The Life of Calvary
Volume 23, Issue 3 Thank God for Our Weaknesses March, 2017 Tim Arthur, Editor by Carl Phillips while on duty, and surely there were people who needed the programs worse than I did. THIS MONTH’S VERSE: ive years ago, when I lay dying of Just as we were beginning to accept “And whatsoever ye do, do it F heart failure — cardiomyopathy — the fact that I was going to die, a heart heartily, as to the Lord, and something strange happened to my wife transplant dropped into our laps, courtesy of not unto men; Knowing that of and me. Neither of us had ever failed to one of the half dozen hospitals in this coun the Lord ye shall receive the make our own way in the world. Oh, we try that do not evaluate potential recipients reward of the inheritance: for were never rich, or even anywhere near it according to ability to pay. It was charity, ye serve the Lord Christ.” — but we had supplied our own basic pure and simple. - Colossians 3:23-24 needs and had taken care of our families. We wept many times during the next Now we were told that only a heart few weeks as we benefited from one act of transplant would save my life, and we had charity after another. A local bank estab no money and no insurance. We applied lished a fund to which local people could for veterans benefits and were turned donate money to help pay our living ex down because, according to the Veterans penses in Austin, Texas during the weeks Administration, my problem was in no way before and the months after the transplant. connected to my 7 year stint in the Navy The hospital and the surgeon donated their and the Marines. services. That was ironic because when I was In less time than it takes to describe the released from active duty in 1958 I had process, my wife and I changed from people several opportunities to take advantage of who paid our own way into a couple existing assorted veterans programs connected almost entirely on the charity of friends and with education and housing, and I turned family and strangers. them down. I did not believe that my ser That was a lot harder than it sounds. In vice to my country entitled me to benefits one of our discussions about the subject I not available to the general population. told my fretting wife that unless there were After all, I had not been wounded or hurt (Continued on page 2) We Must Have Better Christians!
by A.W. Tozer Unfortunately, it is possible for a whole o talk of “better” Christians is to use generation of Christians to he victims of T language foreign to many persons. To poor teaching, low moral standards, and them all Christians are alike; all have been unscriptural or extra scriptural doctrines, justified and forgiven and are the children resulting in stunted growth and retarded of God, so to make comparisons between development. It is little less than stark trag them is to suggest division and bigotry and edy that an individual Christian may pass any number of horrible things. from youth to old age in a state of sus What is forgotten is that a Christian is a pended growth, and all his life be unaware born one, an embodiment of growing life, of it. Those who would question the truth of and as such may be retarded, stunted, this have only to read the First Epistle to the undernourished, or injured—very much as Corinthians and the Book of Hebrews. any other organism. Favorable conditions And even a, slight, acquaintance with will produce a stronger and healthier or church history will add all the further proof ganism than will adverse conditions. Lack that Is needed. Today there exist in the of proper instructions, for instance, will world certain ChristIan bodies whose histo stunt Christian growth. A clear example of ries date far back. These have perpetuated this is found in Acts 19, where an imperfect themselves after their kind for hundreds of body of truth had produced a correspond years, but they have managed to produce ingly imperfect type of Christian. It took nothing but weak, stunted Christians—if Paul, with a fuller degree of truth, to bring Christians they can be called. Common these stunted disciples into a better and charity forbids that we identify these by healthier spiritual state. (Continued on page 2) The Life of Calvary ~ Page 1 Thank God for Our Weaknesses We Must Have (Continued from page 1) without any part of Paul standing in the Better Christians! people like us, willing to accept charity, way. Paul was a perfect conduit for then there would be no place for charita God's grace, a smooth pipeline that con (Continued from page 1) ble people to demonstrate their good will tained no impediments to the flow. name, but any enlightened believer will and display God's grace. And so it is with all of us. God uses understand. Many people contributed to our our weaknesses to demonstrate His Evangelicalism as we know it today heart fund in our little home town of Port grace and power in countless ways. It's in its various manifestations does pro Isabel, Texas — but many more just true that it is more blessed to give than duce some real Christians. We have no dropped cash or checks in the mail direct to receive — but without those who will wish to question this; we desire rather to to us in Austin. I will never forget these surrender and receive, there can be no assert it unequivocally. But the spiritual small acts of kindness. They still drive givers. ??? climate Into which many modern Chris me today to do things I never did before, tians are born does not, make for vigor to become involved in charitable causes ous