Word for the Week composed by Rev. E. Anderson

April 21, 2008 at 9:30 pm (Word for the Week)

  

 Rev. E. Anderson

PROSPECT is different from retrospect and inspect. The first refers mainly to a looking backward, the second to a certain extent to a looking within, whilst prospect implies a looking without and ahead. It possesses a mental outlook that views that which is before that is of an encouraging nature. There is a gathering within something of a positive quality that entertains a vision of glorious things that are to be wonderfully realised.

 

When a person connects with God it seems that somehow God chooses to fill such with golden prospects. In viewing the many individuals that adorn the Bible, they received from God beautiful guarantees respecting their lives and mission as they forged a bond with Him. Such is a fascinating and inspiring study.

 

In calling Abraham at 75 years of age He immediately filled him with certain prospects and this great man was prepared to accept and go for what God offered – Genesis 12: 1-4.  After Abraham had proved his faith and loyalty to the Lord in a great act of obedience, the Lord gave him an enormous promise that was full of prospect. He said: ‘That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore’ – Genesis 22: 17. The old patriarch knew that both he and his seed was assured of an incredible future.

 

God gave a young man a dream that was filled with immense expectations and he was prepared to receive and believe it – see Genesis 37: 5-11. The dream filled his mind, heart and prospects and there was no way that he was going to let it go in spite of all the negative and destructive things that took place in his life. They lit up his being and he would not allow them to be extinguished over the years. What God gave him to view in those earliest moments of his life He brought to pass to total realisation?

 

Moses was an individual who appeared to have his prospects dashed and ruined. Although he seemed to have a favourable start, things went haywire and he finished a non-entity and merely a shepherd looking after sheep in the backside of the desert. But God broke upon his scene and generated immense prospects for himself and the people of God – Exodus 3.  Instead of looking after a little flock of sheep for the rest of his days he is summoned to deliver a people from slavery with a unique deliverance and guide them to the Promised Land of Canaan.

 

A young lad was assured that he would be a king one day, the Lord making clear to him that he was to be the future monarch of Israel in a significant fashion – 1 Samuel 16. Although he also had to go through a series of testing and trial yet he sees those early prospects come to maturity in God’s time.

 

Paul makes it abundantly known to those who are relationship with God that the future is altogether bright and full of prospect; therefore every believer can have hope and be filled with a keen sense of anticipation. He says: ‘But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him’ – 1 Corinthians 2: 9. We can agree with D.L. Moody when he said: ‘God never made a promise that was too good to be true’.

 

God would fill your life with prospect today for the whole of this week and all your future. What He has significantly done for others in the past, be reminded He is ever in the present and future and up to both. Line yourself up with Him now in spiritual accord and let Him fill you with His vision for your life here and now, and eternally.

 

‘Every one of us has in him a continent of undiscovered character.  Blessed is he who acts the Columbus to his own soul’ - Anonymous

 

PRAYER

Lord, help me to possess a clear vision of the prospects you have in mind for me and aid me in accomplishing all for your glory. Amen

 

         

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Extracts from Life afforded by Rev. E. Anderson

April 21, 2008 at 9:26 pm (Extracts from Life)

 Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

A FULFILLED PROPHETIC WORD

 

In my recent ministry trip to India I was pleasantly surprised when a couple from the city of Coimbatore desired to see me. The local leader and pastor had arranged for them to come to his home for the occasion. On my last visit just over twelve months ago I was asked to go and meet and minister in the home of a woman who was pregnant and it appeared there were complications and so the request for prayer and ministry.

 

When we arrived at her rather large and beautiful home quite a crowd of people had congregated to fellowship, worship, hear the word of God. It was expected that I minister and bring some encouraging message and afterwards a nice buffet had been laid on for the guests.

 

During the day I had mediated on the pregnant women in the Bible and noted God’s interest and involvement and sensed it was a good to encourage from these Biblical instances. The atmosphere that evening was quite loaded with God’s presence and the service flowed with divine inspiration. One was buoyed along and faith was birthed and released. We concluded by praying in faith and sounded a prophetic word that all was going to be well. The couple believed the word and rested in it and were relieved of fear and anxiety.

 

The time of the baby’s arrival came and statements were made that were of a negative order but the couple trusted in the Lord. It was mentioned that she would have a protracted period of labour of around five hours. This was enough to set the alarm bells ringing but such was rejected. It was not to be the case and after two hours the infant boy arrived.

 

They arrived that Saturday morning with little Aaron who the next week will have attained his first birthday. They were very grateful parents and wanted me to see him, to inform of the fulfilment of the prophetic word and to pray over them as a family unit, which was my pleasure. It was refreshing to meet such a wonderful Christian family.

