POINTS OF TRUTH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

Crusade Church of God

The evening began innocently. It was such a beautiful night the King decided to take a walk on the rooftop of his palace. Surely the stars would be shining magnificently on such a clear night.

Many years earlier as a young shepherd boy, he spent many nights gazing at the vast expanse of the universe above. While contemplating the awesomeness of what he saw he once asked the great Creator in prayer.- "What is man that you are mindful of him?"

It was on nights such as these that he spent much time in intimate contact with his God, growing to love Him, learning to trust in him.

Twice his father's sheep were attacked by predators, once by a lion and once by a bear, and both times his God gave him the strength to overpower them.

Out in the fields he would write inspiring songs about his God, singing them to the flock as his played on the harp. Sometimes he became so jubilant that he danced before the Lord. His God said of him,- "He is a man after My own heart."

Once while his older brothers were serving in the army of Israel, his father sent him to the war camp with provisions for them.

While he was there an immense enemy standing upwards to thirteen feet tall stepped onto the plains and cried out defiant insults against the God of Israel. The army of Israel trembled and no man answered the challenge from this giant called Goliath. No one except this young shepherd boy who was there only to deliver goods.

Running to meet this armored giant, with only a sling in hand and five stones, this young shepherd proclaimed,- "The same God which gave me the power to kill a lion and a bear will give me the power to kill you this day." With one shot the giant was felled and this young shepherd became a hero and later a beloved King.

Perhaps he was reminiscing of these things as he strolled along the rooftop that night. Maybe he was again looking at the starry sky as he did while in the fields as a youth. But when he saw a beautiful young woman bathing on her own rooftop these good thoughts left him and he began to desire what was not lawfully his,- this young woman was already married to a warrior in the King's army.

For Bathsheba, the evening began innocently as well. Perhaps she had just written a letter to her beloved husband Uriah who was off at war. Maybe she was worried about his welfare, wondering,- "Is he still alive?" She thought, "A nice bath before bed would help me sleep."

Suddenly she heard a knock at the door! Who could that be at this hour? Standing at the door were the King's messengers saying that King David wished to see her. Obedient to the King's request Bathsheba departed with them to meet the King. What an honor to be summoned by the King! The man who slew Goliath! A man who carried the commandments of God with him at all times! A man of whom God had said "is after My own heart!"

As she entered the King's court she bowed humbly as the King commanded they be left alone. Perhaps she was surprised as it became clear this would be no cordial meeting. Perhaps as the King began to remove her clothing she told him that she was married. Was she surprised to learn that he already knew that?

King David shamefully had his way with young Bathsheba and then sent her back home. "No one will ever know," he thought. What a shock it must have been when he was informed that Bathsheba was pregnant with his child!

David's thoughts must have raced back and forth through his mind,- "What must I do now?" "I will summon her husband from the war so that he will lay with her and later believe that he is the child's father when it is born."

This David did, but Uriah was so faithful to the King and his fellow soldiers that he refused to visit his wife while others were sleeping on the battle fields, but instead laid down on the steps of the palace.

The King became desperate! "I will instruct my Commander to place Uriah on the front line so that he will surely die!" Uriah did die in battle and the King took his wife as his. But the damage was not done, but had just begun. The eyes of the Lord which flash to and fro as lightning across the earth had seen it all.

The Lord sent a prophet named Nathan to convict David of the evil which he had done and tell him the judgments he must endure.

The King was cut to the quick and cried,- "I have sinned against the Lord!" The prophet replied,- "The Lord has taken away your sin." David's sin was forgiven the moment he repented in his heart, however the prophet added that there were consequences for these sins even though he was forgiven of them.

(1) "There shall be constant WAR all the days of your reign."

(2) "Your OWN WIVES SHALL BE RAPED in broad daylight. What you did secretly I will do before all Israel."

(3) "I will cause your own FAMILY TO RAISE UP AGAINST YOU."

(4)"The BABY conceived from this adulterous act MUST DIE."

What a high price to pay for what began as a wanton night of fleshly indulgence.

As the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians,- "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." (1 Cor.5)

Sin, unchecked, always spreads, always grows, always ensnares.

(1) WAR: What is peace worth? So many wars throughout history have been fought to "end war." Even the value of a single person's peace of mind is made clear when he experiences a troubled mind.

David's reign was cursed by constant war. We may wonder,- "How many valiant soldiers died as a result of David's sin?" "How many widows were left in Israel due to the casualties?" "How many children were orphaned?" And when David requested permission to build a Temple for the Lord he was denied on the grounds that he was a "bloody man."

Yes God loved David. Yes he had deeply repented. Yes he was a man after God's own heart. Yes he was loved by the Lord. And yes there were consequences even for his forgiven sins.

(2) WIVES OPENLY RAPED: (3) FAMILY WILL RAISE UP AGAINST HIM:

Amnon, one of David's sons raped Tamar, his sister though she pleaded,- "No, my brother, do not violate me!"

Another brother, Absalom rose up and killed Amnon for this degraded act against his sister.

After a time Absalom began to conspire against his father in order to take the kingdom from him. After raising an army he made his march into Jerusalem. He found the city without a King for David had fled from his presence.

As conqueror, Absalom commanded that a tent be pitched on the roof of the King's house that he may rape his father's wives in the sight of all Israel.

In counter-attack, Absalom's army was engaged by Joab, commander of the King's army and Absalom was killed. Though Absalom had killed his brother Amnon, and had raised his hand against his father, David still loved him deeply and was grief-stricken over his death.

Yes there are consequences for sins.

(4) THE BABY MUST DIE: Shortly after Bathsheba gave birth the baby became ill. Laying on his face, refusing to eat for seven days, David pleaded with the Lord to have mercy on the child. David sought the Lord fervently but at the end of seven days the baby died. The Bible says little of the mother's reaction, only that David attempted to comfort her.

The devastating effects of what began as a simple stroll on a rooftop plagued David throughout his life. Thousands of lives lost in battle, thousands of widows and orphans made, the fear of the enemy in the land, not being allowed to build the Lord's Temple, having a son rape a daughter and another son kill him for it, a son raise up to take the kingdom from him, a son rape his wives in broad daylight in the sight of all Israel, the same son killed in battle, and the suffering and death of Bathsheba's baby.

Yes there are consequences even for forgiven sin.

Even after all this, God still proclaimed that David was a man after His own heart.

While the baby was sick David's servants could not console him, and when the baby died they were afraid to tell him, thinking that he may do harm to himself.

But when David heard them murmuring he perceived that the baby was dead and arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes and entered the house of God to worship. David knew that he must endure the Lord's judgments against him without complaint. He knew the judgments were just and necessary. And he knew that the Lord had forgiven him and would not hold his acts against him in God's eternal, righteous Kingdom to come.

THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR WHAT WE DO

AND FOR HOW WE LIVE

Though Moses was faithful he was not allowed to enter into the promised land because he did not treat the command of the Lord holy. God had instructed him to speak to the Bethel Rock that it may bring forth water for the children of Israel. But in his anger over their constant complaints, Moses struck the Rock instead.

The Lord was angry with Moses and said,- "Because you did not treat Me as holy in the sight of Israel, you shall not lead My people into the land of promise."

Though Moses later pleaded with the Lord, He would not listen saying,- "Enough! Speak to Me no more of this matter!" (Deuteronomy 3:26)

Moses accepted the judgment of the Lord knowing that it was just and righteous. Moses knew he was forgiven, he knew he was loved by God. Here is a man of whom God says,- "There is none so faithful, he is My friend."

Yet, there are consequences for sin.

Why is it that the Lord so often warns us about sin which so easily ensnares us? Why does He exhort us to ever "Be Alert!?"

Is it not because of His great love for us? Jesus said,- "No greater love can one have than for him to lay down His life for his friends." This He did, willingly, to save us from the fiery judgment of the Lake of Fire.

