-------------------------<BrethrenVoice>------------------------- [which seeks to be guided solely by the NT Biblical pattern, facilitates free flow of Christian info. To God be the glory!] [eMail Moderator: brethrenvoice-owner@...] [<GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> Archives/Read online: http://associate.com/digests/brethrenvoice/ezmlm.cgi] <GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> <6 November 2002> Contents: --------- 1) <Exhortation> "When Was The Last Time You Read Your Bible?" - Connie 2) <Bible-Study> "Elisha, the plough man?" (Pt-3) - Charles Wigg 3) <Prophecy> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-72)- A.W.Pink 1) <EXHORTATION> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU READ YOUR BIBLE? Connie Giordano "What we love we love to think of..." - Matthew Henry It is often said that one can tell what a man's god is by the thoughts that fill his mind. He can honestly determine what has his heart by what he thinks about, especially when he is silent and solitary and has nothing else to do. What do you think about throughout the day? What kind of thoughts fill your mind? When you are awakened during the night season, what is generally your first thought? Psalm 119:97 - The Psalmist declared it this way - "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." He had such an intense love for God's law. He delighted in it. How do we know this? Because he made it the frequent subject of his meditation - "...it is my meditation all the day." Psalm 119:99 - He made it his constant study - "...for Thy testimonies are my meditation." Psalm 119:98 - He declared that God's commandments were "ever with me." In other words, they were ever before his eyes and in his mind. He was constantly thinking of them. Psalm 119:103 - He found God's "sweet" Words to be such a delight. He found them to be kind or agreeable and utterly satisfying to his hungry soul - "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth." So many today are miserable in their walk with the Lord and cannot understand why they feel the way they do. They do not understand why they are always annoyed, irritable, unnerved, and on edge. They seemingly have no peace, no love, and no joy. Could it be that their souls are starving for God's "sweet" delights? Oh! They may read, but they read everything but the Holy Word. It is only His Word which is "sweeter than honey" to our mouths and will satisfy the longings of our souls. The Psalmist said in Psalm 119:96 - "I have seen an end of all perfection: but Thy commandment is exceeding broad." In his experiences throughout his lifetime, he discovered that everything started by man is generally defective and comes to an eventual close. Hence, he declared - "I have seen an end of all perfection..." Life with its hopes and confidences has a limit. The vanities of this world - no matter how extensive and noble they may be - have their insufficiencies and boundaries. Nonetheless, against the backdrop of this failing existence stands the commandments of God which are "exceeding broad." They know no limits. They offer fullness, sufficiency, and utter satisfaction for all of mankind in all cases and at all times. What is it that you need this day? Remember that God's "commandment is exceeding broad." It holds your answer today and will have your answer in the years to come. Some may contend that the problems of this day are unlike any of the days gone by. Yes, but the "commandment" of the Lord still remains "exceeding broad" - well able to solve any dilemmas that the devil may conjure up and man may face. Are you needing Wisdom today? Which of us doesn't need it on a daily basis? Where should we go to find it? Who do we call upon when we face problems in our marriages, in raising our children for the Lord, in the workplace, in the schools, or between our brethren? The Scriptures tell us that the Word of God gives wisdom and understanding. Psalm 119:98 - "Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me." Psalm 119:99 - "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation." Psalm 119:100 - "I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Thy precepts." We are in an intense spiritual warfare for our souls and the souls of others as well. We cannot afford to make any costly mistakes. We cannot afford to be ignorant, confused, bewildered, or deceived. The Psalmist stated that God's commandments made him "wiser than" his enemies. Isn't that what we want? Don't we also need to be a step ahead of the devil at all times? Don't we need to be able to outwit and baffle his designs and assignments against us? The Word of God enlarges our understanding. We may have learned from our elders that have gone before us, but with each new day is a new problem to face unlike those of yesterday. Therefore, we need "more understanding than all" our teachers. We need to surpass the attainments of the "ancients." God's Word will enable us to reach beyond any limits and attain the wisdom and understanding needed for the present hour in which we are living. Psalm 119:104 says - "Through Thy precepts I get understanding..." Once again, we see that the Word of God gives understanding - a correct view of God, ourselves, others, human nature, the plan of life, the destiny of man, and the difference between right and wrong, truth and error, and good and evil. Psalm 119:105 - It is a candle to brighten our path as we travel through this "dark" world - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Which of us would dare to walk through a dark corridor, not knowing where our next step will lead, without carrying a light to enlighten our path? Yet so many go days on end without consulting the Word of God. They tread along life's slippery and dangerous paths without God's lamp of instruction, not being fully aware of the obstacles that lie in the way, intended to make them stumble and fall in their Faith. If we were only slightly aware of the intense and vicious battle in which we are engaged and how resolved the enemy is at ruining and destroying our souls, we would never think to leave the house in the morning without first consulting God's Book and gleaning the wisdom and understanding that we need to tread the paths that lie ahead of us. Satan has all kinds of traps and sidetracks set up to detour us from God's perfect Will. We cannot afford to take one step without the candle of the Lord - God's Holy Word - to enlighten our way. May we hear and fear the admonition of the Lord. Psalm 119:104 - The Word of God will enable us to recognize and "hate every false way." The proportion that we know it will be in proportion to our hatred for sin. Therefore, we can rightfully conclude that the reason why there is so much sin and error in the church today is because so many are not reading their Bibles. The degree to which they study and meditate on the Word of God will be the degree to which they can recognize error and hate the ways of sin. What about you, O Child of God? Do you hate Sin? You may be honest in admitting that you do not hate it as you rightfully should. Your answer? Get into the Word like never before. It will fill you with an understanding whereby you will be able to easily discern that which is false and evil. Along with a hatred for sin, the Word graces its readers with a holy determination to walk in obedience to its commands. Psalm 119:101 - The Psalmist said - "I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy word." The Word empowers its students with the desire to avoid temptation, worldly allurements, and the seductive ways of wickedness. Psalm 119:102 - Their testimony before others becomes sure and steadfast. They enjoy constancy in their walk with the Lord - "I have not departed from Thy judgments: for Thou hast taught me." Can you say that today, O Christian? Do others see a constancy in your walk with the Lord? Or are you one person on Sunday and a totally different individual the rest of the week? Or perhaps you are one way in front of people and another way behind closed doors? This inconsistency ought not to be! The Word of God is the great stabilizer. It keeps us steadily walking along the straight and narrow path. There is never an excuse before God for straying, slipping, or sliding. Today with as much determination as the Psalmist in Psalm 119:106 when he said - "I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep Thy righteous judgments," we must be resolved to get back to the Bible and not allow anything or anyone to draw us from it. We must change our lifestyles, if necessary, and rid ourselves of all busyness that distracts us from the meditation of this Holy Book. Let's not forget Matthew Henry's words to us - "What we love we love to think of..." May it be the Word of God that we love, and may it be the Word of God that we think of day and night. We cannot afford to allow anything else to steal our thoughts. We need to hear from God at all times. He will be faithful to speak to us if we will be faithful to read His Word. Will you do it? May God Bless His Word. - Connie --- Copyright 2002 by Connie Giordano _______________________________________________________________________ 2) <BIBLE-STUDY> "ELISHA'S HUMILITY" (PART-3) Charles E. Wigg .... We are told that Elisha was with the twelfth. This means that he was at the very rear, at the back where the hard work was. This also shows us two things. (1) His oxen were well trained, he did not need a whip, or to use force to get the weakened animals to go where he wanted them to. He controlled them by the words of his mouth. With the training of bullocks we have what is called, their breaking in period. Some of the older farmers were experts at this. The young bullock's will must first be broken. It must be taught to lead, then to bear the yoke, and to learn to walk beside an older, trained bullock. By doing this the animal learns the meaning of the commands that the driver gives. A poorly trained bullock, can be a real headache to the driver. It is the responsibility of the elders in any Assembly to train younger members in the work of the Lord. They are to do this both by example, precept and practice. Elisha had done his work of training the oxen well. 2) Next we see his humility, he was with the twelfth, he was last, right at the back, where the hard work was. Paul had to warn the Corinthian believers, that though they had "ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers". 1Cor. 4:15. There are so many who are ready to give orders, but so few that are willing to do the work, to get their hands dirty, as it were. Elisha was not concerned about being prominent he wanted to get the job done. He was prepared to work, and to work hard. May God give us men like him today! [To be concluded] _____________________________________________________________________ 3) <PROPHECY> "THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-72) THE CHURCH-WARD RESULTS OF THE REDEEMER'S RETURN Arthur W. Pink .... The Translation of living believers. 2/2 A striking illustration and type of the removal to heaven of those believers which shall be on the earth at the time of our Lord's return is found in the rapture of Enoch, "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him" (Heb. 11:5). Here was a man of like passions with us, who was raptured to Heaven without seeing death. Such is the blessed prospect which Scripture sets before the Christian as his present hope. We repeat, that all believers on earth at the time of our Lord's descent into the air, shall altogether escape the gloomy portals of the tomb and be translated to Heaven to meet the Lord and be for ever with Him. This will be the fulfillment of our Lord's promise "I will come again and receive you unto Myself." Observe that our Lord does not say, "I will come again and take you unto Myself," but "I will come again and receive you unto Myself." The thought suggested by this distinction is exceedingly precious. "Taking" is an action confined to myself. I may enter an empty room and take a book from the table. But receiving is an action that brings in another. If I "receive" a book the necessary inference is that someone handed it to me. Exactly so will it be at the Rapture. The saints of God are not left alone in this cold wilderness-world. The "other Comforter, even the Spirit of truth" has come to take up His abode in the church, and it is from Him that the Lord Jesus will "receive" it. * And observe further that our Lord did not say "to Heaven," or "to the Father's House," but "unto Myself." The person of Christ is to be the Object before the eye and heart. Thus it was the martyr Stephen--"Lord Jesus receive my spirit." Thus it was with the apostle Paul--"To depart and be with Christ which is far better;" and again, "absent from the body, present with the Lord." The heart occupied with Him. "To meet the Lord in the air. Why should the Church meet the Lord in "the air," rather than on the earth? We would suggest a twofold reason. First, Because the Church is heavenly not earthly. It is heavenly in its origin (1 Cor. 15:48). It is heavenly in its calling (Heb. 3:1). It is heavenly in its citizenship (Phil. 3:20). It is heavenly in its blessings (Eph. 1:3). It is heavenly in its destiny (1 Pet. 1:4). Therefore will the Church meet its Head in the "air"--the atmospheric heavens. But second; I believe this joyous meeting between the Lord and His blood-bought people is to be in the air, rather than in the Heaven of heavens, for the purpose of privacy. The eyes of the world shall not gaze upon that holy scene, nor will even the angels (so far as Scripture indicates) witness that first moment when the Redeemer shall meet the redeemed. "And so shall we ever be with the Lord," which, as we have seen corresponds with His own blessed promise, "That where I am there ye may be also." Wondrous privilege! Marvelous prospect! Truly, such love "passeth knowledge." The place which is due to the Son is the same place which shall be accorded the sons. We are made "joint heirs with Christ." His inheritance and blessedness shall be shared with His redeemed. He shall come Himself to conduct us to His place! But are we, shall we be, fit, to dwell in such a realm? The answer to this question leads us to consider, [To be concluded] -----------------------------------<BrethrenVoice>------------------------------------ Subscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-subscribe@...> Unsubscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-unsubscribe@...> FAQs/Faith Statement, eMail: <brethrenvoice-faq@...> <BrethrenVoice> Home: http://associate.com/digests/brethrenvoice/ <eFellowship> Home: http://groups.msn.com/BrethrenChristiansForum/ "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith." 2 Cor 13:5 "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Jn 8:32 _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963