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#27/ 10-Sep-2000
P O S I T I V E W O R D S
Editor: Peter Wade
----- http://www.peterwade.com/ -----
----- http://www.peterwade.com/ -----
... helping you discover who you really are!
IN THIS ISSUE...
1. New this month
2. "In Christ" seminars
3. Songs I Remember
4. Positive Words for Today
5. Searchlights from the Word
6. Bible Study Outlines
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1. n e w t h i s m o n t h
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FOR YOU TO LISTEN ...
"For Richer, For Poorer" by Peter Wade -- the fourth session
of the "Living is Giving" series. Based on Proverbs 11:24, "One
gives away, and still he grows the richer; another keeps what he
should give, and is the poorer" (Moffatt). We are either giving
or grasping! In this fourth session, learn the difference between
the Old and New testament ways of giving. Listen online --
< http://www.peterwade.com/modules.php?name=zina > (28:02).
The first three sessions are still online for you to study.
FOR YOU TO READ ...
"In Christ" by E. Stanley Jones
Paul, the greatest interpreter of Christianity, fastens upon the
phrase "in Christ" and uses it in his epistles ninety-seven times
-- more than all the rest put together. With deep insight he saw
that this was the ultimate phrase, dividing all humanity into two
classes, "in Christ" and "out of Christ"; so that his world was
not divided by B.C. and A.D., but into I.C. and O.C. -- "In
Christ," and "Outside Christ." Those "in Christ" have life, those
"Outside Christ" have death. -- Read the full article online...
< http://www.peterwade.com/articles/other/inchrsj1.shtml >
Also read sample daily devotions from his book "In Christ".
< http://www.peterwade.com/articles/other/inchrsj2.shtml >.
For advanced Bible students...
"The Great Cloud of Witnesses" by E.W. Bullinger
An exposition of Hebrews chapter 11.
The scope of the whole passage is an exhortation to patient
endurance in view of the promises. This exhortation is based on
the faithfulness of the Promiser (10:23), and the examples of
faith are shown in those who "lived by faith" (chapter 11). The
pivot on which the whole turns is the quotation from Habbakuk
2:4, "The just shall live by faith."
This is quoted three times in the New Testament, and each
time the emphasis is on a different word --
Romans 1:17. "The just shall live by FAITH."
Galatians 3:11. "The JUST shall live by faith."
Hebrews 10:38. "The just shall LIVE by faith."
Read the whole article online ...
< http://www.peterwade.com/articles/bullingr/cloud01.shtml >.
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2. " i n C h r i s t " s e m i n a r s r e p o r t
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Three seminars were held in August in Cleveland OH, Petaluma CA,
and Tacoma WA. Here are two reports from attendees...
"On the 12th and 13th of August the saints gathered at the
Hampton Inn, North Olmstead, for a two-day, seven-session "In
Christ" seminar, led by Dr. Peter Wade, a very capable scholar
and teacher of the Word of God. Those attending came from all
parts of the country: New York, California, Colorado, Ohio,
Indiana, and even from Florida -- driving over 1500 miles, two
days each way to attend these sessions. We thank the staff who
made all this possible. First Bill Morgan, "The Organizer", who
after many phone calls got this seminar finalized. He also taught
one session. Next we have Rev. Steve Heefner, retired disc jockey
with the ability to put across a point so you will not forget it
soon. And of course we have Dr. Wade, without whom this seminar
would not have been put into action. Also thanks to our hostess
for this seminar, Kathy Barksdale. She also opened all the
sessions with her vivid cheerleading style, leading us all in
sang of praise and glory toward our Lord, and then furnished the
saints with the food that was served for breakfast and also
lunch.
As to the seminar itself we were taught so much, the In Christ
and Christ in us. Where ever we are, God is, and we can converse
with Him right there on the spot. Of course Dr. Wade emphasized
as he always does, that we are a New Creation and Old Things are
passed away, which literally means they are gone, out of sight,
good-bye! We are not humans having our bodies repaired like you
would a house, no, we are possessor of a brand new Spirit that
will never die, although still housed in this old physical body
of ours. It cannot get any newer than what we received. As Peter
Wade taught the last session emphasizing the New Creation facts
as he always does, bringing this seminar to a close, as the
saints all departed one by one, good-byes with misty eyes, but
knowing these days will be remembered for as long as we live."
-- Lorain, Ohio.
"This past weekend was awesome! I have a whole new outlook on
life! Peter's teachings have inspired me to start studying more
than I usually do. I am going to put away distractions that are
not profitable to my soul, like tv, and study the word more. I
can't express how renewed my mind is after that refreshing
weekend. The "In Christ" Seminar in Tacoma really blessed my
soul! I am so refreshed and ready to live more abundantly with my
knowledge of Christ in me. I was also blessed to just be there,
since we were financially strapped at the time. Someone in Christ
paid my bill! Thank you very much for the wonderful, blessed
weekend, and God bless you both. You will be in my thoughts
daily." -- Portland, Oregon.
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3. s o n g s I r e m e m b e r
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Our hymn this month is not widely known, yet loaded with powerful
truth. Written in 1876 by Jean Sophia Pigott, an Irish woman, and
set to a tune by an Baptist minister in England, it is perhaps
based on Psalm 37:7, "Rest in the Lord". What a need there is for
this today! This hymn is said to have been one of the favorites
of Hudson Taylor, the well-known missionary to China, and it is
recorded that he sang it softly to himself while the Boxer
uprising destroyed mission stations around him.
Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee, and Thy beauty fills my soul,
For, by Thy transforming power, Thou hast made me whole.
Oh, how great Thy loving kindness, Vaster, broader than the sea!
Oh, how marvellous Thy goodness lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved, Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise, And have made it mine.
Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art;
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless, satisfies my heart --
Satisfies its deepest longings, meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings! Thine is love indeed!
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4. p o s i t i v e w o r d s f o r t o d a y
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THE SECOND STEP ON THE LADDER
(Peter Wade)
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).
Why is it important to receive guidance from God? Because success
in life comes to the human being not by instinct but by ideas.
Animals operate almost solely by deep instincts, some of which
are aroused by outward circumstances. Humans, in addition to
having basic instincts such as food and survival, are able to use
ideas for their endeavors, independent of outward circumstances.
For that reason it rings true for me that I will receive the best
guidance for my ideas by listening to God
Once I have become quiet and ceased from the rush of this
world I am ready for the second step in receiving guidance from
God. Staying [KJV] or fixing the mind on God will bring that long
sought-for peace, that calmness in the midst of confusion.
How do I fix my mind on God? I need to fill my mind with
thoughts about God -- Who He is, His nature, His concepts. Then I
will consider what He has given me -- His peace, His health, His
righteousness.
"Staying" or fixing my mind on God is really just another way
of saying "meditate." I must consider God's Word as my guide.
The simple act of meditation, as revealed in The Psalms, the Book
of Proverbs, and many other parts of the Old Testament, is
eloquent testimony of the value of meditation or fixing my mind
on God. (From "You Are A New Creation", Chapter 4, adapted by
Hildy Matthews.)
AFFIRMATION: The more I deliberately soak up God's Word, the more
readily I recognize God's guidance for my next move forward.
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*** Australian Bible Conference ***
JANUARY 5-11, 2001 (Fri-Thur)
At Halls Gap, Victoria, Australia, with believers from USA,
Australia, etc. Come and enjoy summer "down under".
Our speakers: Dr. Norman Campbell, Dr. Peter Wade. Motel-
style accommodation in the beautiful Grampian Mountains
of western Victoria, Australia.
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5. s e a r c h l i g h t s f r o m t h e W o r d
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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 this spot
each issue we reproduce a comment from one verse in every chapter
of the Bible. We continue with Paul's first letter to the
Thessalonians.
"Hereunto we are appointed" (I Thessalonians 3:3).
The "hereunto" refers to "afflictions." These Thessalonian
Christians were in circumstances of actual suffering, resulting
from persecution by their own countrymen. Through these trials
they had stood fast. Paul was full of joy because this was so,
but was desiring to hearten and strengthen them in their loyalty.
This he did, first, by reminding them that the churches in Judea
had suffered in the same way at the hands of their kinsmen. Then
he made this declaration: "Hereunto we are appointed."
Surveying the whole Christian movement, he saw suffering
everywhere as the result of loyalty to the faith; and he did not
conceive of it merely as something to be endured. He saw God
ruling over all, and knew that this pathway of pain was a
Divinely-arranged one. Therefore he realized that the sufferings
of all Christian souls were not only within His knowledge; they
were in His plan for His people. They were appointed to
affliction.
The word "appointed" here is the emphatic word. In affliction
the saints are where God has put them, and they are there for
purposes within the counsel of His will. It is patent that Paul
was thinking in the realm of the Cross. As the sufferings of
Christ were all by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of
God, and that in order to the accomplishment of His redemptive
purpose, so all the affliction of those who followed Christ were
of the same fellowship, and those enduring them were workers
together with God.
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6. B i b l e s t u d y o u t l i n e s
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These Bible Study outlines come from the excellent book by F.E.
Marsh, "1,000 Bible Study Outlines".
BUSINESS
"Not slothful in business" (Rom. xii. 11)
In all our business it is well that we mind the Lord's business.
His injunction to us as His servants is: "Do business till I
come," for when He returns He will want to know "what business"
we "have done" (Rotherham's translation of Luke xix. 13, 15).
The word for "business" in Romans xii. 11, is rendered "haste,"
"diligence," "carefulness," "forwardness," and "earnest care."
Our business for the Lord should be done --
1. With a set purpose, as Mary when she went with "haste" into
the hill country -- Luke i. 39.
2. With "diligence," as he who "ruleth" is exhorted to do -- Rom.
xii. 8.
3. With "care," as in the sight of God -- II Cor. vii. 12.
4. With attention to detail, as Paul recognised, when he spoke of
the "carefulness" of the saints' repentance in Corinth -- II Cor.
vii. 11.
5. With earnestness, as in the case of Titus, when the apostle
recognised the "earnest care" in him -- II Cor. viii. 16.
6. With specific aim, as the Spirit enjoins believers to give
"diligence" to add to their faith -- II Peter i. 5.
7. With the main object in all "business" to be serving the Lord
-- Rom. xii. ii.
CALLED OUT OF EGYPT -- Exodus ix. 1
The call has a double application. It was a call to Pharaoh: "Let
My people go that they may serve Me," and it was a call to the
Israelites to get out of Egypt.
1. It was a call based upon God's covenant with Abraham, to give
to him and his seed the promised land -- Exod. vi. 2-4.
2. It was a call of deliverance, for Jehovah had determined to
deliver Israel from the burden and bondage of Egypt -- Exod. vi.
5, 6.
3. It was a call based on sacrifice, as the whole of Exodus xii.
depicts in the Passover ordinance.
4. It was a call based on promise, for Jehovah had said, "I will
take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God" (Exod.
vi. 7).
5. It was a call associated with what Jehovah calls "a
difference" which He put "between the Egyptians and Israel"
(Exod. xi. 7).
6. It was a call illustrating power, for the night of Israel's
deliverance was an exhibition of the right hand of God's
delivering grace for Israel, and His outstretched arm of judgment
against the Egyptians -- Exod. xii. 42.
7. It was a call associated with a memorial feast to remind
Israel of what Jehovah had done in bringing them out of Egyptian
bondage -- Exod. xii. 43-51.
CALLING -- CONDUCT
Remember what you are called, and be what you are --
1. As a Saint. Be holy -- Rom. i. 7; I Cor. i. 2.
2. As a Christian. Be Christlike -- Acts xi. 26.
3. As Salt. Be pungent -- Matt. v. 13.
4. As a Light. Be true -- Matt. v. 14.
5. As an Epistle. Be legible -- II Cor. iii. 2.
6. As a Soldier. Be valiant -- II Tim. ii. 3.
7. As a Child. Be obedient -- I Peter i. 14, 15.
"CANDLES" AND "LAMPS"
The word for "candle" is rendered "lamp" (Exod. xxvii. 20) and
"light" (II Sam. xxi. 17).
1. A Lighted Candle. "Thou wilt light my candle" (Psa. xviii.
28).
2. A Supplied Lamp. "Oil to cause the lamp to burn" (Exod. xxvii.
20).
3. An Ordained Lamp. "I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed"
(Psa. cxxxii. 17).
4. A Constant Lamp. "Her lamp goeth not out" (Prov. xxxi. 18).
5. A Protected Lamp. "That thou quench not the light of Israel"
(II Sam. xxi. 17).
6. A Used Lamp. "Search Jerusalem with candles" (Zeph. i. 12).
7. An Extinguished Lamp. "The lamp of the wicked shall be put
out" (Prov. xiii. 9).
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THANKS for reading Positive Words. Please share it with a friend!
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(c) 2000 Peter Wade
http://www.peterwade.com/
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"IN CHRIST" QUOTE FOR TODAY
