EPISTLES OF CHRIST

“EPISTLES OF CHRIST”

by Jack Davis

“Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistles of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart” – II Corinthians 3:3.

Let us ever be thankful for the writings of the Lord. His faithful sayings are true and precious. Each epistle is of Christ. What a privilege is given to us. His Word sets forth quite a standard, which issues in a high calling. May this help us to be ever mindful of who we are, and what place and influence our lives are to have here, as God’s writings have the proper influence with and in us.

“Manifestly declared” tells us of that which is open to observation, inspection, and even criticism. What can Jesus Christ say or minister to others, to the world, through the testimony of our lives? Are we not current open letters?

Think of where these epistles are written – “on tables of human hearts” (Amplified Bible). Why are they written? For publication, to be read. Then consider what is being written in you and out to others. What is the gospel according to you – to Tom, to Melvin, to Betty?

What importance do we place on the written Word of God? In Jeremiah 15:16 we read – “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” In Job 23:12 – “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” In Psalm 119:11 – “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” What could be more important than the Word that God has written to us? Its importance may best be seen in what He is writing in us.

The Apostle Paul requested prayer “that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified,” even as it was with the Thessalonian saints – II Thess. 3:1. He said that even though he was in bonds, “the Word of God is not bound” – II Tim. 2:9.

In Acts 19:11-20 we read of the Word of God mightily growing and prevailing. This is stated following the record of God working “special miracles by the hands of Paul.” This was also after the exorcists, who were trying to counterfeit the works of the Spirit, were put embarrassingly to flight by the demon possessed man. This also followed the great bond fire, the burning up of those books of “curious arts” (evil magical spells, taught in Satan’s writings).

Thank God, His writings in our hearts cannot be destroyed. This is also said after we read that the Name of Jesus was glorified. We praise God for any increase and victory of the outward and written Word. Thank God, this can also be true “in us” as we exalt Jesus’ dear Name, letting the Word continue to grow and prevail in us. This special work takes time and attention.

In this computer age it is amazing to me the way vast volumes of writings can be safely stored in the smallest of areas, then brought out and expanded to whatever size desired to make readable. Yet, there is something far more amazing to me than that – how a heart knowledge of the immeasurable love of Christ can be written in us; and as He increases our capacity to comprehend that love, we are “filled with all the fulness of God” – Eph. 3:19. We are somewhat (please excuse the expression) “micro chips” of God’s universe. Hallelujah! “It is written!” We do not always feel it, nor act like it, nor see it manifested; but that does not change the fact. Once recorded, it shall come to pass.

The Word, the incorruptible Seed, by which we were born again – though made flesh, lives and abides forever – I Peter 1:23. That same Word transforms us first from within – “precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” – Isa. 28:10,13. This is done, making God’s good will and pleasure our will and pleasure. “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man” – Rom. 7:22. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them: – Heb. 10:16. By the Holy Spirit’s writing, God’s covenant becomes a part of us. “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” – Heb. 4:12. The living powerful Word of God will put “the accuser of our brethren” to flight. Discerning “the thoughts and intents” of our hearts, not only analyses us and cuts back the flesh; but the Word cuts out that which God does not want, as we yield to that working.

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” – I Thess. 2:13. God’s Word is indeed operative, working effectually in those who believe. The good effect of the Word in us can be determined by the measure we believe. Faith comes by hearing, recording in our hearts what God has written. With hearts like tape recorders, we need to be tuned in and turned on to the Word. As we believe what God has written, we benefit by what He would work. We also are blessed by realizing His will accomplished in us and made a blessing to others.

God is writing in us today so that others might believe and live – John 20:30-31. “The world itself could not contain the books that should be written” of His three years of public ministry – John 21:25. But, praise God, epistles of Christ are still being written. “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly” – Col. 3:16.
“My heart is a leaf, on which He doth write
His wonderful words of love, life, and light.
My body a temple in which He doth dwell;
My wonderful Saviour, Emmanuel.”
                                                  Song by M. Turner

So, we may understand, that we may be a blessing to  others as we each submit to the Holy Spirit’s writing. As He writes, the old creation nature must be judged so as not to distract from nor distort His message that He would send forth from our lives. It is no secret what God can do. The Living God by His spirit is writing LIVING EPISTLES. As what God inspired Paul to write by the Spirit found lodging in the saints’ hearts and was passed on, others were enriched and engraved with God’s writings.

