The Willing Victim and
the Winning Victor
Philippians 3:14

I. Volition (I) Volition means to act or have power by willing; to reach decisions by the process of deliberation. The first word of this verse identifies the person responsible for having and maintaining spiritual growth. It is so easy to blame our failures on others because it is counter to what God says in his Word: “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18; 4. Our God is personal and He wants to have a personal relationship with each person. That is where my personal will (volition) comes in; because the Lord is reaching down and I may by the power of my will reach up to Jesus.

II. Vehemence (Press) Vehemence means having or showing intense feeling. Look at that runner coming down the track as he heads towards the finish line; his muscles bulging, veins popping up, and the expression of grit on his face. He is leaning forward at the last few steps in order that he may lean into the finish line first. Where are the same expressions of grit and determination on the faces of God’s people as we run a far more important race? Are we running swiftly in order that we may catch or attain that for which we started the race? For many of us, the race may be a long distance run, and we must maintain strong faith throughout the entire race so that we can demonstrate the intensity of feelings (motivations) to carry us to the correct end of this race.

III. Vision with Vigilance (Toward the Mark) The distant mark or goal at which one is looking, so that someone may reach the mark. Our goal is Jesus, himself, to whom we must continually look as we run. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;” Hebrews 12:2a. The goal that we pursue must be sought after with vigilance because the Devil, himself, will attempt to overtake and overthrow you. We must ever be alert to this danger and stay the course.

IV. Victory (for the Prize) The Director of the contest (Jesus) who awards the prize at the end of the race. Our reward is the be victorious in Jesus!! “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:57.

V. Vessel with Vocation (of the High Calling of God) The Bible says, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work,” II Timothy 2:21. That is our possibility and privilege in the Lord. The vessel which is ourselves sanctified, can then, “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,” Ephesians 4:1b. This high calling of God is for all who will embrace the Divine invitation of salvation in the kingdom of God made through the preaching of the Gospel. God declares that the persons who accept this call are to receive the blessings that are promised in the high calling of God.

VI. Victor (In Christ Jesus) The ministry of Jesus upon the earth was a unique paradox. Most people are born, so that they can live; but Jesus was born in order that He could die. Jesus was a willing victim; the basic definition of a victim is a person or animal as a sacrifice to a god. To intensify this to its proper place, Jesus gave his Life to reconcile (make a way back to God, satisfying God’s justice) us to God, the Father, by the shed blood of Jesus. The willing victim became the wonderful Victor because Jesus is the Winner of the Battle. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquers through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37. May the Holy Ghost help us to: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” II Corinthians 13:5. The word “reprobates” means one not standing the test; that which does not prove itself to be such as it ought; unfit for something such as the kingdom of God. "And Jesus said unto him, no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62.

By Andy Jenkins

The Proclamation Of Cyrus

Scripture: Ezra 1:7

INTRODUCTION; What need did God have for a church? He made the stars; he wears the constellations as a garment; what does he want with a house?

The answer is: Nothing, but he knows that we do; he knows that the building of the house is necessary for our education.

There was a restoration of REVIVAL after this. Let us examine these words and see what they mean to us.

“Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnessar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods” Ezra 1:7.

Observe that as a period of restoration. Things that had been stolen were brought back; vessels that had been alienated were set in their rightful places. There was a great restoration of misappropriated property. What a restoration there will one day be!

What have men taken away from God’s Church?

Nearly everything they could lay hands on. They have taken away Gold, Art, Music, Miracles, Inspiration, Rationalism, Morality, Science, and they have left God a very bare house.

When the spiritual revival has come, and the holy issue is written out in all its meaning, these things will be brought back again; Art will come with her brush and pencil, and say I will beautify the house of God’s revelation; Music will bring back her harp and her instruments of ten strings, and her cymbals and organ, and say, make me a handmaid in God’s house, for all I have and am must belong to him. All must be done in reverance to God, not for our enjoyment. And reason-exiled, expatriated Reason—shall return, saying They have kept me in vile servitude—admit me to my Father’s House; and Science will come and pray; and Morality will say, They have been trying to divorce me from theology, from right religious motive and ilmpulse, AND I have died like a flower that has been plucked; restore me to my vital relations, and I will once more bloom in the house of God.

