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"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Dear Weekly Readers! God's Blessings to you!
In the USA, tomorrow is the day that each year all of us stop and give thanks to the Lord for all of our blessings! Please pray that our people would really understand in our hearts that all good things come from our Father in Heaven that loved us so much that He gave His only Son so that we could have life! Salvation through Jesus Christ is by far the biggest blessing of all!
Please also pray for strength and inspiration of the Holy Spirit as myself and 3 others go to Africa on a trip to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We depart in just a few days. Please pray!
Very recently, a dear Pastor friend of mine and so many others here in the USA passed away. I decided to use and article written by him for our article for this week! Pastor Alvin now has his reward, and I know that it was his desire that people would come to know Jesus as their Saviour!
Generally the unbeliever considers the believer as being
5:17). In this experience we are led to despair of all our own
Pastor Alvin Holmgren
In the USA, tomorrow is the day that each year all of us stop and give thanks to the Lord for all of our blessings! Please pray that our people would really understand in our hearts that all good things come from our Father in Heaven that loved us so much that He gave His only Son so that we could have life! Salvation through Jesus Christ is by far the biggest blessing of all!
Please also pray for strength and inspiration of the Holy Spirit as myself and 3 others go to Africa on a trip to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We depart in just a few days. Please pray!
Very recently, a dear Pastor friend of mine and so many others here in the USA passed away. I decided to use and article written by him for our article for this week! Pastor Alvin now has his reward, and I know that it was his desire that people would come to know Jesus as their Saviour!
LIFE AND LIBERTY
Jesus said that He had come so that we might have life, and
Jesus said that He had come so that we might have life, and
that we might have it more abundantly (John 10:10). He gave
the promise to His disciples that if they would continue in His
Word, they would know the truth and the truth would make
them free (John 8:31-32).
The blessings of true life and Christian liberty are unknown
to the world. Yet the unbeliever thinks that he is leading an
enjoyable life and is a free person. He is satisfied with his life
when it fulfills purely human desires, whether those desires are
the evil lusts of our lower nature or the attainment of certain
exalted goals which are held in esteem in the world. He thinks
he is free and capable of directing his daily affairs. The quality
of his life is based on his own personal success or failure.
Generally the unbeliever considers the believer as being
under some peculiar sort of bondage which deprives him
of life’s enjoyments. Little does he realize that it is he who is not free but is under
such confining bondage that he has not even begun to experience
the true pleasures of life. He is not aware that his very
attitude is evidence of the fact that he is a bond-servant of
Satan, sold under the power of sin (Romans 7:14).
He disregards the teachings of Scripture which show that by the offense
He disregards the teachings of Scripture which show that by the offense
of one—Adam—judgment has come upon all men unto condemnation
(Romans 5:18). This does not mean that all men are
totally indifferent to the will of God and openly, by overt deeds,
or even secretly, transgress His Law without concern. Still, we
all carry the seed of original or inherited sin; this is the source
of all actual sin.
Under the Bible light, which shows that the
Under the Bible light, which shows that the
Law of God is spiritual and requires absolute obedience, all
men must forfeit any form of self-defense and stand silent and
guilty before God (Matthew 5:21-22, 31-32, Romans 3:19).
The true and abundant life spoken of by Jesus begins only
when we have become new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians5:17). In this experience we are led to despair of all our own
efforts to please God; we cease laboring to obtain righteousness
by the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 7:4). We die to the Law
(or to our own works) and become united with Christ so that
His life is formed in us (Galatians 2:20). We have become
partakers of His resurrection, and thereby obtain the life that
our Lord calls abundant (Romans 6:5).
In this new life, we enjoy a freedom of heart and conscience that enables us to have
In this new life, we enjoy a freedom of heart and conscience that enables us to have
fellowship with God as His children (Romans 8:15, 1 John 1:3).
In this exalted fellowship we live in Christ (Acts 17:28),
having already been made partakers here in this world of the
gift of eternal life (Colossians 1:27). God's love has taken
possession of our hearts (1 John 4:19).
We can come freely to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and we may also have
We can come freely to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and we may also have
boldness in the day of judgment (1 John 4:17). Fear has been
cast out (1 John 4:18) and we rejoice because there is no
condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not
after the flesh but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1).
Our ties to Christ are not bonds against our will as supposed
by the unsaved, but the strong cords of Christ's love
which are stronger than death, for many waters cannot quench
it, neither can the floods drown it (Song of Solomon 8:7).
This glorious liberty which we have in Christ enables us to say with
This glorious liberty which we have in Christ enables us to say with
Simon Peter, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words
of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that
Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6:68-69)
As free children of God, we exclaim with St. Paul, For to me
to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
Pastor Alvin Holmgren
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Dear Weekly Readers! God’s
Peace!
Words are so very important. One
small good word can encourage a brother.
Likewise, one small evil word can do much destruction. Let us always be careful of the words we
use. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of
your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister
grace unto the hears.
The below article by Pastor Wayne Juntunen gives a different but wonderful
example of how very small words can change the meaning and importance of the
subject being communicated!
Please enjoy, and my God Bless your week!
OUR
COVENANT KEEPING GOD
Dear precious brothers and sisters in Christ,
the Lord opened mine eyes to see something from His Word I had never seen
before. Yes, I have read the passage
many times, but have not really “seen” the importance of a single word in the
verse that is so important that it changes the emphasis of the entire event
which it describes. It is the little
word “it” in Joshua 4:7. God had given
specific instructions to Joshua as to the manner by which His people with whom
He had made His covenant were to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. There are many significant details in this
event that are worthy to note. But the
one that struck me this morning as I was reading the passage is a part of verse
7 in chapter 4. The phrase is as follows: “…the waters of Jordan were cut off before
the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan…”
As often as I have read that verse, without
thinking, I have put the emphasis upon the people so as to believe the waters
were cut when the people passed over.
But that is not what the Bible says!
It says, “the waters were cut off before the ark of the Lord when it passed over Jordan.” That “it” does not refer to the people, but
to the ark! As surely as soon as the
feet of the priests touched the flood waters of the Jordan, the waters parted;
not because of the priests, but because they bore the ark. God had given the instructions as to how the
crossing was going to be possible, but it was the presence of the ark that
created the effect. Why is this so important? Simply and clearly it shows us that in God’s
work of salvation, the emphasis is always upon what He has done, is doing, and
will do!
Yes, it is true that the twelve stones taken
up from the dry river bed of the Jordan by a representative of each of the
twelve tribes was to be set up as a memorial to future generations to testify
that the Lord God “…dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over. (Josh. 4:21). But that testimony referred to the effect or
result of the fact that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the
covenant of the LORD; when it passed
over Jordan. Without the presence and
power of “the Ark”, Israel would never have made it into the Promised Land!
That Ark, as we all know, was the Ark of the
Covenant that God instructed Moses to make and into which were place the Ten
Commandments and upon which was the lid known as “the mercy seat” (Ex. 25:17-22). The Epistle to the Hebrews in chapter 8 – 10
points us forward to Christ who is the fulfillment of God’s covenant. Therefore, we know this Old Testament Ark was
a “type of Christ.” He is the Author and
Finisher of our salvation. It is because
of Him and Him alone that we are not only saved but in and through whom we have
life in abundance here, now, and forever!
God is faithful! He has kept and continues to keep His
covenant. He puts no confidence in the
flesh. Not only has He begun the good
work, within us but will continue to bring it to completion within us until we,
too, cross over the Jordan of our death into the Promised Land of eternal
glory. All of this is because of His
grace. As Paul writes in his Epistle to
the Romans, where sin abounds, grace much more abounds (Rom. 5:20).
Our response is the obedience of faith (Rom. 1:5; 16:26). God has perfected his marvelous grace
throughout the ages having spoken in these last days through Christ’s
suffering, death, and resurrection. He
has fulfilled and kept his covenant promises.
But if we do not take Him at His Word, all that He has promised and
finished will be of no benefit to us.
How dramatically did God show His power as the Ark stopped the raging
flood waters of the Jordan. Had Israel
feared the waters and not trusted God’s Ark, they would have never known the riches
of His abundant blessing He had in store for them. Has He not shown His power even more dramatically
on Calvary’s Cross and the Garden tomb through the death and resurrection of
our Lord?
God’s love for fallen mankind
has never faltered or failed. His love
is stronger than death! Dear reader,
trust Him and sing, “Jesus love me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” Then live in the power of that truth and walk
by faith!
Pr. Wayne Juntunen
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
THE CROSS OF CHRIST
What
do we think and feel about the cross of Christ? This week I want to examine what one of the greatest and most notable Christians who ever lived thought of the cross of Christ.
We can read about what Paul thought on this important question by reading Galatians 6:14 But God forbid the I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…..
So individually I would like to ask each of you, "What do you think about the cross of Christ?"
Paul begins our text by saying God Forbid. In other words: God, do not let this happen, or : God, allow me to NEVER Forget, or: God, stop me from glorying in something else, other than the cross of Jesus.
These are such strong words from Paul!
According to how the world sees things, Paul could have boasted about so many things, but he did not.
He could have boasted about his national privileges. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews. He could have boasted he comes through his forefather Abraham, being in the right tribe, born in the right place, at the right time, etc.
He could have boasted in his own works, because he did so many things, even healings and wonderful missionary journeys. He could have boasted in his knowledge, as he was schooled under the best teacher of his era. He could have boasted in his graces. He was so loving, he was self-denying, so prayerful, so thankful.
He never boasted in his churchmanship. He started so many churches; he was a great church leader.
He could have gloried in his own personal conversion which was so exceptional that we read about it in the Holy Bible even today.
If Paul said, "God forbid that I should boast in anything whatever except the cross," should I dare to say, I have something to boast of? I am a better man than Paul?
Oh, let us beware of self-righteousness! Be thankful, never boasting in ourselves!
1st Corinth 2:2 For I am determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ
and him crucified.
When Paul talks about the cross in this way, he was referring to the doctrine that Christ died for sinners upon the cross. This is what Paul is speaking about! The Doctrine of atonement, blood shed for sin! The Doctrine of substitution, where we do not have to die and go to hell, because Jesus died for us!
He is speaking about the doctrine that says as in Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (also in Eph. 1:7)
He is speaking about the fact the “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.” He is talking about the fact that God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son! John 3:16
He is talking about the “ Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” This is the Cross of Jesus Christ that Paul is referring to when he says he desires to Glory in nothing else!
A powerful verse says: ( 1 Corinth 1:18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which believe it is the power of God!
What a revelation when we can see the cross as the POWER OF GOD! The Love of God! Our Salvation! O what power it is!
The Cross was in evidence before time: In Revelations 13:8 … Lamb Slain from the Foundation of the World In Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie, promised before the world began.
The Cross
in Sacrificial Symbolism: Read
the story of the Passover! What a picture!
Read about the sacrificing of the Lambs in the temple…. Right down to
the water and blood flowed from the side of the temple just as they flowed from
Jesus side.
The Cross
is Life for us! 1 John
5 11-12 And this is the record, that God
hath given to us eternal life, and this life is His Son. He that hath the Son
hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. READ
2 Corinth 5 :14-15! You will see life!
The Blood Cleanses: Isaiah 1:18
Come let us reason together saith the Lord, though your sins be as
scarlet they shall be white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they
shall be as wool!
The Cross
makes the believers exempt from judgment. Romans 8:1 … No condemnation Rev 2:11.. He that overcometh shall not be
hurt of the second death. Rev.
20:6 …on such the second death hath NO
POWER.
The Cross gives us Power over sin: Romans 6:6 …Old man crucified with him, that the body of
sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
The Cross is the subject Paul loved to preach
about, and it is the subject he loved to dwell upon when he wrote to
believers.This is what Paul lived upon all his life, from the time of his conversion. He tells the Galatians, "The life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galat. 2:20.)
May we rest assured that Paul was right. Depend upon it, the cross of Christ—the death of Christ on the cross to make atonement for sinners—is the center truth in the whole Bible.
Let us not forget that all Christ's sufferings on the cross were fore-ordained. He was crucified "by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." (Acts 2:23.)
Do not forget that Christ's sufferings on the cross were necessary for man's salvation. He had to bear our sins, if ever they were to be borne at all. “by His stripes we are healed.”
Do not forget that Christ's
sufferings were endured voluntarily Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but
delivered him up for us all…..
How can we love sin, when we remember that because
of our sins Jesus died? The Cross of Christ is the only place in the history of the entire world that we can see where the Saviour of Mankind, the Diety, dies for the sinner, for the disciple! In all the other world religions, man has to do things to please the Diety. That is why Christianity is a FAITH, not a religion and it is set apart by the Cross of Jesus, by the fact the it is all done for us by Christ!
The cross is the strength of a minister and the entire church! . 1 Corinth 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which believe it is the power of God!
Are you living in any kind of sin? Are you inquiring the way toward heaven? Are you a distressed believer? Are you dying from a disease or cancer? Jesus Christ won the victory over death, hell, and the power of the devil upon the cross!
Now I ask you again, What you think now about the cross of
Christ?
May you and I both say
together… "God forbid that I should boast—except in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Dear Weekly Readers!
Let us remember one another in prayer throughout this week!
Again this week I have typed out a tract that has been used
in our church in the USA! You can feel
free to print and pass it out as you see fit. Also, if any of you feel inspired to write a
Spiritual article, please email it to me at foreignmission@comcast.net
May God Bless your week!
Problems Too Great to Carry?
Many times in life our problems and cares in the world cause
us great concern and worry. We try to make our own way, and do it all
ourselves.
The Bible teaches us, “Cast all your cares upon Him (Jesus), for
He cares for you.” (Peter 5:7).
Jesus said, “Take therefore no
thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of
itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matt. 6:34)
The Lord shows us that “All
things are possible with God” and that “Whatsoever you ask
in Jesus’ name, believing, the Father shall give unto you.” How important, therefore, that
we bring all our problems, cares and concerns to the Father in prayer in
Jesus’ name.
The greatest burden which we often carry is the guilt of our
own wrongdoings toward men of God, and the consequences of them, which the
Bible calls sin. It is written, “Let
us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us… Looking
unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” (Heb. 12:12)
The consequences of in are twofold; The chastisement of the
Lord and death, “Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,
and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Heb. 12:6). “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of
God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Remember the loving Saviour who looked down from the cross
and prayed, saying, “Father forgive them for they know not what
they do.” If you sins in this world are burdening you, may you
by the grace of God bring them to Jesus, in repentance, that by faith you may
receive the assurance of the forgiveness of all your sins through Jesus’ name
and blood.
God had given such power unto the disciples to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins in
His name beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke
24:47)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Mystery and Miracle of New Birth
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be
born again” John 3:7
There are many mysteries and miracles recorded in the Bible.
The most important to our salvation is new birth, a spiritual birth through
Jesus Christ. The importance of new birth cannot be overstated.
Jesus said, “…except a man be
born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” John 3:3, and “…Verily, verily, I
say unto thee, except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God” John 3:5
New birth is a mystery to those who have not experienced it.
Nicodemus, a learned member of the Jewish Sanhedrin asked Jesus, “…How
can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his
mother’s womb, and be born?” John 3:4. Likewise, in our fallen state, we
considered new birth a mystery.
We may have asked in our hearts, “How would it be possible
for such a wayward and self-willed person as I am to be so favored by God as to
experience new birth?” We may have even
seen and wondered how other hardhearted men had been miraculously broken and
converted to Christ.
New birth is a miracle to those of us who, by the grace of
God, have experienced it. We have felt
the calling of the Holy Spirit, convicting us of our sinfulness and felt the
burden of sin on our conscience. We have cried out with broken heart,
confessing and asking forgiveness and hearing a servant of God assuring us that
our sins are forgiven in Jesus’ Name and shed blood. WE have then felt a
miraculous release and a cleansing of the soul. Thus, while in our fallen state
we pondered the mystery of this new birth, we now marvel at the miracle.
The need for new birth is a subject which is avoided by most
people. It is most difficult for man to confront and confess his
sinfulness. Some view new birth as a
gradual transition or as a learning experience.
Others think that it can come about without repentance, confession, and
remission of sins.
The Bible teaches otherwise. It clearly states that there
must be a repentance or Godly sorrow for sin. Jesus said, “…except
ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”
Luke 13:3
Confession of sin is also vital. “If we confess our sins He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness”, 1 John 1:9
Also, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one
another, that ye may be healed” James 5:16.
Remission of sins must be received and believed. Jesus said to his
followers, “Whose soever sins ye remit, that are remitted
unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, that are retained” John
20:23.
In Romans we read “For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” Romans
10:10
We have been given this great miracle of new birth and
salvation by our loving God who did not spare His only Son from the death
penalty for sin on our behalf. So then if we believe in Him we need not perish,
but have everlasting life.
May we thank and praise Him for this great personal gift and
remain faithful and obedient unto His Holy Word.
God’s Peace! Al Wuori
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Awakening Call
Dear Weekly Readers!
This week our dinner article is a little different. This is actually a tract for hand out! This was written by one of our pastors some years back. I thought I would share it with you. Perhaps you may want to print it off and hand it out to people you see in your villages. As we know, the acceptable day of grace is today! O that all sinners would repent and believe during the time of grace, rather than wait until the Lord comes again when it will be too late! May God Bless your week!
John R.
The Awakening Call
Everyone of us has at one time or another experienced some type of awakening call during the course of our lifetime. A Typical awakening for everyone each day is the awakening from sleep. Some hear the call of a parent or loved one informing them f the time to get up. Many must be reminded or called several times before getting up. Others jump up at the first call and are ready to start the day. Those who have no one call them must depend on alarm clocks, or perhaps by a telephone call when lodging at some inn while traveling. Even this type of call has its problems. People just hate to get up, so they will shut the alarm off or press a doze button to delay getting up.
There are, of course, other ways by which we are awakened to a need or some situation. Our automobiles at times will catch our attention when the engine begins to sputter and our glance at the fuel gauge reveals that we are out of gas. How about the siren and blinking lights of a traffic patrol reminding us of our speed? What about the past due notices we receive in the mail? They sure get our attention, don’t they? Well, we could go on and on, and I’m sure you get my point. This happens all too often in our secular lives. But what about our spiritual lives? Is there such a thing as an ”awakening call” from God?
If so, how does it come about and what purpose does it serve, you may ask? I suppose to one who has never heard the story of the creation or has just refused to give it his or her attention, it has no meaning. In spite of this, there really is such a call for His Word tells us that He doesn’t want any of us to perish (2ndPeter 3:9). The purpose of this call is to awaken you to the solemn fact that it is appointed for men once to die but after this the judgment (Heb 9:27), and in so doing get your attention. God wants you to know that we are sinners and that the wages of sin is death.
It is true that everyone must meet with a physical death because of the inherited sin of Adam and Eve. To the one who has forgotten the natural man’s destiny, it has a grim reminder. Once God has your attention and reveals to you your sinful condition, He also wants to let your know that there is hope for you to change your situation. The hope is in His Son, Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Isn’t this Good News to the one who has been awakened from this horrible nightmare of a condemned sinner? The life in store for this sinner who ignores God’s call or scoffs at this call is by no means desirable for it entails eternity with the devil and his angels in the lake of fire. The fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, ad whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death ((Rev 21:8).
The mechanism that trips the alarm of God’s awakening call in a man’s heart and mind if theWORD OF GOD. He wants to be heard with this message delivered to the Hebrews: The word of god is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit , and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12). Where and when does one get stricken by this word? This is a mystery that has no ready answer.
There are many factors which govern this answer. Some have been on the verge of suicide, and by picking up and reading a tract have been smitten by the “sword of the spirit,” which is the Word of God. One departed preacher told of his mother’s convicting words coming to him during a card game which led him to repentance. Others have heard the witness of a child of God or disciple of Christ. Perhaps some tragedy has taken away a loved one and at the funeral service the message delivered God’s convicting sword. God works in mysterious ways.
Whichever way God chooses to awaken you, dear friend, take heed. This is the first step in God’s plan of salvation. In other words, God is placing the conviction of sin into your heart to test your reaction. Is His word going to pierce your hard heart? The two-edged sword wants to break your heart to provide good ground in order that God’s Word would find a lodging place. This is a desirable condition for now the “Sower of the seed” (Matt 13) may be able to plant the seed of hope into your troubled heart. It is now that you need the absolving word of reconciliation to be preached to your listening ears and troubled heart. You need to find the “Keeper of the keys” of the kingdom of God.
These are the members of the royal priesthood who have received the keys of binding and loosing and the authority to use them (Matt 16:19). You see, they too, have heard the Good News, and have had their troubled and evil consciences cleansed with the blood of Christ contained in the Gospel message declared unto them. Jesus spoke these words to His disciples after His resurrection: whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them: and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained(until such time they repent) (John 20:23). In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus instructed His disciples that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47).
May God, our Heavenly Father, awaken those sinners receiving His call to their needs of a savior in these latter and crucial times. Have you received God’s awakening call? If God is calling you, why not answer the call by seeking the Lord while He can be found. Are you aware of the time on God’s time clock? In the days of Apostle Paul, He gave the Romans this warning. Now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof (Rom. 13:11-14). May He speak to your heart.
Pastor Rueben O Peterson
This week our dinner article is a little different. This is actually a tract for hand out! This was written by one of our pastors some years back. I thought I would share it with you. Perhaps you may want to print it off and hand it out to people you see in your villages. As we know, the acceptable day of grace is today! O that all sinners would repent and believe during the time of grace, rather than wait until the Lord comes again when it will be too late! May God Bless your week!
John R.
The Awakening Call
Everyone of us has at one time or another experienced some type of awakening call during the course of our lifetime. A Typical awakening for everyone each day is the awakening from sleep. Some hear the call of a parent or loved one informing them f the time to get up. Many must be reminded or called several times before getting up. Others jump up at the first call and are ready to start the day. Those who have no one call them must depend on alarm clocks, or perhaps by a telephone call when lodging at some inn while traveling. Even this type of call has its problems. People just hate to get up, so they will shut the alarm off or press a doze button to delay getting up.
There are, of course, other ways by which we are awakened to a need or some situation. Our automobiles at times will catch our attention when the engine begins to sputter and our glance at the fuel gauge reveals that we are out of gas. How about the siren and blinking lights of a traffic patrol reminding us of our speed? What about the past due notices we receive in the mail? They sure get our attention, don’t they? Well, we could go on and on, and I’m sure you get my point. This happens all too often in our secular lives. But what about our spiritual lives? Is there such a thing as an ”awakening call” from God?
If so, how does it come about and what purpose does it serve, you may ask? I suppose to one who has never heard the story of the creation or has just refused to give it his or her attention, it has no meaning. In spite of this, there really is such a call for His Word tells us that He doesn’t want any of us to perish (2ndPeter 3:9). The purpose of this call is to awaken you to the solemn fact that it is appointed for men once to die but after this the judgment (Heb 9:27), and in so doing get your attention. God wants you to know that we are sinners and that the wages of sin is death.
It is true that everyone must meet with a physical death because of the inherited sin of Adam and Eve. To the one who has forgotten the natural man’s destiny, it has a grim reminder. Once God has your attention and reveals to you your sinful condition, He also wants to let your know that there is hope for you to change your situation. The hope is in His Son, Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Isn’t this Good News to the one who has been awakened from this horrible nightmare of a condemned sinner? The life in store for this sinner who ignores God’s call or scoffs at this call is by no means desirable for it entails eternity with the devil and his angels in the lake of fire. The fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, ad whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death ((Rev 21:8).
The mechanism that trips the alarm of God’s awakening call in a man’s heart and mind if theWORD OF GOD. He wants to be heard with this message delivered to the Hebrews: The word of god is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit , and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12). Where and when does one get stricken by this word? This is a mystery that has no ready answer.
There are many factors which govern this answer. Some have been on the verge of suicide, and by picking up and reading a tract have been smitten by the “sword of the spirit,” which is the Word of God. One departed preacher told of his mother’s convicting words coming to him during a card game which led him to repentance. Others have heard the witness of a child of God or disciple of Christ. Perhaps some tragedy has taken away a loved one and at the funeral service the message delivered God’s convicting sword. God works in mysterious ways.
Whichever way God chooses to awaken you, dear friend, take heed. This is the first step in God’s plan of salvation. In other words, God is placing the conviction of sin into your heart to test your reaction. Is His word going to pierce your hard heart? The two-edged sword wants to break your heart to provide good ground in order that God’s Word would find a lodging place. This is a desirable condition for now the “Sower of the seed” (Matt 13) may be able to plant the seed of hope into your troubled heart. It is now that you need the absolving word of reconciliation to be preached to your listening ears and troubled heart. You need to find the “Keeper of the keys” of the kingdom of God.
These are the members of the royal priesthood who have received the keys of binding and loosing and the authority to use them (Matt 16:19). You see, they too, have heard the Good News, and have had their troubled and evil consciences cleansed with the blood of Christ contained in the Gospel message declared unto them. Jesus spoke these words to His disciples after His resurrection: whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them: and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained(until such time they repent) (John 20:23). In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus instructed His disciples that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47).
May God, our Heavenly Father, awaken those sinners receiving His call to their needs of a savior in these latter and crucial times. Have you received God’s awakening call? If God is calling you, why not answer the call by seeking the Lord while He can be found. Are you aware of the time on God’s time clock? In the days of Apostle Paul, He gave the Romans this warning. Now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof (Rom. 13:11-14). May He speak to your heart.
Pastor Rueben O Peterson
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Weekly Diner
Dear Weekly Readers! God’s Peace!
I am happy to report that the group of missionaries that the Foreign Mission of the ALC sent to Russia has safely returned home yesterday!
All such trips take much overcoming of obstacles! Still we desire to be obedient to our Lord when He said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Furthermore, we know what our Lord has saved us from, and we from His great Love, desire to share with others around the world!
The following very short article by Charles Spurgeon is an encouragement for all, both the missionaries and the ones whose needs are being addressed!
Please enjoy, and may God Bless your week!
"And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay."
Mark 2:4
Faith is full of inventions. The house was full, a crowd blocked up the door, but faith found a way of getting at the Lord and placing the palsied man before him. If we cannot get sinners where Jesus is by ordinary methods we must use extraordinary ones.
It seems, according to Luke 5:19, that a tiling had to be removed, which would make dust and cause a measure of danger to those below, but where the case is very urgent we must not mind running some risks and shocking some proprieties.
Jesus was there to heal, and therefore fall what might, faith ventured all so that her poor paralysed charge might have his sins forgiven. O that we had more daring faith among us! Cannot we, dear reader, seek it this morning for ourselves and for our fellow-workers, and will we not try today to perform some gallant act for the love of souls and the glory of the Lord.
The world is constantly inventing; genius serves all the purposes of human desire: cannot faith invent too, and reach by some new means the outcasts who lie perishing around us? It was the presence of Jesus which excited victorious courage in the four bearers of the palsied man: is not the Lord among us now? Have we seen his face for ourselves this morning? Have we felt his healing power in our own souls?
If so, then through door, through window, or through roof, let us, breaking through all impediments, labour to bring poor souls to Jesus. All means are good and decorous when faith and love are truly set on winning souls. If hunger for bread can break through stone walls, surely hunger for souls is not to be hindered in its efforts.
O Lord, make us quick to suggest methods of reaching thy poor sin-sick ones, and bold to carry them out at all hazards.
Charles Spurgeon
I am happy to report that the group of missionaries that the Foreign Mission of the ALC sent to Russia has safely returned home yesterday!
All such trips take much overcoming of obstacles! Still we desire to be obedient to our Lord when He said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Furthermore, we know what our Lord has saved us from, and we from His great Love, desire to share with others around the world!
The following very short article by Charles Spurgeon is an encouragement for all, both the missionaries and the ones whose needs are being addressed!
Please enjoy, and may God Bless your week!
"And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay."
Mark 2:4
Faith is full of inventions. The house was full, a crowd blocked up the door, but faith found a way of getting at the Lord and placing the palsied man before him. If we cannot get sinners where Jesus is by ordinary methods we must use extraordinary ones.
It seems, according to Luke 5:19, that a tiling had to be removed, which would make dust and cause a measure of danger to those below, but where the case is very urgent we must not mind running some risks and shocking some proprieties.
Jesus was there to heal, and therefore fall what might, faith ventured all so that her poor paralysed charge might have his sins forgiven. O that we had more daring faith among us! Cannot we, dear reader, seek it this morning for ourselves and for our fellow-workers, and will we not try today to perform some gallant act for the love of souls and the glory of the Lord.
The world is constantly inventing; genius serves all the purposes of human desire: cannot faith invent too, and reach by some new means the outcasts who lie perishing around us? It was the presence of Jesus which excited victorious courage in the four bearers of the palsied man: is not the Lord among us now? Have we seen his face for ourselves this morning? Have we felt his healing power in our own souls?
If so, then through door, through window, or through roof, let us, breaking through all impediments, labour to bring poor souls to Jesus. All means are good and decorous when faith and love are truly set on winning souls. If hunger for bread can break through stone walls, surely hunger for souls is not to be hindered in its efforts.
O Lord, make us quick to suggest methods of reaching thy poor sin-sick ones, and bold to carry them out at all hazards.
Charles Spurgeon
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Come ye to the waters!
Dear Weekly Readers!
The prayers of the Christians in the USA are with you again this week!
It is so wonderful that when we read God’s Word and we see very clearly see that there will be people in Heaven from…….. all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands; Revelations 7:9
What a day that will be when our Saviour we see in that beautiful city of gold!
Today let us look into the Old Testament. We will look at just a few short parts of Isaiah 55. Isaiah was such a wonderful writer and such a great prophet.
Leading up to this chapter 55 in Isaiah, The 53rd chapter is very much a prophecy of Jesus that was to come when it says the He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief ..V3…… Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; V4 and so forth.
The 54th chapter is promises for the children of Israel, God’s children. V 14 Says in righteousness shalt thou be established; etc.
The 55th chapter is Gospel (Christ) and an evangelistic chapter. The whole Bible ties together so wonderfully, and Isaiah is surely no exception.
This chapter begins with the word HO! In other words, pay attention, listen carefully! In our country we might say, hey! Listen! Everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.. Do you find yourself thirsty for God’s word?
Do you find yourself in need of God’s word and what Jesus has to offer? If so, the good news is you have a very blessed invitation! COME! COME ye to the waters! Come and drink!
What and where are the waters found? In John 7: v 37 & 38 Jesus said. If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Now we know where to find the living water! By believing in Christ Jesus by faith, we come to the water! Come without money and without price.
There is nothing that we pay, nothing we must accomplish in order to merit salvation. There is no amount of work that we can do, no amount of religious penance that we can pay, no amount of making pilgrimages to certain religious sites that will help us to be redeemed!
The living water is without price because it is so valuable that it is priceless. There is no price high enough that would begin to approach what salvation through Jesus Christ is worth! This is truly the pearl of great price, this salvation through Jesus Christ.
This living water, which is the Holy Spirit, (John 7:39) that is ever flowing for the believer!
Notice that is says if you have no money come, buy and eat. How can we buy without money? In our life here on earth that seems impossible. If we buy, we must have money. Here it says, buy without money. We must remember that our redemption has already been paid for by Jesus Christ suffering and shedding His precious blood for us. It is Finished, Jesus cried from the cross! The price has been paid in full! It is free for the thirsty sinner, but it was a very expensive price that was paid by Jesus.
How great love the Father has shown unto us when He sent His only Son to die for us sinners! He sent His only Son to die so we can live! What a great price was paid! Now this is offered to everyone that thirsts!
Come! Come! Come to Jesus while He is near. We wants to give Life and Life more abundantly!
Verse 3 says, Incline your ear and come unto me: Do not come to show your face, come to listen. Come to hear! So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17
What a wonderful promise of grace fulfilled if we are thirsty, we come to the waters (Jesus), we incline our ear (listen), and we hear! Then v 3 says, and your soul shall live!
Could there be a more clear and simple gospel message written? And to think this was written hundreds of years before Christ! What a good, merciful and loving God we have that would love his people so much as to allow these glimpses of His love and plan! Long before Jesus came, as well as now to us so many years after His work on the cross has been completed, Jesus is calling Come!
Dear Sinner, and we are all sinners, gone like sheep to our own way. If you are thirsty today, what a blessing this truly is! If we come, listen, hear, seek, then His promises for us are so true! Matthew 7:7 …see, and ye shall find…
Verse 12 of this ch 55 of Isaiah explains the real life application and results of the promise and reality made to all those that are obedient to the call! For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace;
Believe today dear reader, in the wonderful saving work of Jesus Christ!
May God Bless your week!
John R.
The prayers of the Christians in the USA are with you again this week!
It is so wonderful that when we read God’s Word and we see very clearly see that there will be people in Heaven from…….. all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands; Revelations 7:9
What a day that will be when our Saviour we see in that beautiful city of gold!
Today let us look into the Old Testament. We will look at just a few short parts of Isaiah 55. Isaiah was such a wonderful writer and such a great prophet.
Leading up to this chapter 55 in Isaiah, The 53rd chapter is very much a prophecy of Jesus that was to come when it says the He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief ..V3…… Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; V4 and so forth.
The 54th chapter is promises for the children of Israel, God’s children. V 14 Says in righteousness shalt thou be established; etc.
The 55th chapter is Gospel (Christ) and an evangelistic chapter. The whole Bible ties together so wonderfully, and Isaiah is surely no exception.
This chapter begins with the word HO! In other words, pay attention, listen carefully! In our country we might say, hey! Listen! Everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.. Do you find yourself thirsty for God’s word?
Do you find yourself in need of God’s word and what Jesus has to offer? If so, the good news is you have a very blessed invitation! COME! COME ye to the waters! Come and drink!
What and where are the waters found? In John 7: v 37 & 38 Jesus said. If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Now we know where to find the living water! By believing in Christ Jesus by faith, we come to the water! Come without money and without price.
There is nothing that we pay, nothing we must accomplish in order to merit salvation. There is no amount of work that we can do, no amount of religious penance that we can pay, no amount of making pilgrimages to certain religious sites that will help us to be redeemed!
The living water is without price because it is so valuable that it is priceless. There is no price high enough that would begin to approach what salvation through Jesus Christ is worth! This is truly the pearl of great price, this salvation through Jesus Christ.
This living water, which is the Holy Spirit, (John 7:39) that is ever flowing for the believer!
Notice that is says if you have no money come, buy and eat. How can we buy without money? In our life here on earth that seems impossible. If we buy, we must have money. Here it says, buy without money. We must remember that our redemption has already been paid for by Jesus Christ suffering and shedding His precious blood for us. It is Finished, Jesus cried from the cross! The price has been paid in full! It is free for the thirsty sinner, but it was a very expensive price that was paid by Jesus.
How great love the Father has shown unto us when He sent His only Son to die for us sinners! He sent His only Son to die so we can live! What a great price was paid! Now this is offered to everyone that thirsts!
Come! Come! Come to Jesus while He is near. We wants to give Life and Life more abundantly!
Verse 3 says, Incline your ear and come unto me: Do not come to show your face, come to listen. Come to hear! So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17
What a wonderful promise of grace fulfilled if we are thirsty, we come to the waters (Jesus), we incline our ear (listen), and we hear! Then v 3 says, and your soul shall live!
Could there be a more clear and simple gospel message written? And to think this was written hundreds of years before Christ! What a good, merciful and loving God we have that would love his people so much as to allow these glimpses of His love and plan! Long before Jesus came, as well as now to us so many years after His work on the cross has been completed, Jesus is calling Come!
Dear Sinner, and we are all sinners, gone like sheep to our own way. If you are thirsty today, what a blessing this truly is! If we come, listen, hear, seek, then His promises for us are so true! Matthew 7:7 …see, and ye shall find…
Verse 12 of this ch 55 of Isaiah explains the real life application and results of the promise and reality made to all those that are obedient to the call! For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace;
Believe today dear reader, in the wonderful saving work of Jesus Christ!
May God Bless your week!
John R.
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