Voice of Truth International, Volume 85

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There are precious identifications with God in the emotions we, as humans, experience. We are made in God’s image; we have the capacity to feel love, longing, sorrow — yes, what we feel is human-sized, but it is a very real sharing with what God feels toward the souls of mankind! Listen to His words: “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). (1) The omnipresent God is here, in our midst, not sitting off in the distant heavens and merely observing what is going on in the world, as the religions of the East teach. (2) Our behavior elicits response from Him: gladness, singing! It is an amazing thought that the very God of creation can be moved to joyful singing because of something a mere human has done! Through the prophet Hosea, God described His patient and gentle care for His people: “When Israel was a child, I loved him.... I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them...” But in response to their disobedience and idolatry, God cried, “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? ... My heart churns within Me...” (Hosea 11:1,3,4,8).

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The

Volume Eighty-Five

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International

Volume 85

We cannot read these words without feeling in our own hearts all the emotions we know toward our own children, or toward the ones to whom we would give spiritual birth through the Gospel — the love, the patience in helping them to take their first stumbling steps, the kissing of the wounds when they fall, the gentleness and love with which we lead them along, easing their burdens whenever we can, even bending down to their little heights to provide whatever care they need. God used these very words to describe His emotionally-induced provisions for His children. But in Israel’s disobedience that required correction, what strong words God used to describe what the thought of that punishment did to His own heart: it churned within Him! What an amazing Father we have! — BBC

The Voice of Truth International

Does God feel emotions?

God’s light shines in a dark world.

4/2/15 5:54 PM

Ardron A. Hinton: To that eternal world, January 30, 2015

A Viewpoint

We need not weep for the tired form That must be laid aside, Nor fear cold Jordan’s deathly storm When crossing must be tried. For we can plan for such an hour, Have ev’ry need supplied, By tapping in to heav’nly pow’r And Jesus at our side. A deathless body He’ll provide And bear us gently o’er, Safely past death’s chilling tide, Secure forever more. Dying is gain for faithful souls, The victory is won! Life thus reaches its greatest goals: Its final race is run! — Ardron Hinton

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4/2/15 8:08 PM

The Voice of Truth International

Staff:

Byron Nichols Jerry Bates Louis Rushmore Layout: Betty Burton Choate Bonnie Rushmore Typesetting: Gay Nichols Computer Consultant: Bradley S. Choate Editor: Associate Editors:

Spanish Edition:

Managing Editor: Rafael Barrantes

Telugu Edition:

Managing Editor, Translator:

Joshua Gootam

Tamil Edition: Managing Editor, Translators:

Benny Martin, S. Rajanayagam

English Edition in India and Braille Edition:

Managing Editors, Philemon Rajah

and Kingsly Rajah

Hindi Edition

Managing Editor, Earnest Gill

Nepali Edition

Managing Editor, Pramod Dhakal

Paite Edition

Managing Editor, Thang Lien

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Gary C. Hampton Jack Harriman Parker Henderson Gordon Hogan Mike Ireland Wayne Jackson Ancil Jenkins Jeff Jenkins John Kachelman, Jr. Dayton Keesee Dalton Key Michael L. King Mack Lyon Joe Magee J. Randal Matheny Cecil May, Jr. Colin McKee Hollis Miller Loy Mitchell Stan Mitchell Kevin L. Moore Owen D. Olbricht David Pharr Neal Pollard Bonnie Rushmore Rebecca Rushmore David A. Sargent David Tarbet J.J. Turner Ken Tyler Allen Webster R.H. Tex Williams

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Associate Editorial

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Associate Editorial

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out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven� /XNH “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’ Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey� $FWV 7KH ,QFDUQDWLRQ WKURXJK WKH 9LUJLQ %LUWK ZDV WKH PHFKDQLVP E\ ZKLFK -HVXV &KULVW FDPH WR HDUWK &RQYHUVHO\ WKH $VFHQVLRQ ZDV WKH LQVWUXPHQW E\ ZKLFK -HVXV &KULVW WUDQVIHUUHG IURP WKLV WHUUHVWULDO VSKHUH WR WKH FHOHVWLDO UHDOP 7KHUH LV MXVW QRW PXFK LQIRUPDWLRQ LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW UHVSHFWLQJ WKH DFWLYLW\ RI WKH $VFHQVLRQ :KLOH FRQYHUVLQJ ZLWK +LV DSRVWOHV DWRS 0RXQW 2OLYHW RXU /RUG DURVH LQWR WKH DLU DQG FRQWLQXHG WR ULVH XQWLO WKH FORXGV FRQFHDOHG +LP 7ZR DQJHOV QHDUE\ RQ WKH PRXQWDLQ LQIRUPHG WKH GLVFLSOHV WKDW RQH GD\ -HVXV &KULVW ZRXOG UHWXUQ LQ VLPLODU PDQQHU DV +H GHSDUWHG $FWV “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen� 5HYHODWLRQ

3ULRU $VFHQVLRQV 7KH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW UHFRUGV WZR DVFHQVLRQV UHVSHFWLYHO\ RI SURSKHWV RI *RG WKRXJK XQOLNH -HVXV WKH\ GLG QRW GLH DQG UHVXUUHFW IURP WKH GHDG SULRU WR WKHLU DVFHQVLRQV 7KH ILUVW RI WKH WZR UHIHUHQFHV ODFNV DQ\ HODERUDWLRQ “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took himâ€? *HQHVLV $ 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW SDVVDJH FRUURERUDWHV (QRFKÂśV DVFHQVLRQ “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased Godâ€? +HEUHZV 7KHQ .LQJV FKURQLFOHV WKH DVFHQVLRQ RI WKH SURSKHW (OLMDK 8QOLNH WKH LQIRUPDWLRQ SHUWDLQLQJ WR WKH DVFHQVLRQ RI (QRFK DQ HODERUDWH GHVFULSWLRQ ² SDLQWLQJ D YLYLG SLFWXUH LQ WKH KXPDQ PLQG ² GHSLFWV

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is greater than I� -RKQ “Then some of His disciples said among themselves, ‘What is this that He says to us, A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?� -RKQ “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father� -RKQ “Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’� -RKQ

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Isn’t it strange that Princes and Kings And clowns that caper in sawdust rings, And common folks like you and me, Are builders for eternity? To each is given a bag of tools, A shapeless mass and a book of rules; And each must make, ‘ere life has flown A stumbing block or a stepping stone. — R. L. Sharpe

God

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT 6DPXHO 0DWWKHZV 5HDG 7H[W (SKHVLDQV “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.â€? ³¾6SLULW FRPH LQWR WKH ERG\ RI WKLV \RXQJ PDQ Âś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´ 'R QRW EH DODUPHG WKLV VWRU\ LV QRW DERXW PH DQG LV QRW WUXH %XW WKHUH DUH PDQ\ SHRSOH LQ WKH ZRUOG ZKR EHOLHYH WKDW WKLV LV WKH ZD\ WR UHFHLYH WKH +RO\ 6SLULW 0DQ\ SHRSOH VHHN VXFK DQ H[SHULHQFH $QG WKHQ WKHUH DUH WKRVH ZKR GR QRW HYHQ KDYH D FOXH DV WR ZKDW WKH +RO\ 6SLULW LV PXFK OHVV KRZ WR UHFHLYH +LP :KHQ , ZDV D QHZ &KULVWLDQ , FRXOG QRW HYHQ FRPH FORVH WR D SURSHU GHVFULSWLRQ RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW EXW LW LV YHU\ LPSRUWDQW WKDW ZH XQGHUVWDQG RXU

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What the Holy Spirit Is Not

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Characteristics of the Holy Spirit

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God ,W LV HYLGHQW WKDW WKH +RO\ 6SLULW LV RQ RXU VLGH +H LV D JLIW IURP *RG WKDW UHQHZV XV DQG WUDQVIRUPV XV LQWR WKH /RUG¶V LPDJH +H VWUHQJWKHQV WKH ORYH RI *RG LQ RXU KHDUWV DQG KHOSV XV LQ RXU ZHDNQHVVHV 7KDW LV FHUWDLQO\ D ZRQGHUIXO JLIW WR UHFHLYH 7KH +RO\ 6SLULW WHVWLILHV RI -HVXV +H PDNHV XVH RI D YHU\ SRZHUIXO ZHDSRQ DQG VSHDNV H[SUHVVO\ WKURXJK WKH :RUG RI *RG ZKLFK LV VKDUSHU WKDQ DQ\ WZR HGJHG VZRUG +HEUHZV 3DXO VDLG “Take the... sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (SKHVLDQV :KHQ D PDQ DQG ZRPDQ DUH HQJDJHG WR EH PDUULHG DQ HQJDJHPHQW ULQJ LV JLYHQ WR WKH ODG\ 7KLV ULQJ LV D SURPLVH WKDW WKH FRXSOH ZLOO VRRQ EH PDUULHG DQG VKDUH D OLIHWLPH WRJHWKHU ,Q WKH VDPH ZD\ *RG¶V JLIW RI WKH LQGZHOOLQJ +RO\ 6SLULW LV +LV VXUH SURPLVH WR XV WKDW ZH ZLOO VKDUH DQ HWHUQLW\ LQ KHDYHQ ZLWK +LP 7KDW LV H[DFWO\ ZKDW *RG VD\V WKURXJK 3DXO LQ &RULQWKLDQV “Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a GUARANTEE.” 7KLQN RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW DV D VHDO RU D PDUN , RQFH FRDFKHG D OLWWOH OHDJXH EDVHEDOO WHDP (DFK VXPPHU , KDG WR FHUWLI\ HDFK SOD\HU E\ UHYLHZLQJ WKHLU ELUWK FHUWLILFDWH ZKLFK FRQWDLQHG WKH VWDWH VHDO DW WKH ERWWRP 7KH VHDO LGHQWLILHG WKH ELUWK FHUWLILFDWH DV OHJLWLPDWH DQG DOORZHG WKH SOD\HU WR SDUWLFLSDWH ,Q D VLPLODU ZD\ *RG KDV SXW D VHDO RI LGHQWLILFDWLRQ RQ HYHU\ &KULVWLDQ 7KH %LEOH VD\V “You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (SKHVLDQV &KULVWLDQV DUH VSHFLDO SHRSOH ZLWK VSHFLDO SURPLVHV 7KH +RO\ 6SLULW *RG¶V VHDO LGHQWLILHV XV DV UHFLSLHQWV RI WKHVH VSHFLDO SURPLVHV 1RZ VRPH RI \RX PD\ EH DVNLQJ ³+RZ GR , JHW WKLV ZRQGHUIXO JLIW RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW"´ , DP JODG \RX DVNHG /HW XV ILQG RXW

How Do I Receive the Holy Spirit?

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Conclusion:

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Evidences

If These Things Are True, How Do We Explain the Facts? 1HDO 3ROODUG ,I WKH WKHRU\ RI HYROXWLRQ LV WUXH ZK\ KDYHQÂśW WKH\ IRXQG DQ\ WUDQVLWLRQDO IRVVLOV" &KDUOHV 'DUZLQ RQ SDJH RI KLV WRPH 2ULJLQ RI 6SHFLHV VDLG Âł:K\ LV QRW HYHU\ JHRORJLFDO IRUPDWLRQ DQG HYHU\ VWUDWXP IXOO RI VXFK LQWHUPHGLDWH OLQNV" *HRORJ\ DVVXUHGO\ GRHV QRW UHYHDO DQ\ VXFK ILQHO\ JUDGXDWHG RUJDQLF FKDLQ DQG WKLV LV WKH PRVW REYLRXV DQG VHULRXV REMHFWLRQ ZKLFK FDQ EH XUJHG DJDLQVW WKH WKHRU\ ´ $OPRVW \HDUV RI DUFKDHRORJLFDO GLJJLQJ DQG DQ LQFUHGLEOH YROXPH RI IRVVLO ILQGLQJV ODWHU WKH REMHFWLRQ VKRXOG EH HYHQ VWURQJHU ,I WKH GRFXPHQWDU\ K\SRWKHVLV FRQFHUQLQJ WKH DXWKRU RI WKH ERRNV DWWULEXWHG WR 0RVHV LV WUXH ZK\ FDQÂśW WKH\ ILQG HYHQ RQH FRS\ RU IUDJPHQW" 7KH LGHD WKDW ODWHU VFULEHV DQG SHQPDQ ZURWH WKH ILUVW ILYH ERRNV RI WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW VRPH DOPRVW \HDUV DIWHU WKH WLPH 0RVHV OLYHG LV ZLGHO\ EHOLHYHG DPRQJ OLEHUDO UHOLJLRXV VFKRODUV 7KDW WKHUH DUH QR FRSLHV RU IUDJPHQWV RI WKHVH SRVW 0RVHV ZULWHUV KDV QRW GRQH PXFK WR GHIXVH WKH ]HDO RI WKRVH ZKR WHDFK LW 1HLWKHU LV DQ\ DWWHPSW JLYHQ WR H[SODLQ RU UHEXW WKH PDQ\ VWDWHPHQWV LQ WKH 3HQWDWHXFK FODLPLQJ WKDW 0RVHV ZURWH WKH ERRNV ([RGXV 1XPEHUV ÂłThen the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.’ So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant.â€? ([RGXV “... So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. And Moses commanded them, saying: ‘At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and

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a book every christian should read 7UDYLV / 4XHUWHUPRXV 1R ,¶P QRW UHIHUULQJ WR WKH %LEOH DOWKRXJK FHUWDLQO\ HYHU\ &KULVWLDQ VKRXOG UHDG LW GDLO\ ,QVWHDG , DP UHIHUULQJ WR RQH RI P\ IDYRULWH ERRNV 7KH :DUUHQ )OHZ 'HEDWH , UHDG LW IRU WKH ILUVW WLPH ZKHQ , ZDV \HDUV ROG DQG LW LQVSLUHG P\ OLIH ORQJ SDVVLRQ IRU &KULVWLDQ HYLGHQFHV 7KH GHEDWH LWVHOI ZDV RQ WKH H[LVWHQFH RI *RG 7KH GLVSXWDQWV ZHUH 'U 7KRPDV % :DUUHQ UHSUHVHQWLQJ WKH /RUG¶V FKXUFK DQG 'U $QWKRQ\ * 1 )OHZ ZKR ZDV WKH OHDGLQJ DWKHLVWLF WKLQNHU LQ WKH ZRUOG DW WKDW WLPH $W WKH WLPH RI WKH GHEDWH 6HSWHPEHU EURWKHU :DUUHQ ZDV D SURIHVVRU RI 3KLORVRSK\ RI 5HOLJLRQ DQG $SRORJHWLFV DW +DUGLQJ *UDGXDWH 6FKRRO RI 5HOLJLRQ LQ 0HPSKLV 71 DQG WKH HGLWRU RI The Spiritual Sword. 'U )OHZ ZDV D SURIHVVRU RI SKLORVRSK\ DW 5HDGLQJ 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ (QJODQG 7KH GLVFXVVLRQ ZDV KHOG RQ WKH FDPSXV RI ZKDW ZDV WKHQ NQRZQ DV 1RUWK 7H[DV 6WDWH 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ 'HQWRQ 7; $W WKH WLPH EHFDXVH RI WKH VXEMHFW PDWWHU DQG WKH UHQRZQ RI HDFK RI WKH VSHDNHUV LW ZDV ELOOHG ³7KH 'HEDWH RI WKH &HQWXU\´ )LYH WKRXVDQG WR VHYHQ WKRXVDQG SHRSOH DWWHQGHG HDFK QLJKW 'U )OHZ ZDV LQ WKH DIILUPDWLYH ILUVW DQG GHIHQGHG WKH SURSRVLWLRQ “I know that God does not exist.” %URWKHU :DUUHQ GHQLHG WKDW SRVLWLRQ 7KLV ZDV XQXVXDO LQ GHEDWHV RQ WKH H[LVWHQFH RI *RG EHFDXVH LW LV XVXDOO\ WKH DWKHLVW WKDW LV DWWDFNLQJ WKHLVP UDWKHU WKDQ KDYLQJ WR GHIHQG KLV XQEHOLHI ,Q WKLV 'U )OHZ XWWHUO\ IDLOHG %URWKHU :DUUHQ WRRN DWKHLVP RXW EHKLQG WKH LQWHOOHFWXDO ZRRGVKHG LQ WKLV GHEDWH

Evidences 7KH ODVW WZR QLJKWV RI WKH GHEDWH EURWKHU :DUUHQ ZDV LQ WKH DIILUPDWLYH DQG KH GHIHQGHG WKH SURSRVLWLRQ “I know that God does exist.” 'U )OHZ RI FRXUVH GHQLHG WKDW :LWK PDVWHUIXO ORJLF EURWKHU :DUUHQ VKRZHG EH\RQG D VKDGRZ RI D GRXEW WKDW *RG does H[LVW DQG 'U )OHZ ZDV XWWHUO\ XQDEOH WR DQVZHU DQ\ RI KLV DUJXPHQWV RQFH DJDLQ H[SRVLQJ DWKHLVP IRU WKH EDUUHQ SKLORVRSK\ LW WUXO\ LV $V EURWKHU :DUUHQ UHSHDWHGO\ SRLQWHG RXW WKH ZHDNQHVV ZDV QRW LQ WKH PDQ IRU 'U )OHZ ZDV D ZRUOG UHQRZQHG VFKRODU EXW LQ WKH ZHDNQHVV RI KLV DWKHLVWLF SRVLWLRQ $Q LQWHUHVWLQJ SRVWVFULSW WR WKLV GHEDWH FDPH \HDUV ODWHU ZKHQ 'U )OHZ UHQRXQFHG DWKHLVP +LV ODVW SXEOLVKHG ERRN ZDV 7KHUH ,V D *RG 7KH VXE WLWOH ZDV “How the world’s most notorious atheist changed his mind.”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“...contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” -XGH $Q\RQH ZKR UHDGV WKLV GHEDWH ZLWK DQ RSHQ PLQG ZLOO FRPH DZD\ FRQYLQFHG WKDW *RG H[LVWV DQG WKDW DWKHLVP LV SXUH KRNXP = 7UDYLV / 4XHUWHUPRXV ZRUNV ZLWK WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW LQ 'H[WHU 0LVVRXUL 86$

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Salvation

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But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? /XNH

The Church

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Contrasts: The young man stood among the strangers, looking around nervously, watching for an opening to get to the door and leave. He felt that he must be invisible, hearing all the greetings going on around him, yet no one seemed to “see� him. Yes, the Bible lesson had been good, even uplifting, but where was the welcome, the warmth of inclusion?

The young man stood among the strangers, wondering if he would be expected to remember all the names and faces of those who made it a point to meet him and to say warmly how happy they were that he had come to worship with them. He was glad he had filled out the card for further contact. He thought to himself: “This is like finding a new family!�

Doctrine To Live By

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Behold the Fields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to him who sows righteousness will be a sure reward” 3URYHUEV “he who sows iniquity will reap sorrow” 3URYHUEV :H WKH SHRSOH RI *RG PXVW EH FDUHIXO LQ WKH NLQG RI VHHG ZH DUH SODQWLQJ LQ WKH ILHOGV RI RXU OLYHV EHFDXVH ZH ZLOO UHDS ZKDW ZH VRZ

WKH LQIDOOLEOH :RUG RI *RG ² WKH *RVSHO ² WR WKH *HQWLOHV ZURWH WR WKH FKXUFK RI WKH *DODWLDQV KH DIILUPHG “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he shall also reap”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¶W VHW RXU PLQGV RQ

Christianity In Action OHDUQLQJ DQG DUH DOOXUHG E\ ZKDW ZH VHH DQG EHFRPH VODYHV RI WKH SDVVLQJ SOHDVXUHV RI VLQ ZH FDQ EH DVVXUHG WKDW PDQ\ OLIH NLOOHU GLVHDVHV ZLOO DGKHUH WR XV DQG VORZO\ VZDOORZ RXU KHDOWK DQG ZHDOWK %XW UDWKHU LI ZH ZRUN KDUG DQG VXSSOLFDWH WR RXU *RG ³WR EOHVV RXU KDUYHVW ´ DQG LI ZH VHW ULJKW DOO RXU GHHGV ZLWK WKH OLJKW RI WKH %LEOH ZH ZLOO VXUHO\ EH EOHVVHG DV WKH PDQ DIWHU *RG¶V KHDUW ² 'DYLG ² VDLG “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” 3VDOP :H :LOO 5HDS 0RUH 7KDQ :KDW :H 6RZ

-HVXV &KULVW RI 1D]DUHWK FDPH GRZQ IURP KHDYHQ WR VDYH WKH VLQIXO ZRUOG 7KLV JUHDW WHDFKHU SURFODLPHG “…unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it produces much grain” -RKQ 'LG \RX QRWLFH ZKDW RXU EHORYHG /RUG VD\V" ,I D JUDLQ IDOOV LQWR WKH HDUWK DQG JURZV LW JLYHV PXFK IUXLW 6R OHW XV EH FDUHIXO VSLULWXDOO\ EHFDXVH ZKDW ZH VRZ LQ WKLV OLIH ZLOO \LHOG PDQLIROG LQ WKLV OLIH DQG LQ HWHUQLW\ 2XU /RUG KDV SURPLVHG “I am coming quickly and my reward is with me, to give every one according to his work”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Press Toward the Goal :D\QH %DUULHU 7KH DSRVWOH 3DXO ZURWH LQ 3KLOLSSLDQV WKDW KH ZDV “pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.â€? +H VWDWHG LQ WKH SUHYLRXV YHUVH WKDW KH ZDV “forgetting those things which were behind and was reaching forward to those things which are ahead.â€? 7KHVH ZRUGV IURP 3DXO ZHUH ZULWWHQ DW WKH WLPH KH DOVR ZURWH LQ &RORVVLDQV DQG VDLG WKDW HYHU\ FUHDWXUH XQGHU KHDYHQ KDG KHDUG WKH *RVSHO 3DXOÂśV ZRUN ZDV WR WDNH WKH *RVSHO WR WKH QRQ -HZLVK ZRUOG 7KH MRE KDG EHHQ GRQH :K\ ZDV KH PDNLQJ VWDWHPHQWV WKDW LQGLFDWHG WKDW KH ZDV XQGHU SUHVVXUH WR PRYH IRUZDUG DQG KDG XUJHQW ZRUN WR GR" +H FRXOG KDYH WDONHG DERXW KLV VXFFHVV +H GLGQÂśW EHFDXVH HYHQ WKRXJK DOO KDG KHDUG WKH *RVSHO PRVW KDG QRW REH\HG 7KHUH ZDV PXFK PRUH WR EH GRQH :H KDYH PXFK PXFK PRUH WR GR WRGD\ &RXQWOHVV PLOOLRQV SDVV LQWR HWHUQLW\ HYHU\ \HDU WKDW DUH QRW UHDG\ WR PHHW *RG LQ MXGJPHQW +RZ GR ZH ILQG PRWLYDWLRQ WR SUHVV IRUZDUG" 3DXO WROG XV KRZ +H VDLG LQ 3KLOLSSLDQV â€œâ€Śbrethren join in following my example and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.â€? +H WKHQ GLVFXVVHG VHYHUDO WKLQJV WKDW ZHUH VRXUFHV RI HQFRXUDJHPHQW DV KH SUHVVHG IRUZDUG 7KHVH DUH VXPPDUL]HG DV IROORZV z 2XU FLWL]HQVKLS LV LQ KHDYHQ DQG FLWL]HQV HQMR\ *RGÂśV EOHVVLQJV WRGD\ 3KLOLSSLDQV

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“All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name� 3VDOP “O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker� 3VDOP “All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name� 3VDOP

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Jehovah God said, “I am the Lord thy God...Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God...� ([RGXV ‰ ‰ ‰

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“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight� $FWV

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“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers� $FWV ‰ ‰ ‰

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“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them� 0DWWKHZ ‰ ‰ ‰

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“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayersâ€? $FWV prayersâ€? “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lordâ€? (SKHVLDQV “Study to shew thyself approved unto God...â€? 7LPRWK\ “Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I comeâ€? &RULQWKLDQV ‰ 7R VLQJ SUD\ VWXG\ SDUWDNH RI WKH /RUGÂśV 6XSSHU DQG WR JLYH D SRUWLRQ RI RQHÂśV HDUQLQJV ‰ :KDWHYHU WKH ORFDO FKXUFK GHFLGHV WR GR

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*RG FDQQRW DQG KDV QRW OLHG GXULQJ DOO WKH SDVW WLPH ,W LV LP SRVVLEOH IRU +LP WR EH DJDLQVW +LP VHOI DFFRUGLQJ WR +HEUHZV “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...�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Daily Christian Living

In a Time of Persecution, Can I Stand? Stand ? %HWW\ %XUWRQ &KRDWH It’s a question that should haunt every serious Christian: If my life were threatened, or if the lives of my children or loved ones were threatened if I did not renounce Christianity, how would I stand? Probably none of us know the answer until we are faced with the reality, and we pray we would then have the courage of first century Christians. We live in a time of relative ease: financially, physically, spiritually. We’re not hungry. We don’t keep a constant watch behind us because of fear of attack. We can worship as we choose, when we choose, without challenge. We have access to God’s word in multiple translations, with any additional aids we desire — concordances, commentaries, word studies, Internet tools, etc. Looking at the blessings listed in the previous paragraph we should conclude that we, of this age and in this country, are basking in the sunlight of God’s love. As a Father — our perfect and heavenly Father — He would want to shower those good things on His children. And as faithful children, we are grateful for the outpouring of our Father’s love. In the midst of our ease and abundance, though, we would do well to remember God’s warning to the Israelites as they were about to enter the

Daily Christian Living land that was flowing with milk and honey: “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest — when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God...� (Deuteronomy 8:10-14). Sadly, in the past few decades, God’s warning to the Israelites also describes many Christians. Preachers and church leaders have grown increasingly desirous of ignoring doctrinal messages while concentrating on teaching the Bible only as history and as guidance in life’s morals and values. On the part of some, the silence concerning the oneness of the church, the doctrine of salvation, the New Testament pattern of worship, marriage and divorce, and other “divisive� matters is an attempt to avoid offending their religious neighbors and weak Christians. For others, the silence becomes compromise and ultimate blending with the denominational world, seeing all “believers� as part of the true body of Christ. The result of decades of silence is that many Christians have such shallow knowledge of God’s word that they have no foundation on which to stand. In addition to the silence from the pulpit and elders, the attention of many Christians has been focused on the world: getting ahead financially, having all the niceties of life, enjoying entertainment: sports, TV, video games, time-consuming nothings that eat up their days. For many, with both husband and wife working five days a week in order to “get ahead� in the material world, then taking part in their children’s extracurricular school activities, preparing meals, taking care of the house and yard, etc., etc., there is no time for carefully training up their children or for grounding the family in a strong spiritual life. “...and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble� (Mark 4:17). Without strong foundational knowledge of God’s word and without deep conviction that we must hold fast to our faith in order to obtain the

Daily Christian Living promise of eternal life with God, many Christians are totally defenceless before the increasing onslaughts we are facing. The world grows more menacing to us every day. Judicial decisions are being made that threaten our right to stand for biblical principles: protection for the unborn, proper discipline and parenting of our children, the condemnation of the practice of homosexuality, the sanctity of marriage — shielding it from “no fault” divorce, from same-sex unions, from polygamy, and from the “live in” practice that has become accepted by many today. Legally, businesses are being required to do the bidding of homosexuals; there is a growing political move to declare that sermons condemning homosexuality as a sin in God’s eyes should be labeled “hate crimes” and prosecuted accordingly. Must a preacher perform the ceremony for homosexuals or risk imprisonment because of his refusal? When our justice system has been overturned to the point that we cannot follow particular laws without transgressing God’s clear word, will we stand for truth in the face of persecution? Will we go to prison rather than compromise? Atheism and humanism have been in league for many decades to destroy our biblically-based culture. Now another threat is taking hold in many areas of the world: radical Islam. Their stated goal is to destroy the “western culture” that has already been largely corrupted by these atheistic assaults on our civilization. In parts of the world where Islamists hold full power, they are brutally slaughtering believers in Christ, strongly convinced that they are doing “Allah’s” will. Muslims are proving every day that they are willing to die for Islam. Often, Christians in those nations are accused of “blasphemy” and are hauled off to prison. Before there can be a “trial”, a mob may stone them to death or hang them publicly for their “crime” against Islam. The “jihadis” may not incorporate all Muslims but they serve as the military for the developing caliphate, which all will accept or die. Brothers and sisters in Christ, I beg of all of us that we ask ourselves this vital question NOW: “In a time of persecution, can I endure?” NOW, we still have time to immerse ourselves in God’s word and commitment to Him so that we CAN stand. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall

Daily Christian Living tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35). = = %HWW\ %XUWRQ &KRDWH LV WKH ZLGRZ RI - & &KRDWH OLYLQJ LQ :LQRQD 0LVVLVVLSSL 86$

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Daily Christian Living

The Lord Formed Man /R\ 0LWFKHOO

“And the Lord formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living beingâ€? *HQHVLV *RG PDGH PDQ IURP WKH GXVW 7KLV GRHV QRW PHDQ WKDW PDQ LV ÂłRQO\´ GXVW <HW VFLHQWLVWV WHOO XV WKDW PDQÂśV ERG\ KDV WKH VDPH SURSHUWLHV DV GXVW 7KLV VKRXOG PDNH XV UHDOL]H RXU ORZO\ RULJLQ RXU HVVHQWLDO IUDLOW\ DQG WKH GHVWLQ\ RI WKH SK\VLFDO ERG\ “All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dustâ€? (FFOHVLDVWHV (YHQ WKRXJK ZH DUH PDGH RI GXVW ZH KDYH EHHQ IDVKLRQHG E\ WKH KDQG RI *RG :KHQ RQH FRQVLGHUV FDUHIXOO\ WKH V\PPHWU\ SURSRUWLRQ DQG DGMXVWPHQW RI WKH KXPDQ ERG\ ZKHQ RQH H[DPLQHV WKH KDQG H\H DQG EUDLQ KH PXVW DJUHH ZLWK WKH 3VDOPLVW “I will praise you, for I am

Picture used with permission: (c)2006 www.TheGloryStory.com

Daily Christian Living fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very wellâ€? 3VDOP *RG KDV SODFHG D KLJK YDOXH RQ WKH KXPDQ ERG\ IRU LW KRXVHV WKH +RO\ 6SLULW “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?â€? &RULQWKLDQV +RZHYHU RI PRUH LPSRUWDQFH *RG JDYH PDQ D VRXO ,W LV WUXH WKDW *RG JDYH WKH DQLPDOV OLIH EXW WKHLUV LV RQO\ PRUWDO ZKLOH PDQÂśV VRXO OLYHV IRUHYHU “Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth?â€? (FFOHVLDVWHV “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was and the spirit will return to God who gave itâ€? (FFOHVLDVWHV 0DQ LV JRLQJ WR VSHQG HWHUQLW\ VRPHSODFH (DFK SHUVRQ PDNHV WKH FKRLFH 3DXO WHOOV XV “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’sâ€? &RULQWKLDQV $UH \RX JLYLQJ JORU\ WR *RG E\ VHUYLQJ +LP GDLO\" = = /R\ 0LWFKHOO SUHDFKHV IRU WKH FKXUFK LQ .QRWW 7H[DV 86$

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Love Is... Sheila Gibson Love is perhaps the most over-used and least understood word in any language. But what is its essence? To love without condition means selƀess reaching out, a giving up, putting the other person ſrst. Love forgives, and doesn’t look back. Love holds on, and doesn’t give up. Love doesn’t measure past faults. Love stands up and braces against the challenges of life. Love is strong. Love is soft. Love is amazing when you feel it ƀowing out, and overpowering when it comes in like a tide. The greatest love is not found in a season of new. It can only be fully discovered and revered in maturity. How can we know what we have without comparison, without recognizing we’ve weathered and grown? And how can we know how strong love is unless it has been through the ſre? We can only know we love unconditionally when we’ve confronted conditions.

The beautiful moments make the photos, the Facebook page, the Twitter feed. The hard times make the love. It is the hard times that tell you if you have the real thing or the pretty thing, the last-a-lifetime connection or the last-aslong-as-it-feels-good relationship. There are plenty of those around, and yes, it is easy to mistake one for the other. Who doesn’t like it when it feels good? No one has the answers, a formula worked out neat and predictable, least of all me. But I know it when I see it. And I know it is worth having, worth working for. On a day of icons, roses and chocolates and pretty cards, if you’re receiving or giving, I hope you’ll enjoy the moment. Just know...the real thing is likely to show up on a Tuesday, disguised as something not glamorous, not photoworthy, even unexpected. And I guarantee...the Tuesday moment when love is demonstrated, not with beauty and ceremony, but in a ƀash of nitty-gritty, real life, and inconvenience...look there for the meaning, for the stamp of belonging. Look to those moments to see love in all its power, showing up without the disguise of romance, standing in the gap and holding ſrm when you need it most and maybe deserve it least. We can all be pretty and sweet on date night. But on a Tuesday...that’s when the real thing happens, and the bonds are forged. And may your Tuesdays be beautiful too, full of opportunity to give and receive real love, without condition, with all your heart. KWWS JUDFHDQGOLIH FRP KWWSV ZZZ HWV\ FRP VKRS >RQ WKDW VLWH VHDUFK IRU 7KH 3DSHU,PDJH@

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“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ... Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. ... ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’� flesh’ (SKHVLDQV .

The Christian Home

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Bible Questions

What About the Ten Commandments? 5XVVHO * %HOO 7KH TXHVWLRQ FRPHV WR PH Âł,I ZH DUH QRW XQGHU WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW ZKLFK LQFOXGHV WKH 7HQ &RPPDQGPHQWV GRHV WKDW PHDQ ZH DUH QR ORQJHU XQGHU WKH 7HQ &RPPDQGPHQWV"´ <RX PLJKW EH VKRFNHG EXW \HV LW FHUWDLQO\ GRHV 'RHV WKDW PHDQ ZH FDQ NLOO VWHDO FRPPLW DGXOWHU\ HWF " &HUWDLQO\ QRW IRU WKHVH ODZV DUH LQFOXGHG LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW ZLWK WKH H[FHSWLRQ RI RQH RI WKH 7HQ &RPPDQGPHQWV “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holyâ€? ([RGXV 7KDW LV ZK\ &KULVWLDQV QR ORQJHU ZRUVKLS RQ 6DWXUGD\ ² WKH 6DEEDWK ² EXW RQ 6XQGD\ WKH /RUGÂśV 'D\ WKH ILUVW GD\ RI WKH ZHHN WKH UHVXUUHFWLRQ GD\ RI RXU /RUG LQ KRQRU RI +LP ZKR GLHG IRU XV :H KDYH QR FRPPDQG LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW WR REH\ WKH 6DEEDWK GD\ DQG NHHS LW KRO\ \HW WKH RWKHU QLQH RI WKH RULJLQDO 7HQ &RPPDQGPHQWV DUH WKHUH ZLWK HODERUDWLRQ WKDW UHDFKHV WR WKH KHDUW RI HDFK RQH 7KLV LV QR PLVWDNH EXW LV WKH ZLOO RI *RG IRU PDQ WRGD\ 5HPHPEHU WKH ZRUGV RI WKH DSRVWOH 3DXO LQ 5RPDQV “Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another — to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.â€? ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV ZKHQ &KULVW GLHG RQ WKH FURVV WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW /DZ LQFOXGLQJ WKH 7HQ &RPPDQGPHQWV ZDV WDNHQ RXW RI WKH ZD\ “But now we have been delivered from the

Bible Questions law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.â€? 5RPDQV 6KRXOG \RX IROORZ D ODZ IURP ZKLFK &KULVW KDV GHOLYHUHG \RX" &HUWDLQO\ QRW DQG WKDW LV ZK\ ZH IROORZ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW RI -HVXV &KULVW “... clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. ... But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. ... But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by = the Spirit of the /RUG´ &RULQWKLDQV = 5XVVHO * %HOO LV LQYROYHG LQ IXOO WLPH PLVVLRQ ZRUN LQ ,QGLD

Law or “in God’s Image�?

Was “the Law of Moses� God’s first law for humanity? Was it wrong for Adam and Eve to disobey God? How did they know it was a shame for them to be naked? Was it wrong for Cain to kill Abel? How was it determined that, prior to the flood, “every intent of the thoughts of [man’s] heart was only evil continually�, when there was evidently no written law? Humans were made “in the image of God� with a builtin consciousness of the basic truths of right and wrong enumerated in the Mosaic law. Jesus re-stated them as eternal truths that are written in the hearts of all men, whether they choose to obey their conscience or not.

Bible Questions

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Bible Questions 6$1&78$5< ,1 7+( 2/' 7(67$0(17 ,Q WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW WKH VDQFWXDU\ DQG WHPSOH ZHUH WR EH UHYHUHQFHG DV KRO\ )URP WKH IROORZLQJ SDVVDJHV WKH\ ZHUH D SDUW RI -HKRYDK ZRUVKLS “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them� ([RGXV “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord� /HYLWLFXV “Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament!� 3VDOP >$OO 6FULSWXUH UHIHUHQFHV DUH IURP WKH 1HZ .LQJ -DPHV 9HUVLRQ XQOHVV RWKHUZLVH QRWHG @ ,W LV REVHUYHG WKDW WKH 6DEEDWK DQG VDQFWXDU\ ZHUH LQ WKH VDPH YHUVH ZKLFK VKRZV ERWK ZHUH RI WKH 2OG &RYHQDQW -HVXV FOHDQVHG WKH WHPSOH ZKLFK ZDV KRO\ “Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a ‘den of thieves’� 0DWWKHZ 7KLV UHEXNH GRHV QRW DSSO\ WR WKH &KULVWLDQ DJH LQ RXU FKXUFK DXGLWRULXP ,Q WKH WLPH EHWZHHQ WKH WHVWDPHQWV WKH WHPSOH ZDV GHVHFUDWHG E\ D 6\ULDQ KHDWKHQ HPSHURU $QWLRFKXV (SLSKDQHV LQ % & +H FRQTXHUHG PDQ\ FRXQWULHV LQFOXGLQJ -HUXVDOHP +H HUHFWHG LQ WKH WHPSOH D KHDWKHQ LGRO =HXV 2O\PSXV 2Q WKLV LGRO KH RIIHUHG D VRZ SRUN DQG VPHDUHG WKH IXUQLWXUH ZLWK WKH OLTXLG LQ ZKLFK WKH VRZ ZDV FRRNHG +H ZDV FDSWXUHG E\ -XGDV WKH 0DFFDEHDQ $QWLRFKXV YLRODWHG WKH WHPSOH WKDW ZDV KRO\ Digest of the Bible S

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Bible Questions inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises ... In that He says, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish awayâ€? +HEUHZV (DUO\ FKXUFKHV PHW LQ KRPHV ,Q RXU GLVSHQVDWLRQ &KULVWLDQV DUH QRW UHTXLUHG WR JR WR WKH WHPSOH 6WHSKHQ WKH PDUW\U VWDWHG WKDW ZH FDQ ZRUVKLS DQ\ SODFH “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with handsâ€? $FWV 3DXO DOVR FRQILUPHG WKH VDPH WUXWK “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with handsâ€? $FWV &KULVW WDXJKW D XQLYHUVDO SODFH “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of themâ€? 0DWWKHZ 7KH ÂłJDWKHULQJ WRJHWKHU´ ZLWK &KULVW LV ZKDW LV LPSRUWDQW QRW WKH SODFH RI JDWKHULQJ 7KH ZRUVKLS WRGD\ LV LQ WKH “true tabernacleâ€?, ZKLFK LV WKH FKXUFK +HEUHZV VSHDNV RI -HVXV DV “a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man....â€? 7KH “first covenantâ€? KDG D “worldly sanctuary,â€? EXW WKLV LV SDVW “Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuaryâ€? +HEUHZV 7KH 6RPH HDUO\ &KULVWLDQV LQVSLUHG ZULWHU VKRZHG WKDW WKH ROG PHW LQ KLGLQJ DV LQ WKH VDQFWXDU\ KDG DQLPDO VDFULILFH DQG FDWDFRPEV EHFDXVH RI REYLRXVO\ WKH FKXUFK DXGLWRULXP SHUVHFXWLRQ GRHV QRW RIIHU “beastsâ€?. “For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the campâ€? +HEUHZV

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Charts and Outlines

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Charts and Outlines

The Church of Christ

Who are we? What do we believe and practice? 5LFKDUG 7D\ORU Our Motto: ³6SHDN ZKHUH WKH %LEOH VSHDNV EH VLOHQW ZKHUH WKH %LEOH LV VLOHQW GR %LEOH WKLQJV LQ %LEOH ZD\V DQG FDOO %LEOH WKLQJV E\ %LEOH QDPHV ´ Our Creed: -HVXV LV WKH VRQ RI *RG 3KLOLSSLDQV +HEUHZV 0DWWKHZ Who Are We? -XVW &KULVWLDQV QRWKLQJ PRUH QRWKLQJ OHVV $FWV How Did We Become Christians? %\ IROORZLQJ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW SDWWHUQ DQG E\ GRLQJ ZKDW WKH ¿ UVW FHQWXU\ SHRSOH GLG z 7KH\ KHDUG WKH ZRUG RI *RG 5RPDQV z 7KH\ EHOLHYHG ZKDW ZDV SUHDFKHG WR WKHP DERXW -HVXV $FWV z 7KDW +H ZDV WKH 6RQ RI *RG 0DWWKHZ z 7KDW +H FDPH WR HDUWK LQ WKH À HVK -RKQ z 7KDW +H OLYHG ZLWKRXW VLQ &RULQWKLDQV z 7KDW +H GLHG RQ WKH FURVV IRU WKH VLQV RI WKH ZRUOG 3HWHU z 7KDW KH URVH IURP WKH GHDG WKH WKLUG GD\ &RULQWKLDQV z +DYLQJ EHOLHYHG WKH\ UHSHQWHG RI WKHLU VLQV $FWV z 7KH\ FRQIHVVHG +LP EHIRUH PHQ $FWV z 7KH\ ZHUH EDSWL]HG LQ WKH QDPH RI -HVXV $FWV God Then Added Them to the Church $FWV *RG GRHV WKH DGGLQJ QRW PHQ $V REHGLHQW EHOLHYHUV WKH\ ZHUH QRZ &KULV WLDQV As Christians *RG¶V FKLOGUHQ :H PHHW RQ WKH VW GD\ RI WKH ZHHN DV GLG WKH HDUO\ &KULVWLDQV :KDW GR ZH GR ZKHQ ZH PHHW"

Charts and Outlines z :H VWXG\ *RGÂśV ZRUG 7LPRWK\ z :H VLQJ SUDLVHV WR *RG (SKHVLDQV z :H SUD\ WR *RG WKURXJK &KULVW -RKQ z :H HDW 7KH /RUGÂśV 6XSSHU >EUHDG DQG IUXLW RI WKH YLQH@ /XNH $FWV Âś z :H JLYH DV ZH KDYH SURVSHUHG &RULQWKLDQV We Call Ourselves “The Church of Christâ€?, EHFDXVH WKH FKXUFK EHORQJV WR &KULVW 5RPDQV %XW WKH %LEOH DOVR XVHV RWKHU H[SUHVVLRQV z 7KH FKXUFK &RULQWKLDQV (SKHVLDQV z 7KH KRXVH RI *RG +HEUHZV z 7KH NLQJGRP RI *RG &RULQWKLDQV *DODWLDQV z 7KH ERG\ RI &KULVW (SKHVLDQV &RORVVLDQV z 7KH IDPLO\ RI *RG (SKHVLDQV Our Work: z 6DYLQJ VRXOV 0DWWKHZ z (GLI\LQJ RQH DQRWKHU 7KHVVDORQLDQV z 'RLQJ JRRG WR DOO PHQ *DODWLDQV z %HLQJ D OLJKW WR WKH ZRUOG 0DWWKHZ Our Hope: (WHUQDO OLIH “Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior...â€? 7LWXV ,I IROORZLQJ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW SDWWHUQ EHLQJ D &KULVWLDQ RQO\ VSHDNLQJ ZKHUH WKH %LEOH VSHDNV DQG EHLQJ VLOHQW ZKHUH WKH %LEOH LV VLOHQW DSSHDOV WR \RX ZH LQYLWH \RX WR EHFRPH D PHPEHU RI WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW FKXUFK WKH FKXUFK WKDW -HVXV EXLOW = 5LFKDUG 7D\ORU $VVRFLDWH 0LQLVWHU RI WKH 0LGZD\ &KXUFK RI &KULVW LQ 8WLFD 0LV VLVVLSSL 86$

From The Heart OF...

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The Crucifixion of Jesus

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The Cross

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The Physical Suffering of Christ

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(from Page 37 ) 1. speech; wisdom 2. Jesus Christ and Him crucified 3. in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling 4. demonstration of the Spirit and of power 5. that their faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God 6. mature 7. mystery 8. crucified the Lord of glory (from page 43 ) 9. Isaiah 64:4; 65:17 10. all things, the deep things of God 11. the Spirit of God 12. the Spirit Who is from God 13. the Holy Spirit 14. as foolishness 15. they can only be discerned spiritually 16. all things 17. the mind of Christ

Bible Find

Scavenger Hunt (page 84) Answers: 1. Fourteen each: Matthew 1:17 2. Locust and wild honey: 3:4 3. Forty days and forty nights: 4:2 4. Peter and Andrew; James and John: 4:18, 21 5. Capernaum: 8:5-13

6. His birthday: 14:1-12 7. Seven: 15:32-39 8. Moses and Elijah: 17:1-7 9. Caesar: 22:15-22 10. Barabbas: 27:15-26

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inside back cover.indd 159

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There are precious identifications with God in the emotions we, as humans, experience. We are made in God’s image; we have the capacity to feel love, longing, sorrow — yes, what we feel is human-sized, but it is a very real sharing with what God feels toward the souls of mankind! Listen to His words: “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). (1) The omnipresent God is here, in our midst, not sitting off in the distant heavens and merely observing what is going on in the world, as the religions of the East teach. (2) Our behavior elicits response from Him: gladness, singing! It is an amazing thought that the very God of creation can be moved to joyful singing because of something a mere human has done! Through the prophet Hosea, God described His patient and gentle care for His people: “When Israel was a child, I loved him.... I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them...” But in response to their disobedience and idolatry, God cried, “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? ... My heart churns within Me...” (Hosea 11:1,3,4,8).

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V

The

Volume Eighty-Five

oice of Truth

International

Volume 85

We cannot read these words without feeling in our own hearts all the emotions we know toward our own children, or toward the ones to whom we would give spiritual birth through the Gospel — the love, the patience in helping them to take their first stumbling steps, the kissing of the wounds when they fall, the gentleness and love with which we lead them along, easing their burdens whenever we can, even bending down to their little heights to provide whatever care they need. God used these very words to describe His emotionally-induced provisions for His children. But in Israel’s disobedience that required correction, what strong words God used to describe what the thought of that punishment did to His own heart: it churned within Him! What an amazing Father we have! — BBC

The Voice of Truth International

Does God feel emotions?

God’s light shines in a dark world.

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