AMBASSADOR AMBASSADORO * H * I * O Volume 52 Number 6 November-December 2012 “The Voice of Ohio Free Will Baptists Proclaiming The Words of Christ to a Lost World” An Unusual Thanks n the Thanksgiving season, you will hear people give expressions of thanks for their many bless- ings.I Some will give thanks for their families, their homes, their jobs and their material possessions. Some will give God thanks for their spiritual bless- ings like salvation, healing, forgiveness, fellowship, the church and many other kindnesses that the Lord has bestowed on them. When I pastored, at Thanksgiving we would have services where we would attempt to not ask the Lord for anything and we would take the service to simply give thanks to the Him. It was hard having a service and not asking God for anything, but those services of Thanksgiving were truly a blessing. Of all the blessings that were mentioned during those services, I never heard mentioned the blessing that David mentioned here in Psalm 139. “Thou has beset me behind and before,” What David was thankful for was that he realized that he was surrounded by God! *Protection from Inward Temptations He knew the Lord went before him and walked behind III. Surrounded by God’s Presence Satan attacks us from the inside by using our past him. There wasn’t any way that he could find himself Throughout his life David enjoyed the presence of against us. He is “the accuser of our brethren” He out of the sight of God. Wherever he would go, he God. One night David looked skyward and pro- causes us to doubt God’s power and goodness and would run into God! claimed, “When I consider the heavens, the work of tries to destroy us with our tempers, our egos or our they fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast selfishness. Being surrounded usually signals that you are going ordained; What is man, that thou are mindful of him? to be defeated. Remember the old movies! So most And the son of man, that thou visitest him? (Psalm God has come forward and protected me many times people would not want to be surrounded. They prefer 8:3-4) When he stood before Goliath he told him. from my own self, my selfishness, my ego, my atti- to be beyond the vision of God because what they are “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, tudes and my resentments. Over the years I have had doing is sinful! This did not bother David to know and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of more problems with myself than any outside enemy! that God had him surrounded-in fact he took comfort the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, in knowing that the Lord was fully aware of every- whom thou hast defied.” (I Sam. 17:45) When Samuel thing he did! Are you thankful for that? II. Surrounded by God’s Provision was looking for a candidate for King among Jesse’s David experienced many times of God providing for sons—His own father forgot him on that day, but not I would like to look at three ways the Lord has us him, as a shepherd-“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall the Lord! (I Sam. 16:1-13) When David was running surrounded and we should be grateful. not want.” (Psalm 23:1). When David was a fugitive as a fugitive he said “Plead my cause, O LORD, with in the wilderness, God used several people to provide them that strive with me; fight against them that fight I. Surrounded by God’s Protection for him-Ahimelech the Priest, Abigail and Barzllai. against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.” (Psalm 35:1-2) David always David had many experiences of God’s protec- When David became an old man, he proclaimed, “I seemed to be aware of God’s presence in his life. tion.When he was a young boy God protected David have been young, and now am old; yet have I have not from the lion and bear. “The Lord delivered me out of seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging There is nothing greater in this world to know and the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear.” (I Sam. bread.” (Psalm 37:25) God always provided! Holiday Edition feel God’s presence in your life! When you are in Holiday Edition 17:34-37) He protected him from the giant, from King church, on the job, at home, laying down to sleep, ris- Saul and from his son, Absalom. Before David died, he had become an extremely ing to face a new day, confronting a trial, needing wealthy man. He used God’s provisions to prepare guidance, experiencing a great loss or performing We also have experiences of God’s protection. Two Solomon to build God’s House! 