spiritual growth. Indeed, the whole that never even got my attention before. evangelical world is in a large extent I still don't have money — in fact, Let God-in-Us unfavorable to healthy Christianity. And I the cost of anti rejection medicines I will am not thinking of Modernism, either. I have to take for the rest of my life has mean rather the Bible believing crowd put us deeper in the hole than ever — Deal With the that bears the name of orthodoxy. but I give all the time I can when I am We may as well face it: the whole asked to contribute to a worthy cause. Mean-Spirited level of spirituality among us is low. We Our lives have never belonged to us — have measured ourselves by ourselves all of us have always owed our existence by Wayne Barber until the incentive to seek higher pla to the grace of God. But being handed teaus in the things of the Spirit is all but new life at the very instant I was re G od produces His love in us for oth gone. Large and influential sections of signedly settling into my grave has force ers, especially with people who are the world of fundamental Christianity fully brought this fact to my attention. intolerable. This love is characterized in have gone overboard for practices wholly The great apostle Paul had weak Galatians 5:22,23 by joy, and peace, pa unscriptural, altogether unjustifiable in nesses. He had bad eyesight, was short tience. All these characteristics of His the light of historic Christian truth, and and unimpressive in stature, and he was love emanate from Him. Christ in us deeply damaging to the inner life of the not a good public speaker. He referred to manifests His character through us. But individual Christian. a "thorn in the flesh" which he prayed His love is accompanied by His kind They have imitated the world, sought fervently for God to take from him, but he ness. popular favor, manufactured delights to never specifically described exactly You see, we are not talking about a substitute for the joy of the Lord, and which weakness he was referring to. grin and bear it attitude because Christ produced a cheap and synthetic power Nonetheless, Paul was able to see that living in and through us does not grin and to substitute for the power of the Holy his weaknesses made him that much bear it! His love is powerful and is mani Ghost. The glowworm has taken the stronger a witness for God. fested in the spirit of kindness towards place of the bush that burned, and scin He demonstrated incredible strength others—especially those who are mean tillating personalities now answer to the in serving the Lord. In 2 Corinthians spirited in the body of Christ. The word fire that fell at Pentecost. 11:16 30, Paul lists some of the hard for kindness is chrestotes in the Greek. It The fact is that we are not today pro ships he endured: He is a Hebrew and a does not necessarily refer to what one ducing saints. We are making converts Christian; he has worked hard for the does to show love for someone, but to to an effete type of Christianity that bears Lord; he has been often imprisoned be the tender heart with which he does it. It little resemblance to that of the New Tes cause of his faith; he has been severely is associated with the love of Christ in tament. The average so called Bible beaten, brushed against death many Titus 3:4: “But after that the kindness Christian in our times is but a wretched times; was whipped five times, beaten and love of God our Saviour toward man parody on true sainthood. Yet we put mil with the rod three times, stoned and left appeared.” lions of dollars behind movements to for dead, and shipwrecked three times; Chrestotes is a beautiful word. God’s perpetuate this degenerate form of relig has been in danger, gone without sleep, love so tenderizes us when we walk by ion, and attack the man who dares to done without proper food and water and the Spirit! He takes the sting out of our challenge the wisdom of it. clothing; and has stood up under the hearts towards others who have treated Clearly, we must begin to produce better pressure of caring for many churches. us wrongly. There is nothing that the in Christians. We must insist on New Tes And yet, despite all these examples tolerable individual in the body of Christ tament sainthood for our converts, noth of his strength and endurance, the things or anywhere else can hold against us ing less; and we must lead them into a Paul took the most pride in were his when Christ is manifesting His kindness state of heart purity, fiery love, separa weaknesses. As he put it himself in 2 through us. tion from the world, and poured out de Chrestotes is the word used to de Corinthians 12:9 , "But He said to me, 'My votion to the Person of Christ. Only in grace is sufficient for you, for My power scribe wine that has mellowed (Luke this way can the low level of spirituality is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I 5:39: “No man also having drunk old be raised again to where it should be in will boast all the more gladly about my wine straightway desireth new: for he the light of the Scriptures and of eternal weaknesses, so that Christ's power may saith, The old is better [chrēstόtēs]’”). It is values. rest on me." so wonderful when God’s people walk by From Of God and Men Paul saw clearly that his greatest the Spirit They are always looking out for Used by permission of strength was his own weakness, be (Continued on page 3) Christian Publications, cause God could demonstrate his power The Life of Calvary ~ Page 2 Camp Hill, PA via Pulpit Helps ???
