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Volume 68 Number 5 Lubbock, Texas 79493 Copyright $12.00 Per Year May 2000 |
Justified By Faith A Lesson From the Stars The Universe Has A Design -Proofs of Design God's Little Miracles Good Communications (conclusion) An Experience of Grace New Book on Fossils Tour Through the Bible Obituaries
In Romans chapter 5, verses 1- 2 we read: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith unto this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
There seems to be two main positions that has been set forth on this text by some of our most able ministers. The main difference, is this text dealing with our position in Christ? Or is it dealing with the faith that God dealt to us through being born again and the exercising of that faith? I realize as I attempt to write on this subject that there is a justification that takes place by the exercising of our faith, but is it Roman's Chapter 5, and verse 1, teaching this? Notice that this verse starts out by saying: Therefore being justified by faith. If we could read this text in the Greek, it would read, having been justified by faith. There is a great difference in being just and being justified. The word justified is no what makes a person just, but it is a declaration that declares a person to be just.
In Roman's Chapter 2, verses 28-29, the apostle Paul says, For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God. You might be wondering why I have backed up to chapter 2, dealing with circumcision. This circumcision is dealing with how a child of grace is born again, that when it pleases God , he takes away this hard and stony heart and gives us a heart of flesh.
In Chapter 3 verses 3-4, he says, For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid, yea, let God be true, but every man a liar, as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Do you realize that Paul is saying that even if we do not exercise faith in believing, that the faith or faithfulness of God is still effective. When a person is born again he not only has a spiritual nature, but he still possesses that old fleshy nature, and as long as we live in this flesh we will have a warfare within ourselves. One, a desire to follow after Spiritual things, the other to follow our old carnal nature.
In Chapter 3 verse 23-26 Paul says, For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Regardless of how we may look at this text, he is saying that God is the just one and he is the justifier of all those that have been made just.
In chapter 4, verse 2, Paul says, For if Abraham were justified by works, he has whereof to glory, but not before God. Do you realize that Paul is saying that a man is not justified by works before God? And can you not see that belief is a work? In the gospel of St. John, chapter 6, verses 28-29 we read. Then they said unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Jesus is saying that if you believe that I am the Christ, the Son of the living God and that I came from God, it is because God has worked a work in your heart and enabled you to believe.
Now back to chapter 4, verses 9-11, Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned? When he was in circumcision or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. Now if circumcision of the heart is dealing with being born again, then the faith was reckoned to Abraham, that is, was imputed or charged to Abraham to be righteous while in uncircumcision that is, prior to being born again. In verse 11; And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of righteousness of faith of which he had yet being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. Now, to the last verse in chapter 4. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Paul is not telling us that we were made just by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave proves that we were made just by the precious blood of Christ. That is, when Christ came out of the grave we were declared to be just. If we had not already been made just, Christ would not have come forth from the grave.
Therefore, being justified by faith, that is, having been justified by faith. This is dealing with the faithfulness and trustworthiness of God, this is dealing with the faithfulness and trustworthiness of Jesus Christ. That Jesus Christ fulfilled all of God's righteous laws and demands, that He went to the cross, shed His blood for the remission of sins, made this sin offering unto God the Father. God, the Father accepted this offering as a full payment for sin. Christ died and gave up the ghost in saying, Father, unto thy hands I commend my Spirit. Therefore, having been justified by faith, that is having been declared just by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, how thankful we ought to be for the Grace of a loving God and Savior Jesus Christ that is so Faithful and Trustworthy that we have been declared just. AMEN
The Existence of God -Teleological Argument
Proofs of Design, Part 3
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee; or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? (Job 12:7-9)
From beneath the ocean to the furthest limits of outer space, we see the hand of God in the creation and sustainment of our world and the universe. Through the ages of time, man has learned much about his environment by observing the wonders of God’s creation. From the elements of earth, air, fire, and water to the periodic table of elements in modern chemistry, we are able to discern ever more details of this earth and its inhabitants. If we really “ask the earth, the beasts, the fowls, and the fish”, we will be truly convinced that all of this is not the result of a mindless accident, but is a marvel from the hand of a loving God. While in science we are told there is no place for “miracles”, we behold the complexities of biological life and are convinced there is no other “scientific” explanation for man’s existence. The laws of probability, the irreducibly complex form of our constituent parts, and the specified complexity of the very code of life are some of the clear proofs that an intelligent designer is the answer to this seeming paradox.
As we “speak to the earth”, we are amazed at the precise balance required for life. One view of the thin line of the earth’s atmosphere, called the limb, from the vantagepoint of the Space Shuttle, tells us in an instant how delicate this balance is. Without this protection, the earth would be no different than the other uninhabited planets. Hugh Ross points out a number of other precision characteristics of the earth:
A change in the distance from the sun of only 2% would eliminate the stability of water as a liquid. A change in the earth’s rotation period of a few percent would create either dramatic day/night temperature differences (if too slow) or catastrophic wind velocities (if too fast). And small changes in the earth’s axial tilt would result in uninhabitable surface temperature differences. But even more astounding is “the conclusion that much fewer than a trillionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a percent of all stars [in the universe] could possibly possess, without divine intervention, a planet capable of sustaining advanced life.” Ross estimates, using scientifically justified probabilities for 43 parameters important for the existence of life, that the overall probability for life to exist by accident is less than 10-53. In other words, it would otherwise be impossible.13
Michael Behe, an Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Lehigh University, “asked the beasts, fowls, and birds”, or biological systems, and found that they are “irreducibly complex, [meaning] a single system composed of several well-matched, interacting parts that contribute to the basic function.”14 This type of complexity is evident far beyond the visual realm even to the sub microscopic. A mousetrap would be a simple mechanical example of an irreducibly complex mechanism since it can only work if all of its parts exist simultaneously. Behe points out numerous biological irreducibly complex systems that are extraordinarily powerful challenges to the Darwinian theory of natural selection (gradual biological change based on environmental influences over very long periods of time resulting in higher life forms). These complex systems include the cilium (microscopic hairlike structures that cells use to move about in a liquid), blood clotting, and the human eye. Without natural selection, Darwin himself admitted his theory would absolutely break down. 15
Electron microscopy has shown the tiny cellular structure of cilium to be highly complex. This flagellum is actually a fused double-ring structure of outer microtubules, a single ring structure of central microtubules, connecting proteins (Nexin), and a motor protein called Dynein. The sliding motion of the Dynein “walking” up a neighboring microtubule is converted to a bending motion by the flexible linker protein Nexin. This bending motion creates the whip like action that propels the cell.16 It is indeed an irreducibly complex motor system that allows the cell to swim. The theory of natural selection cannot explain how these individual parts all come into existence simultaneously to allow a working mechanism.
DNA has been identified as the genetic code of life. The very concept of a code implies intelligence. This chemical code is identical, from the standpoint of mathematical information theory, to human language, for example. Charles Braxton stated at an international conference in Dallas, Texas in 1986:
The discovery of the DNA code gives the argument from design a new twist. Since life is at its core a chemical code, the origin of life is the origin of a code. A code is a very special kind of order. It represents "specified complexity." 17
This type and level of complexity only exists in molecular structures related to life or in human artifacts. Even though a snowflake, formed from natural processes (the freezing of water), has complexity and order, it is ordered in a repetitive manner without the characteristics of a code. Mathematically, the information content of a snowflake is low while the information content in DNA is very high. This complexity is illustrated again by a mathematical probability. The most optimistic probability of forming a simple protein molecule from 100 amino acids is one chance in 1065. 18
Some scientists (sic) look for signs of a code coming from outer space. The SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) project attempts to locate evidence of life beyond the earth. The data from the antenna collecting the radio waves is examined carefully for sequences of signals that has specified complexity. In other words, they are searching for signs of intelligence! Similarly, the chemical code of life is an unmistakable sign of intelligence – divine intelligence. Hugh Ross correctly observes:
If divine design is essential to explain the properties of simpler systems such as the universe, our galaxy, and the solar system, how much more necessary is God’s involvement to explaining systems as complex as organisms, including human beings? 19
So, as we study our universe and our physical existence, we see that chance cannot explain how we got here. Natural selection cannot explain the level of complexity in biochemistry. And, the code that defines life itself cannot be explained outside the realm of the divine designer. While God has given us the tools to see a scratch in the surface of the intricacies of His design, we are in awe of His greatness and thankful for His having given us the ability to explore. Sir Isaac Newton, perhaps the greatest physicist ever, described himself shortly before his death as “a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, while the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.” True science is always modest. 20 We will never understand it all, but it is exciting to search. As we search, we recognize our ultimate position in this matter. God tells us clearly in Isaiah 55:8-9:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The night descends, the skies with stars ablaze
Speak forth a language all their very own
Immensity profound, to those who gaze
With earthly eyes, upon the stardust sown
Across gigantic distances, unmeasurable and unknown.