But what can save us from living lives full of trouble and despair? Perhaps living each moment knowing that there are consequences for even forgiven sins. And trusting that God's way is always the right way.

Marriage is...

COMMITMENT

What is the basis for marriage? Many would say "love." By love, they mean a romantic feeling toward another. Real love, as defined by Scripture is "out-going concern" for another.

More than a mere emotional feeling, true love produces loving action which proves its care for the other person. The Apostle Paul said,- "Love is not selfish, does not envy, is not jealous and does not seek its own interests above the interests of others." (1 Corth. 13)

"Does not seek its own interests," means that true love is driven by denying self and giving to another according to the divine will of God.

One Marriage expert lists six traits of "romantic love" that make it a shaky foundation for marriage.

(1) Romantic love often overtakes its victim suddenly and unexpectedly.

(2) Being "in love" may distort a person's judgment.

(3) Being "in love" is first and foremost an experience of the emotions.

(4) "Romantic love" is most often an irrational experience.

(5) The experience of "love" may immobilize its victim.

(6) There are evidences of a well-formed delusional system in some romantic encounters.

Yet despite research findings such as these, "romantic love" is most often made the sole basis for marriage. Is it any wonder why more than half of first marriages, and more than 60% of second marriages fail?

The Biblical basis for marriage is commitment. Commitment not only to your partner but to God who ordained the marriage covenant. God says,- "I hate divorce!" (Malachi 2:16) Jesus said,- "What therefore God has joined together, let no man tear apart."

Marriage is. . ."till death do us part," not "until the going gets rough." It is a lifelong commitment based upon sacred vows uttered in the presence of the Creator of marriage. It is not two people simply living together, but two becoming one. A team ordained by God for the advancement of His glory in commitment to His will.

MARRIAGE IS. . .LETTING CHRIST IN

By: Treon Lasiter

When I hear of marital problems and even divorces within the Body of Christ, it brings to mind Jesus' message to the Church at Laodicea,- "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him and he with Me." (Rev. 3:20)

What Jesus seems to be saying to those in Laodicea is that they have put Christ out of their homes. Jesus is saying,- "I will come in if you open the door for Me."

Letting Jesus in your home means letting Him into the very fabric of your marriage as well. It is letting Him into the way you rear your children. It is each person submitting to the role which God has placed them in to fulfill. Only then can there be peace and harmony.

When wives humbly submit to their husband's authority they are assured that their prayers will not be hampered. The Creator of marriage knows how He designed it to work. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church, and the wife is to submit and obey her husband as her head. A woman with a quiet and gentle spirit is precious in the sight of God. (1 Pet.3:4)

Do you what to be precious in the sight of God?

With divorce rates at an all-time high it is obvious that something is very wrong in our society and even within the church.

I believe putting Jesus Christ at the center of our homes provides the answer to these marital problems. But before He can enter, we must open the door and invite Him in. It worked for us.

Larry and I have been blessed with over 28 years of marital happiness, may the Lord receive the glory.

SUBMISSION

From Your Will to God's Will

PART TWO:

By: Larry R. Lasiter

SUBMISSION TO GOD

Matthew 22:35-38,- "And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him (Jesus) a question, testing Him, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And Jesus answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND." This is the great and foremost commandment.

Commentary: This means learning to always put God first in everything. It means submitting to His will. It means to cherish Him and His Way in your heart, and having Him always on your mind. Do you ever caress your Bible and gently kiss it, realizing that you are holding the precious Word of God which is Jesus Christ, Himself, in written form? To know the Father and the Son is to adore them. Adoration of God brings forth the desire to please God through the obedience of faith.

God rejected Israel's first King because he did not wait on Samuel to arrive to present an offering to the Lord, but instead offered it himself. King Saul had been appointed King, but God had not authorized him to handle sacrifices to the Lord. Like the fallen angels who left their "proper abode" (Jude) and ascended to heaven, Saul left his abode as King and assumed the role of priest.

1 Samuel 15:22-23, "And Samuel said, "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in OBEYING THE VOICE OF THE LORD? Behold, to OBEY IS BETTER than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For REBELLION is as the sin of WITCHCRAFT, and STUBBORNNESS is as iniquity and IDOLATRY."

Commentary: "Stubbornness" (KJV) or "Insubordination" (NAS) in Hebrew means to "press in" or to put into our modern vernacular, "set your jaw." It is unwilling to submit to authority.

James 4:7, "SUBMIT therefore to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.

Acts 5:27-29, "And when they (Apostles) had brought them, they stood them before the Council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name (Jesus), and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the apostles answered and said, "WE MUST OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN."

Commentary: This was of course after Jesus' death. While still alive, Jesus had instructed His disciples to submit to this same Council, the Sanhedrin, saying "Do as they say, but not what they do, for they are hypocrites!" After Jesus' resurrection He appeared to His disciples and commanded them to take His teachings to the whole world. Here in Acts, they were faced with submitting to the will of the Council or submitting to the will of Christ, they rightly chose Christ.

The night of His betrayal and arrest, Jesus was deeply grieved knowing the suffering that was lying ahead of Him. After the Passover He went into the garden to pray and to ask the Father if there was another way of saving you and me.

Matthew 26:36-39,- "Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane and said to His disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me." And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet NOT AS I WILL, but as YOU WILL."

Commentary: Our Lord did not have to lay down His life to save us, but because of His great love for us He did. He knew it was the Father's will, but the option was still His. (Isaiah 53:10) Jesus could have called thousands of angels at any moment. But had He not laid down His sinless life, all who have ever lived would have been lost forever. He was in such agony and mental distress, that He sweated great drops of blood (Luke 22:44) as He said, "Not My will Father, but Yours be done." Jesus SUBMITTED Himself to be beaten, mocked and cruelly nailed to a cross.

1 Corinthians 15:24-29,- "Then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, "All things are put in SUBJECTION." it is evident that He (The Father) is excepted who put all things in SUBJECTION to Him (Jesus). And when all things are SUBJECTED to Him, then the SON, HIMSELF ALSO WILL BE SUBJECTED TO THE ONE (the Father) WHO SUBJECTED ALL THINGS TO HIM, that God may be all in all."

Commentary: Here we see that after Jesus brings all things under submission to His will, God the Father will arrive (Rev.21) and Jesus will once again defer to the Father, placing the kingdom at His feet, and submitting to His will. This attitude of Jesus is the attitude God desires in us as we will see in the following passage.

Philippians 2:5-16,- "HAVE THIS ATTITUDE in yourselves WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (selfishly held onto) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in the appearance as a man, He HUMBLED HIMSELF by becoming OBEDIENT to the point of DEATH, even DEATH ON A CROSS.

Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always OBEYED, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with FEAR AND TREMBLING; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Do all things WITHOUT GRUMBLING or DISPUTING; that you may prove yourselves to be BLAMELESS and INNOCENT, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain."

POINTS TO REMEMBER

The Great Commandment is the very first one, to Love the Lord with all your HEART, SOUL and MIND. * To OBEY and SUBMIT to God is better than the sacrifices we may make. *Rebellionis as the sin of witchcraft. * Stubbornnessis as the sin of idolatry. * Resist the devil and he will flee from you. * When there is a conflict, OBEY GODinstead of men. But remember, God did not say be rebellious toward all other authority God has ordained. Jesus had told His disciples to submit to the Jewish Council previously. * Jesus submitted to the Father even unto death on the cross saying, "Your will be done, Father." * Jesus will bring everything and everyone into submission at His return, then submit Himself to the Father when He arrives. * We are to have His same attitude in us * Work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. * Do all things without grumbling or disputing.

Treating the Holy, Casually

By: Larry R. Lasiter

After 26 years in the faith, I am convinced that the people of this nation and indeed the entire Christian community, regularly treat what Gods says is holy, casually. And I must admit that I find myself so often fitting neatly into this category.

Holy means to be "set apart." When God pronounces something or someone "holy", it means that He has made a distinction and set it, or them apart for a divine purpose.

For example, at creation week the very first thing God set apart and made holy was the seventh day. This is Saturday on our calendar not Sunday.

We are guilty of using Scriptures like Isaiah 66:2 to emphasize only our need to be humble while neglecting the passage dealing with the fear of God. Notice,- "But to this one will I look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My Word."

How many of us today truly "tremble" at God's Word? God is often thought of as a kindly old gentleman who wouldn't harm a fly. The Devil has been very effective in distorting the view of God.

Transporting the Ark of the Covenant

In the time of David's reign in Israel, the Ark of the Covenant was stored at Kiriath-Jearim, and had been there since the days of Saul.

Since David was a man who loved the Lord deeply, he wanted to move the Ark to its rightful place in Jerusalem. The Ark represented the Throne of God, the place on earth where His glorious presence would manifest itself above the mercy seat.

Notice,- "Bring up the Ark of God, the Lord who is enthroned above the cherubim, where His name is called." (1 Chron. 13:6)

Verse 7 says that they carried the Ark on a "new cart." We are not given all the details, but it is reasonable to believe that because the Ark was so revered that a special, new cart was made to transport it to Jerusalem. If true, it only stands to reason that only the finest materials were used in its construction. After all, by God's own command the Ark was overlaid with pure gold with the mercy seat and cherubim of solid gold.

I believe that in David's heart he was trying to honor his God by transporting the Ark on this new cart. And he was jubilant, dancing before the Ark as the musicians enthusiastically played songs to honor the God of Israel. Verse 8 says that "David and all Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all their might."

The Bible then says, "They came to the threshing floor of Chidon." A threshing floor is where the chaff is separated from the wheat. Where what is useful and acceptable is separated from what is useless and unacceptable. When the grain is tossed into the air the chaff is blown away while the heavier grains fall to the floor to be collected.

It was there at the threshing floor of Chidon that God determined to show that the method in which the Ark was being transported was not acceptable in the sight of God.

It was there that this new cart was almost upset by the oxen pulling it. The Bible doesn't tell us exactly what happened. Perhaps the oxen made an unexpected quick move to one side, or maybe they pulled the cart into a hole or grade which caused it to almost topple.

But when this happened a man named Uzza reached out to steady the Ark that it might not fall and was suddenly struck down dead by the Lord.

The celebration stopped! The music and songs to the Lord were suddenly silenced. David and all Israel stood in fear and awe. Everyone knew now that in spite of all the celebration and praising, the Lord was not happy but was in fact, angry!

Then anger set in with David. "How could the Lord do this thing" " We were praising, dancing and singing songs to the Lord" "Uzza was just trying to help, he was trying to keep the Ark of the Covenant from falling." There must have been many questions in the mind of David that day.

Along with the anger came the fear, notice,- "And David was afraid of God that day, saying, "How can I bring the Ark of God home to me?"So they left the Ark with a family in nearby Obed-Edom and went back to Jerusalem.

David, Israel and Uzza experienced the severity of the Lord that fateful day. They would learn that details matter to God and that He will not tolerate the casual treatment of what He has made holy.

What Had David Done Wrong?

David now did what he should have done before he began the task of transporting the Ark, he inquired of the Scriptures to see how the Lord had instructed the Ark to be carried. "Then David said, "No one is to carry the Ark of God but the Levites; for the Lord chose them to carry the Ark of God." (1 Chron. 15:2)

David then told the Priests that because they did not carry the Ark the Lord made an "outburst against us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance." (Vs 13)

Notice that this happened because they did not seek the will of God first to ensure that they were in accordance with His instruction.

Let us consider that God could have sent a prophet to David at any time to warn him. We see that God let David build the new cart and even let him believe that He was happy with the jubilant celebration.

From God's perspective, it had been commanded and written beforehand, "My Priests shall carry the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders with the poles through the rings of the Ark." They were not even to touch it.

David had treated the transporting of the Ark which was holy, too casually. He did not fearfully inquire the Scriptures before he undertook this task. He asked no counsel of prophet or priest, but acted presumptuously.