 

Apparently after listening hear me preach the previous Sunday morning at the large church they attend, it suddenly dawned on the woman that it was the pastor who had come to their home twelve months ago to minister in her critical condition. Somehow she and her husband must get to see me and relate the lovingkindness of the Lord and honour His intervention. It was a joy to celebrate together over all His workings.

 

 

 

                

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Meet the Ministers introduced by Rev. E. Anderson

April 20, 2008 at 8:59 pm (Meet the Ministers)

                                  Rev. Joy Gascoigne

 

Following the miners’ strike of 1984/5 and the closing of the mine in 1994, Grimethorpe was a devastated community.   The closure of the pit resulted in the loss of 1,500 jobs.  Homes were repossessed and several High Street shops were boarded up.  Two of the four village schools were the subjects of arson attacks.  There was incredible stress placed on families and marriages.  The local Pentecostal Church at that time was a dilapidated wooden hut erected as a temporary structure in 1958.  It seated about 50 people, with an  assortment of chairs and décor and it was freezing cold.

 

Pastor Joy Gascoigne came to Grimethorpe in 1982 after studying at Mattersey Bible College.  Grimethorpe then was a proper mining community, with smoke hanging in the air, and streets lined with coal dust.  When she first went to view the church there were about 12-15 people but unbeknown to her, they had been sent from another church to encourage the Grimethorpe congregation. 

 

On her first Sunday morning there was a total of three people including herself.

However, before Joy had come to Grimethorpe she received a word from the Lord from Ezekiel 36 – “I will cause you to dwell in the cities and the waste places shall be rebuilt.  And all who pass through will say, this place that was once deserted has become the garden of the Lord..”   Grimethorpe had indeed become a waste place, and it was made up of cities – three areas of the village named Red City, White City and Black City, red because the houses were made of red brick, white because the houses were made of white brick and black because the houses were black due to the coal dust.

 

So Joy was actually dwelling in the cities.  At that time no-one ever “passed through” because the village was off the major routes but within a short time a major new road scheme was announced which would connect Grimethorpe to the A1 and M1.  So the area was earmarked for regeneration, and the prophetic word was being fulfilled. 

 

Furthermore, a small group of people set about replacing the existing building and succeeded in completing a £300,000 building project to produce a purpose built church with community facilities. This would take the church forward into the 21st century but also provide outreach into the community, and caused the church to fulfil a proactive role as a major player in the regeneration of the village.  Amazingly, the project started with just £25 in the fund, but also with a belief in the miraculous power of God. 

The project was not without setbacks and almost at the outset the situation appeared very bleak, but another prophesy came to Joy “What you have started God is going to finish”.  The project went ahead and again problems surfaced but another word came to Joy “this will be a place for shepherds to rest their flocks”.   After much investment of time, money and prayer a beautiful new building was opened in 2003. 

 

The church has now grown to well over 60 people and has recently been blessed with a band of gifted musicians.  Through various ministries, outreaches and events hundreds of people come through the doors regularly, being reached through the church’s charity shop on the High Street, Kids’ Clubs in the school holidays and school assemblies.

 

The future for the church and the village is very bright, with large scale regeneration, new housing and new jobs.  The church is looking for continual growth and continues to invest in the community.  Pastor Joy sums it up by saying that if you are going to embark on a big project or invest in any ministry area you will need to start out with the determination that by God’s grace you will succeed.  It is that which carries you through when everything seems to be going wrong.  With God all things are possible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Knowing God serviced by Rev. E. Anderson

April 20, 2008 at 8:45 pm (Knowing God)

                                                           

Rev. E. Anderson

 KNOWING GOD THROUGH THE BIBLE, THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

 

Reading      2 Timothy 3: 15-17; Luke 24: 25-27, 32; Romans 1:2; 3: 2 etc

 

Introduction

 

The Bible, known as the Holy Scriptures are purposed to give a disclosure and unveiling of God to mankind. This is primarily the reason why they have been written and wonderfully preserved, it is for the benefit of opening the understanding of man with regard to God and in turn to create and cultivate within his heart toward God.

 

A UNIQUE BOOK: Without question, it is readily acknowledged that the Bible is recognised at the greatest book in human literature. It is still the most produced and publicised book and read by millions of people world-wide. Such a position is something of note. It is surprisingly a library of books written over centuries and God used various people in its composition from various walks of life. The Bible has been investigated by sincere and true scholars and each book had to pass an acid test with regard to authenticity and divine inspiration. Paul makes the point: ‘All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God’ – that is ‘God-breathed’

 

Someone once described the two Testaments as God’s two lips speaking to mankind through a written volume.