“For our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only in Macedonia the Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from Heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain” – I Thess. 1:5-10; 2:1.

I pray that this may be even more and more true in us. May what God has written in me be realized in you; and what He has written in you be realized in me. May what God has written in us be experienced in those who read us. For we are epistles, “known and read of all men” – II Cor. 3:2.

THE LAST DAYS

THE LAST DAYS

Anita Clark

"Keep not Thou silent, O God; hold not Thy peace, and be not still, O God. For lo, Thine enemies make a tumult; and they that hate Thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against Thy people and consulted against Thy hidden ones. They have said, come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance." – Psalm 83:1-5

Israel is surrounded by enemies who desire to wipe her off the map. In 2009 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly accepted a two state solution to establish a Palestinian Arab State, if the Palestinian would recognize Israel as a Jewish State. The Palestinians did not accept that offer. Recently, Secretary of State John Kerry met with Palestinians in Geneva, Switzerland. and they said they would never recognize Israel as a Jewish state. The rejection of this fundamental requirement, which is a major prerequisite up front to achieve peace, is a major obstruction. At this latest conference President Abbas, the leader of the Palestinians declared that he didn’t believe that any Arab would ever agree to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Abbas says that it is all Israel’s fault that the Peace talks have not been fruitful. So, despite the enthusiasm of Secretary of State John Kerry that he will achieve peace by April, it looks impossible. One thing we can rest upon is that God is in control. When it is His time for the longed for peace to come – IT WILL COME. God’s timing is absolutely perfect.

Israel is building a settlement in Beit El (Bethel) area, which is the site of Jacob’s dream about the ladder to heaven, as well as Etzion, Adumim and Ariel, areas which they have for a long time said they would keep. (This according to Israeli VOA News). The Palestinians do not agree with Israel keeping these settlements as they are in areas of the West Bank that they desire to obtain to be part of their contiguous state. According to VOA News, "More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.4 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where the Palestinians want to have their capital. What seems impossible to man, is possible to God! We know that when Israel finally makes the covenant spoken of in Daniel 9:27, the judgment of the seven years of tribulation will come upon them, as well as upon the whole earth.

HAMAS: – ‘Israel has eight years left’ - Hamas, the militant wing of the Palestinians, is now making a statement that "Israel will be gone in eight years." Hamas Leader, Fathi Hamad says, "According to Islamic Prophecies, we will enter in jubilation and victory into the Al Aqsa Mosque having defeated Israel in 2022 because it will take that long to destroy them."

Hamas has declared that they will never accept any concessions for peace that President Abbas might make with Israel. They have continued their incessant rocket attacks upon Israel even though Israel has retaliated with air strikes. According to Israeli Defence Blog, "Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Hamas terrorist have fired more than 8,000 rockets into Israel. Over 3.5 million Israelis are currently living under threat of rocket attacks." This report declares that more than half a million Israelis have less that 60 seconds to find shelter after a rocket is launched form Gaza into Israel. In 2010 - 231 rockets hit Israeli towns, and 2011 brought 630 rockets which hit Israeli towns. Since 2001 more than 12,800 rockets and mortars, an average of 3 attacks a day have landed in Israel. Hamas is responsible for the majority of these incidents, and by turning a blind eye to other terrorist groups who loped mortars over into Israel, have endorsed them.

Israel is on the offence at the present time, having launched "Operation Pillar of Defence." According to this report, before they initiated this response, life was unbearable for more than 3.5 million Israelis because of the more than 1,506 rockets fired into Israel from November 14 to November 21, 2013. The majority of these rockets struck Israel, damaging homes, schools and other civilian areas. Although the IDF severely damaged the terrorist organizations’ long- range rocket arsenal, more Israeli civilians are still under extreme danger.

If these rockets were being fired into the U.S.A., what do you think would be the response? Does not Israel have the right to defend herself? It shows what a loped sided, satanic influenced world we live in today, where Israel is condemned for protecting themselves, while the terrorist are made to appear as the poor, unjustly persecuted ones.

Our thoughts and prayers are for Israel, as the Scripture says, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee" (Psa. 122:6).

37 MUSLIM NATIONS PERSECUTING CHRISTIANS – According to World Net Daily (internet news organization) "Radical Islam in melding with communists, and totalitarian ideologies in increasing persecution of Christians. Open Doors U.S.A., which assists the persecuted church around the world, compiled the World Watch list and reports 2,123 Christians were killed for their faith last year compared to 1,201 in 2012. In fact, the killings in Syria alone (1,213) trumped the total from a year earlier."

It seems from this report, "Most of the violence toward Christians is taking place from rebel groups who are mostly jihadists practicing extreme Islam." Emily Fluentes, Communication’s director at Open Doors U.S.A., reports, "Syria is experiencing a whole new level of persecution and violence of Christians, and now has become the third worst persecutor of Christians, skyrocketing from the 36th spot it held just two years ago." No doubt this is because of the Islamic terrorist fighting against the government forces there. Christians have said that they would rather be under the Syrian regime, where there was hardly any persecution than under the revolutionist.

Fluentes continues to state, "While Syria is the most deadly spot on earth for Christians, it fits a pattern in the Islamic world. Of the fifty worst nations for persecution, 37 of them are Muslim." But she continues, "Another disturbing twist is the melding of radical Islam with communist and other totalitarian ideologies."

According to the statistics given by Open Doors U.S.A., "The ten worst of the worst Muslim nations for the persecution of Christians in addition to Syria, are Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Maidives, Pakistan, Iran and Yemen. However, for twelve years running communist North Korean regime is at the top of the list, and Fluentes says things there are only getting worse."

So what has this to do with us? Remember, these believers are part of the Body of the Lord Jesus, part of His universal church. Shouldn’t we be concerned and take upon us the burden of praying for them. Remember, that Revelation 5:8-9 speaks of the overcomers of the Church Age, stating that, "Thou hast redeemed us from every kindred, nation and tongue." When we see these believers and their persecution on T.V. news, our hearts should go out to them and we should cry in intercessory prayer for their deliverance. The love of God shed abroad in our hearts should reach out to them as God’s people, even though we never have met them. They are a part of us. Also, it should make us to realize how strong the power of Satan and Antichrist is in the world today and getting stronger. As time goes on, until Christ appears, we have no guarantee that we will not be persecuted. What will the immediate future bring to us before the tribulation of seven years begins? It should make us to realize that the coming of the Lord for His bride and then the immediate start of the tribulation is so near. He will judge all who persecute His people. He said that Israel is the ‘Apple of His eye." What do you think His thoughts are of us, who have accepted Him and love Him and are willing to give our lives for Him, if it is required of us?

Saints of the living God, the time is short. Jesus could split the clouds at any time and catch His waiting bride away. Jesus said, "Watch and pray, Be ready." Are you ready? There will be no time to get prepared when the trumpet sounds. In fact if any of us are not ready, we won’t hear the trumpet. Think about that! All provision is already made for you to be an overcomer. Jesus Christ provided us all victory over the flesh, the world and the devil. He triumphed over all principalities and powers, and is our triumphant Head. Oh glorious thought! Hallelujah!

Weighed

Weighed


TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Daniel 5:27

How often we want to compare ourselves with others, or determine how we match up with our own expectation. Men are always setting the bar where they want it to be. It does not matter where we set the bar, or how we are doing compared to someone else. God weighs in His balance and the reference weights are His.

“Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.” Isaiah 40:15. The mighty nations think they are something important; that they have accomplished something great. They defy God and His right to rule, but in His scales they are barely dust which does not tip the scales at all. How arrogant man is in the light of an almighty God.

“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” 1 Samuel 2:3. The old nature is so arrogant, and always willing to boast about itself. God is not impressed with our boasting. He knows who we are, what we are and everything about us. Or actions are weighed by His balance. This is important, because He sees more that just the action. He sees the motives that drive the actions. We can fool other people, but never God. The real problem is that most of the time we are just fooling ourselves. God is not fooled. “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.” Proverbs 16:2

“Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.” Psalms 62:9. It does not matter to God what our position in this world is. Low degree, high degree, rich, poor, philanthropic or not, without Jesus, we are nothing in God's balance. We cannot add any true weight to ourselves, only what God does in our lives, through the love of Christ that lives in us, makes any difference in God's balance. We must always seek God's will in or lives and allow Him to work in us if we want pass His scale.

