September/October 1999 Vol. 3, No. 5
IN THIS ISSUE:
The
Positive Influence of the Bible in America -- Betty Miller
Y2K Update -- Current
Reports by Betty Miller
Covenant (The New Covenant Through Jesus) -- R.S.
"Bud" Miller
Spiritual Warfare -- Truth: Part of Our
Heavenly Armor
Exposing Satan's Devices -- Halloween: An Evil
Holiday
End Times -- Kingdom Against Kingdom
Prophecy -- "Whole Lotta Shakin Goin
On"
Let Us Run With God's Message -- Special Guest,
Evangelist Jack Reed
Book Review -- Thus Saith The Lord, by John
Bevere
Poetry Corner -- God's Eternal Ink
Little Foxes (Little Compromises) -- Stealing: A
Growing Concern
Prayer Focus Spotlight -- Calling All Intercessors
Personal Word From the Millers -- Autumn
Greeting
Purpose and Vision -- Ministry Information
Past Issues of the Digest -- Archives
Return to Main Menu --www.BibleResources.org
The Positive Influence of the Bible in America
By Betty Miller
Psalm 33:12: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the
people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."
Everything good that we have been blessed with in our society here in the U.S.A., comes
directly or indirectly, from God's grace and the Bible's influence. You may think
this a bold statement to make but I am prepared to defend it. One of the things that
I am sure that grieves the heart of God, is the fact that instead of people being grateful
for all the blessings God has bestowed upon mankind, many blame Him and His followers for
the problems in the world.
In our society it seems popular to criticize Christians and blame them for things that
really are not their fault. They are even lumped in the same category with cults and weird
sects. People should realize there are things that are said and done in the name of
Christianity that are not Christian at all. The Bible even warns us of people like
that who actually hurt the cause of Christ. In this article when I speak of Christian
or Christianity, I am referring to the true believer and the true followers
of Christ.
Many people do not realize what the Bible and Christian influence has accomplished for
the betterment of our lives, especially here in the United States. They walk around
enjoying the good life with its abundance here in free America, without understanding they
owe it all to a book they have been taught by many to despise -- the Bible. Even some
countries who have embraced false religions are blessed in aspects of their societies
where they are practicing scriptural principles. The keeping of God's Word always brings
blessing.
It is a well-known fact that our founding fathers in the USA were, for the most part,
godly men who took the Bible's principles to construct our Constitution and the
Declaration of Independence. Any unbiased historian knows that the Bible has had a much
greater influence in the shaping of the foundation of this nation than is being
currently taught in our schools Let us look at some of these influences that we
could lose if we fail to acknowledge God and bring Him back in the national life.
The Bible and Its Effect on the Judicial System of the
United States
The United States has laws on the books that enforce punishment on those who would
assault and rape women, those who would murder, those who would steal and lie. You may be
surprised to know that the source of these laws came directly from the Bible and were
given for the protection of society. Many of them can be found in the Old Testament book
of Deuteronomy.
Other examples of laws taken directly from the Bible are our laws regarding bankruptcy,
laws in our courts that demand witnesses to a crime before one can be convicted, and laws
that demand just weights for commerce. Many of the past laws, like
our child labor laws protected children from being exploited. Even our government
Child Protection Agency was created to keep children from abuse. Although this
agency goes to the extreme at times and shields a rebellious child that is lying, its
original intent was to protect children from parental abuse. Our civil laws were
established to keep order in our society, and because our founding fathers were
Christians, they created a structure that was based on moral laws taken from the Bible.
Most of the original laws that our judicial system upheld were taken directly from the
Bible. (Many of these down through the years have now been altered or abandoned to our
determent as a nation. In fact, scripture says we would live in such a day. (Daniel
7:25: "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the
saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into
his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.")
Our present-day judicial system has now drifted away from its original
intent. Today, it is being exploited by many lawyers, as well as people who want to
use the legal system for personal gain beyond what would be a fair settlement. They
are seeking outlandish judgements that in the end all the people will pay for.
Through unfair settlements in these kinds of suits, the lawyers are the ones most
rewarded. Protection of the innocent, in many cases, has been overruled while
criminals are not justly dealt with. Quick punishment for the guilty has been
abandoned, as court appeals and delays stretch into costly and lengthy trials that last
for years at the public's expense. We need to return to Biblical principles and once again
shape our laws accordingly, if we desire to see justice in our land. 2 Samuel
23:3, "The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over
men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."
The Bible and Its Effect on Benevolent Practices in Society
Historically, when true Christianity came to any region, those who were
practicing Christ's commands would began to reach out to help the poor, the oppressed, the
sick, and needy. Most of our present day hospitals, charity centers, orphanages and rescue
missions were all founded by Christians in keeping with the Biblical commands of Christ to
demonstrate His love to a needy world. God has always been interested in helping the weak,
the feeble and afflicted. Ungodly societies destroy their weak, helpless and
burdensome members.
We are praying that the ungodly practice of abortion will cease in all
nations that now legally allow and encourage it. This practice does not show the love of
God toward babies or basic respect for human life. Rather, it is an unloving act that is
adversely affecting all of society. The more we harden our hearts to the idea of
protecting the sanctity of human life, the more susceptible we all become to violent
crimes against humanity. Regardless of what those who believe in abortion rights
claim, most abortions are not done to protect the mother's life or some other so-called
valid reason, but rather to allow the mother to escape her responsibility of
caring for the little life she had a part in creating. Most abortions are done out
of pure selfishness. The mother simply doesn't want a child to interfere with her plans.
The Bible teaches we are to overcome selfishness, not encourage it. We need to
reverse the law in our land that allows abortions so freely, as the soul of our nation has
accepted a practice that we will all regret. The consequences of murder is "a life
for a life" and this will mean the loss of much life in our nation unless we repent.
Numbers 35:33: "So ye shall not pollute the land
wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the
blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it."
In regard to abortion, another thing the U.S. is facing, is the fact that
our nation's workforce is hitting middle age. Along with this comes the threat of a
long-term labor shortage. When abortion first became legalized no one foresaw this
problem. Because people are living longer (Our current average life span in the the
U.S.A. is 76 years according to recent statistics), the senior population will need to be
supported by younger workers in the social security program. Where will these
workers come from? Since we have now murdered over 10,000,000 of our potential new
workers, we are left with an enormous shortage of younger workers. Baby
Boomers are turning 50 at a rate of 11,000 people per day.¹ Their impending
departure from the labor pool is creating a shortage of workers leaving not enough younger
workers to fill their place. Eleven percent fewer Americans were born from 1966 to 1985
than those born in the two decades after World War II. Because of lower birth rates,
coupled with job expansion, employers will have no choice but to fill their payrolls with
those over 60 who are willing to continue to work. If our nation ever needed to reverse a
law that is destroying us it is the law that is allowing abortions.
Other nations like China, who limit their population expansion through
abortion are also running into problems. Because each family is only allowed one
child, many parents are electing to keep their sons while destroying their daughters, so
they will have a male heir. The population in China is now out of balance with more men
than women. Where will Chinese men be able to find a female mate for marriage? This could
create severe problems in the social structure of a nation that could lead to rape,
jealousy, etc. For an in-depth look into abortion click here: What Does the Bible Says About Abortion?
Christianity's Influence in Education
Contrary to popular opinion, Christians are not anti-education. The Bible
instructs us to teach our children. The real issue is not eliminating education, but
rather seeing that the information being taught is accurate and is not against the Word of
God. Most of our well known universities, such as Harvard, Princeton and Yale, were
founded by Christians. In fact, the first 126 colleges and universities in the
U.S.A. were built for the glory of Jesus and the advancement of the gospel.²
Christians took the Bible seriously when the Word of God commanded them to teach and train
their children in the way of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7: "And these words, which I command thee
this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou
sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and
when thou risest up."
How sad it is now that our laws now forbid Christian students to pray
publicly in the classrooms of our schools. Instead, violence stalks
the halls of our education centers and children are murdering in the classrooms.
Each law that eliminates God and His influence from our society, allows evil to fill its
place. Disallowing public prayer in our schools is another law that needs to be
reversed.
How the Bible and Christianity Has Influenced the Family
Unit
The Bible is very supportive of the family unit as God created the first
family. The family unit in America was the strongest when the national life of the
nation upheld laws and principles that protected it. As the judicial system relaxed
divorce laws with no-contest rulings, divorce increased. When our society
became tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle, the family unit took another downward spiral.
(Notice, I said tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle, not the
homosexual. God loves the homosexual and wants to change them and give them a normal
life. However, He hates the sin of homosexuality as it is destroying many lives and
families.) When laws are established that encourage sin,then the fruit of that sin
brings confusion to society. Laws in our nation that are trying to gain acceptance
for gays to marry will further escalate destruction to the family. For more
information on homosexuality click here: What Does
the Bible Say About Homosexuality?
The Lord desires for the family unit to once again thrive with the husband
as the head of the family who loves and nurtures his wife and children. Christian
homes that are in God's order will produce happy and loving families. Many cultures
throughout history made women mere chattels or property of the man. When Jesus came,
He truly liberated women to be restored to their proper place in a marriage. The Biblical
model for marriage is a partnership between a husband and wife, where both parties love
and respect each other. Cultures and societies without the Bible's influence usually
repress and use the women and even the children.
However, our culture has, in many ways, swung in the opposite direction
with many woman dominating and lording it over the man and trying to rule him. Many women
in the United States do not have a submissive attitude toward their husbands, but rather,
want to do their own thing. Many women in our nation have abandoned their husbands
and children for the excitement of the marketplace. Being in this arena has further
divided the home and left a whole generation of children without their mothers or fathers.
It is not always wrong for women to be in the workplace, but generally it is better for
the mother to be at home with the children when they are young. Children no longer are
being mentored by their parents, but by daycare workers, baby sitters, humanistic school
teachers, and the wicked influences of the media that have brainwashed them with the evil
ideas of the day. The Bible is just old-fashioned enough to advise parents to teach and
raise their children. (We realize 50% of homes in America are single parent homes and some
of these never wanted to be in that situation. In those cases, they must make the
best of the situation they are in and pray for the Lord to help them.)
Ephesians 5:21-25: "Submitting yourselves one to
another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto
the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of
the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto
Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your
wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it."
For more information on true submission in marriage click here: What Does the Bible Say About Submission in Marriage?
Our homes are being battered from many different sources. Pornography is another area
where our laws need tightening and enforcing. Our nation also has laws on the books
against this evil. However, we have allowed evil to prevail in the name of freedom.
Without a Christian influence against this kind of evil, more women and children will be
exploited, and lust will destroy the intimacy of our marriages. Keeping the
commandments of the Bible is all that stands between us and this flood of evil. Those who
produce pornography for greed and those who want their lustful and sinful desires
satisfied are responsible for this evil remaining in our nation. Click here
for more information on What Does the Bible Says
About Pornography?
It is only the "salt and light" of Christianity that keeps us
from total destruction. Again, Christianity's effect on the family unit is demonstrated as
people follow the Lord's plan for a happy marriage with the husband loving and caring for
his wife as the Lord cares for His bride, the church.
The Bible's Influence in the Market Place
If you have a day off during the week you can attribute it to the
influence of Christianity. The Bible lists as one of the Ten Commandments, the
keeping of the Sabbath rest.
Exodus 20:8-11: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of
the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter,
thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy
gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them
is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed
it."
Nations that do not allow their people a day off during the week for rest, end up
working their people and their animals to death. They have shorter life spans in
nations who do not observe the Sabbath rest.
Other influences of Christianity and the Word of God in the market place
are the establishment of just and fair wages, the negotiating of honest deals and
production of quality products. For a detailed look at how a Christian business should be
run you can go to this link: What
Does the Bible Say About Business?
Christianity's Influence on Animal Rights and Ecology
The Bible gives us guidelines in the handling of the earth's resources and
Christians are taught in the Word of God to manage them properly. The scriptures are
not silent in regard to these things. Proverbs 12:10 says, "A
righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are
cruel."
We can also see from the scripture's below that the Bible teaches ecology
by allowing the mother bird to go if you eat the eggs she has lain.
Deuteronomy 22:6-7: "If a bird's nest chance to be before
thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and
the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the
young: 7 But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it
may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days."
Caring hearts will take care of the animals and the land. The Bible
even instructed man to allow the land that crops were raised on to rest every seventh
year. Our crops are suffering from depleted vitality because we do not heed this
admonition today. Farmers should rotate their crops so that every portion of their
land could rest every seven years. Exodus 23:10-11: "And six years thou shalt
sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: 11 But the seventh year thou shalt
let it rest and lie still; ... In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with
thy oliveyard."
For more information about animal abuse, click here: What Does the Bible Say About Animal Abuse?
The Bible's Influence in the Culture and Traditions of
Society
When the Bible's influence is strong in a society, it will affect all
aspects of that culture in a positive way. The opposite is also true -- when a
society turns its back on God, it will begin to reflect evil in its cultural choices. We
see this today as we watch our young and old people embrace things that are totally
unbiblical. How we dress, what we eat, what music we listen to, and what we choose
for entertainment, are all reflections of how strongly or weakly we embrace the Word of
God. Rebellious, anti-Christ music has become firmly established in our society
today in spite of the dangerous influence it has had on our young people. This music has
encouraged lust, sex, suicide, rebellion against authority, etc. Even physically, it has
damaged the hearing of a whole generation of young people who listen to loud music and
live bands constantly. There are those who are deaf or going deaf from this
exposure.
Many of our young people today don't realize how unbecoming, and in some
cases even vulgar, the latest clothing trends and fads appear on them. They look strange
with their body piercings, tattoos, and extreme oversized baggy clothes that show their
underwear. Others wear extremely tight shorts and other revealing clothes with nude
portions of their bodies showing. Our culture has stamped its approval because so many
young people have embraced these things. Older people have embraced many of the same
things. They think it is the trendy thing to do. However, Praise God, we do
have a remnant of young people who are seeking to be like Jesus as their motto is
"What would Jesus Do?" What would He do? I personally can't picture
Jesus with nose rings, tattoos, underwear showing, and His hair dyed purple. Praise God
for the young people who are taking a stand against the ungodly trends of our
society. We are regressing in our culture when we watch our youth defile their
bodies and express themselves in ways that are unbecoming as Christians.
We could address many more cultural trends and traditions that do not
glorify God or are against the Word of God. However, at this time, we will address only
one more; the tradition of Halloween. (Click here for more information on What The Bible Says About Halloween.)The
celebration of this holiday has its roots in witchcraft. Although this holiday is an
Satanic celebration, the influence of Christianity in our nation has established the
celebration of some true "holy-days." Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter
are all Christian celebrations that we enjoy even if some people celebrate them in the
wrong way.
Keeping God's Laws in the Earth Brings Blessings to Mankind
People that come against true Christianity don't realize they are coming
against the very influences that make life pleasant in this earth. (Please note that
everyone who claims to be a Christian may not truly be one, as many come in Christ's name
but are not keeping His commandments.) The laws and commandments that God
gives us to live by are given to us so that we might live a good life in this earth.
The keeping of these laws do not get us to heaven; only faith and a relationship
with Jesus Christ will do that. However, the keeping of God's laws brings harmony to
the earth. If we are a true Christian we will be striving to keep the rules of the
Bible to please God. All men want to be free, but many mistakenly think that keeping
God's laws will bring them into bondage, when the exact opposite is true. The Bible
says in John 8:31-32, "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on
him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the
truth, and the truth shall make you free."
The Bible teaches responsibility. Laws establish people's rights. However,
many of our laws are now being changed to establish individual rights, while infringing
upon the rights of the whole. We must pray for this to cease or we will all soon lose our
true freedoms. We must also stand against the the sin of tolerating every evil in
the name of allowing that person the freedom to do things that do not agree with God's
Word. Freedom has its responsibilities and guidelines. Those are defined by the Bible.
We must get back to the one standard of God's Word and the worship of the one true
God named in that Word. It is only by keeping God's laws that we as people in all
societies will be truly free and enjoy the blessings of God in the earth.
Psalm 67:1: "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause
his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously,
and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him."
__
End Notes:
¹Orange County Register, Arizona Republic Newspaper Article
(March 3, 1999)
² The Bible and Civilization, D. James Kennedy, Ph.D., Coral Ridge
Ministries, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Return to Table of Contents for this Issue
Y2K
CURRENT UPDATE
AUGUST 1999
By Betty Miller
The Y2K issue seems to have waned some at the present, as
far as the media is concerned. However, it is not a dead issue on the Internet. There is
much debate and dialog going on, all the way from doomsday predictions to those who think
January 1, 2000 will be a non-event. We get a lot of mail on the subject ourselves. Many
are seeking sincere advice, while others seem to just want to argue over any view point,
other than their own. Although it is impossible to answer every letter we get we do want
to keep those who are sincere seekers informed through this site as to what we are
perceiving about this event.
Because this is a world wide event and the effects of Y2K
will vary from country to country, area to area and city to city there is no pat advice
for everyone. Many developing nations have only just begun to address this problem. Cities
could be affected in certain areas more than rural locales; however, rural areas, if
affected, could take longer to get fixed as governments would exert their efforts to the
dense population of the cities first. I feel this is one reason the Lord is not giving the
same detailed instructions to His people in every area. We all must hear the Lord for our
areas and for our individual families.
Some have written and are concerned, as they say they are
praying, but the Lord has not spoken to them what to do. If this is the case, we would
advise that you follow logic and reason. Since this is a very real threat, everyone should
have some sort of contingency plans that would include a source of water, food, light,
heat and other daily needs.
You should consider having a supply of food and water for
you and your family on hand. In northern climates, you should think about an
alternate heat source if you are dependent on public utilities. Even if you should not
need these things for Y2K, it is wisdom to have some sort of emergency supplies because we
are living in an hour that the Bible talks about as being perilous, and a time of trouble,
and great tribulation. Prayer and repentance can avert many of the problems this
event can cause. If you are not familiar with the problems that Y2K or the
"Millennium Bug" can potentially cause, we did a very complete coverage of it in
another article. It also has a complete list of preparations you should consider
making plus current quotes and observations regarding Y2K from different sources that
might interest you. You may go to:
COUNTDOWN TO THE NEW
MILLENNIUM (http://christunlimited.com/answers/ay2k.html)
(This article is an in-depth research and Biblical commentary along with practical advice
in regard to the Y2K problem facing the world. In addition, we have compiled a list of
some of the most informative and helpful Y2K links on the Web.)
Here is a summary of the latest report from the
government in regard to Y2K progress in the U.S.A.:
President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion
Third Summary of Assessment Information
CHAIRMAN'S SUMMARY:
The President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion is pleased to present its third quarterly
report on the status of efforts to address the Year 2000 (Y2K) computer problem. With less
than five months until the new millennium, businesses and governments in the United States
and around the world continue their work on one of the most extraordinary management
challenges of our time: preparing computer systems for the Year 2000 date change. Agencies
now estimate they will spend over $8 billion (fiscal year 1996-2000) on their Y2K efforts
The influence of computers in our daily lives cannot be understated. Computer
systems help to do everything from running electric power plants to routing telephone
calls to directing air traffic. The sheer pervasiveness of computers in our society has
only made more difficult the task of finding, and then fixing or replacing, those systems
that will not be able to accurately process dates representing the Year 2000 and thereby
risk malfunction or shut down. More and more organizations are reporting that
they have met the Y2K challenge. They've spent years and a significant amount of money to
assess and remediate or replace systems that were not Year 2000 compliant. They've done
internal testing and have tested system operations with their business partners. They've
developed business continuity and contingency plans to ensure that operations continue in
the event of Y2K failures. And they've instituted change management programs to ensure
that alterations to hardware and software do not undo Y2K fixes.
As a result of the significant progress that has been made, the United
States is in a much better position to make the transition into the Year 2000 than was the
case just a few short months ago. However, in spite of the best efforts of many in
government and industry, there are no guarantees with the Year 2000 problem.
It is likely that not every computer will be fixed and some of those that have been
remediated and tested could still experience problems. Our primary challenge in the less
than 150 days that remain is to focus on those areas where the highest probability for
failures exists and to ensure that all organizations have contingency or back-up plans to
handle any difficulties.
The full report contains detailed information from the various sectors of
government as follows:
*Federal Government*State, Local, and Tribal Government* *Building
Operations*Chemicals*Communications*Consumer Affairs*
*Education*Electric Power*Financial Services*Food Supply*
*Health Care*Housing*Oil and Gas*Pharmaceuticals*
*Transportation**Water
Editor's Comments: With reports as these
still out we should all seek God as to what each of us needs to do. Y2K should not be
ruling our lives as to what we do, no matter where we live---the Lord should be directing
us. We need to seek God and His kingdom first, and then the Lord will instruct us as what
we are to do regarding Y2K. We have a commission to accomplish. We must get the gospel out
and share the good news that Jesus saves. Some Christians are just ignoring Y2K
preparation and just concentrating on ministry; while others are concentrating on Y2K
preparation, at the expense of ministry. I believe we can do both, if we are led and
strengthened by the Lord, as the Lord addresses both of these in His Word.
Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom
of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"
Proverbs 22:3: "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the
simple pass on, and are punished."
.Return to Table of Contents for this Issue
COVENANT: GOD'S GUARANTEE FOR
VICTORIOUS LIVING
By Pastor R.S. "Bud" Miller
The New Covenant Through Jesus
"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much
also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better
promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been
sought for the second" (Hebrews 8:6-7).
You may be wondering why God made the old covenant if He knew He would
have to make a new one. There were two reasons:
1. Every person since Adam has been born under the law of sin and death
(Romans 8:2) with no ability to save himself from that law.
2. Man must have a mediator through which this reconciliation with God
could be made, thus the old covenant foreshadowed the coming of this Mediator.
In man's sinful nature, there was no way he could walk in the way of
the Lord and keep his commandments. So the Old Covenant remained in effect until the Seed
arrived to whom the covenant promises belonged. That Seed, of course, was the Lord Jesus
Christ.
"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith
not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, AND TO THY SEED, which is Christ. And this I
say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was
four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of
none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave
it to Abraham by promise" (Galatians 3:16-18).
Jesus is the heir through which God established a new and better
covenant, through which man could receive and enjoy full salvation. "Salvation"
in Greek is "soteria," which means deliverance and preservation,
as well as salvation. It can also mean safety and health. In some
places, it is translated "Savior," showing that all those things are in Jesus.
From this definition, we can see that salvation is more than just being
"saved" from the penalty of sin.
The New Covenant became possible because God first entered into a blood
covenant with Abraham and sealed it with an oath He could never break. God "swore by
Himself" (Genesis 22:16). In other words, the "old" covenant was the
first legal step toward the complete new covenant.
God's covenant with man is a revelation; it is an unfolding of His
purpose, a revealing of His divine will for you and me, as well as for the earth and all
of His other children.
God's covenant reveals that He never gave up on man created in His
image, but plans to accomplish things through us. God will have a people who are strong in
Him, sure in Him, powerful in Him, so that they continually walk in obedience. To achieve
that, He cut a blood covenant with man. That covenant, first the Abrahamic, and then, the
new one, makes an eternal "legal" relationship between God and those who receive
Jesus in their hearts.
Abraham's covenant was never "done away with," because God
said it was to last forever. However, it became obsolete or out of date (Hebrews. 8:13).
The "old" covenant, was swallowed up, expanded, amplified, and fulfilled in the
new covenant. The new covenant replaced the old covenant, therefore it remains an
eternal covenant.
The Abrahamic covenant, the first blood covenant God "cut"
with man, was a foreshadowing, a picture, type, or pattern, of the eternal covenant God
intended to make with mankind through Jesus, Abraham's promised Seed.
The Last Supper
The Passover meal that God initiated as the Israelites left Egypt was a covenant feast
heralding the blood-covenant relationship under the New Covenant. "Breaking
bread" together was an integral part of any covenant in those days. Today, Christians
call this meal "Communion," and it is one of the sacraments of the Church.
Jesus and His disciples ate this meal together, celebrating Passover the evening before
the crucifixion. (In the counting of Jewish days, they ate "the Last Supper" at
the beginning sundown of the day He was crucified, because their days went from sundown to
sundown.)
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and
gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and
gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it. For this is my blood of the
new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28).
In that "upper room" loaned to Jesus and the disciples for this celebration,
Jesus--the Son of the Living God in the form of human flesh--literally celebrated His own
death with His closest followers. He was preparing to "lay down His life for His
friends" (John 15:13).
Jesus knew that before the day was over and the next sundown occurred, He would be dead
and in the grave as the sacrificial Lamb of God slain to forever seal God's blood covenant
with man. The Communion sacrament we partake of today is to remind us that we are part of
an everlasting covenant with God Almighty. It is to remind us that we have entered into a
relationship with God as Father through Jesus Christ, His "only begotten Son."
The Last Supper of Jesus not only looked backward to its "type," the Passover
meal held on the Israelites' last night in the bondage of Egypt, but also forward to the
Marriage Supper of the Lamb spoken of in Revelation. Jesus told them:
"But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until
that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" (Matthew 26:29).
"And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the
marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me. These are the true sayings of God"
(Revelation 19:9).
As we are faithful to keep the everlasting covenant God has made with us through Jesus,
we are going to be summoned one day to this Marriage Supper. This "contract"
sealed in the blood of Jesus is a legally binding title deed to our inheritance as
joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).
The same eight steps to cutting blood covenant that we saw in chapter one concerning
the Abrahamic covenant apply to the new covenant:
1. A statement of the terms and promises of the agreement (Hebrews 8:10-12)
2. A promise, or total commitment, by each party to observe these terms even if it
costs his life (Hebrews 7:21,22, 9:28; Revelation 12:11)
3. A curse on covenant breakers (which will be dealt with in the next chapter)
4. Sealing of the covenant by a blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12)
5. The exchange of robes or cloaks, representing the authority of each party -- Jesus
gave us His robe of righteousness (Colossians 3:9) and took our robes of
self-righteousness that Isaiah called "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6).
6. The exchange of weapons and weapon belts (Ephesians 6:13-18)
7. The exchange of names--Jesus took on the name of Man, and we got His
name--Christian.
8. Each party mingling his blood with the other--Jesus' blood shed on Calvary mingled
God's and man's in one offering, as Jesus was all man and all God.
Within the New Covenant, God revealed His plan and purposes to us of what He expects.
Beginning with salvation, when we enter into or become covered by this covenant, God wants
to join us more and more with Him in order to bestow on us all that He has and all that He
is.
"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be
filled with all the fulness of God. . . . Til we all come in the unity of the faith, and
of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of
the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 3:19, 4:13).
"For in him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are
complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power" (Colossians 2:9).
That is a wonderful promise from God: to be complete in Jesus and "filled with the
fullness of God." Thank
God that Jesus was willing to pay the price for us to enter into this new and better
Covenant with Him! If the New Covenant is a new concept for you, please click here to read
"What Does the Bible Say about Being Born Again?"
(Continued next issue)
Note: This teaching is continued from last month's Overcoming Life Digest. See
Table of Contents for Archives.
(Excerpt from the book entitled: COVENANT God's Guarantee for Victorious Living by
R.S. "Bud" Miller)
Return to Table of Contents for this Issue
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
By Betty Miller
TRUTH -- PART OF OUR HEAVENLY ARMOR
Occasionally, we may face situations where we are accused of wrongdoing.
Sometimes people lie against us and bring civil authorities to work against us. In
positions like this, some Christians may become upset with governmental authority, be it a
judge, policeman or an agency. Should this occur, we must remember that our battle
is not with the officials. They are simply doing their job. Our battle is with the powers
of darkness that are influencing them. In a legal confrontation, we should bind the
evil powers that are perpetrating the lies. Remember, we have the God of truth on
our side. If we are truthful and trust God in the matter He will move on the hearts
of those in charge and cause us to come in favor with them.
We should also pray, "Lord, let Your truth prevail. If there's anything wrong on
my part in this matter, show me too. Judge this situation fairly, Lord. If it's
against me, help me to cheerfully accept that and see where I've failed." With
this attitude, we'll win even if we lose. Whatever loss we incur the Lord will make up to
us as long as we have the right heart attitude. With God on our side, we'll never lose.
Ephesians 6:13 says, "Wherefore take unto you the whole
armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand."
Some Christians are no longer standing. They've been knocked out by the devil
because they didn't know how to prevail in spiritual warfare. We prevail by putting on the
whole armor of God. As Ephesians 6 lists that armor, it first mentions "having
your loins girt about with truth" (Ephesians 6:14). I Peter 1:13
tells us, "Gird up the loins of your mind." What does it mean
to gird up the loins? It means we put the truth of God's Word in our minds; we must
embrace truth even if it should confront a lie within us. We should earnestly desire that
if we are deceived in any way, we will be open to correction no matter who it comes
through. We Christians would get along much better if we were all willing to lay down any
error we've believed. It could be possible for thirty years that we have misinterpreted a
Scripture and embraced wrong doctrine. If we discover that to be true, we should not
react in pride and refuse to admit our mistake but rather say, "Lord, thank you for
showing me where I've been wrong and help me to admit it and now embrace the truth."
As we put truth in our minds, we'll respond with His truth under pressure. Too many
Christians are filling their minds with everything but the Word of God. They're filling
themselves with secular magazines, hours of TV and the neighborhood gossip. Under
pressure, they'll come up with the world's reaction and solutions to the problems in this
life, rather than God's response and his solution. One example would be in the area of
divorce. Many are responding to their marital problems the same way they have seen the
soap opera couples do, when instead, they should be praying their marriage through to
victory.
(Continued next issue)
Excerpt from the book Personal Spiritual Warfare; Click here to order from the CHAPEL BOOKSTORE
Return to Table of Contents for this Issue
EXPOSING SATAN'S DEVICES
Betty Miller
THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE BATTLE
HALLOWEEN -- AN EVIL HOLIDAY
Mark 7:13 says, "Making the word of God of none effect
through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."
Many Christians do not realize that certain traditions that are celebrated
in the world have demonic origins. Just because our society partakes in certain activities
does not make them acceptable for Christians. We must look to Christ and His Word to see
if the traditions of this world are good or evil.
One very harmful tradition is the celebration of Halloween. No Christian
should partake in the activities of this holiday, nor should they allow their children to
do so. We can discern the evil of this day by taking a look at the festivities that are
associated with its celebration. Children are dressed as witches, goblins, ghosts, little
devils and fortune tellers. All these are representatives of Satan's kingdom. Games played
at carnivals promote fear in children as they are ushered through spook houses and horror
rooms. Skeletons, black cats and bats represent death and darkness. No carnival is
complete without the gypsy who tells fortunes. Satan has gained man's approval to
celebrate his day by simply making it a tradition that seems like a fun day. The opposite
is true, however, as more damage and harm are done on this day each year than any other
holiday. Children are taught to go door to door chanting "trick or treat." It is
unchristian to demand a gift under threat of playing some trick. Police are on the alert
for juvenile vandalism and caution parents to be watchful.
Some Satanists celebrate this as their high holy day and even offer human
sacrifices to the devil. Until recently, most Christians have not questioned this
traditional celebration, but rather have gone along with it by even bringing Halloween
parties into the church. The earliest Halloween celebrations were not held by the early
church, but the Druids in honor of Samhain, the Lord of the Dead, and his demons, whose
festival fell on November 1. Halloween actually means "holy or hallowed
evening." (According to the Roman calendar in which days began at midnight, the
evening of October 31 was the eve before the hallowed day; hence Halloween or All Soul's
Eve was kept throughout the ancient pagan world.).
It can also be called All Hallows Eve because it is the day before All
Hallows' or All Saints' day, a holy day in the Roman Catholic Church, Episcopal Church,
the Church of England and the Greek Orthodox Church. This festival honors all martyrs,
known and unknown, who have died for the church. During the time of Constantine, these two
holidays were merged in an attempt to Christianize the heathen. The church could not
prevent these heathen practices, so they thought "taming'" them would be the
answer. They were, of course, not to worship their gods on the church's All Saint's day.
However, as it is with all compromises, soon the evil overrode the good, and hence, we
still honor these heathen practices by celebrating Halloween.
As parents you have a responsibility not to allow your children to be
exposed to these questionable celebrations. What might seem to some as innocent children's
games is a little compromise that can open the door to satanic influence and even demon
possession in some cases. Children can be tormented with a spirit of fear that can come
through this involvement that stays with them throughout their lives. It also introduces
children to witchcraft, making it easier for them to become involved in cults and occultic
activities. When children are taught it is alright to play with the things of darkness, it
does not give them the repulsion and resistance that they need to stand against greater
Satanic involvement. When the things of Satan are taken lightly, as games and fun, it sets
our children up to accept evil rather than to resist it. This celebration is not
only spreading deception to children but has been a curse for the church and our nation as
well. As Christians, we should spread the word to others about the true origin of
Halloween.
Ephesians 5:6-12 says, "Let no man deceive you with vain
words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of
disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness,
but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the
Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)10 Proving what is acceptable unto
the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in
secret."
(Continued next issue)
Excerpt from the book Exposing Satan's Devices; Click here to order from the CHAPEL BOOKSTORE
Return to Table of Contents for this Issue
END TIMES
MARK OF GOD OR MARK OF THE BEAST
Betty Miller
INTRODUCTION
Much has been said on this subject of the mark of the beast, but little said about the
mark of God. Will there be a literal mark tattooed on people's foreheads and/or their
hands in these end times to make it possible to buy and sell in a one-world monetary
system that is being set up by an antichrist?
We can certainly see the possibilities of this becoming a literal reality in our day
with the technology of laser beam tattoos and our president speaking of a "new world
order." Even now, pets can be tracked by tiny computer chips about the size of a
grain of rice which have an identification number programmed into it that can be injected
under the skin with a hypodermic needle. A special scanner generates a radio signal that
reads the number through the skin of the animal when it is found.
This book is not disputing the possibilities of a literal tattoo, but rather exposing
the spiritual implications behind that plan of Satan. How will this come about? Will it be
one of the above new technologies or something yet to come? We don't believe men are going
to be tattooed or branded with a literal set of three sixes on their foreheads or hands,
any more than we believe the letters J-E-S-U-S will be on the foreheads of God's servants
as spoken of in Revelation 22: 3-4: "And there shall be no more curse: but the
throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they
shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads."
How will the beast mark those who follow him, and what is the mark of God set upon
those who follow Christ? Let us begin with the mark of the beast, then look at how we are
to receive God's mark which protects us from destruction in these end times.
Throughout the Scriptures, the word beast refers to a system, and not to a
man. The beast is a system that rules the world; it's an antichrist system. Daniel
7 speaks of beasts and identifies them as earthly kingdoms. So the beast in
Revelation is a beastly system that's ruling the world (it's a dictator beast). This beast
is not just one human being, rather it is a system that has infiltrated every area whether
it be politics, medicine, art or science; the beastly system is everywhere. This system is
typically overseen by a powerful government with those in power making decisions that
perpetrate the worldly system throughout mankind. When Revelation 13:1
speaks of the beast rising up out of the sea, what is meant by the sea? The Scriptures
speak of the sea as "masses of humanity." This beastly system is rising up out
of humanity, out of all the people on the earth. When John, the author of Revelation,
stood upon the sand of the sea, he was standing upon that which could not be numbered,
among all the people of the earth.
_______________
Kingdom Against Kingdom
Daniel 7: 15-28 says, "I Daniel was grieved in my spirit
in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of
them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know
the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four
kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the
kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Then I would know the
truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful,
whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and
stamped the residue with his feet; And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the
other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a
mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against
them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the
most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. Thus he said, the
fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all
kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it
in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and
another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall
subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall
wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall
be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the
judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it
unto the end.
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole
heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Hitherto is the end of
the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed
in me: but I kept the matter in my heart."
In spite of the four kinds of beastly world systems that have attempted to rule
the earth through their kings or leaders, verse 18 says, "But
the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even
for ever and ever." Even though, in verse 21, Satan makes
war with the saints and prevails against them for a season, Jesus, the Ancient of Days,
comes in judgment with His saints and possesses the kingdom. No beast or antichrist system
shall take and rule all of this earth in the end. "But the judgment shall
sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And
the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall
be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting
kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." God's people will
never be ruled by the beast or any antichrist; therefore, Satan can rule only those marked
by him, but not the whole world as God's true people will remain faithful to Christ as
they are marked by God.
(Continued next issue)
Excerpt taken from the book The Mark of God or The Mark of the Beast; Click here to order from the CHAPEL BOOKSTORE
Return to Table of Contents for this Issue
PROPHETIC VOICE TO THE CHURCH
As some may not be familiar with prophecy in the church, we want to share this short
explanation of Biblical prophecy before we share an actual prophecy from God.
First, what is godly prophecy? It can be summed up as words that are spoken on behalf
of God. A prophet or prophetess is one who is a spokesman for God. It is a divine
utterance that comes from the Holy Spirit. (Note: Just as there are prophetic words from
God, there are also false prophecies that the Lord warned us about in the Bible. In Matthew
7:15-16 Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their
fruits...." We must prove the source of prophecy before accepting it as coming
from the Lord).
God is raising up many prophetic voices in the earth today. His gifts of prophecy are
basically of two types. One is the "simple gift of prophecy" which every
believer can express under the unction or direction of the Holy Spirit after they have
been filled with the Holy Ghost.
The other is the "office gift" of the spirit which is given to a prophet or
prophetess who is called to the "five-fold" ministry office as outlined in 1
Corinthians 12:28 which says "And God hath set some in the church, first
apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of
healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
Ephesians 4:11-12: "And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."
The basic difference between these two types is, the simple gift of prophecy is given
to all spirit filled believers as spoken of in 1 Corinthians 14:31, "For ye may
all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted."
It is for the purpose of edification, exhortation and comfort as spoken of in 1
Corinthians 14:3, "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and
exhortation, and comfort."
The "office gift" of a prophet or prophetess is given to speak to the body of
Christ at large. The ministers who are called to the office of a prophet or
prophetess will deliver messages which include edification, exhortation and comfort, but
their messages can also be directive in nature and futuristic in content as well (Ephesians
4:11-15).
Presently God is leading His people with prophetic preaching and teaching. A prophetic
movement is taking place in the world.
------------------------------------------------
PROPHECY
"Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On"
Prophecy given to Ben Methena on 9-17-97
Here is a prophesy that came to a brother who attends Umqua
Christian Center, in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, a congregation in renewal. I thought it could
be a blessing to many, as it was to me and others who have received it. -- James, a
brother in Christ
Know that Man's heart is truly dark. The depths of his blindness is so great that he has
forgotten why he was made and feels no sense of loss in shame and iniquities. He takes
pride in himself and what he has done. He feels no need for Me. In his darkness he
believes in the lies of the enemy of his own soul and thus believes by his own hand he can
live. He does not seek his Master, but seeks the darkness of his own heart, instead of My
light. His heart is dark and hardened against Me. This is why the earth must be shaken, so
that in fear he will seek me for help. It is his wake up call; his chance for change.
Without it he would be lost, without me, with no hope of finding me. If man would repent
and change his ways there would be no need to wake him. but man does sleep.
Be not discouraged when you see these things, for they must take place, for the sake of
the lost. Even as you did not know of your own darkness when you were lost, so too are
they likewise blind and in need of my sight. Know that I am placing my people where they
are needed most. Those that will accept my call, will stand in the midst of the storm, and
will not be moved, for I have planted them. I have anchored them to be able to withstand
these days. Know that I am your strength and never take your eyes off me, for to do is to
fall short of that which I have called you to do in my name.
For I am raising a fortress in these days, a holy mountain. The mountain of the glory of
the Lord. I will show my power unto the whole earth; my glory, my righteousness. My holy
mountain is placed within you, so that the world will see. It gives my people power and
strength to withstand, for they are not of this world. but merely abide in it until I
call. I will fortify the hearts of my people and turn sorrow to joy. My people, make me
your heart's desire and seek me above all else, for then I will be found of you and we
will be as one flesh, one love, one desire, one spirit, one goal, one heart, one mind. You
will then know what it is to truly know me.
From: "[Rivermail]" <sdayton@northwest.com>
Submitted by James DuBois - Umqua Christian Center
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Issue
BOOK REVIEW
"Thus Saith The Lord?"
by Author John Bevere
"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..." Acts
2:17
There is no doubt that we are now living in the day when the fullness of this prophecy
will be and is being fulfilled. This latter-day prophetic outpouring of the Holy Spirit
has been washing through the church for many years now--restoring, cleansing, inspiring,
and strengthening her. Yet, is all that is spoken in the name of the Lord really from God
Himself? Perhaps you have wondered at some of the "words" you have heard, or
been given personally. Is there a way to determine if what you are hearing is really from
the Lord? How can we be sure that God is actually speaking to us through another person?
There can be a great danger when we are either too quick or too slow to receive a word
from the Lord. Though there are many teachings that tell us how to test a "prophetic
word," there is still more that needs to be said on this subject. The Lord warns us
that false prophetic word can defile us and keep us from His will.
In this book, John Bevere shares many examples of false prophetic words that were
shared with him or others during his nearly 20 years of ministry. As a prophet himself,
Bevere speaks strongly of the true value of the prophetic ministry and with a deep passion
for righteousness, and calls us to separate the wheat from the chaff. No doubt this was a
difficult book for him to write--it is at times difficult to read as well. However, one
can sense his godly sorrow over the abuse that some have performed with their prophetic
gifting--sorrow not only for the ministers but for those who have been wounded by false
"words" as well. With his typical revelatory insight, John Bevere address such
issues as:
*accurately testing prophecy
*the fruitlessness and confusion that results from counterfeit prophecy
*prophesying to the "idols of the heart"
*true prophecy
This is an excellent book especially for those who are familiar with the prophetic
ministry and have wondered about some of the words they have received through the years.
....Book Review
John Bevere is recognized worldwide as a best-selling
author and anointed minister. His books and tapes which have sold more than half a million
copies, include The Bait of Satan, Breaking Intimidation, and Victory In The
Wilderness. His mandate is to proclaim the truth that turns hearts to God. John and
his wife, Lisa, reside in Orlando, Florida, with their four sons.
The book, Thus Saith The Lord?, is available in paperback
priced at $12.99 in our CHAPEL BOOKSTORE (Click here to
order)
Return to Table of Contents for this
Issue
POETRY CORNER
God's Eternal Ink
Author Unknown
I dreamed I was in heaven. Where an angel kept
God's book
He was writing so intently, I just had to take a look.
It was not, at first, his writing. That made me stop and think.
But the fluid in the bottle, that was marked eternal ink.
This ink was most amazing, dark black upon his blotter.
But as it touched the parchment, it became as clear as water.
The angel kept on writing, But as quickly as a wink
The words were disappearing, With that strange eternal ink.
The angel took no notice, But kept writing on and on.
He turned each page and filled it, Till all its space was gone.
I thought he wrote to no avail, His efforts were so vain,
For he wrote a thousand pages, That he'd never read again.
And as I watched and wondered that this awesome sight was mine,
I actually saw a word stay black, As it dried upon the line.
The angel wrote and I thought I saw a look of satisfaction.
At last he had some print to show for all his earnest action.
A line or two dried dark and stayed, as black as black can be,
But strangely the next paragraph became invisible to see.
The book was getting fuller, The angel's records true,
But most of it was blank, with just a few words coming through.
I knew there was some reason, but as hard as I could think,
I couldn't grasp the significance of that eternal ink.
The mystery burned within me, as I finally dared to ask
The angel to explain to me of his amazing task.
And what I heard was frightful as the angel turned his head.
He looked directly at me, and this is what he said...
I know you stand and wonder at what my writing's worth
But God has told me to record the lives of those on earth.
The book that I am filling is an accurate account
Of every word and action and to what they do amount.
And since you have been watching, I must tell you what is true;
The details of my journal, are the strict accounts of YOU.
The Lord asked me to watch you, as each day you worked and played
I saw you as you went to church, I saw you as you prayed.
But I was told to document, your life through all the week.
I wrote when you were proud and bold, I wrote when you were meek.
I recorded all your attitudes whether they were good or bad.
I was sorry that I had to write the things that make God sad.
So now I'll tell the wonder of this eternal ink,
For the reason for its mystery should make you stop and think.
This ink that God created to help me keep my journal
Will only keep a record of things that are eternal.
So much of life is wasted on things that matter not
So instead of my erasing, smudging ink and ugly blot.
I just keep writing faithfully and let the ink do all the rest
For it is able to decide what's useless and what's best.
And God ordained that as I write of all you do and say
Your deeds that count for nothing will just disappear away.
When books are opened someday, as sure as heaven is true;
The Lord's eternal ink will tell what mattered most to you.
If you just lived to please yourself the pages will be bare,
And God will issue no reward for you when you get there.
In fact, you'll be embarrassed, you will hang your head in shame
Because you did not give yourself in love to Jesus' Name.
Yet maybe there will be a few recorded lines that stayed
That showed the times you truly cared, sincerely loved and prayed.
But you will always wonder as you enter heaven's door
How much more glad you would have been if only you'd done more.
For I record as God sees, I don't stop to even think
Because, the truth is written with God's eternal ink.
When I heard the angel's story I fell down and wept and cried
For as yet I still was dreaming and I hadn't really died.
And I said O angel tell the Lord that soon as I awake
I'll like my life for Jesus- I'll do all for His dear sake.
I'll give in full surrender; I'll do all He wants me to;
I'll turn my back on self and sin and whatever isn't true.
And though the way seems long and rough I promise to endure.
I'm determined to pursue the things that are holy, clean and pure.
With Jesus as my helper, I will win lost souls to Thee,
For I know that they will live with Christ for all eternity.
And that's what really matters when my life on earth is gone
That I will stand before the Lord and hear him say, well done.
For is it really worth it as my life lies at the brink?
And I realize that God keeps books with His eternal ink
Should all my life be focused on things that turn to dust?
From this point on I'll serve the Lord; I can, I will, I must!
I will NOT send blank pages up to God's majestic throne
For where that record's going now is my eternal home.
I'm giving all to Jesus--I now have seen the link
For I saw an angel write my life with God's eternal ink.
Return to Table of Contents for this
Issue
LITTLE FOXES
(Little Compromises That Cause Big Problems)
By Betty Miller
Song of Solomon 2:15 says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that
spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Foxes sometimes in search of
food would enter into the grape orchards and devour the grapes and spoil the crop.
However, the little foxes were too small to reach the grape bunches so they would chew on
the vines and it would kill the whole vine. Instead of the farmer just losing his crop, he
would lose his vine which was more disastrous. Spiritually some things we do or allow that
we might think are little or insignificant can also be disastrous for us.
______
Stealing -- A Growing Concern
By Betty Miller
John 10:10: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to
kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it
more abundantly."
The thief Jesus is referring to in this scripture is Satan, himself.
The Lord contrasts the work of the devil as stealing, killing and destroying, while
the work of the Lord is to bring abundant life to His people. Notice that a thief
doesn't stop at the one sin of stealing, but rather progresses on to kill and destroy.
Many people do not realize that what they think as just taking seemingly little
things, can lead to taking bigger things and ultimately one becomes a thief. The
"little fox" of stealing the towels from the motel, shop lifting small items,
and keeping things that do not belong them, could lead to a dangerous pattern which could
eventually lead to one being imprisoned for theft.
Shoplifting alone costs our businesses enormous amounts of money which
causes all consumers to have to pay higher prices for goods. When a nation stoops to
thievery in any form, it hurts all the people. In recent news articles, we
have seen how thievery on a national level has jeopardized the safety of our whole country
because of people stealing our national secrets and selling them to our potential enemies.
We must pray for this element of sin in our society to be removed. We, as
Christians, know this can only happen through the Lord changing men's hearts and giving
them power over the sin in their lives. We must pray for revival in our nation so that
honor and honest will prevail in our national life.
We must also check our own lives to see if we are failing God by yielding
to stealing or cheating. We may not realize that some of the things we do constitute just
that -- stealing. However, we don't recognize it as such. Here is a small
checklist of some of things that would classify us as a thief:
(1.) Taking the salt and pepper shakers from restaurants.
(2.) Taking the towels from hotels and motels.
(3.) Short-changing people at check out counters on purpose.
(4.) Shoplifting and taking anything that does not belong to us.
(5.) Using scales that are not in balance when selling by weight. (Proverbs
11:1, "A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his
delight.")
(6.) Giving a full days work for a full days pay, as you are stealing time
from your boss if you don't.
(7.) Padding the expenses accounts of your employer.
(8.) Charging people excessive interest on borrowed money (usury). (Ezekiel
22:12-13, "In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and
increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten
me, saith the Lord GOD. Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain
which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.")
(9.) Cheating on school exams, as this is stealing a qualification you
didn't earn.
(10.) Over-charging or over-pricing of the sale of goods.
(11.) "Borrowing" items from a friend and never returning them.
(12.) Borrowing money from anyone (friend or institution) and failing to
repay it.
This is just a short list but it will serve as a checklist for some people
who only think of thievery as as someone who robs a bank and is guilty of extortion.
Our world is full of thieves at every level as there are scam artists who
talk people out of their money everyday. They particularly prey on the elderly and
have been able to rob many of them of their entire life savings. We must ask the
Lord for an honest heart in the little areas of our lives as the small dishonest things we
do can lead to larger sins that we would regret later. Don't let the "little
fox" of stealing be one of the things that would bring dishonor to the Lord.
Return to Table of Contents for this Issue
PRAYER FOCUS SPOTLIGHT
Calling All Intercessors
| We now have an Intercessory Prayer Page. If you would like
to be an intercessor and pray for the needs of the church around the world as well as this
ministry, go to this link: INTERNET
INTERCESSORS |
Return to Table of Contents for this Issue
SPECIAL GUEST ARTICLE
Let Us Run With God’s Message!
By Jack Reed
Messengers without a message are like wells
without water! God’s Word gives us an example of two messengers,
Ahimaaz and Cushi. A battle was raging in Israel, King David was anxiously awaiting news
of the outcome. Joab, the captain of the army chose Cushi to run to David with the news of
the death of his son, Abasalom. Ahimaaz hadn’t been paying attention to the battle.
He didn’t know what had brought victory. He was probably jogging and flexing his
muscles, just eager to run! Joab had already sent Cushi with the message, but
Ahimaaz begged to run after him. Finally, just to appease him, Joab said,
"Run!" Ahimaaz ran so swiftly, that he passed Cushi and arrived first at the
palace gate. ". . . The King said, Is the young man Absalom safe?. . .Ahimaaz
answered. . .I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. . . .The King said unto
him, turn aside, and stand here. And behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said. . .The Lord hath
avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee." II Samuel 18:29-31.
In our nation, churches collect millions of dollars each year in the
name of missions. Most of these funds are sadly wasted on messengers like Ahimaaz, who
have no message! Or worse yet, messengers with a lying message!
The devil, the enemy of all that is holy and righteous, does not really care how much
money is given for missions. What worries him is for what purpose and to whom it is given?
Today, hundreds of missionary training schools are springing up all across the country.
Many of their graduates are running through out the world with very little basic
understanding in the most important Bible truths, Repentance and the New Birth!
They have never been taught and know nothing about, Living the Crucified Life, Being
Obedient Unto Death, and Making A Total Commitment! No one should be sent to the
mission fields until they fully understand these truths! While ministering in the Arab
Emirates, I preached a message I called, "Counterfeit Christianity." The
believers there quickly understood! Recognizing the enemy is one of the first rules
of natural and spiritual warfare! There is a world of difference in being
"Born Again" and in just having religion! The difference means
heaven or hell! This is not a time for laughter in our nation, this is a time for repentance
and shedding of bitter tears! A nation, who boasts in putting, "In God, We
Trust" on our money cannot at the same time, be appointing homosexual
ambassadors to represent us before the world! This is mockery! The Word
says, ". . .Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Galatians
6:7.
When a man of God preaches a message strong enough to bring conviction
for sin, he is said to be too negative! He will probably not be heard again!
It is time for ministers in our nation to quit worrying about their great reputations and
their precious money and begin preaching again with only the fear of God! Remember
what was said about Jesus and John. "For John the Baptist came neither eating
bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and
drinking; and ye say, behold a gluttonous man,, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans
and sinners!" Luke 7:33,34.
Men with a message are called by God! They can never be mass-produced
in an incubator! Paul, the Apostle, like the marine corps’ motto, believed in
training a few, good men! Timothy was one of them, Paul called him, "My son."
I am reminded of some of the officers our military trained in haste during World War II.
Because of the shortness of their training, they were called "Ninety Day
Wonders!" Many of these poorly trained, inexperienced, "know-it-all"
officers had to be re-educated on the front lines by war-seasoned soldiers, who had borne
the heat of the battle! The prophet Jeremiah said, "I have seen also in the
prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing. They commit adultery, and walk in lies: They
strengthen also the hands of evil doers. . .I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran:
I have not spoken unto them, yet, they prophesied. . .If they had stood in my counsel, and
had caused my people to hear my words, then, they should have turned them from their evil
ways and from their evil doing."
Jeremiah 23:14, 21, 22.
Jackie and I have determined more than ever before to RUN WITH
GOD’S MESSAGE! God is unchanging! He still commands that all men everywhere REPENT
of their sins and be washed in His precious Blood! We are God’s servants, doing
God’s will! We need your prayers and faithful support! We are praying about meetings
with the native people in both, Canada and Mexico this summer. It takes thousands of
dollars every month to support our outreaches! We plan to run with God’s Message
until Jesus returns! Keep praying and believing for our airplane!
May God bless each of you faithful partners! Our daily prayer is that
you and your loved ones will be greatly blessed!
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: IS THERE ANY THING
TOO HARD FOR ME?"
Jeremiah 32:27.
_______
Jack Reed is a world evangelist that has traveled all over the
globe with his wife Jackie. Jack is a powerful man of faith that has seen multitudes
come to Christ through the message of the full gospel. He and his wife have been
missionaries and evangelists to some of the most difficult and remotest places on earth.
God has always sustained them and used them to bring salvation, healing and deliverance to
the lost. Currently they are ministering to the Moslem nations but also plan trips again
to Mexico and Canada this year. Jack and Jackie established Ventures of Faith
Ministries and reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They can be reached at the following address:
Evangelists Jack and Jackie Reed
Ventures of Faith Ministries
P.O. Box 95
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101
U.S.A.
September/October 1999
Greetings in Jesus name! Whether this is your first time on this site, or you are a
repeat visitor to BibleResources.org, we want to welcome you here in Jesus' name. We trust that
this issue of the Digest has been a blessing to you, as well as the rest of the site.
Hopefully, sometime in the next few months you should see some big changes coming to
the Chapel Bookstore. We have
always desired to expand out inventory, but just have not had a big enough staff to handle
such changes. However, we recently have been able to hire a few more people to help us in
this area. We want to bring the "best of the best" Christian literature to you.
If you have any suggestions of book titles, Bibles or other items you would like to see us
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have one of the best online Christian Bookstores on the Internet, with an outstanding
inventory, great prices, a user friendly shopping cart.
We believe that simply getting good literature into the hands of people around the
world is one of the best ministries there is! There is so much of it out there, that has
already been written. Of course that is one of the beautiful aspects of the Internet, and
one of the reasons we so enjoy ministering through this medium. It gives so many more
people access to information they might never otherwise get to read. We are excited to see
what the days ahead will hold in terms of this new technology.
Many thanks to all who have been praying for this ministry. We truly appreciate it.
Please know that we also pray for all those who visit the site (it's a big prayer, but we
have the faith to believe that each one who visits the website will receive what they most
need to hear from the Holy Spirit. Our God is a big God--and this is really a small thing
for Him to do!)
May you have a blessed autumn season! We are especially praying for all the students
who are returning to school, that this will be a safe and awesome year in their lives!
God bless each of you. We do love you!
In Him,
Bud and Betty Miller
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PURPOSE & VISION
THE OVERCOMING LIFE DIGEST is published for the purpose of strengthening the Body of
Christ by furnishing teaching literature and a prophetic voice to the church in these last
days. CHRIST UNLIMITED is helping and working with all Bible-believing Christians
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