Ah, mighty was the hand which mapped the course
Of every planet flung through void and space
Which gave the sun and stars the gravity force
Which holds them leased within their orbit place.
To circle on through time unmarked, a strange mysterious race
A message from the stars to mortal man
Immutable is the mighty hand that guides
Thy course across the skies and drew the plan
Nor changeable as the clouds, the winds and tides
Which challenge momentarily all quietly then subsides.
Is there a destiny foreman and star akin?
Or in His purposes, does man have no part?
Does immortality reach the soul of man?
Did God eternally know the ending from the start?
Look to the God who made the stars, and calm my troubled heart
For God made the twinkling stars above
Which keep their vigilance throughout the night
Has clothed us with the mantle of His love
And keeps His children ever in His sight
And with His spirit guides them gently into right.
Elder J. A. Rowell, Sr. From the Banner of love, January 1969
Some time back members of the family were going through the personal effects of our aunt, Gustava Miller, and in these things were two pieces of brown paper, torn from a paper bag. On them was some writing. On examining them, we found that it contained my mother's experience of grace, which no one knew she had written. It was handed to me, and I decided I would share it with our readers.
Back in the time this was written, nearly fifty years ago, many people were writing their experiences, and much space in the church papers were used this way.
----The Editor [Elder Afton E. Richards]
Vera, Texas
May 2, 1924
Dear Gusta:
As you have so many times asked me to write you my experience, I will try the best I can to write you what seems to me to be a very poor one, yet it means so much to me, for if it is not an experience of grace then that is all I have.
As far back as I can remember, I have always had serious thoughts about the Lord and religion.
Mama would often talk to me and tell me what a great Savior we have, and how He suffered and died to save us, and how we ought to live in His sight, and she asked me if I wanted to go to heaven? Of course, this all caused me to think very seriously about it all.
I would go off to myself and weep, and think that I never would go to heaven because I was so mean. I couldn't feel good. I have heard so many people tell the way they felt, and that they knew they were saved and could just tell the very time and place they felt the change; but, I never could feel that way. I have tried so hard to feel as the others did, but couldn't.
I came upon a little book and the title of it was, "Read and Be Saved." It told all about if a sinner would just give himself to the Lord, and trust in Jesus, He was willing and ready to save. Well, I knew I was ready to be saved. I would read every word of that book, and when I finished it I didn't feel one bit different to what I felt when I started reading it.
So, I said, Lord, show me the right way.
I went on for over a year feeling that there was no pardon for me. Mama would take my work and do what I was doing and tell me to go on and study about these things. I didn't tell her anything about how I felt, but somehow, I expected that she knew.
One day, I just felt like no one cared for me, so I went out from the house by myself, and I just felt like I was finished, if I was fit to die, I wished I could die out there with no one there but me. But, I was afraid to die, because I felt like I would go to torment.
And I said that I would just trust the Lord to save me, and it seemed that I got relief, or consolation from that. I knew they had said, "If you will just let Him, the Lord will save you." and I knew I would let Him.
I wanted to just do anything to get any relief from my feeling of despondency and fear.
Papa and Mama were then members of the Missionary Baptist Church. I have listened to them talk and just wished I could feel like they said they felt.
Finally, I went to church one night. The pastor was preaching and I was playing the organ, and something seemed to say to me, "Now is the time for me to join the church." And when they got through singing, I gave them my hand and they received me.
I felt better then and I thought I had done all that I could. And if I was not saved, I could not help it. I went on then and rested very well.
I would do things that I thought maybe a saved person should not do, and then I wondered if anyone else did. I would slip out my Bible and read and find out how I should live and act. I didn't want to ask anyone about it, I was afraid they would think that I was not fit to live in the church and would turn me out. And then I would sure enough be lost.
I have asked the Lord to show me the way. Finally Mama became dissatisfied with her condition in the church. They said, "If you doubt your salvation, you are lost," so she knew she doubted and could not feel sure that she was saved, and had them to turn her out of the church. She said she couldn't stay in the church and doubt her salvation, and be in there with people who knew they were saved. that would be acting a hypocrite.
As for me I knew if Mama was mistaken, as good a Christian woman as she was, and I knew if there ever was a good conscientious woman, it was my mother---and that as mean as I was there was nothing to me, so there I was.
But I didn't have the honesty that Mama had and I didn't go to the church to be turned out.
Papa was still a church member and I thought that maybe he was a good man as Mama was, and maybe I still had hope, and so I went on as best as I could.
We had never heard any Primitive Baptist preach at that time, or I had not. Papa's cousin belonged and he and Sam used to have some big arguments over predestination. We have picked cotton all day, and walked two miles after supper to Sam's and he and Papa would talk until late and then we would walk back home that night.
We moved to Scranton, Texas, and soon after then, the pastor, [Dad Richards] and Elder Paine organized a church there and we went and heard them preach. I thought then they were two of the ugliest men I ever saw, and I didn't pay it any attention to their preaching that day. I was just amused by the way they acted.
There were just six in the constitution of the church, and I thought I wouldn't even call it a church with only six people. But Papa thought Dad [Elder W. H. Richards] preached a good sermon. The next time I went I paid more attention to him. But, still it didn't appeal to me. Papa came home again very pleased and happy. So I thought I would be sure the next time.
They had by that time moved the meeting house, and I began to get interested. We got there too late one day, and he was already up preaching. I could hardly wait to get into the house. And when I got there I had to sit way back in the house. I just wanted to go right up to the front and sit down as close as I could to him.
He told it that day just like I had always wanted to be told---just how miserable and worthless and undone he felt and how he didn't see how the Lord could save a vile sinner as he felt himself to be, and I knew that just fit me.
He told about the boy that found a silver dollar, and he didn't know what it was. But he looked around and he saw other people that had them, and they were trading them for a lot of goods, so he said to himself, that if it was good for them, he also had something good.
We went back home and I could hardly wait until the next meeting day to go back. I knew Papa and Mama both were very interested, but I didn't want them to know that I was too.
After awhile Papa joined that church, and I could hardly keep from going myself. But I felt so mean. all of these people looked so good, but I didn't go.
Then Mama joined--but I still didn't feel good enough to join with them.
When Mama joined, it was very cold, and she was sick too, so I didn't want her to be baptized. I felt like it would make her sick. Grandpa laughed at me. He said, "Why, Dora do you think the Lord would tell somebody to do something, and then it hurt them?"
So, that put me to thinking. I just wondered if I would ever have that much faith in the Lord.
I was glad he felt that way about it.
I was afraid it would make her sick, but instead, she got better.
I went for a long time wanting to join. In August 1909 when we had a three days meeting and Dad Richards preached one evening and told his experience, and I then could stand it no longer. I went and was received and from that day until this I have never regretted it.
I have felt like I was not worth anything to the church, but they are worth a lot to me.
I feel it to be such an imperfect being, that I fear they have no confidence in me, and I sometimes feel that it is a sin for me to utter the sacred name of Jesus , I am so vile and prone to sin, I fear I am not born again.
But, I do know, I love the Lord and the children of God, and love to hear the blessed gospel preached.
I know it is by the grace of God that I am what I am, and if I am mistaken, this is all the experiences that I have, and there is nothing left for me to do.
But one sweet consolation I have, and this is a great source of hope to me; it is the anchor of my soul. If it was not for this hope of a better world, then we would he most miserable.
Now Gusta, this is my experience, if I have any.
Your unworthy sister,
Dora [Dora Short Richards] \The Banner of Love, July 1973
SERIES 5
Conclusion of Study
Communications is here used in the Positive Form of "Giving and Receiving," which is good, and that some churches are more prone toward this than others.
Col 3:8 "But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth." Clear, enough said, However, I also stress the text teaches "putting off all these," especially filthy talking. No person can talk filthy and be in The Spirit simultaneously... Notice Romans 8:6, "For to be carnally minded is death; But to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:8 - "So then they that are in the Flesh cannot please God."
1st Tim. 6:18 - "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate." Notice four [4] Positive entities: 1. Just do good. 2. Be rich in good works. 3. Ready to give, Willing to communicate in all of the first three items, listed.
Philemon 6 - "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." Faith is a fruit of the Spirit [Gal. 5:22-23; next Faith is effective [accomplishes its objective] in our acknowledging [Confession or Communicating] every good thing, and lastly, but most important, all this is in you, because Christ Jesus is in you. That is wonderful to know.
Heb. 13:16 Finally, a wonderful and beautiful closing text for this analysis. Paul says, "But to do good works and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Doing good is always right, and equal to such is communications. Holy Divine Inspiration tells us that we should be careful and not forget to do good and communicate; then is added this further explanation, that such good doing and communicating is a sacrifice [labor, work with stress and strain].. There is never a blessing without first a sacrifice.
If your nature is, slightly or somewhat, of a "timid personality" then such is really magnified that communicating is a sacrifice. It would be like walking uphill into a strong headwind. Finally, however, such sacrifice is well-pleasing to God. Who else should we please? Ourselves or God?
Paul says in Romans 15:3, "For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me." Pleasing God should be our first priority on this earth, especially, if we desire to be His Disciples.
Closing: Read-- Heb. 13:16
Compiled by Hulan F. Bass, [Elder]
From left, John Barrett Watson, age 16 and Elder Tom Taylor, pastor of Crosbyton Church, John Taylor, age seven, Lana Faye Watson, age 14, and Elder Mike Rodgers, former pastor of Crosbyton Church, and now of San Antonio. These three new members joined at the Crosbyton meeting on April 9.
John Barrett Watson, age 16, being baptized by Elder Mike Rodgers in the Crosbyton Primitive Baptist Church on April 9th. He is the son of Brother Leon and Sister Connie Watson of Amarillo, Texas. Elder Rodgers of San Antonio, TX is the former pastor of Crosbyton Primitive Baptist Church.
John Taylor, age 7, being baptized by his father, Elder Tom Taylor, in the Crosbyton Primitive Baptist Church, April 9th. Elder Taylor is pastor of the Crosbyton Church.
Lana Faye Watson, age 14, being baptized by Elder Mike Rodgers in the Crosbyton Primitive Baptist Church. She is the daughter of Brother Leon and Sister Connie Watson.
Brother Seth Venable, age 6, being baptized by Elder George Johnson on Sunday, Feb. 13 at the Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church.
He can quote all the books of the Bible. [66] in order, by memory, which he did that day, shortly after his baptism. He is the son of Brother Keith and Sister Kelly Venable. [Jerry Bass photo]
Thank you so much for printing a much loved paper. Bless each of you as you continually do God's work. The Banner reminds me of why we go to church. Preachers preach the Word while listeners would be attentive because we are hungry and thirst for righteousness, Not because we hunger and thirst for entertainment, [2 Tim. 4:2-5; Matt. 5:6
True teaching and worshipping is spiritually exhilarating and enriching. Again thank you.
A Sister in Christ,
Dorothy Phillips
Mexia, Texas
Enclosed is a check for renewal for the next two years, plus a little extra to use as needed. Thank you for your efforts.
Elder and Sister Anthony Blevins
Huntsville, TX
Note: We certainly appreciate the extra.
Col. 3:3-4 is really encouraging.
So good to know our life is hid with Christ in God. Thanks be unto Him for His great Love and tender mercy upon us.
May He strengthen you all. He will never forsake us.
In dear hope and love,
Sister Loretta Lilly
Akron, Ohio
Brother Joe Taylor, member of the Crosbyton Primitive Baptist Church, Crosbyton, Texas, has recently released a book "Fossils Facts and Fantasies" based on his lifelong research of fossils and his extensive collection of fossils, now based in the Mt. Blanco Fossil Museum in Crosbyton.
In the opening pages of the book, Brother Joe credits his lifelong study of fossils to the inspiration of his father, the late Elder Dennis Taylor, a Primitive Baptist minister, based on two of the first biblical verses he ever learned.
The book is a collection of pictures and background relating to the truths and fictions of fossils, especially in the Great Plains and Western areas of the United States. Quoting scripture along with his discussions and pictures of his numerous fossil research and excavation projects, the book describes in pictures and words the background of many questions about prehistoric events and life.
Through six chapters of the books, the author relates events in the life of the earth to events depicted in the Bible.
The book is an addition to the work of the author, which also includes the opening of his museum in Crosbyton. The Mt. Blanco Fossil Museum is located in downtown Crosbyton. Opened in October 1998, the museum includes many displays of fossils, including the world's largest bison skull and a full size triceratops to great visitors at the front door.
Persons interested in the book, in buying reproductions or real fossils, or in additional background information on fossils may contact: Joe Taylor, Mt. Blanco Fossil Company, P. O. Box 559, Crosbyton, Texas 79332, Phone (806) 675-7777; fax (806) 675-2421 or toll-free at 1-800-367-3454 or internet e-mail at www.mtblanco.com The Mt. Blanco Fossil Museum is located in West Texas approximately 32 miles east of Lubbock in U.S. Highway 82.
A BLESSED PAPER
Dear loved ones at the Banner of Love: I see it is time to renew my subscription. May the dear Lord bestow His divine love and favor on all of you who strive to do His work, by giving us such a blessed paper.
In Christ's love,
Lena Willis
Excelsior Springs, MO
LUBBOCK MEETING
The Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church hosted a meeting in April, starting on Friday night and continued Saturday, closing Sunday at noon. Elder Mike Ivey of Dallas was the guest speaker. Brother Jacob Jones joined the church that morning and was baptized immediately after services.
Ministers in attendance were Elders: Cleveland Bass, Tom Taylor, Brian Hedges, Ronnie Hedges, Mike Ivey, Gayle McCoy, Gail Faries, and Bernard Gowens.
This past month has not been an easy one for our family. My wife, Melba, has been confined to the hospital with a serious illness and related medical complications.
These type of circumstances hit all of us at one time or another. It may be with a child, a spouse, a mother or father or grand parent. Each time some serious illness or disaster hits, there is a great deal of understanding and enlightenment which can occur if we look for it.
In such cases we usually end up praying to God for a specific miracle. Rarely do we see the specific "miracle" for which we asked. But other miracles do occur.
In such circumstances we usually have periods of quiet time to meditate. Sitting in hospitals we get the opportunity to observe what is going on — not only in our lives, but all around us.
The last couple of weeks I was blessed to witness a number of miracles. They did not all involve my wife’s specific medical condition directly, but it is because of her illness that I was more attuned to other situations. God’s accomplishments are abundant. More than we expect. They are not always as we specifically ask; but they are always in ways that we need.
It is amazing how so many things just "conveniently" and "coincidently" occur. But you can "see" the Lord’s hand involved by the fruits of his labors. The Lord works "conveniently" all around us in unexpected miracles. We fail to recognize most of them, and too many times fail to thank him for them.
My faith in my Lord is stronger, not weaker, because of the past few weeks. My love for my wife has grown, and our discussions together as we faced these medical problems has further strengthened our marriage. I have been brought closer to our young children as we attempt to explain the situation with them.
We have been abundantly blessed with the personal time and resources of our friends and pastor. And I have been made aware of "new" friends who were previously only "acquaintances" that I had not realized were very much real "friends". And I have been made strongly aware of the "depth" of love of other longtime friends.
As the Apostle Paul discussed concerning his "thorn in the flesh", he three times asked the Lord to remove the distress. The Lord did not directly grant Paul’s request — the thorn was not removed. But the Lord did respond to Paul. The Lord answered: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:7-9. Paul then stated: "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Cor. 12:9-10.
We cannot comprehend the wisdom of God. But we should trust Him with all our heart "and lean not unto thine own understanding." Prov. 3:5. God’s love for us is a mystery to our knowledge (Eph. 3:19), and his ability to accomplish good is abundant, "above all that we ask or think." Eph. 3:20.
God’s little miracles continue. Look for them, and thank Him for them.