comes from chrēstόs—translated “easy” in Matthew 11:30: “For My yoke is Blue Sky easy....” Even our Lord’s commandments are by Jesse Waggoner is pleasant. Sometimes, it is not only the not burdensome to the one who is seek sky that is covered with overcast, it is not ing to live under His Lordship: “For this is s I write this the sky is blue, in fact only the Sun that is dimmed by storm the love of God, that we keep his com A today is the first "blue sky" day we clouds. Now I cannot promise that every mandments: and his commandments are have had in about twelve days! When I day will be "Nothin' but blue skies from not grievous.” (1 John 5:3). What a won think of Spring, which arrives on the now on," but I can show you how every derful life Christ lives through us when twentieth of this month, one thing I par day can be a blessing in spite of the con we yield to Him: a life characterized by ticularly enjoy is blue sky! It seldom fails dition of sky or soul. His love, His joy, His peace, His pa to bring a smile to my face. Ever wonder Nearly 3000 years ago the Psalmist tience, and His kindness towards others. just why the sky is blue? Stand by for the wrote: "This is the day which the LORD In Galatians 5:22,23 Paul begins to answer: hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in show how God’s love is manifested to Sunlight is made up of many colors; it" (Psalm 118:24). We must come to see wards others. His next word is goodness: That's why, when you pass light through each day as a unique gift from our God. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, a prism, you see a rainbow: the prism It is a gift to be used wisely and well. To peace, longsuffering, gentleness, good breaks up the white light into its compo do so, this day must be lived for His glory ness....” “Goodness” is agathōsúnē, nent colors. When a stream of photons of and not our own, remember it is His day. which refers to the actual deeds done all different colors comes into the atmos To live for His glory means we must lis that are totally benevolent to others— phere, the red, orange, yellow, and even ten to, believe and obey His Word to us. specially those who don’t deserve it. God green ones tend to get through unim Make that your goal this day and every in us directs us to do for them what they peded. But the photons that are more day. If you do the sky may not always be need! blue tend to get scattered off dust and blue but every day can be a blessing and It is this agathosune that baffles pa other particulate matter in the air. The cause for rejoicing when it is lived for gans who are in authority. Paul says, in shorter (bluer) the wavelength of light, Him! Romans 13:3: “Wilt thou then not be the more it is scattered. Ever notice how red brake lights on Pastor Jesse Waggoner is a graduate of Ap afraid of the power? do that which is cars are easily visible through even a palachian Bible College , Bethany Theological good, and thou shalt have praise of the relatively dense fog? That's because red Seminary and completed his Doctorate De same:” It’s this act of goodness that over light scatters less. If brake lights were gree from Master's International School of comes evil. Romans 12:19 21: “Dearly blue, you'd be having a lot more unex Divinity in 2011. He was ordained as a minis beloved, avenge not yourselves, but ter of the Gospel in 1988. He served as Pas rather give place unto wrath: for it is writ pected meetings with cars in front of you! tor of New Hope Bible Church in Bridgeport, Those scattered photons still get to the ten, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, West Virginia for 8 years, and as Pastor of saith the Lord.Therefore if thine enemy ground, and to your eyes, but they will Calvary Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Ohio come from some random direction (from for 5 years. For twelve years he served as the hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him wherever they were scattered last before Senior Associate/Teaching Pastor of Bible drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap they hit your eyes). So everywhere you Center Church , Charleston, West Virginia, coals of fire on his head. Be not over look you see blue photons, except di during which the church grew from an atten come of evil, but overcome evil with rectly from the Sun, where you'll see all dance of 750 to 2400 and relocated to a $20 good.” million second campus. After a brief break to colors. This is why the sky is blue! Goodness can be manifested through complete his doctoral degree Pastor I must confess when I enjoy a blue sky what you say: “Let no corrupt communi Waggoner began serving as the Interim Sen cation proceed out of your mouth, but I do not think of its scientific explanation, ior Pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in I just enjoy it! It means a day without Charleston. He became Senior Pastor of that which is good to the use of edifying, storm or rain, it means a day of warm Mount Calvary in September of 2011 During that it may minister grace unto the hear sunshine, a day to get out and enjoy the this time the church has more than tripled in ers.” (Ephesians 4:29). It is amazing how fresh air under God's great blue canopy. worship attendance and has launched a num some people who are mean spirited, It is no wonder that the term "blue skies" ber of new ministries. opinionated, even obnoxious are so dis has come to be a metaphor for feeling —www.waggonermedia.com ??? armed when God’s love in you says good. In 1946, Irving Berlin penned a words to them that bring healing. God’s tune that has been recorded by everyone Let God-In-Us Deal love in us is inwardly effective but it is from Bing Crosby to Willie Nelson enti also outwardly sufficient to minister to tled "Blue Skies." The lyrics picture a With the Mean-Spirited those who treat us wrongly. man on top of the world, in love and free Are you experiencing God’s love in your life? Saying yes to Christ and to His of trouble, here is a sample: (Continued from page 2) the needs of others instead of them will releases His love in us that no one Never saw the sun shinin' so bright selves. They rejoice inwardly with the can deny. Wayne Barber is senior pastor of Hoffman Never saw things goin' so right knowledge that God is in control. Out Noticing the days hurrying by wardly, they realize that people are not town Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico ??? When you're in love, my how they always going to be nice. So, along with fly. love, joy, and peace, they have God’s patience as they bear with the ugly way Blue days, all of them gone in which they are treated. And their Nothin' but blue skies from now on hearts are so tenderized by God’s Spirit (Blue skies smilin' at me that people are softened and disarmed Nothin' but blue skies do I see) just by being around them. Chrestotes
Now for the bad news, not every day The Life of Calvary ~ Page 3 has blue sky. Not every experience of life The Angels Are Singing Little by Little by Pat A. Sims For the first time she flatly told me "No." I thanked God with a sigh for the — A Little Less hristian motherhood is not all giving clarity and proceeded to explain that if C and duty; it also is receiving some she wanted to go forward that night and by Dick Hester of God's most intimate and rich experi accept Him I would go with her. y Bible study brought me to Exo ences through the priceless heritage of All that day my chores were inter M dus 23 this week. I was struck by our children. I received one such bless rupted by a gentle tug at my apron, and v. 30: “Little by little I will drive them out ing recently. another question or statement about Je before you, until you have increased Our church was holding nightly re sus, the heart and Heaven. enough to take possession of the land.” vival meetings. My greatest burden was "Mommy, I want to go to Heaven Little by little; a little less. for one particular individual very near real bad." That’s how most of us grow spiritu and dear to me: our four and one half That plea still rings in my ears, and I ally. We are into the new year and proba year old daughter. Lately she had shown wouldn't trade the precious opportunity to bly many, if not most, made some mental signs of deep conviction and of her need hear it for any job on earth. or written list of something we’d like to for Jesus. On Wednesday night as the The whole family was slightly nerv accomplish in 2017. Do you know what congregation sang softly "Just As I Am," ous as we walked into the service Thurs surveys say is the number one New she stood unusually still. day evening. The message was again Year’s resolution? To lose weight. Most Conscious that the Holy Spirit was most helpful to the Christian and to those of us want to lose weight; some of us will prodding me, I bent down to ask her if without Christ—but especially to one little do it and most of us who do, won’t keep it she wanted Jesus to come into her heart. girl with a very big need. off long. Does that mean we should not "Uh huh," she mumbled tearfully. The invitation hymn "Just As I Am" try? Not at all. Confusion hit me like a bolt. Last was announced. The organ played the There is always a place for resolv- year at about the same time our then five introduction. We got half way through the ing, by God’s grace, to make progress year old son had accepted Christ during first verse when she looked up at me in life. We ought to have some goals in a similar week of meetings. It would with her big blue eyes tear filled. order to help us stay focused. All of us seem after that experience there would "I need Jesus," she announced. could resolve, for instance, to be “a little be no doubt in my mind of a small child's She turned and, with a definite step, nicer”. It’s possible to make fun of that sincere need, desire and readiness. pushed behind her Dad and brother to notion, but the concept, from Exodus 23, But Satan knew exactly when to the wide aisle. strikes me as being entirely biblical. strike. By this time the invitation was To hold her back now would be dis When the Jews were on their way to the over, the benediction pronounced and astrous because the human heart, no Promised Land, God told them that He everyone made his way to the coat racks matter how tender, quickly hardens to would drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, in the hall. the Spirit's gentle wooing. and the Hittite before them—but He That evening after the children were I side stepped to the aisle where would not do it quickly. They would have in bed my husband and I discussed the she clasped her eager little hand in mine to fight for every inch of the land because need of our daughter. I was convinced and we made our way to the front of the God said that He would drive out the bad she was sincere. sanctuary. guys “little by little”. He promised slow "Well, if she still shows a desire to Two decisions were made right success, not quick victory. In the con morrow night, we'll let her go forward," then: a daughter’s acceptance of Jesus text, God said that He would send His my husband said with a note of finality. Christ as Lord of her life and a mother's “fear”—His “terror” on ahead of them to I didn't sleep well that night, waking dedication to the overwhelming task of throw the people into panic. Then he up every now and then to pray. However, daily guidance of another spiritually would use hornets (v. 28) to drive them I experienced a comfort and assured "newborn." This would have to be a day out, and all that the Israelites would see ness hard to explain. A child's heart is by day nourishing from God's Word un would be the backs of their enemies as tender and fertile, and I felt sure that she der the inspiration of the Holy Spirit ac they ran from them. God said that He would be as desirous tomorrow night as companied by a constant yielding of this would not rid them all at once, lest the she had been that evening. What a chal young life into His plan. land grow up with weeds, and wild ani lenge and responsibility was mine as a A beautiful child's prayer went up to mals would take over, filling up the land Christian mother. the Father that evening at the bedside— once occupied by their enemies. Better I will never forget that next day. Our a prayer of confession and thanksgiving that they should fight many battles daughter was more ornery than she ever in humbleness and childlike faith. and win the land bit by bit, filling it up had been before. I asked the Lord for an "Now I have Jesus in my heart!" she slowly with their own people. over abundance of loving patience be said jubilantly. I think we can take this as wise cause it was plain the child was under 'Yes," I answered, "And do you counsel for the new year and for our deep conviction. know that the angels in Heaven are sing spiritual lives . Let’s all—by all means— Sure enough, again the questions ing right now because you let Him set out for spiritual advancement, but started coming. in?" [see Luke 1510] perhaps “a little more here” and “a little "Mommy, do you have Jesus in your With that she threw back the covers, less there”. A little more kindness, a little heart?" jumped to the floor, ran to her Daddy, less criticism. A little more forgiveness, a “Yes." threw her arms around his neck and ex little less resentment. A little more con "Does Daddy?" claimed, "Daddy, do you know the an tentment, a little less complaining. A little "Yes, he does." gels are singing in Heaven right now!" more like Jesus, a little less like me. You "What about my brother?" I didn't tell her, but my heart was get the idea. Fill in your own list. "He has Him, too. We all three have singing, too. ??? Wars are won by many battles, Jesus in our hearts. Do you have him in The Life of Calvary ~ Page 4 large and small, fought in many your heart?" (Continued on page 5) Three Words In the Shadow of the Almighty by Oliver B. Greene Psalm 91:1 Do you feel a by John W. Davis He is with us when we are sinning or NEED yearning for turning away from Him? How saddened it something? Saul O ur verse for this lesson focuses on must make Him to see His child sinning of Tarsus felt the need: "And he an interesting phrase found in against Him. trembling and astonished said, Lord, Psalm 91:1. The verse says “He that Do you live in the fact that God is what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts dwelleth in the secret place of the most with you always? If you do, you will find High shall abide under the shadow of the 9:6). The Lord told Saul, he did what that you will sin less and live for Him Almighty” . What does it mean to “abide Jesus told him to do, and Jesus more. under the shadow of the Almighty”? Let’s It states in our verse that “He that saved him! look at a few other passages and discuss You need to feel your need of a dwelleth in the secret place of the Most this amazing phrase and truth. High shall abide in the shadow of the Al Savior—and when you do, Jesus will First, let’s look at verse 2 of this pas mighty”. A person must dwell in the se save you. "By grace are ye saved sage. It states “I will say of the Lord, He cret place of the most High. through faith: and that not of your is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in The final principle to learn concern selves: it is the gift of God: Not of Him will I trust.” The first principle of abid ing abiding in the shadow of the Almighty works, lest any man should ing in His shadow refers to His protection is that abiding in His shadow is a choice and shelter. boast." (Ephesians 2:8 9). There is we make. Not all people abide in His David in his time running from King nothing you can do to be saved. Je shadow. If a person places his faith in the Saul found himself living in caves and in Lord Jesus Christ he begins to abide in sus already paid the price for your cliffs. Those places were solid, sure, and sin—all you have to do is accept Je the shadow. unmovable for his protection. In essence, Sadly, there are many who refuse to sus as your Savior. David dwelt in the shadow of the heavy place their faith in Him and live apart rock that was above him and he found from God. Imagine if David did not seek Do you shelter and refuge from King Saul in refuge in caves and cliffs, but just lived in have the those places. the open fields as King Saul is hunting DESIRE David writes that he has Someone desire to him to kill him. David would be dead in that is better than the cliffs and caves for be saved? The jailor in Philippi did. short time, but because he dwelt in his shelter. His trust will be in God. The "Then he called for a light...came caves, he could hide and find the protec term “Almighty” describes God’s power tion he needed. People who are lost are trembling...fell down before Paul and and strength, which in this case is com Silas...and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do living in the open fields of life and finding parable to the rocks. David is saying that themselves facing destruction at any mo to be saved?’" (Acts 16:29 30). The the cliffs and caves are fine for a tempo ment. At first, it doesn’t seem so bad, but jailor was saved! rary shelter, but he has a better shelter sooner or later, it comes. Do you want to be saved? If you and refuge that is only found in God. Dear friend, find refuge and shelter do, call on Jesus: "For whosoever Can you say that? What do you put in the shadow of the Almighty. Believe shall call upon the name of the Lord your trust in to protect you? It is sad to and put your faith in Jesus Christ as your watch people put their trust in something shall be saved." (Romans 10:13). Lord and Savior today. ??? other than God and find it fail them. It re minds me of the children’s tale “The T h e Three Little Pigs” in which the first two ACTION prodigal pigs put their trust in the feeble houses son in that they built. The materials used were Luke 15:17 22 was off in a far coun no match for the problem they were fac try, feeding pigs when he saw his ing, the wolf. Friend, we have One who is need and expressed his desire, "I greater than all problems we face and we will arise and go to my father" and need to abide in His shadow. He is Al mighty. took action: "And he arose, and The second principle of abiding in came to his father." His shadow refers to His presence. A Jesus said: "Him that cometh to shadow is cast by something that is me I will in no wise cast out" (John nearby. For example, if you were to walk 6:37). If you have never accepted through a forest, you will find many shad Little by Little Jesus Christ, you NEED the Savior ows because trees are nearby. If you (Continued from page 4) look at your shadow on a wall or floor, today. Do you DESIRE to be saved? places. No doubt when 2017 is over, we you are aware that “you” are nearby. If so, then take ACTION and come will not have conquered all the “land” in David knows that God is always with to Jesus now! He will save you! front of us. This is as it should be, lest him and no matter what he faces in life or "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus we grow complacent in our spiritual jour later in his kingdom, God will be there. It ney. Let’s set out to have a great year is the Son of God, God dwelleth in is so encouraging to know that God is together for the Lord. With “a little more” him, and he in God." (1 John 4:15). ??? with us especially when we are going and “a little less” at the end of 2017, we’ll through struggles, but do we remember be amazed at how far we have come! The Life of Calvary ~ Page 5 First We Pray! Dick Hester ??? of everyday blessings. Because this is a once in an eternity opportunity, we The Don’t Go would be quite embarrassed not to have a gift to present at that time. Our repre sentative twenty four elders cast their Savior’s Words Empty-handed crowns before Christ's throne saying, via the Internet by Debbie Culley, Missionary to Asians "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory in Vancouver, Canada and honour and power: for thou hast f you never felt pain, created all things, and for thy pleasure Deuteronomy 16:16 . "Three times I How would you know that I’m a they are and were created" (Revelation in a year shall all thy males appear 4:11 12). Those crowns can be earned Healer? before the LORD thy God in the only before we get to heaven. Prepara If you never went through bondage, place which he shall choose; in the tion for those gift will be based on our How would you know that I am a feast of unleavened bread, and in forethought and appreciation for God's Deliverer? the feast of weeks, and in the feast blessings in our lives now. Not to bring If you n ever had a trial, of tabernacles: and they shall not a gift to a friend is to lose face. Not lo How COU Id you call yourself an appear before the LORD empty." bring a gift to our gracious and merciful overcomer? Lord is to lose eternal face. See that you Read Genesis 43:11-26 If you never felt sadness, do not appear before the Lord empty. In the Orient, politeness, honor, and via Good News from a Far Country How would you know that I am a "face" are all very important. There are published by Gospel Fellowship Association ??? Comforter? certain procedures necessary for polite If you never made a mistake, ness. Forgetting to do certain things How would you know that I am shows dishonor and is seen as being rude. One of the common ways to show If God Should forgiving? politeness is to give a gift when visiting If you never were in trouble, another person. The gift does not have How would you know that I will to be expensive, and one does not have Go on Strike come to your rescue? to know what the visited person needs or via The Beacon If you never were broken, wants. The gift alone shows apprecia Then how would you know that I can tion, forethought, consideration, and ow good it is that God above has make you whole? respect. Whether one visits a person in H never gone on strike. If you never had problems, his home, in the hospital, or even at the Because He was not treated fair in airport, it is polite to take a gift. things He didn’t like. How would you know that I can This is seen quite often in the Bible. If only once He’d give up and said, solve them? Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek “That’s it. I’m through! If you never had any suffering, (Genesis 14:18 20); Jacob sent gifts to I’ve had enough of those on Earth, How would you know what I went Pharaoh when buying grain (Genesis so this is what I’ll do, through? 43:11); the Queen of Sheba brought gifts I’ll give my order to the Sun: Cut off If you never went through the fire, when visiting Solomon to test him with the heat supply! hard questions (1 Kings 10:1 2); And to the Moon: Give no more How would you become pure? Naaman, the general of Syria, brought light, and run the oceans dry. If I simply gave you all things, gifts to Elisha after being healed of lep Then just to make things really How would you appreciate them? rosy (2 Kings 5:15 16); and the Magi tough and put the pressure on, If I never corrected you, brought gifts to the King of the Jews Turn off the vital oxygen till every How would you know that I love (Matthew 2:11). If a Biblical character breath is gone!” you? wanted to show contempt or disapproval, You know He would be justified, if he would have omitted gift giving. We fairness was the game, If you had all power, can assume that Moses did not bring For no one has been more abused How would you learn to depend on gifts to Pharaoh when he came to say, or met with more disdain. Me? "Thus saith the L ORD God of Israel, Let Thank God, and yet He carries on, If your life was perfect, my people go" (Exodus 5:1 2). Elijah supplying you and me What would you need Me for? ??? probably did not bring gifts when con With all the favors of His grace, and fronting King Ahab about his evil ways. everything for free. In Deuteronomy 16:16, the men of Men say they want a better deal, Israel were commanded to appear be and so on strike they go. fore the Lord three times in a year, and But what a deal we’ve given God to they were admonished to see to it that whom all things we owe. they did not appear before the Lord We don’t care whom we hurt to gain "empty," or without a gift. Verse 17 goes the things we like; on to explain that every man was to give But what a mess we’d all be in, if as he was able, based on the blessing of God should go on strike. ??? the Lord since the last pilgrimage. The gifts showed appreciation, consideration, forethought, and respect. Soon we, as God's new creation and “Study to shew thyself approved as the Bride of Christ, will stand before unto God, a workman that needeth God and the Lord Jesus. He is our The Life of Calvary ~ Page 6 not to be ashamed, rightly dividing source of existence, of eternal life, and the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:15 Just a thought.... Good vs. Bad ~ Answers on Page 8 ~ 12. What does Revelation 14 warn by Tim Arthur 1. Who did not believe an angel Christians not to physically accept in when told his wife would have a the last days? ______"F or I know that in me (that is, baby and was struck dumb because 13. What news caused the death of in my flesh,) dwelleth no of it? ______Eli? ______good thing: for to will is present with 2. Who had a dream of an image 14. Who were James, Joses, Simon me; but how to perform that which is which was broken into many pieces? and Judas? ______good I find not. For the good that l ______15. Who watched the prophet Elijah would I do not: but the evil which I 3. Who was Methuselah’s most fa ascend to heaven? ______would not, that I do" (Romans 7:18 mous grandson? ______16. Complete the following verse: 1 19). 4. “Honor thy father and thy mother” John 3:13: “Marvel not, my brethren, Paul gives this description of the is the (a) second; (b) fourth; (c) fifth; if the world ______.” great gulf between the person he (d) eighth; or (e) ninth command 17. How many books of the Bible wants to be and the person he is. It ment? ______contain only one chapter? ______is an accurate description of every 5. How many generations were there 18. Which book in the Bible says that one. We have the desire to do what from Rebekah to Judah? ______the natural man doesn’t receive the is good, but we cannot carry it out. 6. When a replacement apostle was things of the Spirit for they are fool Instead of the good things we know selected to take the place of Judas ishness to him? ______we should do, we end up doing the Iscariot, who lost? ______19. What are the first recorded evil things we don't want to do. 7. The garment of John the Baptist words of God in the Bible? ______There's this dark, evil side. It may be was made of what? ______anger, selfishness, bitterness, preju 8. What is the topic of 2 Timothy 3? 20. Who was the father of Leah and dice or something sexual, an addic ______Rachel? ______tion, or even a past that haunts us. 9. Which direction did the temple of 21. In the metaphor of Psalm 127:4 Whatever it is, God calls it by that Jerusalem face?______5, what do the arrows represent in one ultimately ugly word—sin— 10. How did Jesus combat Satan in the verse: “Happy is the man that rebellion against God's ways. each of His temptations by Satan? hath his quiver full of them”?______Paul tells us how powerless we ______22. Which book says “For the word are to change. He goes on to say in 11. What Bible book immediately of God is quick, and powerful, and verse 24, "O wretched man that I precedes Hebrews? sharper than any twoedged sword” ? am! who shall deliver me from the ______body of this death?" Paul is sick of being this person he hates. All of us away. are caught between the person we If you have already accepted Behave Yourself want to be and the person we really Christ as Savior, you can rely on 1 by Wayne Nix are. John 1:9 to set you right with God, “If But Paul doesn't leave us hang we confess our sins, he is faithful hese were the last words my ing, he gives us hope. He answers and just to forgive us our sins, and to T mother would say when she left his question in verse 25, "I thank cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” me somewhere, and she was dead God through Jesus Christ our Lord." If you need any help with these deci serious: I was to make myself be The only hope we have is through sions, please contact your local Bap have properly. Jesus Christ! We don't need to "get tist church. They will be happy to "Exemplary" means serving as a religion" or begin a self improvement assist you. ??? worthy model or example. Nothing program, we need a Savior; a deliv will kill your witness as a Christian erer from the sin we commit. faster than misconduct. People are If you have never accepted Je watching. Paul wrote: "You are our sus Christ as your Savior and you letter, known and read of all men. are ready to be rescued from your You are known to be the letter of sin, then tell Him that right now. Pray Christ" (2 Corinthians 3:2 3). and ask Christ to forgive you of your The facets of a diamond gather sin. Ask Him to save you, come into and reflect light for the purpose of your heart and change your life. He's giving brilliance to the stone. A disci the only One who can. 2 Corinthians ple of Christ has six distinct facets 5:37 tells us, "Therefore if any man for giving brilliance to the Corner be in Christ, he is a new creature: stone and Rock of our salvation: Our old things are passed away; behold, thoughts (which lead to actions), our all things are become new." This The Life of Calvary ~ Page 7 looks, our speech, our attitude, our miracle for you may be one prayer expressions, and our behavior. ??? N E D Y F L E D O C T O N E R S O N PENTECOST ACTS 2 I X S E H A L R D A E R B D A L E O by Tim Arthur
H O A S Z O T T I O N W O V N R M S WORD LIST G R D E S I A R T F O E E P D U N T ACCORD HOUSE AFAR JOEL T H P S H `A T B A R X D V L A G O H AMAZED LANGUAGE BAPTIZED NAME N O M M O C L P K E O E I O I V J S BLOOD NEED H S G O H C R S A C H H P S L L A C BREAD PETER CALL PLACE E D R K F O D U T B C L X L Y C H K CHILDREN PRAYERS CHURCH PROMISE A L N E M R U R H R A F D E Z A M A CLOVEN RAISED D E Z I D D I S I C T B U O D D J `P COMMON REPENT DAILY RUSHING E X S T W N S R E Y A R P W E O R D DEVOUT SAVED DOCTRINE SIGNS R E L E E V O R T G U N E V E L E O DOUBT SMOKE E R A V O S E W I S A L O L N L U O DWELL SOLD ELEVEN SOULS D U A R N P T C H S L U O S L R S L EXHORT SOUND FEAR SPEAK Y E G R E V M I P A T A G I T P E B FILLED TESTIFY H I C N X T N R F U F M F N E L O J FIRE TONGUE GIFT VAPOR A P T J O G E A R Y I O D A A F R O HEART WIND HEAVEN WONDERS N E M A N T R P E W G E K A S L O N HOPE WORKS
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12. The mark of the beast (upon the the (upon beast the of mark The 12. 22. Hebrews (4:12) (4:12) Hebrews 22.
11. Philemon Philemon 11. 21. Children (Psalm 127:4 5) 127:4 5) (Psalm Children 21.
10. He quoted Scripture (Matthew 4) 4) (Matthew Scripture quoted He 10. 20. Laban (Genesis 29:16) 29:16) (Genesis Laban 20.
9. East East 9. 19. “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3) 1:3) (Genesis light” be there “Let 19.
8. The Last Days Days Last The 8. 18. 1 Corinthians (2:14) (2:14) Corinthians 1 18.
7. Camel hair (Matthew 3:4) 3:4) (Matthew hair Camel 7. 17. Five Five 17.
6. Barsabas (Acts 1:23 26) 1:23 26) (Acts Barsabas 6. 16. “...hate you.” you.” “...hate 16.
5. Two Two 5. 15. Elisha (2 Kings 2:11) 2:11) Kings (2 Elisha 15.
4. (c) Fifth (Exodus 20:12) 20:12) (Exodus Fifth (c) 4. 14. Half brothers of Jesus (Mark 6:3) 6:3) (Mark Jesus of Half brothers 14.
3. Noah (Genesis 5:25 29) 5:25 29) (Genesis Noah 3. (1 Samuel 4:18) 4:18) Samuel (1
2. Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:31 35) 2:31 35) (Daniel Nebuchadnezzar 2. 13. The loss of the Ark of the Covenant Covenant the of Ark the of loss The 13.
1. Zacharias (Luke 1:11 20) 1:11 20) (Luke Zacharias 1. hand or the forehead) forehead) the or hand
There is nothing to hinder you from being saved but your own will.
You never in your life saw a man full of The following quotes are from D.L. Moody : God who wasn’t full of Scripture.
I tell you I had rather have ten thousand One backslider can do more harm enemies outside than one inside. in the world than twenty Christians can do good. One of the truest signs that a man is growing great is that God increases The worst enemy one has to overcome, and he decreases. after all, is oneself.
I have often said I had rather be able to If you are not overcoming temptations, pray like Daniel than preach like Gabriel. the world is overcoming you.
When the spirit of God is in a man The Life of Calvary ~ Page 8 the fire just burns. The Life of Calvary ~ Page 9 Put Stamp Here. The Post Office will not deliver mail without First Class postage.
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