THE CHURCH IN CORINTH

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Newsletter 255                       V                      August 7, 2011                

                  

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THE CHURCH IN CORINTH

1 Corinthians 3: 1-17

Years ago, many fled Europe to settle in this country to escape the persecutions that were troubling Europe. Many were the result of official state sponsored churches. In England the State church, the Anglican church, In Germany The Lutheran, in Italy Catholic and so forth. Those were State supported to some extent, churches. America was relatively unpopulated at that time and there were few ministers. What there were, often became ”circuit riders” traveling from place to place to conduct services and serve communion at regular intervals.. This resulted in less emphasis on various denominations, and far more family worship using just the Bible as God’s authority. The result was that there came about a movement known simply as the Restoration Movement. Even the Constitution of our land reflect this, desire to be united in faith and not permit one official, State Supported church to be tax supported and have special privileges.

When we went to South Africa in 1953 as missionaries, we encountered, for the first time, State tax supported churches. They had beautiful buildings, but more troubling were the laws that could still be enforced. Worship services in private homes were illegal, and first choice was given to State churches for sites in African areas. One of the requirements to get a site was that you had to have seventy five members living within a walking distance from the site. How does one get that many members without having a building? Fortunately, most people ignored that law, even officials. Many of our services then were held on farms, or in school buildings and applications for sites were made as soon as we could come anywhere near the number. In most cases we already had the sites with derelict buildings on them that had to be replaced as soon as possible.  

When we tell people that we do not represent any denomination and do not have an official Denominational headquarters because Christ is the head of His church, and spoke of it as his body they often say, “But look at the church in Corinth, surely you don’t want to restore that, we don’t want to be like them.” Of course not. Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth were to correct those flaws. Corinth provided the opportunity to deal with many different evil problems. Paul begins by calling them babies in the faith, worldly, not growing. They were filled with jealousy and internal problems and had divided over their favorite leaders.  . 

 1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

 2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

 3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

 4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

As a body, every part of the church has its own function. When our body gets out of balance, we rush for medical treatment. Paul used himself and Apollos as examples. Saying, “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” Planting and watering are important, but remember it is God who gives the increase and it is he we worship.

 5  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

 6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

 7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

 8  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

Each of us has his own special abilities, even though we often work in other areas and ways as well. In Africa one member of our team was an experienced teacher, but was also excellent at working with his hands. He helped the building of many church buildings and the school for training ministers. I, on the other hand, could read and draw up the plans but as a builder had absolutely no experience, so I was elected to be the treasurer and handle the building fund money. I also took on the preparation and printing of the documents needed by the elders, deacons, and ministers, and tracts and booklets of many kinds as were needed. Since that went well with a Bible book store that also became my job. Many of the booklets and tracts stocked in the book shop came from our own press, and were distributed through the shop and our van. (See the pictures attached.)

Here, Paul changes his illustration and compares us to a building, God’s building.  This Godly building is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. We have no message, but that of Christ. He said, “I am the way,”  “no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”  There is no other way, but through Him. If Christ is not the heart of our preaching, we have missed the mark. South Africans build most buildings of brick, and the corners of the building are where they start and with a level and stretched cord they always measure back to that corner.

 9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

 10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

 11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

 13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

 14  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

 15  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

 16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

 17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011

                                             AUGUST

 7th.     Sunday –    1 Chronicles 11, 12,   1 Corinthians 6,   Psalm 92

 8th.    Monday –   1 Chronicles 13, 14, 15,  1 Corinthians 7:1-19, Proverbs 19:11-20

9th.    Tuesday –   1 Chronicles 16, 17,   1 Corinthians 7:20-40,   Psalm 93

10th.    Wednesday -   1 Chronicles 18, 19, 20,   1 Corinthians 8,   Psalm 94:1-11

11th.   Thursday -   1 Chronicles 21, 22,   1 Corinthians 9,   Psalm 94:12-23

12th.   Friday –   1 Chronicles 23, 24,  1 Corinthians 10:1-17,   Proverbs 19:21-29 13th.    Saturday -   1 Chronicles 25, 26,   1 Corinthians 10:18-33,   Psalm 95

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                                          THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

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Warm Up Humor                          

A counselor was helping his kids put their stuff away on their first morning in Summer Camp. He was surprised to see one of the youngsters had an umbrella. The counselor asked, "Why did you bring an umbrella to camp?"

The kid answered, "Did you ever have a mother?"

EACH OF US IS MADE FOR A PURPOSE

Newsletter 254 July 31, 2011

Romans 11:11-24

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

SALVATION OFFERED GENTILES, AFTER JEWS REJECTED CHRIST

12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

PAUL CALLED TO EVANGELIZE THE GENTILES

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

JEWS WERE PAUL’S OWN FLESH

Even though Paul was chosen to go to the Gentiles, because they were his own flesh, a prepared people, he always gave the Jews “first option.”
We once did that with a couple who rented our home while we were back in America for furlough. The rent control board, recognizing improvements we had made to the property, raised their rent, so they chose to buy instead.
Before he turned to the Gentiles, Paul often went to his own nation, and God hardened their hearts. The rest of the world is the benefactor. Others of the Apostles also turned to preaching where there was a ready response. Had they been responsive, probably we would not be believers today. But, verse fifteen goes a little further with the words “what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”

15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

This would be a troubling phrase had he not illustrated it with a familiar illustration.” We are familiar with this practice ourselves but in a different application as a rule. Some trees san have grafts of a different sort grafted in,. It was not a graft, but I asked permission to remove a tree that was in an advanced state of dying Permission was readily given provided I planted another to take its place. I planted three which I had been nursing along in pots, and cut the original back leaving a stump about two feet tall. It promptly sent out shoots from the stump and in a year or two was a tree filled with healthy growth. Far in excess of the original. Who knows, perhaps God is telling us that when the time is right , from the “dead” will arise abundant life.

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

From the root, comes that which produces. We preach the truth, and the truth can set free, but it is God who gives the increase. The e Fruit of the Spirit is saved souls. One commentary suggested that this would happen when the Lord returns. That may be, but God knows when the time is right.

A large part of my African ministry was through printing and publishing. There was a tie when I wanted to change a few hundred miles to a better source of materials, but the time was not ready then. Years later that move was right and the difference was amazing.

17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

GOD MADE US FOR A PURPOSE.

Paul calls our attention that the grafted in branches are not the source of the fruit, the roots are. Interesting that apple branches do not bear the fruit of the root, but still bear apples, while other branches, that are from pear trees, bear pears even on the same plant. The same is true Spiritually. The same Spirit, works with all within his own personality. I personality, on this earth will never shine as great evangelist, or as a musician, and certainly not as a sportsman, but as a behind the scenes quiet worker, yes. God made us all for a certain type of job.

God did not discard his people to make room for other. Verse twenty tells us that they disbelieved, others were grafted in to fill he gap that they left when they withdrew. He does that still, when a believer grows cold and turns away, he will raise up another to fill the gap.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY

31st. Sunday – Jonah 3,4, Romans 16, Proverbs 18:11-24

AUGUST

1st. Monday – 1 Chronicles 1, 1 Corinthians 1:1-17, Psalm 89:46-52
2nd. Tuesday – 1 Chronicles 2, 3, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 90:1-10
3rd Wednesday - 1 Chronicles 4, 5, 1 Corinthians 2, Psalm 90:11-17
4th. Thursday - 1 Chronicles 6, 1 Corinthians 3, Proverbs 19:1-10
5th. Friday – 1 Chronicles 7, 8, 1 Corinthians 4, Psalm 91:1-8
6th. Saturday - 1 Chronicles 9, 10, 1 Corinthians 5, Psalm 91:9-16

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__________


THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Romans 12:1
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Read Phyllis’s latest Book, Search <”Mary’s Letters” by PJ Mills>

Yoke Joke
A big city lawyer was called in on a case between a farmer and a large railroad company. The farmer noticed that his prize cow was missing from the field through which the railroad passed. He filed suit against the railroad company for the value of the cow. The case was to be tried before the justice of the peace in the back room of the general store. The attorney immediately cornered the farmer and tried to get him to settle out of court. The lawyer did his best selling job, keeping the conversation moving and not letting the farmer get much of a word in. The farmer finally agreed to take half of what he was claiming to settle the case. After the farmer signed the release and took the check, the young lawyer couldn't help but gloat a little over his success. He said to the farmer, "You know, I hate to tell you this, but I put one over on you in there. I couldn't have won the case. The engineer was asleep and the fireman was in the caboose when the train went through your farm that morning. I didn't have one witness to put on the stand." The old farmer replied, "Well, I'll tell you, young feller, I was a little worried about winning that case myself. That darned cow came home this morning!"

LAW REPLACED BY GRACE

Newsletter 253 July 24, 2011

Romans 7:7-13 King James Version

SIN DEFINED BY LAW

Aside from the letter to the church in Corinth this letter to the church in Rome contains an abundance of teaching material, and I have over fourteen studies from each book. Even today there is great confusion over the difference between the old and the new testaments. Much of this would be avoided if we regarded the Old Testament as the history of mankind note that it is preparatory to the New Covenant.

Paul had been a Pharisee, tutored by the most brilliant teacher of his time, then personally by Christ after his conversion. He knew the law. He knew the history of his own people. He knew that the law itself was perfect, but it was not the answer to sin. No, it was that which identified what sin is.

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

The law, puts into words basic facts that most nonbelievers, and even the followers of pagan religions accept are wrong.. Many of these people have some concept that it is wrong, to lie, to steal, to murder. The law is not wrong, it has been defined as a “schoolmaster.“ The purpose of the law was to prepare a rebellious, people for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. When they finally arrived at the Jordan river, it was a whole new generation of people who were to launch it’s conquest. Paul used his own history as an example. He had been a terrorist, to put it bluntly, trying to force everyone to follow his leading. He had thought he was serving God, but Jesus had to take a hand with him to get his attention. The result was a chastened, blind young man who was led by the hand to sit and ponder what he had been doing until Ananias came, also reluctantly, to lead him to the truth. His whole life and purpose was changed.

8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13 Was then that which is good made death unto me?

forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

SIN OVERCOME BY GRACE

Christ, the Messiah, did not destroy the law. He fulfilled it. It had completed it’s purpose. It had defined sin, and it had introduced the way to conquer sin through Jesus Christ who had paid the price for our own sin with his own life and who shows a new and better way to live. That is why he said, “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” His purity shows us a better way, and the only way, to enter heaven. He did not tell us to kill our enemies, he tells us to love them. He tells us to pray for them. That is how Stephen could pray, Forgive them for they known not what they do.”

We must not think that becoming a Christian will solve all our problems. No, we are still human, but with something more. We have the Holy Spirit, and we have the assurance where we are going at the end of our physical life here. We each still have our own burdens, but so did Paul. He carried the results of his numerous beatings and stonings, and probably poor eyesight, to his grave. Those things are physical and do not carry over to heaven.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY

24th. Sunday – Hosea 3, 4, Romans 11:1-17, Psalm 89:1-8
25th. Monday – Hosea 5, 6, Romans 11:18-36, Psalm 89:9-13
26th. Tuesday – Hosea 7, 8, Romans 12, Psalm 89:14-18
27th. Wednesday - Hosea 9, 10, Romans 13, Proverbs 18:1-10
28th. Thursday - Hosea 11, 12, Romans 14, Psalm 89:19-29
29th. Friday – Hosea 13, 14, Romans 15:1-16, Psalm 89:30-37
30th. Saturday - Jonah 1, 2, Romans 15:17-33, Psalm 89:38-45

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Questions and discussions
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Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
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__________


THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believrth.”

Romans 10:4
__________

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________

Mountain Neighbors...

Dan, a 35 year old new york stock broker had made it so big on Wall Street that he was able to retire at a young age. Using his wealth, he buys a small cottage in the vermont mountains. After 6 months of hardly any human contact, except for venturing into town for supplies, he hears a knock on his door. He opens the door to find this big, surly, bearded man standing in front of him.
"May I help you," Dan asks.
"The name's Jim, I live 'bout two miles down the road in my cabin," the man says.
"I'm having a party this coming Saturday and I thought I'd invite you seein' that you're new and all here."
Dan accepts the inviation saying, "Great, I haven't been out in six months."
Jim says "I gotta warn ya, there's gon' be a lot a drinkin at this party."
"Well, I've been to all the bars in New York and have held my ground with the best of them," Dan replies.
"A lot of fightin' goes on that these parties too," Jim says.
Dan replies "well, it'll be nice to get out and I think I can hold my own."
Jim offers, "there's also gon' be some wild love making."
"Well I have been alone for the last six months," Dan says with a laugh.
So the two exchange numbers and directions and just as Jim is walking away Dan says "What should I wear?" Jim turns and replies, "Whatever you want, just gon' be us two."

GOD’S ANGER AGAINST SIN

Newsletter 252 July 17, 2011

Romans 1:18-27

King James Version (KJV)

SIN STIRS GOD TO ANGER

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 5:9, Ephesians 5:6, Galatians 3:6, 2Thessalonians 2:6)

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (Acts 14:17, Acts 17:24)

HIS ANGER IS REVEALED IN TWO WAYS.

1. Through natural events, unnaturally violent..
The flood.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, wars, famines
2. Through clear, immediate action
Adam and Eve, Able, The tower of Babel, the plagues of Egypt, Annanias and Saphira, Destruction of Sodom, Wall of Jericho.

HIS POWER IS CLEAR TO BE SEEN

His power holds everything, from every single atom to the universe from flying apart in self destruction. Common sense tells us that these things could not create themselves. The “Big Bang” is yet to come, but it will not be creative in nature. Mankind even struggles with how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, can be one. Some things are taken on faith. If God says, this is fact, and this is what He expects of us, then we need no more.

We all need a savior, because we have all sinned and fallen short. It is just much a sin to know to go good and not do it, as it is to know not to do something and to do it anyway.

We have a loving God who chose to send His own Son as a sacrifice that would make salvation a possibility. (John 3:16)
.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Mark 10:6, Job 12:7-9, Psalm 19:1-6, Jeremiah 5:2)

It is the fool who has said in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1) There is no excuse for even him, for the proof is all about us in what He has made and done.

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (2 Kings 17:15, Jeremiah 2:5, Ephesians 4:17)

One does not have to look very far to find those who flaunt their graduate degrees, but deny God, who made all they see and use in a single week of time. Time is nothing to God. He spoke these things into being. Man struggles to extinguish a simple grass fire; what can he do when the earth itself is burning? .

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Jeremiah 10:14, 1 Corinthians 1:20)

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Deuteronomy 4:16-18, Psalm 106:20, Jeremiah 2:11, Acts 17:29)

The priests of Egypt made a god of almost every creeping animal, thus it was that when God gave the law to Moses, that was forbidden. They were instructed to hate these pagan gods so much that they were to utterly destroy all the people, and even the animals of the promised land. Those people killed their own children as sacrifices to those gods and glorified prostitution in worship to them.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28, Ephesians 4:19, Ephesians 2:3)

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Isaiah 44:20, Jeremiah 10:14, Jeremiah 13:25, Jeremiah 16:19, Romans 9:5, 2 Corinthians 11:31)

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (Romans 1:24, 1 Thessalonians 4:5)

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9)

As we look about us, it is clear that the world is making a complete cycle back to the sins of Scripture. Can we be surprised at the reaction of the anger of God? This is the same God who told Noah to build an ark and by it saved one family out of the millions living on earth at the time. There is one thing that God does hate, that is sin.

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY

17th. Sunday – 2 Kings 23, Romans 6, Psalm 86:1-10
18th. Monday – 2 Kings 24, 25, Romans 7, Psalm 86:11-17
19th. Tuesday – Amos 1, 2, Romans 8:1-17, Proverbs 17:13-20
20th. Wednesday - Amos 3, 4, Romans 8:18-39, Psalm 87
21st. Thursday - Amos 5, 6, Romans 9:1-19, Psalm 88:1-9
22nd. Friday – Amos 7, 8, 9, Romans 9:20-33, Psalm 88:10-18
23rd. Saturday - Hosea 1, 2, Romans 10, Proverbs 17:21-28

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 793 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, bur after the Spirit.“

Romans 8:1

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SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
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Anything For You...
A woman is sitting at a bar enjoying an after work cocktail with her girlfriends when an exceptionally tall, handsome, middle-aged man enters.

He is so striking that the woman can not take her eyes off him.

The man notices her overly attentive stares and walks directly toward her.

Before she can offer her apologies for rudely staring, he leans over and whispers, "I'll do anything, absolutely anything that you want me to do for $20... But, on one condition."

Flabbergasted, the woman asks what the condition is.

The man replies, "You have to tell me what you want me to do in just three words."

The woman considers his proposition for a moment and then removes a $20 bill from her purse, which she presses into the man's hand along with her address.

She then looks deeply into his eyes, and slowly, and meaningfully says, "Clean my house."

AN UNLIKELY MISSION FIELD

Newsletter 251 July 10, 2011

While our text is taken from the last chapter of the book of Acts in order to conserve space, I do plan to reference both before and after that portion. We must keep in mind that Acts is a record of the birth and expansion of the church. It began in Jerusalem, and had, at this point, spread to Rome, the capitol of the Roman Empire. It is not the biography of the Apostle Paul. It does not start with his birth, nor end with his death. Tradition tells us that he was released from this prison, made the missionary trip to Spain, that he had said he hoped to make, and then was arrested again, and finally was beheaded outside Rome.

What I would like to see today is how he took, what promised to be very impossible situations and fields, and turned them into opportunities to preach the Gospel. The first is the shipwreck itself. Paul was a prisoner on board a small ship that was being driven ashore, who knew where. He was probably been in chains, and would certainly have been lost, but he had become a friend of his guards and they were all released so that they could get ashore on their own. The setting is a bit obscure. One version says it was a “creek mouth,” while another translates it as a “beach.” Having been a sailor and been trained to beach landing craft. The beach is preferable by far, The creek mouth could well have a sand bar just under the surface, as we are told it did. The ship broke up and they all struggled ashore. Their first need was for warmth and dry clothing, so they gathered anything that would burn, including, unknown to them, a viper that had sheltered under some of it. Had God stranded them in a good field for evangelism? A resounding yes! They “just happened” to be on the property of the governor of the island, and his father was very ill. Paul, “just happened to be bitten by a deadly viper.

Acts 28:1-10

1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. (Acts 16:10, Acts 27:1, Acts 27:39, Acts 27:26)

Malta is a small island, only about 17 miles long.

2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. (Acts 28:4, Romans 1:14, 1 Corinthians 14:11, Colossians 3:11, Romans 14:1)

3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.

4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” (Acts 28:2, Luke 13:2)

5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. (Mark 15:18)

6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. (Acts 14:11)

God had turned these adverse situations into advantages for them all. The people had turned from thinking he was a murderer, unto thinking that he must be a god. After he also, healed the governor’s father of a very common illness there, they were ready to hear the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. (Acts 9:40, James 5:14,Matthew 9:18, Mark 5:23, Mark 6:5)

9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

As soon as the warmer and milder weather came, a ship which had spent the winter on the island, and the crew, including the prisoners and their guards, sailed again headed for Italy. God sent them fellow believers, probably including people of influence, who saw to it that Paul was permitted to be under house arrest until his case could be heard before Caesar. Caesar’s own personal guards spent their assignments chained to Paul. Thus they heard everything that was said, so Paul had as a captive audience servants from the very household of Caesar and many of them became believers. He had two full years in which to live under house arrest but with a very welcoming audience.

God turned every “hindrance“ into an “advantage“ and the church spread.. When we first arrived in Africa from America, we learned that while we in America get our electricity in 110 volts, in Africa it comes as 220 volts, also with different cycles. Our first purchase was for a transformer so we could use our American electrical appliances. We did not have many, but we did have a small record player, and it, with clarion hymn chimes, became our very first real contact with the children of the area. In the cool of the evening, we played those chimes at the same time each evening, and with flannel graph, visible through our open doors, we told the Bible Stories to our invisible audience. After weeks of this, they became visible, when we decided to skip an evening. A hesitant knock at the door, introduced us to seven young people. After that they came in and brought their friends. God had turned a problem into a blessing. He later was to turn our inability to speak German or Afrikaans into another. We started English Correspondence Bible Studies. Demand for them rolled in from all over Africa, except where we were. Instead of a small village, God opened a continent. Now, years later, there is a Christian University in one of those west Africa countries. A chief project of that university is to reach the Islamic world for Christ.
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY

10th. Sunday – 2 Kings 11, 12, Romans 1:1-17, Psalm 83
11th. Monday – 2 Kings 13, 14, Romans 1:18-32, Proverbs 16:25-33
12th. Tuesday – 2 Kings 15, 16, Romans 2, Psalm 84:1-7
13th. Wednesday - 2 Kings 17, Romans 3:1-20, Psalm 84:8-12
14th. Thursday - 2 Kings 18, Romans 3:21-31, Psalm 85:1-7
15th. Friday – 2 Kings 19, 20, Romans 4, Proverbs 17:1-12
16th. Saturday - 2 Kings 21, 22, Romans 5, Psalm 85:8-13

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Several pages in length
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Portions of Phyllis’ published books
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__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.“

Acts 28:28

__________


SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________

Are You Insane?

It doesn't hurt to take a hard look at yourself from time to time. This little test should get you started.

During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criteria is that defines a patient to be institutionalized.

"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub. We offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient, and ask the patient to empty the bathtub."

OK, here's your test:

1. Would you use the spoon?

2. Would you use the teacup?

3. Would you use the bucket?

"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would choose the bucket as it is larger than the spoon."

"No," answered the Director.

========

"A normal person would pull the plug."

MESSENGERS OF GOOD NEWS

Newsletter 250 July 3, 2011

Acts 20:1-12 King James Version

The background of this portion of scriptures is that Paul and his party were carrying the offerings of the churches, for the needy, in Jerusalem and hoped to be there by Passover. Probably their group became larger as they visited each church. There is more safety in a larger group, but also less personal responsibility. For many years, I was the treasurer of our annual fund collection for building church buildings and evangelism purposes. I was always assisted by another missionary and we went directly to a branch of the bank used for the mission’s accounts. They accepted that responsibility and transferred the money to the branch we used. As we were often camping in tents, this was a much safer practice. Paul had no such banking system to rely upon. Like ours, both Paul’s group and ourselves, it was a large sum, and we were accepting it in an open church building thronged with people, we never had even a near robbery. Yes, our cars were in danger outside, but the Lord protected His own.

Because he knew that this might be his last visit with them, there were many delays. As I grow older, I too find saying farewell to those I love more difficult each time it happens. We have personally seen only two of our dozen great grand children, and probably will never see the others. Their parents are widely scattered over the globe. Even of our four daughters, only one lives nearby.

1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. (Acts 11:26, Acts 19:21, Acts 16:9, Acts 20:3)

2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

JEWS WERE HIS GREATEST DANGER

3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. (Acts 9:23, Acts 20:19, Acts 4:24, Acts 16:9, Acts 20:1)

Plans had to be altered yet once again from sea to overland and by Pentecost instead of Passover.

4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. (Acts 17:10, Acts 19:29, Acts 17:1, Acts 14:6, Acts 16:1, Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:12, Titus 3:12, Acts 21:29, 2 Timothy 4:20, Acts 16:6, Acts 20:16, Acts 20:18)

5 These going before tarried for us at Troas. (Acts 16:10, Acts 20:5-15, Acts 16:12, Acts 12:3, Acts 16:8)

Notice here is one of the “we’ sections of Acts. In verse 2 says Luke writes “he”, but in verse 6, he writes “we.” Luke had joined the party at Troas. This change of words is how we know.

6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. (Acts 16:8)

7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (1 Corinthians 16:2, Revelation 1:10, Acts 16:10, Acts 20:5-15, Acts 2:42, Acts 20:11)

They waited for the entire church to come together. This happened when they gathered as one to break bread. Acts 2:42, tells us that they did this “steadfastly”, not occasionally as is the custom of so many today. Paul knew that this was the way he would see most of the believers.

8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. (Matthew 25:1, Acts 1:13)

9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

(Eutychus means lucky or of good fortune, perhaps it was his good fortune that there was an apostle present, that he might be brought back to life after his fall.)

10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. (1 Kings 17:21, 2 Kings 4:34, Matthew 9:23, Mark 5:35)

11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. (Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7)

12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.


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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY

3rd. Sunday – 2 Kings 3, Acts 23, Proverbs 16:1-15
4th. Monday – 2 Kings 4, Acts 24, Psalm 80:1-7
5th. Tuesday – 2 Kings 5, Acts 25, Psalm 80:8-19
6th. Wednesday - 2 Kings 6 Acts 26, Psalm 81:1-7
7th. Thursday - 2 Kings 7, 8, Acts 27:1-20, Proverbs 16:16-24
8th. Friday – 2 Kings 9, Acts 27:21-40, Psalm 81:8-16
9th. Saturday - 2 Kings 10, Acts 28, Psalm 82

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Questions and discussions
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Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard, and why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.“

Acts 22:15,16

__________


SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________

Heckuva Engineer...

An engineer was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess."

He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.

The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful princess, I will stay with you for one week."

The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket.

The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you and do ANYTHING you want."

Again the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.

Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess, that I'll stay with you for a week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"

The engineer said, "Look I'm an engineer.
I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog, now that's cool.

PAUL ON MARS HILL

Newsletter 249 June 26, 2011

Acts 17:22-34 King James Version

BEING RELIGIOUS IS NOT ENOUGH

Most religions are the result of human origin. In reality only Christianity and Judaism began with God. God prepared a people for the Messiah through the Law, but it is of Jesus, the fulfillment of the law and prophets, that He gave His church. It is only in Christ, the head of His church, that he promises redemption. It is not through “good deeds,“ and not for sale. It all hinges on our relationship with Christ, God’s Son, that we are saved.

Paul, is speaking to the leading minds of their faith, ranking from that in the “unknown god” to the peak, in their minds, of the goddess of the Parthenon, the ruins of which still stand in Athens. Our bus parked between Mars Hill and that ancient pagan temple. Just below was a view of the Sea. In between, at our feet, was the site of the market where Paul must have been teaching the week before this scripture.

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. (Acts 17:15, Acts 25:19)

He dismissed their religion as being just a superstition. It was not from God.

THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO (2 Thessalonians 2:4, John 4:22)

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (Isaiah 4:25, Acts 14:15, Deuteronomy 10:14, Psalm 115:16, Matthew 11:25, 1 Kings 8:27, Acts 7:48)

Can you not see him with a wave his hand indicating each, the altars along the road, the world, the sea, and finally the temple, they held so dearly to?

25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (Job 22:2, Psalm 50:10-12),

RELIGIONS ARE LOCALIZED IN NATURE

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (MalachI 2:10, Deuteronomy 32:8, Job 12:23)

All religions are localized in nature. They are dominate in certain areas, and usually among certain ethnic groups. This is true, even of Judaism which was meant to pass away with the coming of the Messiah and His followers.

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: (Deuteronomy 4:7, Jeremiah 23:33, Acts 14:17)

IN CHRIST THERE RE NO SUCH LIMITS

In Christ, there re no such limits. God sent him because of His love for the whole world. (John 3:16-17) Christ sent His followers to the World to teach and baptize for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) Only through Him can we hope to come unto God the Father. “no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Job 12:10, Daniel 5:23)

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. (Isaiah 40:18, Romans 1:23)

FORGET THE PAST, GOD DOES

The religions of the world often point back to and reverence their human origins. and founders, Mohammed, Confucius, Joseph Smith, and Mary Baker Eddy, are but a sample of the many such persons. Christianity, is forward looking, to eternity with the Lord.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (Acts 14:16, Romans 3:25, Acts 17:23, Luke 24:47, Acts 26:20, Titus 2:11)

31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Matthew 10:15, Psalm 9:8, Psalm 96:13, Psalm 98:9, John 5:22, John 5:27, Acts 10:42, Matthew 24:14, Acts 17:6, Luke 22:22, Acts 2:24)

32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. (Acts 17:18, Acts 17:31)

33 So Paul departed from among them.

34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. (Acts 17:19Acts 17:22)
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE

26th. Sunday – 1 Kings 16, 17, Acts 18, Psalm 78:9-20
27th. Monday – 1 Kings 18, Acts 19:1-20, Psalm 78:21-30
28th. Tuesday – 1 Kings 19:1-20:21, Acts 19:21-41, Psalm 78:31-39
29th. Wednesday - 1 Kings 20:22-21:29, Acts 20, Proverbs 15:27-33
30th. Thursday - 1 Kings 22, Acts 21:1-16, Psalm 78:40-55

JULY

1st. Friday – 2 Kings 1, Acts 21:17-40, Psalm 78:56-72
2nd. Saturday - 2 Kings 2, Acts 22, Psalm 79

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINK

(With links to 790 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
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Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
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http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________


THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so,“

Acts 17:11

__________


SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?