 

The underlying purpose of the Bible is to introduce man to God. If it is God’s book then it should reveal Him and make known some important considerations with regard to himself. Just as a written biography of any person can introduce and make obvious its author in a personal way so that it is possible to become acquainted with him/her, so with the Holy Scriptures.

 

QUALITY ASPECTS: In the revelation definite quality features are to be unveiled and established that gives a clear impression to mind and heart as to who the God of the Bible is in every way. These should be duly thought about and truly appreciated. They lead to quite a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of Him. If people will pray over the book to its author, then He will shed light on it and speak through it.

 

Here are some things the Holy Scriptures convey in relation to God.

 

1/.  A NUMBER OF TITLES ARE ASCRIBED TO HIM THAT DENOTE HIS PERSON IN SOME DEGREE

 

         God gives a self-revelation and disclosure in the names that are ascribed to Him in the Old Testament. Within a name is the embodiment of a meaning that carries vital truth that gives illumination on His person and character. Here are but three names:

 

         El as employed in Genesis 1: 1 ‘God’ which means the ‘Mighty One’. From the introduction of the Bible, Genesis, God establishes the fact that power and might truly belong to Him as noted in creation in all aspects, including man.

 

         El Shaddai is a name by which He made Himself known to Abraham and Jacob – Genesis 17: 1; 28: 3; 35: 11; 49: 25. It reveals Him as the God of all-sufficiency, as the One who is able to minister to all whatever the demand. He is typified as the ll-breasted God who can feed and fill all His creation and creatures at the same time without difficulty.

 

         Jehovah is the special title that was revealed to Moses and was to be particularly known to Israel and is expressed in the name ‘LORD’. The word relates to ’being’ and emphasises His eternal and ever-present existence. Someone translated it ‘ I continue to be what I continue to be’. The three tenses, past, present and future is combined in one unique title and declare Him as the ever-present God. He is to be known in this capacity and ministry.

 

2/.   HIS QUALITY ATTRIBUTES ARE REFERRED TO SO THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO KNOW THE KIND OF GOD HE IS IN NATURE

 

          Throughout the Old Testament He shows what kind of God He is so that man is not left in any doubt whatsoever as to the quality of His person in what He says and does? Abraham was absolutely sure of His righteousness and justice – Genesis 18: 25. God gave meticulous revelation and knowledge of His unique quality of being – Exodus 34: 6, 7. The high standard He set fro Israel in the Decalogue is what He himself abides by. God can be trusted in above all others because of these infinite, eternal choice characteristics.

 

3/. His purposes are made very clear in the progression of the book

 

           He is a being of purpose and intention and such is of an eternal nature. The Bible is God gradually unveiling His tremendous plans to and for mankind and they are to be known, comprehended and believed. There is the original rationale given to man at the start but then throughout there is the disclosure of God’s mind as to what He has fully and eternally in mind for humanity. The choice of Abraham and Israel was in order to serve a greater purpose in the presenting of Jesus Christ in whom His eternal and real purpose is disclosed – see Ephesians 2 & 2 and of especial note – 3: 11. When Christ is known then God’s great plan of the ages is known!

 

4/.     He distinctly reveals his role in the matter of creation and with mankind

 

           God is not in the back seat with regard to such but the front, in sovereign control of all things. He was there at the beginning in bringing about the masterpiece of creation and in relation to man. In and throughout the Bible He is the One that rules and operates to achieve the intentions He has held from eternity past and all moves ahead according to His designs, in spite of all the mess that humanity and society finds itself in. Men may be in confusion and despair but God never is because He is in superintendence and all is working out as He has determined. Paul says ‘He works all things according to the counsel of His own will’ –

 

conclusion

 

It is imperative that all men place their faith not only in the Bible but the God of the Bible. The Scriptures are planned to give a glorious disclosure and unfolding of God to each individual as it is read in sincerity and with a prayer that He will make Himself known through the sacred pages.

 

 

 

 

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Great Stories assembled by Rev. E. Anderson

April 20, 2008 at 8:41 pm (Great Stories)

                                                         

Rev. E. Anderson

ALL THE GOOD THINGS

 

He was in the third grade class I taught at Saint Mary’s School in Morris, Minnesota. All 34 of my students were dear to me, but Mark Eklund was one in a million. Very neat in appearance, he had that happy-to-be-alive attitude that made even his occasional mischievousness delightful.

 

Mark also talked incessantly. I tried to remind him again and again that talking without permission was not acceptable. What impressed me so much, though, was the sincere response every time I had to correct him for mis-behaving. Thank you for correcting me, Sister! I didn’t know what to make of it at first but before long I became accustomed to hearing it many times a day.

 

One morning my patience was growing thin when Mark talked once too often. I made a novice-teacher’s mistake. I looked at Mark and said, ‘If you say one more word, I am going to tape your mouth shut!

 

It wasn’t ten seconds later when Chuck blurted out, “Mark is talking again.” I hadn’t asked any of the students to help me watch Mark, but since I had stated the pun­ishment in front of the class, I had to act on it.

 

I remember the scene as if it had occurred this morning. I walked to my desk, very deliberately opened the drawer and took out a roll of masking tape. Without saying a word, I proceeded to Mark’s desk, tore off two pieces of tape and made a big X with them over his mouth. I then returned to the front of the room.

 

As I glanced at Mark to see how he was doing, he winked at me. That did it! I started laughing. The entire class cheered as I walked back to Mark’s desk, removed the tape and shrugged my shoulders. His first words were, “Thank you for correcting me, Sister.”

 

At the end of the year I was asked to teach junior high math. The years flew by, and before I knew it Mark was in my classroom again. He was more handsome than ever and just as polite. Since he had to listen carefully to my instruction in the new math,” he did not talk as much in ninth grade.

 

One Friday things just didn’t feel right. We had worked hard on a new concept all week, and I sensed that the stu­dents were growing frustrated with themselves and edgy with one another. I had to stop this crankiness before it got out of hand. So I asked them to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then I told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.

 

It took the remainder of the class period to finish the assignment, but as the students left the room, each one handed me their paper. Chuck smiled. Mark said, “Thank you for teaching me, Sister. Have a good weekend.’

 

That Saturday, I wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and I listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday I gave each student his or her list. Some of them ran two pages before long, the entire class was smiling. ‘Really?” I heard whispered. ‘I never knew that meant anything to any-one!” “I didn’t know others liked me so much!” No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. I never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn’t matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another again.

 

That group of students moved on. Several years later, after I had returned from a vacation, my parents met me at the airport. As we were driving home, Mother asked the usual questions about the trip: How the weather was, my experiences in general. There was a slight lull in the conversation. Mother gave Dad a sideways glance and simply said, “Dad?” My father cleared his throat. The Eklunds called last night”,  he began.

 

“Really” I said. “I haven’t heard from them for several years. I wonder how Mark is.”

 

Dad responded quietly. “Mark was killed in Vietnam,” he said. “The funeral is tomorrow, and his parents would like it if you could attend.” To this day I can still point to the exact spot on 1-494 where Dad told me about Mark.

 

I had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. Mark looked so handsome, so mature. All I could think at that moment was, Mark, I would give all the masking tape in the world if only you could talk to me.

 

The church was packed with Mark’s friends. Chuck’s sister sang ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Why did it have to rain on the day of the funeral? It was difficult enough at the graveside. The pastor said the usual prayers and the bugler played taps. One by one those who loved Mark took a last walk by the coffin and sprinkled it with holy water.

 

I was the last one to bless the coffin. As I stood there, one of the soldiers who had acted as a pallbearer came up to me. ‘Were you Mark’s math teacher?” he asked. I nod­ded as I continued to stare at the coffin. “Mark talked about you a 1ot,” he said.

 

After the funeral most of Mark’s former classmates headed to Chuck7s farmhouse for lunch. Mark’s mother and father were there, obviously waiting for me. ‘We want to show you something,” his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.”

 

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. I knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which I had listed all the good things each of Mark’s classmates had said about him. “Thank you so much for doing that,” Mark’s mother said. ‘As you can see, Mark treasured it.”

 

Mark’s classmates started to gather around us. Chuck smiled rather sheepishly and said, ‘I still have my list. It’s in the top drawer of my desk at home.” John’s wife said, ‘John asked me to put his in our wedding album.” “I have mine, too,” Marilyn said. “It’s in my diary.” Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. I carry this with me at all times,” Vicki said with­out batting an eyelash. I think we all saved our lists.”

 

That’s when I finally sat down and cried. I cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.

 

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Prayer Dynamics furnished by Rev. E. Anderson

April 19, 2008 at 11:42 pm (Prayer Dynamics)

                                                     

Rev. E. Anderson

A DYNAMIC REQUEST

 

This dynamic request was made the close disciples of Christ on one occasion as He uttered some very challenging words: ‘Lord increase our faith’ – Luke 17: 5. They evidently sensed their deep need for spiritual enlargement and development as they heard His words and saw His deeds. It was incumbent upon them that if they were to be like their Master and were to make real progress and be a success then this must take place in their beings and lives.

 

1/.  FAITH WAS ESSENTIAL FOR VICTORIOUS LIVING – vv1, 2

 

He refers to the fact of offences being carried out by people and the ultimate consequences that ensue as a result, especially against children. But there is a need to life free of bad behaviour and misconduct that inevitable brings justice and judgment. There is a demand for the kind of divine, dynamic quality faith that does not tolerate sin in any shape or form but conquers its inwardly and outwardly.

 

John in his epistle makes the point that this is ‘the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith’ – 1 John 4: 4. In this world of sin and iniquity it is possible to live free from and above it because of the dynamic faith implanted through Christ that makes people victors and not victims. There is no need for anyone to be under the domination of evil causing offence, rather there is a living of a life of grace, goodness and righteousness by faith.

   

2/.  FAITH WAS VITAL TO EXERCISE OUTSTANDING FORGIVENESS – vv3, 4

 

       It is imperative that a spirit to forgive is present and working in those who truly yoked to Christ.  One of the hardest and difficult things for a person to do is to forgive when they have been badly treated.  When someone has sinned against you then that individual has to be rebuked, that is brought to book and shown his trespass and that takes faith. As he says sorry, then forgiveness is immediately given. And if done seven times a day then forgiveness must proceed. The cultivation of this spiritual attitude is important and it takes faith for such to be birthed and developed.

 

‘Every person should have a special cemetery lot in which to bury the faults of friends and loved ones’ - Anonymous

 

In adopting this quality nature and practice is paves the way for the impartation and manifestation of faith in a greater way.

 

3/. FAITH WAS FUNDAMENTAL TO SPEAKING THINGS OF AN EXTRAORDINARY NATURE – v 6

 

      Because the believer has no hang ups against other people he is placed in an invincible position as far as God is concerned. He is able to move up to a new level of life and living where his faith and speaking are dynamically operative.

 

      Faced with the impossible and extraordinary, the faith inborn is released and demonstrated in incredible fashion and degree. Mountains are banished and disappear because the one who exercises such has nothing in his being to hinder faith’s presence, power and performance. As the first two are active then the third feature is seen.

 

‘All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen.  He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak.  Strong convictions precede great actions’ - Clarke

 

 

FOR MORE FAITH

Peter Marshall

 

Forgive us, O God, for our small concept of heart of the Eternal, for the doubting suspicion with which we regard the heart of God.

 

Give to us more faith. We have so little  . . . . we say. Yet we have faith in each other-in cheques and banks, in trains and aeroplanes, in cooks, and in strangers who drive us in cabs. Forgive us for our stupidity, that we have faith in people whom we do not know, and we are so reluctant to have faith in Thee who knowest us altogether.

 

We are always striving to find a complicated way through life when thou hast a plan, and we refuse to walk in it. So many of our troubles we bring on ourselves. How silly we are  . . . .

 

Wilt thou give to us that faith that we can deposit in the bank of Thy love, so that we may receive the dividends and interest that thou art so willing to give us. We ask it all in the lovely name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

 

 

 

            

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God’s Thoughts and Ways provided by Rev. E. Anderson

April 19, 2008 at 11:38 pm (God's Thoughts/Ways)

                                                     

Rev. E. Anderson

These are but points to ponder that will initiate a greater comprehending of God’s mind and procedures. He desires that there should be a knowing of His sovereign plans and purposes so that life, ministry and service will be enriched and enhanced by His input. There is a revelation that His “thoughts and ways” are infinitely superior to ours – Isaiah 55:8, 9. We need to know and embrace them so that we might be able to achieve and succeed according to His desire and determinations. God bless you in your quest.

GOD’S THOUGHTS AND WAYS

 

THE WAY OF JUSTIFICATION

READING       Psalm 37

 

INTRODUCTION

 

COMMITMENT: Undoubtedly, the believer in God must be committed to the way of divine righteousness. This means knowing and living in the way that God has designed according to His principles and procedures whatever they may be. Life is directed according to Him and His Word. The psalmist says in Psalm 23: 3 that “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” It is expected of him/her that there is devotion to that which is right and good and not to do evil and neither to fret over evildoers – Psalm 37: 1, 8. EXPERIENCE: There will come times when the good that is done will be evil spoken of and when the life, character and work of the righteous and good are assaulted and defamed. The believer in God will have to pass through and have to face such an extreme issue of this nature. God does not shield a person from this kind of ordeal. Of course, He will be with him/her in such a situation but He will never spare a person from this kind of thing. There is no way out of escaping from such an experience but there is a way through. LESSON: In this situation there are invaluable spiritual lessons to be learned so that the whole experience is not lost but advantages gained. Faith is born, developed and strengthened in and through this process, qualities produced in the character, hope sustained and God is glorified and ultimately person and work vindicated.  ASSURANCE: In the passing through this tough assignment it is possible to possess divine assurance because there is a divine consciousness and conviction that God is fully aware of what is happening and that the matter is temporary even though it may be stretched out for a while – Job 23: 10. There is no need to be undone by others or by the cruel lot seemingly imposed but rather the opposite be in evidence, i.e. is strength, holy resolve and quiet confidence prevailing. EXAMPLES: The Word of God abounds with examples in this and they serve to give us a perspective on the matter. It is possible to see that in all kinds of circumstances of a trying nature that it is possible to leave things in the wise and capable hands of God. This psalm is all about trusting in God, committing everything to Him, resting in Him at all times etc.

 

1/. HAVING MADE THE RIGHT DECISION ONE HAS TO LEAVE THE VINDICATION WITH GOD

 

This is illustrated in the life of Abraham in his dealings with his nephew, Lot. He refused to put him under pressure when strife became between the herdsmen – Genesis 13: 7 and gave him the pick of the land. It would have been quite easy for him to assert himself and his rights, but he refused to do so. Why? He knew and was assured that his future was not in his own hands but God’s. There was no need for him to be alarmed or angry. God had big plans for him and He would outwork them. Time proved how right he was!

 

2/. HAVING CHOSEN THE PATH OF PURITY ONE HAS TO LEAVE THE ULTIMATE WITH GOD

 

This was certainly so in the experience of Joseph. He had already passed through a severe trial with his brothers. He had not as yet been vindicated before them regarding his dreams. Now he was called to face the biggest upset of his whole career which could have easily upset and offset him and thrown him off course. In choosing the path of purity and righteousness he is seemingly thrown into a severe trial of suffering – Genesis 39. It was better for him to be in jail with his innocence and clean conscience than to be outside in charge of the household with a stained life and character. When the justification came it was of a resounding order that even his family would have to acknowledge!

3/. HAVING SERVED GOD RIGHTLY AND GRACIOUSLY ONE HAS TO LEAVE THE ISSUE WITH GOD

 

Another great man of God and leader had to pass through this critical situation before the people of God and even his own family, Moses. There came a time when he was severely condemned by Miriam and Aaron who foolishly took it upon themselves to charge their brother wrongfully – Numbers 12. They had the affront to speak evil and insult the one whom God had called and justified in his leadership – vv1, 2. Moses was both a gracious and wise man and left the matter with God. It was the choicest thing to do because Miriam was subjected to an awful judgment. Moses kept his life and service Godward in a pure state of motivation and therefore could commit his life and procedure to God. 

 

4/. HAVING MADE AN OUTSTANDING WITNESS AND THEN TO BECOME SUBJECTED TO PAIN AND TRIAL, ONE HAS TO LEAVE THE MATTER WITH GOD

 

Of all the characters, Job really stands out on the pages of truth and experience in relation to vindication. At the outset we are made aware of the fact of God’s estimation of him and the devil’s intention concerning him. He was not only put through the ordeal of the loss of his family and things, of his own physical health, but seemingly worse of all, to be wrongly accused by seeming friends. The latter was unspeakable grief and one that pained him a great deal. He comes through the whole lot truly vindicated by the Lord – Job 42. He did not know the why and wherefore in going through this procedure but he learns to look to the Lord to the ultimate judgment.

5/. HAVING BLESSED OTHERS AND THERE IS NO APPARENT GOOD REACTION FROM THEM ONE HAS TO LEAVE IT WITH GOD

Throughout the psalms of David we get the impression that he really had to learn this all-important lesson. This is especially so when it comes to the fact of having helped and blessed others he has the painful experience of being badly treated by them. It is reflected in Saul, Nabal and even his own son Absalom. To each one he had been extremely and exceedingly kind but in turn each one had treated him badly. How easy it would have been for him to become sour, bitter and revengeful. There was no way that he would allow these incidents to invade his disposition and destroy his confidence in God. In one instance with Nabal, Abigail wisely gives a word in season to help him stabilize his spiritual condition - 1 Samuel 26: 28-34.

 

6/. HAVING GIVEN ONE’S WHOLE LIFE TO SAVE OTHERS ONE HAS TO LEAVE THE OUTCOME WITH GOD

 

The most perfect example of all is Jesus Christ. He left the Father to do all the justifying both in life and when it came to the ultimate of death. If ever a person was committed to righteousness and goodness He was. Yet He was maligned, insulted and questioned as to His words and deeds. He was ready to leave His vindication with God the Father and how well He did it in resurrection and will further do it at His second advent – Acts 2: 22; Romans 1: 4.

CONCLUSION

 

It can be seen from these instances that God is well able to justify all of His servants whatever the circumstances may be of an adverse nature.

 

There is the assured promise given to those who have to or who are traversing this difficult way which is a star to guide and to give confidence – Psalm 37: 6. It is not a matter of questioning but trusting Him for He order the steps and path of the righteous vv23, 24. He is ever near that justifies.

 

         

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Christianian Testimony compiled by Rev. E. Anderson

April 19, 2008 at 11:33 pm (Christian Testimony)

                                                 

Leona, Glesna and Micha Cunningham

THANK GOD FOR MY DAD

 

AT THE TENDER AGE OF 14, YOU don’t expect to experience the ordeal of witnessing both your parents receive treatment for cancer. But that’s what Leona Cunningham had to endure.

 

Leona, daughter of Glesni and Micha Cunningham, saw them both simultane­ously undergoing chemotherapy.

 

At that time, in 2006, Glesni had been pastoring a church in Mountain Ash, Mid Glamorgan, for six years. In February 2000 she was asked to go and preach at the church for five Sundays. She agreed, and attended week by week with her family. The church was so impressed with Glesni, not just as a speaker but as a person, that they invited her to become their pastor.

 

In consultation with her minister and the regional leader for the area, Denis Phillips, she agreed. There were just nine people present on the first Sunday, but over the next few years the church saw phenomenal growth with Sunday services attracting up to 100 people. And all this despite the fact that Micha was struggling with cancer.

 

Micha was born in Swansea in 1963, but spent much of his formative years in Berlin. As a young man he was highly competitive and passionate about sport, representing Wales’s youth in the javelin event. After leaving school he studied graphic design, and at 21 married Glesni. In that same year he was diagnosed with leukemia.

 

Five months earlier Glesni had come to faith in Christ, but Micha was not interested. Despite this, he never tried to halt his young wife’s pursuit of God and then one day, lying ill in a hospital bed, he too committed his life to Christ. Within three weeks he miraculously went into remission and remained in that con­dition for 16 years. Their daughter Leona was born in May 1991, something that Micha described as one of the best days of his life.

 

Micha was a minister’s husband, and was so proud and supportive of Glesni and the church.

 

Sadly, the cancer returned in several places, and in January 2004 Micha under­went a period of aggressive chemotherapy.

 

There were also severe complications. Having caught the MRSA virus while in hospital, he had to undergo two hip replacements. However, he continued to soldier on and to serve the Lord.

 

It was in 2006 that Glesni shared with a group of ‘ministers-in-training’ something of the challenges that she had faced. Many people said she was a blessing and an inspiration to all that heard her.

 

In the summer of 2007, Glesni was also diagnosed with cancer, and Leona, now 14, faced the prospect of both parents undergoing treatment for the disease.

Glesni responded well to prayer and treatment.

 

But in August 2007, Micha was diag­nosed with a further form of leukemia, and on December 22, 2007, with Leona at his bedside Micha passed into the pres­ence of the Lord.

 

In a touching letter to her dad Leona wrote, ‘You are the rock on which I stood. For 16 years I have looked up to you and treasured every word you have said, I know I can trust you completely.

 

Even though life has been hard, I’m so grateful that you are my dad, my friend and my guide. I couldn’t imagine growing up with anyone else but you.

 

‘I thank God every day for giving me such a wonderful dad - so caring, so bursting with knowledge, so skilled and talented. You are everything a girl would need. Even though life is getting harder and the future is so unsure I want you to know that my faith is in God.’

 

 

   

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Contemporary Considerations supplied by Rev. E. Anderson

April 18, 2008 at 8:08 pm (Contemporary Considerations)

                                                     

Rev. E. Anderson

THE TRUTH ABOUT FEELINGS

by Jon Walker

… And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ …. (Philippians 1:9-10 NIV)

Submitted now for your consideration: Pamela, a loving wife, a nurturing mother, a prayerful Christian. This morning, her husband, Richard, left a tender note on the bathroom mirror, inviting Pamela to join him for lunch at their favorite restaurant.

Pamela eyes the clock throughout the morning, anticipating meeting her life-long love at 1 p.m. She’s excited and feeling extraordinarily loved by her husband, so she leaves for the restaurant early in order to buy Richard a small gift. She splurges more, buying two balloons, which float up from the ribbon wrapped around the present.

As she pays for the gift, she looks in her purse and notices she’s left her cell phone at home – again. No matter, it’s 12:30 and in a few short minutes she’ll be with Richard, giving him her undivided attention. Who needs a cell phone in moments like that?

Pamela arrives at the restaurant first and patiently waits for Richard to arrive. What she doesn’t yet know is that Richard has been in a horrible traffic accident and was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:24 – about the time Pamela was tying the balloons to the bow, buoyantly anticipating the approaching romantic rendezvous.

The point to this sorrowful snapshot is that our feelings don’t always reflect the truth. Pamela is soaring high on her feelings of love, even though her husband is already dead. The truth is bearing down on her, and it will immediately alter her feelings when it hits – but her feelings are not yet in line with the truth.

Imagine Pamela as she waits for her husband, and he does not arrive. She’s forgotten her cell phone, so she waits. After a while, she becomes annoyed; after 20 minutes, she’s irritated and hurt. Her feelings still do not line up with the truth.

After 40 minutes, she begins to worry. This just isn’t like Richard. Maybe something has happened. She asks to borrow the restaurant’s phone, and she calls Richard’s office, but is transferred to his boss. He says, “Pamela, we’ve been trying to reach you. There’s been a terrible accident ….” The truth and Pamela’s feelings collide.

The fact is, God gave us feelings. There’s nothing wrong with them. As one of my friends often says, “Feelings are just feelings.” Sometimes they reflect the truth; oftentimes they don’t. They can provide positive insight, such as when our fear warns us of nearby danger, or they can give us social discernment, like when we realize we’re falling in love.

But your feelings do not define the truth. Only God defines the truth. You may feel worthless, but the truth is you are uniquely created by God, who loves you deeply. You may feel like you can walk on water, but the truth is you can only do that if Jesus calls you from the boat. You can’t; God can.

Just as the Apostle John tells us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1-3), Paul teaches us to discern the truth through knowledge and deep insight, not through our feelings. He writes, “… and this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ ….” (Philippians 1:9-10 NIV)

Eugene Peterson, in The Message paraphrase of the Bible, translates it like this: “… You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush ….” (Philippians 1:9b-10a MSG) Otherwise, you end up in a life “shaped by things and feelings, instead of God.” (Colossians 3:5 MSG)

Your feelings are from God. They are a gift, and there is no need to avoid them or be ashamed of them. Yet God never meant for our feelings to be the gauge that measures your life and how you live it. Your feelings are not designed to define you or interpret the situations you now face. Only God’s truth can define you, and only God’s truth can pass judgment on the circumstances of your life.

The great and best Good News is this: God’s truth is a person – Jesus Christ, our Lord.

What does this mean?

     ·  You are not your emotions – You are not defined by your emotions. You are defined by God. You may feel worthless, but God says you are wonderfully and fearfully created in his image. You may feel like you’ve failed God, but God says you are accepted in the beloved and that he loves you no matter what you’ve done.

     ·  God uses your feelings – God may use your feelings to reveal a piece of your heart that you need to turn over to God; he may use your feelings to draw you closer to him. Paul speaks of feeling like a wretched man, and that draws him deeper into the grace of God. Your feelings of hopelessness in a situation may be what God uses to show you that you’re hanging your hopes on the wrong thing – because he is a God of hope, and it is a hope that will not disappoint.

     ·  Your obedience is based on the truth, not feelings – The facts may appear daunting, but it is up to God to interpret the facts, not you and your feelings. God calls us to be obedient to the truth, not the way we feel. In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis says that if you don’t love someone, act as if you do, and your feelings will catch up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Powerful Quotes arranged by Rev. L.Goodwin

April 18, 2008 at 8:03 pm (Quotes)

                                                        

Rev. L. Goodwin

 QUOTES

FAMOUS LEADERSHIP QUOTE FOR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE LEADERS

“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.”
- Conrad Hilton, Hilton Hotels

 

“The right man is the one who seizes the moment.”
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

“Be enthusiastic as a leader. You can’t light a fire with a wet match.”
- Unknown

 

“Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.”
- John Maxwell

 

“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”
- Rosalynn Carter

 

“There comes a moment when you have to stop revving up the car and shove it into gear.”
- David Mahoney

 

“I would rather regret the things I have done than the things I have not.”
- Lucille Ball

  

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