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April 2004

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Forty-Fourth Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church Meets May 19, 20, 21, 2004 at the Mississippi Campground and Headquarters Beginning at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Collins, Mississippi

Sir Francis Newport was trained in early life to understand the great truths of the gospel; and while in early manhood it was hoped that he would become an ornament and a blessing to his family and the nation, the result was far otherwise. He fell into company that corrupted his principles and his morals. He became and avowed infidel, and a life of dissipation soon brought on a disease that was incurable. When he felt that that he must die, he threw himself on the bed, and after a brief pause, he exclaimed as follows: “Whence this war in my heart? What argument is there now to assist me against matters of fact? Do I assert that there is no hell, while I feel one in my own bosom? Am I certain there is no after retribution, when I feel present judgment?... O that any one would restore unto me that ancient gourd of Piety and innocence! Wretch that I am, whiter shall I flee from this breast? What will become of me?”

An infidel companion tried to dispel his thoughts, to whom he replied: “That there is a God, I know, because I continually feel the effects of His wrath; that there is a hell I am equally certain, having received an earnest of my inheritance there already in my breast; that there is a natural conscience I now feel with horror and amazement, being continually upbraided by it with my impieties, and all my iniquities, and all my sins brought to my remembrance. O that I was to lie upon ether fire that never is quenched a thousand years, to purchase the favour of God, and be reunited to Him again! But it is a fruitless wish. Millions of millions of years will bring me no nearer to the end of my torments that one poor hour. O, eternity, eternity! Who can paraphrase upon these words –forever and ever?” Soon after, his voice failing, and uttering a groan of inexpressible horror, he cried out, “Oh, the insufferable pangs of Hell!” and died at once, dropping into the very hell of which God gave him such an awful earnest –

Dying testimonies of Saved and Unsaved

Alfred the Great (839-899) was one of England’s finest kings. At the age of thirteen he learned and as he read the Gospels he began to compose songs from the words of scripture. As a young man Alfred came to see that he was a sinner and he trusted in Jesus Christ as his Savior.

Alfred was crowned king in 871. He was very busy but he made time to read his Bible each morning. Alfred was able to do this because although the Bible was in Latin he had learned the Latin language. The ordinary people, however, could not read Latin and so they could not read the Bible. The common language of the people was Anglo Saxon (the English of that day) and Alfred set about translating the Bible into Anglos Saxon so that others could read it for themselves. He did not have time to complete this task but he did translate the Psalms and many other portions of Scripture into Anglo Saxon.

Alfred lived a good Christian life. He prohibited drunkenness and bad language in his Court and his nickname was the “truth teller” because he was so honest. King Alfred prepared a system of laws for the country and right at the start of these laws he placed the Ten Commandments. His laws were based on the Bible and they included laws to protect the Lord’s Day. These were the first British laws on Sunday observance.

Young Life Guard

I would like to write about my Mother whom died on Nov. 1, 2003. My mother’s name was Mrs. Lena Pearl Welch. She died of Cancer.

I loved my momma with all of my heart. She stood the test of time.

My Mother was a wife for 47 years and loved her husband Mr. Wilbur Welch and stood by him through every trial he met along the way.

When he had a stroke and heart attack that left him crippled on his right side she didn’t give up on him. She kept him at home and took care of him.

She had four children and two grandchildren that she raised to go to church and serve the Lord.

I believe that she is in heaven now with the Lord because she sacrificed herself for everyone else.

The Bible says, if we humble ourselves as a little child we will go to heaven.

To sacrifice or give our lives for someone else is what Jesus wanted. She did that every day of her life.

I will miss her for the rest of my life and my boys too, but everyday I feel her presence around me. I know she’s with the angles in heaven and knowing that I will meet her in heaven makes me want to live for the Lord more and more.

Through all of the trials of having cancer she put her trust in the Lord. She knew that the Lord would carry her through it.

I will see her again someday.

I was laying down looking at a poster in my room which read “Give us this day our daily bread”. That started me to thinking about the Lord’s prayer and how this little phrase meant so much more than just bread and your every day food. It also means your spiritual bread too. God provides for us daily our physical food and our spiritual food. Which one are you eating the most of?? We ask for our Spiritual food but do we take time to eat it? If we ask we must not waste!!

Is our nation becoming,
Another Sodom or Gomorrah?
Will God send down His wrath,
Today or maybe tomorrow?

As Christians are we willing,
To sit by and watch,
As our nation becomes,
Much like the home of Lot?

Lot chose to live,
In an ungodly land,
That land was destroyed,
By God’s own hand!

Nineveh too, was to be destroyed,
But Jonah came and the people rejoiced.
Jonah, at first, wasn’t willing to go,
He was afraid, a feeling you and I well know.

So will we in fear
Watch our nation be destroyed,
Or take a stand for God,
And in victory rejoice.

Oh, let us live,
As one nation under God,
Under God we can be strong,
Under God we can live on!

Martha Smith

GOD'S GRIEF WITH MAN

I.     MAN'S WICKEDNESS

Gen. 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.

"As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man ". Luke 17: 26

Gen. 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

Gen. 6:12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

According to a three-year study by the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 250,000 teens could be arrested for violence in the year 2010. From "Family Voice", Feb. 1997.

An estimated 38% of all pregnancies were to unwed teens in one Mississippi county in 1995. Greene Co. had 13%. "The Hattiesburg American" 8/10/97.

Gen. 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

It appears that God had greater hopes for man than what he saw in him.

A long life, up to 969 years, did not give them any more respect or fear of the LORD than we have today. They just used their long life to devise more ways to sin. How does that sound in relation to our situation today?

Gen. 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

God determined to bring an end to it.

Gen. 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

There was one man with whom the LORD could talk. Could He talk to any of us today?

Gen. 6:17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein [is] the breath of life, from under heaven; [and] every thing that [is] in the earth shall die.

Gen. 6:9 These [are] the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God.

Gen. 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Gen. 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

Gen. 6:18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

God promised Noah that He would enter into a covenant with him, and that He would save his family. God wants to save our families, if He finds us faithful.

Gen. 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Gen. 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Gen. 7:7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.

Gen. 19:12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring [them] out of this place:

The angels were giving Lot a chance to save his family. Though Lot was concerned, his sons-in-law did not take him seriously. Many today are not seriously concerned about the impending doom of the lost. Though they have been warned to flee the wrath of God to come, they laugh, jeer and mock, still.

Gen. 19:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.

When the "cup of iniquity" is full, God sends His judgment upon a people, even His people. Is it time for such judgment?

Gen. 19:14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

Unbelief will deafen the ears of all to the warning message!

Gen. 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

The iniquity of our times will also consume us! We will also fall under the judgments of God because of the sins we allow. It is the time of decision. It was time for them to get out, and save their lives, or perish. "Save yourselves from this untoward generation". Its influence will bring you down with it!

Gen. 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

The angels were both God's angels of wrath, judgment and mercy. They were to save Lot and his family, and to bring down the fire and brimstone upon the wicked cities.

Gen. 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

The urgency of their escape was so great that it would not allow for looking back. We like to look back to the things we are leaving behind. The old life should forever be in the past. A backward look only brings disaster! "Remember Lot's wife"!

Gen. 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot... Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed". Luke 17: 26, 30

The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah are common today. They have become tolerated, embraced, and legitimized. Someone has said that if America doesn't repent and turn back to God, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah if He does not bring judgment down upon America!

XI.     THE APPEAL TO WISDOM

Pro. 1:20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

The voice of wisdom has been silenced in America, today. The FCC through its Fairness Doctrine, is trying to put all conservative, and Christian radio and TV broadcasting off the airwaves.

Pro. 1:21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, [saying],

Street preaching has been outlawed in most cities! Witnesses, even children, can be arrested for handing out tracts in their schools or other public places.

Pro. 1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

God always gives us hope when we obey Him. We especially need the outpouring of His Spirit in the churches today!

Pro. 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

Pro. 1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

Pro. 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

Pro. 1:27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

Pro. 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

The invitation has been lost upon the unbelieving and hard of heart. Wise counsel has been rejected. They jeered, and laughed to scorn those who warned them. God promised to laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear came. He also promised that He would not hear their prayers of desperation.

Pro. 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

Pro. 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Pro. 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

They have sown, and therefore they will reap of the seed. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap".

Is. 65:11 But ye [are] they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.

Is. 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose [that] wherein I delighted not.

They did not choose God, but He will choose their calamities!

Pro. 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Peace and safety are promised to those who hear God's word.

Is. 65:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:

The servants of the LORD shall eat, drink and be merry in the end, while the wicked will enjoy none of these things.

Is. 65:14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.

The contrast continues. There will be singing in heaven, but mourning in hell. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Will you make your choice today, while there is still time? If you have not chosen Jesus already, He is still waiting, but He may not wait very much longer.

I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior today!

Signed: ______________________

Date: _______________________

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour." (Eph. 5:1,2)

In the closing chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrew Christian, we find the intriguing subject of the offering of sacrifices by New Testament believers! Under the Mosaic order, only men from the tribe of Levi could serve as priests. The Sacrifices were either animal (bleeding) or vegetable (bloodless) and were minutely described and executed. Only certain offerings were acceptable in the old economy, and this holds true for the Christian church as well. The apostle Peter put it this way: "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (I Peter 2:5) Under the new covenant, all believers are priests before God, with Jesus Christ being our great high priest. What a blessed honor and privilege for Christians to serve in this capacity. But just how are we to perform our duties?

Of course, the shedding of blood of innocent animals was made obsolete by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, making the ultimate sacrifice on Golgatha's hill, once and for all. Christians are to offer spiritual sacrifices, which calls for serious consideration, since our entire Christian walk is involved, as well as the life and outreach of the church. We must better understand what is required and what is acceptable. One thing we know is that these spiritual sacrifices rise up to God "an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God." (Phil. 4:18)

Getting down to basics, what is a sacrifice? A sacrifice is that which is consecrated and offered to God. Offering a sacrifice involves giving up (the destruction or surrender) of something for a higher good or the devotion of something to a more pressing claim. To be holy in heart and life, to be happy and useful, there must be an out and out dedication to God. There is no alternate route. The "self-life" versus the "Christ life" is the very crux of the matter. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul dealt with the sacrifice itself: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

A list, though certainly not a complete one, of spiritual sacrifices to be offered by Christians, has been compiled. We are to serve before the Lord day by day out of a heart of love and appreciation. In performing our duties well, our own souls are enriched, the church is strengthened, and lost souls are helped.

(1) The Sacrifice of Praise

By our Lord Jesus Christ, in view of his all-sufficient sacrifice, let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually. Praise, which includes adoration and thanksgiving, is the fruit of our lips "Rejoicing evermore."

(2)The Sacrifice of Doing Good

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Gal. 6:10) Benevolent deeds should be done with a spirit of Christian love and humility.

(3) The Sacrifice of Communicating

Now the word communicating in the New Testament has a different meaning than the modern sense of the word - communicating means giving financial aid. Paul commended the church at Philippi for their liberality in supplying his needs as a minister of the Gospel.

The Sacrifice of Right Attitudes Toward Church Leaders

Ministers of the Gospel have the most important job in the world - the salvation of men's souls. They are to be esteemed"highly for their work's sake." The church must have a teachable spirit in order to be properly instructed and helped by its ministers. Remember, a minister's authority comes from God, and he is answerable to God. The church which is uncooperative and unsupportive of its minister will ultimately suffer from self-inflicted wounds.

(5) The Sacrifice of Prayer

Prayer is serious business. Yet, how flippant or nonchalant the average church members attitude toward prayer appears. Can it be that the smallest service in many churches is the prayer meeting? Prayer is the means by which the very heart of God is touched. How can a church or individual, which ignores or de-emphasizes prayer, expect to be blessed of God or profitable to Him?

Thought to Live by:

Completely giving your entire self to God is both the "least" you can do and the "most" you can do.

Please don’t forget that February was the month to renew your subscription to the Methodist Protestant Faith. I appreciate each and every one that gets the MPF each month and the people who have sent articles. Our subscription number is about 1030 (which includes individuals and bundles sent to churches) and I hope that we can get all the churches to really support this drive for the paper in the year of 2004. Some of our churches have very few people on the MPF mailing list. Send a donation of $4.00 or $5.00, I will put you on the list. If you cannot afford that, let me know that you want the paper and I will send it to you!

Andy Jenkins, Editor