Lovest Thou Me

Lovest Thou Me

 So then when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.—John 21:15

  You will remember that on a previous occasion Peter had very ardently professed his love for the Lord (Matt. 26:33) but later that love had weakened and Peter denied knowing the Lord (Matthew 26:69-75). Peter now has another opportunity to profess his love for Jesus. I am convinced that this question, "Lovest thou me" is a tremendously important question applicable to you and I today. We sing "More love to thee O Christ" but do we really mean it? We sing "Where He Leads Me I Will Follow" but do we really mean it? We sing "I Want To Be A Worker For The Lord" but do we really mean it? Are we seeking first the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33)? Are we living daily in a way that influences others for Christ (Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Tim. 4:12)?  Are we growing daily in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Pet. 3:18, 1 Pet. 2:1-5, 2 Tim. 2:15)?

 The true child of God is not one who has merely been baptized although that is absolutely essential (1 Pet.3:21, Acts 2:38, 22:16). The true child of God is not one who will attend worship service on Sunday, sing  great songs of commitment and then live the rest of the week as if there were no Christ to love, follow and serve. The true child of God loves Jesus deeply with all his or her being and that love is not some kind of shallow, hollow emotional thing. It is a love that is active and leads to complete obedience to the Lord's will (John 14:15, 1 John 5:2-3, James 2:14-20).

 If we dare answer as Peter, "Lord you know I love you", then there will be certain evidence of that love. That evidence will manifest itself in our giving to the Lord the best we have, namely ourselves without limitation or reservation (2 Cor. 8:1-5). We will let the Lord have full possession of our life and we will yield every member to him. His word will fill our hearts, mold our thoughts and guide our lives (Col. 3:16, Rom. 12:1-2, Rom. 6:11-19). The Lord calls for the best of our love, one that is unfeigned, one that is deep and abiding (Mark 12:30-31). He calls for the best of our substance (money) (2 Cor. 9:6-7). He also calls for the best of our labors (1 Cor. 15:58, Titus 3:1). It doesn't make any difference how small, how poor or insignificant any of us may feel, if we will simply do what we can to the best of our ability instead of offering excuses as to why we don't do anything, it will make a tremendous difference in our life and certainly be a great blessing to others as well..

 "Lovest thou me?"—Will we, can we, dare we answer as did Peter: "Lord you know I love you".

 Charles Hicks

Follow My Example

Follow My Example

 

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9)

 In the 3^rd chapter of Philippians, Paul tells us about the goal of his life and regarding that goal he says, Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (vs. 13-14). Then in verse 17, he urges the Philippians to join in following him as an example. Paul lays out the conduct of his life as a child of God for all to examine and confident that it has been and is in accord with the will of God, urges others to imitate his example (1 Cor. 11:1).

 The thought echoes through my mind, that you and I should be living our lives in such conformity to God's will that we can say to others, live as I do as I follow Christ. This is in no way an effort to exercise some kind of dominion over others. It is not a statement of pride or boasting on our part. It is simply an effort to urge others to follow Christ in doctrine and practice the same way we follow him. Our lives should serve as an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity (1 Tim. 4:12, Phil. 4:8 Eph. 4:17-32). I, for one, believe that you and I must have confidence in our life as a child of God so that we can truthfully encourage others to follow our example (1 Cor. 4:16) Perhaps all of us would do well to stop for a moment and ask, just what do others learn, receive, hear and see in us. Others being family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers we encounter from time to time.

 Do "others" see strength in our lives because we stand firm on the truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness with our feet shod with the gospel of peace, holding up the shield of faith, having on the helmet of salvation and carrying the sword of the spirit which is the word of God (Eph. 6:10-17)?

 Do "others" see: Christ reigning supreme in our hearts, molding our thoughts and guiding our lives every step of the way on this side of eternity (Mark 12:30, Psalms 16:1, Psalms 62:8); do "others" see purpose in our life (Dan. 1:8, Acts 11:23, 2 Tim. 3:10); do "others" see prayer, bible study and commitment in our life (Phil. 4:6, 1 Thess. 5:17, Matt. 6:33, 1 Cor. 15:58, James 2:18-20).

 Do "others" see the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in us (Gal. 5:22-23)? Do "others" see us adding to our faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity. Bottom line, do "others" see us giving diligence to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:4-11).

 Well, it is time to ask the question, Is the conduct of my spiritual life such that I can, with confidence, tell others to do what they learn, receive, hear and see in me? If we cannot answer in the affirmative, then if we should die in the next moment, not only would we lose our soul but many of the "others" of our life would lose their soul as well. Just one man's opinion.

 Charles Hicks

Which church is the right church?

 

 

HUGH'S NEWS & VIEWS

 

WHAT I AM AND AM NOT RELIGIOUSLY

 

It is hard for some to grasp the biblical concept of Christianity. The Christians of whom we read in the New Testament were not a sect or a denomination. There was but one body of believers in New Testament times (Ephesians 4:4), and that is all there still is in God's sight today!

 

Read carefully and reflectively the following. Remove your denominational spectacles and seek to see the one body of Christ (the church) as it is depicted in the New Testament.

 

I am a member of the church of God, but I am not member of the Church of God denomination.

 

I am a disciple (learner/follower) of Christ, but I am not a member of the Disciples of Christ denomination.

 

I am a Christian, but I am not a member of what is known as the Christian Church.

 

I am a follower of the Nazarene, but I am not a member of the Nazarene denomination.

 

I am a member of the church that began on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Act 2, but I am not a member of the Pentecostal denomination.

 

I am a member of Jesus' catholic (universal) church, but I am not a member of the Catholic denomination.

 

I am a member of Christ's universal church (see the previous point), but I am not a member of the Universalist denomination.

 

I am a baptist (one who has baptized/immersed many people), but I am not a member of the Baptist denomination. (Note: John was called the Baptist because he baptized people, not because he was a member of the Baptist Church).

 

I am a member of a church that follows Bible methods in carrying out the Lord's will, but I am not a member of the Methodist denomination.

I am a member of a church that has presbyters/elders/bishops/pastors (all of these terms refer to one and the same function) in local congregations, but I am not a member of the Presbyterian denomination.

 

I am a member of a church that has a plurality of bishops (from the Greek episkopos; see the preceding statement) over local congregations, but I am not a member of the Episcopal denomination.

 

I am a member of a church that adheres to congregational autonomy, but I am not a member of the Congregational denomination.

 

I am a member of the church of which Christ is the chief cornerstone, but I am not a member of the Cornerstone Community Church (or any of the other multiplicity of Community or so-called independent churches that dot the religious landscape today).

 

I am a member of the church of Christ, but I am not a member of some denomination that calls itself or thinks of itself as the Church of Christ Church or the Church of Christ segment of the universal body of Christ. (Note: I am not a "Church of Christ" as one may be a Baptist, or Methodist, or Presbyterian, etc. Question: Did the members of Christ's church in the first century speak in these ways about their religious affiliation? Did any of them ever say, "I'm Church of Christ"? Read through your New Testament and see how they did speak of themselves, and then ask yourself, can we be today what they were then? If not, why not?).

 

I am a Christian and a Christian only, a Christian who has never joined any denomination. I am what the early disciples were called first at Antioch (Acts 11:26) and what King Agrippa was almost persuaded to be (Acts 26:28). I did what they did (or could have done) to become a Christian.

 

When I was saved from my sins by obedience to the gospel, the Lord added me to the one church of which we read in the Bible, THE church, the LORD'S church (Acts 2:47; I Corinthians 12:13). This church was not and is not a denomination or a confederation of denominations. This church was established by Christ, not by any man or group of men somewhere this side of the New Testament (Matthew 16:18).

 

Christ purchased this church with His blood (Acts 20:28). He is the one and only head of this church, and it needs no earthly head or headquarters (Colossians 1:18). He is the one and only foundation of this church (I Corinthians 3:11). This church is not man's or of man; it is of Christ and belongs to Him.

 

This church is the spiritual body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23), and there is but one body, and therefore there is but one church (Ephesians 4:4).

 

It is this body/church that Christ will save eternally (Ephesians 5:23).

 

Hugh Fulford

Easter Sermon There They Crucified Him

 

There They Crucified Him

 

So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified. They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him. . .(John 19:16-18) 

There is a beautiful song that proclaims, "God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus, He came to love, heal and forgive: He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives, Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone, Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives." 

Paul tells us in Romans 5:8-9 that God has demonstrated his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us, much more being justified by his blood we shall be saved from the wrath of God through him (John 3:16, Colossians 1:12-14, Hebrews 5:8-9). Through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John we are able to follow Christ the Lord as he walks this pathway of life seeking to save the lost (Luke 19:10, Matthew 18:11). Through words of divine inspiration, we sit at his feet and listen to the greatest sermon ever spoken (Matthew 5, 6 and 7). As we follow him from place to place, we watch as time after time he heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, causes the lame to walk, the deaf to hear and even raises the dead back to life. All too soon we follow him into the garden of Gethsemane and witness the agony that grips him (Luke 22:39-44, Hebrews 5:7). We watch as he is led from the garden to be put on trial for his life. We see him as he is beaten, spat on, mocked, and humiliated in every way possible. Finally, we follow to the Place of a skull and watch as he is crucified (Luke 23:33). We hear him as he cries out, "It is finished" (John 19:30). He is taken down from the cross, placed in a tomb that is sealed with a big rock. Finally, it is over, but is it? Luke 24:1-5, early on the first day of the week, certain women came to the tomb where Jesus had been laid and found the stone rolled away. As they stood there wondering what had happened, two men in dazzling clothing asked them why they were seeking the living among the dead. He is not here, but he has risen. Man put the Son of God to death, man placed him in a tomb but God raised him from the dead and he walked out of that tomb alive (Acts 2:22-24, Acts 10:38-41, 1 Peter 1:3-5). The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation upon which our faith and hope in God stands (1 Peter 1:18-21). It is the very basis for living this earthly life as a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). Realizing that all who have ever lived, including ourselves, will be resurrected (1John 5:28-29, 1 Cor. 15:19-23) why is it that so many people will live, yea are living as if there will be no resurrection. How many people who are heard to say, I know I should do this or that as it relates to saving their souls and then say, one day I am going to do it but not just right now. Some people are so preoccupied with the pursuit of physical and material things of the world they simply neglect the salvation of their soul (James 4:17, Luke 12:15, Hebrews 2:1-3, Mark 8:36-37).

 Our hearts should be overflowing with praise, rejoicing and thankfulness because Jesus walked out of that tomb alive. Because he lives you and I as faithful children of God live today with the hope and expectation of one day flying away to live forever in a dwelling place were all things are made new (Psalms 90:10, Revelation 21:5). To God belongs  glory and dominion forever and ever.

 

Charles Hicks

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour

Stealthily  Being Pursued

 

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8)

 

O, how we need to listen and take heed to this message from Peter. We have been warned to be very serious, sensible and cautious as it relates to the evil one. Peter goes on in verse 9 of the 5^th chapter to tell us to fight against him with all our might, always standing firm in our faith (Hebrews 10:23, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 1 Timothy 6:12, James 4:7-10, Ephesians 6:10-17).

 

The devil is not interested in our wellbeing, he does not want us to have soul prosperity. It is essential that we learn and be aware that the devil has the ability to be whatever he wants to be in his effort to devour us. He can be that subtle serpent he was in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5). or as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 11:12-14, the devil can disguise himself as an angel of light.

 

While there are no actual recorded events where the devil transformed himself into an angel of light, Paul does present this as an indisputable truth, thereby warning us of how great the power of the devil is in being able to twist spiritual truths into lies that appear to be truth. By doing so he often brings ruin into the lives of people today and perhaps. most important, eternal ruin after death. Make no mistake, the devil has practiced his art of delusion for thousands of years and even now he is going to and fro, walking on the earth practicing his art of deception (Job 1:7, 1 Peter 5:8).

 

The devil has something for everyone whether it be the sinner, or the good, moral person or the religious person or even a member of the Lord's church. Seriously consider passages such as Eph. 5:1-6, Col. 2:6-8, Matt. 7:13-23, Matt. 15:9 and 2 Pet. 2:1-3. No one is exempt from his efforts to deceive and destroy. There is but one end to all who fall prey to the devil and that end is misery and destruction (1 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

 

To successfully resist the devil, we must have an attitude of absolute commitment to love and serve the Lord God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength believing with all our being that we can do all things through Christ (Mark 12:30, Phil. 4:13, Rom. 8:28, 31). Dare to follow the example of Daniel (Daniel 1:8) and purpose in our hearts not to defile ourselves with the pollution of the world (1 John 2:15-17. James 4:4, 1 Peter 4:1-6, Romans 12:1-2)).  We will have to pay the price of self-denial (Matthew 16:24-26, Titus 2:11-12). We must be dressed in readiness with our lamps lit (Luke 12:35, Matthew 5:16, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Peter 1:3-11, 2 Peter 3:10-18). Make no mistake about it, the devil is alive and well. He wants us and will seek to get us any way he can.