What a return, too, of prodigal sons and daughters there will be, of men who thought there was not scope enough for them in God’s house; cleaver men who for the moment had forgotten themselves, and went forth into the outer world to find more room.

Those who thought there was not scope enough for them in God’s house; cleaver men who for the moment had forgotten themselves, and went forth into the outer world to find more room.

Those who thought the church to small, or the music was to old fashioned, or prayer at the Altar of God was demeaning, or their social standing was too high for such a lowly place.

They will come in saying, What fools we were; we did not see the stair case winding upward into inifinite spaces; we thought the church was all dead level walling, and having laid our lines and measurements upon it, we said the church was not big enough for us; but now we see, where we ought to have seen before, and open door, and, beyond, a staircase, leading away, away; let us return.

Judge the inspiration by restoration. Do not be content with reading th proclamation of Cyrus, but see where it leads to. Do not be content with reading the Bible, but see what that reading results in. Do not be content when any priest or preacher tells you that any book is inspired; reply to him, Let me read the book for myself, through and through, carefully, word by word, and when I have finished I shall know whether the book is inspired or not.

If I am enlarged, inflames, lifted up, ennobled; if I melt in charity, if I abound in love, if I would have all men come and read the same book and drink at the same fountain, then I shall know that it is God’s Book, a living Book, sweet, tender, gracious, complete, touching life at every point, and answering it with infinite replies.

By that test God is willing that His Book of proclamation should be judged. Friend, Preacher, Educator, Member, WHAT HAVE YOU TAKEN FROM THE HOUSE THAT MAY NEED RESTORING? What could happen today, If we believed, lived, preached, gave, sacrificed, and loved at the men of yesterday, our parents and friends, would only go back, go back to a personal relationship with God. Worship Him, Thank Him, Praise Him, give Him glory and Honor, give ourselves to fasting and prayer and me thinks we would see changes in our churches without throwing out the old for the new. The Bible, old time religion, Sanctification of our hearts will change many things that the new will not, cannot. Prayer changes things.

March Activities in Belize
By Rev. Charlie Joe Green

Church Leaders Seminar

(March 7 - 8) Wayne Sellers put together another great weekend of classes for our pastors and church leaders. Dr. Easely and crew did a great presentation designed for worship leaders as well as pastors and Sunday school teachers. Methodist Protestants were the majority of the crowd and our folks enjoyed the classes. We provided lunch for the team after the seminar on Saturday and enjoyed the fellowship with the group. Wayne's ministry has been a great help to our leaders. We also contributed the use of the green van for the team.

Church Day

(March 10) The annual church day was held at Fireburn this year. A big crowd enjoyed the day even though the small church was packed. Each pastor shared a word of testimony with Rev. Santiago Shol delivering the message for the day. The service ended around the altar with prayer for the pastors. The Fireburn ladies provided plenty of food and drinks for all the visitors. The youth concluded the day with a cool dip in the river.

Medical Team

(March 14) There were 9 members on the medical team this year. The doctors were Dr. Lee Giffin Vicksburg; Dr. Jennifer Boles Rayville La; Dr. Daniel Martindale Monticello. Nurses were Dee Dee Jarvis Vicksburg; Sam Welford Leakesville. Dental Assistants were Tim Boles Mangum La; Susan Martindale Monticello. Helpers were Kathy Vorhee Florence Ms, and Ms Jo Betty was the cook. Also, the Congregational Methodist Missionaries Candice & Santiago Shol Ladyville, Belize were a special help to me through the week.

We had a late start at Firebum on Saturday evening. Also the medicine did not make the same flight. However, we did have enough inventory and supplies here to treat approx. 29 people before the day ended. One of the families had prepared a noon meal for the team that was a special blessing.

