The ole man was known as the beggar in the town People would stare and laugh, whenever he was around! He had been born and raised in these parts, it is said Everyone that passed by him, he begged for a piece of bread!
He wore the same old clothes all the time, and the same dirty hat His pants were full of holes, his hair full of mats! Seen only during the light of day, he was always friendly and polite But once evening approached, he was long gone and out of sight!
Everyday, he would hobble over to his corner on the street There he would greet everyone, then beg for something to eat! He never asked for money, most folks in this town had none This was the old west, cowboys, horses, and fancy guns!
The town's population was about four hundred, give or take Big for this part of the country, without any mistake! The town had a big store, where all goods were bought From the outskirts farmers, wives and ranch hands came into town alot!
The town had two saloons, the sherriff's office, one bank for all A small bakery, a restaurant, a school, a church and one big horse stall! On the outside of town, stood a big, run-down old place Alone and forgotten, its small inhabitants were the towns disgrace!
This was the old orphanage, which had been built a few years ago A place for all orphans who had no family, to go Many babies born out of wedlock were left, here in shame At the door by night bundled up, without a family name!
In the beginning when it was built, the town took care of it But the babies kept increasing in population, bit by bit! With so few adoptions, the town finally decided to close its door Children who remained, the town no longer provided for!
Even the workers, who had been parents to these children Left them to fend for themselves, alone and forsaken! Some food and seeds was dropped off by farmers, once in awhile Which gave the children some hope and a reason to smile!
Everyday, the ole man gathered bread and placed it in a sack When his sack was full he would leave, carrying it on his back! The town people would give him loaves upon loaves each day But were curious about his whereabouts, when he went away!
One day the baker asked him, what do you do with all the bread? The ole man looked up smiling, I am an angel, he said! The baker laughed out loud, you sure don't look like an angel to me Angels are beautiful! An ole man in rags is all that I see!
The baker left, returning to his shop shaking his head Every morning, he gave the ole man his left over bread! Tonight, I am going to follow the ole man to see where he goes A question asked by all in town, for nobody knows!
The baker watched all day for the ole man to leave Finally, he packed up his sack in the early eve! The baker stayed way back from the ole man as he made his way Tonight, I will find out where the ole man stays!
Out of the town, the ole man slowly walked With every step, the baker listened as the ole man talked! He could not make out exactly what he was saying Although it sounded as if the ole man was praying!
When the ole man reached his destination, he turned his head His eyes focused on the baker, Come in, he said! The baker stepped forward in shock, it was now all clear This was the old orphanage, his eye shed a tear!
The ole man opened the door, six little ones appeared in sight I bought a guest home with me, now please all be polite! This is the baker, whom I have spoken to you all about With his generous donation of bread everyday, you don't do without!
The baker looked at the six smiling faces that all said, Thank you, Sir! For the bread that we are all fed! The baker thought to himself, they are so charming and polite They made him feel so special, which gave him delight!
The baker looked at the ole man, feeling full of shame The ole man introduced the children, name after name! Who looks after you all, when the ole man is in town? One child spoke up, Why, the angels! They are always around!
The baker could not believe the words of the innocent child He just looked at her and continued to smile! The little girl said, David is an angel too, you know She looked at the ole man, who now started to glow!
Suddenly, he was transformed into a beautiful male angel with wings He was not the ole raggedy man anymore, but looked like a king! He looked at the baker and put out his hand You have now met an angel, he said Firsthand!
He explained to the baker, the children were left alone They were too small to be left on their own! God had sent the angels to them, to take care of None of Gods children, should be left alone and unloved!
The baker went back to town that night There has to be something I can do, to make this wrong right! The next morning he gave the ole man a sack full of fresh bread From his shop, word of the children needing homes, became widespread!
Within a month, all the children had loving homes to go to The baker told the story about the angels to very few! He knew that not many would believe or understand That an angel from God was dressed as a beggar, in the form of a little ole man! Would you?
By Linda Laybolt (c) Oct5,2012
NEVER STOP PRAYING
So many problems, so many people uncertain about the future So many rocks and boulders, await on that hill! The journey may be long and very tiresome Take comfort knowing, the Lord is beside you still! Heartbreak and sorrow may follow you, these days You ponder and may continually ask "Lord, Why Me?" Am I being punished for something of the past, I have done? Why has this happened? How can this be? You struggle back and forth in your mind Continually questioning, the path that has come your way No answers seem to come in sight, which ever way you turn You may even wonder, God let this happen, so why should I pray? The hills we climb in life are stages, we all go through Some hills continue on to others, while some may not If we happen to be on our last hill of life, as we know it Are we going to turn our back on all, that we have been taught? Now is the time, we need Our Father in Heaven, even more Now is the time to think of the promised future, that awaits It may be an end to this life on earth, as we know it But a better life awaits for us, beyond those Pearly Gates! Our Lord Jesus suffered in pain and despair Not once did he turn away from, His Father Above Instead he continually prayed through it all, on the cross Never losing His Faith, His Trust and His Love! With Jesus beside us, every step of the way We should have no fears about, what tomorrow may be Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength The Kingdom of Heaven is for Eternity!
By Linda Laybolt (c)2012
THREE LITTLE CHILDREN WHO FOUND LOVE
I'll never forget the first time, I laid eyes on her As she rocked, she sang about her dear mother Three years old, long blond hair with big blue eyes My heart is a crying for you Mama, so sad were her cries!
Her older brother and sister played quietly on the floor But their little sister, you could not ignore She sang cries from her heart, for here Mama that day The sweet little girl, who had come here to stay!
I was told the three of them would be staying a long while As I looked at the three of them, not one had a smile The looks on their faces, wandering what was to be Three lost, scared little children was all I could see!
How do you explain to a child, you'll never see your Mama again When all you can see is the heartbreak and pain That day three little children came into my care Three little children full of sadness and despair!
The days turned slowly into weeks, how fast time flies The children wake up with smiles at sunrise But little Sabrina still rocks with tears in her eyes My heart is a crying for you Mama, so sad are her cries!
One day a worker came with good news to share There's a couple coming to meet the children so prepare If they decide to adopt them, they'll be leaving here one day And taking them with them, forever to stay!
For months, the couple came to visit, brightening the childrens days They had grown to love these people, I can honestly say When the day came for them to depart I was so happy they found a home, but sadness filled in my heart!
Its been ýears now but they write me from time to time The mother once wrote, I'm so happy Sabrina is mine She no longer rocks and sings,with tears in her eyes She says she's found her Mama, and she longer cries!
Written By: Linda J Laybolt Feb.20,2012
THE TREASURE
For years talk was all around the the village, about the old man's treasure He himself bragged about how he kept it safe and secure! Many tried to trick the old man into telling where it was hidden But no matter what they said, the old man didn't!
No one knew how the treaure had come into his possession Over the years, the treasure had become the villagers main obsession! Everyone wanted it for the old man said, in it held all the riches of life The only other person that had seen it, was his loyal wife!
Often he said, it was worth more than all the gold in the world combined Just knowing that he had it gave him complete, peace of mind! Although he lived on a farm, he claimed he was the riches man around He constantly gave credit to His God in Heaven for the treasure, he had found!
Many tried to steal the treasure but could not find it For years people would search his place many times, bit by bit! When the old man's wife died all thought he would tell, where it was hid But as the days of his life grew shorter, he never did!
When the old man finally passed away, the village people did not care The only concern they had was the treasure, hidden somewhere! After searching for days, they all decided that there was no treasure And if there was, the old man took the hidden place to his grave, with him forever!
The old man had no family leaving everything he owned, to the local church But all the congregation had been there too, helping with the search! Everyone thought that they were all going to end up well to do But now reality had hit, for this was far from being true!
So they decided to clean out his house and get it ready to sell After days of cleaning and packing, everything was going very well! Then a woman picked up his old Bible that laid by his bed And started to read what the ole man had written in the front of it in red!
My Holy Bible is my most precious treasure It is worth more than all the world's gold of pleasure! A rich man I will always be, when I open its fragile pages And read the Lord's Words, that was written through time, over the ages!
Forever, I will give praise to My Lord for this treasure, he has given to me In it is written all there is to know about life, and all eternity! There are no riches on earth, that could ever compare to His Love Someday,I will walk streets of gold with God, in His Mighty Kingdom, in Heaven Above!
After reading this, she read it to the villagers with tears in her eyes She said the old man told the truth about his treasure, there was no lies! So they placed the old man's Bible in the church on display With a sign beside it saying, The Greatest Treasure on Earth Lays Here, Today And Always!
Mark 12:13 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
By: LInda Laybolt (c)2012
THE HEART WHEN IT CRIES
Two executives decided to go out and have lunch one day Since they both worked for different companies, they decided to meet half-way. The most expensive restaurant in town is where they agreed to meet All the rich went there but the food was not that great to eat!
Since the restaurant they were going to was only a block away from each other They both decided to walk there and meet one another. They were brothers but they were different as night and day But they loved one another in every possible way!
While Jim, the younger brother, was walking to meet his older brother Jude He saw an old man sitting on the sidewalk, begging for food. He stopped and out of his pocket, he handed him fifty dollars in bills Thank you Sir, he said, now I can buy some pills!
Jim started to walk away and then thought what a fool I have been I just gave that man money for drugs so he turned around to look at the man again. But he could not see him anywhere in sight For an old man, he thought, he can move like the speed of light!
Then, he spotted him across the street talking to a woman So over he walked to confront the old man. As he approached he could hear the woman saying You are so kind, this is truly a blessing!
Ya , Jim grumbled to himself, of course, you'd say he was kind He just gave you fifty dollars for drugs, the man is out of his mind! Just wait till I get you alone old man, I'm going to tell you a thing or two Actually, having you arrested and thrown in jail is what I'd like to do!
Jim stood there waiting, with tears in her eyes,he heard the woman say I feel terrible taking this as I know you have not eaten today. You are an angel sent down from heaven above She kissed the old mans cheek and added your heart is so full of love!
The old man gave the woman a hug telling her to go to her little one Make sure you get some food and pills for your sick little son. Take my blanket with you, it's suppose to be colder tonight And hopefully, he will be better by tomorrows daylight!
After Jim heard all this, he felt so terrible and torn up inside That poor old man has a huge heart that is deep and wide. I will get some food and another blanket for him I know there has to be something, I can do for all of them!
Jim left and returned about three hours later, and looked for the old man Finally, he spotted him and placed a hot bowl of soup in his hand. When you have eaten this and are all warmed up, I want you to come with me There's a place I have down the street, I want you to see!
The old man followed Jim but did not know where he was taking him to This is my house said Jim, ,now it belongs to you. I want you to go and get the woman and her sick little one Everything in the house is there that you all need, including a bed for her little son!
The old man was in shock and tears filled his eyes Jim said, I have to go now but I'll be back to see you, I live close by. The old man kept thanking Jim as he walked out the door Jim had a smile on his face but he wished he could have given him more!
As he walked up the street, he thought today is a day that I will forever behold I met an angel in disguise and brought him in out of the cold! But little did Jim realize that he was also an angel too, in disguise For many cannot hear as he did in the old man, the heart when it cries!
Written By Linda J Laybolt Jan 11,2012
FAITH, HOPE, TRUST AND LOVE
Out in the country, down a long lonely road Lived an old farmer who was extremely rude and bold. An ole crank, he was called by all No one went near him or beckoned to call!
One day, four angels landed at his door When he saw them he yelled, "What did you come here for?" Surprised, the four angels did not know what to say As they starred at the man, who was old and fray!
The first angel Faith spoke up and said We heard you were hungry, so we brought you some bread. The old man laughed at the angels as they stood in his doorway Be off with you all, use your wings and from here fly away!
The second angel Hope decided to speak This bread is made especially for you, please, at least have a peek. The old man grumbled some more What is with you angels, Get away from my door!
The third angel Trust said, Sir, we are not leaving here You can yell all you want but we won't disappear. The Lord in heaven sent us to you For a long time now, you have been lonely and blue!
The fourth angel Love added, We come here with love Sent to you from our Lord, in heaven above. He does not like the idea of you being alone living in such despair So he sent us with this bread to let you know that he cares!
He has heard your cries within your heart He sees that your whole world is falling apart. So he sent the four of us to let you know That he has always been with you, in everything that you sow!
Faith you have displayed in planting your seeds Hope is that many people, your crops will feed Trust is that your crops will get lots of warmth from the sun Love is the care you put into them, like a loved one!
The angel Love handed the farmer the bread Please take our Lord's gift, enjoy it as you are heavenly fed. The old man looked at all four angels, with a smile on his face And replied in a soft spoken voice, Thank you all for coming to my place!
The four angels decided now was time for them to depart They could see that they had finally gotten to the old man's heart. The old man took the bread, carefully unwrapping it with care Instead of bread was a Bible and note ,Four angels were here bringing bread to share!
Written by Linda J. Laybolt Feb.15,2012
HARMONY, PEACE AND LOVE
Harmony is when we all agree Peace is no hostilities, stress or anxiety Love is an emotion of devotion or strong affection The three entwined is a strong connection!
Live a life in harmony with all and you will find Peace in your heart for all mankind Love one another each and everyday Harmony, peace and love is the Lord's way!
Our Lord and Creator, We are sending you this prayer today There are a few things that we would like to say We want to talk about harmony, peace and love That our world does not want to take hold of! We hear your people as they talk about these things And the sadness to their hearts, without it brings Some of your people have turned deaf ears to your Word For a lot of mankind has not listened, to what they have heard! If we live in harmony, then we live in peace And if we live in peace, all hatred the world would release If there is no hatred, then there is only love This is the world you created for us, not one to dream of! Why is it so hard for some to understand That harmony, peace and love is your Law of the Land Why can't people get along with each other When your command is to Love One Another! We wish you would come and straighten this mess out Your world needs harmony, peace and love, without any doubt! There is one more thing we want to say to you And that is Lord, WE ALL LOVE YOU!
Written By: Linda J. Laybolt Jan.30,2012
FACT OR FEAR.....
Perks Pearl of Wisdom "I have not learned all the ins and outs of living. I have learned plenty of the ups and downs." Bob Perks
"Your choice...Fact or Fear" By Bob Perks Each day I have two choices.
I can wake up in fear the same way I struggled to fall asleep the night before or I can fight the demons who hold me back, slow me down and confuse my mind with lies.
Facts are undeniable truths. They cannot be bent or twisted to fit our desires, nor can they be buried or hidden forever.
When I choose either one I give it power over me. Fear owns me, controls me, limits me. Fact lifts me up, carries me further down the path I have chosen in life.
Fact cannot be denied.
Fear can be proven wrong, exposed for the liar it is.
We may not always like the facts, but they will not waste your time, consume your every waking hour, and cripple you until you can no longer move in any direction.
Facts will warn you of a dead end.
Fear will let you pass through knowing you will get nowhere. Fear IS a dead end.
Each night I have two choices.
I can lie there on my bed and permit fear to suck the life out of my tomorrow or I can count my many blessings afforded me that day.
Those blessings are the truth, the facts of my life.
Fear will keep me awake so that over time my mind weakens and my ability to discern the facts becomes foggy and confusing. Sleep deprivation, a tool of fear, is a path to negative life choices and gives fear more control.
Fact is the enemy of fear.
Focusing on the truth opens the door to rest. Rest builds your body and clears the mind. You begin to see beauty in the life you live, hope for the future and the one undeniable fact, the truth above all others... the fact that God loves you:
1 John 4:18-19 "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love because God first loved us." "I Believe in YOU!" J Bob
Submitted by: Brenda Clark Pike 2012
Vision, Visions, and Visionaries By Arvil Jones, Th.M., Ph.D. Chapter One Vision ...Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18)
The term vision, as used in it’s most common and natural sense, means simply the ability to see with the natural eye, or, as the dictionary has it: “the act or power of seeing with the eye; sense of sight. Vision is a term that must be defined according to the context in which it is used. It could be reasonably argued that of the five senses that humans possess, vision, or sight, is probably considered by most to be the most precious of the five. That, of course, would depend upon the individual. Some may consider any one of the other five senses to be more important than sight. But for the purpose of this study, we will try to go beyond the natural definition, and with the help of the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit, to “see” the unseeable - to see with spiritual eyes, to envision by faith those things which cannot be perceived by any of the physical senses. We will accept what...thus saith the Word of God, and leave all conjecture and unbelief to those who do not understand the Word of God, and the power of it’s Author. We, as Bible-believing Christians, like the prophet Moses, are able to...endure, as seeing Him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27). The term vision [singular] is found 77 times in the Scriptures, and visions [plural] is found 25 times. And unless this student of the Scriptures has missed something, every use of the term vision or visions, is in the spiritual sense, and not referring to our natural or physical sense of sight. And so, from the outset, we must distinguish between that which is natural, and that which is supernatural. And all that I am implying here is simply that the term vision, as used in the Bible, has absolutely nothing to do with physical sight. A vision, as given by God to humans, was (and is) a supernatural experience, something seen, or perceived in conjunction with the operation of God Himself, not with the physical senses, but with the heart, impressed upon the mind, the soul, and the spirit by a supernatural act of God. It is something that none of the physical senses of man can create by themselves, something that the fallen, depraved nature of sinful men cannot conceive. Visions, as used in the Scriptures, were sometimes given to different men for different purposes. And I believe that it is also worth mentioning that there were certain times, or dispensations, in which visions were more prevalent than at other times. If the reader will search the Scriptures, he or she will find that the use of the terms vision and visions are far more prevalent in the Books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel than in any of the other Old Testament Books. It is also worth mentioning that there was at least one period in the history of the Nation of Israel in which God, for reasons known only to Himself, withheld, or simply did not give, supernatural visions to anyone. That period, of course, is recorded in the Book of First Samuel: And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli, And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision ( I Samuel 3:1).
