-------------------------<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> <10 December 2002> Contents: ---------- 1) <Exhortation> "Despite your unjust circumstances" -Connie 2) <Bible-Study> "Tragedy strikes" (Pt-30)-Charles Wigg 3) <Prophecy> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-101)- A.W.Pink 1) <DEVOTIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY> "DESPITE YOUR UNJUST CIRCUMSTANCES" Connie Giordano Have you suffered lately as a result of other men's decisions and not because of anything that you have done? If you are suffering from unfair rejection from others, don't be disheartened. Don't play the Blame Game. Just know that God has a plan, and you have a major role in it. If there is anyone who knows what rejection is all about, it is a man by the name of Jephthah. He is mentioned several times throughout the Scriptures, especially in Judges 11. He is listed in the classic Faith chapter - Hebrews 11 - along with some of God's other "great men" - Hebrews 11:32-34 - "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." Jephthah was indeed a man "who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness... escaped the edge of the sword...waxed valiant in fight" and "turned to flight the armies of the aliens." If there ever was a man who "out of weakness" was "made strong," it was him! Judges 11:1 says this of him - "Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor..." But we see that this verse does not end here for there is an added note given by the Holy Spirit that Jephthah also was "the son of an harlot." His mother was a "strange woman," meaning a Gentile or an Ishmaelite. She was neither his father's wife nor his concubine. She happened to be a tavern keeper. Judges 11:2 informs us that Gilead, Jephthah's father, had a wife who bare him legitimate sons who unanimously disdained Jephthah - "And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman." Judges 11:3 - Not able to bear the abuse from his own brethren any longer, he fled to a place north of Gilead called Tob where his mother's family resided - "Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob..." Here we have a young man who did no crime to deserve such utter rejection from his brothers. He just happened to be born wrong - as the "son of a harlot." I wonder how many Jephthah's there are in the Body of Christ today. You ask - Who are they? They are the ones who don't appear promising. They may have a physical impairment, be struggling financially, or lack charisma, good looks, or education. Or they may have some "albatross" from their past that people can't seem to drop - it seems to follow them wherever they go. They are considered by many as "low-life's" or "worms." Painfully, they have struggled through years of one rejection after another - not due to any wrongdoing of their own - but simply because they were born on the "wrong side of the tracks," so to speak. If this fits your description, then the Holy Spirit wants to encourage you today because God has a plan with your name on it. Using all of your adverse circumstances, He is preparing you and building you up for greatness. The Scriptures seem to confirm that many of God's mighty men or women were cast aside by their brethren. Look at Moses, Joseph, David, Paul, and even the Lord Jesus. All suffered rejection from their very own brethren. However, in looking back over their lives and in seeing how God used each one, we see that it was a necessary conflict to undergo in order to prepare them for the task ahead. If you have suffered mistreatment from those who should have loved, received, and accepted you; then be encouraged. Don't allow the enemy of your soul to plant bitterness in your heart. They may have intended it for evil, but God will turn everything around for your good. God has a plan for greatness with you in mind. Yes, he does! He is the Master Potter, and He is molding and shaping you after His will, using all of your circumstances - both good and bad - to attain the goal! Perhaps there are some of you who have acted like Jephthah's half brothers. You are guilty of rejecting another brother or sister simply because they did not come "wrapped in the right package." You may have prayed for help or deliverance of some sort, and God answered by sending you a Jephthah. But you did not receive this individual or individuals because they did not come speaking what you wanted to hear or in a manner that you expected. Consequently, you totally rejected them. You cast them out of your company. Nonetheless, if God has a plan, no devil or man is going to hinder it or stop it for too long. The Scriptures tell us that even though Jephthah was not appreciated by his own brethren, someone did recognize his leadership qualities. Judges 11:3 says - "...and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him." These "vain men" were poor - without jobs or property - and destitute of any good sense. Some commentaries say that they were immoral and even robbers. Here was a man ordained by God to be a judge and deliverer of Israel. What was he doing leading this crowd? He definitely was not in the will of God amidst these rabble rousers. Yet, even though Jephthah was out of the will of God for a time, God was still working behind the scenes. Even from his mother's womb, He had placed a calling on his life to accomplish a stupendous task, and He would see to it that it would be played out according to His Will. Let's learn from Jephthah's example. We must take warning here. We must not allow other's ill-treatment to drive us from our God-given inheritance. By the grace of God, if we will endure, He will be faithful to work out His plan for our lives. The Lord God ordained Jephthah to be a judge and deliverer for Israel. He was born the "son of a harlot," thrust out of his Father's house by his own brethren, and then exiled to a pagan land. Does this sound like the makings of a great leader to you? Where is God in all of this? Has He forgotten Jephthah? No, not at all! In His Sovereign Providence, He orchestrated circumstances to bring about His