Editorial: His Body - "Given for us!"
Feature Article: "First Love!"
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. EDITORIAL: His Body -
"Given for us!"
2. FEATURE ARTICLE: First Love
3. PRAYER REQUESTS
4. CONTACT US
1. EDITORIAL: His Body -
"Given for us!"
I recently received an Email from a brother in the Lord, who
presented the following thought and request:
"I am trying to trace the earliest known references to the term,
'broken body of Christ', as used at communion by Protestant
churches. It is interesting to note it is one term not used in the
Gospel accounts of the Last Supper. The phrase used is that His body
was 'given for you' not 'broken for you'. In fact, one of the few
hundred prophecies about Christ from the Old Testament state that the
Christ would not be broken as a sign of who He was.
(See John 19:36)."
My response was short and simple:
"Thank you for writing - I only wish I could help! You are absolutely
correct in pursuing (and correcting) the nature of this teaching,
because clearly - He was not 'broken' in any way, mentally, physically
or spiritually. Please let me know what you ultimately discover
though, as all of Satan's deceptions are subtle, and this certainly
falls into that category."
How do you feel about this, brethren? Do you think that an important
issue has been raised, or is this something that we should not worry
about?
Do you have any data on this topic that would help our brother
discover the source of this matter?
Please let me know how you feel about this. As I said, I thought it
was significant enough for him to pursue, but then I happen to
believe that any quest for truth is a worthwhile adventure!
2. FEATURE ARTICLE: First
Love.
Recently, Charlie and I received a phone call from Charlie's bridal
party 'maid of honor', Theresa, whom we have not heard from in thirty
years. Theresa found us through the Internet! Anyway, she and
Charlie gabbed for over two hours, catching up on old times, and it
was a re-kindling of an old friendship that we pray will be for the
Lord's glory.
As it turns out, Theresa, has moved away from the Cleveland, Ohio
area where we all grew up, and now lives in Portland, Oregon. Surprisingly, our daughter, Andrea, was planning a vacation to
Portland the following week, and we arranged for the two of them
to "do lunch" some time during Andrea's stay.
Nevertheless, as Charlie, Andrea and I were discussing Terri - and
Andrea's trip, Charlie went into the closet and broke out our wedding
album, so that she could show Andrea what Terri looked like! As
always, I sat looking at pictures of Mom and Dad; at all of my
Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, etc... And, at the photo's of my bride!
At the end of the album we have inserted some snapshots that were
taken on the day we became engaged, as well as some from Charlie's
bridal shower and some others that were simply taken during our
engagement period. Amidst that group of photograph's though, are two
pictures that always grab my attention and tug at my heart strings,
because they really captured the absolute loveliness of the young
girl that I fell in love with. And, as usual when I see those
photo's, I fall in love all over again!
So very beautiful, innocent and vulnerable!
As I looked at those photograph's of my soon-to-be-bride, however, my
thoughts turned to our loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the
Holy Spirit immediately took me to Revelation 2:1-7, where Jesus is
warning that many, "Have left your first love." I knew
immediately
that this was to be the feature article of our February Newsletter.
And, it shall be brief!
When was the last time you considered the moment of your re-birth,
and remembered the love, exuberance, vigor and zeal that was in your
heart for our Lord Jesus Christ?
When was the last time you looked at the photograph's of your walk
with Jesus? You know, the one's that you have stored in your heart. And - in looking at them - when was the last time that you really
remembered, "Therefore from where you have fallen"?
And, in remembering all of these things, when was the last time you
truly shared your love for Jesus with another human being?
The photograph's of Charlie that catch my attention were of my "soon-to-be-bride"... As I looked at them this time though, the Holy
Spirit imprinted on my heart the fact that - we are the soon-to-be-Bride of Jesus Christ! What sort of photograph's are we providing
for our Lord Jesus Christ through our walk today? What sort of
eternal memories are we creating?
Perhaps it is time to take out those snapshots once again and refresh
our hearts in the light of our Lord Jesus Christ who loves us,
because if we don't, "Repent and do the deeds you did at first", we
are going to suffer the consequence that, "I am coming to you, and
will remove your lampstand out of its place - unless you repent."
Consider your first love, beloved. He has never ceased to consider
you!
3. PRAYER REQUESTS:
It appears that many of the brethren are being "put through the
ringers" this month, in many diverse situations. Therefore, I urge
each of you to uphold the Body of Christ in prayer.
Our enemy is attacking families, attacking personal addictions,
attacking finances, health and jobs, as well as any and every
weakness that he can uncover, in an attempt to dissuade us from
faithfully following the guidance and direction of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Rebuke the evil one, brethren, on behalf of the Body of Christ. In
Jesus, we shall overcome!
4. CONTACT: larry vosen
If you have any questions about the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, the
Holy Spirit, the Gospel, Faith or any pressing spiritual matter,
please feel free to contact me. While I may not possess the answers
personally, I know Who Does! Every effort will be made to answer
your questions in a timely and Scripturally supported manner.
Do you have a prayer request? Please share your needs with us... We
will post your needs in our "Prayer Request" sections, so that we can
approach the Throne of God in a united front on your behalf.
We can be reached via email at: Contact
larry
Or, please feel free to mail your thoughts or requests to:
Larry Vosen
2600 E. Seltice Way, #203
Post Falls, ID 83854
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