It is imperative that we understand the spiritual nature of God-given, supernatural visions, and that we clearly distinguish between that which is of God, and that which is not of God. For instance, whenever anyone was given a supernatural vision from God, it was an experience that originated in the Eternal mind of God, and was supernaturally transmitted to the mind of the individual. The individual himself knew that what he was experiencing was not of his own making. It did not originate or proceed from anything within himself, and it was not something that he simply imagined, it was not an hallucination. The dictionary gives several definitions of the word vision, in addition to the one that I have already cited above (the sense of sight): it goes on to say: (b) something supposedly seen by other than normal sight; something perceived in a dream, trance, etc. Or supernaturally revealed, as to a prophet; (c) the experience of having such a perception or revelation. A mental image; especially an imaginative contemplation [to have visions of power]: The ability to perceive something not actually visible, as through mental acuteness or keen foresight [a project made possible by one man’s vision]: and lastly, the dictionary gives this definition of the term..vision....it says - something or someone, especially a woman, of extraordinary beauty [she was a vision to behold].
And right here is where we need to be certain that we understand the meaning of our terms. I pray that this will help every reader of this small work. It has been my personal experience in studying the Bible, and it’s many doctrines, topics and terms, that before I could really understand the Scriptural meaning, or definition of a term, (WHAT IT IS)...I first had to learn (WHAT IT IS NOT). Once we systematically eliminate all of the definitions that do not apply to a certain word, we are that many steps closer to discovering the real definition of that word.
A vision, then, as defined and described in the Scriptures, IS NOT...a human fantasy. A fantasy is an illusion, and a fancy of the human imagination, which begins and ends with the person himself. Fantasies, of course, come in so many different forms, including, but not limited to, those that are quite vulgar and ungodly, originating in the heart and mind of mortal, depraved men (and women). A vision IS NOT...an hallucination. Hallucinations can be, and often are, induced by outside substances or forces, including drugs, foods (too much pizza before bedtime), and demonic spirits, to name a few. A vision IS NOT...an apparition, in the general sense and use of that term. A vision, given to men by God, may indeed include the appearing of persons, things, and events, before the mind of the person to whom it is given, and may be, in that context, called an apparition. But an apparition, in the most common use of that term, usually involves the faculties and emotions of the person himself, totally apart from any involvement of the Holy Spirit. The devil himself is capable of inducing and imposing apparitions upon and into the minds of un-regenerated men and women. King Saul, seeking the demonic counsel of the witch of Endor, saw an apparition of the departed spirit of Samuel, and heard his voice. This was not a God-given vision, but an apparition, induced by demonic forces, cooperating with the mind and spirit of a man who had forsaken his God (I Samuel 28). The devil allowed Saul to ...see what his mind wanted to see! And that is why it is so important, yea, necessary, that we know Jesus Christ personally, and have His Holy Spirit residing within us, for He, and He alone can displace and dispel any and all demonic spirits that would invade our being. With Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are able to immediately recognize, resist, and reject every spirit that is not of God. With Christ in our very heart, we are able to discern and differentiate between a vision from God, and a mere fantasy or fanciful dream. A vision, as given from God, IS NOT...a phantasm. A phantasm, according to the dictionary is – a perception of something that has no physical reality; a figment of the mind; a specter, or ghost; a deceptive likeness. A phantasm, then, being quite similar to an apparition, can be very deceptive, whereas a vision from God, being created by the pure mind of God Himself, never deceives the one to whom it is given, but enlightens him as to God’s own plan or purpose, or both. As we can see, this list could be expanded to be quite large, but to save some time and paper, let us move on. We now know several things that do not define what a God-given vision is. A vision is not a fantasy, not an hallucination, not an apparition, not a phantasm, and neither is it wishful thinking on the part of someone who would convince themselves that they are seeing a vision from God. We must rely totally upon the inspired Scriptures, and the influence of the Holy Sprit who is the divine Author of those Scriptures, in order to understand any Scriptural term or doctrine. The moment that we depart from the Scriptures and their Author, we are immediately upon a path that is destined to lead us into error and confusion. It is in the Scriptures, and there alone, that we are able to distinguish between the holy and the profane. Knowing the Scriptures, and the Author of them, gives the student the tools he or she needs to know the difference between a God-given vision, and a secular vision. Many men and women throughout the history of the human race have had secular visions, or dreams. These kinds of visions or dreams are not God-given - they originate in the heart and mind of the person. These visions or dreams are, for the most part, far-reaching in their scope, and may be very noble, beneficial, and even influential upon others. But they are still secular in nature, and the person or persons possessing them can claim absolutely no inspiration from God for that vision or dream. For example, virtually every American President who has held that office has said that he has a...vision for America and her people, or something to that effect. These men probably fully intended to follow through and someday realize the fulfillment of their respective visions. But none of them - not one, could claim that he had received a vision from God. His vision was his, and he no doubt wanted everyone in America to share in, and enjoy the benefits of, his vision for America. And that brings us to our next chapter, namely, Visions.
Chapter Two Visions It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord (II Cor. 12:1).
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams (Acts 2:17).
I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets (Hosea 12:10).
I cannot over-emphasize the necessity of knowing the Scriptures, and of studying them on a regular and consistent basis. I say this because there are those who would have us to believe that...”if you want to know the truth of a matter, just ask the man who knows”. Or, at the risk of sounding a bit silly, I have heard the worldly wisdom of those who say...”if you want to know what a horse is, ask the man who owns one”. If we follow or employ this line of reasoning (which I do not) we would then be tempted to believe that...”if we would know the truth about visions, just ask the man who has had one.” With that said, do I even need to elaborate further upon the implications of such reasoning? I think not. If we would know the truth concerning visions, we must go to the Holy Scriptures, and read the accounts of men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write those accounts. With all the grace and sincerity that I can muster, may I exhort, admonish, and encourage every reader....”Do not believe anything that anyone tells you, until you can verify the truthfulness of it by the standard of the Holy Bible, and the Holy Spirit.” If, then, you would know the truth concerning visions, ask Abraham, for he is the first man of whom it is recorded in the Scriptures that he was given a vision from God. Please notice that I did not say that Abraham was the first man to receive a vision from God, but that he is the first man...”of whom it is recorded, that he received a vision from God”. If I may put it more succinctly - the first time that the term vision appears in the Bible, it is to Abraham that the vision appears - It is written: After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward (Genesis 15:1).
If the reader is a serious student of the Scriptures, there is one thing in this passage that ought to....”jump out at him”, or “jump off the page”, and that is that the vision that was given to Abram (before his name was changed to Abraham) was closely associated with...the word of the Lord. In fact, the vision itself was a vison of... the word of the Lord. As a minister of the Gospel, I am compelled to believe that the...word of the Lord, that came to Abram in a vision, was none other than that Living Word, the Lord Himself, Jesus Christ, because of the simple fact that the Scripture indicates that...the word...came...saying...Fear not....the word spoke to Abram, in a vision - he (Abram) both heard and saw...the word. This is, in theological terminology, called a Theophany (some call it a Christophany,) which was an Old Testament appearance of Christ, the second Person of the Godhead, in bodily form. Here, then, is the test to which we must subject all visions and dreams - can they be authenticated by the word of God? And did the vision include God Himself? If so, then we may, without fear or hesitation...tell the vision. If, on the other hand, neither the written word of God, nor the Spirit of God are involved, we must conclude that the vision was secular in nature, and not spiritual.
I will not engage the reader in a morass of theological jargon here, but I feel that I owe it to each reader to be very plain and simple. I challenge each reader to search the Scriptures for himself or herself, and to do as the noble Bereans, and...search the Scriptures daily. And why did they search the Scriptures daily? They were checking to be sure that what Paul had preached was Scriptural! But before we fast-forward this study to Paul and his revelations, let us look at just one more Old Testament example of a God-given vision. The Book of Isaiah, chapter one, verse one, begins with a...vision: The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw conceerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (Isa. 1:1).
There are 66 chapters in the Book of Isaiah. In the original manuscript, the Bible was not divided into chapters and verses - these were added later by the translators. The entire Book of Isaiah, then, was (is) one panoramic vision, encompassing within it’s scope, aeons of time, millions of people, and countless events. Within that panoramic vision are multiple other visions, revelations, and dreams. But will the reader please notice the next verse - verse two, which says:
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me (Isa. 1:2).
In the vision of Abraham, and in the vision of Isaiah, the Lord speaks. Need I say more? I also invite and challenge the reader to compare these two Old Testament examples with the New Testament vision(s) given to Paul, Peter, and the Apostle John, who wrote the Book of Revelation. The Bible is perfectly consistent with itself - what it teaches in one passage, it teaches throughout the entire Book. If, then, the word of God was involved with the first vision ever given to mankind, then the word of God must be involved with every vision thereafter, if that vision is an authentic, God-given vision. And that bring us to the final chapter of this study - Visionaries.
Chapter Three Visionaries One American President once said that he envisioned...”a kinder, gentler America”. I sincerely pray that he lives to see that “dream” come true. But with all due respect, I seriously doubt that he, or any of the rest of us, will realize that vision in our lifetime. No, I am not a...gloom-and-doom prognosticator, I also want a kinder and gentler America. But more than that, I want a godlier America. I want it, but I can’t envision it. Why? Because this nation has expelled God from nearly every federal, state, and local institution that exists. Visions and visionaries have been around since the dawn of time. There have been, and yet are, visionaries whose visions, hopes, and dreams are far-reaching, and very noble and commendable - people who, if their vision were to be realized, would greatly benefit all of mankind. One of these visionaries whose name immediately comes to mind was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who delivered the unforgettable “I have a Dream” speech. There are children who envision themselves becoming doctors, lawyers, and presidents. There are those who envision themselves retired, and lying on a sandy beach on some lush, tropical island, sipping drinks. And then there are those who envision themselves being the rulers of the world, having others bowing down to them, and worshiping them! Adolf Hitler comes to mind! May I hesitate right here, and invoke another statement that I made in another article...”Faith is only as good as the object in which it is placed”? Applying that same principle, it could be said that...”a vision is only as good as the source from which it comes”. If God Himself is the Source and substance of a vision, then that which is revealed in the vision is as dependable as God Himself, and the events (if any) revealed in that vision are as certain to come to pass as every prophesied event in the Holy Scriptures. I leave the reader with this - God-given faith cannot fail because of the One in whom it is placed, and neither can a God-given vision disappoint the one to whom it is given, because of the Source from which it comes.
Another Path, Another Road
Sometimes we’re made to ponder the paths and roads we take One road brought us to a place of suffering And another to a quiet lake The path we took not so long ago May have led us to doubt and despair But just around the next bend up ahead Were some Friends who showed us they care There were some very dark and treacherous paths With some sights we’d rather not see And we could think of many places That we would much rather be But then that dark valley opened up wide With wondrous sights to behold And as far as our grateful eyes could see Were fields of glistening gold There may have been times at the end of a road We felt we just could not go on Perhaps because of some failure Or for something we had left undone But just when we thought we had reached the end A sweet Voice whispered...Go on For I am walking beside you And we took the Hand of God’s Son.
The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, just remember the following:
Noah was a drunk Abraham was too old Isaac was a daydreamer Jacob was a liar Leah was ugly Joseph was abused Moses had a stuttering problem Gideon was afraid Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer Rahab was a prostitute Jeremiah and Timothy were too young David had an affair and was a murderer Elijah was suicidal Isaiah preached naked Jonah ran from God Naomi was a widow Job went bankrupt John the Baptist ate bugs Peter denied Christ The Disciples fell asleep while praying Martha worried about everything The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once Zaccheus was too small Paul was too religious Timothy had an ulcer... AND Lazarus was dead!
Author: attributed to John Thomas Oaks
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Submitted by: Brenda Clark Pike 2012
The Doctrine of Faith By Dr. Arvil Jones, Th.M., Ph.D. …without faith, it is impossible to please him (Hebrews 11:6).
Before defining, describing, and discussing this cardinal doctrine, I think it pertinent to our purpose to say a few words about my own personal experience in the area of faith, both before and after my conversion to the faith of Jesus Christ. I have “believed in God” for as long as I can remember. I can remember going to Sunday School and Church as early as the age of four in Detroit, MI. Later, when our family moved to Kentucky, in 1957, we began attending Church on the very first Sunday after we got settled in. There were no questions as to why we went to Church, because it was as natural as breathing to us. My dear Mother never preached to us, and neither did she force us to go to Church. She simply lived that kind of life that spoke volumes about…living by faith, without saying a word. Mother never browbeat us with religion. She simply lived out her own faith by everyday example. Raising a family of thirteen children presented her with some of the most challenging of circumstances, and yet she never once questioned her God, but clung to Him and His Word, trusting that every circumstance of her life was for her good and His glory. I did not get my faith from my Mother, but I certainly saw it in her – and I wanted it, because it worked. Her name was Ethel Keene Jones. She lived by faith, and she died in faith. My father, Robert Jones, was converted late in life. He too closely scrutinized the life of my mother, and I am convinced that he also saw the faith of Christ in her. In short, my Mother had a deep and profound impact upon my Father, and upon our whole family. My Dad witnessed to me fro the first time from his own deathbed. He told me that I needed Jesus. I now know Jesus Christ personally, and to Him belongs all the glory and praise. As a minister of the Gospel, the love of God now constrains me to pass on to my own children, and to anyone else who will listen, this eternal truth – the truth of personal faith in Jesus Christ in all it’s glory and simplicity, as God will allow. It is written: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:20,21).
Let us now search the Scriptures, and learn of…the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3). May God grant us grace to understand, faith to lay hold, and love to forever cherish Him and His divine Word.
Faith – it’s Definition Most students of the Scriptures (including myself), in defining Scriptural terms, usually go to Webster’s Dictionary as a first source (I am told that Webster was a Christian). But in this case, concerning the definition of Faith, I dare not go to any dictionary as my first source, because there is no dictionary in the world that can improve upon the definition of faith as given in the Holy Bible itself. The Holy Spirit, guiding the hand of the writer of the book of Hebrews, (whom I believe to be the apostle Paul), gives the following definition of …faith: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1).
As much as I honor and appreciate the wisdom and scholarship of those who make and publish dictionaries, I simply must give honor where honor is due. We must never simply accept whatever we find in any dictionary as being the absolute truth. Why? Because; as good as dictionaries are, and as useful and accurate as they are, they yet lack the one thing that is to be found in only one Book in the universe – the Bible. They lack the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We may with a great degree of certainty trust most dictionaries when defining nearly every term in the English language, but when defining Scriptural terms, we dare not make any dictionary either our first or last authority. If the reader will look again at the definition of …faith…as given in Hebrews 11:1, I believe that he or she will have to agree with me in saying – “It just doesn’t get any better than that”.
Please notice how the two defining terms - substance and evidence, are placed and emphasized. Faith is not simply substance - it is the substance…of things hoped for. Faith is not simply evidence – it is the evidence…of things not seen. This is very important in our understanding of Scriptural faith. The Holy Spirit had good reason for placing the definite article “the” in front of the terms substance and evidence. For example, we have this same strong emphasis used by the Lord Jesus Himself in John 14:6, where He emphasized the fact the He is…the way, the truth, and the life. But what did the Lord mean by saying that He is … the way, the truth, and the life? He was simply emphasizing the fact the He is not…one of many ways by which man can reach God and Heaven, but that He is the only way to do so. He is also the truth – the only absolute, immutable, un-tainted, and eternal truth that can reveal the Father to His creatures. He is the life, meaning that outside of Him, man cannot experience the life of God. And by this same emphasis we will discover that…the substance, and the evidence of which Paul wrote in Hebrews 11:1 are the only substance and evidence by which the term…faith, can be defined. But before attempting to broaden our understanding of these terms (substance and evidence), let’s use a somewhat simpler definition for the moment. One student of the Scriptures defines faith as…”taking God at His word”. And while this may seem to be an over-simplification, it is, nevertheless, true, and will suffice for our present purpose.Taking God at His word, then, God says that there are certain things that are…hoped for, by us humans. One of those things, of course, is eternal life. Look at Titus 1:1&2: Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
QUESTION! How may I have any hope of eternal life, seeing that every living thing eventually dies? And even according to the Bible, all who have ever lived are now either dead or dying (Enoch and Elijah being the only two exceptions). How, then, can I have a hope of eternal life? The answer is…Faith! Since faith is the substance of things hoped for, and since eternal life is one of those things that are hoped for, then …faith is the substance of eternal life. Faith, and nothing but faith, can make eternal life …substantial to me. Faith gives substance to my hope of eternal life. I cannot see eternal life with my natural eyes, nor with my own understanding. But faith, imparted to my spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit, makes eternal life a reality to me. Faith makes eternal life not only a future hope, but a present possession. Someone else put it this way…”Faith substantiates, or makes substantial, my hope of eternal life”. And since faith is defined as …substance in the Bible, we need to know what …substance is. Webster is very helpful here; he says that substance is – (a) matter or material; (b) a characteristic and essential part of anything. And since faith is the substance of eternal life, then faith is…the characteristic and essential part of eternal life. In other words, without faith, I cannot have eternal life, because my hope, without faith, would be missing that essential element, that essential characteristic. But if the reader gets nothing else out of this small study, I pray that he or she will never forget this…faith is only as good as the object in which it is placed.
