In This Issue

• THE IMPORTANCE OF GOSPEL PREACHING
• DOES PRAYING HELP?
• GOD BLESSED AMERICA
• UPCOMING GOSPEL MEETING SCHEDULE
• MORE INFORMATION...

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOSPEL PREACHING

After an evening of healing in Capernaum Mark tells us of Jesus that "in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, 'Everyone is looking for You.' But He said to them, 'Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.' And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons." (Mark 1:35-39).

There are perhaps several lessons we might take note of as we view this passage of Scripture. First note that even Jesus needed to find a place of solitude sometimes so that He could approach the heavenly Father in prayer. Jesus' work was too important not to discuss it with His Father.

Secondly, we might note that even though those in Capernaum were interested in Jesus, perhaps primarily because He could heal their diseases, He had already taught in their synagogue and healed in their streets. It was now time that other communities in Galilee be given the same opportunity that Capernaum had had to hear the message of the Son of God.

Note that Jesus said He must preach in other towns "because for this purpose I have come forth." A comparison of this passage with three others where Jesus states His Divine purpose will show us the importance of preaching the gospel. First, note how the Lord described His mission in Luke 19:10, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Why had the Son of Man come? To seek out and save the lost. Why had He come? To preach the gospel in the towns of Galilee (and other places). He was seeking to save the lost.

In John 10:10, the same mission was stated in very different wording: "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Why had He come? To save the lost. To give abundant (everlasting) life. To preach the gospel.

In John 5:38, Jesus said, "I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." Why had Jesus come to earth? To accomplish God's will. To seek and save the lost. To bring abundant, eternal life. To preach the gospel. These are all different ways of stating the same basic truth. The lost cannot be saved without the gospel being preached to them. Men cannot experience the abundant life without hearing and responding to the gospel. God's will on earth cannot be accomplished without the preaching of, and obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

--CRJ

DOES PRAYING HELP?

"What happens when you pray? " That all depends -- on what you mean by "happens ". "Well, I think prayer works." Prayer is only communication -- an expression of need or some sentiment. Prayer is not magical nor miraculous. Prayer tells God what you want or how you feel. Thus, prayer always works -- always does exactly what prayer is supposed to do. We express our heart to God -- unless we just "say a prayer." There is even provision for success when we can not put in words what needs to be said -- when expression is only "groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom.8:26). In this dilemma, Jesus "who searches the hearts" knows exactly what we try to say -- but cannot. Jesus knows our "mind" and "makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God "(Rom.8:27). Between our earnest expression and His heart reading, prayer is always successful -- and we effectively let our "requests be made known to God "(Phil.4:6).

"But does praying make a difference in what God does? -- does God really answer prayer ?" Ask James. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (Jas.5:16). James' proof case? "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit." Yes, prayer impacted God -- and His actions! John adds his strong amen. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."(1 Jno.5:14-15). God responds to prayer! Illustrated among Christians? "Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church." (Act.12:5). Did praying make a difference? Ask Peter. "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." (v.11). Another time, disciples asked: "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word." (Act.4:29). They prayed; what happened? "And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." (4:31). God answered! -- the building shook! -- they spoke boldly. Prayer makes a difference because the Lord still runs the world -- listens to godly men -- and moves his providential hand in this world.

The general rule is: God gives Christians their requests. No exceptions? No qualifications? Oh yes, there are qualifiers! Ask James! Here is the rule. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." Then here is the exception. "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…" What about a doubter -- a man who asks without trusting God? "For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord." (Jas.1:5). No question -- God ignores his prayer. The wise man in Proverbs also qualified God answering prayer. "One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination." (Prov.28:9). A rebel sits on the church pew every time the door opens -- his name on the roll -- all the right phrases in his eloquent prayer, but a rebel's heart cancels his audience with God. A man who will not listen to God need not expect God to listen to him! His prayer is worse than unanswered and unacceptable. It is abomination -- a despicable thing before God. Prayer does nothing for a rebel --- until he changes his heart --- until he repents.

"Aside from God hearing prayer, does prayer do anything for the one who prays?" Yes! Man fails when "God is in none of his thoughts." (Psa.10:4). One remedy for this devastating malady is prayer. Petitioning God, praising God, thanking God in the early morning sets God high in a man's thoughts for the whole day. Before God even considers his response, prayer has helped that man!

Pray for someone in trouble. Will it matter? Yes! However God responds, praying for him will change you. You cannot pray for him without being compelled to help him. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man" leads you to join the cause of that troubled man. "What can God do for him" is the plea voiced in prayer; "what can I do for him" naturally and necessarily follows the amen. Prayer changes a praying man and his whole course of action -- or he quits praying. Pray long and hard for the orphans and widows -- for those in need. Pray for them "in their troubles." (Jas.1:27). You will find yourself "visiting" them "in their troubles" -- on their doorstep with relief in hand -- with companionship and comfort in mind. You cannot long pray for them -- and ignore them. Pray for a lost man. Pray fervently -- sincerely -- daily. You will be compelled to talk to him about his soul -- or quit praying for him. Pray for a weak brother -- and you will find yourself encouraging and strengthening him. Prayer changes the lives of people who pray!

--Joe Fitch, Bible Helps

GOD BLESSED AMERICA

Since "9/11" we have seen a great increase in signs declaring, "God Bless America." It is encouraging to see an awareness of the need for Jehovah to bless our nation.

But from a Christian perspective, I would like for us to think as the title declares, "God Blessed America!" For those of us who have had the privilege of traveling to other countries, we are fully conscious of these many blessings. Have we (American Christians) been good stewards of what our heavenly Father has already given us?

FREEDOM. We are so blessed to have the freedom to serve our Master without oppression from our government. We need to use this opportunity to be daily involved in evangelism. We enslave ourselves in this area by being not interested in the salvation of others and indifferent to our Master's orders.

MATERIAL PROSPERITY. There is no doubt that we live in the land of plenty! Thanks be to God for the liberal giving of brethren across this great land. But have we reached our maximum abilities in financially supporting the Lord's work? The honest answer would have to be, NO! Consider what is being done locally and brotherhood-wide and how much more can be done… if! We need to do some serious soul-searching and use our increased prosperity to advance the Lord's cause around the world and locally.

COMMUNICATIONS. Woe! Through my computer. I can instantly correspond around the world. We can use this marvel to encourage brethren and teach the lost. It is thrilling to see the internet used in a most positive way to reach into countries with the gospel where the individual cannot enter! Web pages, etc are opening doors of opportunity to teach. How are you using your computer in the cause of Christ? Also, the gospel message in the printed page is still a most effective tool.

TIME. Most of us have time-saving devices in our homes. What are we doing with the "time saved?" In traveling to various countries, it is evident that much time daily is spent in just taking care of the necessities for life. We have our freezers, microwaves, dinners ready to serve from the deli, an abundance of places for "fast food," and big and fast lawn mowers… all time saving. Time saving for what? If we realize how God has blessed us, we will make wise use of the time saved, more serious Bible study, encouraging the weak and teaching the lost.

No doubt about it, God Has Blessed America.

--Frank Parker, Banner of Truth, Sept. 2002

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