November 15, 2002 V1N2
Welcome to the second issue of R4A. I pray that you will be blessed by this one as much or more than the first one!
The main article this time is one that most of you have probably read but still holds a major challenge for us.
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED
After he was martyred for his faith in Jesus, this letter was found in his desk. Written by a young pastor in Zimbabwe.
The dye has been cast.
The decision has been made.
I have stepped over the line.
I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away.
My past is redeemed, my presence makes sense, my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.
I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, live by prayer, and labor with power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me.
And when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me.
My banner is clear:
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed!
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WORD STUDY
April Pilgrim has taken over the word study for me. Thanks, April!
I discovered that none of these verses stand alone, you must read the verse before and after, and sometimes the entire chapter to grasp the full meaning.
God Bless!
Justification:
The act, process, or state of being justified by God
Romans 4:25
Romans 5:16 - 18
The Just Shall Live By Faith
Just:
Right; acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good
Righteous
Faith:
Trust; allegiance to duty or a person; Loyalty;belief and trust in and loyalty to God;
Firm belief in something for which there is no proof
Habakkuk 2:4
Romans 1:17
Galations 3:11
Hebrews 10:31
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I Could Not Do
Without Thee
I could not do without Thee,
O Savior of the lost!
Whose precious blood redeemed me,
At such tremendous cost.
Thy righteousness, Thy pardon,
Thy precious blood must be
My only hope and comfort,
My glory and my plea!
I could not do without Thee!
I cannot stand alone,
I have no strength or goodness,
No wisdom of my own.
But Thou, beloved Savior,
Art all in all to me;
And weakness will be power
If leaning hard on Thee.
I could not do without Thee!
For oh! the way is long,
And I am often weary,
And sigh replaces song.
How could I do without Thee?
I do not know the way;
Thou knowest and Thou leadest,
And wilt not let me stray.
I could not do without Thee,
O Jesus, Savior dear!
E'en when my eyes are holden,
I know that Thou art near.
How dreary and how lonely
This changeful life would be,
Without the sweet communion,
The secret rest with Thee!
I could not do without Thee!
No other friend can read
The spirit's strange deep longings,
Interpreting its need,
No human heart could enter
Each dim recess of mine,
And soothe and hush and calm it,
O blessed Lord, but Thine!
I could not do without Thee!
For years are fleeting fast,
And soon, in solemn loneliness,
The river must be passed.
But Thou wilt never leave me,
And, though the waves roll high,
I know Thou wilt be near me,
And whisper, "It is I."
by Frances Ridley Havergal
submitted by Cheri Cross
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Memory Verses
Suggestions are always useful here!
Luke 16:10 Romans 9:21 Galatians 2:20
Prayer & Praise
Well, I definitely have something to be thankful for. My sister, Jess, cracked a vertabrae (or broke her neck, in plain English) a few weeks ago. She is up and around and doing quite well, and I am very thankful she's still here. If you can reserve a slot in your prayer warrior duties pray for a speedy recovery for her. Thanks!
Selected Sayings
1. It's not what I don't know about the Bible that scares me--it's what I do know. Mark Twain.
2. Your daily schedule is your creed--what you believe in, you have time for.
3. God loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way.
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And something to make you smile... (My grandparents actually printed this in the newsletter for their Model-A club!)
SCHARF CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
CLOVIS, CALIFORNIA
ANNOUNCES:
1984 "Baby Scharf" called Jamie Lee Helen
Designer & Chief Engineer: Jim Scharf
Production Manager: Sheryl Scharf
Technical Advisors: Bob & Dot Scharf
Model was released at Fresno Community Hospital
Date: 5/9/84
Overall dimensions: 20 inches Weight: 7 pounds 11 ounces
DESCRIPTION
Two-lung power--free squealing--screamline body--economical feeding--water cooled exhaust--changeable seat covers.
So there is R4A #2...Keep looking to Jesus, He'll never let us down even when we let Him down. See you in two weeks and hope to hear from you!