The
Harvester
FEBRUARY 2004 No.
218
God has revealed himself to me with many names in
Scripture. In the first book of the Bible he is introduced as Lord God (2:4),
Almighty God (17:1,2) and Everlasting God (21:33). Later I find he is also
called Eternal God (Deut. 33:27), Living God (Josh. 3:10) and Lord of hosts
(Isa. 1:24). In the New Testament God is affectionately known as Heavenly
Father (Matt. 6:26) and Father of lights (Jas. 1:17). And I think to
myself…what a wonderful God.
God created me in his own image (Gen. 1:27). He
breathed into me the breath of life and made me a living soul (Gen. 2:7). He
gave me a sound mind, an inner conscience, and a healthy body. I was born to
parents who nourished me and made a loving family and provided for my physical
needs. And I think to myself…what a wonderful God!
I was born an American citizen and live in the
God created my world in six days, rested on the
seventh day and behold, “it was very good” (Gen. 1:31). In the springtime
I can look at beautiful flowers and green trees. The summer has its yellow sun
hoisted against blue skies and white clouds. There are colored leaves in the
autumn and frosty weather in the winter. I am amazed by the animals in the
woods and in the ocean and in the air. Nature truly is a marvel to behold when
I use my five senses to their fullest. And I think to myself…What a Wonderful
God!
God saw my loneliness and gave me a help meet, a wife
(Gen. 2:18). I feel God created her especially for me. Two wonderful children,
who honor their father and mother, complete our earthly family. In addition, he
gave me many friends and other human beings with whom I interact: growing,
learning, respecting and loving together. And I think to myself…What a
Wonderful GOD.
He knew I would need much guidance in this crazy
world. So he commissioned different writers from various backgrounds to pen his
Word. I have often wondered, where would I be without the Bible? It is my
standard and foundation and source of inspiration. It has all the answers for
my important questions. The Bible is always there, within reach of my hands and
my mind. I meditate frequently on its message. And I think to myself…What A Wonderful
GOD!
God gave me a Savior, too – his only begotten Son
(John
When I obeyed the Gospel, God added me to the church
(Acts
RAY
McMANUS
“I WAS GLAD …” (Psalms 122:1)
David said, “I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psa. 122:1). Yet, with all the diversions
in the world today it seems that many do not share this desire. The primary
desires seem to be those of the flesh. We are so busy with the things we “want”
to do, things we “need” to do, we do not seem to have time for God.
Perhaps we need to take a look at what our wants and needs really
should be.
It would seem that first, we need to increase our
faith to the point we desire to do God’s will more than we desire
to do these other things that hinder. A person might say, “I love the Lord just
as much as anyone else, but I really needed to go visit my folks last
Sunday.” Is this true? Is there anything we “need” to do more than to serve
God? I think not!
“Seek ye first the
Someone might ask, “Is regular church
attendance required?” The scriptures teach that it is. We have both example and
command. “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came
together to break bread, Paul preached unto them…” (Acts 20:7). The
“breaking of bread” (Lord’s Supper) was part of the doctrine as was prayer
(Acts
In Hebrews 10:23-27 we read: “Let us hold fast
the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that
promised;). And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good
works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of
some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge
of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful
looking for judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the
adversaries.”
We have professed our faith. Also, our faith is
our profession. Most of us are very industrious in our temporal professions
or occupations. Should we not be even more diligent to attend to our spiritual
profession? Being a Christian is a full-time work. We should do this “without
wavering” – without letting the cares of this life interfere. We are to “consider
one another to provoke unto love and to good works”. If I miss the church
service, am I considering others? Do I encourage them to love and to
good works? On the contrary, I discourage them and set a bad example to
fellow Christians and to the world about. My actions have expressed my
thoughts. I show I love the world more than I love the Lord.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together.”
This clearly indicates that the assembly is a way of promoting love and
good works. “As the manner of some is” shows us this was a problem even
then. “But exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching.” We are to exhort one another. Do we check with other members
of the congregation (especially weaker members) to encourage them to be present
for the next service? We should. And we should be more diligent to do this as
the day for the service nears. If a person misses a service, do we make a
special effort to find out why? If a person misses and no one mentions this, he
might think: (1) It is all right to miss occasionally if there’s something else
he’d rather do; (2) No one really cares. In any case, the person
is not “considered” and is not “provoked unto love and good works.”
Do we consider attendance a commandment? The next
verse (26) shows us clearly that to forsake the assembly is sinful! “For
if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth”
– indicates connection to the previous thoughts of attendance. Our “knowledge
of the truth” should show us this is necessary. If we do not attend, we “sin
willfully” and we can expect to be judged for it.
GLENN
S. BURK
(Excerpt
taken from a tract)
HOW GOD ANSWERS
He prayed for strength that he might achieve;
He was made weak that he might obey.
He prayed for wealth that he might do greater things;
He was given infirmity that he might do better things.
He prayed for riches that he might be happy;
He was given poverty that he might be wise.
He prayed for power that he might have the praise of men;
He was given infirmity that he might feel the need of God.
He prayed for all things that he might enjoy life;
He was given life that he might enjoy all things.
He had received nothing that he asked for.
But he had received all things he hoped for.
His prayer was answered – he was most blessed.
--Author Unknown--
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES
1. Who was David’s friend who became a spy for him
as Absalom’s advisor?
2. God said he would make the sky and earth like two
metals if the Israelites disobeyed. Name the two metals.
3. In the Parable of the Talents, how many total
talents were entrusted to servants?
4. What was the loud voice like, that John, in the
book of Revelation, heard?
5. What were the people doing, after the law was
read to them, that Nehemiah asked them to stop doing?
ANSWERS NEXT
MONTH . . .
and remember last month’s questions?
1. In what province were the seven churches John
wrote about in the first three chapters of Revelation? ASIA (Rev. 1:4)
2. Did God promise to eliminate harmful beasts from
the Promised Land? YES (Lev. 26:6)
3. What destroyed the house built upon the
sands? THE FLOOD (Luke 6:49)
4. On what did Habakkuk record his vision? TABLETS (Hab. 2:2)
5. What happened when King Uzziah did the forbidden
act of burning incense before the Lord?
HE WAS STRICKEN WITH LEPROSY ON HIS FOREHEAD (2 Chr. 26:19)
GOSPEL MEETINGS
DATES PLACE & TIME SPEAKER
Feb.
16 -22
Harry Cobb
March Valley,
26 – 28
(
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THE HARVESTER is a monthly publication intended to encourage all men everywhere to become laborers into God’s harvest (Luke 10:2). This paper is mailed free of charge to anyone who wishes to receive it. Please submit name, address, and all correspondence to:
Ray McManus
141 County Road 474
Woodland, AL 36280
Phone: (256) 449-9221
Email:
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