Deny Ourselves to Follow Him

Modern psychology has assured us that self needs are primary needs. We are told we need self-esteem, a good self-image, self-confidence, self-actualization and self-love. All-important is the need to accomplish MY goals, to realize MY full potential. This focus on self is exactly what the natural man does not need. It lies at the heart of much of the discontent, irritation and frustration in the modern home. The world fortunately doesn't revolve around one human being.

Christ calls us to deny ourselves to follow Him. That doesn't make for very popular psychology, but it is basic to Christianity. There is a grain of truth in the self-talk. We do have inner yearnings for acceptance and fulfillment. But according to the Scriptures, we find those needs met, not by serving ourselves, but by serving God and others. We need the mind of Jesus, "Who, being in the form of God ... made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:6, 7)
--John Coblentz

Thanksgiving Proclamation

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.

To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

[Signed]
A. Lincoln

He's the One

Who can move the mountains that are hindering you today?
Who can pick them up like pebbles, clear them from your way?
Who can prove His power when a Christian kneels to pray?
It is Jesus; He’s the One.

Who can heal the heartache that is crushing you within?
Who can pour the balm of heaven where the hurt has been?
Who can chase the shadows, make the song of joys begin?
It is Jesus; He’s the One.

Who can keep you from all harm and guide you by His hand?
Who can give you power for service and the strength to stand?
Who can give you grace for all that living may demand?
It is Jesus; He’s the One.

Chorus:
Jesus holds all power in His mighty hand divine.
He’s the One who heals the sick, turns water into wine;
He makes all things possible, and He’s a Friend of mine;
Blessed Jesus, He’s the One.

Waiting on the Lord

Waiting! Yes, patiently waiting!
Till next steps made plain shall be;
To hear, with the inner hearing,
The Voice that will call for me.

Waiting! Yes, hopefully waiting!
With hope that need not grow dim;
The Master is pledged to guide me,
And my eyes are unto Him.

Waiting! Expectantly waiting!
Perhaps it may be today
The Master will quickly open
The gate to my future way.

Waiting! Yes, waiting! still waiting!
I know, though I've waited long,
That, while He withholds His purpose,
His waiting cannot be wrong.

Waiting! Yes, waiting! still waiting!
The Master will not be late:
He knoweth that I am waiting
For Him to unlatch the gate.
--J. Danson Smith

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. --Psalm 27:14

Consider the Whole Word

Beloved, we realize that what we have read together this morning is only a very small portion of the Word of God and we must consider the entire Word or we may be led astray. It has been said that we can find Scripture that will justify anything that we want to believe if we take just a sentence here or there. But, when we take the whole Word of God, that will not be so.

By taking only a small portion we can quote, "There is no God." But, if we read the preceding words, it says, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." (Ps. 14:1 and Ps. 53:1) Therefore, it is important to consider the whole Word of God.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. B.H.

What Is Covetousness?

In I Cor. 6, we find covetousness listed along with fornication, adultery and drunkenness, with only a comma between. men who are guilty of these practices shall not inherit the kingdom of God. In Col. 3:5, we read that covetousness is idolatry, and in I John 5:21, that children of God should keep themselves from idols.

The dictionary defines covetousness as an unrestrained desire for something that another person has. In the seven woes of the fifth chapter of Isaiah, verse 8, we read: "Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, until there be no place that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth."

The Scripture warns against emulations in Gal. 5:20. Webster defines emulations as the desire to equal or surpass or rivalry. "Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." (Gal. 5:26) "The love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (I Tim. 6:10)

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:24), Jesus said, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Mammon is defined as riches regarded as an object of worship and the greedy pursuit thereof.

In Philippians 4:5, we read, "Let your moderation be known unto all men." The dictionary lists moderation as the avoidance of extremes, not being excessive.

As a believer in Christ who wishes to have a part in the first resurrection and who expects to leave this earth, perhaps without a moment's notice, should our lifestyle be one of ostentatious display? "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (I John 2:15)

The rich young ruler who came to Jesus asking what he could do to inherit eternal life went away sorrowful. Though he was of sterling character, he had a covetous heart, and the Scripture does not relate that he ever "sold out," distributed to the poor and followed Jesus.
--Excerpt: Silver Lining - October 1980 issue

His Mercy Endureth Forever

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for His mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him who alone doeth great wonders: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him that by wisdom made the heavens: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him that made great lights: for His mercy endureth for ever.
The sun to rule by day: for His mercy endureth for ever.
The moon and stars to rule by night: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for His mercy endureth for ever.
And brought out Israel from among them: for His mercy endureth for ever.
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him which divided the Red Sea into parts: for His mercy endureth for ever.
And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for His mercy endureth for ever.
But overthrew Pharoah and his host in the Red Sea: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him which led His people through the wilderness: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him which smote great kings: for His mercy endureth for ever.
And slew famous kings: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Sihon, king of the Amorites: for His mercy endureth for ever;
And Og the king of Bashan: for His mercy endureth for ever;
And gave their land for an heritage: for His mercy endureth for ever,
Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Who remembered us in our low estate: for His mercy endureth for ever.
And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Who giveth food to all flesh: for His mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy endureth for ever.
--Psalm 136

Happy, Blest and Meek

They who love the Saviour dearly,
And not for vain pleasures seek,
Glad for that which He provideth;
Will be happy, blest and meek.
And their peace
Ne'er shall cease;
Heaven will their joy increase.
--Zion's Harp #157 vs. 12

Two Palestinian Seas

A very favorite story of mine
is about two seas in Palestine.

One is a sparkling, sapphire jewel.
Its waters are clean, clear and cool.
Along its shores the children play,
and travelers seek it on their way.
And Nature gives so lavishly
her choicest gems to the Galilee.

But on to the south the Jordan flows
into a sea where nothing grows.
No splash of fish, no singing bird,
no children's laughter is ever heard.
The air hangs heavy all around
as Nature shuns this barren ground.

Both seas receive the Jordan's flow.
The water is just the same, we know.
But one of those seas, like liquid sun,
can warm the hearts of everyone.

While to the south the other sea
lays dead and dark and miserly.
It takes each drop the Jordan brings,
and to each drop it fiercely clings.
It hoards and holds the Jordan's waves
until, like shackled, captured slaves
the fresh, clear Jordan turns to salt,
and dies within the Dead Sea's vault.

But the Jordan flows on rapturously
as it enters and leaves the Galilee.
Every drop the Jordan gives
becomes a laughing wave that lives.
For the Galilee gives back each drop;
its waters flow and never stop.
And in this laughing, living sea
that takes and gives so generously,
We find the way to life, and living.
Is not in keeping, but in giving.

Yes, there are two Palestinian seas,
and mankind is fashioned after these!
--Helen Steiner Rice

Only One Life

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes, only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then in "that day" my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
Living for self or for His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me, Lord, with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me, Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true whate'er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes, only one,
Now let me say, "Thy will be done!"
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say "'twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
--Charles Thomas Studd

When Sorrow Walked With Me

I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ne'er a word said she;
But, oh! the things I learned from her
When Sorrow walked with me.
-Robert Browning Hamilton
Selected: Streams in the Desert

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. --Ecclesiastes 7:2

Make Us Brave

Lord, help and make us brave
To bear our cross and burden,
That we may not grow faint
Nor yet give up the battle.
Yea, from Thy crown of thorns
Let us our courage take,
That through reproach and shame
We ne'er Thy ways forsake.
--Zion's Harp #44 vs. 6

Flowery Beds of Ease?

...How easy was it for Jesus Christ to go to the cross and die?

How easy was it for the Apostle Paul to live the life of sacrifice he lived?

How easy was it for Jeremiah to go into the pit?

How easy was it for Ezekiel to give up his wife to warn the children of Israel? That's what happened. His wife was taken from him in the hopes that the children of Israel would listen to him.

How easy was it for the patriarchs of faith that we read about in the Bible to carry the torch and do God's will?

How easy was it for our forefathers who we can read about now in the church history book, to do what they did in establishing churches?

How easy was it for Samuel Froehlich to be persecuted by the government? To be separated from his wife and his family for six or seven years?

How easy was it for our forefathers to be in prison in Europe?

How easy is it for the people behind the Communist Iron Curtain today?

Is it really the commission of a believer to look at those things which are easy? And make our decisions in spiritual things based on how easy they are? Or how convenient? Or how good they feel?

Can't you see the humanistic thinking that comes through in that? The humanistic thinking - that's really what it is - when we think of our own ease in comparison with the Word of God.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. S.R.

Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease;
While others sought to win the prize
And sailed through bloody seas?
-Tabernacle Hymns

Give Us Courage to be True

Holy faith, our Rock and Refuge,
Give us courage to be true
And to fight a valiant conflict,
Till the conquering host we view,
Till the conquering host we view.
--Zion's Harp #72 vs. 7