design and plan. Judges 11:4 says - "And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel." Note five very important words here - "came to pass," "process," and "time." Jephthah's rejection would not last forever. The Scriptures tell us that it "came to pass." The Word of God also mentions the word "process." Isn't it evident that his life had been going through a "process" of some sort? He was on a divine course. God was at work. And, last but not least, if there is anything that is extremely important in God's schedule, it is timing. God stirred up the enemies of Ammon to come against Israel who was not living wholly for Him. As a result of their disobedience, these Ammonites were given place to attack them. In their weakened state due to sin, Israel would need help, a leader, and a deliverer - "a mighty man of valor." Who would be such a candidate? Judges 11:5-6 tells us - "And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob. And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon." Wait a minute! These Israelites are coming to the "son of a harlot" and asking him to be their "captain"? Isn't this a turn of events? At one time, they thrust him out of their company, but now when they are "in distress," they don't seem to mind that his mother was a whore. Wow! Does God have a sense of humor, or what? He surely knows how to make men eat "humble pie," doesn't he? Judges 11:7-8 goes on to say - "And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress? And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead." These same brothers who hated Jephthah and expelled him from his father's house are now pleading with him to be their "head over all the inhabitants of Gilead"? And all because of one word - "distress." Oh, wounded Christian! Take heart to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you through this message today. God knows the right kind of "distress" to send those people who rejected you and cast you from their company. The very ones who thrust you out of your inheritance will come running to you in "process of time" and look to you to be their "head." You will not always be considered as the "tail." This too shall pass! God will raise you up. He is working out His plan for your life. He is working even right now. Just trust Him. Simply be still and know that He is God! He has everything under control! He certainly knows how to bring a man down. He knows how to deal with Pride. Judges 11:9-10 reflects the beautiful spirit of humility displayed by Jephthah's rejectors after God worked on them - "And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the Lord deliver them before me, shall I be your head? And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to Thy words." Judges 11:11 - We then read the happy ending of the "process of time" that "came to pass" in his life - "Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh." In spite of his adverse circumstances whereby his own brethren abandoned him and cast him from their company, Jephthah never forsook the Lord. As soon as he was elevated to the position of "head and captain," he immediately prayed to the Lord for wisdom and help. He knew that God called him to such a time as this. He knew that God orchestrated circumstances to bring about his calling. And he knew that without God's help and grace, he could not accomplish the task ahead of him. His adverse circumstances worked such good in his life, bringing him to the place of being a godly and "mighty man of valor" for the Lord and His people. There are so many lessons that we can learn from his experience. One is that God has a "process" that every one who is called to leadership must go through. In many instances, one will be called upon to suffer rejection and total misunderstanding by his very own brethren. O Child of God! People may reject you today for different reasons, but if you will hold onto the promises of God and not let go of the vision He has given you, He will be sure to work out His plan for your life. The same people who are rejecting you today will one day come to you, pleading for your gifts, talents, and help. Face your adversities in a spirit of meekness, knowing that God is in control and will bring to pass all that He has spoken for your life. Secondly, we must be very careful that we do not allow a spirit of pride to grip our hearts whereby we despise or trample upon the Jephthah's whom God sends us. Our Heavenly Father will not stand for any pride in His children. He knows how to abase us if we exalt ourselves above others. He knows the exact "distress" to send our way to bring us down from our high place. The very people whom we reject today may be the very people whom we will need tomorrow. Let's be careful how we treat each other as brethren, not despising any one. God used Jephthah despite his brother's rejection. He is no respecter of persons. He will use you, too, in a mighty way. He is working out His plan for your life even now. Things will not always be this way. In the "process of time," the tables will be turned. You won't be the "tail;" you'll be the "head." And when God promotes you, no one will be able to thrust you out of your inheritance. --- (c) 2002 Connie Giordano _______________________________________________________________________ 2) <BIBLE-STUDY> "LEPROSY AND SIN COMPARED" (PART-30) Charles E. Wigg .... At this point let us compare the disease of leprosy, with the moral leprosy, which is the disease of sin. Leprosy does not destroy tissue in the human body, but it does destroy the pain sensation, and as it progresses, it destroys the motor nerves. The end result is blind eyes, and clawed hands. Because it destroys the pain sensation, sufferers no longer feel pain when they injure themselves. This leads them to neglect those injuries, and the wounds soon become infected and ulcerous. These ulcers are very hard to heal, and often eat away at the fingers or the feet, until the finger, toe or foot has to be amputated. I have even heard of such amputations being done without anaesthetics, because the patient feels no pain. Thus