HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH EZINE

New Frontiers International is an organization led by one Terry Virgo of Brighton, England. His base is the "Church of Christ the King" located in Brighton. They profess to have over 300 churches in their organization located in 26 nations. Dividing 300 by 26 gives you an average of 11.5 churches (congregations) per nation. They list 12 in the United States, 7 of which are in the state of Missouri. I have not been able to determine the date this movement was started but, apparently it has not been many years.

They list a five-fold mission as follows: Restore the Church; Make Disciples; Train Leaders; Plant Churches; Reach the Nations. These statements may appear good and right on the surface, However, neither their organization, practice, or doctrine are biblically sound. The following excerpt on "How to be come a Christian" is taken from their website:

• Admit to God that you've sinned against Him. Tell Him that you're really sorry for the things you've done wrong and that you're going to stop doing them.
• Believe that when Jesus Christ died on the cross, He took the punishment for your sin.
• Ask Jesus to come into your life, take away your sin and give you eternal life.

I certainly hope that everyone has a great year in 2003, physically, financially, and especially spiritually! We might have very limited control over the first two, but we can certainly bring about the third. We can get on our arthritic knees more often, and stay longer. We can read more of, and about God's word. We can have compassion on others more. We can invite others to study with us more. This we can control.

I, not only fear, but expect that the U.S. will go to war within a few weeks. I fear, but pray not, that there may be much heavier casualties in this war (on both sides) than we have seen in the two most previous ones. You can see by reading previous issues of this ezine, that my optimism for the future is not too great. I've said before, that when one third of the world population hates you and wishes to see you destroyed, you have a problem. Some say that God will not allow us to be overrun. Why not? He makes no promises as to our peace and serenity here on this earth. He did that for the Israelites on a conditional basis, but they blew it.

But don't blame our President. It is not his fault that we are faced with our present crisis. And if he sits back and does nothing, who do you think will be blamed when we are faced with terrorist acts far greater than 9-11? He has to act. No, Satan is to blame. He caused Sarah to doubt God's ability to give Abraham a son by her. So she gave her handmaid to Abraham which gave us Ishmael and his descendents. We, as Christians, can fervently pray to God for peace upon the earth and we should do that, but if this is not in harmony with His Holy purpose, we just need to be ready to accept whatever comes our way and, even moreso, be ready for our meeting with Him.

Fourteen times in the King James Version the phrase “his own soul” appears. Eight of these occurrences are found in the book of Proverbs. It is a truly amazing array of matters that is covered in this book by this phrase. In each of the eight instances in which this phrase is employed by Solomon a different word or phrase precedes it. The examination of these instances makes for a tremendously interesting study. Over the next few weeks let us examine the uses of this phrase in the book of Proverbs. (The eight verses in which the phrase is found are: 6:32; 8:36; 11:17; 15:32; 19:8; 19:16; 20:2; 29:24.)

"But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul" (Proverbs 6:32). In the first instance in which this phrase is found it is somewhat ironic that it is used in connection with adultery, since the life of Solomon had been so affected by this sin. Not only did he have numerous wives (I Kgs. 11:3), but his father David’s adulterous relationship with Bathsheba was a well-chronicled matter (II Sam. 11). Perplexing then is the thought that Solomon, the wisest of the ages, with such a background and being inspired by God would himself fall to such temptations. Well should he have known of the wiles of adultery.

In the context of Proverbs 6:32 Solomon speaks of the fact that men do not despise a thief who has nothing and takes only to provide the necessities. He stated, “Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry” (Prov. 6:30). Note the contrast between this Verse and Verse 32. In verse 30 Solomon speaks of the satisfying of the soul. In Verse 32 he speaks of the destruction of the soul. Both hunger and the sexual desire within man were given him by God. Both have their proper means of being satisfied. If one takes food when he is hungry because he has no means of obtaining it otherwise, men are often sympathetic; but the price of such is restoration and restitution. However, if one satisfies his fleshly desires by committing adultery with another’s spouse he has done much more than tarnish his image and defile his name. He has "destroy[ed] his own soul."

Those of our day who portray life in a playboy image and who uphold immoral practices through varying forms of media would do well to heed the warnings of Solomon. Countless are the homes which have been destroyed by adultery and numerous are the lives which have been affected. Truly, the one who engages in this ungodly practice "destroyeth his own soul."

(Eddy Gilpin preaches for the West Side church of Christ in Salem, Virginia.)

Chula Vista Books is owned and operated by Mark and Teah McWhorter. We carry a wide selection of Bible related materials--ladies' books, childrens' materials, commentaries, apologetics, lectureship books, missions books, class books, debates, sermon books, church history, topical studies, Bible covers, Bibles, tracts, BCCs and more.

We also send out used book lists from time to time. Unfortunately we do not have a catalog at present but invite your inquiries. If you would like to be on our mailing list, send us your email address.

Mark McWhorter, 420 Chula Vist Mtn Rd, Pell City AL 35125, Phone 205-338-1843

Does your congregation have a web site? Can you add, update and delete information from your existing web site easily? If you answered no to either question visit The Lord's Way. This new service allows you to create a web site for your congregation and update it yourself whenever you want by simply completing online forms. The service is designed for any congregation that wants a web site that contains current, updated and fresh information but does not want to invest the time and money in learning about the inner-workings of the Internet. Your new site will be packed with information about your congregation. Visit us and take a tour!

"Scientists who go about teaching that evolution is a fact of life are great con-men, and the story they are telling may be the greatest hoax ever. In explaining evolution, we do not have one iota of fact."

Dr. T. N. Tahmisian (Atomic Energy Commission, USA) in "The Fresno Bee", August 20, 1959. As quoted by N. J. Mitchell, Evolution and the Emperor's New Clothes, Roydon Publications, UK, 1983, title page.

Well, here it is, 2003 and it seems like only a few weeks back when everyone was frightened of the Y2K bug. Three years passed in only a few short weeks. We did witness some awful things during that time though. Let us all pray that this year will bring many wonderful things as far as progress towards world peace, and progress in our efforts to spread God's word.

I do want to thank every one of you who subscribe to this ezine for your loyalty. I hope you will all resolve this year to try and convert at least one soul to Christ. And while you are resolving, resolve to find me another or two of good Christians who would enjoy receiving this feeble effort of mine. I would like to build up my subscriber base but only with those who want it.

I hope for all of you, good health and much happiness this coming year. I hope you get to feel a baby grasp your finger, I hope you get to smell a puppy's breath, see kittens run and startle one another, have a dog run to meet you each evening, when you come home from work, so overjoyed that he can hardly contain himself and I hope you see many beautiful sunrises. I hope you get to smell honeysuckles this next Spring and, if you live in the areas where they are, hear Whippoorwills calling each evening. I hope that whatever may be worrying you, turns out to be something wonderful. And I hope that you might get to hear a little girl say "I love you, Daddy (or Mama, which ever the case may be)"

And above all I pray that, if any of us fail to make it through this year, that we will have lived our lives so that we may meet in Glory, "...and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

The theme for SELTC 2003 is "Go!" Based on the book of Matthew, this year's study challenges each of us to allow God to rule in every area of our life. We pray that this year's study affords you the opportunity to grow closer to God and each other. The date for this year's convention is April 18-20, 2003. We will be meeting at the Adam's Mark in Mobile, AL. For more information please visit our website at www.seltc.org or call 205-988-5808.

The Bear Valley Bible Institute, Scottsboro Extension (BVBISE) is half-way through it's second year of operation under the oversight of the elders of the Broad Street Church of Christ in Scottsboro, Alabama. The school is an extension of the BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE of DENVER. 40 courses (and eight out-of-class mini-courses) completed over a four-year period lead to the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree. The Associates Degree may be earned in half that time.

One course is taught each month (except July and December) in two all-day Saturday sessions along with outside assignments. The school is TUITION FREE. The only costs to the student are for required texts & materials, and a $5 fee each Saturday to help cover the teacher's expenses. The teachers are academically well-qualified and experienced gospel preachers who know and love the Bible as the verbally inspired and authoritative word of God, and who volunteer their time and work as a labor of love.

BVBISE is committed to training sound and able Bible teachers (men and women), and faithful gospel preachers for service in the kingdom of Christ. The format is designed to make this training possible for men and women who must continue their jobs and other pursuits while they study. Credit is given for previous college or preacher-school study. A preacher-school graduate may be able to earn the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree in as little as four months of study. For more information please contact the Broad Street Church of Christ, 613 South Broad Street, Scottsboro, AL 35768. Phone: 256-574-2489. EMAIL

Two men were traveling together, when a Bear suddenly met them on their path. One of them climbed up quickly into a tree and concealed himself in the branches. The other, seeing that he must be attacked, fell flat on the ground, and when the Bear came up and felt him with his snout, and smelt him all over, he held his breath, and feigned the appearance of death as much as he could. The Bear soon left him, for it is said he will not touch a dead body. When he was quite gone, the other Traveler descended from the tree, and jocularly inquired of his friend what it was the Bear had whispered in his ear. "He gave me this advice," his companion replied. "Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger."

Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends...Aesop