So with the Priests bearing the Ark on their shoulders it was finally transported to Jerusalem.

Notice,- Thus all Israel brought up the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the horn, with trumpets, with loud sounding cymbals, with harps and lyres." (Vs 28)

So we see that the Ark was brought into Jerusalem with celebration, vs 29 says that David danced, leaped and made-merry in front of it as it went forth. And this time God was happy because it had been done according to His command.

Modern Parallels

In His Word God tells us to observe carefully what He commands us to do, and to not treat casually what is holy. He warns that we should not add nor take away from what he says.

We can learn from this historic account that God cares more about obedience than sacrifice and celebration. Samuel once told King Saul that God cares more about obedience than sacrifice. We see that we may hold lively worship services with hours of praising, prayer and sacrificial offerings and still not please the Lord.

Jesus once said, "These people honor Me with their lips but their hearts are far from Me. But in vain do they worship Me teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men." (Matt.15:8-9)

There are so many in the Christian world today who honor God with their lips but never fearfully inquire the will of God through His Word. Like David, who was a man after God's own heart, vainly tried to honor God by carrying the Ark on a new cart, we can worship in vain if we do not obediently seek God's will. Carrying the Ark on a new cart was "man's" idea of how best to hold the glory of God but it was unacceptable to God. Likewise we can have a worship which is not acceptable to God. Jesus said that the Father is seeking "true worshipers" who will worship Him in spirit and truth. (John 4:23)

We must come to see that God does not want His glory transported on a "new cart." He wants us to carefully carry-out His will as He so carefully instructs in the Scriptures.

Consider these things which God proclaims as holy,

"Commandments", "Tithes", "Annual Holy Days-Festivals", "Sabbath Day."

How many Christians today treat these holy things casually?

News in the LAST DAYS

UNITED STATES FEARS

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

IN NEXT

MIDDLE EAST WAR

UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL

,June 29, 2001

. U.S. defense and security experts project the use of ballistic missiles with non-conventional warheads in the next Middle East war.

U.S. officials said this scenario has been drafted by experts in several defense agencies. They said such countries as Iraq, Iran and Syria might launch chemical and biological weapons attacks in any confrontation with Israel.

The assessment has been presented to President George Bush. The White House was told that the Middle East was sliding into a state of war in which all measures could be employed.

"One reason -- among many -- that we cannot walk away from the Middle East conflict is that another war there could involve weapons of mass destruction." Sen. Joseph Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

. Officials said the scenarios of a future Middle East war have been discussed with both Egypt and Israel. They said both countries agree on likelihood that WMD could be used.

Israeli military planners have assessed that Iraq would be the key to any Arab use of WMD. The Israeli military has prepared plans for Iraqi intervention in any conflict between Syria and the Jewish state.

"We presume that this sort of situation will lead to Iraqi involvement and an intensification of Syrian participation in events," a senior Israeli officer told the Israeli military Bamahane weekly. "We are proposing a number of steps that would give an answer according to developments."

DOCTOR WARNS OF WIDESPREAD FAMINE DUE TO AIDS

THE IRISH TIMES, June 30 -Prof. Robert Gallo, the doctor who first identified the AIDS virus and developed a test for it, has warned of widespread famine and industrial collapse if the HIV epidemic is not adequately addressed.

He also criticized politicians for not recognizing the potential for the HIV epidemic to destabilize the world.

He said scientists had been telling governments for some time of the likelihood of widespread famine and industrial collapse as a consequence of AIDS.

"This will not be limited to Africa," Dr Gallo said, "and I welcome the recent report of the United States National Security Council which outlined the serious economic fallout we face from the continuing global epidemic."

Referring to the unique problems surrounding AIDS in Africa and Asia, he said that issues of male domination and sexual promiscuity must be addressed as part of the solution.

ASSOCIATED PRESS, July 1, 2001

Two mild earthquakes struck Spokane Saturday night July 1, authorities said. The quakes were felt at 10:45 and 10:50, said Bob Stose, dispatcher for the Spokane County Fire Department. Stose said there were no immediate reports of damage or emergencies.

The region is not historically prone to earthquakes, but scientists said the newly discovered Latah Creek fault could be rumbling to life again after a 1.5 million-year dormancy.

JERUSALEM, July 2 -Israel's security forces killed five Palestinians in two separate incidents Sunday in the West Bank -- including an attack by a helicopter gunship -- while also launching an air strike on a Syrian radar station in Lebanon. The stepped-up Israeli military activity -- further eroding a U.S.-crafted cease-fire accord -- took place as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon insisted that there must be a complete halt to Palestinian violence before he would engage in political talks.

Letters & Odds `n' Ends

"Why would God send the Devil to earth and then create men and women in the very place that He sent His enemy? When He also made eight other planets. It doesn't make sense to me. PLEASE HELP ME! Anonymous

Dear Friend,

WARM GREETINGS IN THE MAJESTIC NAME OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND HIS GLORIOUS SON JESUS CHRIST! Hope this letter finds you well and prospering in the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior.

Thank you for writing me and sharing with me your thoughts, I appreciate that you have asked me to "please help" you. This reveals an attitude in you that reminds me of a man who said to Jesus,- "I believe! Please help my unbelief!" when Jesus told him he would receive his miracle if only he would believe. That man did receive his miracle because Jesus did help his unbelief.

First let me say that God does not owe us an explanation of why He does things the way He does them. He does expect those who worship Him to believe that He is faithful in all of His judgments. The Apostle Paul asked,- "Who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this" will it?" (Romans 9:20)

God says in His Word that His thoughts are higher than the thoughts of man, even higher than the heavens above the sky. (Isaiah 55:8-9) And Paul says "Who can know the thoughts of God except the spirit of God?" (1 Corinthians 2:11)

So my friend, we know already that as mere humans we are not able to comprehend fully why God does the things as He does.

But the Bible does give a glimpse of the plan of God concerning His creation in man. He made man in His own likeness and gave man a mind and something animals do not possess, a sense of morality, of right and wrong. In contrast, an animal does not feel sympathy for its victim. A cat has no emotional feeling toward a mouse it has caught and toyed with till it died.

Man alone asks the questions,- "Who am I?'" "What am I?" "Where did I come from?" "Is there a purpose for my existence?" Man alone ponders where he fits in as he gazes at the vast awesome universe he finds himself living in. Man alone contemplates the existence of a divine Creator. And man alone seeks to know Him, to try to understand Him as you are as evidenced by your question, my friend.

I believe the Bible supports the teaching that in man God is reproducing Himself. True Christians are those who have received the holy spirit (Romans 8) the actual spiritual "seed" of God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ. The Apostle John says that Christians are "children of God" (1 John 3:1) and the Apostle Paul says that the entire creation is eagerly awaiting the revelation of the children of God. (Romans 8:19) John further says that though it has not yet appeared what Christians shall be, when Jesus appears they will be as He is, in glorified spiritual form.

Because man was created to expand the family of God, to become what He is (but lesser in authority of course) to receive awesome power at his glorification, it only stands to reason that God must test him before transforming him into a powerful eternal being. The Bible says that God does not "tempt" anyone but He does "test" them.

Before his fall Satan was a beautiful, honored Cherub named Lucifer. He was an Arch-Angel with great power and authority and when he rebelled against God there was war in heaven. An Arch-Angel is not God. He is only a created spirit being with power, but limited power. And yet when Lucifer rebelled there was war in heaven. How much more devastation could be caused if a glorified, transformed, powerful saint were to rebell against God?

Since his rebellion, God has used Satan, He has allowed him to tempt man in order that He may see who is faithful and worthy of being born into the family of God. Even after the second resurrection, after all those resurrected are given the opportunity to follow God's way, Satan will be loosed to tempt them into rebellion. This is God's way of testing those who lay a claim to godliness.

Like a cup is made to hold a drink and a chair is made to sit in, man was made to be what God is. A cup which will not hold a drink or a chair which will not hold the weight of a person cannot be used for its created purpose. Likewise, man was made "by God" and "for God." Man is a product of creation, made by a supreme Creator, for a specific purpose. Man was not made to serve himself but to serve the purpose of his maker. If he will not lend himself to that purpose he is no more useful to his Creator than a broken cup is to the potter who made it. Both are fit only to be cast aside.

I believe that man had to have something to resist, or overcome in order to develop the character of God. Even in weight training, resistance is what builds strong muscles. God could give man a glorified body, but God wants man to have His character, to be in agreement with His laws and ways. Resisting the Devil and his ways is the weight training for the saints of God which will develop the character of God strong in us.

Before I close, let me say that Satan is not only the accuser of the Saints, but of God. He craftily accuses and draws into question the fairness of God. But I would like to remind you, that the very concept of being fair came from God. The only reason a person has a sense of fairness is because they have received that attribute from their Creator. And it is the Creator who defines fairness not the Devil. The Devil will sometimes bring the thought,- "If God was really fair He would not have let this bad thing happen." One cannot accuse the Creator of Fairness and goodness of not being fair or good. We cannot judge Him by our standards when they are only a reflection of His. A reflection is not the fullness of what is, but only a single-dimensional image of what is. The fulness cannot be comprehended by the mere image.

The famous Professor and Author C.S. Lewis once wrote,- "My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of "just" and "unjust"? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. . .If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning; just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. "Dark" would be without meaning." (Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis)

I hope that I have been of some help. Pray that God will grant you wisdom and understanding and trust always in the faithfulness of the Lord, His mercy nor His love ever fails. Brother Larry

Later Reply: Dear Brother Larry, Thank You, that really makes sense. God Bless you. Anonymous

From Freetown, Sierra Leone, W. Africa: Dear Pastor Larry, The funds you sent were faithfully collected from Western Union in Freetown this morning with members of the church, that is youth ,men ,women and the entire elders. To be candid with you we went on jubilating shouting and praising the name of the lord and we went along the ministry /department of social welfare and I then presented my case to the secretary of state. (a Muslim) She had nothing to do but to issue the permit /license. Immediately after that I came out with a shout that "JESUS IS LORD OVER SIERRA LEONE!" We all jubilated and everybody was dispersed home to go and prepare for EVANGELISM which is my heart beat.

Pastor I will want to say big thank you for this break through because all the time it seems as if we were in Egypt but now our freedom has been restored. I don't know, but maybe God wants to use you as the MOSES of my ministry in Freetown. Thanks may God richly bless you, Thomas Babadie, pastor.

From the Editor: Please pray for this small church of 65 in Sierra Leone. Muslims had come to hold many of the governmental offices and had passed a law disallowing Christian Churches to practice evangelism without a license from the government and affiliation papers from a Ministry office. The license was far too expensive for these poor brethren to pay so when they asked for our help we responded by paying the fee and allowing them to operate under the covering of Points of Truth Ministries.

From Naivasha, Kenya: Brother Larry, Greetings to you in the holy name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. My name is David Kariuki, brother to pastor Joseph Kimani from Nakuru, Kenya. It has been a long time since you have written to me or I to you. It is my joy to say hello to you and to your family. I always wished to write to you and share my personal heart with you for the good hospitality and love you showed to our pastor Kimani when he visited your country. Our pastor has been telling us about you and your dear family and of how you cared for him. For me it was not a light thing, but I heartily appreciate what you did pastor. Please accept my thanks.

We are looking forward by prayer and faith to God for your trip here to Kenya. We always mention you in our daily prayer. Welcome to Kenya pastor Larry and your team, you are most welcome and we love you.

I have moved to another town, Naivasha, to do God's work there. You will come to know it when you come. Pray for me and the new church here and I look forward to hearing from you soon pastor. write me. Tell my sisters Sarah and Jennifer to write me.I love you and God bless you. Yours in Christ, David Kariuki Njenga, pastor

Email: lasiter@pointsoftruth.com