-------------------------<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> <12 November 2002> Contents: ---------- 1) <Devotional> "A time to be serious" - Connie Giordano 2) <Bible-Study> "Elisha's probation..." (Pt-5)- Charles Wigg 3) <Prophecy> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-77)- A.W.Pink 1) <DEVOTIONAL> "A TIME TO BE SERIOUS" Connie Giordano With an adversary traversing the earth, seeking to devour and destroy our souls, it is time to "be sober" and serious. With ungodliness and worldly lusts surrounding us like never before, it is time to "be sober" and serious. With a journey to undertake, a race to run, battles to fight, and great works to accomplish for the Lord, it is a time for the people of God to "be sober" and serious. Lastly, knowing that the "end of all things" - the end of the ages or the end of our lives - is not far off - it is definitely a time to "be sober" and serious. May God help us to shake ourselves from any spiritual lethargy or drunkenness that would cause us to sleep when we should be watching unto prayer. Throughout the Scriptures, we find the exhortation to sobriety. What exactly is it? Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines "sober" as - "being marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor; marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness." This definition coincides with the Bible definition and is exemplified in the following verses of Scripture - 1 Thessalonians 5:6 - "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." Titus 2:11-12 - "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." 1 Peter 1:13 - "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 4:7 - "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." 1 Peter 5:8 - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom ye may devour." We are to "watch and be sober." In other words, we are to be temperate and abstinent, avoiding all temptations to self-indulgence or excess in living. We are to exercise moderation in all things that we possess, and watch against falling into a carnal security which leads to sinful unrestraint. The things of this world must at all times and in ever place be kept within certain bounds and under a strict containment, lest they make us insensible of our Christian duties or the dangers that inclose us. We are to be serious, thoughtful, and attentive in considering the truth and the present issues that surround us, unfailingly watching against a spirit of levity, frivolity, and vanity which would distort our view of the times in which we live. We cannot afford to ever allow our senses to be lost - as that of a drunken man - with the cares and concerns of this life. Lastly, we are to "live soberly." This means that we are to bring every temper, appetite, desire, passion, and inclination under the government of the Holy Spirit. Are we as Christians exercising sobriety in our everyday lives? Are we living "soberly" in this "present world"? To what extent are we temperate, moderate, and self-denying in our use of the things of this world? Where are we guilty of excess? What do our checkbooks portray - moderation or excess? What about our credit or debit cards? Are we exercising restraint in what we eat and drink(no alcohol allowed for Christians ever), what we purchase, what we read, what we indulge in as a hobby or activity, what we think about, or how we spend out time? The major issue is - are our lives under control? And whose control might that be? Are we serious and thoughtful about the present-day matters that face us? Or do we look at life as being one happy-go-lucky sitcom or comedy show? Do we allow ourselves quiet time to reflect on the grave matters of God's Word like souls dropping into hell every second or other such weightier subjects as a literal place called Hell and the terrible Wrath and Judgment of God? Or are we always looking for Christianity to be a joy-popping hoopla where nothing is ever negative and everyone is having a good time and enjoying the great big party called Salvation? The Holy Ghost is calling His people to sobriety like never before. He is drawing them from the levity, frivolity, and vanity of this world and awakening them to the seriousness of the hour in which we live. For those who haven't yet realized it, life is no joke! We cannot afford to sleep or fall into a spiritual giddiness in this late hour. The Scriptures repeatedly call out to every believer - "Be sober...live soberly." We are admonished to flee from lavishness, extravagance, and excessiveness, lest it pull us away from our Christian duties and obligations. We must be alert! We must be on guard! We must stay awake! Sin and temptation beset us. The false prophets in the land are seducing God's people with a false security, crying out - "Peace and Safety" - while the sound of thunder, marking God's Judgment, is rolling on the horizon. Many are idle and careless about their Father's business. They have been sidetracked or distracted by Satan's "idle dreams" and are in no way reflecting on eternity or making the necessary preparations to meet their God. Nowadays, many consider the "grace of God" as a license to sin rather than the power of God to live above sin in thought, word, and deed. Therefore, "ungodliness and worldly lusts" abound in the midst of the Church. No matter what men say - the "grace of God" teaches otherwise. It teaches us to "live soberly" in this "present world." Hence, anyone truly walking under the umbrella of God's grace will strive to subject every passion, affection, and preference to a very strict restraint. The Orientals or Asiatics would wear long, flowing robes which were then tucked up in a girdle when they were about to engage in certain activities. The Apostle Peter used this illustration to depict how the believers were to "gird up the loins of their minds" and "be sober" at the start of their designated duties. We have a destination to reach, a race to run, many battles to fight, and a job to fulfill. None can be accomplished if our minds are free to roam. Just as the garments were tucked up and held by a girdle, even so must our thoughts be kept in check - ready, prompt, and prepared for the various obligations on hand. At no time can they be neglected due to a careless, carefree, playful, or sluggish attitude. Nothing jerks us into the reality of needing sobriety in our lives quicker than the chilling fact that we have an enemy who is active, subtle, fierce, ruthless, strong, and resolute on destroying our souls. The Scriptures inform us that "as a roaring lion," who is roused with hunger, he "walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." There is never a time that we can let down our guard. We must remain "sober" and under the control of the Holy Spirit, lest at any time we yield to fleshly desires and give the opportunity to our "adversary" to swallow us. Lastly, we can never presume concerning the duration of life. No one is promised tomorrow. Our days are as a "shadow" and an "handbreadth," short and swiftly slipping away. None knows when they will be called to stand before their Maker in Judgment. 1 Peter 4:7 says it this way - "...the end of all things is at hand..." Because the "end" is soon to occur, what are we instructed to do? Laugh, "carry on," and have a good time? No, on the contrary, "be ye therefore sober..." This is not to say that God does not want His people to be joyous, filled with exuberance at the sight of His mighty works, or to laugh and enjoy good times together with others. He takes great pleasure in seeing His people full of joy. Nonetheless, there are some who would pervert Christianity to be an experience which only includes an atmosphere of partying and celebration with no concept of seriousness, contemplation, moderation, restraint, control, labor, duty, responsibility, and accountability. This error needs to be corrected, lest some fall away from the Faith under false misconceptions. A call for sobriety in these Last Days is coming from heaven. Who will hear it? Who will respond? Who will exercise greater moderation, restraint, and temperance over their lives and activities? It will be those who will have the grace to "endure to the end." The times are swiftly changing. We must change with them. We must adjust. Jeremiah 12:5 - If running with the horsemen wearies us, then how will we be able to "contend with horses"? It is time to let go of anything and everything that God is asking of us. We must live simpler and under the strict control of the Spirit. We cannot hold anything tightly that is temporary or of this world. We must Pray! Pray! Pray! We must Watch, Pray, and Be Sober! May God Bless His Word. --- Copyright 2002 by Connie Giordano _______________________________________________________________________ 2) <BIBLE-STUDY> "ELISHA'S PROBATION" (PART-5) Charles E. Wigg .... However he did not become a prophet all at once. There was twenty two years between the beginning of Ahab’s reign, and the death of Ahaziah, and Elisha never came into the public view until after that event. This means tat Elisha carried out a menial service for all those years. (It could have been anything from 10-14 years). During this time, he did the old prophet’s washing, probably cooked his food, and attended to his personal needs. This would be no easy task, as it is quite possible that Elijah who was subject to like passions with us, could have been a hard person to please. There must have been times when he was irritable and perhaps angry. All was a good preparation for the young prophet’s future service. During this time he must have learned many things from the man of God. Though he was not perfect, yet the younger man learned to love him, and regarded his as his Master. How different things are today? Some young people want to teach others when they have never learned themselves. They want to occupy the pulpit, and to demonstrate their imagined abilities. It is the custom for such to go to some Bible school, or ‘training course’, they graduate with a head full of knowledge but no maturity, little heart experience. May God give us young men like Elisha! It seems from the scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, that preparation for the Lord’s service is more on the principle of apprenticeship, than the academic exercise that it has become. [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced with permission] _____________________________________________________________________ 3) <PROPHECY> "THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-77) THE CHURCH-WARD RESULTS OF THE REDEEMER'S RETURN Arthur W. Pink .... The Examination and Rewarding of the believer's works 3/3 The difference between the two classes of materials mentioned in the above Scripture points to a most solemn truth. "Gold, silver, precious stones are of intrinsic value, whereas "wood, hay, stubble" are a natural growth. In Scripture "gold" symbolizes the Divine nature, "silver" Divine redemption, and "precious stones" the Divine glory. Those works of the believer which have issued from the Divine nature within us, are based upon Christ's redemption, and have been performed for God's glory, will receive reward; but those which were wrought by those who felt they must do something, those performed in the energy of the flesh, those done merely for self-aggrandisement will all be burned up. What a conflagration there will be in that day! What surprises there will be at the Bema of Christ! An hundred-dollar subscription, given to get a name, will be ashes in that day; while a dime given to help the poor for the Lord's sake will receive an imperishable reward. "Deeds of merit as we thought them He will show us were but sin: Little acts we had forgotten He will tell us were for Him." No work done out of love for Christ will lose its reward. "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints" (Heb. 6:10). All that endures the test of that day will be publicly, abundantly and eternally rewarded. There, before His Father and in the presence of the holy angels, our gracious Redeemer will delight to say to the rewarded one, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will made thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matt. 25:23). The subject of rewards is a wide one and we can only deal briefly with it here. Four crowns are mentioned in the New Testament: the Incorruptible crown (1 Cor. 9:25), which is the reward for faithful service; the crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8), which is given to those who love Christ's appearing; the crown of Glory (1 Pet. 5:4), which is reserved for faithful pastors who have tended the flock; and the crown of Life (Rev. 2:10), which is a special reward reserved for martyrs. Each crown is conditional, conditional upon faithfulness to an absent Christ. But to return now to 2 Cor. 5:10. The prospect of our manifestation before the Bema of Christ is both joyous and solemn. It is "joyous" because it is then that everything will come out into the light and all misunderstandings will be cleared up; because everything which will not endure the Divine test will be "burned up;" and because every work which was done with an eye single to God's glory will receive commendation from our blessed Lord Himself. It is "solemn" because then it will be seen how much of our work was nothing but "wood, hay, and stubble;" because we shall then discover how sadly we had failed to "redeem the time;" and because we shall "suffer loss." Ah! my brethren it behooves us to live in the light of that day now so near at hand. Let our chief ambition be that all we say and do shall meet with the approval of our Lord at the Bema. Yes, the contemplation of the Bema is solemn and searching. He who has lived in selfish ease and carnal gratification will be the loser throughout all eternity. But he who has "denied himself" out of love for and gratitude to the Saviour, shall yet hear His "Well done" and enter into His joy. [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 _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail