-------------------------<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/groups/brethrenvoice/ezmlm.cgi] <GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> <11 December 2002> Contents: ---------- 1) <Devotional> "Cats and lions" - Ravi Zacharias 2) <Bible-Study> "Tragedy strikes" (Pt-31)-Charles Wigg 3) <Prophecy> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-102)- A.W.Pink 1) <DEVOTIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY> "CATS AND LIONS" Ravi Zacharias Over the years, I have become convinced that the most humorous stories come not from comedians but from the clergy. One minister tells of how he goes golfing at the local course, often being grouped with strangers. His acquaintances will spend the afternoon using profanities, or lewd comments about a passer-by. When they get around to making friendly conversation, he is asked what he does for a living and simply replies, "I'm a pastor." Jaws immediately drop, and profuse apologies follow. If these types of reactions occur in the presence of a mere man, consider the reactions of individuals when they realize they are in the presence of God Himself. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah encounters God's glory, and his response is: "Woe is me, for I am ruined! I am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts." In the New Testament the situation is similar. Jesus reveals His power to the disciple Peter by causing him to catch a miraculous amount of fish. How does Peter respond? One might assume that he asks Jesus to fish with him every day. Instead, he exclaims, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." Interestingly, both of these instances occurred in the lives of Isaiah and Peter at the outset of their ministries, and both were used mightily by God. Allow me to return to my opening illustration for a moment. The reaction of the golfers is humorous for an obvious reason. Since all of our lives are open before the One to whom we must give account, why should the pastor's presence matter to them? It is tantamount to cowering in fear before a cat when there is a lion in view. Yet we know that in many ways, we act as the golfers did. Because we cannot see God, we fail to remember that all of our thoughts and actions are laid bare before Him, and are contented to judge ourselves by how we measure up to those around us. On the golf course of life, we find out who our partners are and then act accordingly. About thirty years after he asked Jesus to depart from him, Peter wrote that we "will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." In light of this, I think it would be wise to be less concerned about the shepherd of a congregation and more about the shepherd of our souls. ---- 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> " NAAMAN’S GRATITUDE " (PART-32) Charles E. Wigg .... Now that he had received a new life, now that the miracle of cleansing and healing had taken place in his life, now that he had become a new man, Naaman’s heart was full of gratitude, and he returned to the prophet’s house. This time Elisha did not send his servant, but came himself to rejoice with the now changed Syrian General, in the wonder of the blessing that he had received from Jehovah, the God of Israel. Naaman gladly confessed his to faith in the God of Israel, and the assurance that he now had, that there was no God in all the earth but in Israel. Out of gratitude he wanted Elisha to accept a reward, but he refused. Here we see the genuine character of the true servant of God. Elisha had done nothing, he was only the channel through whom the blessing had come. He was only God’s messenger, he would not dare to profit from the blessing of another. He was so different to many that claim to be the servants of God today. NAAMAN’S REQUEST. Naaman requested that Elisha would give him two mules’ burden of earth, taken from the very place from where he had received such blessing. He wanted to build an altar of earth, so that he may offer sacrifice to the God from whom he had received such blessing, because from that point on, he would worship Jehovah the God of Israel. alone. However one thing troubled him, and that was that in the course of his duty, he would accompany his king on his visits to the temple of Rimmon, the idol that his master worshiped. He sought forgiveness for this outward show of reverence. This was granted, but it was not necessary as we shall see presently. There are some believers that justify unscriptural practices that are contrary to the will and word of God, and grieving to His heart, on the basis of this scripture. However we could not support such claims, or excuses. It is better to stand for what is right, and to suffer for it, than to compromise with what is evil. [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced with permission] _____________________________________________________________________ 3) <PROPHECY> "THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-102) THE RETURN OF CHIRST TO THE EARTH ITSELF PART 5/6 Arthur W. Pink … He comes to rule the nations with a Rod of Iron. How different this is to the popular conception of the "Gentle Jesus"! Human sentimentality has pictured our blessed Lord as being so tender that He will never find in His heart to punish sin and slay the workers of iniquity. For the most part, the world today hears from the pulpit only a one-sided presentation of the character of God--that side which is most agreeable to man in his fallen condition. But God is not only Love, He is Light; not only is He Merciful; He is Holy and Righteous. Because He is holy He cannot ignore sin, yea, "He can by no means clear the guilty." The claims of His Throne must be maintained, even though a thousand worlds be destroyed. Long has God dealt with our race in wondrous grace and infinite patience, and evilly have men repaid Him. But when Christ returns to the earth, the Dispensation of grace will have ended and He comes back, no longer inviting voluntary allegiance, but to compel obedience. The insignia of the returning Lord shall be the Iron Rod. Iron was the symbol and emblem of the Roman Empire, and stood for restless power, rigid rule, and indomitable government. History shows us what it meant to be crushed beneath "the iron heel of the Romans." And "iron," the Iron Rod and rule, will be the fitting emblem of Christ's government in that day when He returns to crush the head of the Serpent, subdue His enemies and put down all opposition. He comes to tread the Winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. This is the fulfillment of the prophetic word of Isaiah--"Who is this that goeth from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in His apparel, travelling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore are Thou red in Thine apparel, and Thy garments like Him that treadeth the winepress? I have troden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me: for I will tread them in Mine anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment. For the day of vengeance is in Mine heart, and the year of My redeemed is come.** And I will tread down the people in Mine anger, and make them drunk in My fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth" (Is. 63:1-6). Unspeakably dreadful will be the carnage for we are told, "The winepress was trodden without the city (Jerusalem) and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horses bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs" (that is, 200 miles!) (Rev. 14:20). Yes, terrible shall be the slaughter, but who shall say it was not fully merited and demanded. Mercy had been slighted and abused. A "murderer" had again been preferred above the Lord of life. God Himself was being openly blasphemed. And now the Executioner steps forth. This is the hour promised Him by the Father, that His enemies shall be made His "footstool" (Ps. 110:1)! [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 _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail