardened heart)

· Spiritual AIDS (“As If Daw Spiritual”)

3. What area in your life have you not yet turned over to God’s control? Or what is it that God has been waiting for you to do or give up?

4. When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone?

5. Do a diagnostic test of your group’s salvation quotient by asking each one whether they are sure of going to heaven when they die, and why. (This can be done if there is plenty of time, otherwise, ask them to write down their answers on a piece of paper with their names on it. If there are answers that are doubtful, do one-on-one evangelism and lead the sinner’s/acceptance prayer.)

GOD IS IMMUTABLE

Source : www.ccf.org.ph

Vol. 7 No. 22, 03 June 2007

WORSHIP:

Suggested Songs: Celebrate the Lord of Love

God is Good All the Time

Ancient of Days

You Are So Faithful

WELCOME:

What has changed in and about you? And what has not changed?

WORD:

What does God’s immutable attribute mean?

· God does not change, He is always the same. He cannot improve because He is already perfect. Being perfect, He cannot change for the worse.

· (Hebrews 13:8) He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

· (Psalm 90:2) He is from everlasting to everlasting

· (Psalm 102:25-27) Nothing is permanent, everything will decay, except God.

· (Revelation 22:13) He is the First and the Last, the beginning and the end.

In what ways is God immutable?

1. In His character

If God is immutable, what does that say about God’s character?

· He is absolutely dependable and trustworthy.

· (Malachi 3:6-12) God does not change in the sense that He is righteous though we are unrighteous, He remains faithful even when we are unfaithful, He loves us though we are sinners (He hates sin but because He loves us, Jesus paid for our sins. When we still sin, He disciplines us so we will return to Him and learn to turn away from sin, that we may be blessed, which is what God wants to do for us). He blesses those who obey His Word, and curses those who are in disobedience.

In your own personal experience, how has God revealed His immutable character?

2. In His Word

What does God’s immutability in His Word mean?

Since God is dependable and trustworthy in His character:

· (Matthew 24:35) His Word shall not pass away.

· (Matthew 5:17-18) Every Word He says is true; and His Word will be accomplished accordingly. When He says something, He does it without fail.

What are just a few examples showing God’s unchanging Word?

· (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) We are all sinners unworthy of God’s Kingdom, but we have been justified and sanctified through Jesus Christ.

· (Joshua 6:26; 1 Kings 16:34) God told the people not to rebuild Jericho’s walls during that time, but they disobeyed, with a warning that a curse would be upon them if they did. The curse did indeed come. In fact, Jericho remains desolate and uninhabited until now.

· (Deuteronomy 28:64; Ezekiel 36:22-24, 34-37) He said the Jews would be scattered as strangers in foreign lands because of their disobedience, and they were, the Holocaust serving as a reminder. But He also said that they will be gathered again to become a nation, which happened when Israel became a nation in 1948 after the Holocaust. He also said the land, from desolation, would be cultivated again and the nation will again be prosperous, and that is what’s happening now, with Israel as the fruit capital of Europe; even the banana seedlings are exported to the Philippines. The Jews from around the world, to this day, continue to return to Israel because of the prosperity it is now experiencing.

How should we respond to God’s immutability in His Word?

· When He makes a promise, we need to claim it by faith and count on it.

· When He warns us, we must take heed and avoid what He warns us about.

· (Malachi 3:10-11) We can test God and prove His faithfulness to His promise to bless us when we obey His command to give our tithes and offerings.

In what manner have you proven God’s unchanging Word?

What promise has God given you that you need to claim by faith? And what warning do you need to take heed of?

3. In His purpose

What is God’s unchanging plan for us?

· Salvation, sanctification, and service to God (especially in sharing God’s message of salvation to others)

· (Hebrews 6:17-19) Possession of His Kingdom

· (Jude 1:24) To make us stand before God’s presence, blameless and with great joy. Though we may stumble in sin, He will help us stand up, provided we confess and repent.

What plan of God for your life are you not being cooperative about?

WORKS:

1. Write down what step(s) you need to take towards change in accordance with God’s immutable character, Word, and purpose/plan. Make it your prayer and action point.

2. Who in your family, social circle, or office needs to hear God’s unchanging Word in the Gospel? Write down what you need to do to share God’s message of love and salvation to them. Make a commitment to God and seize the first opportunity.

3. If you have made a faith pledge for the CCF Building Fund, have you been committed in fulfilling your pledge? If you have not made any pledge yet, make one by faith.

4. Memory and meditation verses: Hebrews 13:8 and Matthew 24:35. Write down your

thoughts/insights based on the verses.

5. Read the Bible at least one chapter a day.

6. Spend quiet time daily. Journal these times.

Love God and hate sin

By Pastor Larry Stockstill

Truly, each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way. -Psalm 119:128

The psalmist declares a holy revulsion that must dwell in your heart against anything that challenges the law of God. If you consistently struggle to conquer an area of sin in your life, it may be that you do not hate that sin.

One sin God hates is divorce (Malachi 2:16), not because He wants to be legalistic but because He knows the terrible consequences you will suffer from it. Satan's deception concerning this sin and all sin is so devious and the consequences of disobedience so eternal that you must develop a passion against all sin, for it destroys people¢s souls.

Double-minded or undecided people (Psalm 119:113) are those who mix God's law with their own reasoning, listening to the voice of personal opinion rather than the voice of truth. Such compromisers lead the godly astray and are unstable in all their ways (James 1:8). If you are double-minded, rid yourself of lukewarmness, and purify your heart.

If you don't hate sin, you will fall into it. Love God and hate sin, and you will always walk in the path of righteousness.

Doctrine and Interpretation

A New York enthusiast had a good collection of paintings, one of them being the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which hung over his writing desk.

For a long time he noticed that it persisted in hanging crooked despite the fact that he straightened it every morning. At last he asked the housekeeper if she was responsible for its lopsided position each morning that he came to his office.

"Why, yes," she said, "I have to hang it crooked to make the tower hang straight."

Does that sound strange? That is exactly how a lot of people read the Bible. Many people twist the Word of God in order to justify their own opinions or actions, or doctrine to make them all appear right. Let us not twist the Scriptures to suit our own fancy. Let us be sure to hang the picture right!

A Tool

The best carpenter in the county was asked, "Which is your best tool?" Instead of pointing to a costly power saw or drill, he picked up a simple square and said, "This is the best tool; it makes all the others work."

Let us not overlook our best tool; the simple gospel (Rom_1:16). In this verse, Paul gives four reasons why the gospel is our most effective weapon:

First, it is power. The original word is similar to our word for dynamite.

Second, it is of God. Though Rome with her imperial power was great, the power of God was greater. However sincere the motive, any alteration or substitution of that power only weakens it.

Third, it is unto salvation. In addition to being a past event and a future hope, salvation is a present reality. It can turn hate into love, despair into hope, and defeat into triumph.

Fourth, it is for everyone. The saving power of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is for all!

Power

A physician went to hear D. L. Moody. Although he had not thought of such a result, he was converted. When asked the reason for his change of heart, he said, "I went to hear Mr. Moody with no other idea than to have something to laugh at. I knew he was no scholar, and I felt sure I could find many flaws in his argument. But I found I could not get at the man. He stood there hiding behind the Bible and just fired one Bible text after another at me till they went home to my heart straight as bullets from a rifle. I tell you, Moody's power is in the way he has his Bible at the tip of his tongue."

Site Search Tags: Bible

All Sufficient

When I am tired, the Bible is my bed;

Or in the dark, the Bible is my light;

When I am hungry, it is vital bread;

Or fearful, it is armor for the fight.

When I am sick, 'tis healing medicine;

Or lonely, thronging friends I find therein.

If I would work, the Bible is my tool;

Or play, it is a harp of happy sound.

If I am arrogant, it is my school.

If I am sinking, it is solid ground.

If I am cold, the Bible is my fire;

And it is wings, if boldly I aspire.

Should I be lost, the Bible is my guide;

Or naked, it is raiment rich and warm.

Am I imprisoned, it is ranges wide;

Or tempest-tossed, a shelter from the storm.

Would I adventure, 'tis a gallant sea;

Or would I rest, it is a flowery lea.

Does gloom oppress? The Bible is a sun,

Or ugliness? It is a garden fair.

Am I athirst? How cool its currents run!

Or stifled? What a vivifying air!

Since thus thou givest of thyself to me,

How should I give myself great Book to thee!

Who Is on Trial?

There is no city in the world, perhaps, where the treasures of art are more appreciated than Florence, Italy. It is told that an American visitor to the Pitti Palace, after viewing some of the paintings there, said to his guide: "Are these the great masterpieces that everyone tells me about? I don't see much in them to arouse such enthusiasm."

"It is not these paintings that are on trial sir," the guide answered, "but it is you who view them."

