Letters
Letter From the Editor
Letter From the Editor
Hello again and welcome to our 12th issue of Morning Star! Well
folks, we actually made it through an entire year - Praise the
Lord!

In our next issue (Volume 2.1) we will have a detailed history
of this "online ministry", but for now let me say it has
exceeded anything we had dreamed of. The original intent of the
staff was to produce a small magazine for the members our
particular computer network. Within a few month's time however,
Morning Star had made it all around the world to places as far
away as Australia, England, Finland and Japan!

The prophet Daniel wrote that in the last days knowledge would
increase and people would travel to and fro ... it seems that
the Lord is having knowledge itself travel to and fro!

This issue of Morning Star has "Praise, Prayer and Worship" as a
theme in the Feature area as well as some of the regular
columns. If anyone wishes to make a literary contribution,
future themes are:

Vol 2.1 (Oct) 1990's Evangelism
Vol 2.2 (Nov) Pastors & Ministers (testimonies, articles,
            stories)
Vol 2.3 (Dec) Missions & Missionaries
Vol 2.4 (Jan) Christian Men's Issues
Vol 2.5 (Feb) Messianic Judaism - studies and stories

We welcome suggestions for future themes as well as new column
ideas.

There is "something special" in the Ministry Information column
of this issue! We have compiled a list of feature themes,
article descriptions and their authors from Issues 1 through 11.
You can use this to determine which back issues you want to
download from a BBS or order direct from us. If ordering, write
to the Post Office box for subscription information. Be
specific as to which issues, what format and what disk size you
need.

Next month, the Ministry Information column will have an updated
list of all electronic bulletin board systems (BBS) that carry
Morning Star. If you are aware of such a BBS, please send us
the following info:

1. BBS name
2. Phone number with area code
3. City and state (or country)
4. Name of Sysop
5. Do they run the MSDOOR program?

Thank you all for your support over this last year. It is our
hope that this magazine continues to help and encourage many
people in the future.

Don't forget, we are always looking to hear from our readers and
publish your comments in our Letters section. Please write to
us!


In service to Jesus the Messiah,
Toby Trudel


MORNING STAR accepts literary contributions from believers
wherever they may live. It is our policy to publish testimonies
as they are originally submitted with minimal alteration of the
text. Opinions stated in these testimonies do not necessarily
reflect those of the MORNING STAR staff. The content of MORNING
STAR does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any
computer network.
Your Letters
Your Letters
"Praise the Lord for His unfailing love and faithfulness to all
who love and serve Him. It is a real blessing to be
collectively serving the Lord for a common cause (the
proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.) It is also a joy to know
that churches and even some Bible believers are now aware that
the Morning Star is out in the world!"

Roger Obe
Philippines


"We thoroughly enjoy Morning Star. It is such a blessing to us.
We especially enjoy the Anee M'amin column. God bless you all."

Mr. & Mrs. James Stewart
Houston, Pennsylvania 


"Many thanks. I'd like to make the NewLife BBS Network a key
player in getting this magazine out ... Thanks"

Buggs Bugnon - Southern Maryland Christian Information Service
(SMCIS)
California, Maryland
Commentary
Commentary
THE MIGHTY GOD

The Seventies were the years of the Jesus Movement. Many good
things resulted from the efforts of bringing the message of
salvation to society's young people. They were exposed to God
and the teachings of Christianity for the first time. Christ was
made real and personal to a group of people who saw God as a
distant being, someone who was not concerned with their needs. 
Many came to a saving knowledge of Christ. Today, many of these
individuals are in active leadership in churches throughout the
nation and the world.

But a serious problem also came out of this movement. Jesus was
turned from the Second Person of the God Head into believer's
"best buddy." The emphasis in teaching the Scripture was
primarily on the Gospels, Matthew through John. Attention was
focused on the humanity of Christ. Unintentionally, He was
frequently reduced to some kind of superman instead of God.

As a result, much of the church's teachings no longer focused on
the awesomeness of Christ. Christ's roles as Creator, King, and
the world's judge were de-emphasized. And consequently, within
much of Christianity, the ability to worship, pray and praise
effectively was lost.

Worship, prayer and praise flow from an understanding of who God
is. We must return to the study of the entire Bible to have a
clear understanding of all of God's qualities. Without a clear
comprehension of His attributes, we cannot give Him the service
He deserves. 

Yes, Jesus loves us. Yes, we are joint heirs with Christ. Yes,
we are to call God Abba, Daddy. But we must never loose sight
of the fact that He is the creator and we are His creations. He
is the infinite being. We are finite ones. We are to praise. 
He will receive our praises.

The Apostle John, was Jesus' closest friend during His ministry
on earth. If anyone could have claimed Jesus as buddy, it would
have been John. But what was John's response to meeting the
resurrected Christ? "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as
though dead (Revelation 1:17).

The result of overemphasizing the humanity of Christ versus His
deity, is that we lose the ability to properly worship Him. I
remember growing up in San Francisco. I would frequently go to
the local planetarium and see the shows there. As the "sky"
darkened and the stars appeared, I would be overwhelmed by the
vastness of the universe. I would respond by praising the One
Who held it all in place.

Worship, praise, prayer--these were the life blood of the nation
Israel. This was because they experienced the majesty of God in
their lives. But if you are a believer so have you. You have
experienced the greatest miracle of all. You have received the
gift of salvation. You have become a new creature. "Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone,
the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

So much of Christianity has become concerned with what God can
give us. And, certainly we are given the right to come to God
with our needs. Jesus told us, "I tell you the truth, my Father
will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have
not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive,
and you joy will be complete" John 16:23-24). But we also need
to be equally concerned with what we can give God.

Peter called us a priesthood of believers. "But you are a
chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God..." And what does Peter say we are to do as
such? "...that you may DECLARE THE PRAISES of him who called
you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).

The role of the priest was to offer up the sacrifice of prayer,
to worship and praise the most Holy God, blessed be His name. 
Examine the Psalms, the praise book of Israel. In Psalms 146
through 150, each starts with the phrase, "Praise the Lord." 

What a blessing to be able to go to God in prayer whenever we
desire to, not just to petition Him for needs, but to be able to
offer Him our very best of worship and praise.

Let us strive within our lives and the life of our church to
regain the perspective of the awesomeness of God. Let us
remember that our lives are acts of worship to Him. May we
pray, praise and worship in a manner that is worthy of the God
to whom we offer these gifts.

Let us say with the Psalmist,

Praise the LORD.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
  praise him in his mighty
     heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
   praise him for his surpassing
     greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the
     trumpet
   praise him with the harp and
     lyre,
praise him with tambourine and 
     dancing,
   praise him with the strings and
     flute,
praise him with the clash of
     cymbals,
   praise him with resounding
     cymbals,

Let everything that has breath
     praise the LORD

Praise the LORD.
     
              Psalm 150
Staff List
Morning Star Staff
STAFF LISTING

EDITOR IN CHIEF
Toby Trudel - Nashua, NH

SENIOR EDITOR - Biblical Department
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SENIOR EDITOR - Christian Life Department
Teresa Giordanengo - Canonsburg, PA

FEATURES AREA EDITOR
Dale Strand - Dublin, CA

LITERARY EDITOR
Al Murillo III - El Paso, TX

ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Jerry Johnson - Modesto, CA
Clark Stephens - Huntington Beach, CA
J.C. Trudel - Naples Park, FL
Mike Wilkinson - Citrus Heights, CA
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Features
Praise and Worship
Praise and Worship by Pastor Ralph Rechnitz
PRAISE AND WORSHIP

By Pastor Ralph Rechnitz
The Lord's Church
Danville, CA


Psalm 102:18 says, "This will be written for the generation to
come, that a people yet to be created, may praise the Lord".
(NKJV)

To become God's instruments of praise, is to fulfill our destiny
as the end-time body of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. I
Peter 2:9 says we are to "show forth the praises of Him who
called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light."

There is a move of the Holy Spirit that is coming to the Body of
Christ which is so exciting, because it is bringing us into a
new dimension and dynamic of God's awesome power, displayed in
the area of praise and worship. We can experience new heights
and depths of worship in the presence of God.

How do we prepare for such an encounter? Surrender. Total,
absolute surrender. Romans 12:1 says we are to "present our
bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
our reasonable service (spiritual worship)". This is the truest
act of worship. 

In the old testament, things that were sacrificed to God had to
be killed. Today, God desires us to be LIVING sacrifices. This
means that as we live unto Him, our own selfish ambitions and
wills must die in order for us to become a "sacrifice". This
attitude of the heart is what brings us into the area of
worshipping in truth. "Those who worship Him must worship in
spirit and truth". (John 4:24 NKJV)

As we surrender ourselves in this way, I believe God will unfold
new forms of praise and worship in the Church. We'll hear new
kinds of music used to glorify God. There will be a diversity
of talents, gifts and styles that will spill out of the four
walls of the Church and literally invade every culture and
people group. Nations will be touched by this move of God and
we'll see the fulfillment of Psalm 100:1, "Make a joyful shout
to the Lord, all you lands".

Let's look again now at the rest of Psalm 102, beginning at
verse 19: "For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary;
from heaven the Lord viewed the earth, to hear the groaning of
the prisoner, to loose those appointed to death, to declare the
Name of the Lord in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem, when the
peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the
Lord". 

Apparently, there is a direct correlation between our praises to
God, and Him hearing the groanings of those imprisoned by sin
and setting free those appointed to death. 

PRAISE BREAKS THE ATMOSPHERE OF A SIN-COVERED WORLD!

Marvelous things will happen in the earth as believers begin to
wholeheartedly praise God both individually and corporately.

Romans 8 says that all of creation awaits with earnest
expectation for the manifestation of the sons of God. Let's
stay on the cutting edge of what God is doing in the earth and
grow into the praising Church to which we've all be called.
The Language of the Kingdom of God
The Language of the Kingdom of God by Denny L. Strand
THE LANGUAGE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
By Denny L. Strand
Bothell, Washington


KEY VERSES: Heb. 13:15-16: "...let us offer the sacrifice of
praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving
thanks to His Name. But to do good and to communicate, forget
not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

Related Verses: Ps. 48:1-2, Ps. 47:6, Ps. 98:4, Ps. 150:2.

KEY THOUGHT: True worship and praise produces character, and
character produces a desire to evangelize the lost. When we
learn how to effectively worship - our hearts will cry out for
salvation for the lost.

WHAT IS PRAISE AND WORSHIP? They are the language of the
Kingdom of God.

WHY SHOULD WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP? Praise and worship flow in
recognition of God's virtues.

Praise always involves something to be thankful for, as it did
with the Psalmist, David (Ps. 8:3-4) when he said, "When I
consider the heavens, the work of Thy hands, the moon, and the
stars which Thou hast ordained, what is man that Thou art
mindful of him...". David's expression of worship was fixed
upon the majesty of God and His creation.

We are to operate and flow in Kingdom Language because of who
God is, and also in recognition of his virtues and attributes.

True praise and worship is not only Kingdom Language, but the
deepest expression of love from the heart of man to the heart of
God.

CAUTION: How many times have we attempted to praise and worship
God through our words when we were really not saying anything at
all? Sometimes our words are like boxes with nothing in them -
we say a lot of words, but what we convey is empty and
meaningless. We use nice catchy phrases and religious sounding
words - glory to God, thank you Lord, Hallelujah - words that
are common to religious upbringing, but they're just an outer
package tied with a bow and maybe even with the smell of perfume
- but so many times they're still just an empty box!

God doesn't want just the container. He wants the true and pure
heart on the inside of the vessel.

The word "PRAISE" carries quite a depth of meaning when you
examine each letter and apply it to God's truths on praise and
worship:

P - Pull yourself together (focus on what's important in your
     life).
R - Raise your hands (the sign of surrender).
A - Add your vocal cords (praise must be heard).
I - In one spirit (flowing in unity of relationship).
S - Singing from the heart (verbalize praise in word and song).
E - Exalting God the Father (our ultimate purpose).

The Psalmist, David, expresses it well in Ps. 34:1: "His praise
shall continually be in my mouth."

NOTE: When praise and worship is continual, there is no room
for anything else such as criticism, hatred, unrighteous anger,
bitterness, etc.

The devil has his counterfeits for everything God created. In
addition to a Language of the Kingdom, there is also a language
of darkness. This language includes complaining, grumbling and
negativism.

Notice the urgency of constant praise and worship as it relates
to our daily lifestyle: Praise and worship is a refueling
mixture with anti-knock ingredients that keeps our body, soul,
and spirit running smoothly.

One cannot get through the hazards of life unscathed when
they're not using the proper fuel. No matter how much you "pump
your pedal" or "choke your carburetor", you'll never move
forward if your "tank" is empty.

There's not a person living who doesn't know when their "tank"
is empty. An empty "tank" reflects depression, resentment,
irritation, worry, and fear and what follows is always
expressions from the devil's kingdom - the language of darkness.

The refueling station is God's Word and His church. It's also a
repair ship for those who have "blown their head gaskets".

Some of the Biblical methods of praise and worship fall into the
following categories: Singing (Heb. 2:12), singing in the
spirit (I Cor. 14:15) making a joyful noise (Ps. 100:1),
clapping and shouting (Ps. 47:1), and lifting up hands (Ps. 141:2).

If we're not praising and worshipping believers, we're dead and
decaying. Ps. 115:17 says, "The dead praise not the Lord".

When praise and worship continually flow out of a humble heart,
lives will be changed, God's anointing will be evident, your
"tank" will be full and your "mileage" endless.

"Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...". 
Is 61:3.
The Payload is Praise
The Payload is Praise by Moishe Rosen
THE PAYLOAD IS PRAISE
By Moishe Rosen

(From The JEWS FOR JESUS NEWSLETTER, vol 5:5752)


Language can cover and conceal a matter even while it exposes or
discloses facts. It says as much about the speaker as it does
about the subject. All too often we disguise our motivation and
make excuses in the argot or slang of our day. We choose to
express ourselves through certain metaphors that give us comfort
and self-affirmation. Yet sometimes in doing that we deceive
ourselves.

A good example of this kind of self-deception is the term
"burnout." We use the word to denote a certain kind of malaise
or weariness that seems to afflict many of us in this day and
age. The word "burnout" came into being with the space age, and
it is not to be confused with an earlier phrase, "burned out,"
from the mechanical age.

In modern language "burnout" is used to describe those who, like
ignited rockets, have used up all of their energy and have
dropped back with their motivational powers entirely spent. The
older term "burned out" refers to mechanical bearings, where
moving parts of machinery have been neglected and the heat
produced by friction has caused damage that severed the
connection to the power source. "Burned out" means neglected to
the point of dysfunction, but "burnout" as we apply it to people
means that they have given their all and have nothing left to
give.

The metaphor falls far short, in that a rocket always carries
enough fuel to accomplish its mission, and once it has
accomplished what it should, it exists only as a shell to be
discarded. Yet those who claim they are suffering from "burnout"
are not ready to admit that they ought to be discarded. They are
merely expressing a need to be regenerated and renewed. Thus,
the metaphor fails.

There is yet another way in which the metaphor fails. Most
people who are undergoing what they call "burnout" are not
really experiencing the problem because they have used all of
their energy in reaching their goal. It is extremely rare to
suffer genuinely from overwork. Rather the malaise that is so
readily attributed these days to overwork usually comes from
disengagement-something that can happen to anyone who works at
any kind of job or who is a student.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we
shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9)

Disengagement is what happens when people stop relating to the
world outside them, to their own objectives, and most of all, in
the case of Christians, to God. Disengagement or malaise happens
when we release the initiative. We sever, as it were, the reins
of control. At that point, if our tasks and relationships were
horses, they would wander on as best they could, taking the
wagon wherever they might.

To overcome this we must learn how to focus our attention and
wield ourselves.

Unfortunately there are all too many who look for someone else
to prod them or they will not move in the direction they ought
to move. Usually the "burnout" occurs when the prodding stops
and the individuals will not push themselves ahead. This malaise
does not stem from a person's energy being depleted, but from a
worker becoming exhausted because he or she does not want to
have his or her ignition turned on.

We experience this malaise not only through hard work. Sometimes
it is brought on by intense relationships with people. Have you
ever heard someone say of another person, "He/she wore me out"?
I'm not talking about tired feet from too much shopping. I'm
talking about listening, listening, listening-extending
sympathy, empathy, pity and caring-while the other person soaks
up that empathy like a sponge and still needs more.

One example is a visit with a friend who does all of the talking
and none of the listening. The visit will soon wear you out
emotionally because in self-defense you will undergo
disengagement.

Or consider a woman who for years defines herself solely in
terms of her maternal relationship. She undergoes a similar
malaise and usually ends up cutting her relational ties and
says, "I'm seeking to find out who I am. I know myself as a
wife. I know myself as a mother. Now I want to know the real
me." She finds herself in the midst of malaise not because she
gave too much of herself, but because of the kind of wife-or
mother-or worker she was. She was not alert. She did not learn
to take proper satisfactions in her tasks. She was not mindful
of what she received in return for all that she gave of herself.

For the Christian there is an antidote to the problem of
malaise-proper satisfaction. It happens in the realization that
we are where God wants us to be, and we are doing what God wants
us to do. Giving our all, spending ourselves and our energies
for the right reason, ought to bring this kind of satisfaction,
and with it will come praise-praise to God.

When we work hard we ought to praise God-not seek to be praised
ourselves (although certainly a word of encouragement never hurt
anyone). When we inventory our lives and see the progress of
those tasks to which we have committed ourselves (particularly
those that turned out well when they could have gone badly), it
brings us to the place of praising God. We relate to Him by our
praise. And where we feel that we cannot praise Him for some
specific life situation, we can still make the connection
through praise so that we can motivate ourselves and petition
Him to improve that particular situation.

When we praise God, we stay connected with Him, and that
connection is enough to take us through every circumstance. The
unhappy marriage, the boring job, the opposition we face-all are
made more than bearable when the activity of our praise releases
the power of the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in our lives and make
us more like Y'shua. Such praise will turn "burnout" to ignition
of the second, third and endless successive stages of our lives
as we face new challenges, new situations and new relationships.
And we will grow in the process of being headed higher.

When believers do not feel like praising God, it is a reliable
indication of a backslidden condition. They have lost their
awareness of the Almighty. They have burned out, rusted out,
loosened their connection with Him. They have severed the reins
of His control and are drifting aimlessly.

On the other hand, if we as believers can re-establish our
connection with the Lord through praise, we will find our energy
level increased. We will know that we are serving Him to the
best of our abilities in whatever circumstances He has placed
us. Then we will find the fresh assurance that we can keep on
with the task before us-that we can keep on glowing, growing and
going, because we are constantly being refueled and moved
forward in the Holy Spirit.
Intercession and the Intercessor
Intercession and the Intercessor by Joyce Bentley
INTERCESSION AND THE INTERCESSOR
By Joyce Bentley
(Christian Friends of Israel, Jerusalem)


When the Apostle Paul had set out something of his experiences,
his sufferings, his burdens to the church in Thessalonica, he
said, "Brethren, pray for us" or, as the Jewish New Testament
translates it, in the present continuous, "Brothers keep praying
for us+. (1)

In our day there is a cry - conscious or unconscious -coming
from the heart of Israel, "Intercessors, pray for us, pray for
our people, for our nation which is constantly being criticized,
and even hated, by the nations of the world."

Paul wrote to the Colossians saying, "Since the day we heard it,
we do not cease to pray and make request for you+. (2) He
begged the Thessalonians to, "Pray without ceasing+. (3) In
saying, "do not cease to pray for us+, did he expect the
Thessalonians to leave their businesses, their daily
occupations, in order to give themselves, on their knees, to
praying for himself and for his co-workers? Certainly not.

Intercession is not a matter of an occasional or even a frequent
and regular use of words, a ceaseless succession of requests for
a specific person nation or objective. Intercession means a
going between two "poles, standing among different "parties+.
The Greek word used in Romans 8:26, "making intercession+, means
"to meet with in behalf of one+. 

An intercessor is a person - the whole of a person - who is
doing a specific thing. If we are involved in the great ministry
of praying for Israel and the Jewish people, it is not merely
and only something that we are doing, but it is what we ARE that
makes us an intercessor.

Firstly, an intercessor needs to be aware of God's utter
holiness and needs, therefore, to be clothed with the
righteousness of the Lord Jesus in order to be fit to make an
appeal, bring a request, intervene on behalf of His people.

Secondly, he needs to know what God's purposes for Israel are,
and what is the goal towards which He is working, as well as His
intentions for "today+, the fast-moving events of our time.

Thirdly, an intercessor needs to be deeply and truly aware of
the needs of the people for whom, or the nation, for which he is
interceding. (There is much literature available from the CFI
office. Information can also be obtained through the Jerusalem
Post, the Jewish Chronicle and many other sources).

As intercessors, that is, as people who are responsibly involved
in "meeting God on behalf of Israel", we also need to remember
that there are practical aspects to the work:

SHARING
We need to tell others what we know of God's purposes
for Israel and of the situation there at present - politically,
both internationally and within the nation; economically;
religiously etc. We need to inform them of the .multitudinous
needs of Messianic Believers; of immigrants; of Arabs and of
foreigners in the land.

CARING
We need to speak and to stand up for Israel on every
possible occasion; to do all we can in taking helpful and active
steps in regard to letter writing to the media etc.; to become
involved in meetings and conferences, whether Jewish or
otherwise; to contribute financially and in many other ways to
individuals' needs.

PRAYING
We need to encourage other Christians to spend much
time with God, seeking to know and to understand further what is
His will concerning Israel and the Jewish people, reminding them
that "the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses for we don't know
how to pray the way we should. But the Spirit Himself pleads on
our behalf with groanings too deep for words." (4) and, "He
pleads for God 's own people in God 's own way." (5)

God is looking for intercessors. "I looked for a man among them
who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on
behalf of he land so that I would not have to destroy it." (6)

May the Lord grant that we may be linked together with Israel
and the Jewish people, knowing what it is to "bear their burden.
(7) The Lord Jesus, the Perfect Intercessor, is linked with us
and is "actually pleading on our behalf -. (8) He is able to do
so because He knows what it Is to be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities". (9)

May He never need to say:

"The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.
He saw that there was none, and He was appalled that there was
no one to intercede; so His own arm worked salvation for Him,
and His own righteousness sustained Him. He put on righteousness
as His breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He
put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in zeal as
in a cloak. According to what they have done, so will He repay
wrath to His enemies and retribution to His foes; He will repay
the islands their due. From the west, men will fear the name of
the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere His
glory. For He will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of
the Lord drives along.+ (10)


BIBLE REFERENCES 

(1) 2 Thess 5:25 (2) Colossians 1:9 (3) 1 Thessalonians 5:17 
(4) Romans 8:26 (Jewish New Testament) (5) Romans 8:27 (New
English Bible) (6) Ezekiel 22:30 (7) Galations 6:2 (8) Romans
8:34 (Jewish New Testament) (9) Hebrews 4:15 (10) Isaiah
59:16-19 (New International Version)
Prayer - Giving God a Reason
Prayer - Giving God a Reason by Pastor David J. Blacksmith
PRAYER - GIVING GOD A REASON

By Pastor David J. Blacksmith
First Baptist Church
Sonoma, CA


There are dozens of books written on the doctrine of prayer. 
There are motivational books and pamphlets on the subject of
prayer that could keep us busy reading for months. And recently,
articles are streaming through Christian magazines challenging
the Body of Christ to pray. Denominations are giving strong
emphasis to prayer, urging their people to humble themselves
and do some "carpet-chewing" for God; to pray for revival and
spiritual awakening, and intercede for the lost world.

Yet, many Christians find themselves praying constantly,
continually, fervently, and urgently, only to go away from the
throne room of God feeling empty. The emptiness is in knowing
whether or not God is going to move. We leave oftentimes with
the question, "Have I prayed the will of God?"

I pray what follows in this article is practical, spiritual
information that will challenge, enlighten, and transform your
life of prayer.

Frankly, it's something I've recently begun in my life of
communion with the living Christ. Without question, it is
causing revival in my life and those around me. I believe it
will do the same for you if you but take a moment and let the
God of Prayer speak to your heart and reveal whether or not this
may very well be the secret to genuine prayer and a mighty
movement of God in your life and prayers.

Oftentimes when we approach the throne of God, we bring Him our
burdens, requests, intercessions, and petitions, and leave
without giving Him a reason to answer. A look at the prayers
offered by godly men and women throughout Scripture, we find
that they all had one thing in common ... they gave God a reason
to answer. They not only had a request, but had a basis for
asking. The particular basis they used varied with the person
asking and the circumstances of their requests. But if we look
carefully, we will always find a reason for God's granting their
request. To look closely at the wording of the prayers
themselves, one senses that the men and women of the Bible had
heard God ask them, "Why should I grant this request?" Perhaps
we could say that they approached prayer by seeking God's
viewpoint. They wanted to pray for what God wanted to do. By
doing so, they offered God a reason to grant their request.

Ezra was a scribe and leader of the exiles in Babylon. He had
asked King Artaxerxes for permission to return to Jerusalem and
rebuild the Temple. The King granted his request (Ezra 7). 
Ezra was concerned about the safety of the people as they
traveled to Jerusalem carrying large quantities of gold and
silver for the Temple. We read in Ezra 8:21-23,

"There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we
might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe
journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I
was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect
us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The
gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but
his great anger is against all who forsake him." So we fasted
and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer."

When Ezra had spoken to the king, he told him that "the gracious
hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him." Had Ezra
asked the king for soldiers to protect them on their journey, he
would have dishonored God. He had already told the king that God
would provide safety. Should he now "trust in the arm of
flesh?" He would have also dishonored God in his own distrust
or unbelief that God would indeed be their protector. Ezra was
concerned about the testimony of God.

God had indeed answered Ezra's prayer by providing the people
with safe passage to Jerusalem.

"On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava
Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he
protected us from enemies and bandits along the way. So we
arrived in Jerusalem, where we rested three days." (Ezra 8:31-32)

God answered this prayer because it was offered in order to
protect His reputation as being One who protects those who seek
Him.

Moses offered a prayer on a similar basis. After the faithless
report of the spies who were sent into the Promised Land, God
threatened to slay the Israelites. (Numbers 14:11-12) But
Moses prayed on behalf of God's honor.

"If you put these people to death all at one time, the nations
who have heard this report about you will say, The LORD was not
able to bring these people into the land he promised them on
oath; so he slaughtered them in the desert." (Numbers 14:13-14)

Moses expressed a desire to protect God's honor and reputation
amongst the nations. And not only did Moses pray to God on
behalf on His honor, but pleaded based on His character.

"Now may the Lord's strength be displayed, just as you have
declared: The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and
forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty
unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers
to the third and fourth generation. In accordance with your
great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have
pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now." (Numbers
14:17-19)

Moses identified several qualities of God's character and asked
God to respond to his request based on those very qualities. He
believed God's power would be magnified in the eyes of the
people when they experienced these qualities of God. How did
God respond to Moses' prayer?

"The Lord replied, I have forgiven them, as you asked." (Numbers
14:20)

Nehemiah heard of the tragic situation of the Jews in Jerusalem,
the breaking down of the walls and gates. It grieved his heart and
moved him to prayer.

"I said, O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who
keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his
commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear
the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for
your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we
Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have
committed against you." (Nehemiah 1:5-6)

Nehemiah acknowledged God as heavenly, great, awesome, and a
keeper of His promises. Nehemiah approached God on the basis of
who He is. And he humbled himself before God and confessed his
sins and those of his people. This is just the beginning of his
prayer. Nehemiah had more on his mind than just praising God. He
was looking for great favor from Him.

"Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying,
If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but
if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled
people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from
there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling
for my Name. They are your servants and your people, whom you
redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord,
let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and
to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your
name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in
the presence of this man." (Nehemiah 1:8-11)

How did God respond?

"So the king asked me, Why does your face look so sad when you
are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart. I was
very much afraid, but I said to the king, May the king live
forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my
fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been
destroyed by fire? The king said to me, What is it you want? 
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, If
it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his
sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are
buried so that I can rebuild it ... It pleased the king to send
me. (Nehemiah 2:2-6)

God honored Nehemiah's request because Nehemiah's request
honored God.

So far, we've seen that Ezra prayed on the basis of
acknowledging God's honor and reputation. Moses did the same,
while also acknowledging God's holy character. Nehemiah
approached the Lord on Divine terms, acknowledging God's
attributes and nature. God honored each request because each
request honored Him.

When Solomon wrote, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and
lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path" (Proverbs 3:5-6),
he was expressing that acknowledging God is more than just
saying, "Hey God. You've got the answer to this prayer." He
was proclaiming that we must acknowledge God by mirroring God's
character, His nature, His attributes, and His Word in our
prayers. This gives Him reason to answer and causes us to come
closer to Him in the prayer itself.

God's sovereignty is another basis for our prayers. God's
sovereignty means that God has supreme power, rank, and authority
over all else.

Sennacherib was gathering his Assyrian army against Hezekiah. 
Look what Hezekiah says.

"And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: O LORD, God of Israel,
enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the
kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give
ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen
to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. It
is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these
nations and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the
fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood
and stone, fashioned by men's hands. Now, O LORD our God,
deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know
that you alone, O LORD, are God." (2 Kings 19:15-19)

Hezekiah acknowledged God's sovereignty over all the kingdoms of
the earth. He realized that a positive answer to his request would
cause all the kingdoms of the earth to realize that truth as
well. How did God answer?

"Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: This is
what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer
concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria... That night the angel
of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five
thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next
morning, there were all the dead bodies!" (2 Kings 19:20, 35)

The scene in Matthew 8:5-13 is truly marvelous. A Roman
centurion approaches Jesus and has a request (a prayer). Jesus
is moved by this man in a way that causes Him to speak very highly
of the man's faith.

"When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him,
asking for help. Lord, he said, my servant lies at home
paralyzed and in terrible suffering. Jesus said to him, I will go
and heal him. The centurion replied, Lord, I do not deserve to
have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant
will be healed... When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and
said to those following him, I tell you the truth, I have not
found anyone in Israel with such great faith. (Matthew 8:5-10)

The centurion based his petition to Christ for the healing of
his servant on Christ's sovereignty. He did not expect Jesus to
have to come to his home physically. He understood that Jesus'
word was enough! How did Jesus respond?

"Then Jesus said to the centurion, Go! It will be done just as
you believed it would. And his servant was healed at that very
hour." (Matthew 8:13)

There are many other examples, but it's time to make the point. 
When you reflect on the character, nature, and attributes of
God, and openly acknowledge them in prayer, and base your
petitions on those very qualities of God, you will undoubtedly
move to higher planes in your prayer life. God moves when He is
exalted. God is pleased when He is glorified, for He said, "I am
the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give another."
(Isaiah 42:8)

So the next time you go to prayer, reflect on the integrity of
God's character. When you have a request to bring to Him, first
ask yourself, "Why would God want to grant this request? What
quality would God demonstrate of Himself should He grant the
request?" Acknowledge that particular quality of God as your
basis for your request.
Six Steps To a Prayer Breakthrough
Six Steps To a Prayer Breakthrough
SIX STEPS TO A PRAYER BREAKTHROUGH

From Living Way Ministries
Van Nuys, CA


The Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:9-13.  Vs. 9: "In this manner,
therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed by Your Name."

1.  BEGIN WITH WORSHIP:  Everything fits its proper perspective
    when we acknowledge the Almighty, All-Loving God and His
    unfailing resource.

    Vs 10: "Your kingdom come: Your will be done on earth as it
    is in heaven."

2.  SEEK THE LORD'S WILL:  He has a plan and is seeking sons and
    daughters through whom His will may be administered on the
    planet. As we ask, He will answer.

    Vs 11:  "Give us this day our daily bread."

3.  ASK FOR YOUR PROVISION:  We all have needs - and the Father
    stands willing to provide.  Scripture declares boldly, "We
    have not because we ask not."

    Vs 12:  "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.:

4.  FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN:  Prayer is crippled by
    unforgiveness toward those who have hurt and failed us; also
    through a sense of inadequacy because of our own sin.

    Vs 13:  "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us
    from the evil one..."

5.  FACE OUR REAL ADVERSARY:  Target our intercession against
    satanic opposition.  Don't waste spiritual energy against
    targets which hide the source of trouble.  Demonic forces are
    real, and unless their power is broken, the battle goes unwon.

    Vs 13 Cont'd:  "...for Yours is the kingdom and the power and
    the glory forever.  Amen."

6.  STAND IN FAITH:  He is advancing His Kingdom through us.  It
    is not our power which secures victory, IT'S HIS.  Having
    prayed, rest in faith and continue to worship the God of all
    power and glory.


Copyright 1992 Living Way Ministries
Van Nuys, CA 91405
Used By Permission
The Goal of our Salvation
The Goal of our Salvation by Bob Huitt
THE GOAL OF OUR SALVATION

By Bob Huitt
Foster City, CA


Have you ever wondered why God saved you? I don't mean, how
could someone like you ever be saved, for that question is
appropriately asked about each and every one of us. Instead,
I'm think of objectives and goals; that is, "what is the
purpose of your salvation?"

Is it merely to keep you from a bad end -- you know, lake of
fire and all that? No doubt about it, the Scriptures
continually affirm that we have been saved from death, hell, and
all that nasty business; but can we speak of being saved to
something as well? "Sure," you say, "to heaven, streets of
gold, being reunited with departed loved ones, freedom from
pain, perfect bodies... oh yeah, and seeing Jesus." All good
and true, but if we had to top the list, we would concede that
the last is the first in terms of importance.

Have you ever really though about what you will say to Jesus
when you first see Him? Many might think of questions they want
answered. Perhaps the theologically inclined would ask, "Jesus,
who had it right -- Calvinists or the Arminians?" Those curious
about anatomy could inquire whether Adam had a belly button. 
And those with a tabloid level of consciousness would be dying
to know whether Elvis really did cash it in on August 16, 1977.

Actually, although such queries may gorge our thought at the
present, they will all shrivel away at the dazzling exhilaration
we will know the moment we view the One who wrought and bought
us. And that exhilaration will lead to one thing: WORSHIP.

By coincidence, that just happens to be the goal of our
salvation. A. W. Tozer said it like this: "The purpose of God
in sending His Son to die and rise and live and be at the right
hand of God the Father was that He might restore to us the
missing jewel, the jewel of worship; that we might come back and
learn to do again that which we were created to do in the first
place - worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, to spend our
time in awesome wonder and adoration of God, feeling and
expressing it, and letting it get into our labors and doing
nothing except as an act of worship of almighty God through His
Son Jesus Christ." The Westminster Catechism said more
succinctly: "What is the chief end [purpose] of man? To
glorify God and enjoy Him forever." And Jesus Himself declared
that the Father was searching for those who would worship Him in
spirit and truth (John 4:23).

The minute we become worshipers of God through Jesus Christ, we
fulfill not only the goal of our salvation, but also the purpose
of our creation. And as we learn how to "feel and express" our
adoration of the One who made and remade us, we find ourselves
in the very center of God's design and will for us.

Come on, get with the program...: become a worshiper.

Reprinted by permission of the author from "Communique," the
church newsletter of Central Peninsula Church, Foster City,
California.
Worship
Worship by Vernon Nepstad
WORSHIP

By Vernon Nepstad
Pastor Emeritus - Retired
Victory Temple
Oakland, CA


"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father
seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit and they that
worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John
4:23, 24.

There is in the heart of man a desire to worship something. God
put it there because He seeks worship from the man He created. 
It is almost impossible to comprehend how seemingly intelligent
men could ever bow down and worship dead, cold, stone, idols. 
Yet even today, sadly, there are thousands who bow their knees
to idols.

Abraham was one of the earliest Bible characters diligent in his
worship of the true God. There is a legend concerning him:

"Abraham's people were fire worshippers. But Abraham did not
want a God who could be quenched by water. They they told him
to worship the water. But he saw how the sun had power over the
water and refused to worship it. So they asked him to worship
the sun as it was one of the greatest of all created things. 
Yet, Abraham said it lacked power at times, to light the world
so he rejected it. Then he said the One who created the sun is
the One who should be worshipped". And so Abraham's closeness
to God and favor with God happened as a direct result of his
worship of God.

We do not know how much truth there is in this legend, but we do
know that God called Abram (his name was later changed to
Abraham) out from his idol-worshipping people and asked him to
go to a land He would show him. When he reached Canaan, he
built an altar unto the Lord (Gen 12:7). The religion of Abram
was passed on to his son, Isaac, and to his grandson, Jacob. 
Then it was delivered to the twelve patriarchs, who were the
heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. They became His own
chosen people. He gave them the law and demanded worship of
them. He told them, "Thou shalt worship no other God, for the
Lord, is a jealous God, and Him only shalt thou serve". (See
Matt. 4:10). Even so, they kept turning away from the LORD and
worshipped idols.

Our text says that true worshippers will worship God in spirit
and in truth and that God seeks such people to worship Him. 
Will YOU, have YOU answered His call?
Lifestyle Worship
Lifestyle Worship by Gary Hodges
LIFESTYLE WORSHIP

By Gary Hodges
Music Pastor
New Life Christian Fellowship
Gulf Breeze, FL

 
Lately it seems that God is moving us more into the area of
spiritual warfare in our worship. If we are believers, doing
battle in the spiritual realm is a part of our existence. But
how does this apply to our worship?
 	
Second Chronicles 20 gives us an astounding example of how
effective our obedient worship can be. Judah, under the rule of
King Jehoshaphat, was about to be attacked by a vast army. 
There was no hope of winning this battle on their own. Here are
the steps they took:
 	
1. The people came together to seek help from the Lord (vs 4)
 
2. Jehoshaphat prayed; proclaiming God's power and their lack
   of power to face the enemy. But their eyes were upon God.
   (vs 6-12)
 
3. The whole assembly waited on the Lord. (vs 13)
 
4. A prophecy was given saying the battle was not theirs, but
   God's. However, they were commanded to march down against them.
   (vs 15-17)
 
5. All the people worshiped the Lord. They praised Him even
   before He had done anything they could see. (vs 18-19)
 
6. They set out to meet their vast enemy with unarmed men
   leading the way, singing and praising the Lord. (vs 20-21)
 
What were they singing? "Give thanks to the Lord, for His love
endures forever." They weren't proclaiming how God was to go
about routing the enemy. They put their trust in Him and
allowed Him to do the rest. So what did they find as they
reached the overlook to the battle site?

The enemy had been destroyed completely! Incredible, huh? When
we are faced with attacks by the enemy, what should be our
response? Keep our eyes focused on God, do what He tells us,
and allow Him to do the rest, always keeping our hearts in a
worshiping attitude toward Him.

Biblical Department
New In Christ
New In Christ
SOME THOUGHTS ON DOCTRINAL DIFFERENCES

By Toby Trudel


I went to a large church in Florida a little while back while on
vacation. There were well over 1,000 people there. I heard the
Word of God preached, and I learned some more.

I was in a small chapel in New Hampshire last weekend, about 50
adults were present. I heard the Word of God preached, and I
learned some more.

I've been to churches that believed the gifts of the Holy Spirit
(praying in tongues and prophetic utterances), are for today. 
The pastor preached and taught from the Bible and I was blessed.

I've been to churches that did not believe the gifts of the Holy
Spirit are for today. The pastor preached and taught from the
Bible and I was blessed.

I've listened to born again Christian preachers who believe that
once saved, you could not ever lose your salvation (Calvinism). 
I left, glad that I was saved, and didn't lose sleep over my
status with God.

I've listened to born again Christian preachers who believe that
once saved, you could indeed lose your salvation (Arminianism). 
I left, glad that I was saved, and didn't lose sleep over my
status with God.

There are no perfect churches, for we all see darkly. True
Christians will always have minor doctrinal differences until
the Lord returns.

However, I CAN worship my God in a church which differs with my
views on such issues. My faith is in the Word of Christ, not
that of any man or woman. As long as a church claims the Word
of God ALONE as the sole authority, teaches the inerrancy of
Scripture, and preaches salvation through faith only,
(repentance from all sin and total commitment to Jesus Christ
ALONE), I can show tolerance for these differences, worship
Christ, and learn something.

"Religions" who give merit to extra-Biblical teachings, or their
own church traditions, or who claim the Bible is anything but
the complete, inerrant Word of God, or who skirt the issue of
becoming born again, or who preach "good works" as a way to earn
salvation, I must reject.

I reject them, NOT because they are "not to my liking" - for I
greatly enjoyed the comfort of such religion for most of my
life. Rather, I cannot accept them, for they are in opposition
to the teachings of Jesus and the rest of the God-inspired New
Testament writers. 

I believe that there are only two religions in the final
analysis - man's and God's. I lived too many years with the
former, I thank God for opening my eyes to the truth of the
latter.
Bible Study
Bible Study
This issue features a study of Psalm 2. Future studies will
include other Psalms, and books from both the Old and New
Covenants.

JUST WHO'S IN CHARGE? - Psalm 2


There is a question on everybody's mind. "Who's in charge here?"
The question creates an continuous battle at the individual
level. Husbands and wives fight over who is in charge of the
marriage. Children and parents fight over who is to be in
charge in the home. Employees and employers fight over who is
in charge in the office. And, individuals fight over who is in
charge in society. Throughout society, fighting goes on,
politics continues--all over the question of who's in charge.

Right now the question is "Who's going to be President?" The
nation is deciding whether he will be a Republican, Democrat, or
none of the above. Who will be in charge? In the Middle East,
it isn't clear if anyone is in charge. Through out the world
fighting goes on, politics continues, all over the question of
who's in charge.

This same question creates hostility and rebellion within the
church. Churches fight over whether the denomination or the
local church is in charge. So called religious leaders fight
over whether they or their elders are in charge. So called
theologians debate whether Scripture or their views are in
charge. And one big question is whether or not the Bible or
social pressures are supposed to set direction for
life--morality, and everything. "Believers" argue what or who
is in charge over the Christian life, experience or God's word. 
Throughout Christendom fighting goes on, politics continues, all
over the question of who's in charge.

Apparently, there is an awful lot of people who don't have any
idea who is in charge. But, they are clear about one
point--they want to be in charge! Satan told Eve that she and
Adam could be gods. The cause of the fall is the basis of sin
today: people putting themselves in God's place. The author of
Psalm 2 understands that the final battle over who is in charge
is between mankind and a sovereign God. And this will be seen
in this study. But, the outcome of the battle already been
decided. There is a clear answer as to who is in charge. The
problem is that people won't accept the answer.

First, this study will examine the context of the passage. 
Second, the text will be reviewed. Finally, consideration will
be given to the call to let God be in charge.

The primary focus of Psalm 2 is on the unrighteous. They are
rebelling against the Lord and His Anointed One, the
Messiah--Jesus. The psalm recounts the final victory which will
occur with the millennial rule of Messiah. 

The battle over who is in charge began when Satan tempted Eve to
rebel against God. Later Satan tried to destroy the Hebrew
people, hoping to prevent the coming of Messiah. Herod
continued the struggle when he tried to find the infant Jesus
and have Him put to death. The war will only end with the final
judgment after the reign of Messiah over the earth. Only then
will all in rebellion be forced to recognize that it is God who
is in charge.

The Psalm is broken down into sections reflecting movement
between earth and heaven. Dr. J. Vernon McGee, in his
commentary on the Psalms, pictures it as a television program
with a camera in each location that is switched back and forth.* 

The psalm has four sections, each broken down into three verses.
The first and fourth deals with conditions on earth. The
second and third sections show the response in heaven.

Psalm 2:1-3. The nations are in rebellion against God. The
word nations is Goyam and refers to the gentile people. This
suggests the rebellion ends just before the millennial age. In
this period, the nation Israel has returned to God. As a result
she is no longer included in the action. Examining the three
verses it becomes clear that people of all status are present. 
Rebellion against God is the bane of the human race.

Note the delusion of mankind. People think they can remove
themselves from the authority of God. It is the same delusion,
the fallacious idea that men can choose for themselves whatever
is right or wrong, that first led to the fall. "'You will not
surely die,' the serpent said to the woman. 'For God knows that
when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be
like God, knowing good and evil'" (Genesis 3: 4-5). 

As one reads through scripture it becomes clear that mankind
hates God. The reason there are so many religions is that
individuals are trying to create a view of God consistent with
their view of life. They chose to come up with their own gods.

Even the nicest individuals, (good people), are in rebellion
against the Lord. As long as they go their way and no one
infringes on their independence, they are fine. But, if
believers let them know they are sinners in need of a Savior,
the believer had better duck. Unbelievers doesn't want to be
told they are lost without God's intervention. What is their
response? It is rage against God and then the "imagining of a
vain thing," that is, that they think they can escape His
authority. Notice what these individuals said: "Let us break
out from the control of God and His anointed one, Messiah."

It is hard to fathom the depth of people's delusions. This is a
world where a significant number of individuals ignore the
involvement of God in both the world at large and in their own
lives, specifically. Many hold the view that God should
consider Himself lucky they are even willing to give Him any
attention at all. Therefore, He must accept whatever they have
to offer. God must live by man's rules not the other way
around. Is it any wonder that the warning against the coming
judgment of God is hated? "First of all, you must understand
that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following
their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this 'coming'
he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as
it has since the beginning of creation'" (2 Peter 3:3-4).

Psalm 2:4-6. So here is a scene much like a stirred up ant
hill. Men are running around in circles trying to get out from
under God's authority. In contrast the scene in heaven is
tranquil, peaceful. Spurgeon expresses it succinctly: "Mark
the quiet dignity of the Omnipotent One, and the contempt which
he pours upon the princes and their raging people. He has not
taken the trouble to rise up and do battle with them--he
despises them, he knows how absurd, how irrational, how futile
are their attempts against him--he therefore laughs at them." 
** The ants are going to tell men how to run "their" garden. 
One can have nothing but contempt for this level of
self-delusion.

So what is the Lord's response? He will judge by His word. He
will speak to them out of His anger! As His word created the
universe, His word spoken in righteous anger is adequate to
judge mankind. God says He will also respond by the placing of
Messiah on the throne over the nations. Messiah will finally
sit on the throne of His father David and rule from Jerusalem
over the entire world. Man has revolted against the invisible
rule of God and so will receive the direct rule of Messiah. 
Mankind will live under a theocracy where there will be no
question as to who's in charge. Hear the word of the Lord, His
wrath will not always be withheld.

Psalm 2:7-9. Now Messiah speaks for Himself quoting the Father.
God tells Messiah that first, He is the only begotten Son,
brought forth from the grave--speaking of the resurrection (See
Acts 13:33). It is the work of the cross, Messiah's death and
God's power exemplified by the resurrection, which is the
foundation of His rule at the second coming. "That power is
like the working of His (God's) mighty strength, which He
exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated
Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule
and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be
given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 
And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be
head over everything for the church..." (Ephesians 1:19-22). 
Obviously, this is said to benefit believers. Clearly, Messiah
is to rule over the world and the church both of which are His.

This rule of the world will be an authoritarian one. Messiah
will be taking the rule from those who are in rebellion against
God. This means that these people will be broken. They will
accept His rule whether or not they want it. Proof of this is
the fact that at the end of the Millennial age, when Satan is
released, mankind will again rise up against Messiah. "When the
thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison
and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of
earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle" (Revelation
20: 7).

Psalm 2:10-12. There is an alternative to rebellion and
judgment. Mankind, from the least to the greatest, has the
opportunity to turn to God. The end of revolt requires a
recognition of personal sinfulness. People must accept that in
God lies all authority and power. It is only by throwing
oneself onto the mercy of God, coming to Him on His terms, that
His wrath can be satisfied. 

People must worship God--give Him the awe and reverence which
belongs to Him. Notice that not only must one worship God, but
also Messiah. They are instructed to kiss the son; that is give
Him the honor that God requires. For those that say, "I believe
in God, but I don't think it is necessary to accept Messiah,"
the Lord says either do homage, or wrath will fall on you.

Finally, for mankind, the question will change! It will no
longer be "Who's in charge?" The answer will be
obvious--Messiah. The question will be whether people will
follow Him and be saved or continue to rebel and be judged. 
This has always been the question, but most people won't admit
it!

So where does this leave the Christian? It is the believer's
responsibility to bring the gospel to the lost. It is the
reality of Messiah's ultimate victory and His authority which
provides the courage to give out this message. It is the
believer's relationship with Him that empowers him or her to
live within the midst of this reality.

But first, while God should be in charge, you have the freedom
to control your own life. Too often, while believers accept the
gift of salvation, they struggle with the issue of control over
all aspects of their lives. At one level, they truly want God
in control, but because of the old nature they take it back. As
Paul notes: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to
do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not
want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no
longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know
that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. 
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it
out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I
do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Now I do what I do not
want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in
me that does" (Romans 7: 15-20). 

It is important that you constantly remember that every aspect
of your life must honor the Lord and be a witness for Him. To
live this way, we must depend on Him to overcome the sinful
self. "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this
body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Messiah our
Lord" (Romans 7: 24-25)!

It is only as you recognize and act on your need to depend on
the Holy Spirit for direction and power that you can give over
control to the Lord. As you look to decisions of life, how to
raise children, where to work, how to use your time and spend
your resources, remember the Lord needs to be your source of
direction. You must listen for the leading of His Spirit. You
must be open to the truths of Scripture. Also consider the
input of more mature believers. Your focus should be to find
God's direction.

By the way, this isn't a game between God and the believer. Too
often Christians act as if life is a mystery, a game in which
they must guess what God wants. "Should I pick door number one,
two or three? I have no way to know and if I pick the wrong one
I'll get in trouble."

If you truly desire His will, He will make it clear. He doesn't
place you in a position where, if you are seeking His will, you
will make the wrong choice because He hasn't given you a way to
know what is right.

If believers are to witness for God, they must live for Him. 
The clearest witness isn't words, it is lives. If believers
understand that His is the final victory, and that to reject Him
is to fall under His judgment, then they must strive to get this
truth to the lost.

Look at the people that you come in contact with and see them as
God does. Many, if not most, of those you are looking at are on
the way to Hell. They are separated from the Lord now and face
a future of eternal separated from Him.

While it is the Holy Spirit Who is responsible for conversion. 
Believers are the ones God has chosen as His instruments. 
Knowing that God is in control of all things, you should have no
reason to be concerned with what the response to truth is. You
must simply present the gospel to those who need to hear it's
message.

Mankind will continue to rebel until the final judgment. This
is reality! Believers are God's ambassadors to the rebelling
world. This is reality! You must choose! You have the choice,
as an act of will, to live under the power of the Holy Spirit. 
You can reach out to all those around you: family, friends,
whoever the Lord puts you in contact with. You can give the
gospel, presenting them with the opportunity to bow before the
Lord by choice, not by force. "Therefore God exalted him to the
highest place and gave him that name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and
on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that
Jesus the Messiah is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" 
(Philippians 2: 9-11).

* J. Vernon McGee, THRU THE BIBLE WITH J. VERNON MCGEE, Thomas
Nelson, Inc., 1982, Vol. 2, p. 668.

** C. H. Spurgeon, THE TREASURY OF DAVID, Macdonald Publishing
Company, Vol. 1, p. 11.
Special Studies - Correction
Special Studies
[Publisher's Note]
The following article was supposed to appear in the July 1992
issue of Morning Star. Due to an oversight on my part, the 
order was mixed.  This article is actually part 1 of 2, and the
conclusion can be found in the August 1992 issue.  I apologize
for the confusion - SWP


The Bible is an account of God's relationship to man, a covenant
relationship. We find this from the day of creation to the
eternal relationship we can have with the Messiah. This is the
seventh in a series of articles detailing the individual
covenants found within Scripture. 

This issue's article is one of two dealing with the subject of
symbols and types. There are many symbols and types within
Scripture. Some can be interrupted dogmatically and others
can't. We can interpret types dogmatically when they are
explained in Scripture. For example, the serpent in the 
wilderness is a picture of Christ. We are told this in the New
Testament. On the other hand, Joseph can be taken as a picture
of Christ because much of his life fulfills the pattern of
Christ's life. But we can't be dogmatic in our understanding
because nowhere in Scripture are we told that Joseph is a type
of Christ. Keeping this distinction in mind we present the
following. 

------------------------------------------------------------------

HE IS REVEALED IN SYMBOLS AND TYPES

By Rev. Dr. Charles A. Wootten


God reveals Himself through many symbols and types. Rather than
hide these revelations of God within the text of overviews of
various instances and situations, we shall first list the
symbols followed by a listing of the types in the next issue. A
symbol is a representation, i.e., one thing standing for
another. A type is a prophetic representation, i.e., one thing
foreshadowing another. We shall see herein symbolic actions,
colors, creatures, directions, names, and objects. Although we
do not recognize numerology as a basis of Christian belief, a
selection of vital numbers that aid in the understanding of
God's revelation will be added. Since this overview of symbols
and types is brief the reader should use a concordance to locate
the references of the symbols and types. He can follow the chain
of thought involved in them throughout the Scriptures.
Therefore, specific references will be omitted in the basic
interest of brevity. 

Actions. 

Anointing. Anointing is the act of smearing with oil for the
purposes of consecration. Consecration is that act that separate
from the worldly, or common, to that which is holy. This action
is even more readily seen in receiving Divine equipping from the
Holy Spirit for service unto God for the believer. 

Breathing. This is just more than inhaling and exhaling
life-giving oxygen for us mere mortals. God reveals Himself in
breathing as a symbol for the giving of life. 

Circumcision. The symbolic action that shows the revelation of
God in a person's life in that He cuts away the flesh life to 
reveal His life in the believer. 

The Lifting of Hands. This represents the taking of an oath, or
giving praise to Him, and surrender to Him. There are many
more symbolic actions that help us in finding the revelation of
God. If we but check all that we do unto the Lord then this list
becomes greater and greater. In your daily prayer chronicle
begin to write down those actions that you do that symbolize
the revelation of God. 

The symbolic colors are found in the Tabernacle and in the
Temple and on the Priestly garments. 
 
Amber: This material is quite hard having neither taste nor
smell until pounded or heated. When those two activities are
enacted, either singly or together, then there is noticed a
distinctly fragrant odor. In revealing God, this symbolizes the
glory of God in all His Divine Majesty. 
 
Black: This is the color of night; destitute of light. It is
also a sullen attitude; an atrociously wicked action; the
destitution of all colors. So, it is symbolic of sin, death, and
famine. It is the very opposite of God's desire for us. 
 
Blue: This is one of the seven colors of the rainbow. Its
significance is the revelation of God through the Holy Spirit
and the showing of heaven. 

Crimson: This is a very deep color of red tinged with blue. God
reveals Himself through this color in that it represents His
blood atonement and the sacrifices that He requires. 
 
Purple: This color has more of a bluish tinge than does
crimson. In the imperial government of Rome purple was the
distinguishing color that separated emperors from anyone else.
In Kingdom of God it denotes the color of kingship, His
Kingship. 
 
Red: In several languages (Arabic, Syriac, Ethiopic) this word
means to bring down, to invade, to subdue, to have dominion. Red
is one of the primary colors that has several applications as we
have seen. In our context red is graphically symbolic of
bloodshed or war. 
 
Scarlet: This is a bright, beautiful color, brighter than
crimson and symbolizes also blood atonement and sacrifice. 

White: This color is as pure snow and represents the basics of
purity, light, and righteousness. Revelation 19:8 (NKJV)
states, "And to her (the wife of the Lamb) it was granted to be
arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is
the righteous acts of the saints." 

A few of the symbolic creatures are: the clean animals thus
symbolizing Christ and the saints; the unclean animals
representing the Antichrist, Satan, sinners, and generally the
Gentile nations. The bullock symbolizes the sacrifice that
leaders must make in His service. The goat represents sinners.
The scapegoat is symbolic of Christ, our sinbearer. While the
eagle is symbolic of swiftness, it is the eagle's wings that
provide the supernatural transportation. 

Also of interest are the numbers that symbolize God's Truths. By
following out the number schemata in the entire Bible we shall
not find one instance of disagreement. The number one
symbolizes God who is the source, the beginning, the first. The
number two is the minimum number for witness or testimony. Three
is the manifestation of the Godhead: a perfect testimony. The
winds, seasons, and earth corners are represented by the number
four. Grace, atonement, life is shown in the number five. Six is
the number of man, and also of Satan. Perfection and
completeness is found in the number seven. The number eight is
symbolic of the new beginning. Nine is the figure of
completeness, finality, fullness (think of the number of months
for the fruit of the womb). And, finally, ten is the number for
law, government, restoration. 

There are man-made objects that also symbolize God and His
Kingdom. The altar is a place of sacrifice and for incense. As
pointed out earlier, Noah's Ark represented not only salvation
but the fullness of the Godhead. The purity of the sound of the
bell is symbolic of the sweet sound of the voice. Trials,
afflictions, and pressures are represented in the furnace. Iron
and brass represent His judgment. The staff is the shepherd's
protection. The covering for the pilgrim or stranger is by the
tent. The voice of prophetic utterance is represented by the
trumpet. 

In natural objects in the animal world we find that the fat of
offerings represents inward warmth and truth. For natural
minerals dust is the frail nature of man; oil is the anointing
of the Spirit; salt is symbolic of judgment on people and on the
land; sand is the physical seed of Abraham; smoke is the
overpowering presence of God; and precious stones are symbols of
the glories of the twelve tribes. 

Mankind has been staring at the sky from the beginning. There
are many objects in the sky that symbolize the various
revelations of God. The cloud, similar to the smoke, surrounds
the Shekinah glory of God. However, in the plural, clouds
represent several things, such as: the chariots of God; the
glory of God; hosts of people; and armies of the enemy. Rain is
a revival, a refreshing; an outpouring of the Spirit and the
Word. The rainbow has no other symbolic meaning other than the
Seal of God's covenant with His people, despite claims of the
New Age movement to the contrary. The stars are the
light-bearers of those who are fallen away in apostasy. The
glory of God the Father is seen in the sun. The sun, moon,
stars are symbolic of glory of the Godhead and even
resurrection. Spiritual power, whether for bad or good, is 
represented by the wind. In the religious aspect symbolic
objects have even more a precious idea of the representation of
the revelation of God. 

The Ark of His Covenant is the idea of Christ in the fullness of
the Godhead bodily. The unleavened cakes are shown as the purity
of life presented to God. The golden candlestick is Christ the
light in whom dwells God's fullness. The incense represents not
only the prayers of the saints but also intercession. The brazen
laver is the emblem of our sanctification and separation. The
white raiment is the priest's attire. The blue ribband is a
reminder of God's laws. The tabernacle indicates God's
habitation with each believer. The table of shewbread is an
indication of nourishment and communion with God. The veil is a
device that gives us access to God. 

The symbolic places are interesting as they show the journey
along the narrow way to God. Babylon is the city of Satan and
confusion. Canaan represents our inheritance in Him. The Cities
of Refuge represent refuge in Him and in the Church. Eden is the
Paradise of God. Egypt betokens bondage. Jerusalem is the City
of God and peace (note the difference between this City and
Babylon). The Jordan River symbolizes death to self and
baptism. Mount Ebal is the mountain of cursing; Mount Gerizim
is the mountain of blessing. Mount Moriah is the mountain of
sacrifice and the temple; and Mount Sinai is the mountain of
law and covenant. The Red Sea is symbolic of the baptism in
water. 

Moses' Tabernacle was built after very specific instructions 
from God. Since these instructions were very specific, that
shows God had a purpose and a meaning for each item. These are:
blue showing the Lord from Heaven. Brass represents His capacity
to endure judgment for sin. Gold is His divine glory and
nature. The fine linen is symbolic of His holiness and
righteousness. Silver shows His redemptive ministry and power.
The badger's skins shows His protection and unattractiveness to
the unregenerate. The skins of rams dyed red represents
substitution. The precious stones are His priestly glories and
perfections for His people. The shittim (acacia) wood shows His
incorruption. 

All symbols are generally interpreted within Scriptural context.
Sometimes a symbol may be used to symbolize more than one thing
such as Christ, the saints, and the devil (Revelation 5:5; I
Peter 5:8, etc.). If the symbol seems to be uninterpreted in the
Word, consider the surrounding context for the thought as its
very nature gives clue to its interpretation. Next, we shall
consider the types.
Special Studies
Special Studies
GOD IS REVEALED IN THE PALESTINIAN COVENANT

By Dr. Charles A. Wootten


The Palestinian Covenant was made in the land of Moab with the
second generation out of Egypt. This covenant was affirmed at
the end of the forty years of wandering, just before they
entered into the Land promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. It
laid down for all generations the conditions for entering and
maintaining the Promised Land.

In association with the Mosaic Covenant we find a little known
covenant called the Palestinian Covenant. Its authority comes
from Deuteronomy 29:1 (or 28:69 in the Jewish Publication
Society's translation of the Torah). This passage clearly
distinguishes it from the Mosaic Covenant by stating, "in
addition to the covenant which He had made with them at Horeb."
The Palestinian Covenant was made in the plains of Moab with the
second generation and gave laws for the Land.

The purpose of this covenant was to express the conditions for
entering into and maintaining occupancy of the Promised Land.
God is revealed herein as providing a place to live and survive
for the ones He has called out of bondage. This bondage was not
only physical slavery replete with the overseer's whips and
chains, but also a mental and spiritual bondage. 

The first generation of the Israelites failed to see the
Promised Land and died without entering into covenant rest. In
Numbers 13,14, Deuteronomy 8:1-16, and Hebrews 3,4 we find God's
laws are kept only if we keep our hands off our lives and commit
them to Christ, acknowledging Him to be our Lord and our
Saviour. This is the culmination of the covenant rest. We walk
in the assurance that He is Lord and that it is His will, not
ours, which shall prevail. The disobedience of the first
generation of Israelites resulted in the giving of the
Palestinian Covenant. 

The Israelites failure is recorded in Numbers 13 and 14. At
Kadesh- Barnea they searched the land for forty days, believed
the "evil report," and in unbelief rejected the covenant land
promised to Abraham. This generation went through the cycle of
probation, failure, and judgment which led to the new generation
receiving the next covenant.

The important thought to remember is that the Palestinian
Covenant reaffirms and fully amplifies the conditions of the
Mosaic Covenant for the keeping of the land promised in the
Abrahamic Covenant.

The new generation received a reaffirmation and amplification of
the Mosaic Covenant for the keeping of the Land promised in that
covenant. The Palestinian Covenant rehearsed the moral and civil
laws of the Mosaic Covenant. 

What God promised was a Land overflowing with blessing
(Leviticus 25:23,24; Deuteronomy 8:7-10; 11:9-17; 26:15;
28:11-13). In Leviticus 25:23,24 God forbade the selling of the
Land beyond reclaim because "the Land is Mine; you are but
strangers resident with Me." God described the Land as:

* A land of prosperity.
* A land that has a wealth of minerals.
* A land of many rivers and fountains.
* A land He would watch over and protect.
* A land of fruitfulness.
* A land watered by early and latter rains.
* A land of valleys and hills.

(see also Deuteronomy 8:7-10; 11:9-17; 26:15; 28:11-13;
Leviticus 26:3-13).

The Promises of Blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) would come upon
them and they would receive the Blessings in all areas and
aspects of their lives. These Promises of Blessing have not been
canceled, and we, the joint heirs, may reap these blessings in
the Spirit. When Israel is restored and the land in obedience,
under the rule of the Messiah, they will again experience them.
The blessings of the Palestinian Covenant are:

* Blessed in commerce.
* Blessed in national position.
* Blessed in seasonal rains.
* Blessed in labor.
* Blessed in storehouses.
* Blessed in victory over enemies.
* Blessed in daily activities.
* Blessed in daily provision.
* Blessed in fruitfulness.
* Blessed in the field.
* Blessed in the city.

All these began their fulfillment when Joshua led them in their
possession and conquest of the Land. Joshua (11:23; 21:43-45)
records their victory over their enemies and the dividing of the
Land into the tribal inheritances. The greatest extent of their
conquest came under the leadership of David. The greatest extent
of their material prosperity came during the reign of King
Solomon.

On the other hand the Promises of Cursing (Deuteronomy 28:15-68)
are spelled out to take effect upon disobedience to His
commandments. These are distinctly called curses of the
covenant. God is bound by His word to judge them for their
disobedience (I Kings 8; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27:15-26).
The curses are the opposite of the blessings:

* Cursed in the city.
* Cursed in the field.
* Cursed in daily provision.
* Cursed in fruitfulness.
* Cursed in daily activities.
* Cursed in labor.
* Cursed in diseases.
* Cursed in the Land.
* Cursed in the lack of rains.
* Cursed in defeat by their enemies.
* Cursed in captivities.
* Cursed in domestic life.
* Cursed in possessions.
* Cursed in national position.

The fulfillment of these promises of cursing began in the time
of the Judges when the people turned away from God to idols
(Judges 2). The books of Ruth, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles
record when these promises of cursing were fulfilled. The
ultimate fulfillment came with the captivities of the houses of
Israel and Judah.

The terms of the covenant were very simple: Obey the
Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:1-21; 27:1-4), maintain their love
for God, (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; 18:12-16; 30:6-8), and rest for the
Land (Leviticus 25:1-22). The overwhelming emphasis in the
Palestinian Covenant was on obedience. There had to be obedience
to the moral laws as well as the laws of the Land. The most
specific term attached to this covenant was the keeping of the
seventh year and jubilee Sabbath rest for the land.

There is no specific oath attached to the blessings of the
covenant, but there is an oath attached to the curses. This oath
was meant to assure Israel of the certainty and severity of
God's punishment upon their covenantal disobedience. 

The blood of the covenant was to be shed in the same manner as
the Mosaic Covenant (see also Leviticus 1,2,3). Deuteronomy 27
begins:

"Moses and the elders of Israel charged the people, saying:
Observe all the Instruction that I enjoin upon you this day. As
soon as you have crossed the Jordan into the land that the Lord
your God is giving you, you shall set up large stones. Coat them
with plaster and inscribe upon them the words of this Teaching.
When you cross over to invade the land that the Lord your God is
giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the
God of your fathers, promised you--upon crossing the Jordan, you
shall set up these stones, about which I charge you this day, on
Mount Ebal, and coat them with plaster. There, too, you shall
build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not
wield an iron tool over them; you must build the altar of the
Lord your God of unhewn stones. You shall offer on it burnt
offerings to the Lord your God, and you shall sacrifice there
offerings of well-being and eat them, rejoicing before the Lord
your God."

There could be no land of rest apart from sacrifice.

The seal of the covenant has two parts: the Sabbath rest
(Leviticus 25:1-17) and the sending of the early and latter
rains (Deuteronomy 11:10-17; 28:1-8; I Kings 8:35-40; Joel 2).

Just as the principles of rest and rain upon obedience to the
covenant are applicable in the natural they are also applicable
in the spiritual." For we are God's fellow workers; you are
God's field, you are God's building" (I Corinthians 3:9 (NKJV)),
"waiting patiently for . . . the early and latter rain" (James
5:7(b) (NKJV); cf. also Joel 2:18-52).

Of especial interest in respect to this covenant is what
happened just after the Israelites entered the Land. 

"At that time Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of
Israel, on Mount Ebal, as Moses, the servant of the Lord, had
commanded the Israelites--as is written in the Book of the
Teaching of Moses--an altar of unhewn stone upon which no iron
had been wielded. They offered on it burnt offerings to the
Lord, and brought sacrifices of well-being. And there, on the
stones, he inscribed a copy of the Teaching which Moses had
written for the Israelites. All Israel-- stranger and citizen
alike--with their elders, officials, and magistrates, stood on
either side of the Ark, facing the Levitical priests who carried
the Ark of the Lord's Covenant. Half of them faced Mount Gerizim
and half of them faced Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the
Lord had commanded them of old, in order to bless the people of
Israel. After that, he read all the words of the Teaching, the
blessing and the curse, just as it is written in the Book of the
Teaching. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded
which Joshua failed to read in the presence of the entire
assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the
strangers who had accompanied them." (Joshua 8:30-35 (JPSA)). 

The sanctuary of the Palestinian Covenant was complete.

The natural language in the Palestinian Covenant is given
spiritual significance in the New Testament with respect to the
Church. The New Testament speaks of the Church as being God's
land that He tills with the expectation of receiving spiritual
fruit (I Corinthians 3:9).

Next we shall discuss the Davidic Covenant. This covenant was
made with David after the death of Saul and David's ascent to
the throne at Jerusalem. In involved David's Seed, Throne, and
Kingdom both naturally and spiritually. It pointed ultimately to
the everlasting Throne and Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,
David's greatest Son.
Messianic Studies
Messianic Studies
Over the next two issues Dr. Renald Showers examines the
biblical analogy of Jesus the Messiah as the Bridegroom of the
Church. This first article discusses Jewish marriage customs. 
The customs reviewed are those carried out during Biblical
times. 


BEHOLD - THE BRIDEGROOM COMES!
Part 1 of a 2-part article

By Dr. Renald Showers
(From ISRAEL MY GLORY Magazine)


The Comforting Promise

It was a night of destiny. Jesus had gathered with His disciples
in the Upper Room. In a few more hours He would be crucified on
a cross.

Jesus had been warning His disciples concerning His coming
death, resurrection and ascension to heaven. The prospect of
these events caused the disciples to be greatly disturbed. In
order to ease their fears, Jesus made the following comforting
promise:

Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also
in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not
so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you maybe also
(KJV, John 14:1-3).

Those who live in the modern western world do not catch the full
significance of Jesus' promise. This is due to the fact that in
His promise Jesus was drawing an analogy from Jewish marriage
(customs in biblical times. Since this is so, those marriage
customs must be examined if one is to grasp the significance of
the promise.

The first major step in a Jewish marriage was betrothal.
Betrothal involved the establishment of a marriage covenant. By
Jesus' time it was usual for such a covenant to be established
as the result of the prospective bridegroom taking the
initiative. The prospective bridegroom would travel from his
father's house to the home of the prospective bride. There he
would negotiate with the father of the young woman to determine
the price (mohar) that he must pay to purchase his bride. Once
the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant
was there by established, and the young man and woman were
regarded to be husband and wife. From that moment on the bride
was declared to be consecrated or sanctified, set apart
exclusively for her bridegroom. As a symbol of the covenant
relationship that had been established, the groom and bride
would drink from a cup of wine over which a betrothal
benediction had been pronounced.

After the marriage covenant had been established, the groom
would leave the home of the bride and return to his father's
house. There he would remain separate from his bride for a
period of twelve months.- This period of separation afforded the
bride time to gather her trousseau and to prepare for married
life. The groom occupied himself with the preparation of living
accommodations in his father's house to which he could bring his
bride.

At the end of the period of separation the groom would come to
take his bride to live with him. The taking of the bride usually
took place at night. The groom, best man and other male escorts
would leave the groom's father's house and conduct a torch light
procession to the home of the bride. Although the bride was
expecting her groom to come for her, she did not know the exact
time of his coming. As a result the groom's arrival would be
preceded by a shout. This shout would fore warn the bride to be
prepared for the coming of the groom.

After the groom received his bride together with her female
attendants, the enlarged wedding party would return from the
bride's home to the groom's father's house. Upon arrival there
the wedding party would find that the wedding guests had
assembled already.

Shortly after arrival the bride and groom would be escorted by
the other members of the wedding party to the bridal chamber
(huppah). Prior to entering the chamber the bride remained
veiled so that no one could see her face. While the groomsmen
and bridesmaids would wait outside, the bride and groom would
enter the bridal chamber alone. There in the privacy of that
place they would enter into physical union for the first time,
thereby consummating the marriage that had been covenanted
earlier.

After the marriage was consummated, the groom would announce the
consummation to the other members of the wedding party waiting
out-side the chamber (John 3:29). These people would pass on the
news of the marital union to the wedding guests. Upon receiving
this good news the wedding guests would feast and make merry for
the next seven days.

During the seven days of the wedding festivities, which were
sometimes called " 'the seven days of the huppah,' " the bride
remained hidden in the bridal chamber. At the conclusion of
these seven days the groom would bring his bride out of the
bridal chamber, now with her veil removed, so that all could see
who his bride was.


Next month this series will be concluded with the examination of
the analogy. Dr. Showers will show how each aspect of Jewish
marriage customs relates to the life and ministry of Jesus the
Messiah.
Anee M'Amin
Anee M'Amin
SETTLED - ONCE AND FOR ALL

THE TESTIMONY OF JESS PINCUS

(From ISRAEL MY GLORY magazine June/July 1991)


The Bible states, "my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways my ways, salt the LORD" (Isa. 55:8). How true that
is!

When I was a youngster, my dad obtained a sales position in a
shoe store, but the working conditions were uncomfortable, and
he consequently became dissatisfied with life. One day a Jewish
lady walked into the store and asked to see my father. My dad
did not know her but asked, "Would you like to buy some shoes?"
"No," she replied, 'I don't want any shoes. I saw you through
the window, and I sense that you have some genuine needs in your
life. I would like to talk to you about them." "There are other
people working here," my father responded. "Talk to them." "No,"
she said, "I want to talk to you about your spiritual needs."

Finally, Esther Brown convinced my dad to have lunch with her.
During the conversation she persuaded him to call Bill Brown, an
attorney who was her close friend. My dad called Bill and made
an appointment to meet with him. "Rubin," Bill said, "my family
conducts a Bible study for Jewish people every Thursday evening.
I would like you to attend."

Studying God's Word

My mom, dad, and I attended the Bible study and were very
impressed with the genuine love that Mr. Brown and his family
had for the Jewish people. During the Bible study he taught that
God wants each of us to have a personal relationship with Him.
He said, however, that many people do not experience this
personal relationship with God because of the sin in their
lives. He read Isaiah 59:2: "Your sins have hidden his face from
you, that he will not hear."

He also explained that our mitzvahs (good works) could not
remove our sins, not even fasting on the Day of Atonement.
Leviticus 17:11 states that sin can be removed only through a
blood sacrifice, and Mr. Brown stated that there has been no
blood sacrifice for over 1,900 years-since the destruction of
the Temple in 70 A.D. However, in God's perfect timing He sent
His Son Jesus to be the ultimate blood sacrifice.

Mr. Brown also showed us verses telling where the Messiah would
be born, when He would come, that He would be both God and man,
that He would die, that He would be resurrected, and that He
would come again. Each of these verses fits the life of the
Messiah Jesus.

Although everything the Brown family and others said made sense,
we still felt that we would be meshumeds (traitors) if we
received Jesus as our Jewish Messiah.

We Met the Messiah!

After attending the Browns' Bible study for about a year and a
half, my parents accepted Jesus as their promised Messiah and
Savior, believing that He took their sins on Himself when he
died on Calvary's cross. They could now see that their faith in
Jesus made them more Jewish, rather than less so, because He is
the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies.

But the question still existed ... "Jess Pincus, what about your
personal relationship with God?" In my head I believed that
Jesus was the promised Messiah and the ultimate blood sacrifice,
but I was afraid to make it known to anyone else.

At the age of 12 in Miami, Florida, I was confronted by a Jewish
minister, Rev. Siegelman, who asked, "Would you like to settle
your personal relationship with the Lord Jesus once and for
all?" My answer was, "Yes!" At that moment I prayed, "Lord
Jesus, I recognize that I am a sinner and that You came to the
earth to be my ultimate blood sacrifice. I am now receiving You
as my personal Savior. Amen!"

Walking With the Lord

Since that August day in 1959, the Lord has guided me every step
of the way. He directed me to Miami Christian Junior-Senior High
School. How exciting it was to learn from the Word of God. Then
He led me to Florida Bible College and William Jennings Bryan
College, from which I graduated. I later received graduate
degrees from Florida Atlantic University and Nova University. In
1977 I married Penny Hawk. She has been a great encouragement to
me through the years. Truly, the Lord's directing power can be
seen in every step of my life as He prepared me for full-time
service with The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

For 14 years I preached and taught the Word of God in many
Bible-believing churches on a part-time basis, while serving
full-time in the field of education. Then the Lord showed me
that He wanted me to be a full-time witness to my Jewish
brethren, as well as to all mankind. In June 1983 God's call to
me was confirmed when I was appointed a staff member of The
Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry to serve in Tampa and Central
Florida. Penny and our children, Matthew (age 10) and Christina
(age 5), help in various aspects of the ministry.

The Lord has blessed me with a multifaceted outreach, which
includes personal evangelism, counseling, and teaching and/or
administration of Bible studies in Tampa, Beverly Hills,
Gainesville, and Daytona Beach, Florida. I have also ministered
in hundreds of fundamental churches through prophecy
conferences, evangelistic Passover seder demonstrations, "Thank
God For Israel" days, "Speak Tenderly to Jerusalem" conferences,
and pulpit supply. The major metropolitan areas of Orlando and
Jacksonville, Florida, are also part of my outreach ministry.

There is a song that summarizes my personal experience with the
Lord. It says, "Thank You Lord for saving my soul Thank You Lord
for making me whole; Thank You Lord for giving to me Thy great
salvation so rich and free."

If you would like to know that your sins are paid for, that you
have eternal life, and that you have a new hope for living, then
pray the following prayer:

Messiah Jesus, I recognize that I have sinned and come short of
God's glory. I realize that I cannot remove this sin through my
own good works (mitzvahs) because You require a blood atonement.
I realize that You became my ultimate blood atonement. I now
receive You as my Savior and Lord.
The WORD for Today
The WORD for Today
Before this last Easter (1992), many churches across the country
were involved in The Chapel of the Air's "Fifty-Day Spiritual
Adventure." This program was designed to help local churches
become "The Family God Wants Us To Be." The material provided
focused on dysfunctional behavior found in families and brought
into the church. The article presented here is the fourth of
seven messages given by Pastor Geoff Kragen. They were
presented at Foothill Bible Church in Lincoln California as part
of that church's involvement with the program.


BUT I WAS OUT OF THE OFFICE!

2 Samuel 12:1-14

One of the more unique characteristics of humanity is the
ability to deny truth. I know that I can convince myself of
anything, if I want to badly enough. I remember when I was
still a hospital administrator. There were several individuals
who called me on the phone. They were people I really didn't
want to talk to. On one specific occasion a call came from a
very irregular person. I solved the problem of talking to her
by stepping into the hallway. This allowed my secretary to say,
"He just stepped out of his office." Well, neither of us lied,
did we?

Where people are severely dysfunction, the ability to practice
denial and to live in delusion is extraordinary. The anorexic
young woman looks like a victim of a concentration camp. But
when she looks in the mirror she sees a fat person. The father
who is falling down drunk every weekend doesn't think he has a
drinking problem. He just needs to unwind after a tough week!

One individual I knew had been severely abused throughout
childhood, for some eighteen years. This child was frequently
yelled at. This was usually followed by physical abuse. When,
as an adult, this individual would get into an argument with
someone, the situation would usually deteriorate into yelling. 
The yelling would cause my friend to expect a physical attack. 
Generally there was no real danger. The experience as a child
of abuse tied to yelling led the adult to expect physical
violence.

Self-delusion is also of a major characteristic of the
dysfunctional family. Tremendous energy is spent on putting on
a healthy outward appearance, and believing it to be true. Each
child is trained to reject reality and comes to believe the
false front. This is terribly damaging. The child, and years
later the adult, has great difficulty in distinguishing between
reality and delusion or self-deception. The ultimate "no no" in
the dysfunctional family is admitting there are problems.

Conversely, the functional family recognizes problems. The
focus of this family, however, is not avoidance of problems. 
Instead, the mature family makes a cooperative effort to solve
them. The healthy church family is also an environment where
problems are recognized. They are openly faced, and, in prayer
before the Lord, dealt with in a way that brings Him honor.

Nevertheless, even believers, individually and as a body, can
choose to deny truth and live in delusion. Make no mistake,
this is a choice. King David, the man of God, chose to live in
delusion. He desired Bathsheba. He committed adultery with
her. She got pregnant. Unfortunately for David, her husband
Uriah was a loyal soldier of the king. David found a good way
to deal with this problem. He sent Uriah to the front line
where he would be killed. Of course, that wasn't David's fault.
It was simply the "luck of the draw" that led to Uriah's death.
David believed that he had solved his problem. After all,
David didn't kill Uriah. Did he? With a clear conscience David
could marry Bathsheba and have his baby. See 2 Samuel 11 & 12.

The problem with self-delusion is that God always sees through
it. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9) If we are His
children, sooner or later we are going to have to see through
delusion and recognize what lies underneath, sinful thinking. 
"Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my
disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set
you free' " (John 8:32). It is God's truth that was soon to
come home to David. In 2 Samuel 12:1-14, we see how God chose
to expose David's denial to the light of truth.

Nathan was sent by the Lord to David. He brought a dispute for
the King's consideration. One behavior I've noticed over the
years is that while we can see a sin in the other guy, we often
don't recognize this same sin in ourselves. Anyway, according
to Nathan's account, a certain rich man stole a lamb from his
poor neighbor. He who had much took from him who had little.

David was furious with this kind of behavior. The other
behavior I've noticed about those that don't see sin in
themselves is how angry and intolerant they become when this sin
is held up before them in the actions of someone else. 
Apparently, David wasn't an exception. He demanded the death
penalty for the lamb stealer.

Then Nathan drops the bomb. The criminal is David. The crime
Nathan was actually discussing wasn't sheep stealing. It was
David adultery and murder. God had given much to David; a
kingship, protection, material prosperity, family; plus Israel
and Judah. What was David's response? It wasn't obedience, but
covetousness, lust and violence.

Shortly, God's judgment would be carried out by the actions of
David's son Absalom. God used Absalom as the instrument of His
judgment. He allowed Absalom to raise up a rebellion against his
father, forcing David to flee Jerusalem. Absalom took David's
wives and slept with them in front of the entire nation. 
Additionally, the child, who was to be born from the illicit
relationship between David and Bathsheba, died.

The good news was that David did repent. Despite his sin, he
was still God's man. The Lord did forgive him. But forgiveness
is not synonymous with escaping the consequences of one's sin. 
As Paul said: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man
reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7).

David had managed to deceive himself about his behavior. Since
he was a servant of God, the Lord wouldn't allow him to continue
in this deception. David, who truly desired to walk in God's
ways, repented and was restored. But he, and the nation, paid
the price for his sin in political chaos and civil strife. Sin
is always the real problem when we practice denial, and live in
delusion.

Consequences are also the natural result of denial and delusion
within the family. Frequently in the alcoholic family one finds
denial of the problem. Children are told that Daddy, who is
passed out on the couch, is simply tired. Or after mom flies
off the handle and beats the child, the behavior is blamed on
the actions of the child. The children are smart enough to
realize that there is a problem with the parent. Depending on
their age, they may even recognize that alcohol abuse is the
symptom. The parent however lies. This places the child in an
untenable position. He either is forced to accept the
unacceptable, that the parent is a liar, or to deny the reality
of the situation. He can do this by denying truth and
convincing himself that everything is ok. Frequently
self-deception and denial are the actions of choice.

Once one accepts the denial and self-delusion of others, then it
is only a matter of time until this also becomes one's own
behavior. One individual was convinced that his childhood had
been wonderful. Then, with the Lord's help, he came to see his
own dysfunctional behavior. He recognized that he had learned
his behavior in childhood. He finally realized that his family
had been far from wonderful. His memories had been adjusted to
support his protection system. These memories were a product of
denial to avoid pain, and self-delusion in rejecting the truth
of how his family had actually functioned.

Keep in mind, for those of us on the outside, it is extremely
difficult to accept that this self-denial process is so well
developed that those involved really do not see what appears to
be obvious to us. I suppose an extreme example of this was the
denial of many Central Europeans that they knew of the Jewish
slaughter during World War II. Today we find this almost
impossible to understand, yet I believe that many of them really
weren't aware of what was going on. This may have been because
they convinced themselves they weren't aware of it.

How does this practice of denial and delusion carry over into
the church family? There are a couple of ways. First, while we
accept doctrinally that we are all sinners, we often act as if
this wasn't the case. This happens by a pretense of having it
all together, or by being judgmental of the sins of others. 
Instead, believers should move in love to encourage restoration.

Second, we have a practical problem with helping one another to
be open in our weaknesses. David Main puts it this way. 

"One of the problems with the contemporary church is that it's
structured in such a way that openness and honesty are difficult
to come by. When is it appropriate to say what you're
struggling with? Do you do that during the worship hour? 
Hardly.

Do you write out your confession to be included in the Sunday
bulletin?" *

But the church is to be a hospital for the hurting. We have to
be an environment where truth is encouraged for... 

Denial and delusion are rejection of truth. And, rejection of
truth makes it impossible for us to be the person God desires
us to be. Each one of us can fall into the trap of self
delusion. "If we only made another twenty thousand a year all
our problems would be solved." "If my wife/husband would loose
twenty pounds, our marriage would be much better." "If I
divorced my spouse and married so and so, my life would be
wonderful." 

But delusion keeps us from God. Scripture calls us to be
humble. Biblical humility is having an accurate self-image. 
This means seeing ourselves as God sees us. It is only in this
way that we can allow Him to conform us to His image. Clinging
to denial and delusion prevents this from occurring.

And, the problem of denial and delusion carries over into the
church. I'm sure you have all run across churches where it
seems everybody has his or her act together. "We have no
problems here, because Christians don't have problems." This is
a sad delusion. And when problems appear, which they always do,
the "perfect" church may be destroyed because it has no way of
dealing with them.

The pastor must be the example of the perfect man of God. When
he turns out to be human, the problem is solved by shooting him.
 As is frequently said, the church is the only army that shoots
its wounded. But shooting the wounded allows the church to
maintain the illusion of having it all together.

So what can we do, besides taking a positional commitment to
truth, to create an environment where it is safe to give up
denial and delusion? First, we have to allow the body to be a
nurturing place where we are not concerned with condemnation,
but with healing. This means loving unconditionally, giving up
expectations, unhealthy comparisons and competition and not
blaming and shaming. All this can only occur through dependency
on the Holy Spirit. (See previous articles in this series.)

Many years ago, Janette, my wife, and I were having problems in
our marriage. We had to go into counseling for about nine
months to deal with them. At that time I was an elder in the
church. There were only four of us, one of whom was the new
pastor we had just hired. Nevertheless, it was mandatory for me
to step down and concentrate on dealing with our marital
problems. It was necessary for me to stand in the pulpit and
tell a few hundred people of our difficulties. I didn't know
how people would respond. I didn't want to admit that I was in
a situation that I couldn't handle. But the point of the story
is that not only were people supportive, but more importantly
openness helped create an environment where others also felt
free to admit they had problems. The sense was, "If it is ok
for one of the elders to admit to problems, I guess it is ok for
me to do so." As a result, several couples went for help for
the first time in their lives.

The church needs to be a place where we don't deny the problems
of life. We must love one another and help each other grow in
the Lord. We have to be willing to face problems and learn to
deal with them constructively.

There are also a couple of practical steps we can take to help
the body be a place of openness and truth. Encourage people to
seek a prayer partner. This will require truth between two or
three people. It is an opportunity to hold one another
accountable and help one another walk before the Lord. "As iron
sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17).

And taking this one step further, the small group can also carry
on this same function. Here we can gather, praying and caring
for one another. It is risky being open and honest, facing
problems and dealing with them. And, certainly we have to use
desecration in what we expose and to whom we talk. But we must
find those within the church with whom we can be open,
transparent, and accountable.

The bottom line of all this is that the church offers truth as
the way of salvation, the truth of the Gospel. We must be
willing to practice truth as the basis of understanding God and
our relationship with Him. We cannot allow deceit and delusion
to be the pattern within the body, because it prevents growth
and healing. 

May John's words be said of us. "For I rejoiced greatly, when
the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee,
even as thou walkest in the truth" (3 John 3).

* David Mains, HEALING THE DYSFUNCTIONAL CHURCH FAMILY, Victor
Books, Wheaton, IL, 1992, p. 69.
Prayer Guidelines
Prayer and Sin by Michael Wilkinson
PRAYER AND SIN
Article 7 of the "Prayer and..." Series

by Michael Wilkinson


"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities
have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His
face from you, So that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).

When we pray to the Lord, we believe that He hears our prayers
and will answer according to His will. We believe that we can
"Ask, and it will be given to you..." (Matthew 7:7).

This seems easy to understand. Yet God giving us what we ask
for is not the result of some formula for getting His riches. 
It is a description of how God WANTS to work in our lives when
we obey Him. "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, BECAUSE
we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing
in His sight" (1 John 3:22).

Ever since Adam and Eve, there has been a breakdown in
communication between God and man. The source of this breakdown
is man's sin. This is certainly a barrier between God and the
unbeliever. The unbeliever cannot have communion with God
without being reconciled to Him through Christ (see Colossians
1:21-22).

Sin also hinders communion between God and the believer. "If we
claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we
lie and do not live by the truth" (1 John 1:6).

We are to have fellowship with God, and this includes prayer. 
Yet a Christian who lives a sinful life will have no success in
prayer (although God is long-suffering and may still answer some
prayers). And if a Christian has no desire to pray, that may be
a sign of unconfessed sin requiring repentance. Remember, it is
not God failing to hear, it is sin making us not want fellowship
with God.

Prayer is essential for fellowship with Him. And holiness is
essential for fellowship and prayer. "As obedient children, do
not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in
ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in
all you do. For it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy' "
(1 Peter 1:14-16).

Fortunately, the Lord will always hear a prayer of repentance. 
Recall the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Here Jesus
talks about a son who took his father's money, left him, and
wasted the wealth on worldly pleasures. His desire was for that
which his father would not allow him to have at home. When that
son came to the end of his money and the pleasure of sin had
wasted away, he returned home. He came in humility to beg for
whatever mercy his father might give. At the first sign of his
son coming back in repentance, the father ran to meet him. The
father kissed him and had him dressed up according to the son's
former richness.

Jesus told this story so we would know about our heavenly
Father's forgiveness when we repent of our sins. And we should
all examine our own lives, repenting daily of the sins that lead
us astray from the Father. For that is the only way we can keep
ourselves pure and know that he takes pleasure in our prayers.

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around
your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you
will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man"
(Proverbs 3:3-4).
SCUD Warnings
SCUD Warnings by Jerry Johnson
S piritual
 C ounterfeits
  U ndermining
   D octrine

W A R N I N G S

By Jerry Johnson


At this point I am slightly behind my deadline for this column
... and I'm just now writing the first sentence. It's not that
I haven't tried, it's just that between the Olympics seducing me
away from my computer and a newly laid sod backyard that takes
the rest of my time away, I'm running late.

Scenario one: God gave me a passable writing style and
Christians doing their best to minister to others have created
the opportunity for this column. The circumstances have
occurred naturally because of the way that God set up the church
to function. It is now my job to get this column done. I pray
for help, but that is really just to create a focus for me.
After all, God gave me what I have ... it's up to me to use it
to the best of my ability. God did his original creative work
so well that he really doesn't have to intervene much anymore.

Scenario two: God is absolutely obsessed with being involved
with my life... and this column. All I have to do is yield
myself to him enough and he'll do something miraculous so that I
will write a column straight from his heart. Not only that, but
it will be written so well that God will ensure that a copy gets
to Saddam Hussein and he'll convert his entire nation to
Christianity! All I have to do is expect the miracle for
guidance and it will come. Wait!!! I've just looked out my
window and there IS a sign. It says YIELD. That's it! God
wants me to yield. As I empty my mind I happen to glance over
at the floor and I notice we left a board game out ... it's the
game of LIFE. Life, is that what God wants me to write about? 
Wait, I'm feeling something. Is it a confirmation from the
Lord? Oops, it was just a burp. I'll just tarry until I get
further guidance.

Am I making fun of someone's beliefs?

Me??

Yeah, I guess I am. As usual I mean no offense. I just hope to
get people to think about things.

The topic of this column is "the spiritual pendulum". The above
scenarios represent the two extremes of spiritual awareness
within Christendom.

The first is what can be called Christian Agnosticism. It is
the basic concept that God wound things up and stays
functionally uninvolved. It is this group that might refer to
the Trinity as the Father, the Son and the other one.

The second is what I refer to as the Hookey Pookies. These are
the kind that love and seek any type of spiritual event, at
times with little to no discernment. They love personal
prophecies are rarely slowed down when they don't come to pass.

"These are spiritual counterfeits?"

Anything that distracts from Christ's preeminence and pulls us
away from truth is a pale imitation, or counterfeit if you will,
of accurate doctrine. So, yes, they are.

"So what's the big deal? Do these beliefs really hurt anyone?"

They hurt the people involved with them. We'll start with the
more subtle, Christian Agnosticism, and then move to the
dramatic.

"ianity."

"Was that a typo?"

No, that was Christianity without Christ. Just as Pharisaism
was the Law without God's compassion. Just as Christian
agnosticism is the philosophy and concepts of Christ without an
on-going personal relationship with Christ.

In Revelations 3:20 Jesus says "If anyone hears my voice and
opens the door I will come in and sup with him and he with me"

That is personal interaction ... and it was written to
Christians,
NOT unbelievers.

There can be a multiple number of reasons why someone might find
greater comfort in following the direction of the Bible without
interacting with the Director of the Bible.

Now I'm not saying they haven't accepted the Lord. They have.

It's just that I have met with some people, often Bible
scholars, who have so fixated on the revealed Word of God, that
they seem satisfied with knowing about God, without feeling the
drive to know God.

Why?

Awfully good question. There are probably just as many answers
as there are people. But here are some possibilities:

You can study the Bible and become a "scholar". You can take
tests in Bible College and get A's in the book of Jude. You can
know Hebrew and Greek and KNOW you know Hebrew and Greek.

A relationship with God is not so quantifiable. Philippians
2:12 says that we are to work out our salvation with fear and
trembling. That doesn't exactly connote a process in which we
can know we have "arrived" or "succeeded" or "passed". A
relationship between any two personalities is dynamic and fluid.

With God it is yet more dynamic and with his abilities and
character it is radically fluid, within the "limits" of his
nature which is pretty limitless.

Or to give an obscure metaphor: it is easier to be a marriage
counselor than to be married.

Other possibilities? When you relate to a God who is Spirit, a
being you cannot see and touch, faith is required. Faith can be
scary. How can you KNOW you are "doing it" right? That's the
catch 22. It is the Spirit of God (you know, the personal,
interacting part) that confirms the truth to our hearts in
accordance to the Word of God. So you can't get confirmation
that the personal relationship is right until you have the
personal relationship. You have to trust a God you don't know
well in order to get to know him enough to really trust him.

"Where did you get that idea?"

James 4:8 Come near to God and he'll come near to you.

Maybe people are nervous that if they spiritually experience
God, which is a redundant statement, he might cause them to do
something embarrassing or to do something they do not want to
do, like go to a foreign mission field.

Yep, that's the pattern of scripture all right ... God doing his
best to embarrass the people he sacrificed his son for.

I don't think so.

To pray the sinner's prayer, study the Word and stop short of
developing a mental AND emotional AND spiritual relationship
with God is like having a Porsche and never going for a drive
... you miss the really good part.

If God loved you enough to send his son, he doesn't want just a
theoretical relationship with you, he wants a personal
relationship with you.

Honest.

Next, the Hookey Pookies. Those who LOVE spiritual stuff. The
more spiritual the better. The more dramatic the better. If
it's spiritual it's good, right?

Not necessarily.

I've known a number of people who loved the spiritual. They
loved to have revelations and dreams and personal prophecies. 
Loved it so much that they kept it up whether or not it was tied
to reality.

I had a friend who was REALLY into personal prophecy. How much?
So much so that she had prophesied that a female friend would
marry and after that friend died in a car wreck my friend
staunchly believed that God would raise that woman from the dead
so that the personal prophecy could be fulfilled. That was that
same friend who died of the cancer she was ardently claiming she
had been healed of.

I John 4:1 says that we are not to believe every spirit, but
test the spirits to see if they are from God.

Test. Examine. Verify. And notice ... it instructs us to
start with disbelief until it proves to align with the Word and
character of God. We are instructed to be skeptical ... then if
we come to understand it is from God we are to embrace it.

"Is this saying you believe in personal prophecies?"

I do not believe in anything, prophecy, instruction, insight,
whatever that goes beyond or contradicts the Bible. I believe
the book of Revelation is the totality of what God wanted us to
know ahead of time about our world and its future.

I have not yet had anyone do a personal prophecy over me that
proved to be accurate, but I do know people who have had very
deep insights given to them. I thoroughly believe God can use
other believers to influence our lives and that God doesn't use
dramatic methods as a dominate pattern. After all, I believe
that God gave Peter the vision of the sheet with the unclean
animals (Acts 10) three times because he was too slow to catch
on any other way.

God is a Spirit and those who worship must worship him in spirit
and in truth. That means we must have both. We must be willing
to open our hearts and awareness to the spiritual realities of
God and to test what we observe to the truth. In that concept
we have the call to faith AND the pattern for verification.

God really loves us. He loves us enough to be literally,
personally involved and loves us enough to want us to love him
enough to check what's happening to make sure its of him.

That's one thing about the life in Christ ... it's rarely dull.
Bible Quiz
Bible Quiz
BIBLE QUIZ

Where did they pray? Match the persons who prayed to the
location where they prayed. Check your answers by looking up
the scripture verses following each name.

1.  Daniel (Daniel 6:10-11)
2.  David (Psalm 63:6)
3.  Habakkuk (Habakkuk 2:1)
4.  Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:2)
5.  Hypocrites  (Matthew 6:5)
6.  Jesus (John 11:38-41)
7.  Jesus, Peter, James and John (Luke 9:28)
8.  Jonah (Jonah 2:1)
9.  Paul and Silas (Acts 16:23-25)
10. Peter and John (Acts 3:1)







a) In a tower
b) On a mountain
c) Facing a wall
d) At a grave
e) In a fish
f) In bed
g) In jail
h) At a window
i) In the Temple
j) On street corners



Christian Life Department
People Profile
People Profile - Joel Chernoff
JOEL CHERNOFF - COMPOSER WITH "LAMB" CONCERT MINISTRY

By Teresa Giordanengo
Morning Star Senior Editor


Joel Chernoff is a Jewish believer in the Messiah Jesus. He was
brought to the Lord by his father, at approximately age twelve. 
His father was the Pastor of the Congregation Beth Yeshua (House
of Salvation or House of Jesus) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
before going to be with the Lord. 

Joel holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of
Cincinnati, Ohio. While in college in 1970, he worked on music
composition and his direction in life changed. A career in
music came soon afterward. Joel was always interested in music,
and as a child, he learned to play the piano and later the
guitar. 
 
Joel is a fine musician, and along with Rick "Levi" Coghill,
comprise the group "Lamb". Joel's compositions bring honor and
glory to the Messiah. The lyrics are generally based on the
scriptures. We thank God for Joel and Rick, and for the
anointing He has placed upon them. Together they regularly
perform in churches, Messianic Synagogues, and auditoriums
throughout the United States and Israel. Occasionally they will
tour Europe in concert. 

Their music is somewhat contemporary with a pop feel. Joel
believes that music is a type of spiritual grease that
lubricates worship and makes worship easier and drawing close to
God easier. 

He is President of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America and
Vice President of the International M.J.A. He attends the
conferences in July each year at the Messiah College near
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, when approximately two thousand
representatives attend from fourteen nations. At these
conferences, one may attend more than fifty seminars on all
aspects of Messianic Jewish revival. There is plenty of
beautiful music due to several concerts by Messianic music
artists. Joel informs us that there is tremendous praise and
worship and dance during the evening sessions. The stage set is
25 feet by 50 feet; a replica of the "wailing wall". 

Joel is an elder at the Congregation Beth Yeshua and uses his
musical talents there as well. His brother, David, now pastors
the congregation. Though comprised of both Jewish and
non-Jewish believers, Beth Yeshua is probably the largest body
of Messianic Jews since the days of the Apostles. 

Joel will continue writing Messianic music for "Lamb". He has
profound Biblical insight and loves the Lord with all his heart.
He has a magnificent voice and the music is excellent. 

In closing he asks that we all "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
- they will prosper that love thee." (Psalm 122:6)

Editor's note: "LAMB" is featured in the Ministry Profile of
this issue of Morning Star and two of Joel's "songs of Praise"
are featured in the Music section. Recordings by "Lamb" may be
purchased in Christian bookstores and at Beth Yeshua's
bookstore.
Ministry Profile
Ministry Profile - LAMB
"LAMB" - A CONCERT MINISTRY

By Joel Chernoff and Rick Coghill


LAMB, is the musical group that pioneered the sound that today
has become known as Messianic Praise and Worship. It's not
pretentious to call LAMB a group, for this duo of Joel Chernoff
and Rick "Levi" Coghill make a big sound. Their music is as
contemporary as Israel's jet squadrons, yet the ancient mystique
of the Psalms is equally present. LAMB created this
Jewish-flavored, contemporary sound in 1973 with their first
album which went to the top of the Gospel charts and has
subsequently become the largest selling Messianic music album in
history. 

One of the longest lived and most popular groups in contemporary
Gospel, LAMB is clearly the leader in Messianic praise and
worship. Steeped in tradition and bursting with the rhythm of a
Hebraic dance, their Messianic music can be haunting - almost
mystical. LAMB'S use of straight forward scripture-oriented
lyrics is convicting, joyful, and compelling. Their challenge
is one of personal renewal, commitment, and joy in the Messiah
Yeshua (Jesus); the message of salvation is powerful and clear.

LAMB'S background is as rich and diverse as their music. Joel
is Jewish and was brought to the Lord at the age of twelve by
his father who was the Pastor of Beth Yeshua (House of
Salvation) congregation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before he
went on to be with the Lord. Joel is now an elder at Beth
Yeshua which is probably the largest congregation of Jewish
believers since the first century. Naturally, everyone is
welcome and many non-Jewish believers, like Rick, worship there.

Rick is a Gentile who attended the Conservatory of Music at the
University of Cincinnati with a major in Marketing and Radio-TV
production. He is the producer of LAMB'S albums. He was
brought to the Lord by an Episcopalian minister who was
concerned over his enormous drug habit. Rick had played guitar
for James Brown, and his group "The Lemonpipers" had won
world-wide fame with their hit "Green Tambourine". Rick
accepted the Lord, was miraculously delivered from heroin, and
met Joel all in the same week. But LAMB was not formed until
much later - after Joel had received his degree in political
science and Rick had become better grounded in God's Word. They
played one of their first concerts on a Kibbutz in Israel and it
was there that they first realized the potential of Messianic
music. It was a little over a year later that they both made a
full-time commitment to LAMB'S concert ministry. They have
remained committed to their calling for seventeen years, always
seeking new and fresh ways to glorify God with their music.

LAMB is known for their "innovative use of the latest stage
sound equipment. LAMB'S unique blend of the ancient and the
modern provides the listener with a truly inspiring musical and
spiritual journey. One senses the enthusiasm of LAMB'S
commitment as the music, lyrics, production, and arrangements
combine to spiritually uplift the listener. Their message of
redemption and challenge of spiritual renewal echoes long after
the music has faded. 

LAMB'S first album was made in January of 1973, making it one of
the first Contemporary Gospel records, and certainly the first
Messianic Music record. LAMB was the first to record Messianic
lyrics in Hebrew, and the first to record middle-eastern modes,
scales, and sounds with Messianic content.

Lyrically, the duo uses Hebraic terms and Old Testament themes
to compel people to confront the Savior. While traveling the
nation singing love songs to the Messiah, many young people come
forward to pray for salvation and needs in their lives. The duo
proclaim the message of the Messiah to the people of Israel and
to the world in such a unique way.

LAMB has four of the all-time best selling albums in Messianic
Music. Joel Chernoff is the composer and lead singer. The
music appeals to people of varying musical tastes.

Some of the top contemporary Gospel songs of the past few years
were Messianic Music: "El Shaddai" and "Jehovah" by Amy Grant,
"He is Jehovah" by Kenneth Copeland, "He is Jehovah" by Glenn
Garrett, "Yeshua Ha-Mashiach" by Scott Wesley Brown,
"Cornerstone" by Leon Patillo, and many more, were clearly
created from groundwork laid years ago by LAMB.

(Editor's note: Joel Chernoff is featured in the People Profile
Section of this issue of Morning Star. Also, two of his "songs
of praise" are featured in the Music Column.)

For further concert information contact:
MESSIANIC RECORDS INC./LAMB
7605 Brookhaven Road
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19151
Phone 215-477-1050
Fax 215-477-1087
Education
Education
"... AND GREAT SHALL BE THE PEACE OF YOUR CHILDREN." - Isaiah
54:13

The following is from the Christian School Comment newsletter
written by Dr. Paul A. Kienel, Executive Director of the
Association of Christian schools International based in La
Mirada, California. Used by permission.


As a child I remember sitting on the front row in my father's
church (where he could easily keep an eye on me). I remember
listening to the "story parts" of his sermons but I also
remember the congregational singing. How I enjoyed it even as a
child and one of my favorites was a song that now seems to be
out of print, "Hidden Peace." Every so often I find myself
singing the chorus of that song:

There's a deep settled peace in my soul,
There's a deep settled peace in my soul,
While the billows of sin near me roll,
He abides. Christ abides.

As a child and to this day I have a "deep settled peace in my
soul." The prophet Isaiah wrote, "And all of your children shall
be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your
children." Isaiah 54:13.

I have a "deep settled peace" today because my godly parents
"taught me of the Lord."

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was one of the great authors of
English literature. He wrote "A Tale of Two Cities," "David
Copperfield," and a story we hear every Christmas of Ebeneezer
Scrooge's change of heart in "A Christmas Carol." What a writer
he was! He had a heart for the poor and the downtrodden of
society. He also had a heart for his family. He and his wife
Catherine had ten children. His last literary piece was written
specifically for his children and was not meant to be published.
Thankfully, his descendants released it to Thomas Nelson
Publishers in 1991. Charles Dickens entitled it, "The Life of
Our Lord." He begins, My dear children, I am very anxious that
you should know something about the history of Jesus Christ. 
For everybody ought to know about Him. No one ever lived who
was so good, so kind, so gentle. (1)

Then in clear, child-level language he tells in his great
literary style the beautiful story of Jesus as recorded in the
gospels. Believe me, I am anxious to share this book with my
grandchildren!

Most of us are not literary giants like Charles Dickens. We
cannot write the story of Christ in a compelling style and hand
it to our children as a personal treasure. But in our own way
there are treasures we can pass on to our children that will
give them a "deep settled peace" in their souls. Christ, of
course, is the author of inner peace. He said, Peace I leave
with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I
give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid. (2)

Christ in the heart produces peace. That is why it is worth the
sacrifice of time and money to send children and young people to
a Christian school. Christian school educators offer Christ to
their students. Peace can come from the heart of Christ to the
heart of your children through Christian educators but it can
also come, of course, through Christian parents.

Recently I attended a missions meeting at the beautiful
facilities of one of the finest Christian colleges in America -
Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago. While there I read
an article in The Chicago Tribune entitled, "Family Ties Often
are no Match for the Bonds of a Gang." The following quote from
that article demonstrates what often happens to children when
parents fail to meet the needs of their youngsters.

While those familiar with gang culture emphasize that there are
many steps parents can take to protect their children, they
acknowledge that street gangs can be attractive to youngsters. 
And once a kid joins a gang it becomes more difficult to get him
out the longer he's a member.

"You can't ignore the fact that kids need to belong to something
or someone. They are looking for a link with something," said
Capt. Allan Taylor of the Cook County sheriff's police gang
crimes unit. "For some this is the only way they can get it."

In many ways street gangs emphasize the same values as any other
youth group - fidelity, friendship, and discipline. And gangs
fulfill a teenager's innate desire for acceptance.

"At some point there comes a time when a teenager asks, 'Who an
I?' They have the need to know who they are. They need to
identify," Taylor said. "A gang provides them with this." But
unlike other youth groups, gangs deal in crime, violence, and
death. (3)

The article closed with this poignant statement:

"We're always telling kids to say no. Say no to drugs. Say no
to alcohol," Fleming said. "But we don't give kids a lot to say
yes to." (4)

There are a number of things we can give our children to say
"yes" to.

1) Nothing pleases a Christian parent more than to have their
children say "yes" to Jesus Christ and to acknowledge Him not
only as the Savior of the world but their own personal Savior. 
If children are drawn to Christ they will not be drawn to gangs.

2) Say "yes" to parental direction. The writers of the "gang"
article said, Since most gang members come from homes in which
parents offer them little direction, Sandoval said she often
warns mothers and fathers that it is imperative that they spend
more time at home. While the challenges parents face are large
ones, they must "take responsibility for their kids," said police
Cpt. Tom Fleming.

"Demand accountability," Fleming urges parents. Find out where
your children have been and where they are going. Get to know
their friends. Talk to their friend's parents. Get specifics
and follow up. "One thing I always tell parents is, 'If you
think something is up, then something is up. Go ahead and ask
questions and find out what's going on.'" (5)

3) Say "yes" to parental love. Children are more likely to
respond to the love of Jesus Christ and to the love of their
future spouse if they have responded to normal parental love at
home. Say the words "I love you" often to your children, in
fact, say those words every day. Your children will love you for
it!

4) Say "yes" to the future. Someone said, "I feel like a turtle
on a fence post. Somebody put me here!" That is the picture of
a child who has been helped by parents. Help your children say
"yes" to the future by focusing on the years ahead of them. 
Talk candidly about the fundamental foundations of education and
basic work skills so they are not dependent on parents and
others the rest of their lives.

The list could go on but it is clear that parents who are
serious about parenting and are trusting God for wisdom are
likely to experience Isaiah's prophecy, "... and great shall be
the peace of your children."


1 Charles Dickens, "The Life of Our Lord," Thomas Nelson
Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, p.1.
2 John 14:27
3 V. Dion Haynes and Joseph Kirby, The Chicago Tribune, March
30, 1992, Section 2, p.1.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
Testimony
Testimony
IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO

By Eugene Koch
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Eleven children were born to my parents. I have seven brothers
and two sisters; one of my younger brothers died of cancer in
February 1992. I was raised Catholic; having attended a
Catholic school for eight years and a Catholic high school for
four years. I was taught by priests and nuns the entire twelve
years.

Being the middle child in such a large family, I saw many
changes in the way my parents treated each one of us. For
example, my dad would take my older brothers fishing quite
often, but once I was old enough things changed. He no longer
had time for his children, and that hurt me very badly.

As I was growing up, my parents continued having children. I
always had to baby sit my younger brothers. As a result, I
withdrew into myself. I felt that I was no good; that I was
the ugliest person in the world. I couldn't even look at myself
in the mirror, I thought I was too ugly. These opinions of
myself had been formulating in my mind ever since I was in the
crib. By age seven, I was going to the nearest park to hang
around with my older brothers and smoke cigarettes. I found
that it was a form of rebelling. I got caught smoking many
times and I was told that if I had to smoke, I was to smoke in
the presence of my parents. 

As I got older I continued to withdraw further and further into
myself and I hated everything about myself. But I always wanted
to go to the empty church by the school and look at all the
statues and pray that God would make them move for me ... just
me. But they never moved and I felt so empty inside. All I did
was put myself down because I didn't like what I saw in me, but
yet I didn't know what to do about it. I knew that there was a
God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit ... I just didn't know how to
fill the emptiness.

When I was in eighth grade my hormones went wild. I didn't know
anything about sex. My parents never even brought the subject
up. So I learned about the sexual feelings I had through my
brothers and friends, because we talked a lot about it. 

When I was fifteen years of age, I was raped by a boy who was
older than I. I didn't put up a fight while I was being raped,
but I knew that I was being abused. 

Being raped filled something in me. I guess it was the human
touch that I had never experienced from my parents, or any other
member of my family. I thought that I would be gay the rest of
my life. I was so confused that I even thought that God was
calling me to be a priest in the Catholic church.

Also at age fifteen, after one season of high school football, I
was having trouble with my back and the movement of my legs. 
That summer I had back surgery. The surgery ended my football
playing for the rest of my high school years, but that was okay
because I never enjoyed football. I had joined the team to
please others, and I wasn't able to even come close to pleasing
anyone anyway. By having the back surgery though, I found the
pain medication I received filled the void inside me. I didn't
have to feel anything; no gay feelings, no feelings about the
family, nothing. Most of all, I didn't have to feel the pain of
loneliness or hatred of myself. And I didn't have to feel the
emptiness that was in my soul. 

For five years I was drawn more and more into the grip of
drugs. I was called a "garbage head" because I used so many
different kinds of drugs. I would spend a year smoking pot,
doing speed, and whatever else I could obtain. I believe I used
every drug known to man ... any drug that would alter my state
of mind. I was living with a musician in Minneapolis at the
time. He made a lot of money and I didn't have to work ... just
keep him company and get him the drugs he wanted. Meanwhile, I
had all the drugs that I wanted. My brother was in Vietnam and
he was sending me heroin through the mail. I got strung out on
speed, heroin and cocaine by mixing them together and injecting
them into my veins. I did this for several years, because while
I was using drugs, I felt less pain and emptiness.

Next I began moving around to various parts of the country,
always looking for something to fill the hurt and emptiness I'd
felt since I was a child. I wanted to go back to my home town,
get a job, and get away from the drugs; I did just that. I
moved back home and got a good job with the state engineering
department. The only thing that didn't change was the drugs.

One day I was doing survey work with a man who was a born-again
Christian. I had just stopped at a rest room to take 80 hits of
speed so I could return to work and feel good. He said to me,
"Gene, you seem so empty inside." He said that I should ask God
to help me and pray for the forgiveness of my sins. I told him
that I would ask God for help, but I didn't want to be a Bible
thumper standing on a street corner pushing the Bible down
someone's throat. 

All of a sudden God spoke to me. I thought that the whole city
heard what He said. God told me, "Look at the man you are
talking to. Is he jamming a Bible down your throat?" The
answer was no; he wasn't thrusting the Bible on me. He was
simply talking to me. That was September 19, 1972.

That night I prayed to God and asked Him to help me ... to
forgive my sins and to show me how to work for Him. A peace
came over me like I have never known. The hurt was gone and the
emptiness was filled. I knew that Jesus loved me and that He
would help me. I went to bed and got a good night's rest. When
I awakened the next day, September 20, 1972, I had no desire to
use drugs any longer. I didn't have any withdrawal pains at
all. In fact, I felt great! But I also knew that I needed to
surround myself with other Christians. And that is just what I
did!

That Saturday I was so surprised at the intense peace that had
filled my soul. I knew that Jesus had forgiven my sins. The
emptiness in my heart was filled. All I wanted to do was praise
the Lord. I had a strong urge and desire to read the Bible and
seek God's wisdom. I knew that I would have to let all my
friends go, because I didn't need the temptation or the peer
pressure to use drugs. Jesus put it in my heart to immediately
involve myself with other Christians. I called a local church
and talked with the pastor. I told him that I was born-again
and had asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life. I needed help to
be a part of a congregation so that I wouldn't fall back into
drugs. He told me of a man who was the director of a Christian
coffee house and that his life was a lot like my own. The
pastor introduced me to Ken, the man from the coffee house. Ken
gave me a big hug and welcomed me to my new life in Christ.

For the next few years Jesus opened so many doors for me. He
provided me with a Christian psychologist that I saw three times
a week. The healing of my deepest pain had just begun. I got
involved in the coffee house and every night I would meet with a
group of volunteers before the doors opened. We would have an
hour to read the Bible and pray for each others needs. Most of
all, we would pray that Jesus would lead anyone that needed help
to the coffee house; whether it be for food, shelter, or the
need to pray for the forgiveness of their sins ... to be
born-again.

All the time doors kept opening for me. I started a nightly
Bible study and discussion time for a small group of committed
Christians. We held each other accountable in our life with
Jesus. I started to spend time with teenagers who were involved
with drugs. We were able to provide them with direction, but
left the decision up to each individual person, as to whether
they would choose the direction that Jesus offered them. Ken
and I would go to the high schools and speak to the students
about drug addiction and all the pain that we try to run from. 
I told them that there is a way out of that pain, and that way
is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. One could sense the hurt
in those students because of all the tears.

As time went on I became the director of the coffee house. The
doors continued to open. I would go to jails and talk about
Jesus to the prisoners. I would go to churches throughout the
surrounding states and speak about Jesus and the free gift of
eternal life. I had such a hunger to help people. 

A time came when I wanted more education, so I quit the coffee
house ministry and went to college. After the first semester I
was back to using drugs and partying all the time. I quit
school and lived on a farm where all I did was use drugs and
party. I would bring drugs into the state from Florida. The
next thing I knew, the emptiness and the emotional pain began to
return to my soul. It was because I didn't have my eyes on
Jesus and I didn't have the support of other Christians. I
started to realize that Satan wanted to destroy the one thing
God loved the most; His children. Finally, I rededicated my
life to Jesus Christ.

Over the years, as I grew from spiritual milk to spiritual meat,
I have had to rededicate my life to Jesus many times. I had
always felt that I personally had to make the changes in my
Christian Life, but God has shown me that it is Jesus who does
the changing. Many times I have wondered where Jesus was in my
life. At times I felt so distant from God, and yet I knew in my
heart that He was there in faith and not always feelings. Jesus
has never let me go. I have made wrong decisions at times, but
Jesus has always been there. Jesus said, "I will never leave
you nor forsake you." And that is where my faith is.

Today, the love I have for Jesus is beyond all that I could ever
imagine. The love for Jesus just keeps growing and I want to
live and serve Jesus. I longingly look for the day that I can
be with Him and praise Him forever. God has healed all the
negative things that I had programmed into myself when I was
younger. I am now able to love myself; and by loving myself in
Jesus' name, I am able to love and give to others. Thank you
Jesus.

I am now married to the best woman in the world. I know that
Jesus gave her to me. I look forward to all the years ahead
because I know that Jesus will continue to make me the person He
wants me to be.
PRAISE BE TO GOD, JESUS, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Praise and Prayer
Praise and Prayer
PRAISE AND PRAYER is our international prayer link column. Send
your praise report or prayer request to MORNING STAR for
publication in our next issue. Call on your brothers and
sisters worldwide and together we will call on God!


PRAISE REPORTS:

Nathan thanks everyone for the prayer on his missions trip to
Dallas, Texas. 

Michael in California thanks the Lord for a job.

Josue thanks us for prayer concerning his recent mission trip to
Mexico to show the JESUS film. 

Bret's sister from Ohio had a biopsy done and the results are
benign. Praise the Lord.

The Southern Baptist Youth visited the Eastern shore to do
volunteer housing renovations for poor folks in Virginia. Their
motto being "changing the world one person at a time." It was
great to know that at least one homeowner came to faith in
Jesus! 

Richard in Pennsylvania is healing beautifully after surgery of
a gangrenous gall bladder. Thank you Jesus.
 
A friend of Philip in Florida, got a job. Praise the Lord.

Amy in Alabama thanks the Lord for the contracts her company is
getting.

Bruce in Texas thanks the Lord for a wonderful restful vacation.

Wanda in Maryland thanks the Lord that her four year old
daughter is beginning to talk. 

Michael in California thanks the Lord for a job.


PRAYER REQUESTS:

Pray for Rob of Pennsylvania who has an unusual rash that no one
seems to know what it is. Also he and his wife Kim are
expecting their fourth child. Pray that the Lord will be with
them.

Pray for Jack in California, who had to give his attendant 2
week's notice. Pray that everything goes smoothly these next
two weeks.

Pray for Pastor Clay, who is paralyzed, and had some blood
poisoning. 

Pray for Amos of Pennsylvania who is having heart surgery. He
also needs to experience the joy of the Lord again in his life.

Pray for Tory from New York and his family as they seek strength
from God through a trying period.

Pray for Billy Walters in Virginia, who has been battling cancer
for a while. Pray for his family too.

Pray for Barbara of California who had a radical mastectomy.

Pray for Geoff in California and his counseling practice. Many
clients are adult victims of childhood sexual abuse, and dealing
with them is very stressful. He also counsels the unwed
pregnant young ladies at the ranch. 

Pray for John Cook who has applied for a position to home school
some boys ages 8 thru 15 who have gone from foster home to
foster home and have been expelled from several schools. Please
also pray that John and his wife Rosemary and children will be
provided the funds to go back overseas to continue their
ministry to the Muslims in southern Spain and North Africa.

Pray for Jessica Bull as she is in England and struggling with
spiritual warfare.

Wayne of New Jersey is going to Gautamala with the executive
ministry. 
Remember him and his family in prayer.

Pray for Eva of San Francisco who is suffering from a uterine
tumor and needs surgery.

Pray for the Ron's mom who went into the hospital for surgery.

Tim and his friend in California need prayer for a personal
decision that must be made soon.

Mike in California asks for prayer for salvation for his friends
and also for continued use of his car for his job.

Pray for Barbara in Missouri who has a possible heart condition.

Pray for Ken from Pennsylvania for a diabetic condition and for
strength from the Lord.

Pray for Jack in Pennsylvania who is taking chemo for cancer.

Pray for Fred in Pennsylvania who has a very bad pancreas.

Pray for Kelly in Pennsylvania who has a bad heart condition.

Karen from Virginia asks for prayer for their home billing
business to prosper.

Pray for the two young children who were left without parents in
Pennsylvania. Pray also for the people who will be caring for
them.

Pray for the family and friends of Mike who was killed in a car
accident in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Pray for a husband and wife who are getting a divorce.

Pray for traveling mercies for Walter in Texas.

Pray for employment for Cliff who has been out of work since May
and is having difficulty with his unemployment compensation.

Pray for Michael in Georgia who is struggling emotionally since
his divorce.

Pray for Victoria Williams in California, a singer/songwriter
who has multiple sclerosis and has no medical insurance.

Pray for Emily, ministering to Russian Jews, and the healing of
the terrible spiritual dryness there.

Pray for the friend of Murray and Thelma of Tennessee, who has
learned that her tests results definitely show cancer has
returned. 

Pray for Gail of Colorado who is unemployed.

Pray for John who has a special prayer request which involves a
personal matter that needs the Lord's intervention. 

Pray for "P" in California concerning pressures on the job.

Pray for traveling mercies for Clara in Nebraska who is going to
California.

Pray for David, a 17 year old teen, and his girlfriend Angela,
who are rebelling and need a touch from the Lord. Pray for
Durward who is ministering to them.

Pray for Robert from Texas and his men's ministry.

Pray for Leslie who needs strength and encouragement from the
Lord.

Pray for Barton who has cancer, that the Lord will have His way
in his life. 

Pray for Danny in Texas who wants to serve the Lord. After he
completes his thesis, he wants to be completely in the Lord's
will for his life.

Remember Larry from Colorado and his parents in prayer. It has
been difficult for them since his sister passed away in March. 

Alan in Virginia has a trial sermon coming up. Pray that the
Lord's will be known and followed.

Pray for Britany in Virginia who needs a healing from the Lord.
She had meningitis and it has left her helpless and retarded. 
Pray for her parents also through all this.

Pray for Ray in Texas who suffers from migraine headaches.

Pray for a teaching job for Dominic in California.

Pray for Ron Elkin who is working full time as a missionary with
AMMI ministry in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He
asks the Lord to have His way in his life. 

Pray for RCD who is feeling out of touch with Jesus.

Pray for the father-in-law of Larry who has lung cancer. Larry
is not sure if this man knows the Lord. Pray for opportunities
for Larry to share Christ with him and also that someone from
outside the family might witness to him.

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:6)
CFI Reports
CFI Reports
CFI REPORTS is our monthly column dedicated to the ministries of
CHRISTIAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL in Jerusalem. Our October 1991
issue of MORNING STAR (Volume 1.1) presented a summary of the
various CFI ministries and explained the foundational principles
and objectives of CFI.

In this issue, we feature the August "Watchman's Prayer Letter"
from CFI in Jerusalem. We remind all of our readers ...
"Sha'alu shalom Yerushalayim" - Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
 - Psalm 122:6


WATCHMAN'S PRAYER LETTER - August 1992


"I will take my stand to watch, and station myself on the tower
..." (Habakkuk 2:1)

"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer ..." (Acts
6:4). The Apostles gave full attention to praying and seeking
the Lord. They GAVE THEMSELVES ! It is the "taking hold" - the
holding on persistently and never letting go in prayer that
causes God to bare His arm, and move on another's behalf. The
many problems Israel faces requires extraordinary, consistent
prayer. The powers of darkness are arrayed in many different
forms against this tiny nation. Let us faithfully press through
in prayer for God's ancient covenant people before the Courts of
Heaven until we break through and prevail with God. We must give
ourselves to prayer!

God, in all of history, has never depended upon the vast
majorities to do His Will, but upon dedicated minorities! What
could little David do against the mighty Goliath? What hope did
Gideon have against the Midianite hordes? What chance did
Pentecost's one hundred and twenty have against their pagan
world? Size never determines effectiveness. Commitment to prayer
does.   

Yitzak Rabin became Israel's new Prime Minister in Jerusalem on
July 14. His government won a comfortable majority vote in the
Knesset. With a newly formed government, the challenge of
leadership is not only to have the wisdom to know how to lead
but have a strong and immediate response to critical situations
which may arise. "... He removeth kings, and setteth up kings:
He giveth wisdom to the wise and knowledge to them that know
understanding. (Daniel 2:21).

REVERENTLY AFFIRM that God places men in high places - and puts
them in charge. 'Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all
flesh, put in charge a man over the congregation ..." (Numbers
27 :16). Pray that corruption will not pollute the new
government.

PRAY for Divine favor (the blessing of the Lord) to be upon the
Ministry of the Treasury to bring investment and growth to
Israel while helping to alleviate unemployment; for the Ministry
of Science to receive cooperation from other countries on joint
research projects; for the Ministry of Absorption to be able to
cut through red tape and the Ministry of Religious Affairs to
continue providing assistance to new immigrants . "... the
blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had ..." (Genesis
39:5).

DILIGENTLY SEEK God to firmly establish the leadership in His
order and fully commit the government into His Hands. "... and
I will commit thy government into His Hands: and He shall be a
father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of
Judah." (Isaiah 22:2l).

A recent survey of fifty nations showed that anti-semitism is
flourishing worldwide. The survey reported that Russia leads
with "probably the most dynamic anti-semitic movement anywhere
in the world". The former Soviet Union is far from stable.
Dramatic developments and changes overnight could have an
adverse effect and make it very difficult for Jews to go to
Israel.

EARNESTLY PRAY that a special fund be set up for rescuing Jewish
communities that are in danger in the C.I.S. (Commonwealth of
Independent States) formerly known as e U.S.S.R.

SERIOUSLY INTERCEDE for the 2,000 Jews evacuated from Moldava,
the 30,000 in Latvia and 4,000 in Estonia to heed the call to
leave before they are found without citizenship. New laws do not
grant citizenship to non-ethnic populations. "I will hiss (call)
for them, and gather them ... and they shall increase as they
have increased." (Isaiah 10:8). 

PRAY THROUGH for Jewish evacuees now in transit camps in the
Ukraine, to receive exit visas. "I will say to the north, GIVE
UP ..." (Isaiah 43:6). 

THANK THE LORD for 4,812 immigrants who came to Israel in June,
one-third more than in May. Immigrant numbers are climbing again
after a six month falloff. Pray for a greater increase of
requests to come to Israel. "... remember the Lord afar off,
and let Jerusalem come into your mind." (Jeremiah 51:50).

PRAY for deliverance from the potentially dangerous position of
Jews in Moslem republics as economic situations deteriorate.
"Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them
that rise up against me". (Psalm 59:1).

ASK GOD to give favorable negotiations between Jewish agencies
and Russian authorities. "But the Lord was with Joseph, and
showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper
of the prison." (Genesis 39:21). Favor is better than silver or
gold. (Proverbs 22:1; Isaiah 54:7).

PRAY for escape routes to be established, even roads to walk on,
to help every Jewish person who wants to leave the C.I.S. "In
those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of
Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the
north to the Land that I have given for an inheritance unto your
fathers." (Jeremiah 3:18; Isaiah 43:2, 45:2).

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq Shara said recently that "the
Golan Heights are Syrian territory and every inch must be
returned". Damascus newspapers say that Arab countries now "face
a new stage ... a grievous stage ... requiring serious and
unified action."

THE MIDDLE EAST CONTINUES TO BE A BOILING POT 

STAY IN WATCHFUL PRAYER for Israel not to withdraw from the
Golan Heights. Pray for security to be strengthened in this
strategic area. "... He is strong in power ... He increases
strength ... (Isaiah 40:26, 29).

THANK THE LORD that Prime Minister Rabin is firm on the status
of Jerusalem. He said recently: "the government is firm in its
resolve that Jerusalem will not be open to negotiation and that
Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel".

Israel faces a new wave of terrorist activities planned to
sabotage the peace process. A launching of stabbing attacks,
planting of car bombs and use of fire arms is reported to have
been assigned by the PLO. The man who heads the PLO, Yassar
Arafat, praised "heroes of knives and axes."

STAND BOLDLY and proclaim that God will destroy the evil
attempts to cause violence and close mouths who speak lies. "For
they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against
them that are quiet in the land." (Psalm 35:20). "A man that
doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit
..." (Proverbs 27 :17) .

PROCLAIM VICTORY for the Israel Defense Forces to be successful
in stopping violence. Pray especially for the Elite Units
assigned to stop terror. "Fear thou not: for I am with thee: be
not dismayed" for I am thy God ..." (Isaiah 41:10).

EARNESTLY PRAY against a spirit of lust which has gripped an
alarming number of people in the Land. Rape and sodomy have been
reported as well as other indecent acts and unclean ways. Pray
that the fear of the Lord be upon the inhabitants of the Land.
"In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence ..." (Proverbs
14:26).

Sharon Sanders, Jerusalem 

Please copy and disseminate this prayer material as far and wide
as possible to the Body of Christ for prayer purposes. For
further information write to:

Christian Friends of Israel
P.O. Box 1813, Jerusalem, 91015 ISRAEL
Tel: 972-2-894172, 894187
Fax: 972-2-894955
Music Column
Music Column
CLAP YOUR HANDS

Words and Music by Joel Chernoff


Clap your hands, all ye people;
Clap your hands unto the Lord.
Shout unto God with your voice,
A voice of triumph.

For the Lord most high is terrible;
He is the King over all the earth.
He shall subdue the people under us,
The nations under His feet.

Sing ye praises to our God and King;
For He is King over all the earth.
God reigneth over the heathen,
From His throne in Zion.

The princes of the people are gathered;
Even God's people of Abraham.
For the shields of earth belong to God,
He is greatly exalted.


(Clap Your Hands)
The lyrics above were taken from Psalm 47 and written in 1974. 
They were written to inspire dance and praise. King David's
songs COMMAND us to clap our hands to the Lord. Praise the Lord
vigorously, Hallelujah!


HOLY, HOLY

Words and Music by Joel Chernoff


(CHORUS)
Holy, Holy is the Name;
Holy is the Lamb for sinners slain.
By Him the demons die,
Redemption draweth nigh. 
Holy is (Glory to) His Name.

(1st Verse)
Messiah you loved me; 
You gave your life for me.
Your blood an offering,
Now my sins are whiter than snow.
Washed in your Blood,
Guilty I stood, but now I am free.

(2nd Verse)
You bore my sickness;
You carried all my sins.
O Son of David why?
Are we not all like sheep,
Following our own way.
Yet on your back, my sins were laid.


(Holy, Holy)
The lyrics above were taken from Revelation 4:8 and 5:10-14, and
 intended to create an awesome SPIRIT OF WORSHIP in which to
touch the Holy, Holy. The first verse is from Psalm 51:7. The
second verse is from Isaiah 53:4 and 6.


(Editor's Note: Joel Chernoff is featured in the People Profile
Section of this issue of Morning Star. The group "Lamb" - A
Concert Ministry - is featured in the Ministry Profile.)


(From the Editor:)
MUSIC ... how wonderful of God to think of it! Surely God
created music for the purpose of worshipping Him because, "God
inhabits the praises of His people." (Psalm 22:3)

Paul, the apostle, spoke of music in the worship life of his
churches: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and
hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to
the Lord." (Col. 3:16) This scripture shows us that singing is
of value if we do it with grace and make melody in our hearts to
the Lord. Yes ... the heart is always involved. It is the
HEART of the matter!

The natural response of a joyful heart is to lift up a holy song
of praise to the Lord. "Is there any among you afflicted? Let
him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms." (James 5:13)

Music that glorifies the Lord can draw our hearts near to the
Father through praise. "Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto
Him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing
unto Him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise." (Psalm
33:2 and 3) "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. 
Praise ye the Lord." (Psalm 150:6)
Chef's Corner
Chef's Corner
GETTING THE MOST FROM A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST OF
TOMATOES AND ZUCCHINI


CRISPY FRIED GREEN TOMATOES (OR ZUCCHINI)

4 large green tomatoes, sliced thick 
(or 1 zucchini sliced thin)
2 tablespoons flour
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
2 tablespoons fine bread crumbs 
(or corn meal)
Oil for pan frying
Parmesan cheese (optional)
Garlic powder (optional)

Coat tomato (or zucchini) slices with flour, then dip in egg
(seasoned with salt and pepper) and finally in bread crumbs (or
corn meal). Using medium heat, brown on both sides in a skillet
oiled lightly with oil. Sprinkle with cheese and garlic powder
and serve hot. Yield: 4 servings. VARIATION: sprinkle sugar
instead of the cheese and garlic.


DRIED RED TOMATOES

Wash and drain tomatoes, cut crosswise in 1/2" slices, pack
cutside up between layers of salt in crock, pot or wooden
barrel. Leave for 24 hours, pour off liquid. Discard. Boil
tomatoes to a pulp and rub them thru a fine sieve. Season to
taste - boil it to the consistency of cream, stirring briskly.

When cooked, spread the puree to 1/2" deep on platters or
non-aluminum cookie sheets. Let dry in the sun or a slow oven. 
(Protect from insects if done outdoors.) Cut the sheets into 3"
squares when the pulp is still slightly moist. Once the drying
is complete, pack pieces in an airtight container. Store in
cool, dark place. One 3" square will flavor 2 - 3 quarts soup.


ZUCCHINI PIE

Pastry 2-crust pie
4 cups pared, cubed zucchini 
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/3 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup lemon
2 eggs, beaten

Prepare pastry and line 9-inch pie plate or pan.
Prepare zucchini. Mix together sugar, spice, and flour. Add to
zucchini cubes. Toss to mix. Mix in lemon juice. Turn
zucchini into pie shell. Add beaten eggs. 

Roll out top crust. Cut steam vents. Cover pie. Seal and
flute edge. Sprinkle top lightly with sugar, if desired. Bake
at 400 degrees F. for 45 to 60 minutes, until pie is golden
brown. Cool on wire rack. Yield: 6 servings.


ZUCCHINI BREAD

4 eggs
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup oil
3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups peeled zucchini
1 cup nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla

Grate zucchini in other bowl. Beat eggs; add sugar, then oil. 
Combine dry ingredients and nuts. Use more if desired. Add
zucchini. Put in greased and floured bread pans. Bake at 350
degrees F. for 1 hour. 


ZUCCHINI WITH FISH

2 small zucchini
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) whole peeled tomatoes
1 pound skinned red snapper, cod or striped bass fillets
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 3/4 teaspoon dried basil,
crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 sprig fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons fine dry unseasoned breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut zucchini crosswise into
1/4-inch thick slices. Press tomatoes and their liquid through
sieve into bowl; discard seeds. Pat fish dry.

Heat 1/4 cup of the butter in 12-inch non-corrosive skillet over
medium-high heat; when foam subsides, reduce heat to medium. 
Add fish fillets; cook, turning once, until fish is light brown,
1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove fish with slotted spatula to
greased shallow baking dish.

Add oil to butter remaining in skillet; increase heat to
medium-high. Add zucchini; cook and stir until light brown,
about 3 minutes. Stir in half the basil, the salt, rosemary and
pepper; cook 30 seconds. Stir in sieved tomatoes. Heat to
boiling; reduce heat to medium. Cook uncovered, stirring
frequently, until sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. 
(Remove and discard rosemary at this point if using fresh.) 

Spoon zucchini-tomato mixture over fish in baking dish. 
Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and remaining basil. Drizzle lemon
juice over crumbs; dot with remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Bake
uncovered just until fish is cooked through and topping is light
brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Yield: 2 to 3 servings.


ZUCCHINI CRESCENT PIE

1/4 teaspoon oregano
2 eggs, well beaten
8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
8 oz. crescent dinner rolls
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
4 cups thinly sliced zucchini

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook zucchini and onion in butter
until tender. Stir in seasonings. Blend eggs and cheese and
stir in vegetable mixture. Separate dough into 8 triangles. 
Place in 10 inch pie pan, press over bottom and up sides to form
crust. Spread crust with mustard. Pour vegetable mixture
evenly onto crust. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until knife comes
out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.
Potpourri
Potpourri
MUSIC AND WORSHIP

Music and worship have been companions for millennia. Consider
the following:

-Moses and the Israelites sang songs of redemption to the Lord
at their deliverance from the wrath of Egypt.

-By the prophetic word to Nathan and David, music became an
enhanced part of the worship experience in the Tabernacle and
Temple.

-The King of Babylon made use of "all kinds of musick" as a call
to worship the golden idol.

-Few churches are without hymnals.

-Johann Sebastian Bach wrote great, prolific cantatas for use in
worship.

-Music accompanied most of the great revivals preached by such
men as Moody, Finney, Sunday and Billy Graham, to name a few.

------------------------------------------------------------------
One day a week we worship God,
With others who believe.
But how we live throughout the week,
Affects what we'll receive.

------------------------------------------------------------------

We lose interest in worship,
When we have nothing invested.

---------------------------------------------------------------

All God's testings have a purpose-
Someday you will see the light;
All He asks is that you trust Him;
Walk by faith and not by sight.

---------------------------------------------------------------

DID YOU PRAY?
By Scott Swain


DID YOU GO TO YOUR KNEES
AS YOU ROSE FROM YOUR BED
DID YOU SEEK OUT HIS FACE
OR YOUR BREAKFAST INSTEAD,
DO YOU MAKE IT A HABIT
AS YOU START EACH NEW DAY,
TO REACH UP TO HEAVEN
MY BROTHER, DID YOU PRAY?

DID YOU SEEK HIS ADVICE
WHEN YOU MADE THAT LAST DEAL
DID YOU BOTHER TO THANK HIM
AS YOU GOT BEHIND THAT WHEEL
DO YOU MAKE IT A HABIT
AS YOU START EACH NEW DAY,
TO REACH UP TO HEAVEN
MY SISTER, DID YOU PRAY?

AS YOU LEAVE FOR VACATION
A LONG AWAITED TRIP,
DID YOU ASK FOR HIS BLESSINGS
BEFORE BOARDING THAT SHIP,
DO YOU MAKE IT A HABIT
AS YOU START EACH NEW DAY
TO REACH UP TO HEAVEN
MY FRIEND, DID YOU PRAY?

HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF YOUR BLESSINGS
BOTH GREAT AND SOME SMALL
AND JUST TOLD HIM THANK YOU 
FOR GIVING HIS ALL,
DO YOU MAKE IT A HABIT
AS YOU START EACH NEW DAY,
TO REACH UP TO HEAVEN
MY SON, DID YOU PRAY?

HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF YOUR MATE 
THEIR GOOD POINTS AND BAD
AND WHO WITHOUT HIS HELP
YOU WOULD NOT HAVE HAD,
DO YOU MAKE IT A HABIT
AS YOU START EACH NEW DAY,
TO REACH UP TO HEAVEN
MY DAUGHTER, DID YOU PRAY?

DO YOU ONLY SEEK HIM
WHEN THINGS GET ROUGH
HE GIVES US SO MUCH
BUT WE DON'T SEEK HIM ENOUGH,
DO YOU MAKE IT A HABIT
AS YOU START EACH NEW DAY,
TO SEEK OUT HIS FACE
MY MOTHER, DID YOU PRAY?

DO YOU EVER JUST THANK HIM
FOR THIS WONDERFUL PLACE
AND JUST EXALT HIM
FOR HIS EVERLOVING GRACE
DO YOU MAKE IT A HABIT
AS YOU END EACH BUSY DAY,
TO REACH UP TO HEAVEN
MY FATHER, DO YOU PRAY?

Resource Area
Book Reviews
Book Reviews
WORSHIP - REDISCOVERING THE MISSING JEWEL
A Critical Concern Book
Ronald Allen & Gordon Borror
Multnomah Press, 1982
Portland, Oregon

EFFECTIVE SPEECH COMMUNICATION IN LEADING WORSHIP
Charles L. Bartow
Abingdon Press, 1988
Nashville, Tennessee

THE ULTIMATE PRIORITY
John MacArthur, Jr.
Moody Press, 1983
Chicago, Illinois

Within the church there is much confusion related to the subject
of worship. What is it, and where does it belong? Some
churches believe that worship must include some profound
emotional experience for the participants. In other words
worship should be like a pep-rally before the big game. 
Unfortunately, in these situations, it is often just noise and
emotion, signifying nothing.

Other types of churches don't give much attention to worship. 
The most important function of the church is the teaching of the
Word. Or so they will tell us. Attention to the Lord, praising
Him and approaching Him become hindrances to the teaching of
Scripture.

The problem with both groups is that they lack understanding of
what worship really is. These three books focus on different
aspects of worship, defining and aiding in developing worship
that is worthy of God.

In WORSHIP - REDISCOVERING THE MISSING JEWEL, worship is defined
as "...an active response to God whereby we declare His worth" 
(pg. 16). The first two books focus on the act of worship as
carried out in the gathering of the body of believers.

Allen and Borror start with the assumption that contemporary
believers are somewhat muddled by the concept of worship. Part
one, made up of four chapters, focus on a definition of worship.
 This definition encompasses information on the essence and art
of worship. Then the authors talk about God's desire for
worship, and who should carry it out.

Part two of the book is a practical discussion of elements of
worship in the church setting. These elements include: balance
(a major problem in many churches), planning, moods, quality,
and most importantly, the beauty of worship.

The final section concerns aspects of worship. These aspects
comprise specifics requiring attention if worship is to be
worthy of the Lord. These include: the importance of the Amen,
the role of the body, including public reading of Scriptures,
song, and the environment in which worship occurs.

Some may believe too much attention is given to technique, the
assumption being that worship should be totally spontaneous. 
Certainly there is a need for spontaneity. But if one examines
the Old Testament, it is clear God gave the Israelites specific
instruction for worship.

The average Christian needs help in discovering the importance
of worship. Worship is not emotion, though it encompasses it. 
Worship is the work of giving God the proper response for Who He
is.

WORSHIP - REDISCOVERING THE MISSING JEWEL is directed primarily
to evangelicals. As a result, other Christians may be familiar
with much of what is discussed. All will benefit from a reading
of this material.

EFFECTIVE SPEECH COMMUNICATION IN LEADING WORSHIP focus on a
specific area of worship. Here, too, the desire of the author,
Charles Bartow, is in helping the corporate worship participant
do a quality job. 

Professor Bartow deals with the importance of proper use of
language and related factors in bring the worshiper toward God. 
Too often, the worship experience can be one of distraction
instead of focus. 

Bartow focuses on effective communication in the following
areas: The importance of the nature, shape and conduct of the
worship service. The major elements which make up the service
include praise, prayer, the reading of the Word, and the place
of sacrament.

The rest of the book, gives step-by-step instructions and
examples for how to communicate most effectively in each area. 
This small book, only 128 pages, is a manual for pastors and
worship directors who have a concern to present to God the best
they have to offer.

As with WORSHIP - REDISCOVERING THE MISSING JEWEL, this too may
seem somewhat artificial to some. But as we strive to give God
our best, the technical elements necessary to do so move into
the background, helping the body to worship more effectively. 
Worship doesn't become artificial. It becomes worthy.

Both of these books are highly recommended to clergy, church
leaders, and anyone who wants a better understanding of
corporate worship.

The corporate setting isn't the only environment in which
worship is to be carried out. Every believer has the
responsibility to worship God as part of his or her own walk as
a believer. Individual worship is the concern of John MacArthur
in his book, THE ULTIMATE PRIORITY. In fact, MacArthur takes
the position that worship must be personal before it can become
public.

Worship is the response of the individual believer to the
presence of God in his life. MacArthur's purpose for this book,
as stated on the back cover, is to "challenge you to realign
your priorities. No matter how busy your schedule or how
important other demands on your time may be, your ultimate
priority must always be to worship the true and living God with
your thoughts, your words and your lifestyle."

Every believer is a worshiper. The walk of each believer is a
worship statement. The only question is, what is the quality of
your worship? As John MacArthur puts it, "This book is a call
to personal worship of the thrice holy god. It is a call to a
radically different type of living on the part of the believer;
to a way of life that seeks to worship God continually--not just
on Sunday. The call is new in the sense that Christians in our
time have generally missed God's emphasis. The call is old in
the sense that it sounds forth again the psalmist's invitation:
  Come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord
  our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His
  pasture and the sheep of His hand" (Psalm 95:6-7).

The attention of this book is primarily on the importance of
worship in the life of the individual. The second point focuses
on how our worship is a testimony for the Lord to the world
around us. Here, as in the previous books, attention is given
to both definition of worship and the practical ways in which
worship is to be manifest in our lives.

MacArthur reinforces the concerns of the other books in noting
that adequate worship requires preparation from the individual
believer, prior to becoming involved in corporate worship.

This book should be read by every believer. After all, every
Christian must be concerned with giving God his or her best,
thus being a light in the darkness of a fallen world.

All three books stress the importance of worship in the life of
believers. Each one also shows that worthy worship requires
preparation and work. Too frequently we offer God less than our
best because we are lazy. We argue that we are simply allowing
the Holy Spirit to work, but if the pastor came up to preach
each Sunday unprepared, stating that he was depending on the
Holy Spirit for his message, he soon would be out of work.

Let us not use sanctimonious statements to cover up the fact
that we have become undisciplined. Instead, let us take our
responsibilities seriously and strive to give to the Lord our
very best. Each of these books is written to help us do so.
NewsDesk
Morning Star NewsDesk
MORNING STAR NEWSDESK - AUGUST 1992


LEADING THE WAY TO A ONE-NUMBER SYSTEM

The European Commission is looking at the possibility of
standardizing national social insurance cards which would allow
people when abroad in another EC country to get urgent medical
treatment. The advantage of this will be to do away with the
need to get an E111 health form each time before traveling. (EP
- EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT NEWS)


NEW DOORS OPEN IN YUGOSLAVIA

In spite of the devastating and senseless civil war, the Balkan
Mission in Yugoslavia is enjoying new opportunities to share the
Gospel. For the first time, a local radio station invited Sasha
Vuletich of Balkan Mission to come and tell about God's love. 
Sasha, with five more Christians, "occupied" the radio station
to talk about Jesus as the "source of love," share testimonies
and take calls from listeners.

Taking advantage of the new civil liberties, Sasha used the
local newspaper to advertise free English classes held in the
church. The classes were given by a Christian couple visiting
from America. An average of fifty people came six nights a week
for six weeks. Sasha explains: "The purpose of the English
classes was to open our doors to the public for other than
church services. We try to build relationships." Several
non-Christians became intrigued, coming to church on Sundays as
well.

In Sarajevo however, the missionaries had to flee the city when
fighting broke out. A fledgling church of 14 Muslim converts in
the city of Tusla, in Bosnia, was forced to leave. The area of
Macedonia remains quiet for now, and Sasha expects the Lord to
double the number of believers over the summer. (PARTNERS
UPDATE - Partners International)


SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE?

A church in Virginia is being investigated by the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission over a charge that it
committed unlawful religious discrimination when it terminated
the employment of a pre-school worker whose beliefs were in
direct conflict with those of the church. Churches all over
America are being told that they cannot discriminate in their
hiring and firing based on religious belief. (MINUTEMAN ALERT -
Christian Law Association)


AN UNFORTUNATE LINK BETWEEN CHURCH AND THE STATE

High ranking Russian Orthodox church leaders actively
collaborated with the KGB until the end of the Cold War, it has
recently been uncovered among the KGB files. Recently released
files show that the KGB's use of church leaders lasted through
most of the reform era of former president Mikhail Gorbachev. 
As late as 1989, the security service was still reporting on
information provided by church officials upon return from trips
abroad. "It's a moral travesty," said the Rev. Gleb Yakunin, an
Orthodox priest and now a Russian Parliamentary member, who
spent five years in prison for his religious activities. 
Yakunin was in Washington in late March, where he made these
revelations. (WASHINGTON INQUIRER)


NOW IT CAN BE TOLD?

MA'ARIV quotes Russian Vice President Alexander Rutskoy's words
to Egyptian president Hosni Mubarek: "The delay in the
advancement of peace and cooeration in the Middle East stems
from the refusal of the Arabs to recognize Israel's right to
exist as an independent Jewish state." He further stated:
"Those who slow down the rate of progress in the negotiations
are in error. The Arabs are not approaching the issue of
regional cooperation with quick, courageous steps." The Russian
Vice President also said that Mubarek responded by saying that
Israel is controlling the Territories and must return them, to
which Rutskoy responded: "All who claim this need to visit
Israel, to see the geographical-military position of Israel and
to be made aware, who threatens whom." Rutskoy also rejected
assertions he had heard accusing Israel of supposedly oppressing
the Palestinians. "I told the Egyptians that I was there and
that they were not. If you visit the Territories you will see
who oppresses whom and how the Arabs live there, in contrast to
the Arabs in Arab states. (ISRAEL LINE, LIKUD USA)


CHRISTIANS ATTACKED IN MEXICO

Scores of people were injured in a clash between Indian
evangelical converts and adherents of a syncretistic form of
Catholicism in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. The
fighting occurred at the settlement of La Hormiga, populated by
Chamula Indians expelled from their villages for abandoning
their centuries-old religion, a blend of pre-Hispanic Indian
beliefs and Catholicism. Hundreds of traditionalist Chamulas
from San Juan Chamula attacked La Hormiga with guns and clubs
and seized dozens of converts. Similar attacks have taken place
in the past. Tens of thousands of Christian converts have been
expelled from Indian communities in Oaxaca and Chiapas states. 
Speaking little Spanish and with few job skills, many of the
Indian converts are forced into a precarious life on the fringes
of Mexican society. (NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL RELIGION REPORT)


SYRIANS TESTING SCUD MISSILES

The Syrian army's recent test-firing of two Scud-C medium-range
ground to air missiles has "very grave implications," Foreign
Minister Shimon Peres said last week. "The test is an
indication of Syrian intentions as well as Syrian capabilities. 
Moreover, it took place while Syria is taking part in peace
negotiations with Israel," Peres told reporters after visiting
the National Defense College. "The IDF will have to remain
vigilant because the shadow of danger will stay with us
throughout the peace process. The peace process is not an
alternative to the maintenance of security capability. Neither
Israel nor the Arabs have a better alternative than to reach a
peace. To carry on now with the missile race would endanger the
whole of the Middle East, eat up economic resources, and solve
nothing," he added. "The Syrians must take into account that as
soon as they launch a missile against us, we can move to
Damascus," Deputy Defense Minister Mordechai Gur told ITV's
Arabic channel. Gur said Israel was much more limited in its
response when Iraq launched 39 less sophisticated Scuds at
Israel during the Gulf War. Gur quoted Prime Minister Rabin as
saying that in a war, "Syria will be totally paralyzed. Not
only her missiles - all her resources." (JERUSALEM POST
INTERNATIONAL)


ISRAEL-VATICAN TIES EXPECTED SOON

Israel and the Vatican are expected to establish consular-level
ties before the end of the year - the first official step toward
the establishment of full diplomatic relations, after 44 years
of refusal by the Holy See to recognize Israel. The decision on
establishing diplomatic missions is expected in November after a
meeting in Jerusalem of an Israeli-Vatican permanent bilateral
commission. According to Moshe Gilboa, advisor to the foreign
minister on church relations, the establishment of the bilateral
working group showed that Vatican officials finally recognized
they could not maintain good relations with Jews without
establishing normal ties with Israel. Gilboa hopes that formal
ties will allow Israel to press the Vatican harder to fight
grass roots anti-Semitism among many of the 1 billion Catholics
world-wide. (THE JERUSALEM REPORT)
Index of Articles (Part 1 of 2)
Index of Articles (Part 1 of 2)
MORNING STAR Back Issues

The following list details the articles and authors of columns
in Morning Star, Volumes 1.1 through 1.11. Use it as a
reference guide to download or order these previous issues.

Each issue also has a "theme" which is reflected in the Features
area as well as in several of the columns. Those columns that
are theme-related are indicated by an asterisk.


VOLUME 1.1

FEATURES
5 articles on "Witnessing" 
NEW IN CHRIST
"You Must Be Born Again" (part 1 of 2 - The basics of the Gospel
of Jesus) by T. Trudel
BIBLE STUDY
"Christ is God" (part 1 of 2 - Biblical evidence supporting the
deity of Jesus) by T. Trudel
SPECIAL STUDIES
"He Is Revealed By His First Name" (Study on the names of God)
by C. Wootten
MESSIANIC STUDIES
"An Introduction To Messianic Judaism" by G. Kragen
ANEE M'AMIN
Rob Kirsch, Philadelphia, PA.
THE WORD FOR TODAY
"Israel - A Providential People" (part 1 of 3) by G. Kragen & W.
Eisenberg
WITNESSING *
"I Was Sick And You Visited Me" (Do's and Don'ts of Sick
Visitation) by J.C. Trudel
PRAYER GUIDELINES
"Guidelines For Corporate Prayer" by Lance Lambert & Art Carlson
(CFI)
PEOPLE PROFILES *
"No Dry Eye" (A special Veteran's Feature) by T. Giordanengo
"Point Man" by Bob Ferelli of Point Man International - a
ministry to veterans, made up of veterans 
MINISTRY PROFILE *
"The JESUS Film Project" (Reports from around the world)
EDUCATION
Interview with Clark Stephens, Principal of Liberty Christian
School, Huntington Beach, CA. 
TESTIMONY
Mark Robinson, Jefferson City, MO.
CFI REPORTS
Intro Column to CFI by S. Saunders, Jerusalem, Israel
MUSIC COLUMN
Lyrics and story behind "Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go"
CHEF'S CORNER
Assorted recipes including "Scripture Cake"
BOOK REVIEWS
3 books on Christian counselling: "Toxic Faith", "The Wounded
Heart" & "Small Group Bible Studies"


VOLUME 1.2

FEATURES
4 articles on "Healing"
COMMENTARY
3 examples of improper use of time and resources by believers by
T. Trudel
NEW IN CHRIST
"You Must Be Born Again (part 2) by T. Trudel
BIBLE STUDY
"Christ Is God" (part 2) by T. Trudel
SPECIAL STUDIES *
"Does God Heal?" by G. Kragen
MESSIANIC STUDIES
"The Seven Feasts of Israel" by Zola Levitt
ANEE M'AMIN
Avner Boskey (Reprinted from "Chosen People" magazine)
THE WORD FOR TODAY
Israel - A Providential People (part 2) by G. Kragen & W.
Eisenberg
WITNESSING
"Foundations of Jewish Evangelism" by Ron Elkin
PRAYER GUIDELINES
"Suggestions for Prayer Group Leaders" by JoAnn Magnuson (CFI)
SCUD WARNINGS
Intro Column (part 1) by J. Johnson
PEOPLE PROFILES *
Interview with Dr. Harry J Silvus of Washington, PA.
MINISTRY PROFILE
AMMI Ministry, Philadelphia PA. (Promoting the Gospel among the
Jewish People)
EDUCATION
"Choice: Education's New Buzzword" by Dr. Paul A. Kienel
TESTIMONY
Wayne Fritzsche, Bernardsville, NJ.
CFI REPORTS
Letters from Israel, News Clips from the "Israel News Digest"
and the September "Watchman's Prayer Letter" 
MUSIC COLUMN *
Lyrics and stories behind "It Is Well With My Soul" and "God
Will Take Care of You"
CHEF'S CORNER
Seven assorted recipes from our readers.
BOOK REVIEWS *
2 books on dealing with illness and suffering: "Be Joyful" and
"Surprised By Suffering"


VOLUME 1.3

FEATURES
6 powerful testimonies (3 men and 3 women) concerning
"Deliverance from Homosexuality"
COMMENTARY *
Changed Lives & the Church's proper outreach to all sinners - G.
Kragen 
NEW IN CHRIST
"The Measure of Truth" (Insights on the Bible) by T. Trudel
BIBLE STUDY
"Jonah - A Story of God's Love" (part 1) by G. Kragen
SPECIAL STUDIES
"A Covenant" (Study of God's earliest covenants with man) by C.
Wootten
MESSIANIC STUDIES
"Messiah In The Torah" by Neil Lash
ANEE M'AMIN
Eliezer Urbach, Denver, CO.
THE WORD FOR TODAY
"Israel - A Providential People" (part 3) by G. Kragen & W.
Eisenberg
WITNESSING *
"When Someone You Love Is Gay" by Sy Rogers
"My Friend Is Struggling With Homosexuality: How Do I Relate?"
(provided by "Love In Action", San Rafael, CA.
PRAYER GUIDELINES
"Spiritual Warfare - Rebuking The Enemy by Derek White (CFI)
SCUD WARNINGS
Intro Column (part 2) by Jerry Johnson
PEOPLE PROFILES *
"Victory Over Homosexuality and Aids" by Jim Cobb
Special Article on Aids by Dr. Rob Kirsch
MINISTRY PROFILE *
"Exodus International" (Ex-gay ministry)
EDUCATION
"Management Plan Uses Teacher Input" by C. Wootten (Adaptation
of Dr. W. Edward Demmings 14-point management plan to the
education field)
CFI REPORTS
"A Christian Voice For Soviet Jewry" (Aliya report from
Jerusalem)
"Project Open Gates" (Ministry to Soviet Jews)
"Project Together Again" (Ministry to Ethiopian Jews)
MUSIC COLUMN
Lyrics and stories behind "Count Your Blessings" and "Angels We
Have Heard On High"
CHEF'S CORNER
A baker's dozen delicious holiday recipes!
BOOK REVIEWS *
2 books on homosexuality: "Counseling And Homosexuality" and
"The Crisis Of Homosexuality"


VOLUME 1.4

FEATURES
4 articles on "Education"
COMMENTARY *
The Biblical view of the importance of education by J.C. Trudel
NEW IN CHRIST
Reliability of modern Bible translations by T. Trudel
BIBLE STUDY
"Jonah - A Story Of God's Love" (part 2) by G. Kragen
SPECIAL STUDIES
"Holiness and Other Covenantal Attributes of God" by C. Wootten
MESSIANIC STUDIES
"Why Messianic Jews?" by Rachmiel Frydland (From the American
Messianic Jewish Quarterly)
ANEE M'AMIN
Interview with Alyosha Ryabinov of El Paso, TX, originally from
the Soviet Union.
THE WORD FOR TODAY
"Pragmatism" by G. Kragen
PRAYER GUIDELINES *
Article on prayer and children, by Guinn Jenkins (From the "Home
Educator's Examiner")
SCUD WARNINGS
Sin, accountability and submission by Jerry Johnson
PEOPLE PROFILES *
Interview with Thelma and Murray Scott of Memphis, TN, retired
teachers with over 60 years experience between them. 
MINISTRY PROFILE *
"The Teaching Home", a magazine for Christian home schoolers
EDUCATION *
"Christian Education" by Donald O'hare of Central Christian
Academy, Houston, PA.
TESTIMONY
Janette Kragen, Sacramento, CA
CFI REPORTS
"The Wall Of Prayer" project for Israel, December "Watchman's
Prayer Letter"
MUSIC COLUMN
Stories about Handel's "Messiah", and "I Know A Port", a
Norwegian song written in World War II, by Lars Storstrand of
Minde, Norway
CHEF'S CORNER
9 New Year's Eve recipes
BOOK REVIEWS *
4 books on education. "Why Johnny Can't Read", "Honey For a
Child's Heart", "The Read-Aloud Handbook", "Child Abuse In The
Classroom"


VOLUME 1.5

FEATURES
Profiles on 5 ministries; Teen Challenge, Fellowship of
Christian Peace Officers, Bill Rudge Ministries, International
Ministries, Sepher Counseling Ministries
COMMENTARY *
"Ministry - Whose Responsibility Anyway?" - G. Kragen
NEW IN CHRIST
"The Hidden Helper" (Christians and the Holy Spirit) by T. Trudel
BIBLE STUDY
"Jonah - A Story Of God's Love" (part 3) by G. Kragen
SPECIAL STUDIES
"God Is Revealed In His Third Covenant" (The Noahic Covenant) by
C. Wootten
MESSIANIC STUDIES
"Was Paul The Founder Of Christianity?" (A comparison of the
teachings of Paul, Jesus, and the Old Testament) by Avi Snyder
ANEE M'AMIN
Robyn Wilk (From the Jews for Jesus Newsletter)
THE WORD FOR TODAY
"Amazing Grace - How Sweet The Sound" (First of two articles
dealing with grace and repentance) by J.C. Trudel
PRAYER GUIDELINES
"Prayer And Humility" by Mike Wilkinson
SCUD WARNINGS
Healthy versus unhealthy self esteem by Jerry Johnson
PEOPLE PROFILES *
Interview with Peter and Hanneke Jacobs, founders and directors
of Nitelite Ministries, Irvine, CA
MINISTRY PROFILE *
"Nitelite Ministries", children's music, drama and media ministry
EDUCATION *
"Moms In Touch International", prayer groups for children,
schools, teachers and administrators
TESTIMONY *
"Whole Counsel Ministries, Inc." - Dr. Charles Wootten, Matoaca,
VA
CFI REPORTS
Shauvot in Jerusalem - Conference outline, January "Watchman's
Prayer Letter"
MUSIC COLUMN *
"Reach Out" and "How Excellent Your Name" by Peter and Hanneke
Jacobs
CHEF'S CORNER
7 recipes from men who cook
BOOK REVIEWS *
"Unleashing The Church" and the classic "Pilgrim's Progress"


VOLUME 1.6

FEATURES
6 articles on "Relationships"
COMMENTARY *
"The Church - Family Of God Or Family Feud?" (Relationships in
and between churches) by G. Kragen
NEW IN CHRIST
"Lifestyles Of The Poor And Humble" (part 1 of living the
Christian lifestyle) by T. Trudel
BIBLE STUDY
"Jonah - A Story Of God's Love" (part 4) by G. Kragen
SPECIAL STUDIES
"God's Names In His Fourth Covenant" (First of a 2-part article
on the Abrahamic Covenant) by C. Wootten
MESSIANIC STUDIES
"The Bat Mitzvah Of Sarah Briskin", (An account of a Jewish Bat
Mitzvah, including a wonderful message from 13-year old Sarah, a
believer in Messiah Jesus)
ANEE M'AMIN
Steve Herzig (From "Israel My Glory" magazine)
WITNESSING *
"Cut The Jargon" (Using proper terminology when witnessing) by
David Beiswenger
THE WORD FOR TODAY
"Repentance" (Second of two articles dealing with grace and
repentance) by J.C. Trudel
PRAYER GUIDELINES
"Prayer And Emotion" by Mike Wilkinson
SCUD WARNINGS
A look at the false "Prosperity Gospel" by Jerry Johnson
PEOPLE PROFILES *
Interview with Robin Cole, former NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
linebacker
MINISTRY PROFILE *
"Sentenced To Life" (The Christian Broadcast Network's Marriage
Seminars) by Susan Norman
EDUCATION *
"What Graduates Say About Christian Schools" (From the
"Christian School Comments Newsletter")
TESTIMONY *
J.C. Trudel, Naples, Florida
CFI REPORTS
"For Zion's Sake" - a letter from Israel, February "Watchman's
Prayer Letter"
MUSIC COLUMN
"Has Someone Seen Jesus In You" and "Sweet Gentle Voice" by Dale
Strand
CHEF'S CORNER
6 maple syrup recipes for the winter
BOOK REVIEWS *
2 books on relationships, "Men & Women - Enjoying The
Difference", "Healing The Dysfunctional Church Family"


VOLUME 1.7

FEATURES
5 articles/stories on Prisons, Inmates, and Prison Ministries
COMMENTARY *
"Praising in Prison" by G. Kragen
NEW IN CHRIST
"Lifestyles Of The Poor And Humble" (part 2 of living the
Christian lifestyle) by T. Trudel
BIBLE STUDY
"The Word Distinctive - Psalm 1" by G. Kragen
SPECIAL STUDIES
"The Abrahamic Covenant" (2nd of a 2-part article) by C. Wootten
MESSIANIC STUDIES
"Jesus Makes Us Kosher" from the "Jews For Jesus Newsletter"
ANEE M'AMIN
Dr. Steven Yulish, Phoenix, AZ
WITNESSING *
"A Witness To The Prisoners" by Roger Houle, prison ministry
worker at Hillsboro County Jail, Manchester, NH
THE WORD FOR TODAY *
"The High Road To Beginning Again" by Chaplain Ray of
International Prison Ministry
PRAYER GUIDELINES
"Prayer And Thanksgiving" by Mike Wilkinson
SCUD WARNINGS
The problem of "Programitis" in the large and/or more organized
churches by Jerry Johnson
PEOPLE PROFILES *
Interview with Chaplain G.A. Bennett of Chattanooga, TN
MINISTRY PROFILE *
"Prison Fellowship" by Charles Colson, Chairman
EDUCATION *
"Through Grace By Faith" (Education programs at Indiana State
Prison) by David Carlson
TESTIMONY *
Letters from inmates to Chaplain G.A. Bennett
CFI REPORTS
March "Watchman's Prayer Letter"
MUSIC COLUMN *
2 songs from Horace Benson Hatcher, an inmate at Eastern Prison
in Pikeville, TN
CHEF'S CORNER
11 Passover/Easter recipes
POTPOURRI COLUMN *
15 poems from Christian inmates across the U.S.
BOOK REVIEWS
"Whatever Happened To The Human Race?", "The Complete Works Of
Francis A. Schaeffer", "Operation Rescue"
Index of Articles (Part 1 of 2)
Index of Articles (Part 2 of 2)
VOLUME 1.8

FEATURES
6 articles on "Israel", the land, culture and people
COMMENTARY *
"Thank God For Those 44 Years!" by Zola Levitt
NEW IN CHRIST
"The God Of This World" (part 1 of a 2-part article on Satan) by
T. Trudel
BIBLE STUDY *
"Who Owns The Land?" (Biblical view of who owns the land of
Israel) by Derek Prince of CFI
SPECIAL STUDIES *
"Will The Ten Lost Tribes Ever Be Found?" by Will Varner of
Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
MESSIANIC STUDIES *
"A Lack Of Identity" by Chana Cohn (From the Feb. 1992 "Levitt
Letter")
ANEE M'AMIN
Simcha Davidov, Fairmont, WV
WITNESSING *
"Witnessing In Israel" by ZVI (From "Israel My Glory" magazine
PRAYER GUIDELINES *
"Why Should Christians Pray For The Jewish People?" by Ace
Edwards (From "Israel My Glory" magazine)
SCUD WARNINGS
Witchcraft in the church today by Jerry Johnson
PEOPLE PROFILES *
Interview with Ruth J. Harris, Messianic Pastor at Beth-Messiah
Congregation in Pittsburgh, PA
MINISTRY PROFILE *
"Messianic Jews And The Law Of Return" (From the IRC report of
the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America)
EDUCATION *
"Education In Israel" by Amitai Rotem (From the United Jewish
Federation, Pittsburgh, PA)
TESTIMONY
Dan King, Denver, CO
CFI REPORTS *
"Forsake Them Not Ministry", a CFI ministry dedicated to helping
survivors of the Holocaust
MUSIC COLUMN *
"Bonay Y'Rushalyim", "V'neeglah" and "Ha-Teesh-Kach", by Joel
Chernoff of the messianic musical group "Lamb"
CHEF'S CORNER *
Recipes from Israeli, Ethiopian and Russian Jewish kitchens


VOLUME 1.9

FEATURES
5 articles/stories on "Biblical Counseling" as well as a list of
counseling resources
COMMENTARY *
Believers as disciples and counselors by G. Kragen
NEW IN CHRIST
"The God Of This World" (part 2 of a 2-part article on Satan) by
T. Trudel
BIBLE STUDY
"Fire And Brimstone" (2nd Thessalonians, chapter 1) by G. Kragen
SPECIAL STUDIES
"God Is Revealed In The Covenant Of Freedom" (The Mosaic
Covenant) by C. Wootten
MESSIANIC STUDIES
"Jesus The Rabbi - Was He Orthodox?" (part 1 of a 3-part series)
the transcript of a 1987 address in Jerusalem by David Bivin of
CFI
ANEE M'AMIN
Susan Liles (From "The Chosen People" magazine)
THE WORD FOR TODAY *
"Seeking The Healthy Church Family" ("Unconditional Love" - Part
1 of a 7-part series on the dysfunctional behavior found in
families and brought into the church) by G. Kragen
PRAYER GUIDELINES
"Prayer And Faith" by Mike Wilkinson
SCUD WARNINGS
"Heavy Shepherding" church groups by Jerry Johnson
PEOPLE PROFILES *
Interview with Pastoral-Counselor Geoffrey Kragen of Roseville,
CA
MINISTRY PROFILE *
"Minirth-Meier Counseling Clinics"
EDUCATION
"Gablers Discovers Amazing Factual Errors In Secular Textbooks"
(From the "Christian School Comment Newsletter" by Dr. Paul A.
Kienel)
TESTIMONY *
"Handling The Hidden Pain", the story of "Jamie" a victim of
satanic child abuse
CFI REPORTS
May 1992 "Watchman's Prayer Letter"
MUSIC COLUMN
"Always Deeper Still" and "Jesus Never Fails" by Gary Driskell,
a composer from Nashville, TN
CHEF'S CORNER
7 recipes for the wedding season
BOOK REVIEWS *
2 books on Christian counseling, "The Holy Spirit And
Counseling" and "Encouragement - The Key To Caring"


VOLUME 1.10

FEATURES
6 articles on "Women's Issues"
COMMENTARY *
Christian Women and inner peace by T. Giordanengo
NEW IN CHRIST
"How To Practice Forgiveness" by Rev. Chester N. Shew
BIBLE STUDY
"Chicken Little Is In The Church" (2nd Thessalonians, chapter 2)
by G. Kragen
SPECIAL STUDIES
"He Is Revealed In Symbols And Types" (Part 1 of a 2-part
article on the use of symbols and types in scripture) by
C. Wootten
MESSIANIC STUDIES
"Jesus The Rabbi - Was He Orthodox?" (part 2 of a 3-part series)
the transcript of a 1987 address in Jerusalem by David Bivin of
CFI
ANEE M'AMIN
A story of the witnessing efforts of Albert Israeli in the
Soviet Union (From "The Chosen People" magazine)
THE WORD FOR TODAY
"Seeking The Healthy Church Family" ("Pass Me Another Stone" -
Part 2 of a 7-part series on the dysfunctional behavior found in
families and brought into the church) by G. Kragen
WITNESSING
"A True Witness Delivereth Souls; But A Deceitful Witness
Speaketh Lies" Part 1 of a 2-part article by J.C. Trudel
PRAYER GUIDELINES
"Prayer And Trust" by Mike Wilkinson
SCUD WARNINGS *
Prejudice in the Church by Jerry Johnson
PEOPLE PROFILES *
Interview with schoolteacher Elsie Holzapfel of Canonsburg PA
MINISTRY PROFILE *
"Jesus Cares Ministries" - Ministering to those in crisis
pregnancy
EDUCATION
"Can You Afford A Christian School Education For Your Children"
(From the "Christian School Comment Newsletter" by Dr. Paul A.
Kienel) 
TESTIMONY *
Susanne Miller, Redwood City, CA
CFI REPORTS
"A Christian Voice For Soviet Jewry" - second quarter report
from Jerusalem, Letters to CFI from Soviet Jewish immigrants
MUSIC COLUMN
"There Stands The Cross" and "Time To Let Go" by Gary Driskell,
a composer from Nashville, TN
CHEF'S CORNER
Recipes for the barbecue season
BOOK REVIEWS *
"Amy Carmichael Of Dohnnavur" and "Recovering Biblical Manhood &
Womanhood"


VOLUME 1.11

FEATURES
8 articles on "Bible Study"
COMMENTARY
A readers reply to the Education column article in Volume 1.9
NEW IN CHRIST *
"Gone To Seed" (A look at seeds and trees in the Bible) by
Pastor Rick Booye, Eagle Point, OR
BIBLE STUDY
"Get A Job" (2nd Thessalonians, chapter 3) by G. Kragen
SPECIAL STUDIES
"He Is Revealed In Symbols And Types" (Part 2 of a 2-part
article on the use of symbols and types in scripture) by C.
Wootten
MESSIANIC STUDIES
"Jesus The Rabbi - Was He Orthodox?" (part 3 of a 3-part series)
the transcript of a 1987 address in Jerusalem by David Bivin of
CFI
ANEE M'AMIN *
"How A Rabbi Found Peace", the story of Dr. Max Wertheimer
THE WORD FOR TODAY
"Seeking The Healthy Church Family" ("Keeping Up With The
Joneses" - Part 3 of a 7-part series on the dysfunctional
behavior found in families and brought into the church) by G.
Kragen
WITNESSING
"A True Witness Delivereth Souls; But A Deceitful Witness
Speaketh Lies" Part 2 of a 2-part article by J.C. Trudel
PRAYER GUIDELINES
"Prayer And Asking" by Mike Wilkinson
SCUD WARNINGS
"The draining and training of the Christian Mind" by Jerry
Johnson
PEOPLE PROFILES *
Interview with evangelist Ray Reed of Beaumont, TX
MINISTRY PROFILE *
"David's Mighty Men Inc.", a Bible study group
EDUCATION *
"Education's Fourth 'R'" (Release time Bible study programs) by
Maury Walker, president
TESTIMONY
Jack Lavallet III, Los Angeles, CA
CFI REPORTS
"Project Letters Of Love", a letter writing ministry to the
people of Israel, July "Watchman's Prayer Letter"
MUSIC COLUMN
"Call Comin' Through" and "Face To Faith" by Gary Driskell, a
composer from Nashville, TN
CHEF'S CORNER
10 picnic recipes
BOOK REVIEWS
"The Gospel According to Jesus" by John MacArthur, Jr.