Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

In Remembrance

President Abraham Lincoln was not the primary speaker at the dedication of
the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19,
1863. Edward Everett gave the primary oration at the dedication ceremony.
Everett spoke for two hours.

President Lincoln had been invited to come by the committee who organized
the event to officially dedicate the cemetery. One of the committee's
members, David Wills, in his invitation to the President, wrote: "It is the
desire that, after the Oration, you, as Chief Executive of the nation,
formally set these grounds to their sacred use by a few appropriate
remarks."

Those "few appropriate remarks" given by President Lincoln comprise one of
the best-known speeches in American history. Many recall studying the
opening lines of his address: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers
brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and
dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

Lincoln's entire address was given in just a few minutes in only ten
sentences and 271 words. Yet, it is his "Gettysburg Address" that is
memorialized as one of the greatest speeches ever given.

In his brief speech, Lincoln proclaimed that it was not those present who
could dedicate those grounds. "In a larger sense, we can not dedicate - and
we can not consecrate - we can not hallow - this ground. The brave men,
living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our
power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what
we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."

Lincoln noted that It was those who "gave the last full measure of devotion"
that consecrated that ground. *

On the first day of every week, members of the church of Christ engage in a
memorial. It is called "the Lord's Supper." It was instituted by Jesus
when He met with His disciples and observed the Passover feast just hours
before He would be taken away by an angry mob and nailed to a cross. Read
Matthew's account in 26:26-29. Read the Apostle Paul's instructions about
the proper observance of the Lord's Supper (when it was being abused) in 1
Corinthians 11:20-30.

The Lord's Supper is a memorial. "Do this in remembrance of Me," Jesus
said. We are instructed to remember what Jesus did on the cross for us as
we partake of the Lord's Supper. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on
the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His
wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24). He shed His blood for the
forgiveness of our sins (Matthew 26:28). On the cross, Jesus paid the price
for our sins, for our redemption (1 Peter 1:18-19).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Then those who have accepted His offer of salvation and eternal life on His
terms have the opportunity to remember the One Who "gave the last full
measure of devotion" in obedience to God and for our salvation. We remember
what He did for us in the observance of a weekly memorial. It was the Price
that was paid for us that hallows and consecrates the memorial of the One
who died for us so that we might live. We must never forget what He did for
us on the cross.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from Wikipedia's entry for "Gettysburg Address."

Is the Bible just a Tedious Fairy Tale?

 

Why is the Bible so long? A whole 66 books. One book has 66 chapters! And it’s mostly too good to be true!

 

Most life stories are long. The Bible is the story of our life and for our life. It’s God’s story of real life – from the creation to the final judgment, with so much in between, and even beyond into eternity. It’s a story of families and tribes and how they lived and struggled and sometimes prospered in various countries and widely spaced centuries. How a Great King was working a plan for all people. But if you just glean a few isolated highlights, you miss this story. For example, Abraham’s life is far more than a couple of promises God made to him in a few verses in chapters 12,15,17 and 22. It spans 14 chapters (12 – 25) from his call to his death, including his interaction with angels and other humans, and many other references throughout the entire Bible.

 

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Acts 17:24-28

 

God made people to live all over the face of the earth, and He made them not only to live, but to seek Him and find Him – to find the real meaning of life that He intended when we finally live happily ever after. “And they lived happily ever after.” That’s how fairy tales end, isn’t it?

 

Yes, and that’s the whole point! It is a sort of fairy tale: a story from God that includes wars and struggle, miracles and wonder and love and living forever. Of kings and queens, of angels, seraphim and cherubim, of thrones, thunder, lightning, fire, floods and power. Of a devil and evil spirits. A story where the goodie defeats the baddie and, like kids at a Saturday afternoon matinee, we cheer when the goodie arrives to save the world. A story in which the star is Jesus Christ. And in the end Jesus is victorious, and all the co-stars and extras join in the victory.

 

But too many have become too cynical and lost their sense of wonder and hope - that in the end it will all turn out good. That life can actually have a happy ending.

 

The Bible is a real fairy tale. A true story that is meant to give us hope! It’s about how life actually was and is for millions of people, and how the hero – God – plans for it to never end. It’s entrancing, spell-binding, fascinating – even scary in parts – but always capturing your attention! And God makes it never end in heaven. Like little children we should look forward to reading it

at bed-time – again and again and again – our sense of excitement never waning or wavering.

No … death is not the end of life. It needn’t have the final say. You thrill at the excitement of that

final galactic battle, in which love triumphs over evil, and lasts forever in the eternal City of God.

 

Yes, we can live happily ever after with King Jesus in Wonderland. Our dream can come true.

“The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

And you have to believe the story to benefit. But Oh, what a story!

 

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5

 

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17.

 

 

Work out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling to Inherit God’s Magnificent Promises (Yippee!!). Thus You Avoid the Unfortunate, Irrevocable, Fateful Pain of Eternal Separation from God in Hell (Yuck!!)

 

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:5-13

 

And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:32-36

 

Notice that the distressed and troubled soul of Jesus  is yet committed to obeying His Father’s will (Philippians 2:8; Mark 14:33-36) as  he dies on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for all sins, but that it will secure nothing for us sinners unless we too “work out our own salvation with like fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Obedience is not always easy, but it is always right. 1 Peter 1:22-23

 

Basically the same truth is found here:

 

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated

by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:7-10

And just as the exhortation in Philippians is speaking to Christians already saved, so the

Hebrews’ truth goes on to warn the saved of the danger of losing the salvation their

obedience has thus far brought them:

 

    About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of

hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach

you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.  6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Hebrews 5:11-6:6

 

But the Hebrew writer does not remain pessimistic, since he goes on to add:

 

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:9-12

 

And again:

 

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:32-39. Compare 12:25-29 for another picture of the ugly end when all created things are removed and only the heavenly kingdom will remain: that place prepared and promised by Jesus. John 14:1-3

 

Notice the contrast in verse 39: we either “shrink back” in our faith (compare “drift away” in 2:1), and are destroyed, or we maintain faith and preserve our souls. The Hebrew writer is confident they will choose the latter option. Jesus had said earlier that we must “fear God who can destroy our body and soul in hell,” Matthew 10:28, after which separation from God and all good, for the wicked, will be eternally complete. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10. This, of course, refers to the resurrected body and soul after the final judgment, which you read about here: John 5:24-29; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Hebrews 4:9-13; 9:27; 1 Peter 4:17-19

 

Essentially, in 2 Peter 1:1-15, we find the same truth about inheriting God’s “precious and magnificent promises” when we work out our salvation by adding to our faith, knowing that the Lord will reward us. Isaiah 40:10.    Why not read it and see? Here’s part of it:

 

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11For in this way there will be richly provided for

you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8-11

 

David Carr

Defining Success

Defining Success

How do you define success?

Here are some various answers to that question: *

Someone once asked Paul Harvey, the journalist and radio commentator, to
reveal the secret of his success. "I get up when I fall down," said Harvey.
-- Bits & Pieces, March 3, 1994, p. 16

In his book Be Free, Warren W. Wiersbe mentioned the fact that young
ministers often visited the great British preacher G. Campbell Morgan to ask
him the secret of his success. When someone inquired of him what he told
these aspiring preachers, Morgan replied, "I always say to them the same
thing -- work; hard work; and again, work!" - Our Daily Bread

"To succeed in life you need not only initiative, but also finishiative." --
Zaida Jones Blaine in Chicago Tribune

"The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well." -- John
D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Dan Crawford (1870-1926) spent most of his adult life serving as a
missionary in Africa. When it was time to return home to Britain, Crawford
described to an old Bantu the kind of world he was about to return to. He
told him about ships that ran under the water, on the water, and even those
that flew above the water. He described English houses with all of their
conveniences, such as running water and electric lights. Then Crawford
waited for the old African to register his amazement. "Is that all, Mr.
Crawford?" the aged man asked. "Yes, I think it is," Crawford replied. Very
slowly and very gravely, the old Bantu said, "Well, Mr. Crawford, you know,
that to be better off is not to be better." - W. Wiersbe, The Wycliffe
Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, p. 188.

What is success? In my book, one ingredient of success is meaningful time
with my children. As a friend of mine observed, "I have yet to hear of
anyone who, on his deathbed, wished he'd spent more time at the office." --
Joseph Stowell, Moody Monthly

A popular singer who recently went from rags to riches was quoted as saying,
"I still don't understand it. If you don't have any time for yourself, any
time to hunt or fish, that's success." -- Bits & Pieces, November, 1989, p.
18

Here is the key and the definition of true success: "Do not let this Book of
the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you
may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous
and successful" (Joshua 1:8 NIV).

True success is to know the will of God and to do it.

It is the will of God that you be saved. He "desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Sin condemns,
but God gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

It is the will of God that you serve Him. "For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for
us to do" (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

True success is to know the will of God and to do it. Won't YOU?

-- David A. Sargent

* These various answers come from
http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/s/success.htm

Mike Hadl of Lawrence, Kansas

208 Pints

Two hundred eight pints. That is 26 gallons. That is how much blood Mike
Hadl of Lawrence, Kansas, has donated since 1982. Last Saturday was the
date of his most recent donation, and he doesn't want it to be his last.
"When I get done and head home, I say to God, just let me do one more pint,"
he told WIBW in Topeka.

Why has he donated so much blood? The need for blood transfusions is
ever-present, especially during this coronavirus pandemic. But for Hadl,
there is an even greater motivation.

Hadl's mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer. At one point in her
treatments, she needed a blood transfusion. "She had to have two pints of
whole blood and she lived four [more] months," he told the local TV station,
"but the two pints of blood, whoever gave them, gave her one more
Thanksgiving, one more Christmas, one more New Years, with her children, her
grandkids, her family and friends."

Since then, Hadl has donated as much blood as he can, as often as he can, so
that perhaps his blood can help save a life - or at least extend it. He
encourages others to give as well. *

Our sinful condition is fatal: "for the wages of sin is death" (Romans
6:23). But God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son to die on
the cross for our sins (John 3:16). The blood that Jesus shed in His death
is the remedy - the only remedy - for our condition. When His blood is
applied to our lives, we receive eternal life. "For the wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans
6:23).

Jesus willingly "shed His blood" (gave His life) so that we can have eternal
life. It is the very reason that He, the eternal Word, "became flesh and
dwelt among us" (John 1:14). "In all things He had to be made like His
brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things
pertaining to God, to make propitiation [an atoning sacrifice] for the sins
of the people" (Hebrews 2:17).

"Let me help save one more," seems to be the mantra of Mike Hadl. Jesus'
desire is always to save one more. He said, "The Son of man has come to
seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10).

You can take it personally: Jesus wants to save YOU.

The Good News is that the blood of Jesus is sufficient to save YOU and as
many as will accept His offer on His terms. "He Himself is the propitiation
[the atoning sacrifice] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the
whole world" (1 John 2:2).

God will save by the blood of Jesus and give eternal life to those who place
their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and
are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
In baptism, the penitent believer has his/her sins washed away by the blood
of Jesus (Acts 22:16). That same blood continues to cleanse the Christian
from sins as he/she continues to walk in the light of His Word (1 John
1:7-9).

Jesus always wants to save one more. He wants to save YOU.

Won't YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life through your
trusting obedience?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Kansas man gives 208 pints of blood: 'Let me do
one more'" by Caleb Parke, www.foxnews.com.