Everyone had a great day of worship at the Sand Hill church on Sunday. Ms Jo Betty had a delicious meal for the team and that afternoon we met at Burrell Boom village for an orientation and prayer meeting for the week.

Monday we set up at San Lazaro and August Pine Ridge villages. Approx. 160 people were treated between the villages. At August Pine Ridge the villagers treated the team with an evening meal. At San Lazaro the team was treated to an assortment of Belizean food.

Tuesday we set up at Guinea Grass with a physician and dentist. 187 people received treatment from the team. Some we have seen on annual basis for several years now. One of the families we have helped each year came with a special tray of fruit for the team. This was a special delight to the volunteers.

Wednesday was one of our busiest days as we focused on Pancotto school and the village of Sand Hill. The team treated over 200 people on the last day of work. We had a wonderful time of prayer and testimony for Wednesday night prayer meeting at Sand Hill to conclude the day.

Thursday the team enjoyed a day of snorkeling off Caye Caulker. It was said to be one of the best days any of the previous volunteers have had on the cayes. That night we banqueted at an open air restaurant in Belize City. Everyone enjoyed their meal.

I was especially grateful to the villagers who offered gestures of gratitude to the team. These offerings of food etc, were unsolicited by me and were appreciated by the team. Each year it is a delight to minister to people who are thankful for the sacrifice of these dedicated medical volunteers. I pray God will continue to bless and call medical volunteers to short term service here in Belize.

International Teachers Association

(March 28 - 29) The ITA group held a seminar in Orange Walk. Again our group was the majority of the classes. Each student received valuable materials designed to help them study and prepare Bible lessons. The ITA team will be in ministry here until the first week of April. We are also contributing to the team with the use of the green van during their stay in Belize.

Effects of the war

Gas is now $7.40 a gallon for regular - $7.55 for premium!

Chastening

I know not why His hand is laid
In chastening on my life,
Nor why it is my little world
Is filled so full of strife.
I know not why, when faith looks up
And seeks for rest from pain,
That o’er my sky fresh clouds arise
And drench my path with rain.
I know not why my prayer so long
By Him has been denied:
Nor why, while others’ ships sail on,
Mine should in port abide.
But I do know that God is love,
That He my burden shares,
And though I may not understand,
I know for me He cares.
I know the heights for which I long
Are often reached through pain;
I know the sheaves must needs be threshed
To yield the golden grain.
I know that, though He may remove
The friends on whom I lean,
‘Tis that I thus may learn to love
And trust the One unseen.
And, when at last I see His face
And know as I am known,
I will not care how rough the road
That led me to my home.

- Grace E. Troy

He Maketh No Mistake

My Father’s way may twist and turn,
My heart may throb and ache,
But in my soul I’m glad I know,
He maketh no mistake.
My cherished plans may go astray,
My hopes may fade away,
But still I’ll trust my Lord to lead
For he doth know the way.
Tho’ night be dark and it may seem
That day will never break;
I’ll pin my faith, my all in Him,
He maketh no mistake.
There’s so much now I cannot see,
My eyesight’s far too dim;
But come what may, I’ll simply trust
And leave it all to Him.
For by and by the mist will lift
And plain it all He’ll make.
Through all the way, tho’ dark to me,
He made not one mistake.

- A. M. Overton

Barbara Bane, Catherine Kelley
&
Lynne Finnerty

Invite you to the
40th Wedding Anniversary
Celebration for
Revs. Maxine & John Jenkins
Sunday, May 25, 2003
2:00 p.m. until
at
Golden Grove Methodist Protestant Church
Road 501 in Neshoba County

The event will include a singing, featuring
The Believers Quartet
For more information, call:
Barbara at (601) 656-0704 or Lynne at (301) 762-2498
We hope to see you there!

The Missionary Record
Dianne Reid, Editor

(1) We recommend that the Branches continue to provide funding for operational expenses of the Emmanuel Bible College for the upcoming mission year 2003 - 2004 as follows: