President’s Message

“While still a young boy, a certain Christian formed the habit of praying beside his bed before he went to sleep.  Later, when he joined the army, he kept up this practice, though he became an object of mockery and ridicule in the barracks.  One night, as he knelt to pray after a long, weary march, one of his tormentors took off his muddy boots and threw them at him one at a time, hitting him on each side of his head.  The Christian said nothing, took the persecutor’s boots, put them beside the bed, and continued to pray.  When the other soldier woke up the next morning, he found his polished and shined boots beside his bed.  It so affected him that he asked for forgiveness and after a time became a Christian.” (Green, Michael. Illustrations for Biblical Preaching: Baker Book House, 1989. Page 157) “The Civil War had just ended, and the opportunistic scalawags were busy lording it over their fellow Southerners.  A hot-blooded contingency of die-hard former rebels gained an audience with President Lincoln.  His gentle, friendly manner soon thawed the ice, and the Southerners left with a new respect for their old foe.  A northern congressman approached the president and criticized him for “befriending the enemy,” suggesting that instead of befriending them he should have had them shot for the traitors they were.  Lincoln smiled and replied, “Am I not destroying my enemies by making them my friends?” (Green, Michael. Illustrations for Biblical Preaching: Baker Book House, 1989. Page 157) Philippians 4:8-9 states, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace shall be with you.” Believers allow God’s love to bless you (John 15:9-14).  Allow God’s mind, explained through His Word, to guide, transform, and provide you with inner peace (Romans 12:2; John 16:13; Colossians 3:15-16). Allow the Holy Spirit to comfort you (John 16:7) and mature you (Galatians 5:22-26) so that you are blessed as God is glorified daily (Matthew 6:9-13). “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven……..  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? ……… And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?  Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48; NIV). Stay focused!!

Everyone wants to make the best decisions for the most productive results life has to offer.  However, the best decisions require the greatest need to process information effectively for the best results.  The best results sometimes require the greatest sacrifices. “More than that, I count all things to be lost in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them, but rubbish so that I may gain Christ…” (Philippians 3:8; NASU) A young Roman by the name of Adrian, a Praetorian Guard under Emperor Galerius Maximian, had been a fanatic persecutor of the Christians. Yet, the calmness and courage of those he put to the torture left a lasting impression on him.  Adrian, brave himself, couldn’t help but admire the bravery of these Christians.  In them, he saw a heroism that surpassed any he had witnessed in battle. It was the year 280, and Adrian was twenty-eight years old.  His skill and daring persona had led to one promotion after another.  Yet, he could not get over his admiration for these followers of Christ.  One day, he asked one of the Christians being tortured: “What gives you such strength and joy in the midst of your sufferings?” “Our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we believe,” the martyr replied.  In a flash, Adrian made an important decision.  He stepped to the heathen judge and declared: “Put down my name among those to be tortured.  I also shall become a Christian.”  For twenty-three years after his conversion, Adrian suffered much, but he never flinched from his loyalty to Christ.  In 303, he was killed at Nicomedia.  For seventeen centuries since, he was the patron saint of soldiers.  “Put down my name,” was said with true Christian courage.(Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (pp. 1404–1405). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.) Our decisions in life should not just be about money, power, gaining a job, or hoping to one day be completely successful.  The decisions we make should be more focused on the eternal benefits that life has to offer.  “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.  For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.  She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.  Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.  Her ways are pleasant and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And “happy are all who hold her fast” (Proverb 3:13-18; NASU).  As you can see, this is a process that provides the best results, not a moment in time for temporary relief.

The issue of obeying God in giving is difficult for some people because their budget is already strained. As a result, giving to God is not the focus; it is more about how God can bless me. Biblically, this creates more significant needs, stress, and expectations from God that often do not produce the desired results. “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38 NIV) The believers in Macedonia were beyond poverty, but because they came to the realization of what God had done for them, they decided to give out of their poverty. God blessed them for their obedience rather than their sacrifice. “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.” (2 Corinthians 8:2-4; NIV) The same mindset is seen in the widow in Mark 12:41-44. This is because giving is not about sacrifice, but obedience, which always requires faith and trust in God. The depth of our obedience is identified by what we had to sacrifice to give. This kind of obedience exposes the level of our faith. The Macedonians and the widow chose to obey the Word of God, and by doing so, they demonstrated their willingness to trust God.  A church member was expecting $300,000 in a will from a family member. The member told the pastor, “If I get the $300,000, I will give one-third to the church.” The pastor said, “How will you give one-third of this amount when you can’t give one-tenth of what you now earn?” It’s not what we would do if we had much money—it’s what we are doing with what we have now! (from Heartwarming Bible Illustrations Copyright © 1998 by AMG International, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.) “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11; NIV)

Temptation is a powerful animal that can devour all of us (Matthew 4:3. 1 Thessalonians 3:5). The Word of God states in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” This verse should remind us of the power of temptation. Temptation is so powerful for Joseph that he leaves his garment and runs. However, in the case of David, he did not run; he satisfied the flesh by first looking at Bathsheba, which led to adultery and murder. Because the flesh is weak, we must behave like Joseph and flee. This may be why the Lord’s Prayer includes temptation. Matthew 6:13 states, “And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil.” One three-year-old’s explanation for being in the kitchen atop a chair eating cookies is: “I just climbed up to smell them, and my tooth got caught.” Satan always appeals to the flesh. This is where he starts with Eve because he knows the flesh’s propensity with its five senses. Satan at the tree clearly shows how he still approaches us using the five senses tied up in the flesh. He still does this, especially since he knows nothing is good in the flesh (Romans 7:24). John says that for anyone who loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15-17). Temptation, however, is not powerful only because of the flesh; it is also powerful because Satan knows our weaknesses and uses them to defeat us (Ephesians 6:12). This is why it is good to flee in the midst of temptation. Paul instructs Timothy to do this in 2 Timothy 2:22: “Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” Despite the overwhelming power of temptation, remember this: “No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13)  Temptation is indeed powerful, but we can take heart in the fact that “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) With God’s strength, we can resist and overcome.

Many children struggle with obeying their parents because what a child believes to be the truth and what a parent believes is the truth is different. Anytime a child differs from their parents, they think that the parent is wrong. The other reason children struggle with obeying their parents is that they do not believe that the parent understands what they are going through. Sometimes, they are correct that the parent is not listening to everything they say. Sometimes, the parent does listen, but if the parent’s decision seems irrelevant to what the child is thinking, the child becomes convinced that the parent does not understand and, therefore, should not be obeyed. How is this resolved? Children must always know that their parents love them. A parent should never take this for granted. A parent should never assume that because they do things for a child, the child knows that they are loved. A parent should tell their children that they love them. They should hug them. They should play with them, laugh with them, attend their functions, and compliment them when they do well. This constant reassurance allows a child to trust the parent, which will give the child the faith to obey when they do not understand the parent’s decision. This is why the most essential virtue is love (1 Corinthians 13:2). Children must remember that there is nothing new under the sun. Even though their clothes differ, their desire to wear them and the need not to be too different are the same. Parents must listen, but children must obey and respect their parents’ authority in the Lord. A writer once said, “Youth is such a wonderful thing; we should not allow our young people to waste it.”  The story is told of a little boy riding his tricycle furiously around the block repeatedly. Finally, a policeman stopped and asked him why he was going around and around. The boy said that he was running away from home. Then the policeman asked why he kept going around the block. The boy responded, “Because my mom said I’m not allowed to cross the street.”  The point is clear. Obedience will keep you close to those you love. “Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10; NASU)

“A man sprained his ankle and couldn’t travel.  The party he was with had to go right on, but they left him with lots of food.  He was left in isolation in a desert.  All he had to do was keep quiet for three or four days.  He showed up in civilization just about half crazy.  His ankle was all inflamed.  He said he’d rather have lost the whole leg than to have stayed in that desert another ten minutes.  People can’t bear it because out there they are alone with their Maker.” – Albert Mygatt. (Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979 As much as people say they cannot stand being around people, they need people because this is how God designed them (Genesis 2:24-25; Ephesians 3:14-15).  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-9 NASU) “The story is told by the Persians of the great Shah Abbas, who reigned magnificently in Persia, but loved to mingle with the people in disguise.  Once, dressed as a poor man, he descended the long flight of dark and damp stairs to the tiny cellar where the fireman, seated on ashes, was tending the furnace.  The king sat down beside him and began to talk.  At mealtime, the fireman produces some course, black bread, and a jug of water, and they eat and drink.  The Shah went away but returned repeatedly, for his heart was filled with sympathy for the lonely man.  He gave his sweet counsel, and the poor man opened his whole heart and loved this friend, so kind, so wise, and yet poor like himself. At last, the emperor thought, “I will tell him who I am and see what gift he will ask.”  So, he said, “You think me poor, but I am Shah Abbas, your emperor.”  He expected a petition for something great, but the man sat silent.  Gazing, he said, “Haven’t you understood? I can make you rich and noble, give you a city, and appoint you as a great ruler.  Have you nothing to ask?” The man replied gently, “Yes, my lord, I understood.  But what have you done to leave your palace and glory, sit with me in this dark place, partake in my coarse fare, and care whether my heart is glad or sorry?  Even you can give nothing more precious.  On others, you may bestow rich presents, but to me, you have given yourself; it only remains to ask that you never withdraw this gift to your friendship.” -A. Naismith (Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979) “Two are better than one because they have a good return…” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Our culture has determined who is handsome or beautiful for us. Hollywood, with fashions from Paris influences, Hollywood magnifies and glorifies these images so much that it has become an industry. Plastic surgery is now a big business, not just for seniors who want to look young, but also for young boys and girls who want to emulate what they see in Hollywood or what is glamorized by musical artists. Some people don’t just want to look good; they have plastic surgery to look just like some of the movie stars. Amazingly, if these same people go to other parts of the world, they would be viewed as too skinny and unattractive. “A very peculiar feature of the culture of Palenque, one of the lost cities in the Mayan civilization, was that of tying the heads of newborn babies to boards—one in front and one in back. After several days, the head is flattened for life. Crossed eyes were also prized as marks of beauty, and mothers sought to induce that condition by dangling baubles between the babies’ eyes.” (Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 429). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.) In some countries, a woman missing her front teeth is attractive. Tall women who are attractive or plump. “As one man said, ‘Even a dog likes meat on its bone.’” What is interesting is that David explains how God formed him when he was formless. God did this for every part of his body. It was done carefully and insightfully, and He made no mistakes, even when it came to God breathing into him. What God did was not something anyone else was involved in because God did it secretively, hidden from everyone. When God did this, He did it with such a deep thought process that no one could ever figure out why or how David was formed. Here is one example; “No scientific instrument is as sensitive to  light as a person’s eye. In the dark, its sensitivity increases 100,000 times; one can detect a faint glow, less than a thousandth as bright as a candle’s flame. He can see light from the stars, and the nearest of all stars is 25 billion miles away!” (Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 775). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.) In Psalm 139:13-18 David said, “For You formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth… (NASU). Young people, do not allow our culture to determine your value.  Trust in God’s design, for He made you with a purpose in mind (Revelations 4:11).  You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and your existence is a testament to His divine plan.

Before the West Indies Baptist Conference began this past week, a category four hurricane impacted some of the islands and a category one for us. Added to that was a worldwide cyber attack that made airline travel a horrendous experience; then came the rain. You ask yourself why the Lord would allow so much to occur when we intensely seek to execute His kingdom plan. Sarah could have asked such a question, especially since everyone else around her was allowed to have a child. I can’t imagine how she may have felt when Hagar became pregnant. Moses could ask this question, especially when he didn’t even ask for the job he was given. Job, who was called a righteous man by God, struggled with this question. Daniel was an obedient servant of the Lord, only to go through one trial after another. There are times when God’s dreams take us to dry wells and slave markets, and even when we do not do wrong, they take us to prison, like in the case of Joseph. What we must learn is that God’s providence is at work in the midst of Satan’s attacks (Ephesians 6:10-13; Revelation 12:10), and God only rewards faith (Hebrews 11:6). Everyone in the ‘Hall of Faith’ was not spared trouble; they kept the faith. Because they choose to obey God rather than their feelings, fears, and anxieties, it worked out for His good and their blessings (Romans 8:28). The good is not just earthly benefits but also the perfecting of their character (James 1:2-4), so that no matter what Satan’s schemes may be nothing deterred them from accomplishing God’s plan for their lives and His glory (2 Corinthians 2:11; 4:7-12; 11:21-29; ). For these reasons and more, it is critical that we keep growing spiritually (1 John 4:4) and continually mature in Christ so that His strength in us keeps our armor on (Ephesians 6:13-18). The hardest thing in raising a child is to trust our direction when all they know and feel influences them to believe we don’t know what we are doing. When they choose to listen and allow an excellent parent to shape their lives, they thank us and call us their heroes. The ‘Hall of Faith’ are God’s heroes who praised Him for their earthly blessings and His reward for them in heaven forever (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10). “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the course; I have kept the faith; in the future, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8; NASU)

In the movie “The Hiding Place,” a scene is set at Ravensbruck Concentration Camp in Germany. Corrie Ten Boom and her sister, Betsy, are there, along with ten thousand other women, in horrible, degrading, hideous conditions. They are gathered with some women in the barracks in the midst of the beds, cold, hungry, and lice-ridden; Betsy is leading a Bible class. Orieof, the other woman, calls out derisively from her bunk and mocks their worship of God. They fall into conversation, and this woman says what so frequently is flung at Christians: “If your God is such a good God, why does He allow this kind of suffering?”  Dramatically, she removes the bandages and old rags that bind her hands, displaying her broken, mangled fingers, and says, “I’m the first violinist of the symphony orchestra. Did your God will this?” For a moment, no one answers. Then Corrie Ten Boom steps to her sister’s side and says, “We can’t answer that question. All we know is that our God came to this earth and became one of us, and He suffered with us and was crucified and died. And that He did it for love.” Someone once said, “A Christian is like a tea bag that is not much good until it has gone through hot water.” When we are mistreated for doing nothing wrong, the quality of our character is either exposed or shaped (Romans 5:1-5). God states in the book of Job that Job is righteous; but amid Job’s trials, we truly learn about Job’s character and disposition. The same thing occurs with Joseph, who suffered for doing no wrong. We admire Joseph more for how he endured his trials than when he was the young dreamer his father loved—the same with Daniel. We may admire Daniel for his prayer life, but we admired his commitment to prayer more when he prayed, knowing he would experience persecution. Daniel’s Lion’s Den experience is repeated more than his dreams. This is because, during hard times, God either shapes our character or exposes the quality of the character Christ has developed in us to those around us. Peter says that we are blessed when we suffer for doing good (1 Peter 3:13-14). “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Rom 8:18-19; NASU) When the storms of life are raging (Matthew 14:22-27), keep your eyes on the prize (Philippians 3:12-16).

Have We Ever Felt This Way? To Thee, O Lord, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, Lest, if Thou be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to Thee for help, when I lift up my hands toward Thy holy sanctuary. (Psalm 28:1-2; A Psalm of David. NASB) My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. O my God, I cry by day, but Thou dost not answer; and by night, but I have no rest.  (Psalm 22:1-2; NASB) Do We Continue to Pray Despite Hoping? I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord. How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. (Psalm 40:1-4; NASB) Do We Trust Him In This Manner? Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication. The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore, my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him. The Lord is their strength, and He is a saving defense to His anointed. Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever. (Psalm 28:6-9; A Psalm of David. NASB) See Luke 18:1-8 Remember…. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them (also Hebrews 1:14). Taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him, there is no want. NASB (Psalm 34:7-9; NASB)