Deliverance

THE CRY FOR DELIVERANCE
By Rick England

Long ago, a woman faced a mob that threatened to stone her to death. Her crime was adultery. She had been caught in the act, now she faced punishment as prescribed by the Law of Moses[i]. She knew it would be a painful and humiliating death. The only person holding back the crowd was a carpenter from Nazareth. His name was Jesus.


He had written in the dirt, got up, and spoke sternly to the people. “You who are without sin, throw the first stone,” he said.


She felt their anger pressing in - they wanted to kill her. Tears ran down her cheeks and her heart raced. All she could do is wait.


It seemed like an eternity, but then she heard stones being dropped; it sounded like ground rumbles. After the thuds stopped, the men left. She reached out and touched Jesus.


Her wet eyes were squinted as she heard Jesus say, “Where are your accusers?” When she opened them, it was unbelievable. The hateful crowd was gone and he was the reason.


“Go and don't sin again,” Jesus said.


She must have felt relief and awe. A stranger looked at her differently than the crowd. Jesus showed compassion and mercy – a wonderful gift. He rescued her and gave her a second chance.


There he was - her savior. Her hero[ii]


Deliverance.


I like the sound of the word. It means relief – a fresh start.


Listen to the sounds from people today. Are they the same ones you hear from someone close to you? Sometimes we hear it in words – often body language. Our hearing is not always accomplished by our ears, but within our hearts.


We just need to be still.


Listen.
People cry out for deliverance. The appeal is presented in several forms, but in every case, they need relief.


When people are disappointed and hurt,
we can hear the plea.


When people are rejected by those they love,
we can hear the plea.


When sickness or addiction robs them of joy and hope,
we can hear the plea.


When their children suffer and hurt,
we can hear the plea.


When people are overwhelmed by the consequences of sin,
there is that plea.


Listen to it.


Don't you hear it?


Are you making that plea?


Sarah Brightman is a talented soprano who sang, “Deliver Me.” Her song and music brought thousands of people around the world to tears. You know why? She pushed a powerful button in people's lives. Here are some of the lyrics:


Deliver me, out of my sadness.
Deliver me, from all of the madness.
Deliver me, courage to guide me.
Deliver me, strength from inside me.


All of my life I've been in hiding.
Wishing there was someone just like you.
Now that you're here, now that I've found you,
I know that you're the one to pull me through.


Deliver me, loving and caring.
Deliver me, giving and sharing.
Deliver me, the cross that I'm bearing.


Whether Sarah knew it or not, she addressed people's longing for a deliverer. There is someone who is loving and caring, giving and sharing, and will help us with that cross we are bearing. His name is Jesus Christ.

National Indicators
Our nation is in trouble. Like a Tsunami, a destructive wave approaches. This is obvious by:

• Society attacks on marriage and family


• Disrespect for life, like the unborn


• Addictions of all kinds


• Constant strife and hatred among people
  

No wonder Sarah Brightman's song hit a sensitive cord. It is madness, and it does produce sadness that people feel every single day.

Society tells you to pick yourself up by your own bootstraps. Take care of you before anyone else. But the fact is that it never works. What is needed is a good dose of Christ's grace, something that no other religion in the world is preaching, and it works! The gospel delivers people from the chains of sin and provides relief that confounds human reasoning.

Christian's Indicators
There are indicators that even Christians need deliverance at times. Local church leadership, who know the flock of God, can see it. When they do, they must react and provide the spiritual guidance to help people through those troubled times.

When the fruit of the Spirit (such as, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)[iii] are not seen in a Christian's life, they are in trouble.

The lack of the fruits of the Spirit is a solid indicator that a Christian is in distress. They have not surrendered to the authority and rule of Jesus Christ. This may be because of their persistent sinful lifestyle, bad habits, or a hateful attitude. Often, the one needing help doesn't see it without guidance. But then again, there are some who do but are too embarrassed or proud to admit it. That's where pastoral care is needed; however, any loving and caring Christian can provide it.

Church leaders who constantly have problems with some members can also see the indicators. They will provide encouragement; always pointing to our blessed Savior. Personal involvement is compulsory; it can't be done behind a desk. Human contact is that powerful. A loving touch, a prayer, and faithful follow-ups will make the difference in persuading people to change, surrender, and recommit to Jesus Christ.

Making Your Plea
It's okay to make desperate pleas to the Lord, even if you have done it before. You're in good company when you do it. David is a good example of someone pleading to God for restoration.

King David was a man after God's own heart. After he had committed adultery and murder, the prophet Nathan confronted him. He used a parable to induce David to bring judgment on himself.[iv] It worked and he got on his knees. David's cry for deliverance can be read in Psalm 51.

• He begged for mercy.


• He wanted his sin to be blotted out, washed away.


• He confessed and took personal accountability.


• He pleads for a new heart and renewed spirit.


• He begged not be taken from God presence, or the Holy Spirit not be taken from him.
  
  

We can only imagine David’s emotional pain, brought about because of his selfishness and pride. Through all this turmoil, he remained a man after God's own heart.[v]

Perceptions
Perception is reality to people, but it can be misleading, often when all the facts are unknown or understood. Hurting people want and need relief now. Some may complain that God is too slow. They lose patience and then are disappointed.

Sin is like an infection. The only way to clear it up is to apply the right antibiotic and take corrective action to try to stop it from recurring. You may need to adjust your thinking to deal with sin. It drives your character, values, and perceptions.

Your mind is a key battleground for impatience, doubt, and emotion. You cannot easily erase impure and corrupt thoughts from your mind if you constantly repopulate it with trash. You must pay close attention to what you see and hear every day. Concentrate on hearing and thinking about those things that helps your daily worship to God.

The Holy Spirit, who dwells in a Christian's heart, can open people's heart with truth. This includes the reality of things instead of perceptions. He will help you with this, if you let him.

Time for Change
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your King, and you are sick and tired of the life you are living, you need to repent. If you don't, tomorrow will be the same painful day as today, and it will go on and on. But if you are sorry about all the bad things you have done, your lifestyle, or decisions you have made, and your ready for relief – grab deliverance as soon as you can.

If you are a Christian who seeks peace in your life, you need to examine yourself honestly. Have you ignored the Holy Spirit or drowned him out with your behavior? All Christians, at some point in their life, have sought help. But when this becomes personal, and you know you need help, repent and make your plea to God in prayer. He is eagerly waiting and listening for you.

If you need pastoral help or support from the saints, respond in the next public worship invitation. There are church pastors (shepherds), and brothers and sisters in Christ that will pray with you and graciously help you. Those in the Kingdom of God are plentiful; all you need to do is tap into their spiritual power.

But if you are unwilling to repent and refuse to change your ways, all the actions you take are just academic. True deliverance becomes possible when you respond to truth and the gospel as prescribed by the scriptures. Then, the Holy Spirit can help you through the tough times in life.[vi]

It’s decision time. Do you want a fresh start in your life? Do you want a close relationship with Christ? He is waiting for you to make this critical decision.

Deliverance.

I like the sound of the word, don't you?


**
Notice:
Any questions concerning this article may be directed to the Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland, Texas. Telephone (972) 271-2444. Ask for a minister or church shepherd to help you with your decision.


_______________________________________________________________

References:
_________________________
[i] Deuteronomy 22:22 and Leviticus 20:10-12 prescribe death for adultery under the Law of Moses.
[ii] John 7:53-8:11 is a full account of Jesus intervention for the woman caught in adultery. The story in the article is a summary only.
[iii] Galatians 5:22 describe the fruit of the Spirit.
[iv] 2 Samuel 12:1-7 presents Nathan’s parable of the Little Ewe Lamb.
[v] Acts 13;22; I Kings 11:4; 15:3; 1 Samuel 13:14 records God’s view about David’s heart.
[vi] John 14:16-17; 16:7; Romans 8:26; John 16:13 refer to the Holy Spirit providing help and guidance.

The Surrender at the Communion Rail

THE SURRENDER AT THE COMMUNION RAIL
By
Rick England

There is a little known powerful story about General Robert E. Lee. It happened on a beautiful Sunday morning in June 1865 in Richmond, Virginia. Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church was filling up with people. The priest prepared to deliver the message and provide communion to the congregation. He was unprepared for what was about to happen.

Outside the church, occupying federal troops were present. Some soldiers were ex-slaves, posted to uphold civil order. It was a city of people that were bitter, humiliated, and who bore physical and spiritual wounds of war. It was that empty seat at the dinner table, the empty bed upstairs, or that still divided home - where brother fought against brother - that kept the wounds afire.

Inside St. Paul’s Episcopal Church the people were no different. The physical injuries were obvious, and the depth of broken spirits were sometimes seen in tears or heard as a groan. The church was at full capacity, and with each member, there was a painful story. That includes General Lee, dressed in a nice gray confederate uniform, stripped of all insignia as commanded by military decree.

General Lee had emotional wounds, too. He had led scores of his countrymen into battle. He had lost his dearest General, Thomas Jackson (known as Stonewall Jackson), and then there was Gettysburg. Lee’s charge at Cemetery Ridge left between 46,000 and 51,000 American’s dead in three days. He felt deep remorse for the outcome and admitted it was entirely his fault. He offered his resignation in a letter to President Jefferson Davis, but it was refused.

Jefferson Davis ordered General Lee to defend Richmond, and he lost. Now he sat in a church in that Union occupied city two months after his surrender to General Grant. All he had left were the memories of a lost cause, defeat, and humiliation.

General Lee had lost more than just the war. He lost his personal property at Arlington, Virginia, taken by the nation and turned into a federal cemetery. His financial losses were significant. Moreover, he had lost his American citizenship.

There was every reason for General Lee to be angry and hurt about the war being lost. But he showed no outward sign of it. Just after the surrender at Appomattox Court House, he told his solders to go home and be good Americans.

One would think he would be blamed for losing the war, and there were people who did that. However, there were many who still looked to him for leadership, in that Richmond church and elsewhere. There were those who continued to admire him, watched him closely, and sought his wisdom.

At Saint Paul’s church, songs and prayers came forth that worshipped Jesus Christ. Soon came the moment for communion, the time when believers concentrate on the reconciliation provided by the cross, and to partake of the Lord’s Supper while kneeling at the communion rail.
Then it happened.

A well-dressed African-American man rose and walked quickly to the communion rail. He knelt and waited for the sacraments.

The audience froze.

There were gasps.

There was a recent time when a black man would have been dragged out of the church and arrested for disturbing the peace. In those days, the blacks could only come from the balcony and receive communion after the white members had been served. Now he came – and he was first. This was a deliberate break in status quo.

The clock ticked as people waited for direction, movement. The priest provided no leadership. But then there was one who responded.

At that moment as the intensity peaked, an older man in a gray suit stood up from his pew. He walked to the communion rail and reverently knelt beside the black man. The congregation witnessed the unthinkable. General Robert E. Lee took communion with a black man at the communion rail. The rest of the congregation slowly followed, and one by one they walked to the communion rail, knelt, and took the sacraments.

After services, the unknown man disappeared, not ever seen again. But he left a hurting church that had now taken the first step to reconciliation and healing. General Lee had once again led a noble charge, but this time he was victorious. In an odd way, his surrender at that communion rail was a victory with grace and forgiveness.

If Robert E. Lee can gracefully surrender his feelings of guilt, racial bias, bitterness, anger, or humiliation, why can’t we do the same? As the hymn proclaims:

All to Jesus I surrender;

all to him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust him,

in his presence daily live.

I surrender all,

I surrender all,

all to thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

We need to take everything that has hurt us, disappointed us, or even humiliated us and follow General Lee’s example. Just surrender it all to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The time to give it up is now!

******
References:

For additional information about Robert E. Lee, and this event, see America's God and Country: Encyclopedia of Quotations by William Joseph Federer, page 367.

See also, Virginia's Civil War by Peter Wallenstein, Bertram Wyatt-Brown, page 286.

Both books can be purchased from: www.amazon.com.

Like Old, Like New

There is an old philosophical quandary that goes some thing like this: Say you had a ship, and over time, as you did your repairs, gradually removed part after part as they became worn, and replaced them. Then some inventive individual decided to go and gather all those discarded parts and pieced the ship back together. The question is then asked....which is the real ship? After all, the first never went away...yet, the other is made of every thing the first ever was.

In philosophical terms, this question has no correct answer; if indeed there can be an answer. Philosophy is more of a brain game that is designed to make us think; and while it brings up many ponderables, conundrums, and thinking outside the box, in large part I find it has no great purpose.

Yet, as is my wont, I puzzled over this question in spiritual terms. In many ways, I see 'us' as that ship. Both of them.

Indeed, scripture supports this. You began as something different than you are. Your nature was everything that set you apart from God, and through the years, piece by piece; you have replaced parts of yourself; until in the end...you are different than when you started. At least that is the goal. Yet, while you remain in this body, the parts of you, you have sought to change are all there. Able to be gathered and to rebuild again the man who is apart from God.

Romans 12:1-3 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

2 Cor: 3:18 "And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

I suppose I considered this subject, because it is easy to become lost in feeling that you are not where you ought to be. That you are not a part of God's plan, or that you've become bogged in life's struggles. But I would suggest that God's plan for you is not some; Flash! Bang! Look at the shiny new Christian!

No, we are not what we were, when we began. Yet, until the day God comes to claim us, we still carry around with us the ability to build again the person we have striven so hard to change. And so, Paul's encouragement becomes most important. Live as the person you want to be for God, not as what you are; and you cannot help but move towards God.

Because of Him,
Steve Emmons

I AM

I am the rugged sandles on Jesus’s sinless feet.
I travel over the endless road of Nazareth.
I make the noise of God’s word preaching to the people.
I allow my passengers to see the depths of my heart.
I want my passengers to ride for eternity.
I am the rugged sandles on Jesus’s sinless feet.

I am Madison Elise Hancock
I pretend I can do anything that I put my mind to.
I feel that nothing can stop me from getting there.
I touch other people with my kindness.
I worry people think of me differently.
I cry happy tears when I succeed.
I am Madison Elise Hancock

I am Madi.
I land in muck when I follow the wrong path.
I show gumption when I know the Lord is on my side.
I understand what it takes to get to heaven.
I dream about what the future holds for me!
I try to be the best in everything I do.
I hope that I do everything through Christ.
I am Madi.

I am the rugged sandles on Jesus’s sinless feet.
My journey is to spread God’s word.
My rider will face hard times.
My rider will need patience & strength.
My journey ends at the old rugged cross!
I am the rugged sandles on Jesus’s sinless feet.


~ Madison E. Hancock
March 2007

101 Ways to Serve at Saturn Road . . . and Have Fun, too!

1. Pray for our Elders
2. Teach a Class
3. Help with Vacation Bible School – Teach, Teachers aid, registration, musical, cookies, etc…..
4. Pray for our Ministers
5. Helping Hands Volunteer –Teachers aids assistance (meets every Wed night in Supply Room)
6. Volunteer at the Saturn Rd. offices
7. Pray for our Deacons
8. Send a Sympathy Card
9. Attend a Wedding Shower
10. Pray for our Missionaries
11. Write an encouragement/thank you note to one of your child’s or your Bible School teachers
12. Send a Memorial gift to a Christian charity
13. Attend a baby shower
14. Send a Get Well card
15. Make a hospital visit
16. Write an encouragement note to one of the ministers
17. Visit a shut-in
18. Work on Ladies Retreat Committee
19. Pray for our Bible Class Teachers
20. Contribute clothing/household items to Medina’s Thrift Store. Call: 214-703-0454 for home pickup
21. Visit a Senior Citizen at a Nursing Home
22. Donate school supplies to Caldwell Elementary or a Children’s Home
23. Volunteer at Charity events
24. Participate in the “Change” programs for Medina & Boles Children’s Home–MCH in Spring, Boles in Fall
25. Write an encouragement note to an elder (repeat until all elders receive a note)
26. Serve or provide food for a bereaved family following funeral
27. Be on a Visitation team – Teams meet on Tuesday evening. Contact Sue Yarbrough to sign up.
28. Give your church contribution regularly
29. Host a Youth activity
30. Be an email buddy to a missionary
31. Volunteer at CPR during the summer
32. Assist a child financially to attend camp
33. Donate hotel shampoo, soaps, lotions for Parkland patients in need
34. Work in the Dorcas ministry with cutting and sewing projects for area hospitals. Meets Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays at the Dorcas House.
35. Send cards/letters to a soldier overseas.
36. Volunteer in the kitchen for a Saturn Rd. event
37. Send a Birthday card to a 49’er.
38. Donate used magazines to area Hospital waiting rooms – Don’t forget to remove your mailing label!
39. Invite a neighbor to church
40. Attend a funeral
41. Donate for a Christmas project–Caldwell Elementary, Medina Children’s Home, or Boles Children’s Home
42. Mentor a new sister in Christ from the Nexus program
43. Attend the Teachers Appreciation Banquet and honor a teacher!
44. Clean the home of someone who just had surgery
45. Volunteer in the church kitchen during the Saturn Rd. event
46. Provide a meal to a new baby’s family
47. Contribute to Harvest Sunday!
48. Volunteer at a Christian camp
49. Call someone you’ve missed seeing at church
50. Attend the Jr./Sr. Banquet and honor our many seniors!
51. Deliver food to a bereaved family
52. Send a care package to a college student
53. Assist a family that is struggling financially with a Grocery Store gift card.
54. Clip hose for the Dorcas Ministry (it’s used for stuffing for pillows)
55. Volunteer at a hospital
56. Be a Secret Prayer Sister
57. Volunteer at Christian Care Center
58. Attend worship services regularly …. Look for a visitor to meet!
59. Participate in your One in Heart group.
60. Write an encouragement note to another one of our ministers
61. Support a local gospel meeting
62. Send a Thinking of You note to a recent widow(er).
63. Sing at a funeral (if you have that talent)
64. Be a LTC coach (Leadership Training for Christ for our children and teens)
65. Give blood and save a life! (Register as a Bone Marrow Donor, too!) See John Baker.
66. Work at a Saturn Rd. “Work” Day
67. Attend a 50th/60th Anniversary Party
68. Honor a veteran….especially our WWII vets!
69. Attend Ladies Bible Class / Monthly Ladies Devo
70. Donate an item to the auction for the Medina Children’s Home Benefit dinner
71. Relieve an Alzheimer’s patient caregiver for an afternoon/night out
72. Invite a 49er for lunch with your family
73. Be an assistant in a children’s classroom; get Safe Place trained.
74. Volunteer at your community school
75. Put together a missionary care package
76. Volunteer for the ESL program (English as a Second Language)
77. Grade World Bible School correspondence course lessons
78. Donate an item to the Christian Care Center Fall Bazaar
79. Be a pen pal with an African missionary
80. Buy sermon tapes/CDs and share with non-Christians
81. Use email to communicate & encourage others with a daily devotional thought
82. Take a shut-in shopping or do their shopping for them
83. Become a grief counselor at Christian Works – Grief Works
84. Work with the Prison Ministry – visit the prisons, answer prisoner’s notes for prayer requests
85. Visit a children’s home and volunteer on their campus
86. Create and produce a bulletin board for a teacher
87. Donate an auction item to the Boles Home Benefit Dinner Auction
88. Volunteer at North Texas Food Bank / Central Dallas Ministries
89. Host a fellowship at your home for new members
90. Donate a used cell phone
91. Recycle a printer cartridge at Office Depot and donate the Free paper to the church
92. Donate groceries / supplies for Boles/ Medina during their Food Drives at Saturn Rd.
93. Attend the “Homes for the Holidays” Holiday program benefiting Medina/Boles
94. Pray for our school students
95. Bake a prayer pie – Pray for the lucky recipient who will receive your baked item
96. Send an encouragement note to a new Christian
97. Attend/Donate an item to the Christmas shop for the New Friends/New Life Holiday Open House
98. Work in the nursery during worship services
99. Bake cookies and deliver to Williams Funeral Home in Garland for a bereaved family’s visitation time
100. Volunteer for the 13th Annual North Texas Equipping the Saints Workshop
101. Take care of yourself by studying the Word daily!


Compiled by: Linda Cause

A Peaceful Proposition

We go to church. All our friends are there, we love to sing, the sermons are pretty good and class is, most times, pretty interesting. Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, Wednesday class, retreats and more…

All in all things are pretty good. We have our jobs, our families, our friends, our toys and all sorts of things.

Deuteronomy 29. Here we find the people of God listening to Moses tell them of the covenant; the promise they are about to make to God, to be his people. VS 18-20, “Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today, whose heart turns away from God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison. When such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself and therefore thinks, ‘I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way.’ This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. The Lord will never be willing to forgive him; his wrath and zeal will burn against that man.”

Moses told them in VS 14-15, “I am making this covenant, with its oath, not only with you who are standing here with us today in the presence of the Lord our God, but also with those who are not here today…”

It is so easy for us to forget…to feel safe, that we are where we ought to be.

It is equally hard to keep the relationship with God alive when we have no difficulties, when struggles and hardship have not raised their ugly heads for a long time. It is so easy for Satan to slip in and, simply, leave us alone…let us get the feeling that we’re where God wants us, until gradually, we find we’re doing less. We pray less. We see fewer problems around us that we need to ask for His help…maybe because we tend to view rightness with God as a lack of problems.

Yet, Jesus told us to be ever watchful, for Satan goes about as a hungry lion, seeking those he might devour. But I think sometimes…just sometimes…Satan is gumming us to death. He has removed those sharp teeth and decided that harsh reality is not the ticket…instead…peace is the method of our destruction.

Let us remember that when we put on Jesus we made a covenant with God. Let us not feel safe, but be ever watchful for that evil that slips in silently and painlessly, and leaves us as far from God as if we were actively defying Him.

Because of Him,
Steve Emmons

A Psalm of My Own

Do I know you Father?
My heart longs to know you. To feel your presence inside me.
I search for you in your word. I plead for you in my prayers.
In events of my day, I ask myself…is that you…are you there?

Silence greets my thoughts. No word from on high proclaims your presence.
No miracle sparkles in my sight. And yet…

In the silence of my room; I know that you are there.
When quiet; I feel you watching.

I am not always where I should be. I don’t do all that I could do.
Selfishness crowds you out. Blindness empties me of your peace.
I thrash about in frustration. Lack of knowing you saps my strength.

In my pain and anguish, with tears on my face, I cry out to you.
My chest burns with need.
My throat clenches with words and sorrow that I am ashamed to speak.

For in the depths of my being I know you.
I have known you since I was small, though I know not how.
Yet, there is no place that I would rather be.
No place that I can conceive of, would serve me better.

Of my lack, you have abundant evidence.
Of my failures you have lost count.
My sins are without number.
And yet…

There is nowhere for me to turn. No one who can offer me solace.
No one who would forgive me all that I have done. Except you.
So, in humble appeal I lay myself before you.
I offer no excuse. I make no explanations.

I begin today anew. If your will allows it.
I take a deep breath, and ask your forgiveness
And, in spite of my doubts, I fumble through another day.
Regardless of my feelings, I labor in your service.

My hope…
That one day I may stand before you and hear you say…
I am proud of you….my son.

Steve Emmons