God knows about the weighty matters; the things that really have value. He seeks to add value to our lives through the life of Christ in us. We often put weight on the things of the world; money, social position, work position and so on. None of these things will add any weight of value for eternity. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” 2 Corinthians 4:17

RUTH

RUTH

Debra Isenbletter

Ruth 2:3 - “And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.”

In this verse we see the obedience of Ruth to Naomi’s instructions and her obedience to the Lord. She “went” (departed), she “came” (arrived) and she “gleaned” (gathered). Her life was filled with activity! It is filled with faith because she is exercising her right to glean. It is filled with love because she is providing for Naomi. She is stepping out into the unknown. This was a Jewish custom, not a Moabite custom and she knew no one, she was truly a “stranger.” This was also something only the poor did, not the wealthy. Ruth may have come from a middle class or wealthy family, when Naomi left and first arrived in Moab she said she went out “full.” It sounds like besides having a family, they had wealth. Jewish tradition says that Ruth was the granddaughter of Eglon, king of Moab. There is no scripture supporting that, but if we was royalty, or wealthy, what a humbling experience this was.

The sweetness of this testimony is that Ruth chose to glean, she chose to work for her living, and she did this diligently and quietly. Once she started, she didn’t stop, she didn’t talk, she simply worked. Verse 7 says that she continued to glean from morning until the time Boaz arrived, taking only a brief moment to rest. Paul teaches the importance of a quiet, honest, hard working testimony. He wrote the Thessalonians to “study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing…” (1 Thess 4:12) and “that with quietness they work…” (2 Thess 3:12). There was a problem in the church among believers of not working and living off the generosity of other saints. Ruth did not do that! She worked and she was a quiet worker, she didn’t gossip, she didn’t dally or dawdle, she didn’t waste time. Ruth worked and she was rewarded at the end of the day because she labored!

We can ask ourselves this question, “What made Ruth stop and choose a field?” I’m sure there were many fields around to choose from, she had no idea of where to go; she just went forward. Naomi said “Go” (2:2) but didn’t tell her where to go. Naomi left the choice to Ruth. I believe Ruth prayed as she “went” forth. I believe she asked the Lord to lead her to the right field. This should be the cry of every child of God; it is the cry of the dependent heart. We ask to be led, by the Lord, by His Spirit, by His Word. “… for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.” (Ps 31:3)
“O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me” (Ps 43:3). “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Ro 8:14) she went until she came to a field that was being harvested. She saw “reapers” in the field reaping. She saw the gleaners and made a decision, she “gleaned in the field” behind the reapers. Was this the first field she came to or was it the second or third? We don’t know. There may have been fields everywhere. Behind the time of departure when she “went” and the time of arrival when she “came” there is a time-frame. It is a time of trusting the Lord. Sometimes we don’t know how long in our own lives that we have to wait until we arrive at the place the Lord wants us to stop. But we know that when we go forward in faith, trusting the Lord, we will arrive at the place where He wants us!

There is a word used in this verse that makes it sound like it is an accident that Ruth finds this particular field. It is the word “hap:” “and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz.” The word “hap” means “happened” or “chance.” The word “light” means to “come to” or “stop” (chiefly by accident). This looks like an accident from our view and maybe even Ruth’s but not Naomi’s! Naomi knows this is no accident. Brother Art Eggers writes: “The word hap (happened) is how man views life but to God there is nothing haphazard. God has all things planned way before we see anything taking place. In His due time, God puts us where He wants us. Have you decided to labor in His field? There is plenty of work to be done, just ask God what to do.” Sister Mary Bodie writes: “The was a hap that never would have happened if Ruth had remained with her gods in Moab.”

