February 26, 1999

From God's Word:

Christ Suffered for Me!

"You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean" (Leviticus 10:10 NIV).

As believers, we must learn to discern between that which is holy and that which is not. Such is not an ability we are born with. Our carnal natures are estranged from God's Holiness. Our natural tendencies are prone to sin not please. We tend to gravitate toward the common, the desirable instead of that which is Holy and pure.

People very naturally prefer to worship on the golf course instead of the Sanctuary; to fish for bass instead of men; to shop instead of pray; to watch television instead of reading the Bible; to enjoy a night out instead of giving a tithe . . . the list goes on and on.

God is not pleased with everything we do. The old computer axiom, "garbage in, garbage out" rings of truth here.

Reading one's Bible, participating in Sunday School, attending Discipleship Training, hearing God's Word preached -- these are the ways believers "learn" to distinguish between the holy and the common. In fact, accepting these sources may well be your first lesson discerning the holy from the common.

Dear Lord, forgive me for treating too many things as holy that are, in fact, common. These things have left me unclean in Your Holy eyes. Forgive me, dear Father, and cleanse me from my unrighteousness, in Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Together We Pray

For a son dealing with separation anxiety; pray also for his parents who desire God's intervention and help.

For a friend experiencing vertigo.

For a friend suffering from a long term illness and facing more tests next week.

For a doctor's family enduring much sickness this past week -- especially his wife and fourth son who are especially ill.

For the people of Ambon, Indonesia -- Muslim rioters killed eight people and many homes were burned Feb 24; human values seem to have been discarded, one minister reports. To date, 13 churches have been burned and 26 Christians are known dead.

In great gratitude for a father's cancer which shows him to be in remission.

In gratitude for a couple's traveling mercies during a trip last week.

In great gratitude for a couple's 55th wedding anniversary!

For God's plan, preference, and care . . . Amen.

Bible Readings (date, read, focus)
Fri, Feb 26	Num 1:1-2:34; Psm 30	Num 1:1-1
Sat, Feb 27	Num 3:1-4:49; Psm 31	Psm 31
Sun, Feb 28	Mark 7:1-8:38; Prov 10:17-18	Mark 8:31
Mon, Mar 1	Num 8;1-11:35; Psm 33	Psm 33:4-5
Tues, Mar 2	Num 12:1-15:41; Psm 34	Psm 34:4
Wed, Mar 3	Num 16:1-19:22; Psm 35	Num 16:32
Thur, Mar 4	Num 20:1-23:30; Psm 36	Num 20:8-11
Fri, Mar 5	Num 24:1-26:65; Psm 37	Psm 37:23
The complete one year Bible reading plan is available on the Journey Through the Bible web site.

Computer Corner

The International Mission Board has recently updated their web page and the result is most impressive. If you are serious, or even curious about missions work, you will want to check this page out this week! It's that good!!

Among the site's many features, visitors can peruse prayer concerns, personnel needs, volunteer information, facts on the Board's work, acquire free resources, get the latest missions news, and much more. There is even a section for interested students.

One particularly interesting section is "Missionary Information." This page features search utilities that allows visitors to find missionaries by origination state, furlow state, and more. Missionaries' e-mail and web page information is also available and instructions on how to use them effectively.

This isn't free advertising, folks! Missions is centrally important to God's kingdom work. The IMB web site helps you and your church become more involved. It's some of the good stuff on the Internet.

For other interesting web sites, check out our list of links on the Journey Through the Bible web site.

Living By Faith:

Three Hundred and Some

For several weeks now, Antioch Baptist Church in Hartsville, South Carolina, has been praying over, planning for, and promoting "FRANtastic Sunday" for February 21st. The event would not only kick start a four day revival emphasis, and reach friends, relatives and neighbors with the good news of Jesus Christ, it was also hoped to establish a new high attendance record in Sunday School which stood at 263.
My family and I accepted Pastor Tom Swilly's invitation to visit. The fact that we're are a family of six didn't hurt either!
Right away, I was struck by the faithfulness of Antioch's members. Sunday School leaders had "planned" on moving into larger areas and extra chairs were waiting to be used. God richly rewarded their efforts. The teacher of one children's class had to find chairs wherever she could get them. The young adults class which normally ran around 25 packed the fellowship hall with more than 50!
During worship, the fruit of their labor was revealed. More than 131 visitors gave birth to a new record -- 301! Cheers and praises to God were heard all over the Sanctuary as the numbers were posted on the "brag board." God had indeed done a mighty work and used these faithful people to do it!
What makes this story so remarkable is where Antioch Baptist Church is located. The 169 year old church is a "rural" congregation almost 10 miles from the closest store. Their growth is the result of prayer and teaching God's Word. Most of all, it was the direct fruitfulness which comes from every member, and not just the pastor, faithfully sharing the Gospel.
It sound like something the Bible says, doesn't it!
: How has God helped you? Where have you seen God at work? Share your story today!
How has God helped you? Where have you seen God at work? Share your story today!

Ministry Needs

Kidnapped Missionaries Alive? Prayer and diplomatic efforts continue for three kidnapped missionaries. Prayers for Rich Mankins, Dave Tenenhoff, and Mark Rich is making a difference, Sanford, Florida-based New Tribes Mission (http://www.ntm.org) says. The men were taken hostage by a Colombian rebel group in 1991; recent unconfirmed reports indicate they are still alive. (More on this ministry opportunity is available on the JTB web site)

Turkey is "close to a spiritual breakthrough." Click here to read more about this story which we reported last week.

Want More?

e-mail Pastor Williams at ccwms@rocsoft.net for help in overcoming the storms of life, share prayer concerns, provide feedback, and more. You may also want to visit us on the World Wide Web at www.oocities.org/heartland/hollow/9254. There you'll find the latest updates on Service/Ministry opportunities, review & print the entire one year Bible reading plan, discover links web sites that help you grow in Christ, biographical data on Pastor Williams, and much more.

Preview subscribers will automatically become subscribers unless we hear from you otherwise. Send an e-mail to Pastor Williams to unsubscribe from this free ministry. Submitted testimonies and prayer requests are subject to editing by Pastor Williams for length and content. Bible readings alternate between Old and New Testament selections so as to journey the reader through the Bible in one year. Reflection verses are suggestions for daily spiritual growth. When reflecting, ask yourself: "What is God saying to 'me' in the this passage?" and then "What will I say to God in response?"