Larry Lilly's Journal Needed: Very Present Fathers Vol. 17 Issue 6 June 2015
Larry & Joyce Lilly
Deuteronomy 32:7, “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.”
A group of Juvenile Delinquents have been running amok in Africa. This particular group consists of teen orphans and has grown to this stage without a present father. Like teens in the United States, absentee fathers are part of supersized social problems. Especially the males. Young men who have been bereft of Dad as a role model suffer due to having no idea as to what appropriate behavior looks like. So they maraud and do things that we see every day in major cities, schools and even our churches.
A young bull, dubbed Tom Thumb, became a major player in this crime spree. It involved harassment of visitors to the hood and the killing of several animals, one a white rhino, just because he could. Serious stuff here.
This crisis was reported first back in 1999 by Bob Simon. 60 Minutes picked it up in 2000. You see Tom Thumb was/is an elephant. He and several others were orphaned when their fathers had been killed and the young ones were then sent to a reserve to grow to maturity without fathers or any adult elephant influence. The problem was solved when the Rangers began bringing adult bull elephants to the reserve which took charge and started teaching the young bulls the facts of life. You may read the full story here http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-delinquents/
One of the greatest contributing factors to our current societal mess is the problem of absentee fathers, of all colors, absent for whatever reason, they are still absent and the family, and especially the males are paying a terrible price.
The reason for the absence doesn’t seem to matter. In many cases the father is physically present, but intellectually and emotionally distant. In some cases the boy or the mother really has not the slightest clue as to the “who” of the biological father. The boy gets a “new” father every few months. Talk about confusing signals! (This does NOT help girls either). The text verse at the beginning of this brief sermon instructs the young turks to “ask your father.” This instruction is predicated on several necessities, the father being there, the father being mature, the father caring, the father being surrounded with “elder”=good advisors, and the father himself modeling the image of a good father. Try finding such in a neighborhood predominately absent of the fathers.
Part of the father’s influence involved teaching the truth of the history of their nation. This involved the reality of the father taking the time to learn the history of the nation and through this learning becoming thankful to be a part of such a wonder. Being good at anything takes time and effort and endless repetition.
Moses instructed the fathers and leaders thusly in Deuteronomy 6:7 “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” It’s hard to miss the word, “diligently” and then pause and realize it has been several generations since fathers had/took the time to be diligent about anything except making more money or engage in time wasting foolishness to the detriment of the family. The word from Moses involved special time together as father and son going for a walk, going to get something, of doing chores together and talking, asking and answering one another’s questions. Not one of those, “sit down boy, I want to tell you something right now, you hear!” Rather a gentle conversation as you went about’…
In the early part of the last century a former professional baseball player turned preacher became the most famous and effective preacher of his era. His fame still lives in many Christian circles. On occasion his wife lamented, “Billy, you’re saving the world but our children are going to hell.” Tragically, she was more than correct. No denigration of this couple is meant, but I must warn you that the Older Bull’s absence for whatever reason is unbiblical and the young ones will suffer. Children interpret absence as just that, whether the absent father be at Joe’s Bar, Harry’s Pool Room, or long hours hugging the Bible in the pastor’s study! Balance is absolutely essential in life, even or more correctly the Christian life.
It matters not whether the family is poverty stricken in a ghetto or wealthy in a mansion, the father’s proper influence in the family is needed more than anything that may be gained by his absence. The Apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 7:33, “But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.” (Sadly Paul doesn’t give even a hint as to how to actually please the wife). However, if the father is caring for and nurturing his wife he will at the same time be nurturing the children.
God encourages us with the thought of a coming revival of reconstructed homes with this promise in Malachi 4:5, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
I realize our nation’s problems are vast and complex but I must confess that I believe efforts without Christ will come to nothing. And God promises that a great part of restoration of peace in the nation will involve fathers who are revived and they and their children have their heart set on Jesus Christ and each other. Fathers, we could start now if we will.
You will do well to keep this chilling statement concerning the apostasy of our time for the last five decades in mind:
William Holmes McGuffey explained in his “Newly Revised Rhetorical Guide,” 1853: “If you can induce a community to doubt the … authenticity of the Scriptures … whether there be an eternal state of retribution beyond the grave; or whether there exists any such being as God, you have broken down the barriers of moral virtue, and hoisted the flood-gates of immorality and crime.” LML
Jesus Christ is THE answer!
A group of Juvenile Delinquents have been running amok in Africa. This particular group consists of teen orphans and has grown to this stage without a present father. Like teens in the United States, absentee fathers are part of supersized social problems. Especially the males. Young men who have been bereft of Dad as a role model suffer due to having no idea as to what appropriate behavior looks like. So they maraud and do things that we see every day in major cities, schools and even our churches.
A young bull, dubbed Tom Thumb, became a major player in this crime spree. It involved harassment of visitors to the hood and the killing of several animals, one a white rhino, just because he could. Serious stuff here.
This crisis was reported first back in 1999 by Bob Simon. 60 Minutes picked it up in 2000. You see Tom Thumb was/is an elephant. He and several others were orphaned when their fathers had been killed and the young ones were then sent to a reserve to grow to maturity without fathers or any adult elephant influence. The problem was solved when the Rangers began bringing adult bull elephants to the reserve which took charge and started teaching the young bulls the facts of life. You may read the full story here http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-delinquents/
One of the greatest contributing factors to our current societal mess is the problem of absentee fathers, of all colors, absent for whatever reason, they are still absent and the family, and especially the males are paying a terrible price.
The reason for the absence doesn’t seem to matter. In many cases the father is physically present, but intellectually and emotionally distant. In some cases the boy or the mother really has not the slightest clue as to the “who” of the biological father. The boy gets a “new” father every few months. Talk about confusing signals! (This does NOT help girls either). The text verse at the beginning of this brief sermon instructs the young turks to “ask your father.” This instruction is predicated on several necessities, the father being there, the father being mature, the father caring, the father being surrounded with “elder”=good advisors, and the father himself modeling the image of a good father. Try finding such in a neighborhood predominately absent of the fathers.
Part of the father’s influence involved teaching the truth of the history of their nation. This involved the reality of the father taking the time to learn the history of the nation and through this learning becoming thankful to be a part of such a wonder. Being good at anything takes time and effort and endless repetition.
Moses instructed the fathers and leaders thusly in Deuteronomy 6:7 “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” It’s hard to miss the word, “diligently” and then pause and realize it has been several generations since fathers had/took the time to be diligent about anything except making more money or engage in time wasting foolishness to the detriment of the family. The word from Moses involved special time together as father and son going for a walk, going to get something, of doing chores together and talking, asking and answering one another’s questions. Not one of those, “sit down boy, I want to tell you something right now, you hear!” Rather a gentle conversation as you went about’…
In the early part of the last century a former professional baseball player turned preacher became the most famous and effective preacher of his era. His fame still lives in many Christian circles. On occasion his wife lamented, “Billy, you’re saving the world but our children are going to hell.” Tragically, she was more than correct. No denigration of this couple is meant, but I must warn you that the Older Bull’s absence for whatever reason is unbiblical and the young ones will suffer. Children interpret absence as just that, whether the absent father be at Joe’s Bar, Harry’s Pool Room, or long hours hugging the Bible in the pastor’s study! Balance is absolutely essential in life, even or more correctly the Christian life.
It matters not whether the family is poverty stricken in a ghetto or wealthy in a mansion, the father’s proper influence in the family is needed more than anything that may be gained by his absence. The Apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 7:33, “But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.” (Sadly Paul doesn’t give even a hint as to how to actually please the wife). However, if the father is caring for and nurturing his wife he will at the same time be nurturing the children.
God encourages us with the thought of a coming revival of reconstructed homes with this promise in Malachi 4:5, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
I realize our nation’s problems are vast and complex but I must confess that I believe efforts without Christ will come to nothing. And God promises that a great part of restoration of peace in the nation will involve fathers who are revived and they and their children have their heart set on Jesus Christ and each other. Fathers, we could start now if we will.
You will do well to keep this chilling statement concerning the apostasy of our time for the last five decades in mind:
William Holmes McGuffey explained in his “Newly Revised Rhetorical Guide,” 1853: “If you can induce a community to doubt the … authenticity of the Scriptures … whether there be an eternal state of retribution beyond the grave; or whether there exists any such being as God, you have broken down the barriers of moral virtue, and hoisted the flood-gates of immorality and crime.” LML
Jesus Christ is THE answer!
The Book Worm's Corner Comments From Helpful Books Joyce Lilly
Joyce Lilly TgB
The Baby, the Basket and the Blessing. Jeremy Coombes . Do the Work Publications, 7991 S. Lafayette Street, Rosedale, IN 47874. Pgs. No price given.
This small booklet is a long sermon, but one you will read without even thinking about putting it down. With the Supreme Court of the United States ruling on gay marriage etc, God’s people are faced with simple but in many cases terrifying decisions.
When baby Moses was born Pharaoh had put out an edit that all male babies where to be murdered. Jeremy walks the reader through the agony of what to do, obey Pharaoh or obey God? On paper the decision is easy. In reality? This book encourages those of a true biblical mind to obey God rather than man when spiritual values conflict with the law of the land.
Evangelist Coombes states on page 4, “Once more we live in dark days. Evil abounds, God is forsaken, and Christians are sacrificing their own families to the world, not only physically but even more so spiritually. What is the answer? The answer is the same as it was in Egypt. The answer is the same as it was in Bethlehem under Roman rule. The answer is Jesus which “lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:9).
Concerning the decisions of the parents of Moses, Jeremy states, “Faith never walks the crowded way.”
This booklet is much needed by God’s people in these times of serious choices.
I hope you will contact Evangelist Jeremy Coombs at his listed address and get several copies of this helpful well written book for these times. JDL.
This small booklet is a long sermon, but one you will read without even thinking about putting it down. With the Supreme Court of the United States ruling on gay marriage etc, God’s people are faced with simple but in many cases terrifying decisions.
When baby Moses was born Pharaoh had put out an edit that all male babies where to be murdered. Jeremy walks the reader through the agony of what to do, obey Pharaoh or obey God? On paper the decision is easy. In reality? This book encourages those of a true biblical mind to obey God rather than man when spiritual values conflict with the law of the land.
Evangelist Coombes states on page 4, “Once more we live in dark days. Evil abounds, God is forsaken, and Christians are sacrificing their own families to the world, not only physically but even more so spiritually. What is the answer? The answer is the same as it was in Egypt. The answer is the same as it was in Bethlehem under Roman rule. The answer is Jesus which “lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:9).
Concerning the decisions of the parents of Moses, Jeremy states, “Faith never walks the crowded way.”
This booklet is much needed by God’s people in these times of serious choices.
I hope you will contact Evangelist Jeremy Coombs at his listed address and get several copies of this helpful well written book for these times. JDL.
Letters & Comments
Larry,
Thank you, almost like you knew where I was. Last night I got your response and was going to answer, "Things are good just trying to keep work going and being self employed there are some scary times when you don't know when you are going to get that call and have a big job, Just keep praying and keeping my trust in the Lord is all I can do right now. "
I didn't send the response. When I got home and checked my email... there you were with the right read for me at this time. Thank you.
I think my DAD and MOM are in heaven rejoicing that I am working on being closer to the Lord. I've been praying more often and am going back to church this Sunday. I grew up with Christ all around me. I think for a certain time I believed that was enough. Knowing Christ and not serving him properly is worse than not knowing him at all.
Thank you again. I am a work in progress but I am working on it. Please keep your devotionals coming. J.G.
Editor’s Note: I have known this man for most of his life and I thrilled to get this letter. His Dad and Mom were truly people of God and I miss them. LML
A Note from my cousin:
Abortion is our national tragedy and a national sin. Putting abortion since Roe vs. Wade into perspective, we have killed 60 million babies: 1-2/3 times the entire population of Canada, the entire population of Italy, 1/2 the entire population of Mexico, 1-1/2 times the entire population of California, or 7 times the entire population of New York City. It is difficult to imagine what our country would be like if we had not murdered 1/5 of our entire population: social security, industry, inventions, medical cures, etc., things we will never know. God have mercy on the United States of America.
Douglas C. Branham (AKA Dancing Bull)
Good Morning Rev. Lilly,
I am thoroughly enjoying your book! Forgiveness has been a battle for me as many others. This book helps to keep in the forefront Christ's sacrificial death and why he died for us. We can't be so arrogant to think we can't forgive.
One statement you made in your book really hit me "Failure to forgive is actually failure to trust God will work things out" and you quoted Romans 8:28. I never thought of the scripture applying to forgiveness. It makes so much sense!
Wow how did I miss it! I'm sure I will receive many revelations from your book. Thank you for allowing God to use you as his servant to touch the lives of others. Blessings!
Love in Christ, R.M.
Editor’s Note: If you have not bought a copy of Outrageous Forgiveness in 30 Days, the book mentioned above, you really do need to do it now. Read a little more about it here
http://www.larrylilly.net/outrageous-forgiveness.html
My late Mother said it was the best book she ever read! LML
****
I am very anxious about Charles & KanjengoMasumba. In what way can any of us here in Oregon help these two men suffering in an African Prison do for them? Our situations are no comparison as we have all we need and so much more. I want to get everyone here in prison with me and the girls to help these men anyway we can. God bless. J.E. and S.H.
Editors Note: Hold these two women in your prayers as they, from prison try to help others. LML
Thank you, almost like you knew where I was. Last night I got your response and was going to answer, "Things are good just trying to keep work going and being self employed there are some scary times when you don't know when you are going to get that call and have a big job, Just keep praying and keeping my trust in the Lord is all I can do right now. "
I didn't send the response. When I got home and checked my email... there you were with the right read for me at this time. Thank you.
I think my DAD and MOM are in heaven rejoicing that I am working on being closer to the Lord. I've been praying more often and am going back to church this Sunday. I grew up with Christ all around me. I think for a certain time I believed that was enough. Knowing Christ and not serving him properly is worse than not knowing him at all.
Thank you again. I am a work in progress but I am working on it. Please keep your devotionals coming. J.G.
Editor’s Note: I have known this man for most of his life and I thrilled to get this letter. His Dad and Mom were truly people of God and I miss them. LML
A Note from my cousin:
Abortion is our national tragedy and a national sin. Putting abortion since Roe vs. Wade into perspective, we have killed 60 million babies: 1-2/3 times the entire population of Canada, the entire population of Italy, 1/2 the entire population of Mexico, 1-1/2 times the entire population of California, or 7 times the entire population of New York City. It is difficult to imagine what our country would be like if we had not murdered 1/5 of our entire population: social security, industry, inventions, medical cures, etc., things we will never know. God have mercy on the United States of America.
Douglas C. Branham (AKA Dancing Bull)
Good Morning Rev. Lilly,
I am thoroughly enjoying your book! Forgiveness has been a battle for me as many others. This book helps to keep in the forefront Christ's sacrificial death and why he died for us. We can't be so arrogant to think we can't forgive.
One statement you made in your book really hit me "Failure to forgive is actually failure to trust God will work things out" and you quoted Romans 8:28. I never thought of the scripture applying to forgiveness. It makes so much sense!
Wow how did I miss it! I'm sure I will receive many revelations from your book. Thank you for allowing God to use you as his servant to touch the lives of others. Blessings!
Love in Christ, R.M.
Editor’s Note: If you have not bought a copy of Outrageous Forgiveness in 30 Days, the book mentioned above, you really do need to do it now. Read a little more about it here
http://www.larrylilly.net/outrageous-forgiveness.html
My late Mother said it was the best book she ever read! LML
****
I am very anxious about Charles & KanjengoMasumba. In what way can any of us here in Oregon help these two men suffering in an African Prison do for them? Our situations are no comparison as we have all we need and so much more. I want to get everyone here in prison with me and the girls to help these men anyway we can. God bless. J.E. and S.H.
Editors Note: Hold these two women in your prayers as they, from prison try to help others. LML
Thoughts From a Distinguist Guest: Dale Byers
Pastor Dale Byers
ARE YOU TIRED YET? Pastor Dale Byers
As a young man I soon learned that it is a good feeling to go to bed tired. After a day of hard work, the muscles have been strained and your strength depleted, you finally lay the body down in bed to rest. That is a good feeling that comes from earning a good rest.
My friend Jim Carrier spent his life working hard for God. His physical and emotional strength had been depleted. Near his death he declared, “I’m tired.” Well, when I die I want to die tired, like Jim. Tired from working for Christ.
I also want to die standing. It is good to be tired from standing just as it is good to be tired from working. There is a passage that speaks of a master who needed servants to work in his vineyard. It is a parable of Christ seeking servants for His kingdom: Matt. 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.”
In this master’s search for servants he found many possibilities but they were doing nothing, standing idle (vs. 6). What an embarrassing question the master posed to those men, “Why do you stand here idle all the day?” When confronted about their useless standing, they simply replied, “No man has hired us.” How is it that they were in the kingdom, knowing that the vineyard needed workers, but they chose to stand in the marketplace and ignore the few faithful workers who were overwhelmed in the vineyard? The marketplace is comfortable and filled with pleasures. The vineyard is hard work.
Most pastors discover the 80/20 principle in local churches: that is 20% of the people do 80% of the work and 80% of the people do 20% of the work. When pastors approach individuals to help with some of the responsibilities, some choose the option to “stand idly by.” They would rather remain in the marketplace of the world than to work and become tired in the vineyard.
It is much like Acts 1:9-11 When Christ gave the great commission to the disciples and instructed them to take the glorious Gospel of salvation to all the world. After Christ ascended, two angels confronted the disciples with this probing question: “Why stand you gazing up into heaven? “ They should be busy with their business of taking the Gospel to a perishing world not standing idle.
When I die, I don’t want to be standing idle, but I do want to be found standing. I want to stand for some things; stand against some things and above all to stand with Christ.
STAND IN THE LORD: Phil. 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
STAND IN THE FAITH: 1 Cor. 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
STAND IN THE LIBERTY: Gal. 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ as made us free, and do not be untangled again with the yoke of bondage.
STAND IN THE SPIRIT: Phil. 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
STAND VICTORIOUSLY: Eph. 6:11Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
So we ask, how in the world can we stand when everyone and everything is trying to knock us down? Compromise is always a temptation and discouragement is always an easy avenue but leads to defeat. The world, the flesh and the devil all counsel for us to take it easy, to sit down and enjoy the pleasures of the marketplace and let others do the vineyard work. After all how is it possible to do such work anyway?
When God asks us to do something, He will provide a way by doing His work through us. He does enable us to stand (1 Cor. 15:1)
1. We have God’s promise that if we stand fast then He will do it Himself through us: (Rom. 14:4; 1 Cor. 2:5)
2. Only by God’s Gospel can we stand faithfully:
(1 Peter 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:1)
3. Only through God’s power can we stand victoriously for Him: (Eph. 6:11)
4. Only by God’s grace will we have sufficient power to stand: (Eph. 6:10-14; 1 Peter 5:12)
5. Only by God’s strength can we stand free from the powers that would bind us: (Gal. 5:1; 1 Peter 5:12)
6. Only with prayer can we stand mature and fully equipped to serve: (Col 4:12)
7. Only by being responsible through God’s grace can we bravely stand fast in love: (1 Cor. 16:13-14. 2 Cor. 1:24)
8. Only by standing in Christ can we find the joy of victory: 2 Cor. 1:24; 1 Cor. 15:57-58)
When I die I want to die standing, but I am not dead yet and I must make a choice with the life that I have today. God help me to live standing. Dale Byers
***
“Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating...too often fathers neglect it because they get so caught up in making a living they forget to make a life.” Coach Wooden.
*******
Since my last letter numerous things are happening in our country, many that are beyond the pale. The DOJ is investigating several communities about police brutality. As I write police officers around the country are being slaughtered while making traffic stops, or simply sitting in their cars. The actions and speeches of the Politicos are said to be instigating the murders of the men in blue. In some cases I think this is true. In our day we are living in a replica of the days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorra and the American Wild West. Those of us who call ourselves Christian must stand up for Jesus and biblical truths that when practiced will solve the problems at the root, the evil lurking in the human heart. Christ changes the heart ! LML
*****************
Please Pray for and support this ministry. The Joournal literally goes all around the world. We have only two sources of support. Jesus Christ and His people. I sincerely hope that you will consider regular prayer and monthly support for this work of faith. My address:
Larry Lilly
P.O. Box 5212
Terre Haute, IN 47805
larrylilly@larrylilly.net
As a young man I soon learned that it is a good feeling to go to bed tired. After a day of hard work, the muscles have been strained and your strength depleted, you finally lay the body down in bed to rest. That is a good feeling that comes from earning a good rest.
My friend Jim Carrier spent his life working hard for God. His physical and emotional strength had been depleted. Near his death he declared, “I’m tired.” Well, when I die I want to die tired, like Jim. Tired from working for Christ.
I also want to die standing. It is good to be tired from standing just as it is good to be tired from working. There is a passage that speaks of a master who needed servants to work in his vineyard. It is a parable of Christ seeking servants for His kingdom: Matt. 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.”
In this master’s search for servants he found many possibilities but they were doing nothing, standing idle (vs. 6). What an embarrassing question the master posed to those men, “Why do you stand here idle all the day?” When confronted about their useless standing, they simply replied, “No man has hired us.” How is it that they were in the kingdom, knowing that the vineyard needed workers, but they chose to stand in the marketplace and ignore the few faithful workers who were overwhelmed in the vineyard? The marketplace is comfortable and filled with pleasures. The vineyard is hard work.
Most pastors discover the 80/20 principle in local churches: that is 20% of the people do 80% of the work and 80% of the people do 20% of the work. When pastors approach individuals to help with some of the responsibilities, some choose the option to “stand idly by.” They would rather remain in the marketplace of the world than to work and become tired in the vineyard.
It is much like Acts 1:9-11 When Christ gave the great commission to the disciples and instructed them to take the glorious Gospel of salvation to all the world. After Christ ascended, two angels confronted the disciples with this probing question: “Why stand you gazing up into heaven? “ They should be busy with their business of taking the Gospel to a perishing world not standing idle.
When I die, I don’t want to be standing idle, but I do want to be found standing. I want to stand for some things; stand against some things and above all to stand with Christ.
STAND IN THE LORD: Phil. 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
STAND IN THE FAITH: 1 Cor. 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
STAND IN THE LIBERTY: Gal. 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ as made us free, and do not be untangled again with the yoke of bondage.
STAND IN THE SPIRIT: Phil. 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
STAND VICTORIOUSLY: Eph. 6:11Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
So we ask, how in the world can we stand when everyone and everything is trying to knock us down? Compromise is always a temptation and discouragement is always an easy avenue but leads to defeat. The world, the flesh and the devil all counsel for us to take it easy, to sit down and enjoy the pleasures of the marketplace and let others do the vineyard work. After all how is it possible to do such work anyway?
When God asks us to do something, He will provide a way by doing His work through us. He does enable us to stand (1 Cor. 15:1)
1. We have God’s promise that if we stand fast then He will do it Himself through us: (Rom. 14:4; 1 Cor. 2:5)
2. Only by God’s Gospel can we stand faithfully:
(1 Peter 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:1)
3. Only through God’s power can we stand victoriously for Him: (Eph. 6:11)
4. Only by God’s grace will we have sufficient power to stand: (Eph. 6:10-14; 1 Peter 5:12)
5. Only by God’s strength can we stand free from the powers that would bind us: (Gal. 5:1; 1 Peter 5:12)
6. Only with prayer can we stand mature and fully equipped to serve: (Col 4:12)
7. Only by being responsible through God’s grace can we bravely stand fast in love: (1 Cor. 16:13-14. 2 Cor. 1:24)
8. Only by standing in Christ can we find the joy of victory: 2 Cor. 1:24; 1 Cor. 15:57-58)
When I die I want to die standing, but I am not dead yet and I must make a choice with the life that I have today. God help me to live standing. Dale Byers
***
“Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating...too often fathers neglect it because they get so caught up in making a living they forget to make a life.” Coach Wooden.
*******
Since my last letter numerous things are happening in our country, many that are beyond the pale. The DOJ is investigating several communities about police brutality. As I write police officers around the country are being slaughtered while making traffic stops, or simply sitting in their cars. The actions and speeches of the Politicos are said to be instigating the murders of the men in blue. In some cases I think this is true. In our day we are living in a replica of the days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorra and the American Wild West. Those of us who call ourselves Christian must stand up for Jesus and biblical truths that when practiced will solve the problems at the root, the evil lurking in the human heart. Christ changes the heart ! LML
*****************
Please Pray for and support this ministry. The Joournal literally goes all around the world. We have only two sources of support. Jesus Christ and His people. I sincerely hope that you will consider regular prayer and monthly support for this work of faith. My address:
Larry Lilly
P.O. Box 5212
Terre Haute, IN 47805
larrylilly@larrylilly.net