____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ April 19, 1992 ____________________________________________________ "In Everything Give Thanks" by Tom Edwards Paul's letter to the Philippians, which contains the word ``rejoice'' eight times, has often been referred to as ``an epistle of joy.'' Ironically, however, this uplifting message was written while Paul was confined in prison. Obviously, the apostle did not base his joy primarily on external circumstances--but rather on the living God whom no one could bar from the door of Paul's heart. Exhorting the saints in Philippians 3:1, Paul writes: ``Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.'' If we would but take this command to heart and strive to fulfill it daily, when would we have time to murmur or complain? A Christian, though often confronted with sad or adverse circumstances, can always find consolation in the Lord and abide in hope and gratitude, regardless of negative, external factors. When Paul and Silas came to Philippi to proclaim the gospel, they were soon taken before the authorities, struck numerously with rods, thrown into the inner prison, and had their feet fastened in the stocks. Yet, near the midnight hour, while their bodies probably still ached severely from the ``many'' blows they had earlier received, they spent that time ``praying and singing hymns of praise to God'' (Acts 16:25). Though their bodies were confined, their hearts were filled with the joy and freedom of God's Spirit; and because of this, they could be thankful while even in such an adverse situation. Though in the world there can be tragedies, griefs, and despair, in the Lord there can be exultation and joy unspeakable--a rejoicing that is not contingent upon material things. How encouraging it is to read of those faithful followers of God who were able to accept joyfully the seizure of their property (Heb. 11:34). These saints exemplify for us that God's word can work in the heart of the believer (Phil. 2:12,13) to help keep him elevated with inner peace, contentment, and joy over any ill-fortunes or other trials of life. Corresponding to this thought of giving thanks in any circumstance, consider the following: 1 Thess. 5:18, ``in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'' We can not give thanks for all the sinful things that happen in our world--but we can give thanks in spite of these terrible events. If someone were to steal the Christian's belongings, he can give thanks that he has imperishable ``belongings'' in heaven that cannot be stolen. When the world seems filled with so much injustice, the child of God can be thankful that there is a day coming when the Judge of all the world will render His verdict and execute His judgments. The above passage, therefore, does not mean we are to be thankful for sinful activities that might affect us directly, indirectly, or even not at all. Sin is never something one can be grateful for. In 1 Corinthians 13:6, where Paul is defining part of love's admirable quality, he includes that it ``does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.'' This we see exemplified in Jesus, our example, whom God's word exalts as being One who ``hast loved righteousness, and hated lawlessness'' (Heb. 1:9). We must also remember that even the evil can sometimes be used to bring about God's will--though we can never justify the evil. Examples of this are plenteous in the Bible. Consider the following: 1) The jealousy of Joseph's own brothers that prompted them to sell Joseph into slavery. (Though they meant it for harm, God was able to use Joseph down in Egypt to help save a multitude from starvation.) 2) God used the blood-thirsty nation of Assyria to bring punishment upon the northern kingdom of Israel. According to Isaiah 10:5-7, Assyria is referred to as ``the rod of My anger.'' Yet, though used as an instrument of God to inflict His wrath upon His disobedient children, Assryia was not aware that it was doing this as part of God's will--for it was a belligerent nation to begin with and ``it is its purpose to destroy, and to cut off many nations.'' 3) The very ones who were responsible for and consenting to the death of Christ are spoken of as being ``murderers'' (Acts 7:52). What sin could ever be worse than putting to death the innocent and divine Son of God? Again, we see that God's plan could not be thwarted by the wicked. For by their cruel hatred and murderous actions--though we can never justify or condone their wickedness, they fulfilled the prophecies that relate to the Lord's dying for the sins of the world and becoming--through His death--the atonement. When Christians are persecuted unjustly, whether physically or verbally, they can know that if they remain faithful to God, these trials and testings can help strengthen their faith and, thus, be used for their good. James, therefore, encourages the brethren to ``Consider it all joy...when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance'' (James 1:2,3). And Peter informs the brethren that they don't have to think it a ``strange thing'' or be surprised when they encounter ``fiery trials''--rather, they are to ``keep on rejoicing'' to the ``degree that (they) share the sufferings of Christ'' (1 Pet. 4:12,13). He continues by saying ''...if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God'' (1 Pet. 4:16). Regardless of what happens to us in our lives, if we are faithful to God then there is always something in which we can show to God our appreciation for. As the Hebrew writer instructs in Hebrews 13:15, ``Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.'' Are you thankful unto the Lord this day? As we have seen in these verses, we don't have to have everything ``working out our way'' before we can praise God. Maybe the car has broken down, the washer needs to be repaired, and the drains have become clogged. We don't have to let this get us down. It can be a good school of patience for us. As Paul writes in Romans 8:28, ``And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.'' ``What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?...Who shall separate us from the love of God? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord'' (Rom. 8:31,35,38,39). Yes, the Christian has plenty of reasons to give thanks unto the Lord for the good that He does and continues to do. ____________________________________________ "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride" (Psa. 46:1-3). "I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Thy wonders. I will be glad and exult in Thee; I will sing praise to Thy name, O Most High" (Psa. 9:1,2). ___________________________________________ Many People Are Into Horoscopes, Astrology, and Palm Reading as a Religion. Is There Any Scripture For or Against Anything Like This? by Bob Buchanon Since all three of these operate on basically the same principle, I will define only one of them. Astrology is the "pseudo science claiming to foretell the future by studying the supposed influence of the moon, sun, and stars on human affairs" (Webster's New World Dictionary). The Bible condemns astrology by principle and by name. Those who respect the teaching of the Bible reject this superstition. Through Moses, God revealed His attitude toward various occult practices: "There shall not be found among you anyone who...uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord" (Deut. 18:10-12). The worthlessness of astrology is indicated in Isaiah 47:12-14, where the Lord challenged, "Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries...Let now thy astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee...Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame." Sorcery, which is connected with astrology in the Old Testament, is condemned as sin which will send its practitioners to hell (Gal. 5:19-21). Astrology gradually enslaves the lives of those who are intrigued by it. Astrology de-emphasizes the Son of God and substitutes the sun, moon, and stars. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________