100,000 talents of service like preaching, teaching or witnessing. His areas I will mention where He has protected us. gold and 1,000,000 talents of silver. (I Chron. 22) presence makes the difference! *Protection from Outside Forces We also have many experiences of God’s bountiful Do you want God to surround you? Does the How many times has He protected us when we were provisions for us. Think about your spouse, your chil- thought bring you comfort or make you uncomfort- not even aware of the danger? I am convinced that dren, grandchildren, parents, brothers and sisters. able? Does it bring you peace or trouble your soul? I when we get to heaven, we will see the many times How about our jobs, shelter, food, clothes and many want the Lord to surround me. I don’t want anything the Lord rescued us even while we were unaware! extra blessings! Last but not least consider your spiri- “under the table” with Him! I am grateful and thank- “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High tual blessings-salvation, forgiveness, fellowship, ful that He truly does surround me with His shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm peace, purpose, the Church, our brethren! He has truly Protection, His Provision and His Presence. How 91:1 provided for us. about you? Edwin Hayes Secretary’s Schedule November 11 Mt. Sterling AM, Densil Wright, Pastor November 11 Forest Valley Spec Service 3pm, Del Wallace, Pastor November 18 Beech Grove SS & AM, Joe Pinkerton, Pastor The Five Marks November 25 Union AM, Chris Oiler, Pastor December 2 Lockbourne SS & AM, Leon Stevens, Pastor of the King December 3-5 National Leadership Conf. Nashville, TN It was probably just another ordinary day for December 9 South Columbus AM, Richard Hensley, Pastor Mary in Nazareth, just the usual daily activities December 16 & 30 DeGraff SS & AM going on. Luke records for us a visit to Mary. January 6 Columbus First AM, Tim McKnight, Pastor Suddenly and angel appears! He tells Mary January 13 Swauger Valley AM, Mike Simpson, Pastor some extraordinary news. He said that she was highly favored and the Lord was with her. Mary didn’t know what to think and was greatly trou- The Ohio State Association Office & bled. The angel told her to “Fear not, for thou Ambassador Bookstore will be hast found favor with God.” He then proceeded to tell her the greatest news that has ever been told. She was going to bear the Son of God. His name would be called Jesus! CLOSED He then gave five predictions for her Son. I will call them the “Five Marks of the King.” December 20-January 1st On the night the Child was born, the world was not focused on that little stable in Bethlehem but all the angels of heaven sure were! We will He Shall Be Great REOPEN We call may things “great” today, sports teams, politicians, scientists, doctors and even preachers. I think the word is overused. The definition of great is “The main one, chief, Wednesday, January 2nd above the ordinary.” EDITOR Rev. Edwin Hayes STATE CTS BOARD 7554 Slate Ridge Blvd Jason Luthy 2019 Jesus is truly great, greater than the OT Temple, greater than Solomon and greater than Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 Adam McCarty 2018 Jonah. He is the fulfillment of the law, prophets and kings. He alone is worthy. He alone (614) 751-1190 Deanna Price 2017 [email protected] Mike Sammons 2016 went to Calvary and He alone came out of the tomb! He has no equal. STATE MODERATOR Rev. Mark Price* Kevin Bass 2015 PO Box 4008 Joshua Young 2014 He Shall Be The Son of the Highest Sciotoville, Ohio 45662 Mark McCarty 2013 This title shows His equality with the Father. Someone stated that a son is a “carbon (740) 935-0328 copy” of his father. If you have seen the son, you have seen the father. This is surely true [email protected] NOMINATING COMMITTEE with Jesus. He was there in the beginning, He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the ASSISTANT MODERATOR Tom Dooley* Paul Etterling 2013 last. This is why Christians can rejoice. We just don’t have an angel, a prophet, priest or 4697 Crabwood Drive Paul Keener 2013 earthly king; in Christ we have God manifest in the flesh in our lives. Truly the Son of Austintown, Ohio 44518 Bill Chadwick 2013 (330) 792-5700 the Highest! [email protected] NATIONAL GENERAL BOARD MEMBER CLERK Bryon Justice* Edwin Hayes 2015 He Shall Be Given The Throne of David 4857 State Road God gave King David a promise that his descendants would always sit on his throne.