#46/ 15 Apr 2002

          P O S I T I V E     W O R D S
               Editor: Peter Wade

       ----- http://www.peterwade.com/ -----
 ... the realities of Christ in you and you in Christ!
      ----- http://www.inChristRadio.net/ -----


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TAX SEASON IS OVER!
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For our US friends, the tax season is over! So now you can set
your minds on things above (Col. 3:2). And to help you, we're
starting a new series, "In the Quiet Corner" by S.D. Gordon, being
extracts from the book of the same name first published in 1932.
You will enjoy this devotional study of Psalm 91.

See our new home page at http://www.peterwade.com/. Let us know if
you like the new look! If your Favorites or Bookmarks for the site
do not work, simply re-do them. 

<:::>><<:::>><<:::>><<:::>><<:::>><<:::>><<:::>><<:::>>
Registration forms are now ONLINE for the 2003 International Bible
Conference, January 3-9, at Halls Gap, Victoria, Australia --
follow the link from our Home Page. Download the form and print it
on your own printer (requires Acrobat Reader).
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CAN YOU HELP US?
We are looking for specific old books, and if you live near a good
secondhand bookstore, or maybe a Christian library or a Christian
evangelical seminary or college with a library, you might be able
to help us. We will gladly pay for any photocopy costs if you can
find one of the following:
   Quiet Talks on the Bible Story by S.D. Gordon
   Quiet Talks on Following the Christ by S.D. Gordon
   Quiet Talks About the Simple Essentials by S.D. Gordon
Email us via the web site if you can help. We want to give these
wonderful devotional books a new life on the Internet. Thanks!

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INSIGHTS FROM MY WRITING
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                      REASON OR REVELATION 

"That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man
which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be
renewed in the spirit of your mind" (Ephesians 4:22-23).

Natural man [the old man] receives into his mind information via
the five senses: hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and touching.
Everything that man has learned about the world around him has
come by this process. These avenues of information are not
necessarily perfect -- they may be damaged by accident, they may
become impaired through age, or they may not be accurate enough to
distinguish one thing from another. The five senses, therefore,
are not a reliable means of information.  
   God knew this, and so He gave believers His Word, a sure
foundation, an accurate source of information. As I read and
meditate on the Word I find that so often the information of my
senses contradicts what I have read in the Word. Then there is a
battle between the Word and the backlog of information that I have
gained throughout my earthly life.
   The only way to succeed in the Christian life is to follow the
Word, not the five senses. Whenever my senses contradict the clear
teaching of the Word of God, my senses are wrong. The Word is
always right; the senses are often wrong.
   It becomes obvious that if I can only take in information
through my five senses, then sooner or later I will get to the
place where I have to guess. This is called philosophy, the
science of man's wisdom. So much of philosophy is a series of what
might be termed educated guesses. Throughout the centuries,
guessing man has come up with some great philosophies. However,
God knew that man would do this, and so He gave us His eternal
Word -- sure, steadfast, unchanging. Now it is a matter of
choosing between the revelation of God and the reason of man. For
me only one choice is logical: the revelation of God. (From
"Renewing Your Mind", Chapter 1, by Peter Wade, adapted by Hildy
Matthews.)
   AFFIRMATION: The more I implant God's Word into my mind, the
more I can rely on revelation from God without my five senses
interfering with His steadfast, unchanging Word. 

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INSIGHTS FROM MY READING
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Let us be FREE IN CHRIST --
... free to proclaim Christ as our only creed 
... free from efforts of legal justification
... free to accept the grace that is freely given
... free from condemnation through faith in Christ
... free to love everyone, thus fulfilling all law
... free to interpret the scriptures honestly
... free from interpreting Christ's law as a legal code 
... free from duty and quota performance
... free to exercise our Christian liberties
... free from binding our scruples on others 
... free to love and accept without judging 
... free from exclusiveness
... free to unite in Christ, not doctrinal conformity
... free from a distinguishing name, or a need for one
... free to offer full-life service as a continuous worship 
... free from confidence in keeping holy rituals
... free to worship spontaneously
... free to commune with all disciples
... free from men who would be our spiritual rulers 
... free to serve in autonomous fellowships
... free to re-evaluate all things
... free to learn, change, grow, and mature
Jesus died to give us this cherished freedom. "So if the Son makes
you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). So be it!
(From "Free In Christ" by Cecil Hook.)

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INSIGHTS FROM EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE
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G. Campbell Morgan was a well-known preacher and writer of over
60 books from the first half of the 20th century. In each issue 
he gives a comment from one verse in every chapter of the Bible.
We continue with Paul's second letter to the Corinthians.

"Ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication" 
(II Corinthians 1:11).

This is pre-eminently the comfort chapter of the New Testament.
Writing to his children in Corinth and Achaia, Paul was recalling
a dark experience through which he had passed in Asia, when he had
in affliction come so near to death, that he had actually died but
for the deliverance of God. In all that time of suffering he had
known the comfort of God, and now knew that through such
experiences of trial and of comfort, he had been prepared to
comfort others. The deliverance of the past filled him with
confidence about whatever the future might bring. He was confident
that He would still deliver him. It is at this point that the
words we have selected flash out upon us. 
   Notice the surprising connection "He will also still deliver
us; ye also helping together... by your supplication." Our prayers
for our loved ones help God to work deliverance for them. That is
a deep mystery, but it is a fact of which we do well to take heed.
There are things which God can do only when we pray. It was surely
that conviction in the olden days which made Samuel say as he
retired from his judgeship to make way for Saul, "Far be it from
me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you."
Observe carefully that he did not say that by ceasing to pray he
would sin against them, but that he would sin against Jehovah.
When we cease to pray, we limit God, and wrong our friends. We may
not understand this, but we ought to act upon it. By our
supplication, we are helping together in the deliverances God
works for our loved ones.

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INSIGHTS FROM BIBLE STUDY (F.E. Marsh)
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From the book, "1,000 Bible Study Outlines" by F.E. Marsh.

DEPRESSION
It is said Mr. Spurgeon on one occasion was greatly depressed, and
that one of the officers asked "those who had been converted or
blessed under his ministry to rise," and 1200 rose to their feet.
"Now," said the Deacon, "I charge you all to pray for your
pastor." Many of God's servants have got into the mire of
depression, and we have the record of some of their experiences,
that we may avoid their depressions.
I. David: "I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul" (I Sam.
27:1).
2. Job: "Why died I not from the womb?" (Job 3:11). 
3. Elijah: "O Lord, take away my life" (1 Kings 19:4). 
4. Moses: "I am not able to bear all this people" (Num. 11:14).
5. Psalmist: "I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the
housetop" (Psa. 102:7).
6. Jeremiah: "Behold, O Lord, for I am in distress" (Lam. 1:20).
7. Jonah: "It is better for me to die than to live" (Jonah 4:8).
Discontent and disappointment often lead to discouragement, and
discouragement leads to depression, and these together will breed
despair.

DESIRABLE THINGS IN II THESSALONIANS 1
1. A Growing Faith -- v.3.
2. An Abounding Love -- 3. 
3. An Enduring Patience -- 4. 
4. A Righteous Suffering -- 5-7. 
5. An Admired Glory -- 10.
6. A Worthy Commendation -- 11. 
7. A Powerful Work -- 11.

DIVINE QUALITIES AND POSSESSIONS IN PSALM 143
and faith's attitude to them:
1. Rest of Faith. "Thy faithfulness."
2. Righteousness of Faith. "Thy righteousness."
3. Responsibility of Faith. "Thy servant."
4. Regard of Faith. "In Thy sight."
5. Remembrance of Faith. "Thy works."
6. Response of Faith. "I muse on the works of Thy hands."
7. Request of Faith. "Hide not Thy face."
8. Reciprocity of Faith. "Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness."
9. Reflection of Faith. "Thy will."
10. Recognition of Faith. "Thy Spirit is good."
11. Reliance of Faith. "For Thy Name's sake."
12. Reiteration of Faith. "Thy righteousness."
13. Refuge of Faith. "Thy mercy."

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(c) 2002 Peter Wade
http://www.peterwade.com/
http://www.inChristRadio.net/