So it is with the Word of God. Sometimes we run across scoffers, men who sneer at divine revelation, who say that they cannot feel much enthusiasm about the Bible. But the Bible is not on trial. Whether men believe it or not, it is the Word of God, "which liveth and abideth forever" (1Pe_1:23).

Knowledge

The Bible must always be at the heart of our preaching, teaching, and way of living. If the Scriptures do not guide our lives, we have no guide better than ourselves. No human document can compare in the least with the Word of God.

Woodrow Wilson is reported to have said, "We have deprived ourselves of the best there is in the world if we deprive ourselves of a knowledge of the Bible." There is no comparison: the Bible is the best guide, and the believer's life is the best guided. Don't be deprived of the Bible's rich blessings. Read it daily. Study it often.

Site Search Tags: Knowledge, Bible, Word of God

Get What You Can!

Some folks do not read the Bible because, they say, there are so many things in the Book that they cannot understand. It is said that these things which cannot be understood trouble them. Of course these are excuses.

What does one do when he sits down to a Southern-fried chicken dinner, and finds there are bones in the chicken which he is unable to chew? Does he excuse himself, and say, "I can't chew the bony parts of the chicken, therefore I won't try to eat any of it?" Hardly. He merely puts the bones to one side and enjoys the edible part of the chicken. Why not put at least this much effort into Bible reading?

One rescued sinner said, "The fact that I am alive and on my way somewhere really caused me anxious moments, until I found the answer in the Bible. When I found it, it prompted me to let the shed blood of Christ cleanse me from my sins. God saved me and gave me the assurance of it, and I began to study the Bible, digesting the parts God's Holy Spirit led me to understand, and setting the rest aside, until He opened my eyes to the Truth therein. As God showed me the answers, my worship of Him increased naturally. Oh, indispensable is the Book of books!"

Site Search Tags: Bible, Sinner, Holy Spirit

Tunnel Lights

"He hath done all things well" (Mar_7:37).

Some Bible verses are like lanterns. They were made for dark places and dark hours. Did you ever hear about the little girl in the train? She couldn't understand why the trainman was going through the car lighting the lamps. She said, "Mother, it is the middle of the day and the sun is shining, why is he turning on those lights?" The mother smiled, and said, "Wait a bit and you'll see what the lights are for." In a moment or two the train plunged into a long, dark tunnel, and then the little girl saw the wisdom of the lamplighting process.

Dear friend, that Bible of yours contains thousands of verses that seem very ordinary and unnecessary. You can't see why God has gone to all the trouble of lighting those lamps of truth, but some day you're going into the tunnel of bereavement, or the tunnel of temptation, or the tunnel of suffering, and then you will value and appreciate the verses that appear to be commonplace today.

When Our Blemishes Become Assets

The story is told of a friend by the name of Webb Young. Webb Young grew beautiful apples, and he advertised them to a very select clientele as "perfect." One year just before time to harvest his apples, a heavy hail storm came. It did not harm the apples, but it left unsightly brown spots on them. He felt hopelessly defeated. He could not afford to send his apples out with those brown spots on them.

A lesser man would have given up, but he kept thinking until he came up with a saving idea. He harvested the apples and packed them in boxes, as he normally did. Then in each box he placed a card which stated that these apples were grown in high altitude and that the chill of the mountain made the apples firm. He also explained that in these high altitudes they often have hail storms. Then he said that if one will look closely at the apples, hail marks upon them can be observed. It is a matter of record that the next year the overwhelming majority of his orders were for "hail-marked" apples.

For Webb Young and his apples-the blemishes became assets.

Trouble Tree

The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished up a rough first day on the job. A flat tire had made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup refused to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

Then, opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles, and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterwards he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the best of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that is my 'trouble tree,'" he replied. "I know I cannot help having troubles on the job, but one thing is for sure-troubles do not belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang 'em on the tree every night when I come home; then in the morning, I pick them up again.

"Funny thing is," he said smilingly, "when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there are not as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

The Big and the Small Souls

The great soul prays, "Lord, make me as big as my problem." The little soul prays, "Lord, let me off easy."

The giant soul asks, "Lord, give me strength sufficient for a hard day," while the small soul begs, "Lord, let me have a lighter load."

The busy soul prays, "Lord, stand with me until I finish my task," while the weak soul says, "I got tired and quit."

Songs in the Night

Elihu, in the Book of Job, asked, "Where is God who giveth songs in the night?" David in the 42nd Psalm, answered, "In the night His songs shall be with me."

The strongest argument of the atheist has to do with the problem of human suffering. Epicurus, who lived 342-270 B.C., presented three concepts about God and human suffering: (1) If God wishes to prevent evil and cannot, He is not all powerful; (2) If God can prevent evil and will not, He is not good; (3) If God has the power and will to eliminate evil, why is there evil in the world? The fallacy is his belief that no good can be served by God's allowing evil or suffering.

Everyone will pass through dark valleys sooner or later. All will become ill. Some will become permanently ill. It is an illusion that this side of heaven all diseases will be wiped out. For all of us there will be periods of suffering, bereavement, discouragement, danger and difficulty.

There are those who give up their fidelity to God because they do not believe God is fair. They ask, "What have I done to deserve this?" "Why are children born retarded or born dead?" "Why is there cancer?" "Why me?"

How will we answer these and similar questions? How will we learn to sing songs at night? By having faith in the sovereignty of God. The world is not being ruled by a chance but by a God who is in control. Even a sparrow cannot fall without His notice. So, He cares about us. Nothing can happen that does not concern God.

Jesus sang in the darkest night of His life on earth. The Apostle John sang songs of joy and praise while in exile on the island of Patmos. At midnight, David arose to give thanks to God (Psa_119:62). Paul said, "When I am weak, then I am strong" (2Co_12:10).

Our lives will become stronger and our spirituality deeper when we learn to sing at midnight.

Why Not?

Why Not-give a friend a tract?

Why Not-help an older couple with their groceries?

Why Not-share with a neighbor in need?

Why Not-talk to a friend about his soul?

Why Not-help a friend with a personal problem?

Why Not-have a Bible study with a friend in your home?

Why Not-visit with the newcomer in your community?

Why Not-invite your children's friends to Bible study?

Why Not-show hospitality in your home?

Why Not-give encouragement to a new brother?

Why Not-give support to those who are having trouble in their marriage?

Why Not-encourage someone to take a Bible correspondence course?

Why Not-show concern to those who have lost a loved one?

Why Not-show to others that Christianity is worth sharing anytime, anywhere?

Why Not-invite the checkout person at the grocery to worship service?

Why Not-give a smile to someone today? Let them know that you are happy as a Christian?

Why Not-be nice to people even when you do not feel like it?

Why Not-let God work His purposes in your life?

Why Not-start loving your neighbors as yourself?

Mules, Wells, and Learning How to Live

There is a story about an old farmer whose mule fell into a well. After many unsuccessful attempts to haul the mule out of the hole, the farmer decided it was hopeless. With sadness, he instructed his boys to fill up several truckloads of dirt and just bury the old mule right in the well. Dutifully, the boys backed up the truck filled with dirt, and shovel by shovel, they began to fill the well and bury the mule. The mule didn't take kindly to this action. The first shovel of dirt hit him square on the head, got in his eyes and mouth, and made him sneeze.

Every shovel full after that hit him somewhere, causing the old mule to stomp around in the bottom of the well. Several truckloads of dirt later, the mule was still stomping and packing dirt firmly underneath his feet. Little by little, that mule was lifting itself out of the hole. Sure enough, about mid-afternoon that mule simply stepped out of the well and snorted at the whole business.

There are different ways people have of dealing with problems life throws at them. Some are constant complainers. They do not handle setbacks and upsets very well. Some of them cannot even handle normal events. Others are defeated at the slightest difficulty. Quite a few get confused, turned around and seem not to know what to do. Then there are a few who are unconquerable. They are like the mule. Problems can hit them square on the head, but they just stomp around enough until they actually use the problem to rise above it.

Look at the great heroes of the Bible. They were men and women who could match the occasion. Moses was that kind of man. Surely Joseph, who rose from the bottom of a pit to a leader of Egypt, was that kind of man. Could David have been anything other than the kind of man who rose above his faults and problems? Esther was surely the kind of woman who did not let problems paralyze her. On and on we could go, but you see the point.

How was all this done? The reason such people could rise out of the "wells" of life is because they all had a great faith in God. It is a childish attitude that says, "If God loved me, He would take away all these problems." Not so! The opposite is really true. If God loves you, He will reveal Himself to you through His Word and give you opportunity to let your faith lift you up. God wants us to learn how to do it. He wants us to work at it. When you realize that and accept it, it will give you a power to deal with living you never had before.