Pilgrims' Pathway Newsletter,
Mar./Apr. 2001
I am complete
because I’m saved by Jesus the Lord.
Because I am His,
I couldn’t ask for more.
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Contents:
Positive Answers!
Creation Nugget
He Chastens Whom He Loves
The Cookies
Cross of Chastening
Are You a Secret Disciple
A Disappointed Soldier
A Cure For Eczema
Why Are You Doing That?
Recipes
Untitled Poem
Parting Verses
In God's Time
Holinessis not a series of do’s and don’ts, but a conformity
to God’s character in the very depths of our being. This conformity
is possible only as we are united with Christ.
-Jerry Bridges
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For All the Negative Things We
Have To Say, God Has Positive Answers!
You say: It’s impossible.
God says: All things are possible
with Me (Mark 10:27).
You say: I’m too tired.
God says: I will give you rest (Matt.
11:28-30).
You say: Nobody really loves me.
God says: I love you (John 3:16,
13:34).
You say: I can’t figure things out.
God says: I will direct your steps
(Prov. 3:5,6).
You say: I can’t do it.
God says: You can do all things
through Me (Phil.4:13).
You say: I’m not able.
God says: I am able (2 Cor. 9:8).
You say: It’s not worth the struggle.
God says: I will make it worthwhile
(Rom. 8:28).
You say: I can’t forgive myself.
God says: I FORGIVE YOU! (I John
1:9, Rom. 8:1)
You say: I can’t manage.
God says: I will supply all of your
needs (Phil. 4:19).
You say: I am afraid.
God says: I am bigger than anything
you face (Phil.4:6,7).
You say: I’m always worried or frustrated.
God says: Cast all your cares on
Me (I Pet. 5:7).
You say: I don’t have enough faith.
God says: I’ve given everyone a
measure of faith (Rom. 12:3).
You say: I’m not smart enough.
God says: I can give you wisdom
(James 1:5).
You say: I feel so alone.
God says: I will never leave you
or forsake you (Heb. 13:5,6).
-compiler unknown
How can we thank
Him enough for all He does for us, for His all-sufficient love?!
He is all we’ll ever need, and all we should ever want. Let us turn
to Him in everything, not just when we come to the end of our own strength,
but all the time. He deserves everything.
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“He Chastens Whom He Loves”
(Heb. 12:6)
There is one whose
loved one has suffered from illness for several years. This one has carried
an increasing burden, while the loved one has greatly declined.
There is one who grew
up in an abusive home, who never knew a mother’s gentle love, a father’s
protective strength and who still carries the scars.
There is one who has
given their life to care for a child that would otherwise know no love.
There is one who, years
ago, sinned greatly against another and against God and still reaps the consequences
of seeds sown in sin.
There is heart-breaking
suffering all around us. It touches all whether directly or indirectly. Many
ask why a God of love would allow such suffering. But our God of love is
also a God of righteousness and judgment. Sin is not acceptable to Him, nor
is it overlooked. God is also our Father. Like a parent who disciplines a
much-loved child so that it will grow into an adult of strong morals and
character, so the Lord does with us.
There are
several reasons why God allows suffering. He uses it to root out our deeply
entrenched sins. He uses it to break us of self,
to teach us reliance and trust in Him. He uses it to deepen and strengthen
our relationship with Him. If this life was always one of ease and sunshine,
would we look forward to the life to come? I don’t think so. Our soul would
become selfish, fat and lazy. This life is to prepare us for the next, it
is just a stepping stone for eternity. Suffering teaches us to recognize
the shallow and meaningless and teaches us to value those qualities that
are lasting.
When the Lord Jesus
lived among men, He was called a Man of sorrows. Why is this? Jesus lived
in a human body and experienced its weaknesses in many forms. He saw a
multitude of hurting people, many of whom would refuse to come to Him. He
suffered great humiliation on our account. But most of all, Jesus carried
the guilt of our sins. Have you noticed in Scripture when Jesus
was brought before the chief priests and Herod and Pilate, that He did not
defend Himself against the false accusations made against Him? It is because
He was guilty in the sense that He was carrying every foul sin of every
person. Jesus bore this willingly for us so that we could be children
of God if we love and obey Him.
As God’s children,
He knows what is best for us; He knows our true needs. As our
Father, He has the right to teach us, to conform us into His perfect image.
It isn’t always pleasant and sometimes quite painful, but so necessary.
We have all seen the tragic results in children who have not received the
proper love and discipline and have been left to their own.
So rather than complaining
and losing heart when going through trials, it is actually a time to rejoice!
It is proof than we are His children - that He loves us! It is a great
blessing to be “counted worthy” to suffer for the Father! It is a time
to look forward to growing closer to Him and receiving His comfort!
So count it all joy!
The Cross of Chastening
There’s a popular notion in Christian circles
these days;
“Health, wealth and happiness,” is what preachers
say.
“Give your time and money and the Lord will
bless,”
“I’ll lay my hands on you to heal your distress.”
But the words of Christ are far different
you see;
He says, “Take up your cross and follow Me.”
To patiently suffer, this we must do;
Self must be crucified, so His life shines through.
Much shame and reproach, He willingly bore;
To do this for Him, should not be a chore.
True children of God, He’ll chasten
and afflict;
Does this scare you, it shouldn’t, it’s proof
of sonship.
Christ suffered for us, in order to show;
“Train up a child in the way he should go.”
The Lord doesn’t leave us to suffer alone,
He loves and guides us, He’ll comfort
and console.
He provides heavenly peace, the world
cannot understand;
It sustains during dark times, makes
us joyful within.
Counted worthy to suffer, O what a blessing!
Someday complete victors over all transgressing.
He ministered to others, and so must we,
His example to follow, to imitate, and
be.
-Michelle Stace
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A Disappointed Soldier
His Letter to a Radio Minister
Dear Preacher:
I was at home a few days ago on
a furlough and happened to hear you preach on the radio, and I feel that
I should write you about what is on my heart. For I think I will be
going to the battlefields within a few days, and I want to have everything
right between me and God before I go. Preacher, I have never seen you
and do not know you personally, but I wish you
would write me and tell me exactly what to do
to be saved and ready to meet the Lord if this should be my time to go.
Also, if you wish to read this letter over the air, you may do so, for it
may help some mother or father to wake up to what is going on.
Now, here is the story: When
I went home the other week, I went with a feeling of joy, and yet there was
a burden on my heart. I knew that perhaps it would be my last furlough
home, and that maybe I would never see my folks again. For I know
that not all of us are coming back, and as yet I am not ready to die. So
I went home. I went hoping that Mother and Dad would help me to get
right with the Lord. I knew that they had never been very religious,
but they belonged to the church and claimed to be Christians. They
never had family prayers and did not seem to care much about the real spiritual
work of the church. But I had the idea that that would all be changed
now. Somehow, Preacher, I felt that surely this war with all that it
is bringing would make Mother and Dad really live for the Lord.
So I went home hoping that they
would talk to me about being a Christian, and that they would try to help
me get saved and ready to meet the Lord. I went home thinking that
surely my mother was interested in the spiritual condition of her son.
I have always thought that my mother was the finest woman in the world
and have been very proud of her. So I told myself that Mother was praying
for me and that she was interested in seeing her boy saved, whether anyone
else was or not.
But things at home were not what
I had expected to find. I think I came back to camp the most discouraged
boy that there has ever been. For when I got home everything seemed
to be just about as usual. About the only difference that I could see
was that they fussed a lot about having to put up with rationing and because
they could not buy just anything they wanted to have. As far as their
religious life is concerned, I think they must be farther from God than
they have ever been. Preacher, they seem to be asleep to what this war is
doing, and instead of waking up and getting right with God, they seem to
be getting deeper in sin.
The mother that I thought would
pray with me and help me to be saved never once mentioned religion to me.
She has even quit going to church with the excuse that they do not have
enough gas to drive there. I noticed that they could take a drive
in the afternoons on Sunday. Anyway, the church is not very far,
and anyone who was really interested could walk.
Dad is all wrapped up in his job.
Of course, it is a defense job, but he does not seem to care much about the
defense end of it. All he could talk about was the big salary he was
getting and the fact that their local union was pressing for more money.
One day when I said something about it being the biggest salary he had ever
gotten, he said, “Oh well, I just might
as well get my part out of this war.” Preacher,
I believe that he is actually glad that the war is going on. He did
not seem a bit interested in the fact that the longer the war goes on, the
more people will lose their lives. All he seemed to care about was
his pay.
So I spent my entire furlough at
home. Time and again, I would bring up the subject of religion, hoping
that Mother or Dad would talk to me about my soul. Oh, how I wanted
Mother to pray for me, and how I wanted Dad to talk to me. Of course,
I had never heard Mother pray, and Dad had never said a word to me in all
my life about my soul, but I thought that surely this
war would make people turn to God. But
the full time of my furlough passed and they had not said one word.
Then came the day when I had to
leave. Preacher, I could not stand it any longer. I know you may think
I am a fool, but I broke down and cried like a baby. I just could
not help it. It was not because I was having to leave. I did
not mind that so bad. I knew that I might never see them again, but
that was not what worried me. I just had to cry to think that my own
mother and dad were not in the least interested in my salvation.
Preacher, I came to camp determined
by the help of God to get saved. But I also came back wondering what
would happen to Mother and Dad if God should call them into the judgment.
I am not very proud of Mother now. I see that she is more interested
in her clubs and visits and clothes than she is in the salvation of her
own son. And one day when I smelled
cigarette smoke on her breath, I knew that Mother
was just as badly in need of someone praying for her as I am.
Now, I know that Dad isn’t interested
in his son’s salvation. Oh, he got a kick out of taking me around
and showing the men of the community what a fine-looking boy he had and
all of that. But, Preacher, Dad does not care about my salvation.
He is too much interested in making a dollar. I even caught him drinking
one day in a beer joint.
I know this is a long letter and
will take some of your precious time, but I write it in the hope that you
may be able to say or do something that will wake the godless fathers and
mothers of America up to see that they have boys and girls who need to be
saved and that they should help them.
Tell the mothers wherever you can
that for God’s sake and the sake of their boys they should get right with
God and quit this foolish sinful way in which they are going and get down
to business in praying for the boys and girls of this nation.
Tell the fathers that they should
quit their drinking and gambling and get interested in their children and
in God’s work MORE than they are interested in making money. Tell
the young girls (and I have some sisters) to quit their smoking and dancing
and petting and to be clean Christians so that they will be fit to marry
a decent man some day and raise a family.
Preacher, keep telling them the
truth, over and over and over again. And please pray for my lost mother
and father and sisters, and write me just what I must do to be saved, for
I want to be a real Christian and ready to meet Jesus even if I have to
die on the battlefield.
Signed by a soldier.
SPECIAL NOTE--
The above letter was a personal
message sent by one of our Soldier Boys to us after he had heard our Gospel
Broadcast. By this time he is probably on the battlefields or may
even have lost his life, but we have reason to believe that he went trusting
in Jesus as his own personal Savior and Lord. May God help the mothers
and fathers of America to take
warning and to get right with God, for “Whatsoever
a man soweth that shall he also reap.”
We would be glad for Preachers and
Publishers to use this letter for the glory of God, and ask only that they
give proper credit for its source. This letter was received by us in
March, 1943.
David P. Denton, Minister,
Church Hill, Tennessee
BETHEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH
6th Street and 13th Avenue
Rock Island, Illinois
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Why Are You Doing That?
There is a reason for our every little
action. Right? Otherwise you wouldn’t be doing it. We often
don’t think of the reason we do things, especially trivial things, but
if you think over everything you did today, you will probably discover
a reason for doing it.
With this in mind, please look with
me at Deut. 6:5. “You shall love the Lord your God with all
your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
To love God this way, to love Him with all we are, must certainly include
our actions!
Everything we do and think is to reflect
a deep, inward love for God. If He is our God, and if we desire to
serve Him, we must turn all into His hands. If we do things solely for obvious
reasons and leave Him out, we are living vainly and transgressing the greatest
commandment. Or we may be doing something for an ungodly reason and
don’t realize it. We are called to live for God. This covers more than
our actions. It covers our thoughts, our all.
I believe a problem exists that we need
to watch out for. We humans have a natural tendency to get stuck in
our habits and traditions without thinking why we do those things.
How easily we can be blinded! Let me give you some examples of common things
we do that we may not think much about... Why do you celebrate Christmas?
Are you truly celebrating Christ’s birth and that alone? Why do you
go to church every week? Is it because it is expected of you, because
it makes you feel good, because you want to socialize, or because you desire
to worship God with the body of believers? Why do you eat? Is it
for mere enjoyment and sustenance, or is it to use your body, as God’s
temple, for His glory?
The book of Ecclesiastes talks a great
deal about the vanity of life. “Then I looked on all the works
that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed
all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under
the sun.” (2:11) As I lay in bed one morning, it struck me that everything
around me, myself included, would eventually be destroyed. What a
thought! These things around me are the things that I am so often
consumed with! Why, why, live soley for the things of here and now?
It is useless and passing! If we live with the continuous purpose
of glorifying God, we will continuously lay up treasure in heaven, treasure
that lasts.
The book of Ecclesiastes concludes two
things. First, though life by itself is vanity, it is a gift from God.
We are told, “Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat
and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This
also, I saw, was from the hand of God.” (2:24) Life has meaning
and enjoyment when we live it for God. We are to set our minds on things
above (Col. 3:2), and enjoy the earthly blessings God gives.
The
second and most important point Ecclesiastes makes
is found at the end of the book. “Let us hear the conclusion
of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s
all.” Man’s all... fearing God and keeping His commandments is
truly what our lives should be all about. Christianity is no part-time
job. It is a full-time commitment to our Lord, in love and obedience.
Let God be a part of everything we do, a close companion at all times.
Ecclesiastics gives
us another reason to glorify God in everything. “For God will
bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good
or evil.” (12:14) God is a righteous, holy God who desires
His children to be so too. He will judge every impure thought, motive,
action, and attitude. Oh, but let us praise Him for His tender mercies!
When we truly repent of our sin in godly sorrow and claim Jesus’ cleansing
blood, He washes us. The penalty for sin must be paid, but He Himself
paid it for us because of His love.
Does it seem a tall order to give God
all? For those who love God a great deal, giving Him all will be a
joy. They will experience life to the fullest! “Therefore, whether
you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Cor.
10:31
-Atlanta Stace
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Untitled
Please, Lord, forgive me for my
sins, and make me pure and clean;
Forgive my mistakes and my faults,
all of which you’ve seen.
Please help me to serve and honor
You, with all of my being,
And please You with how I live,
and what in me You’re seeing.
Please give me faith and trust
in You, the strength and courage I need;
To never turn my back on You, but
follow wherever You lead.
Please put Your ways into my heart,
so that I truly may,
Use my deeds and words and thoughts,
to honor You each day.
Please help me to fight the inner
foe, and evil to defeat,
Please help me to conquer the sin
in me, and count the victory sweet.
I thank You, Lord, for hearing
me, and being there for all;
Please help me to do willingly,
whatever is Your call.
I thank You for my house and clothing,
for my family, food, and bed;
I thank You that, with Your mercy,
by Your power we’re led.
Lord, I thank You for my life,
my tongue and heart and mind;
Please help me to live for You,
and a righteous life to find.
Please guide and direct me day
by day, as I walk on the path to perfection,
And please, from evil, sin and
harm, give me Your protection.
Lord, I thank You for a part,
in all that You have planned;
Please help me to do my part faithfully,
and in mercy and righteousness stand.
Glory be to You, oh God, from
each and everyone;
And in all things great and small,
let Your will be done.
-Jessica de Castro
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In God’s Time
Note: I want it to be clear that the article below is NOT quoting God,
and we are not trying to put words in
God’s mouth. You will find that the ideas expressed in this article
are found all throughout Scripture.
Everyone longs to give himself to someone - to have a deep
relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively; but
God to a Christian says, “no, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and
content with being loved by Me alone; with giving yourself totally and
unreservedly to Me alone. Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction
to be found, will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that
I have for you. You will never be united with another until you are
united with Me, exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of anyone
to hear desires or longings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing,
and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing - one that you
cannot imagine. I want you to have the best; please allow Me to give
you the best. You just keep on watching Me, experiencing the
satisfaction that I am; keep listening and learning the things I tell you.
You just wait, that’s all. Don’t be anxious, don’t worry, don’t look around
at the things others have gotten or what I have given them. Don’t
look around at the things you think you want; you just keep looking off
and to Me, or you’ll miss what I want to show you.
And then when you’re ready, I’ll surprise you with a love
far more wonderful than any you could dream of, for I am working even at
this moment to have both of you ready at the same time. Until you
are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I’ve prepared for you,
you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship
with Me, (for this is the perfect love). And, dear one, I want you to have
this most wonderful love, I want you to see, in the flesh, a
picture of your relationship with Me, and enjoy, materially and concretely,
the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love that I offer you
with Myself. Know that I love you utterly. I am God; believe
it, and be satisfied.
-Author unknown
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Creation Nugget
Have you
ever heard of a climbing fish? The climbing gourami (goo-ra’ me) are freshwater
fish that live in Asia and Africa. One particular species
of gourami, the carnivorous climbing perch, can do some incredible
feats. This fish is able to travel on dry land from pool to
pool! It has special gills designed
for this. It
also leaves the water on nights when there is dew on the ground.
Even more amazingly, this fish is also said to climb trees with its
gill covers and fins! I’d have to see it to believe it!
God must
have had a delightful time creating such things!
-Atlanta Stace
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The Cookies
A woman was waiting at an airport one night,
with several long hours before her flight.
She hunted for a book in the airport shops, bought
a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.
She was engrossed in her book but happened to
see, that the man sitting beside her, bold as could be,
Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between,
which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene.
So she munched the cookies and watched the clock,
as the gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock.
She was getting more irritated as the minutes
ticked by, thinking, If I wasn’t so nice, I would blacken his eye.
With each cookie she took, he took one too,
with only one left, she wondered what he would do.
With a smile on his face, and a nervous laugh,
he took the last cookie and broke it in half.
He offered her half, as he ate the other, she
snatched it from him and thought ...oooh, brother.
This guy has some nerve and he’s also rude,
why, he didn’t even show any gratitude!
She had never know when she had been so galled,
and sighed with relief when her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings and headed to the
gate, refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate.
She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat,
then she sought her book, which was almost complete.
She reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise,
there was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes.
If mine are here, she moaned in despair,
the others were his, and he tried to share.
Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,
that she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief.
How many times in our own lives, have we absolutely
known,
That something was a certain way, only to be wrong.
. .
-Author unknown
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Are you a secret disciple?
Either the secrecy will destroy the discipleship, or the
discipleship will destroy the secrecy.
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him
I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever
denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matt. 10:32,33
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father
in heaven.” Matt.5:16
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A Cure For Eczema
I have been struggling
with Eczema since I was but a young child, and have found a possible cure.
Well, it worked for me. I don’t think I’ll win a Nobel Prize or anything
(DRATS!), but perhaps it will help any of you who are dealing with this
disorder. First of all, Hydrocortisone burns the skin. This
is likely the first thing a doctor will prescribe. My skin would
hurt so bad that it would bleed. . . And believe me, it HURT. So,
I went on a Celiac Disease diet for one
week which meant that I could
eat no dairy, meat, or gluten. In other words, all I could eat was
soup, vegetables, rice, fruits, etc. That was a hard blow since I
am such a devoted Italian!
This, of course,
will not be too easy to do. But I certainly know what I am talking
about since my skin complications have been gone for over a year.
I would totally recommend this to anyone who is suffering from Dermatitis.
That week of only eating what I detested was pretty tough, but I am truly
reaping the benefits.
-Rachel White
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Recipes
Albert’s Venison or Beef Jerky - Mild
4 lbs. hind quarter or tenderloin (venison or beef)
1 cup soy sauce or A1 sauce
1 cup Worcestershire or teriyaki sauce
2 tsp. accent
2 tsp. seasoned salt
B tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
B tsp. black pepper
Cut meat into 3 or I strips. I cut all the fat out of
the meat. Marinated 24 hrs. in refrigerator. Put in food dehydrator
at 150 degrees F for 6 to 8 hrs. Put in ziplock bags & keep in a warm,
dry place for the hungry bears. Good luck.
-Albert Wible
Graham Crackers
11 cups whole wheat flour
11 cup white flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
B cup maple syrup or 1 cup honey
2 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
Beat together maple syrup (or honey) with butter, egg, &
vanilla. Mix in remaining ingredients (I permit you to use your hands).
Roll out dough 1/8 in. thick on floured surface or waxed paper. If
dough is too dry to work with, kneed in a little
extra maple syrup or water. Cut into squares or other shapes, and
pierce each one with a fork a few times. Transfer to ungreased cookie
sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven just until edges brown slightly.
Cool on wire rack and store in air tight container. Note: These
don’t taste just like regular graham crackers, but are quite good.
I found this recipe (before I improved on it) in a great recipe book, The
Maple Syrup Cookbook by Ken Haedrich.
-Atlanta Stace
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Parting Verses
“But I say to you that
for every idle word men may speak, they
will give account of it
in the day of judgment. For by your words
you will be justified,
and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:36,37
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