And this is what separates the Christian Faith from all other religious groups and entities in the world, namely, our personal faith in Jesus Christ. Nearly all of the major religions of the world believe in some form of existence after death, whether that existence be…re-incarnation in another form, or an eternal…nothingness, or, as it is called by the Hindu religion – Nirvana. In other words, these religions, all of them, have some form of hope for some form of existence in some form of future state. May I humbly submit – they have nothing but shadows. They have nothing substantial. Their hope has no substance, simply because their faith is misplaced. Their faith is in men, in ideals, and in gods and goddesses that do not exist. And since their gods and goddesses do not exist, their so-called faith is also non-existent, it is a illusion. The Christian faith is not in an ideal, nor is it in a shadowy place. It is in a Person – a real and living Person, Jesus Christ. No one who does not have a personal faith in Jesus Christ can possess eternal life, because he lacks the substance of eternal life, that substance being …faith, for it is written: He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life( I John 5:10-12).
But not only is faith…the substance of things hoped for, it is also…the evidence
of things not seen. What, then, is evidence? The Bible says that…faith is evidence – the evidence…of things not seen. And here again, the inspired writers of the Scriptures were far ahead of their time when it comes to defining important terms. Webster defines evidence as…indubitable certainty; proof; testimony. But before going any farther, we need to hesitate right here, and make certain that we understand the subtle (and not so subtle) differences between certain terms. We need to know the difference between the terms…apparent and evident, and apparently and evidently. The terms “apparent” and “evident” do not have the same meaning, even though they are often (too often, in my opinion) used interchangeably. For example, a patient may walk into a doctor’s office with a hard, deep cough, pale in appearance, weak, and with a fever. The doctor, with nothing more than a quick visual evaluation, may recognize these symptoms as pneumonia. But so far, it only appears that the patient has pneumonia. From all appearances, he has pneumonia. Apparently, then, he has pneumonia. But no doctor in his right mind would immediately begin to treat that patient for pneumonia with only a visual evaluation. No! He would look into the patient’s eyes, and down his throat. He would feel his pulse, listen to his lungs, order an X-ray, and run blood tests. Then, and not until then, would the doctor have…evidence of the presence of pneumonia. And then, and only then, would the doctor be able to confirm a diagnosis, and begin to treat the patient accordingly. When the patient walked into the doctor’s office, he apparently had pneumonia. But now that the doctor has found some evidence, it is now evident that the patient does indeed have pneumonia. Without the evidence, the doctor may have diagnosed (and treated) the patient for what appeared to be pneumonia. But without any evidence, the doctor could have been wrong. There are other diseases that have some (if not all) of the same symptoms as pneumonia. Simply put, we cannot make a positive diagnosis based upon symptoms and appearances alone. We must have evidence – hard evidence, evidence that will confirm, or prove to us that which was once only apparent. The term apparent, then, means…appearing (but not necessarily) real or true. The term evident, on the other hand, means…plain, or obvious. If, then, as the Bible teaches, faith is the evidence of things not seen, then faith makes things that are not seen…plain and obvious. If evidence is…certainty, proof, and testimony, and faith is evidence, then faith is…indubitable certainty, unquestionable proof, and undeniable testimony to the fact that things that cannot be seen, do, in fact, exist. Astronauts have walked upon the surface of the moon. High-tech telescopes have pierced the fathomless reaches of outer space to distances of billions of light years, and yet none of these have produced a single particle of visible evidence of the existence of a personal God who created all things. Faith is the evidence, the only evidence, that reaches all the way to the throne of God, and brings back in it’s grateful hand the reality of a Heavenly Father. Again, the Christian is separated from all others because of his or her faith. His faith is a peculiar faith, a precious faith, a promising faith, a profound faith, a productive faith, and a perfect faith. In John 1:18, John the Baptist declared: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared him. In John 14:1, Jesus said: Ye believe in God, believe also in me.
The Christian faith is peculiar to all other beliefs in that it claims to know who God is, in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ; that Jesus and Jehovah are one and the same Person; that the God of the Old Testament was and is manifested, or made known to mankind by the Sovereign act of God, by way of incarnation – God manifest in flesh – the Virgin birth. The Christian faith is a precious faith in that it claims that there is no other faith or system of belief that can give to it’s adherents that heart-felt assurance of present peace and future glory that only the Christian can know and enjoy. The Christian faith is a promising faith in that it can and does claim each and every promise made by God, knowing that not one of His good promises can fail. Faith, then, reaches into the future, and brings back in it’s grateful hand the reality of a mansion, a glorified body, and a crown that fadeth not away. Only by faith can God be seen. Faith (the evidence) makes God, whom we cannot see, real to us. Faith makes Jesus Christ, whom we cannot see, real to us. Faith makes eternal life, which we cannot see, real to us. We, like Moses, endure, as seeing Him who is invisible (Heb. 11:27). The Christian faith is a profound faith in that it teaches that our crucified, risen, and ascended Lord can be, and is received by faith into our very being, that we, by His indwelling Spirit, are made partakers of His divine nature; that our God, our Guide, and our Guardian resides, and abides within us. The Christian faith is a productive faith in that this faith itself is produced within our spirit by the act of God, and must, by it’s very nature, reproduce after it’s own kind. Faith cannot lie totally dormant within the human soul for very long. It must manifest itself. Like the fire within a dormant volcano, sooner or later, faith must erupt, and make it’s presence and power known. Why? Because it (faith), is the evidence of something on the inside. The Christian faith is a perfect faith in that, since the day that it was…once delivered unto the saints…it has never been improved upon, and it neither needs, nor allows, any improvement. Nothing can be added to it to make it better, and nothing can be taken from it to make it less than perfect. It is a perfect faith because it’s Author and Finisher, Jesus Christ, is perfect – perfect God and perfect man. I am speaking here, of course, of that faith which is infused into the soul at the moment of regeneration – the faith that receives Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. This is not the same as the faith which follows regeneration, or that faith which believes in God’s ability to do whatever we ask of Him. We all know that a normal, healthy human being has five physical senses – sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. And the regenerated, born-again child of God, in a very real sense, has all of these senses, but in a spiritual sense. And all of the spiritual senses are activated by one common catalyst, namely, by faith: Faith sees the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ…II Cor. 4:6. Faith hears His voice walking in the garden in the cool of the day…Gen. 3:8. Faith smells the fragrance of the Rose of Sharon…Song of Solomon 2:1. Faith tastes the wine of the lees, well refined…Isaiah 25:6. Faith touches the hem of His garment, and makes us whole…Matt. 9:20; 14:36. And if it were possible for all of our physical senses to be magnified and amplified a billion times greater than normal, when any or all of these physical senses fail to detect the presence of God – Faith says…He lives! And since faith is the evidence of things not seen, especially when speaking of spiritual things, then there is no other evidence that can make those invisible things visible, or real to us. It could be said, then, that faith is believing in that which is spiritual when everything that is natural and physical denies it’s existence. Faith is believing without visible proof. Faith makes evident things that are not evident. Faith makes substantial things that are not substantial. Faith is the sixth sense of the Christian.