In the life of a child of God there are no “haps” or “happenings,” nothing is by “chance.” Whether we ask to be led by Him or not, He is in control of our lives. He knows our hearts better than we do. He knows the decisions and choices we will make. (Job 23:10; Ps 139:2; 2 Tim 2:19) And even despite those decisions we make, He looks ahead and works out what is best for our lives because He knows! (Ro 8:28).

I believe Ruth’s steps were guided by the Lord. Abraham’s servant at the end of his journey, when he found Rachel said: “I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren” (Gen 24:27). He prayed and he was led and he knew it! Brother Warren Wiersbe writes: “God’s working in our lives is both a delight and a mystery. God is constantly working with us (Mk 16:20), in us (Phil 2:13) and for us (Ro 8:28). We pray, we seek His will, and we make decisions (and sometimes make mistakes); but it is God who orders events and guides His willing children.”

Like Ruth, the Bride is willing to be guided and led and in the end, like Ruth, she will be rewarded!
To be continued

He Loves The Whole Church

He Loves The Whole Church

Part 4 of 5

by Carson Richards

This is a subject we must approach with much humility, for it sounds arrogant if given in the wrong spirit, and is thus often taken in the wrong spirit. Nevertheless, in the thought of the Love of God, there is a coming forth of that love as is pertinent to the complete body that is called church. As Israel as a nation became not the largest people in the world, but reasonably numerous, so the church has surely not ever a majority of the whole population of the world, but is quite large. In Hebrews 12:23 it is aptly described as the “general assembly.” This implies a large group of people, and the mass of what composes the people of God in this age we are now in, called the church. Its name indicates “called-out,” so it is not of the world system as to spiritual life. Praise God! He likes large numbers, and He will have them from all these people that are called Gentiles. They are not despised, but beloved of Him.

Since the Deity often expresses His true spirit through mature saints, He shows us how He feels by the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul. I Cor. 16:24, “my love be with you all in Christ Jesus, Amen.” God through His Spirit loved all the church. He, more than we, is aware that not all are of the same degree of maturity, at a given time, or ever. In I Cor. 1:2 the Spirit bespeaks of a widely dispersed, large group. “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place all upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” So, as in the great council at Jerusalem, the truth of an out-called people, world-wide out-calling, in fact, is presented here. It is a great fact, and draws out a great love from the Gatherer of all these people.

I Cor. 15:51-52, God calls this great body of people to Glory. Isn’t that a love act? To lift all believers from all over, all kinds of people to start with, above mere human earthly existence, to a Glory with Him in Heaven, is certainly a bestowing of an expensive love from Him who is very love.

As we know, love is action as well as an attitude, and to do something real nice for the object of affection is love is action. People want to join up with something throughout their life here on earth, and this is the most important joining that can be done. However, this is not a union artificially effected, but one of life, spiritual life. Amen!

God’s concern through the apostle, shows forth again in II Cor. 11:28-29. “Beside those things that are without, which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not?” Such Love! A love encompassing every believer, and reaching into the intimate feelings of all. We can’t quite fathom it. We get disgusted and discouraged with the church especially in their faults and failures. Many rest on little planks of truth, and many are settled on little islands of experience and will never venture out into the ocean of grace, but God has love for them, too.

In like vein, II Cor. 12:15 declares; “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” This is more amazing expression of God’s love. It was shown by sacrificing to get truth to them, and it was not appreciated. We get our feelings hurt for lack of appreciation, but how about God? Sanctified emotions show forth God’s own feelings. His love is there, in spite of the lack of full response by the general assembly.

In I John 3:1, we find the Father’s love toward His children. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.” How fortunate we are to have a Father that loves us, and not like the gods of the world, as shown in mythology. The “god of this world,” Satan doesn’t display love as his forte. The church in its entirety should rejoice that it has a Father that loves it.

Too, the church is called a body, a living organism. It is a part of a great spiritual family, starting with the redeemed from the Garden of Eden and going on to the end of time. All the redeemed are in that family, and blessed indeed are we all that our Father in Heaven has a strong family love. He put this feeling in the natural family, when possible, for sin hinders all good emotions. God has strong family ties.

He likes to look about and show forth some of this family affection in some way. Perhaps He shows it and to the degree that the individual member will allow. Sometimes His evidence of love almost chagrins some other members of the church, for they deem such and such a person undeserving, We are almost startled by the answering of prayers, that the Father does for His large church following. (Now please understand, reader, that we are not saying that all professors of church membership are included here, but only the truly born again ones.)

Then, finally, In Rev. 7:9, 15-17 we see the greater portion of the church numerically called an innumerable company. “After this I beheld, and lo a great multitude, which no man could number of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands.” As we said at the outset, they are of all kinds and from everywhere. The large block of the church is from a varied human background. They are an unlikely group to ever to united, but united they are in Heaven. Their number is beyond human visual comprehension. We don’t say that it is mathematically impossible with modern “magic” means, but that the human eye seeing them could never count them.

We see that things are finally in a good state for them in Heaven. “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them into living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” It will be a blessed condition to follow the Lamb, a leadership most didn’t appreciate down here on earth. They will have no more tears, though at first conscious of loss. They in the new environment will be well-cared for, made to feel at home. Praise Him who has such capacity for love for so many. He has it while we are on earth, and for ever.

FROM OUR MAIL BOX

FROM OUR MAIL BOX

A note from David Cloud who has ministered many years in Mexico and printed gospel material for distribution there.
Worthy of Praise and Prayer
Our friend, who has not returned to Mexico for almost two years, last night received a call from the pastor of one of the churches he pioneered many years ago. As related to me, a relative of the pastor was offered a night job and was told where and when to meet for work. After arriving, four men grabbed him, beat on him, and held a knife to his throat while trying to get information about how to contact the “gringo” for money. Apparently they were persuaded he could not give them the information they wanted, so with threats they cut off a finger and sent him away. This has the POTENTIAL of becoming a series  of harassments and danger for the whole family. If our friend continues to be in contact with, and help his “beloved children” in their needs, the evil demands for funds could spiral beyond the ability to provide – increasing the danger to the individuals. Our brother needs wisdom and is calling upon the Lord. Please join him – any of us would want to help our family in need.
This same principal could happen to us, as we were the providers for the two churches – making us the “rich Americans” and subjecting the saints to possible extortion, and becoming hostages or worse. As yet, we have not had any signs of that kind of activity. But we do not plan on helping the saints in any way, nor being present with any of them.
David Cloud and family, P O Box 181, Pharr TX 78577-0181

A Good Report

A Good Report


Testimony of what the Lord has done for me in 2013.

The Lord has blessed me greatly this last year. In June I received the infilling of the Holy Spirit. In July, I started the Grace School of the Bible. In March, I started relearning Spanish. The Lord has helped in both of these studies. I feel the Word of God opening up more and more. I feel his presence when playing, listening, or singing hymns. I feel him when reading or listening to His Word. I am doing well at the Grace School of the Bible. I have an overall average of 97% in the first course, which is on the book of Acts. The lowest grade I got was a 93%. The highest grade I got was 100%. I plan to continue my studies in 2014 and hope to still feel the presence of the Lord. I had some things happen in 2013 but the Lord gave me first Peter 5:7, which says, “Casting all your cares upon him because he cares for you.” In February, I had a minor car wreck but the Lord provided a way to get my car fixed. In November, my Uncle fell and had to go to the Hospital but the Lord brought him home. In December, my Dad fell and broke his left ankle but the Lord is helping him to get better. One of my places I go to socialize almost had to close but the Lord blessed them and they will be open in 2014.
Evert Hastie
Wichita, Kansas

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Booklets:
The Chaste Virgin
Preparation of the Bride
Pauline Sanctification
The Oneness of Christ
The Five "Much Mores"
Grace -What Does it Signify?
Law, or Grace, Which?
The Two Adams
The Adam's Case
Diamonds in the Rough
Dying Daily
Tabernacle
Women's Ministry
Predestination
Eternal Life
The Unforgiven Sin
Baptism in Water
When Jesus Plunders
Numerology
Saints of Caesar's Household
Not legislation, but Revelation
The Holy Spirit- Baptism & Anointing
Phoebe, Woman's official Place
Death, Hell, and the Lake of Fire

Tracts:
Is God in Everything
This is That!
God - A Triunity
Why Am I Not Healed
Friend, Listen
A Burning Truth (John 3)
It is Finished