-------------------------<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> <9 December 2002> Contents: ---------- 1) <Devotional> "Codes and cut flowers" - Ravi Zacharias 2) <Bible-Study> "Tragedy strikes" (Pt-29)-Charles Wigg 3) <Prophecy> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-100)- A.W.Pink 1) <DEVOTIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY> "CODES AND CUT FLOWERS" Ravi Zacharias The cover story of a recent issue of Newsweek was titled "The Race to Decode the Human Genome." As might be expected, scientists of various stripes weighed in on the issue, and one Harvard biologist observed that once we know the entire code for the human body we will know "what it is to be human." I would like to ask the biologist if he would be able to appreciate a work of art by knowing all the molecules that comprise the paint and canvas. Certainly human life is much more than genes, just as a masterpiece is much more than the ingredients of the paint. One dare not miss the underlying sentiment of the biologist. Where is the intrinsic value, the reverence, the awe at human life and its infinite worth? I certainly have no quarrel with discovering all that we can about what God has created, yet I am well aware that in our time, the Creator of life is not acknowledged. From the playground to the academy our youth are taught that we just happen to be here, clothed apes, a blip on the radar screen of time, a cosmic accident. The consequences of this worldview are dire, as our schools and streets are riddled with senseless violence. After all, though the academic may hide behind lofty platitudes, it does not take the student on the street very long to figure out what Dostoevsky observed: If there is no God, anything is permissible. Yet to the theist, the awe and wonder of human life is engendered by its Maker. Our existence is by the designed will of our heavenly Father who is ever in control of the universe. Each of us is here at this specific time within the compass of His sovereign will, loved by Him, accountable to Him, owing our very lives to Him. This is the fundamental difference that separates a secular view from a spiritual one. May I close with a prophetic commentary, written by Elton Trueblood over a half-century ago? Here's what he said: The terrible danger of our time consists in the fact that ours is a cut-flower civilization. Beautiful as cut flowers may be, and much as we may use our ingenuity to keep them looking fresh for a while, they will eventually die because they are severed from their sustaining roots. We are trying to maintain the dignity of the individual apart from the deep confidence that every person is made in God's image and is therefore of worth that transcends matter. ---- Copyright (p)(c) 2001 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. A Slice of Infinity is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries _______________________________________________________________________ 2) <BIBLE-STUDY> "GREATNESS REBUKED" (PART-29) Charles E. Wigg .... Israel’s king must have been very relieved to receive this message. He knew that he was powerless to do anything in such a situation. He also knew that the false gods that his mother worshipped were powerless to do anything. So the proud Syrian general came with his pomp, his greatness, his horses and chariot and stood before the door of Elisha’s house. The prophet knew that the proud Syrian must first be humbled before he could receive any blessing, so he did not personally attend on the great man, but sent his servant with a simple message. Naaman had to realise that in spite of his greatness, yet he was just a filthy leper, and was doomed to die. This treatment did not suit the pride of the great man, and he became very angry. How similar his attitude was, to that of lost men today. Though they suffer from the greater moral leprosy of sin, yet when commanded by God to repent, so often they become angry, and reject God’s offer of cleansing and salvation through the blood of Christ. [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced with permission] _____________________________________________________________________ 3) <PROPHECY> "THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-100) THE RETURN OF CHIRST TO THE EARTH ITSELF PART 3/6 Arthur W. Pink .... He comes with flashing and flaming eyes. When He was upon earth before, those eyes had oft-times shone with tenderness, as when the children were attracted to Him; had glowed with compassion, as when a single look upon guilty Peter melted his heart and caused him to go out and weep bitterly; yea, they had been filled with tears, as when He stood by the graveside of Lazarus and when He wept over the Jerusalem which had rejected Him. But here they flash and flame like fire. Now shall they be seen as the eyes of One who is thoroughly aroused with holy indignation. But not only do those flaming eyes express His anger, they also show forth His omniscience. Those flaming eyes shall pierce through every veil of hypocrisy and scorch into the very soul of His enemies. They will act as a veritable searchlight, penetrating to the thoughts and intents of the heart. He comes with head decked with many crowns. This, again, is in vivid contrast to the days of old. Once that holy brow was covered with sweat of agony so intense that it was as it were great drops of blood. once that head was crowned with thorns--the symbol of the Curse. But here it shall be crowned with glory and honor. He comes forth now, not as the lowly Sufferer, but as the victorious Conquer vested with complete authority. "Many crowns" observe, for in that day He shall be King not only of the Jews, but King of the Gentiles as well--King of kings. All the world shall then be compelled to bow before Him and submit to His universal sovereignty. He comes with a Name known to none save Himself. In Scripture names express nature--what a person or thing is. So here. Christ has a name which no creature can fathom. That is to say, His Person is incomprehensible; there are mysterious depths in Him which no finite mind can grasp. [To be concluded] ---------------------------<BrethrenVoice>--------------------------- Subscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-subscribe@...> Unsubscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-unsubscribe@...> FAQs/Faith Statement, eMail: <brethrenvoice-faq@...> <BrethrenVoice> Home: www.brethrenvoice.com <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