# 4 ~ October, November, December 2002
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| Hume Lake Announcement |
by
June
Godbehere
Introduction: I was reading an article in the
paper recently, and in it was an
article about a man who went to
the pastor for some help. It seems that
he was worried about almost everything in his life. Whatever he
tried to do only increased his anxiety. The stresses of life were about to
drive him to despair. The pastor suggested he spend more time reading the Word
of God, and in it he would find some comfort.
I was thinking of that person when reading this passage of scripture in
the Book of Isaiah. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I
am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold
thee with the right hand of my righteousness. “
In this day and time, it seems that everyone has a psychiatrist. Even the psychiatrist has a psychiatrist. Why? Frankly, it is because all seem to have lost hope. God is always on target. Let us look at this verse and try to digest what it is saying.
“Fear thou not;” We would
say, “Do not fear.” If the truth were known, we all have some of those fears
that grip us from time to time. Maybe it is simply the dark. Perhaps it is the uncertainty of the
future. However, whatever it is that has set this fear in our hearts, God says
“Fear thou not:” Those who have trusted in the Lord can be assured that they
have no need to worry. Those who have the Lord as a constant companion really
do not need to worry. The Psalmist speaks in this manner: “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears,” Psalm 34: 4. Again in verse 6, “This poor man
cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” Then in verse 19, “Many are the afflictions
of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”
This brings us to the second
thought: “For I am with thee.”
It is true with the child of
God that he never has to walk alone in this life. Why? He has the
presence of God who walks with him.
The presence of the Lord can be a great benefit to the sojourner. He can
be his buckler, his shield, and his defense. If a person wants the happiness
that comes from knowing the Lord, he should try this mental attitude adjustment
of walking with the Lord.
Remember, what David said
about this in the 23rd Psalm, “Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou are with me, thy rod and
thy staff they comfort me.” What a promise!
The next thought is “be not
dismayed.” Do not be discouraged. One of the greatest of the problems found today
is discouragement. Why does the flesh continually seeks to put man down? Surely
it is but the work of the devil. The positive directions in the Bible reveal
why a discouraged Christian is a contradiction.
What is the next thought in
the text? “For I am thy God.” If the trials and testings of life have left you
battered and broken, can you not take heart in this phrase, “For I am thy God?”
That makes it personal. Do you really know the Lord? Understand this: if you
know Christ in the free pardon of sin, then God is actually saying this to you,
“For I am thy God.” He identifies
Himself with you. He is saying you are mine. That is about as personal as you
can get.
What does this mean? “I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help
thee; yea.” When we live upon this earth, and are faced with an unlimited
number of trials and tribulations, we are often unaware of the help of the Lord
as He seeks to cushion the pathway as we travel.
Have you gone through some
grueling and stressful times, thinking, “I just cannot do this. It is more than
I can bear?” Yet, in the end you do bear up to the life experiences that are
more than you can bear. You need to remember that God was there to help you.
One final word from our Lord:
“ I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” I suggested at
the beginning that this is a formula for happiness. The picture is that in the
hand of God we are secure and safe.
This reminds me of the song, “He Has
the Whole World in His Hand.” Brethren, that is not just a song. It is real. If
we know Christ personally, then we have the promises of this verse.
Would it not be wise if you do
not know Christ to consider Him in light of these blessed promises?
Parliamentarily
Speaking
by
Dr.
David M. Butimore, SR
In this next installment in
our series on the basic principles of Parliamentary Law, we’ll complete our
introduction of incidental motions.
If the main motion is in the form of a
resolution or document containing several paragraphs or sections which
(although not separate questions) could be most efficiently handled by opening
each paragraph or section to amendment one at a time (before the whole is
finally voted on), such a procedure can be proposed by the motion for Consideration
by Paragraph or Seriatim. It takes
precedence over the main motion and over the subsidiary motion to postpone
indefinitely. If applied to an amendment,
it also takes precedence over that amendment, but it cannot be applied to the main
question while an amendment to the main question is pending. It yields to all subsidiary motions except postpone
indefinitely, amend, and Limit or Extend Limits of Debate; to
all privileged motions; and to all applicable incidental motions. It can be applied to main motions and
amendments of such length and structure that the method is appropriate. No subsidiary motion can be applied to it
alone except amend and (for the purpose of stopping its amendment) the previous
question; but while it is pending, the main question can be committed,
postponed, or laid on the table, and then it undergoes the same process with
the main question. It is out of order
when another has the floor, must be seconded, is not debatable, is amendable,
requires a majority vote to adopt, and cannot be reconsidered. If it has been decided to consider divisible
material seriatim, even if the material was divisible on the demand of a single
member, it is too late to move or demand a division of the question.
If a member doubts the accuracy of the
chair’s announcement of the result of a voice vote or a vote by a show of
hands, or doubts that a representative number of persons voted, he can demand a
Division of the Assembly; a single member thus has the power to require
a standing vote, but not to order a count, which only the chair or the assembly
can do. A member can move that a vote
be taken by (a) ballot, (b) roll call, or (c) by a counted standing vote,
especially if a division of the assembly has appeared inconclusive and the
chair neglects to order a count. The division
of the assembly takes precedence
over any motion on which a vote is being taken or has just been taken; within
the interval immediately following such a vote, it can be called for until, but
not after, the chair has stated the question on another motion. It does not yield to any motion. It can be applied to any motion on which the
assembly is called upon to vote by voice or by a show of hands. No subsidiary motion can be applied to
it. It is in order without obtaining
the floor, when another has the floor, and at any time after the question has
been put, even after the vote has been announced. It does not require a second, is not debatable, is not amendable,
does not require a vote, since a single member can demand a division, and cannot
be reconsidered.
In addition to the aforementioned incidental
motions, there are several other types of requests and inquiries which a
member can make in connection with business that someone desires to introduce,
or which is pending, or has just been pending.
The request for a Parliamentary Inquiry
is a question directed to the presiding officer to obtain information on a
matter of parliamentary law or the rules of the organization bearing on the
business at hand_____NOT involving a ruling. It is the chair’s duty to answer such
questions when it may assist a member to make an appropriate motion, raise a
proper pont of order, or understand the parliamentary situation or the effect
of a motion. It takes precedence over
any motion with whose purpose it is connected, and can also be made at any time
when no question is pending. It yields
to all privileged motions and to other incidental motions. It can be applied in reference to any motion
or parliamentary situation out of which it arises. No subsidiary motion can be applied to it. It is in order when another has the floor if
it requires immediate attention. It
does not require a second, is not debatable, is not amendable, does not require
a vote, and cannot be reconsidered.
The request for a Point of Information
is an inquiry as to facts affecting the business at hand _____ directed
to the chair or, through the chair, to another officer or member, for information relevant to the
business at hand but not related to parliamentary procedure. It takes precedence over any motion with
whose purpose it is connected, and can also be made at any time when no
question is pending. It yields to all
privileged motions and to other incidental motions. It can be applied in reference to any motion or parliamentary
situation out of which it arises. No
subsidiary motion can be applied to it.
It is in order when another has the floor if it requires immediate
attention. It does not require a
second, is not debatable, is not amendable, does not require a vote, and cannot
be reconsidered.
After a motion has been made, seconded, and
stated by the chair, the mover of the motion must request permission to Withdraw or Modify a Motion. It takes precedence over any motion with
whose purpose it is connected. It
yields to all privileged motions and to other incidental motions. No subsidiary motion can be applied to
it. It is in order when another has the
floor if it requires immediate attention.
It does not require a second, is not debatable, is not amendable, is
adopted by a majority vote, and cannot be reconsidered. Should the motion to modify a motion
be adopted, the person who seconded the original motion can withdraw his
second, and another member must second the modified motion in that case.
If any member desires to read from, or have
the secretary read from, any paper or book as a part of his speech, he must
have the permission of the assembly.
The Reading of Papers takes precedence over any motion with whose
purpose it is connected, and can also be made at any time when no question is
pending. It yields to all privileged
motions and to other incidental motions.
It can be applied in reference to any motion or parliamentary situation
out of which it arises. No subsidiary
motion can be applied to it. It is in
order when another has the floor if it requires immediate attention. It requires a second, is not debatable, is
not amendable, is adopted by a majority vote, and can be reconsidered up to the
conclusion of the reading of the paper.
Next issue: Restorative motions (Take from the Table,
Rescind, Amend
Something Previously Adopted, and Reconsider)
GOD’S
CHOICE SERVANTS
Message preached at the School Opening of Fresno Missionary Baptist
Institute,
August 27, 2002.
by
Larry
Woolley
Text: I Timothy 4: 12 “Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an
example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in
faith, in purity.”
Reading Joshua 1: 1-9
Introduction: This book was written by Joshua with the exception of the
last five verses. The word Joshua means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is the same
word translated as Jesus in the New Testament. Joshua was born in Egypt as a
slave and was forty years old when the Israelites left their bondage. He was eighty years old when he took over the
leadership of Israel and died at one hundred and ten years of age.
As a son, Joshua was the son
of Nun meaning “prosperity, durable” and of the tribe of Ephraim.
As a slave, he experienced
the suffering of his people under Egyptian bondage and the deep sigh of being
set free.
As a soldier, Joshua was number one as a military leader who knew how
to plan campaigns, and to discipline his forces, and above all, how to pray and
trust in God.
As a servant, Joshua learned
how to follow his Captain, the Lord of hosts, Joshua 5:13-15. He was a man of loyalty and devotion, Joshua
24:14-15. He was filled with the spirit of God, Deut. 34:9. He enjoyed the
presence of God in his life, Joshua 1:5; 6; 27. He was moved by the Word of
God, Joshua 1:8, and He was obedient to the will of God, Num. 32:12; Joshua 5:
14.
God’s
Appointment
Joshua 1:1, Joshua was God’s choice servant by divine appointment. Paul
an apostle of Jesus Christ by the
commandment of God our Saviour.” Note: God’s choice servants do not go
looking for the office. God searches them out.
Joshua was a minister to
Moses. He learned from the experiences of Moses. He learned how to respect
God’s instruction. He learned the
consequences of disobedience. He learned what he could expect of the people. He
learned what God expected of him. The first great gift we can bestow on others
is a good example.
Joshua was chosen as
successor to Moses because he first was a minister to Moses. Joshua learned the
work of a servant first to prepare him for the position of good leadership. I
have yet to meet a man worth his salt who started at the top! Joshua was under
the direction and command of Moses.
Those are fittest to lead who learn to obey. Leadership is all about Examples!
I Tim. 4:12. Those who are truly used of God must first learn how to serve
others.
An Observation: Jesus first
took upon Him the form of a servant. Secondly, it follows that God the Father
highly exalted Him. He learned obedience by the things which he suffered,
Hebrews 5:8-9.
Though he were a Son, yet
learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, and being made perfect,
he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Learned,
absolute, “to increase one’s knowledge;” by instruction and being taught; by
experience, and teaching others; by examples of others, and by use and
practice. Obedience, listening attentively, the result of paying close
attention to instruction. Suffered, to be affected or to have been
affected; to feel, have a sensible experience in either a good or bad sense. Experience is a great
teacher. Some things you’ll have to learn by experience because you refuse to
learn by example! But remember this: Experience is a hard teacher because it
give the test first and the lesson afterward. The moment you stop learning, you
stop leading.
Joshua was a proven servant
of God. He believed God. Joshua and Caleb both had a spirit of complete
confidence in God’s power to give them the land. He was ready to prove God, put
Him to the test. God challenges us to prove Him, put Him to the test. Mal. 3:10, “Bring ye all the tithes into the
storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith,
saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour
you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Prove, the Hebrew word,
meaning “to test (especially metals) to investigate, examine, prove, try by
trial. Faith that is not tested isn’t worth having. Rest assured, God will test
your metal, or allow it to be tested by other means.
God had proven Himself many
times to Joshua. Deliverance from the Egyptian bondage; deliverance through the
Red Sea; providing manna in the wilderness; making water come from the rock;
sparing Joshua and Caleb, and killing those twenty years and up in the
wilderness; not leaving them to wander in the wilderness, but bringing them to
the land that flowed with milk and honey.
Joshua and Caleb proved to be
an example of faith. If you want the assembly you lead to tithe, then you
tithe. If you want them to give above and beyond, you do likewise. If you sow
sparingly, you have no right to expect the flock to sow bountifully!
Christ said, “Give, and it
shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and
running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that
you mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Joshua had proven God, and
God had proven Joshua, and both had proven faithful. God will put his people to
the test. Exodus 16:4, “Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain
bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out And gather a certain
rate every day, that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law, or no.”
Keeping His Sabbath, The
Lord’s Day. Manna is to be gathered
five days, enough for a days rations. Some did not obey, manna stinks and is
wormy. You may see what the world religions are doing and be tempted to try the
same. Don’t Do it! Any other way than God’s Way will stink in the nostrils of
God. The fifth day they were to gather enough for two days, there was to be no
gathering on the Sabbath day.
In many ways God puts His
people through the same proving ground today! “Thou shalt remember all the way
which the Lord thy God led thee. . .” “ to humble thee. . .” “To prove thee. .
..” “to test the metal of one’s faith.” “To know what was in thine heart.” “To
reveal the true affection.” “To know whether thou wouldest keep His commandments or not.”
How did God prove his people?
“And He humbled thee: God afflicted thee. And suffered thee to hunger,” to
crowd into a narrow space, to press together. God put a lot of people in one
place with little food to go around. God took away the food and water. God
takes away those little simple pleasures we no longer consider and take for
granted.
Numbers 11:5-6, “ We remember
the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely, the cucumbers, the melons, and the
leeks and the onions, and the garlic. But now our soul, is dried away; there is
nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.” They were looking back.
The plowman who is continually looking back will never plow a straight row,
Luke 9:62. The plowman must not be
distracted by the things around him; rather he must focus at a distant object ahead of him. “Looking unto Jesus the
Author and Finisher of our faith,” Heb. 12:2.
That is how God proves His
people. God strips us of all those things we have come to trust and depend on
apart from and instead of Him. Joshua had been through all these experiences to
see the real stuff he was made of; if
he would remain faithful, if he were serving God from the heart, if he would
keep His commandments (Word) regardless of trials and sufferings that came his
way. What does it take for you to quit serving God? What luxury would it take
before you say to God, That’s enough; that is taking it too far! I quit!
God’s Directive.
Joshua 1:2 “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan,
thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the
children of Israel. Joshua is given a directive, “Now therefore arise.” Joshua had his marching orders. It
was time to make a move. It was time to cross over. “Go over this Jordan, thou,
and all this people.” It was time to take possession of the Promise Land of
God. It was time to claim the inheritance.
Joshua’s directive was
accompanied by the power of God. “Every place that the sole of your foot shall
tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. There shall not
any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. I
will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
God’s Promise. God’s
promise is contingent upon those willing to take courage. Who would depend upon
the strength of God? Joshua did not
trust in the arm of flesh. God’s promises are to those of His people willing to
obey His commands. “That thou mayest observe to do according to all the law.”
To those who remain steadfast without any compromise; “Turn not from it to the
right hand or to the left.” God’s promises are sometimes based on His people’s
meeting the conditions.
Joshua was not trying to live
up to the worlds’s standards and expectations. Be careful about wanting to be
like all the rest! Everybody is doing it syndrome. All the rest don’t have
God’s leadership, direction and promises. All the rest are aliens — foreigners from the common wealth of Israel.
They are strangers from the covenants of promise. They are without hope, and
without God. All the rest have no future, no life; to look forward to, no
inheritance to come.
World-Wide
Literature
Project
Report
Calvary
M. B. Church
P.
O. Box 128
Hamburg,
Arkansas 71646
We have had a busy quarter
with great expenses and your faithful support has enabled us to pay all the
bills. To God be the glory for all that has been accomplished through His
wonderful people.
We have sent literature
through the mail to many destinations, we have shipped materials to Thailand
and Vanuatu, and we have helped missionary Bobby Bear relocate back to the
states from the Philippines. The total cost for all of these projects was about
$15,394.00. Some shipments were much higher than estimates while the shipment
to Thailand was a little less than
estimated.
We will ship a container this
month to Honduras for missionary Karl Thomas. This container will include his
personal household goods and a vehicle for him to use there. We ll also include
literature and Bibles (as they are available) in this shipment. We have been
requested to ship a container to Kenya in the not too distant future. We will
work with Ernie Hopper and James Taylor in this effort. If you have supplies
you want to ship to Kenya, please contact us and we will be glad to include
them in the container. A date will be set in the near future for this shipment.
Please contact us for more information.
We want to thank the
Friendship District Auxiliary for purchasing a strapping machine for the warehouse. This tool has
already paid for itself by securing many crates packed with supplies destined
for mission work on the other side of the world. There are other items needed
for the warehouse and any offerings designated for this part of this ministry
would be appreciated. We purchase shipping labels, mail labels, plywood, steel
strapping, boxes, packing tape and many other items on a regular basis.
Shipping labels are purchased at the lowest possible cost. We purchase $200.00
worth at a time. A bunk of plywood is just over $400.00. A case of tape is
$56.00. Three hundred boxes cost $230.00. We need a new printer for our
computer. We need a battery charger for an electric lift. The list goes on and
on. Purchases are made as funds become available.
Literature, hymnals, Bibles
and other religious books are needed. Please mail your donated materials to World-Wide
Literature Project, 1310 North Cherry, Hamburg, AR 71646 or drop them by
one of the collection centers listed below. Offering should be sent to P. O.
Box 1234, Benton, AR 72018.
Joel
Meredith, Pastor
International
Christian
Publishers
We appreciate the support we have received from churches and
individuals over the past three months. We are praying for more to join the
effort by becoming monthly supporters. We desperately need funds to help
develop literature in many foreign countries. We have been requested to help in
Australia, Mongolia, Myanmar and Thailand when funds are available. We need
your help. We are asking you to pray for this ministry and help us if you can.
We have also been asked to
help develop literature in the Philippines. We will continue on with the effort
started by the Baptist Sunday School Committee. The messengers voted at the ABA
meeting in Chattanooga to accept a recommendation by the Editor in Chief not to
continue the BSSC effort because of difficulties they have run into that makes
it difficult for the BSSC to do the work there. After speaking with Brother
Bill Johnson, we have determined that we can do the work that needs to be done without the handicaps
encountered by the Committee. Please
help us help the Filipinos to continue on with this great work. There are
people working now translating materials and getting them ready for printing.
Translating will be an ongoing effort. The cost for this will be about $300.00
per month. We will begin sending this amount this month.
Many have said that they
would be glad to help a church-sponsored effort to develop literature in
foreign countries. If you are one of those, here is a golden opportunity.
Please help us help them.
Joel
Meredith, Director
P.
O. Box 557
Hamburg,
AR 71646
The following article was
sent to me by Internet from my daughter, Twila June Thibeault. I would love to
give credit to the originator of the article, but I have no way of knowing who
wrote it. It has a very good message: The
Son. JWG
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had
everything in their collection from Picasso to Raphael. They often sat together and admire the great
works of art.
When the Viet Nam conflict broke
out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while
rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his
only son.
About a month later, just
before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door
with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am
the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and
he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart, and he died
instantly. He often talked about you and your love for art.”
The young man held out his
package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think
your son would have wanted you to have this.”
The father opened the
package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in
awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the
painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with
tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.
“Oh no, sir, I could never
repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.”
The father hung the portrait
over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the
portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had
collected.
The man died a few months
later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential
people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings, and having an
opportunity to purchase one for their collections. On the platform sat the
painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel.
“We will start the bidding
with this picture of the son. Who will
bid for this picture?” There was
silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the
famous paintings. Skip this one.” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone
bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?” Another voice
shouted angrily, “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van
Goghs,
the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!” But still the auctioneer continued.
“The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?”
Finally, a voice came from
the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son.
“I’ll give $10 for the painting.”
Being a poor man, it was all
he could afford. “We have $10, who will bid $20?” “Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.” “$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?” The
crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t
want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their
collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for
$10!”
A man sitting on the second
row shouted. “Now, let’s get on with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his
gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.” “What about the paintings?” “I am
sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret
stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until
this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that
painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who
took the son gets every thing!"
God
gave His Son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer,
His message today is, “The Son, the Son! Who’ll take the Son?” Because, you
see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.
—author unknown
The Hume Lake Missionary Baptist Retreat ,
October 21, 22 & 23, has come and gone. It was, as usual, a wonderful
experience. The weather was absolutely great. We had 82 campers, and the
services were uplifting and challenging. The messages by Brothers Lester Miller
and Leslie Smith were as good as it gets! Again the food was spectacular.
We would like to see more and more of our
brethren from our churches plan on being a part of this beautiful experience
this coming year. Mark it on your calendars NOW: October 20, 21, & 22, 2003.
Make sure you have a place by sending a
deposit to Brother Godbehere, 12104 Topper Road, Madera, CA. 93638. There are
standard and deluxe facilities available.
NEW PASTOR AT EL NIDO
Congratulations, Brother Rob
Darby, who has been called as pastor to the church at El Nido, and he has
accepted the call.
Brother Darby is an
excellent fourth-year student at FMBI
and will graduate in May.
Ordination services for Brother Darby will be held at the Clovis MBC Friday, November 22, at 7:00 p. m.