The word “house,” as used here in Scripture, is so general, but it has
many applications. For example: an ordinary dwelling, a temple, a place
of worship, a family, or the building of a gospel ministry such as
Bible Doctrines to Live By, Inc., can legitimately be represented as a
“house” - as I am doing in this article. Also, the injunction is
perfectly clear and conditional that, “except the Lord build it,” the
success, prosperity or blessing of this or any other enterprise is
“vain” - to no avail. No matter what our investment of time or talent
may be, all our work will not gain the approbation and blessing of God
unless it is done in the strength and power of the Lord. If anything is
worthwhile, lasting or praiseworthy and is ever accomplished, it will
be entirely based on our dependence on God.
"For our gospel came not unto you in word only,
but alsoin power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye
know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became
followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much
affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to
all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the
word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every
place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to
speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering
in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the
living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he
raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to
come. For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it
was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were
shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God
to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention” (1 Thess
1:5-2:2).
“First things first!” This is a tried and true
saying, meaning that it is generally best to place the most important
issues at the forefront of an agenda. The Book of First Thessalonians
is the earliest of the Pauline Epistles and, as such, is of significant
importance because of its chronological order. Paul’s inspired pen
immediately identifies and instructs the Thessalonians in those basic
doctrines that are of supreme importance in the establishment of new
believers in the truth. Dr. C. I. Scofield has noted that the Apostle
Paul, in the short thirty days of his sojourn in Thessalonica, had
“taught all the great doctrines of the Christian faith” (Pg. 1267
Scofield Reference Bible).
“For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and
for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the
flesh; that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in
love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to
the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of
Christ; in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And
this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words” (Col.
2:1-4).
It is very difficult, at times, to say what
you want to say, what needs to be said and how to say it. I am reminded
of the story of the nervous young preacher who had been asked to preach
one Sunday morning. When the time came for him to take his place behind
the pulpit, a gust of wind came through an open window and grabbed his
notes. The notes floated around in the air, and landed almost hidden
and nearly out of reach, in a crack between the floorboards of the old
log cabin church. He didn’t know what to do! Exasperated, he said,
“Folks, I’ve got a sermon here if I can just get it out of the cracks.”
This is somewhat how I feel as I approach this study.
And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him; for he loved him:“for he loved him as he loved his own soul (1 Sam. 20:17).
Then Jonathan said to David: “To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty” (1 Sam. 20:18).
David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times; and they kissed one another, and wept with one another,
until David recovered himself. Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in
peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD,
saying, The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my
descendants and your descendants, for ever.” And he rose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city”(1 Sam 20:41-42).
Two of my closest and dearest friends have recently gone home to be with the Lord. Pastor Dennis Walters and Pastor Abraham Dubbeld. I
was working at home when the phone rang. A few moments later Darlene
came into the room crying and with a trembling, halting voice
announced, “Denny just passed away.” Immediately I thought of what
Jonathan had said to David when David, his friend, was leaving him, “Tomorrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.”
Dennis A. Walters was my friend. I never had a good friend quite like “Denny.” He came into my life while I was pastoring the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Tipp City, Ohio. Denny was a recent graduate of Tennessee Temple University and a successful itinerant evangelist. He was recommended to us for his dynamic Bible preaching.
Our
first engagement involved an 8 day revival meeting. Each evening we
held services at the church and each afternoon was an evangelistic
outreach. Denny being a weight lifter and a member of the Minnesota
Gophers college football team had a program that Denny called “Strength Feats with Spiritual Features.”
These were conducted in the city park and city schools. Denny was the
strongest man I ever met. His ministry had a great attraction and
resulted in a large harvest of souls. However, his greatest strength
was his love for the Lord and His Word. He truly was a giant man of God. Being so humble and gentle and so strong, he was rightly called a “Gentle Giant.”
For last month and a half I have been whininng about the Motor Home. No
power, rough running, not running, you name it, and we've experienced it. As you
know we put the Motor Home in the garage over three weeks ago expecting the
mechanics to find a couple of minor problems, fix them and we would be on our
way.
Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.
We’re in the New Year, almost through the first month and
b-r-r-r is it cold outside.But inside
we’re busy producing literature and preparing for the summer ministries.
Just an update on my brother David. When my brother Tim and I visited with
him last week his spirits picked up and he was really glad to see us. But as
time went on he went downhill and by the time we left he was feeling pretty
miserable.
I just spoke with my mother and she reports that they have now diagnosed
him with C-Dif infection. He is pretty sick so we're not sure what lies ahead.
He was supposed to have his next Chemo Monday or Tuesday but now we're not
sure.
Please continue to lift him up before the Throne of God's great
grace.
Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I made it back to West Virginia from Oklahoma about noon on Thursday. I
stopped just east of Columbus, Ohio about 4:30AM and slept until 7:00AM and then
continued on. The twenty hour drive to Oklahoma was well worth the time and
effort. My brother Tim and I arrived at the hospital about 11:30 AM Monday
morning and our brother David was just getting ready to be transferred from ICU
back to the cancer ward. He had improved enough to be transferred back to a
regular floor but was still in limbo. Monday evening he was feeling a
little better but still not overly responsive. Tuesday when we arrived back at
the hospital he was in terrible pain with chills and high temps. They did some
blood cultures but didn't find anything. He slowly improved through the day
after they had increased his pain medication. By Wednesday morning he was back
down again. They want him to be up and out of bed before he can go home but he
claims he just hurts too much. Please continue to keep him lifted up in
prayer.
We just finished talking with Joel, who is at the hospital
with his brother, David, in Oklahoma. He said that David has really gone down
hill and is not doing well today. He was thrilled when he saw Joel and Tim walk
in the room (they surprised him), he ate something and seemed better yesterday.
But today he is a great deal of pain, is so weak he is not able to even sit in a
wheelchair. Please intensify your prayers for David, his wife and children, his
mom, as they sit for long hours in the hospital. Erna is very weary, can’t sleep
well at night, and, of course, worried about her son. As a mom, I know you never
stop worrying about your children. But, prayer is so vital and important – our
source of strength.
We will keep you posted as we get reports.
Our love and prayers to each one of you.
PS. Joel and Tim plan to drive home, starting out tomorrow
morning. It is a 20 hour drive, so pray for traveling mercies also for
them.
Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We ended up having a few days open between meetings this week. We completed
the two week Camp meeting having preached through Romans (1-8) over 14 nights.
We took great care to explain the unique Apostleship of Paul, the baptism of
chapter 6 and the security of chapter 8. In addition we drove home the point of
salvation by grace alone apart from the Law on numerous occasions. It was a real
blessing at the end of the week to have people come and comment on how they had
never really seen and appreciated their salvation and position in Christ before
and were thankful for the messages.
We send you greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior
Jesus
Christ.
We have just finished our 5th VBS of the summer and what a week it
was.
We're here in Ridgeley, WV with Pastor Brent and Saundra Biller and the
folks of
Grace Bible Fellowship. Our attendence was done from previous years but
the
blessing were just as great. Greatest among them were the 12 kids who
accepted
Christ as Savior. We have truly been blessed of the Lord this summer to
see His
saving hand at work.
Well it's been a while since I last communicated with you. Things
have been
going great and we are praising the Lord for His goodness each day.
Let me begin with an update on my health. As most of you are aware I
fell
off of a ladder (6') two weeks ago this past Saturday shortly after
arriving in
Duncansville, PA. to Begin a week of VBS (#2). I spent Saturday evening (and
early Sunday morning) in the ER. I had a concussion, required 7 stitches
in my
head, bruised my ribs and kidney area and had numerous cuts and bruises.
I had a
serious scrape on my lower calf that cased me quite a bit of pain when
walking.
Greetings from sunny Pennsylvania. We arrived here about 9:00pm Saturday
after leaving Missouri and the Cowboy Family Bible Camp.
What a week we had there. Just over 165 people attended the camp, and
although we had a good deal of rain (and mud) the large tents and gravel on the
ground kept us dry. Les Feldick was very enjoyable and we deeply appreciated our
time spent with him. I had seen him on the TV and head about him from many
people on our travels but I had never met him. We enjoyed great
fellowship and I
found him to be a very knowledgeable and humble man. He spoke three
times each
day with three of those a Q&A time that he allowed me to share with
him. I'm
sure Lee will have a post on the conference soon but from my perspective
it was
extremely beneficial spiritually and the fellowship was great.
Things are very busy here in the office as we make final
preparations for our itinerants ministries this summer. Both the McGarveys and
the Homokis will have busy schedules. The Homokis will be involved in the four
kids Cowboy Camps, as well as the family Bible Conference/Cowboy Camp in June. A
lot of time and preparation has gone into the camps, especially the family camp
and we are seeking the Lord’s hand of blessing upon them.
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13) (Read by Max McLean. Provided by The Listener's Audio Bible.)
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(Read by Max McLean. Provided by The Listener's Audio Bible.)