Webster defines faith as: belief; trust in the honesty of another; the assent of the mind to Divine revelation; unshaken adherence; fidelity; honesty; a system of doctrines or tenets. Smith’s Bible Dictionary defines faith as: The assent of the mind to the truth of God’s revealed will. It goes on to say – “there are two kinds of faith: (1) Historical faith- which assents (agrees) to the statements about the life and works of Jesus and the apostles, as historical truths; and (2) Evangelical faith – or saving faith, is the agreement to the truth of revelation, and an entire trust and confidence in God’s character, and Christ’s teachings, with and unreserved surrender of our will to the will of Christ. Jesus Christ is then received into the heart as Savior, Prophet, Priest, and King, to be loved and obeyed. This faith – this believing, is instrumentally a means of salvation, and essential grace, and a mainspring of Christian life. E.H. Bancroft defines faith as: the positive aspect of true conversion, the human side of regeneration. In repentance, the sinner turns away from sin; in faith he turns to Christ. These are inseparable. True repentance cannot exist apart from faith, nor faith from repentance. It has been said that – “repentance is faith in action”, and “faith is repentance at rest.” Thomas Watson defines faith as being threefold: (1) Self-renunciation; faith is going out of one’s self, being taken off from our own merits, and seeing that we have no righteousness of our own (Philipians 3:9). Self-righteousness is a broken reed, upon which the soul dares not to lean. Repentance and faith are both humbling graces; by repentance a man abhors himself; by faith he abandons himself.As Israel in their wilderness march – behind them they saw Pharaoh and his chariots pursuing them, before them they saw the Red Sea, ready to devour them; So the sinner sees behind him the Justice of God pursuing him for sin, and before him he sees Hell, ready to devour him. And in this forlorn condition, he sees nothing in himself to help, but he must perish, unless he can find help in Another. (2) Reliance: the soul casts itself upon Jesus Christ; faith rests upon Christ’s person. Faith believes the promise; but that which faith rests upon is the Person of Christ: therefore the spouse is said to – “lean upon her beloved” (Song of Solomon 8:5). Faith glories in the Cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14). To consider Christ crowned with all manner of excellencies stirs up admiration and wonder, but Christ looked upon as bleeding and dying, is the proper object of our faith; it is therefore called …faith in his blood (Rom 3:25). And (3) Appropriation: Applying Christ to ourselves. A medicine, though it be ever so sovereign, if not applied, will do no good; though the plaster be made of Christ’s own blood, it will not heal unless applied by faith; the blood of God, without the faith of God, will not save. This applying of Christ is called – “receiving “ Him (John 1:12)…but as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God… Dr. Herbert Lockyer describes faith as: God’s Spirit makes known in God’s Word certain things not seen, and produces within the believer the conviction that these things actually exist. Thus, he endures as seeing things invisible. The sum and substance of this solitary Bible definition, or statement of faith, seems to be that by it the believing one is able to penetrate beyond the veil that marks the limit of sense, and enters into the region of unseen things, making them tangible and real. Such faith is not mere human wisdom or intelligence. It has its foundation in a spiritual understanding. It is the receiving of the testimony as true (Hebrews 11:1; Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 7:9; Matthew 8:8-13). This faith comes by the aid of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), and enables one to grasp things hoped for, that is, the unseen and unknown future, and gives them actuality. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come (Hebrews 11:20). It was this faith that stretched out its hands into the dim future, and came back filled with a blessing that was, in Moses’ estimation, of greater value than his flocks and herds. This is a faith that can lay hold of things in the unseen world NOW (Heb. 11:26,27). With Moses, we too, can endure as seeing Him who is invisible. To Moses, the unseen treasures made real to his faith by far outweighed the crown and throne and glory of Egypt.1 Dr. R.A. Torrey defines faith as: “To believe God is to rely upon or have unhesitating assurance of the truth of God’s testimony, even though it is unsupported by any other evidence, and to rely upon, and have unfaltering assurance of the fulfillment of His promises, even though everything seems against fulfillment.”2
There are some synonyms for faith in the Scriptures: (a) Hear: Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David (Isaiah 55:3). The Spirit-possessed soul listens, and is attentive to the divine Word, recognized its authority and authenticity, and responds to it. Dr. Alexander Smellie reminds us that: “Faith is the ear which refuses to be troubled any longer by harassing questions and suspicious doubts, but listens in simplicity t what Jesus says. And what melody is in His voice. Yet the ear does evoke the chords and strains, it only drinks them in.” (b) Look: Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else (Isaiah 45:22; Hebrews 12:2). Dr. Lofkyer says again: “The listening soul looks out and waits till the veil parts, and God is fully revealed. Looking God becomes real, and then His word and His salvation become real. Faith, as the eye of the soul, gazes upon the wealth and loveliness of the Savior. Faith, as the eye of the soul, turns away from the unhealthy scrutiny of self and sin to the examination of Christ’s marvelous grace, and the sight which the eye beholds is so satisfying and transcendent! Of course the eye of faith does not create the surpassing splendors, it simply grasps them.”3 (c) Receive: But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (John 1:12). Faith is the hand receiving and appropriating the divine Gift, and grasping all His treasures. Even when all is dark, faith does not tremble, seeing the everlasting Hand of the Omnipotent Lord, hold the frail hand outstretched to Him. It is that, that faith is to the soul, the counterpart of what the senses are to the body, and enables it to have personal acquaintance with unseen realities.”4 (d) Believe: The word translated “believe” is found 247 times in the New Testament, and the kindred term “faith” occurs 244 times; while “faithful, which simply means “full of faith”, appears 67 times. The Greek word for faith is elpis, and carries the meaning – to persuade, to give credit to, to trust or confide in. The Hebrew word for “believe” is (emun), from which we get our English word “Amen”. It signifies to stay upon, to support. So when we read that Abraham “believed” God, it simply means that Abraham said “Amen” to God’s word. Throughout the New Testament, we find great emphasis placed upon the importance of these terms. Faith attends every step of the Christian experience, from its commencement to its consummation. At all times and under all circumstances such faith is essential (Mark 16:16; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 3:19; Hebrews 11:6; Revelation 21:8). This faith counts upon God to make good His promises, when not one of them is at hand (Luke 5:18-20; John 4:46-53; Hebrews 11:11-13; Isaiah 12:2; Isaiah 26:3).5
Contrary to widespread opinion, the Christian Faith is not a blind faith, it is not an unintelligent act of the mind, nor is it credulity, a handy religious gadget to be pounced upon for the sake of expediency. Christian faith is not a blind trust in an unknown stranger. A genuine, working faith must be based upon at least some degree of knowledge of the One in whom that faith is placed. So many thousands of folks have been spiritually devastated, when after having wholly relied upon someone or something, and then having all their hope and trust dashed to pieces when they discover that the object in which their trust had been placed proved unworthy of that trust. So often in my own ministry, when attempting to share the message of the Gospel, one of the most often-repeated comments I hear is…”I have no confidence in organized religion.” This is as much as to say that they have been disillusioned, disenchanted, and disappointed in either the teaching and teachers, or in the practices (or all of these) found in one denomination or another. Sometimes this disappointment can be traced back to the individuals themselves, but in many cases, it stems from some failure on the part of the ministry or laity, or both, to provide the visible evidences of Biblical truth and faithfulness which were expected. Whenever a medical doctor hangs out his “shingle”, he is thereby saying to the public that he has something good to offer them. The same principle applies to churches, and especially to the leadership of churches. Whatever good things we claim to possess and offer to others, must necessarily be based upon a working knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and upon a personal knowledge of, and a relationship to, the Divine Author of those Scriptures. And after this, that knowledge must be manifested by being put into everyday practice. The Christian faith is not something that can be neatly tucked away in some serene corner of the soul,, to be enjoyed only by the individual who claims to possess it. Along with any profession of inward faith, there must also of necessity be some visible, out-working evidence of it. A working faith is a faith that works – not just for and in the individual, but it expresses itself with heavenly influence upon all who see it. Faith is positive, and produces positive results. The Apostle James, who is believed to be the half-brother of our Lord, gives us some of the most profound and practical instruction concerning that inseparable union between inward faith and outward action. And un-tried faith is an un-true faith, and an inactive faith is impossible. James, writing under divine inspiration, says: faith without works is dead (James 2:20-26).
The Necessity of Faith For Salvation: There is a French phrase…”sil vous plait”, meaning…”if you please”, or “if it pleases you.” This seems to be a very prevalent attitude among millions of people of every race, creed, and nation, especially in the area of religion. The prevailing attitude is – “if it pleases you, that’s great – if not, then you don’t need it, and can live without it, no harm done.” This, however, is NOT what the Bible teaches. In order for the salvation of the human soul, a genuine, Scripturally-based, God-given, heart-felt, experiential faith is absolutely necessary, for it is written: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36). But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation (Psalm 78:21,22). And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (Acts 16:31).
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
“Apart from the faith God asks for, there can be no access to Him, nor blessing from Him. Without faith, God stand outside a closed door, and His grace and power cannot prevail.”6
“Faith brings us into God’s favor, and faith brings us into God’s family.” (John Phillips) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1,2).
Contrary to widespread opinion, the Christian Faith is not a blind faith, it is not an unintelligent act of the mind, nor is it credulity, a handy religious gadget to be pounced upon for the sake of expediency. Christian faith is not a blind trust in an unknown stranger. A genuine, working faith must be based upon at least some degree of knowledge of the One in whom that faith is placed. So many thousands of folks have been spiritually devastated, when after having wholly relied upon someone or something, and then having all their hope and trust dashed to pieces when they discover that the object in which their trust had been placed proved unworthy of that trust. So often in my own ministry, when attempting to share the message of the Gospel, one of the most often-repeated comments I hear is…”I have no confidence in organized religion.” This is as much as to say that they have been disillusioned, disenchanted, and disappointed in either the teaching and teachers, or in the practices (or all of these) found in one denomination or another. Sometimes this disappointment can be traced back to the individuals themselves, but in many cases, it stems from some failure on the part of the ministry or laity, or both, to provide the visible evidences of Biblical truth and faithfulness which were expected. Whenever a medical doctor hangs out his “shingle”, he is thereby saying to the public that he has something good to offer them. The same principle applies to churches, and especially to the leadership of churches. Whatever good things we claim to possess and offer to others, must necessarily be based upon a working knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and upon a personal knowledge of, and a relationship to, the Divine Author of those Scriptures. And after this, that knowledge must be manifested by being put into everyday practice. The Christian faith is not something that can be neatly tucked away in some serene corner of the soul,, to be enjoyed only by the individual who claims to possess it. Along with any profession of inward faith, there must also of necessity be some visible, out-working evidence of it. A working faith is a faith that works – not just for and in the individual, but it expresses itself with heavenly influence upon all who see it. Faith is positive, and produces positive results. The Apostle James, who is believed to be the half-brother of our Lord, gives us some of the most profound and practical instruction concerning that inseparable union between inward faith and outward action. And un-tried faith is an un-true faith, and an inactive faith is impossible. James, writing under divine inspiration, says: faith without works is dead (James 2:20-26).
The Necessity of Faith For Salvation: There is a French phrase…”sil vous plait”, meaning…”if you please”, or “if it pleases you.” This seems to be a very prevalent attitude among millions of people of every race, creed, and nation, especially in the area of religion. The prevailing attitude is – “if it pleases you, that’s great – if not, then you don’t need it, and can live without it, no harm done.” This, however, is NOT what the Bible teaches. In order for the salvation of the human soul, a genuine, Scripturally-based, God-given, heart-felt, experiential faith is absolutely necessary, for it is written: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36). But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation (Psalm 78:21,22). And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (Acts 16:31).
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
“Apart from the faith God asks for, there can be no access to Him, nor blessing from Him. Without faith, God stand outside a closed door, and His grace and power cannot prevail.”6
“Faith brings us into God’s favor, and faith brings us into God’s family.” (John Phillips) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1,2).
The Sources of Faith 1. 1.
God Himself Ephesians 2:7-9: That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
We are studying the doctrines of Grace, and like any and all other of the studies we will do, faith is also a gift of grace – God’s grace. Faith does not originate in man. Faith has its source in the Fountainhead of all Christian graces, namely, God Himself. God has given us a Savior, and the faith with which to believe in the Savior, for it is written:
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake (Philippians 1:29). (italics mine).
Romans 12:3 – For I say through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, no to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Faith – the faith that unites the soul to Christ at the moment of regeneration, is a gift of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:22), but the faith that believes in God’s ability and willingness to do for us what we ask of Him is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Ephesians 2:7-10).
Another source of faith is…..(2) The Word: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).
(3) The Witnesses In the fourth chapter of John we read of the converted Samaritan woman, whose life had become a drudgery, a burden, and a pitiful existence. But when she came to know Christ, the witness of her testimony had and instant and powerful impact upon a whole city (John 4:28-30). And what of the gread cloud of witnesses who confront us in the eleventh chapte rof Hebrews? Some them we know by name, and others we will become acquainted with in Heaven. And then there’s George Mueller, Hudson Taylor, Mel Trotter, John Bunyan, Bishop Ridley, Hugh Lattimer, Martin Luther, John Huss, John Knox, John Wycliffe, John Wesley, William Tyndale, John Hooper, Rowland Taylor, and the thousands of others who gave, and are now giving their lives for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. And who can forget the lady who anointed the feet of Jesus with precious ointment, and wiped His feet with the hairs of her head? Christ Himself declared in Matthew 26:10-13, and in Mark 14:6-9 that…wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in all the world, this also, which she hath done, shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.7 And another witness is the Syro-Phoenician woman: Matthew 15:28 – Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. This woman had perseverance, but it was her faith that Christ commended. The centurion: Matthew 8:10 – When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. The centurion showed great humility, but Jesus marveled at his faith. Bartimaeus: Mark 10:52 – And Jesus said unto him Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. This man showed unfaltering earnestness, but it was on the basis of faith that Christ healed him. The palsied man: Mark 2:5 – When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. The four who carried him showed great ingenuity and courage, but it was their faith that Jesus saw and honored. Throughout Scripture, like begets like. Whenever we read about the faith of others, and the results of such faith, doesn’t it produce in us some degree of desire to have that kind of faith? We ask ourselves – if those folks could have and exhibit that kind of faith – why not us also? Faith is both a human act, and a Divine operation. Once God has imparted faith to us, we are responsible for its use, its employment. Faith is not just a gift to be enjoyed, but also a tool to be employed. Faith serves as a strong anchor in the storms of life, as we look away from self, from the crisis, and from the circumstances, and toward Him who is the God of our circumstances (Acts 27:20-25).
Our Warrant For Faith Our God
All of us, at one time or another, have been inclined or induced to place some degree of confidence in a person or group of persons. Someone had to first say or do something that caused us to have that confidence. Perhaps they showed some outstanding characteristic that immediately appealed to our sense of trust. Often, the mere title worn by an individual induces others to place a certain amount of trust or confidence in them, i.e., Doctors, Policemen, Ministers, Parents, Teachers, etc. I have often picked up the phone, after looking in the phone book, and sought the services of some professional person. The advertisement on the phone book, or whatever publication in which the service was advertised, usually shows at least one or two of the best characteristics or services offered by that person or organization. I have often been highly disappointed in the service that received, and being disappointed in the service, I was also disappointed in the person who offered it. And having been disappointed with the person and his services, I am not likely to call him again, or to recommend him and his services to anyone else.
The Bible, the Word of God, (the advertisement) sets forth in unmistakable and sweetest tones the gracious and glorious attributes of our Sovereign God. And no one in all the history of humanity, after having called upon Him, has at any time been disappointed or disillusioned after having placed their trust in Him. His past performance is the blessed assurance of His future performance. He never fails. He never disappoints those who trust Him. He can be recommended to everyone, everywhere, and at all times.
As it is written, Behold I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and rock of offense: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed (Romans 9:33).
At this point we need to pause, and make certain that our faith is in the proper object, for, as I have already stated…faith is only as good, or as strong, as the object in which it is placed. If we are not careful, we will fall into the same trap into which the nation of Israel fell long ago. Instead of allowing God Himself to be their…Law, they made the Law their God. They began to worship the Law instead of the God who gave them that Law. Their faith was in the…letter of the Law, and not in the Lord of the Law. Unfortunately, this same error, only in a different form, has been perpetuated in many of the New Testament Churches of today. In other words, many have placed their faith in their faith, and not in their Father. Their faith is in the…written word, but not in the Lord who is revealed in that word. It is not the written word that saves us, it is the Lord Jesus who saves us. It is the…engrafted word, heard, believed, and received by faith, that brings us to Christ and salvation…James 1:21: Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluidity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
But what has the God of Scripture said or done that would warrant our placing unquestioning faith in Him? We have neither the time nor the space in which to tell all that could be told of God’s grace and goodness, for it is written: And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen (John 21:25).
Those of us who have accepted Christ as our personal Savior know something of the length, and breadth, and depth, and height of His love, but none of us, either individually or corporately, can tell it all, for it is written again:
That he would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; the ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: And to know the love of Christ, which passseth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16-19).
And now we have the privilege, the joy, the obligation, and the responsibility, to preach the faith, to teach the faith, and to share the faith with any and all who will listen. Yea, we must proclaim it, even if they do not listen, because the love of God constrains us to do so. What has God done to recommend Him to our faith? Read John 3:16…then read II Corinthians 5:19…then read I Corinthians 15:1-4…and then you will not be able to stop…searching the Scriptures, because one will lead to another, and another, and another. His love for his creatures is like the barrel of meal and the cruse of oil in I Kings 17:8-14. The meal and oil, like the love and grace of God, being supplied miraculously by God, was replenished every day. There was enough for each days need.
The Transcendency of Faith Faith versus Reason
Is faith in God a reasonable faith? The ongoing war between Fundamentalism and Modernism has been raging for centuries, and there seems to be no possibility of a truce in sight. The battle still rages over the issue of Faith versus Reason. Liberals still give Reason the ascendancy over Faith. That is, they put human reason on a much higher intellectual level than simple faith. Their argument asserts that if anything cannot be either seen, heard, smelled, tasted, or touched, then it does not exist. Those of us who have placed our faith in God, and in His Son Jesus Christ, on the other hand, assert that we not only believe, but know for a certainty, that things which cannot be detected by any or all of the physical senses, do, in fact, exist. The liberal-thinking modernist must, if he is to be true to his claim, reject faith in God as “unreasonable”. We see in our modern culture many attempts by modernists to explain away the miraculous element of the Holy Bible. They say that they can, by rationalization and science, show that every miracle mentioned in the Bible can be …”scientifically and rationalistically explained.
MEMORIAL DAY, 2012 ~*~ MY NAME ON THE WALL
All those years ago far away on distant shores, In the wars that took our loved ones forever away, Deep inside my heart I cannot imagine What kind of life it would be ? And so I envision it all in my mind, can you see?
Names upon the walls, declare the ones who died. The names engraved upon it willingly gave their all. And now those who are still alive, Don’t honor them like we should. The names upon those walls, only they truly understood.
In the major wars of yesterday, our soldiers fought their way. And they gave to us a land respected and free. But in those long ago times, they fought proudly for their home, And as we turned our eyes toward Heaven, God led them to victory.
As soldiers were bleeding and dying, a prayer was upon their lips, “Lord, help me to get this done before I go.” It was not themselves they thought about, But just this one remaining thing, "Let me do this for God and country, to let my loved ones know",
"That my name is on that wall, and there is a reason, Why I am listed here with others like me. God gave to me a chance to fight this battle, For a country that will be strong and safe for my family. My name is on the wall for my children to see".
"One day, I hope my sons and my daughters, Will feel the love and pride that I felt as I took the fall. I want to know they feel the same passion for this land, To sacrifice and pray God will once again help us all, Even if all that is left for others to see, is their name on a wall".
As thousands find themselves drawn to this place of tears, It makes you think about the sacrifices they made. If it were not for our God above Who lead us through it all, We would never have been remembered for anything we gained. I am so honored and blessed to have you see my name on the wall.
So, when you see the flag waving today in memory of those who died, Remember the sacrifices that were made as it is seen flying high. We wave the red, white and blue, because you obeyed the call And we ask God to let you know, you are remembered with love. We honor you for being much more than just your name on the wall.
"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"1
On a lighter note, I believe it was Charles Colson who expressed a simple but profound tongue-in-cheek truth when he shared, "Nobody will ever win the battle of the sexes. There's too much fraternizing with the enemy."
In Western culture (at least) tremendous emphasis is placed on physical beauty. There's nothing wrong with being beautiful and keeping ourselves attractive, but if that's what controls our life and is a cover-up for insecurity, we will be left very empty inside—and even more so as the years take their toll on our body.
Sophia Loren says that "beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical." Sure that was easy for Sophia to say with her incredible physical beauty, but what she said was true. Better said, it would be, "True beauty is what you are inside." If we are only loved for our physical beauty, we will never feel truly loved because that is not the real person.
As Saint Exupery said, "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Ralph Waldo Emerson put it this way, "Though we search the world over for the beautiful, we find it within or we find it not."
Furthermore we can only ever be loved to the degree that we are known—and that has nothing to do with our external appearance, but all to do with our inner being.
According to God's Word, "Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn't last, but a woman [or man] who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised."2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be a beautiful person on the inside and so live that the beauty and love of Jesus will show and shine through me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
1. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV). 2. Proverbs 31:30 (TLB)(NLT).
DAILY ENCOUNTER-FOOD FOR THOUGHT SUBMITTED BY: BRENDA CLARK PIKE 2012
A SEASON OF FAITH By Deacon Steve
Gospel – Luke 17:5 - 8
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. "Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"
Imagine a world in which no one had faith in anything. What would it be like? Could such a world function? We seldom reflect on the fact that so much that happens in our lives depends on our having faith, most often in ourselves more so than others. If no one had faith in government and it's leaders, and that seems to be the case in this country of ours today, at least a great percentage don't have it, in doctors, in airline pilots, in ministers, in schools, in parents, in spouses, in employers, and friends, then life as we know it just might grind to a halt. Our lives could then be characterized by cynicism, despair, and anarchy. Needless to say a world in which no one had faith in anything could possibly be a useless world.
But suppose we narrow the question down a bit and ask, "What would a world be like in which no one had religious faith? The answer to that question might seem more difficult. Would it really make all that much difference if no one had any religious faith? Life would surely go on. It's just that there'd be no churches, or temples, or synagogues, or other places of worship. There would be no religious ceremonies, no believing communities, no prayer communities. There would be no holy book like the bible, no holy people, no notion of holiness at all. And if that were the case, then how could there be an appreciation of life, of a search, of a quest, of a dream? No appreciation of life as a gift from God. These things are so much a part of who and what we are, that a world without religious faith would be a world we would hardly recognize as human.
Strangely enough, perhaps we don't often think of faith in that way. We think of it as a very private thing; something I have as an individual; something I must preserve in; something a bit precarious, something I could loose if I am not careful. And so we have a lot of sympathy with the apostles in today's reading when they make that appeal to Jesus, "Increase our faith."
Perhaps the Lord's reply seems very odd. We almost get the impression that he thinks faith is linked unlikely wonders, to our everyday ordinary lives. He replied, "Where your faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'be rooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." You see my friends, the faith that Jesus is talking about is not the kind of thing that can be measured. It is not the kind of thing we can have more or less of. Faith is a way of being; a way of seeing; a way of journeying. It's not something we have, but rather it's something that we are caught up in, it’s something that we live. Of course, there is a private and personal dimension of faith. But essentially we're not isolated individuals who have to grit our teeth and hang on to our faith through thick or thin. Faith is also a gift that embodies trust and prayer; a gift passed on or shared.
We are part of a community of believers, a community who tries to lead a life of faith and support for each other in that life of faith. That community is not confined to folks we worship with at church, not confined to family and friends that we meet whenever or are visible to us. As far as I am concerned, that community has been broadened by the access to the internet to include so many others from just about anyplace, folks who share and give their hearts to others as dear friends. I believe that to be a special gift from God to be able to be in touch with so many others who are living the morals and values that I have myself try to live, and to be able to be a part of so many other's life and faith journey. What a tremendous blessing to be able to grow in faith, in the love of our Lord with them.
And we don’t even think about a measure of that faith, we just live it and are immersed in it. Yes, us broken and pitiful people who are sinners, who don’t know all of the answers to all of the problems of life, who so often question God about one thing or another, trying to figure out the going-on’s in our own lives as well as that of each other. Perhaps that is what Jesus is trying to tell us in this gospel reading. We don’t need to understand everything, because we cannot understand everything anyway, most certainly the mindset of God. Take what we have and go with it, live that out, but live it out with each other.
One of the most amazing understandings concerning God came to light to me quite recently that could possibly give us a better notion about faith as it pertains to our understanding of Jesus and the lessons in life that we can learn. I realize of course that the greatest happening in history of Christianity was the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. And that greatest happening came about as a result of his great suffering, his pain, both physical and mental. If our salvation and our gift of eternal life with God, came as a result of pain and suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, then there must me other lessons for us to learn as a result of our own pain and suffering, as well as others, and the death of our loved ones and friends, that should lead us to a greater understanding of the “faith” that we are talking about.
As followers of Christ everything we do is informed by faith. Faith surrounds us, faith carries us, faith is our way of being. And we manifest our faith in simple and obvious ways, by prayer, by reaching out to one another in the kind of love that Jesus reaches out to us with; by compassion, understanding, and by sharing the gifts that God has blessed us with, by sharing those gifts freely. It might not seem so very spectacular to us. It's certainly has nothing do with performing amazing feasts. But faith really does change the world. A world without religious faith, and even more so, personal faith, would be an impoverished world, for it would be a world in which the deepest aspirations of the human heart could have no place.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, praying for the needs of our country, and those who are suffering in any way. Yours in Christ . . .