it is, that the patient that does not seek help, will destroy themselves in time. Sin works in a similar way. Each child is born with a conscience which tells them when they do wrong. The conscience first gives a warning. If the child does what they know to be wrong, then the conscience condemns them for not heeding its warning. As the result they begin to feel guilty, and wish they had not done the thing that they knew to be wrong. The first time they commit that sin, it hurts and causes them grief and to feel shame. But if they continue to sin, them the hurt becomes less and they find it much easier to sin. If they continue in sin, then it will gain the mastery over them, and they destroy themselves. When leprosy is discovered the sufferer had to go away from family and friends, and live a lonely life of bitterness, awaiting the dreadful day of death. But sin will shut a person out of the presence of God for eternity, unless forgiven and cleansed away. In hell they are tormented and suffer along with those that (like themselves), have rejected God’s offer of mercy. Naam,an’s pride and anger almost robbed him of cleansing and healing, and a life of humility and joy. When he turned to go away, his servants saw the tragedy of the situation. He was rejecting his only hope. They pleaded with him to humble himself, and to accept God’s way and offer of cleansing. If there is someone that reads this booklet, and you are suffering from the disease of sin, then please don’t reject God’s offer of mercy, salvation, and cleansing through the work of Christ, and the blood that He shed on the cross at that place called Golgotha, (Calvary). Peter tells us that it is the only way, that “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven, given amongst men, whereby we must be saved”, Acts 4:12. The Lord Jesus Himself said, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by ME”, John 14:6. The proud man considered the alternative, he heeded the pleading of his servants. After all, they pleaded, it is only a simple thing that he has told you to do. Just like today, God’s way of salvation is so simple. There is nothing to pay, there is nothing to give up, but our pride and our sin. Just as Naaman only had his pride and his leprosy to give up. So it was that he turned his chariot, and went down to the Jordan, (a figure of death, and for us the death of Christ), and plunged himself seven times beneath its waters. He must have been amazed when he surfaced the seventh time, because that flesh that had been so corrupted and defiled, was just like the flesh of a little child. He had received a new life. So also today, the person that humbles them selves, repents of their sins, and puts their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus and His finished work. That person not only receives from God, the forgiveness of all their sins, not only are they made righteous in the sight of a Holy God, but they receive a new life, Eternal Life,; a life that will never end, they are born again, they become a child of God, and a new creature in Christ. [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced by permission] _____________________________________________________________________ 3) <PROPHECY> "THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-101) THE RETURN OF CHIRST TO THE EARTH ITSELF PART 4/6 Arthur W. Pink .... He comes with a vesture dipped in blood. At first sight this seems to suggest a comparison rather than a contrast, but the verses which follow show that it is another of those sharp antitheses with which this passage abounds. Once His raiment had been crimsoned by the flowing of His own blood, but now, alas! it is from the blood of others. He was lifted up that men might shed His blood, but now He descends that He might shed their blood. He comes, denominated the Word of God. We are told this so that there may be no possibility of mistaking Him. This title serves to identify Him; and connects the two Advents. He is here designated by His Eternal and Divine name. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). He is no longer called by His name "Jesus" which means "Saviour," but is termed "the Word of God" which points to the dignity, majesty, and glory of His Person. The use of this Divine title in the present connection is deeply significant. When He was here before He came in weakness and shame: it was His Humanity that was most prominent; but when He comes back again to this earth, He shall return in irresistible power and great glory, and His Deity will be most conspicuous. "And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron; and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Rev. 19:15, 16). He comes to smite the nations with a Sword that goeth out of His mouth. Here again we have another contrast. When He was here before, He spoke words of blessing and cheer: He came not to judge the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. But now all is changed. The "Sword" which proceedeth out of His mouth is the Word of God (Heb. 4:12). Throughout the centuries of this Dispensation He has sent forth His Word that it may slay sin in men, but in that day He shall send His word that it may slay men in sin. In the days of His humiliation, His mouth was opened to bless men, now it shall be opened to curse and slay them. It is the fulfillment of Isaiah 11:4--"And He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked." It marks the ease with which He performs His purposes: he speaks, and it is done; He gives the command, and it is accomplished. Something of this was pre-intimated on the occasion of His arrest in the Garden (John 18). When the soldiers came to take Him, He said, "Whom seek ye?" and they replied, "Jesus of Nazareth," and we read, "Jesus said unto them. I am** and as soon as He had said unto them I am, they went backward and fell to the ground"! If so mild an utterance prostrated His enemies then, what will itbe when He girds Himself for judgment! [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 _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail