Gospel Missionary Message: October 2010

Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Rock

In Australia there is a very large rock. It is way out into the desert, in the boonies, 200 miles from any place at all. It is called Ayers Rock.

People come from all over the world to see this rock. It's one Big Rock. It has been there for centuries. There is something about that rock that is attractive to people from every nation. Perhaps it's security.

It's been there for millenniums and still stands majestically in sun, rain, and wind. It's stability. It hasn't moved, it's in the same place.

In our ever changing world I believe there is a need to see something that never changes and is not affected by storm, intense heat, or monsoon rain.

However, we look into the Bible, we will see God, our Rock of Ages. In Psalms 71:3 we have these words...

"Thou art my Rock and my Fortress."

David calls God his Rock and many times in scripture God is depicted as The Rock. He is unchangeable, unmovable and strong. He stands forever, never moved by world changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

He is not just THE Rock, he wants to be YOUR rock. David said MY rock.

How does God become your rock? my rock? our rock?

He will become your Rock when you are willing to put your soul in faith on Him. When you receive Jesus into your heart He will come to you, your never changing rock, your fortress for protection and stability. He will be there, strong and solid, and you can trust Him for peace, for protection, and for power.

When Israel trusted God they had peace, protection, and power, but when they forgot, they were defeated.

"Thou has not been mindful of the Rock of my strength."
Isaiah 17:10

Moses singing the song of victory over the enemy says:

"Their rock sold them...
but their rock is not our Rock."
Deut 32:30-31

We are founded on the solid Rock, the Rock of all rocks. And we are founded not on a religious system, priest, or pastor. Our Rock is GOD HIMSELF.

Now sometimes in life those of us on the Rock get a little nervous, fearful, and we tremble. Perhaps you are going through a time of difficulty, storm, or dark clouds and you feel worried and shaky. One poster says with confidence."You may tremble on the Rock but the Rock never trembles under me."

Beloved, when you are afraid, remember. He is our Rock, and we can trust Him.

I was visiting my daughter, she has in the front yard a rather large rock. It has a hole drilled into it from top to bottom and a pump pumps water up and out the top of the rock. I looked out of the window and there on the rock were two small finches drinking the water out of the rock. They were so happy.

I thought of a verse in 2 Corinthians 10:4. "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."

These little birds didn't just look with wonder at water coming from the rock and tremble, they drank from it, got their strength from it, and enjoyed it.

Are you drinking? or trembling? or just looking?

~Bill Gibson
Palisades 11/9/06

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Rock of Ages

Sunday, October 17, 2010

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Abandoned

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The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"

Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"

"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

~Mark 5:1-20
New International Version

Sunday, October 10, 2010

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Something To Hang On To

The encouragement of promise.
2nd Thes. 1: 5-10

Remember when every one traveled by bus. Buses were filled. Street cars were jammed. Hanging down from the ceilings of those buses and street cars were leather straps which people could hang on to as the bus turned corners etc.

Those leather straps are long gone now, but they were so handy for those who didn't have a seat.

In 2nd Thessalonians, chapter 1, Paul is speaking to these new believers who have left the old ways and are standing with God in the midst of the crowd on the way to Eternity.

Three things we can hang on to when we are tossed about, crowded in a world that is heading for destruction.

1: The Promise of Reward:
"You will be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God." (verse 5)

In all the struggle to live for Me, the Lord has given something to hang on to. something that is stronger than you are. Something that will hold you firm and help you stand against the mob.

You will be counted worthy of the name, Christian.

The struggle isn't what saves us or makes us worthy. The pain of child bearing doesn't make us worthy. It was the suffering of the Savior, who in the midst of the intense pain of the cross died alone for us - for you - and there was nothing to hang on to. So he died that we might live.

2: The Promise of Recompense - the next promise to hang on to:
"I will repay them." (verse 6)

Beloved no one ever touches a child of God to do harm or to deter him, or discourage him, but what God will give recompense for that.

We sometimes say, "How can they do this to me? Doesn't God care?" Yes, and the Hand of Judgment will fall and it will be ample. Yet, God gives us time to repent, God gives them time to repent, and when the day of Judgement comes and there has been no repentance, the Axe will fall.

There has to be a judgement, a Hell. If there is no Hell there will be no justice either.

3: The Promise of Rest:
"...and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well." (verse 7)

Beloved, when Jesus comes there will be a day of rest. Heaven won't be a rest on the beach, nothing to do but rest. We say, "He has gone to his rest." Heaven isn't a place of rest. It will be as the verse, the rest of relief. With God's help we are home. No more struggle, no more pain, no more fighting to stand in a world of unrest.

We all need to hang on to the promise of God. Because He Never Fails.

We might think that God is not keeping His promise, but He is and all He asks of us is to hang on to them.

There is a little Chorus we used to sing. A simple Chorus that says:

Jesus never fails
Jesus never fails
Heaven and earth may pass away
But Jesus never fails.

Could we sing that as we close this morning, and keep the song in our hearts? Jesus' promises never fail. We have something to hang on to when the world around us is falling apart.

~Bill Gibson
Palisades 9/28/06

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Jesus Never Fails - Original

The Bible teaches that some of life's richest lessons are learned only in the valley of tears. The Psalmist declared: "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." (Psalm 119:71). Difficult times should be the steppingstones in our spiritual growth and usefulness. This was the case with the author and composer of "Jesus Never Fails." Arthur Luther, pastor and musician, relates the following story regarding the writing of his hymn:

As a school boy Christian, I had a burning desire to be a foreign missionary. That was not to be. Later I had an urgent desire to write a song that everyone would sing. I tried a popular song, but it was a dismal failure; yet God, in His own time and way, granted my wish. "Jesus Never Fails" has reached to the uttermost of mission fields, and the multitudes have sung it!

The song was written at Somerset, Kentucky, while I was there with the Dr. O.E. Williams Evangelistic Party. I received some very disturbing news from my family some 600 miles away. Worried and homesick, I sat down at the old square piano in the "Old Kentucky Home" where we were staying, and my fingers wandered idly, a simple melody developed beneath them which seemed to sing "Jesus never fails." Then and there the words and music of the chorus were born.

When I finished, a peace had settled over my anxious heart. I knew the God who never fails would find the answer and He did, for just then there was a knock at the door and someone came with the news—word had just been received over the telegraph wire that my son had passed the crisis and all was well!

Scores of testimonies have simce come from missionaries, evangelists, and others of the blessing that this simple three-word message has been to them. It has been translated into ten European languages and into Chinese.

"Jesus Never Fails" has become a sort of musical slogan of Bible-believing Christians everywhere. Men sang it at the battlefront as they girded themselves for the fray. On the homefront, saints sing it as they do battle with the forces of sin, in true confidence that the Captain of their salvation fails not. I surely have every reason to praise God for this song that He gave me in the hour of my need and which has gone on to bless the entire world with its message of divine triumph.

The Lord has allowed this song to be used in concentration camps in Germany and by missionaries, evangelistic, etc.; to be translated into other languages, to be sung by missionaries in danger on the torpedoed Zam-Zam, and to save a man on the way to drown himself.

During World War II, a church in England had this slogan printed on top of one wall. This church escaped destruction by bombs until the very end, and even then that wall remained till after the war was over.

Earthly friends may prove untrue,
Doubts and fears assail;
One still loves and cares for you,
One Who will not fail.

Though the sky be dark and drear,
Fierce and strong the gale,
Just remember, He is near
And He will not fail.

In life's dark and bitter hour
Love will still prevail;
Trust His everlasting pow'r
Jesus will not fail.

CHORUS:
Jesus never fails,
Jesus never fails.
Heav'n and earth may pass away,
But Jesus never fails.

Sources: Amazing Grace - 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions © Copyright 1990 by Kenneth W. Osbeck. Lyrics © 1927 Singspiration Music. All rights reserved. Posted here for eductional and edification purposes only.

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