 

Charles Hicks

 

 

 

 

A Powerful Example

 

A Powerful Example 

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord—Job 1:20-21 

Satan was given permission to use his powers to induce Job to curse God. His efforts to do so brought financial ruin to Job. That effort on the part of Satan also brought upon Job what must be the deepest, most agonizing pain and grief of heart known to man, the death of his sons and daughters. Yet even in the darkest hour of his life, Job held firm to his faith in God. Satan's efforts to induce Job to curse God only led Job to bless the name of the Lord. Job was a man with an attitude of total submission to God's will. He is a great example of a man with a sustaining faith and in this he becomes a great example for you and I.

 We often live for months, even years, in which we experience nothing but good things. O, to be sure there are always those momentary aches, pains and burdens of life but nothing devastating. Then one day it happens, some horrific event comes crashing into our life. What will we do? How will we respond?  It now becomes a question of how deeply we have been willing to submit ourselves to God's will (Rom. 8:28, 31, 35-39, Psalms 23, James 4:6-10, Gal. 2:20, Heb. 12:1-3). When tragic events strike our human frame, they bring grief and pain and cause us to hurt. But for one who has submitted totally to God's will it will never be a question of why did this happen. There are so many things that happen in this life that I do not understand why they happen but one thing I do know, so long as I love and serve my God with all my being, he will take care of me and he will do the same for each of you (1 Pet. 6-9). The words of Isaiah 40:31 have come to mean a lot to me: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint". Friends, it is not the tragic events of life that cause us to falter, it is how we handle those events that determines whether we fail or rise to greater heights of faith. The storms of life will not overcome us if we allow the power of God to lift us above them. I love the message proclaimed in the chorus of Higher Ground: "Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith on heaven's table-land; A higher plane than I have found, Lord plant my feet on higher ground." 

 I am human, I am flawed, I am fragile—so are you. When everything seems to be chaos, when our hearts hurt so deeply it seems as if all is lost, I pray ours will be a sustaining faith just like Job of old.  Don't panic, pray (1 Thess. 5:17, Phil. 4:6-7, Heb. 4:16). Recognizing how great our God is will impart to us the strength and courage needed to sustain us all the way every day.

 Charles Hicks

What is the gospel?

THE GOSPEL IN FIVE SECONDS

 

One: The gospel required a second covenant or testament. "For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second" (Hebrews 8:7). "He takes away the first that He may establish the second" (Hebrews 10:9b). Why was this the case? "For the law (the old covenant), having a shadow of the good things to come (the new testament), and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered continually year by year, make those who approach perfect...For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins" (Hebrews 10:1,4). The old covenant was made with the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 5:2-3). The new covenant is for every creature in all nations (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20). The old covenant (law) was a "schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster" (Galatians 3:24-25). The New Testament sets forth the "one faith" (Ephesians 4:5), "the faith once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). We do not go to the old covenant (the Old Testament) today to learn the particulars of how to become a child of God, how to acceptably worship, or how to live a faithful Christian life!

 

Two: The gospel demands a second birth. To Nicodemus, Jesus said, "Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). He went on to explain, "Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Though He was talking to Nicodemus, the force of Jesus' words is that anyone who would see and enter the kingdom of God must be born a second time. Writing to Christians, Peter spoke of their "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (I Peter 5:23). Our first birth was a fleshly birth from our mother's womb. The second birth is a spiritual birth "of water and the Spirit."

 

Three: The gospel sets forth a second law of pardon, a way for Christians who fall away from the Lord to return to him. In Acts 8:9-13, we have the account of the conversion of the Samaritans, including a sorcerer by the name of Simon. Later, Simon tried to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit money, that is, he wanted to have the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit on others (Acts 8:18-19). He was immediately rebuked by the apostle Peter and told "your heart is not right in the sight of God" (Acts 8:21). He was then instructed, "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you." This second law of pardon is not for aliens but for children of God who fall into sin. Christians who sin are told, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). But let us not confuse God's second law of pardon (for the sinning child of God) with His first law of pardon (for the alien sinner) (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; et. al.).

 

Four: The gospel tells of a second coming of Christ. "And to those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation" (Hebrews 9:28b). Christ appearing a second time "apart from sin" simply means that at His second coming He will not be offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin (as He did at His first coming), but rather for the eternal salvation of His faithful followers. At His ascension, two men in white apparel (apparently angels) announced, "This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:9-11). At our Lord's second coming and after the dead saints have been resurrected (along with all the rest of the dead, John 5:28-29), the living saints will be "caught up together with them (the resurrected saints) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

 

Five: The gospel warns of a second death. To the tribulation-torn saints in Smyrna, Jesus said, "He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death" (Revelation 2:11). Later we read, "And Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:14-15). The first death is the death of the body, a death appointed to all (Hebrews 9:27). The second death is the eternal separation from God that all of those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of Christ and who do not remain faithful will experience (cf. Romans 6:23).

These five "seconds" of the gospel are important to understand and properly apply (cf. II Timothy 2:15).

In conclusion, think about this: The person who is born twice (see two above), will die only once (physical death). But the person who is born only once (the fleshly birth from his mother's womb, but without the second birth "of water and the Spirit") will die twice (both physical death and the second death in the lake of fire and brimstone)! Succinctly summarized it is this: born once, die twice! Born twice, die once!

 

Hugh Fulford

One Step Away

One Step Away 

Now my days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good. They slip by like reed boats, like an eagle that swoops on its prey (Job 9:25-26) 

 We are born, live for a few short years and then comes the day when our earthly tent is torn down and our eternal spirit returns to God who gave it (2 Cor. 5:1; Eccl. 12:6-7). Thus far on our pilgrimage on this side of eternity, I venture to say that we have enjoyed a measure of success, happiness, joy, peace and contentment. At the same time, it is safe to say that we have also experienced times when our soul was filled with failure, sorrow, heartache and disappointment. Truly, on this journey of life, we have climbed to the mountain tops of victory and we have walked through the valley of despair. I know not how you feel about this but as for me, my life has, even with all its ups and downs, been a wonderful journey thus far.    

Today these words spoken long ago by Job are a stark reminder to me of how quickly the days of this earthly life seem to pass by. The days of my youth have so quickly slipped away and now I find myself an old man patiently waiting with hope and expectation filling my heart for the day when I will fold up this earthly tent and fly away to live forever in that dwelling place where all things have been made new (2 Corinthians 5:1-9; John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:3-5). 

One day we are so strong physically and mentally, vibrant, full of energy and it seems as if nothing can stop us. But then, all too quickly we grow older and our strength fades considerably and we don't remember things as well as we once did. Aches and pains often take over our body making the day long and night weary. We see our friends and loved ones slip silently away into eternity and suddenly we begin to realize how brief our sojourn on earth really is (Psalms 90:10; James 4:14). 

As we continue our walk down the pathway of life, we do not know what lies ahead of us as it relates to our earthly existence. The future for us is an uncertain one but one thing we can be sure of, if we keep God in our life, allowing Him to direct our steps, our future will be safe and secure not only in this life but the life to come as well (2 John 3:1-3; Isa. 12:2-3; 2 Sam. 22:2-3; Psalms 62:5-8; Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:8-9). It is pure joy to have that closer walk with the Lord. 

It is imperative that we understand how quickly the days of this earthly life are passing (Psalms 90:10; James 4:13-15). The days of our life will soon be gone and we will fly away. When will this be? I don't know and neither do you. I do know that reservation has already been made (Heb. 9:27) and it will not be too long until this short life will come to an end. Enjoy your life today and every day for so long as you live but as you do so, make absolutely sure that you include plans for the eternity that is to come when your life here ends. It does not matter how old or how young you may be in terms of years, that day is closer than you may want to think about (1 Sam. 20:3). 

Charles Hicks

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you

 

The Greatest Desire 

Philippians 1:23-24 "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." 

This is a tremendous summation of Paul's life, a life that has been most interesting. He started out in life with all the secular advantages. He rose to a position of prominence among his peers. From all indications, Paul held in his hands the fame, prestige, fortune and power that worldly men seek. But one day his life took a dramatic turn (Acts 9). In his defense before Agrippa, Paul proclaimed that he was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision (Acts 26:19). There is no doubt that Paul complied with the words of Ananias found in Acts 22:16. There is no doubt that Paul carried out God's plan for him to carry God's message of salvation to the Gentiles (Acts 26:16-18).  

From the time of the events recorded on the road to Damascus and following until the time of his death, Paul had a share of joy, happiness and yes, even fame as a soldier of the cross. However, he also endured some of the roughest, toughest times imaginable (2 Corinthians 11:23-33). Through it all, the good and the bad, he persevered in such a way that he could come to the end of his life and say, "I am ready" (2 Timothy 4:6-8). 

Now, he tells us that he is faced with a dilemma: life or death. Did Paul want to die that very moment? Probably not. Was Paul ready to die at that very moment? Yes,Yes,Yes (Philippians 1:21; Gal. 2:20.)  Like Paul, all of us are faced with that dilemma: life or death. At this point I must ask, Does the similarity continue? Are we, like Paul, ready for either one? How many of us can truly say with confidence, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain"? (Philippians 1:21) How many of us are living our lives in such a way that we can confidently speak the words of the 23rd Psalm? Can we proclaim that we are the sons of God and when he appears we shall be like him (1 John 3:1-3)? 

All of us should be eagerly looking forward to the day of death or the appearing of the Lord with no fear as to what either one will bring. The day of death becomes the door through which the faithful child of God leaves behind all conflicts with the fleshly appetites that war against the soul (James 4:1; 1 Pet. 2:11; 1 John 2:15-17). All suffering and trials will be ended, there will be no more groaning under the burdens of life. There will be no tears, mourning, crying, pain or death Rev. 21:4; Rev. 14:13).

 The deepest desire of our heart should be to live our life in a manner that will please and glorify the Lord (Philippians 3:7-11; 1 Timothy 4:12; Matthew 5:13-16; Romans 15:5-9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 John 3:18-22). Living each day of our life glorifying and pleasing Him, we will have no regrets on the day we stand face to face with our Lord in the great judgment (Acts 17:30-31, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Eternal life with the Lord Jesus Christ and the redeemed of all ages. what a joy it will be. It is my aim and I pray it is yours also, to live each day loving and trusting the Lord with all my heart. For me, the days of my life are passing by so quickly and I know I will not be here very much longer but that does not bother me because there is a beautiful home that tugs at my heartstrings today (John 14:1-3; Phil. 3:12-14; 1 John 3:1-3).  To God be the glory!     

 Charles Hicks

Syria and southern Turkey earthquake

From the Rubble

Last Monday, before dawn, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake caused widespread
destruction across northern Syria and southern Turkey. Thousands of lives
have been lost and thousands of buildings have collapsed.

Amid the destruction, there have been some marvelous rescues.

On Monday evening in Jinderis, Syria, a young girl was found alive, buried
in the wreckage of a building made of concrete. Video footage from the
White Helmets, a regional emergency service, shows a rescuer digging through
crushed concrete amid twisted rebar, uncovering the head of the little girl.
The little girl, whose name is Nour, looks up dazedly. The rescuer informs
her that her father is there. "Dad is here, don't be scared. ... Talk to
your dad, talk." The rescuer wipes dust from her eyes as she looks for her
father.

After additional, careful digging, Nour was rescued from the rubble and
reunited with her father. *

Another dramatic rescue effort was accomplished in the midst of an
earthquake. The lives at stake were yours and mine. The Rescuer was the
sinless Son of God. In order to rescue us from our condemning sins, Jesus
had to give His life for our sins by dying on a cross.

After suffering intense agony on the cross, Jesus cried out and "yielded up
His spirit" (Matthew 27:50). "Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn
in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split"
(Matthew 27:51). Perhaps the earth quaked because God's wrath was being
"poured out" on Jesus as He bore our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). The
veil of the temple being torn from top to bottom indicates that Jesus was
opening up the way for man to be reconciled to God. The fact that it was
torn from the top points to the fact that it was God who made the
reconciliation possible (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

Nour's timely rescue pictures our rescue by Christ: "You see, at just the
right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly"
(Romans 5:6 NIV).

And we are also encouraged to look to the Father. He is the one who has
made salvation and eternal life possible at tremendous cost: the precious
blood of His Son (1 Peter 1:18-19). He awaits with open arms those who will
accept His rescue through their trusting obedience.

God will save, welcome to His family, and give eternal life to those who
place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins
in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10),
and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in
the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

In our sins, we are found in the rubble, dying. Yet through the sacrifice
that Jesus made for us, God is calling to us: "I am the Father. I love you
and want to save you. Take My hand. Accept My offer of salvation. I will
care for you for an eternity."

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "A newborn was found alive in the rubble after
the earthquake in Syria" by the Associated Press, as shared in www.npr.org.