Hello!  My name is Abraham Lincoln.  I’m known for many things: freeing the slaves, winning the Civil War, and keeping our country united.  However the thing I did that mattered most was accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior.  The scary part is that I almost didn’t do it.  I tried to work my way into heaven until 1 1/2 years before I died when I came to a knowledge of the truth.  But all this is getting ahead of my story.  Let me go back to the beginning.

            My ancestors were Quakers from Berks County, Pa., who moved to Virginia, then Kentucky.  I was born February 12, 1809, in a crude log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky.  I had one sister, Sarah.  My father, Tom Lincoln, was an uneducated farmer.  When he was a young man he went to a camp meeting led by Peter Cartwright and, in response to the Gospel being presented, stood, raised his hands, and started dancing around.  He grabbed the hand of Nancy Hawks, who had also just accepted Jesus as her Savior.  A week later they were married.

            My mother read the Bible to me often as I sat on her lap.  That is one of my earliest memories and left a strong, life-long impression of me.  Years later when asked why I was so honest (“Honest Abe” they called me) I gave the credit to those times on her lap hearing the Bible.  My mother’s last words to me were “Keep God’s commandments.”

            A couple years before my mother died my father moved us to Indiana.  When I was in my teens there I helped him build a church and I became its first janitor.  My education was home-spun.  I was home-schooled by my mother, and mainly by myself as I borrowed all I could find to read.  I read the Bible until I knew much of it by heart and could quote chapter after chapter.  I also read Aesop’s Fables, Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim’s Progress, and the lives of Washington, Clay and Franklin. 

            I entered law and developed a strong hatred for slavery.  When I was 33 I married Mary Todd.  It was not the marriage I would have liked it to be.  She was into occult practices and influenced me in that area sometimes. 

            Two of our four sons died early in life.  The death of little Willie hit me hard .  I prayed for his healing but it never came.  I was almost destroyed by grief.  A Christian nurse who was with Willie tried to point me to God and gave me the plan of salvation, but I couldn’t see it then.  You see, I believed in God but was trying to get to heaven by living a good life.  I believed all the right things in my mind, and know the Bible well, but I had never submitted by proud spirit to Him.  I knew the Bible was His book, the most important ever.  I often went to it for comfort, especially during the dark days of the Civil War.  I knew the Bible, but not its Author. 

            I prayed regularly, for myself and for others.  I saw God answer prayers for me, my family, and my law clients in very miraculous ways.  I always gave Him the credit.  I can see now it was one of the ways He was trying to bring me closer to him.

            I attended church each Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, but I never joined a church.  Once I lightly said that if I ever found a church good enough to join, I’d join it.  I must admit there was some truth in that statement, though.  I never did affiliate with any church, something I should have done.  Toward the end of my life I seriously considered it, but never did do it. 

            During the Civil War there were several large revivals in the Northern Army.  I heard about them, but didn’t think I had a need.  That is, I didn’t see my need until Gettysburg.  That bloody battle brought home in a very real way the death and suffering that the war brought on us all.  Can you imagine — 50 million died in that war!   As I walked around Gettysburg and saw the graves and destruction, with death everywhere in the air, I was crushed.  I later wrote to a friend, “When I left Springfield and went to Washington I was not a Christian.  When I left Washington to go to Gettysburg I was not a Christian.  But at Gettysburg I consecrated my heart to Christ.”  In that place of death, God gave me new life.  I realized I could not trust in my own efforts to keep His commandments to remove my sins, but only in what He did for me on the cross.  I told a friend, “My heart was changed.  I loved the Savior.”  From then on I told people of my faith in Christ as God and Savior.  I wanted to make a public confession and join a church but never did. 

            My final conversation with Mary in the theater where I died was of my Savior.  I was talking to her about a trip to Palestine.  “We can see Bethlehem where He was born.  We can go to Bethany.  We could go up to Jeru              .”   Then came the shot that ended my life and sent me immediately to the presence of my Savior.  My thoughts were on Him when I died, and the next thing I knew I was in His glorious presence. 

            My message to you would be to make sure that you don’t put her faith in knowing the Bible and living a godly life.  That will never do it.  Only as you submit your will to His, as you humbly receive His free gift of salvation, will you ever have a salvation.  That will begin a personal relationship with Him that is greater than anything this earth has to offer.  Trust Him, life for Him, tell others about Him, and serve Him with all your heart.  I’ll see you when you get to heaven!

Pray God continues to guide us as we support orphans and pastors in India and provide follow-up conferences for them.  Pray God provides some men who can come with me to  help teach these fine men and women of God. 

I thank JIM HODGES for accompanying me.  His presence was a great blessing and wonderful help in many ways.  Here is his summary account of the time we spent:

I spent 3 weeks in India with Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer in 2012 on a trip whose mission was to train, equip, and encourage local Christian church pastors who for the most part have had no formal training in the ministry.  The trips particulars were coordinated and hosted by a local Pastor named Moses.

Jerry taught pastors on the leadership qualities of Nehemiah; Jesus’ divinity; Paul’s inability to find peace till he encountered Jesus; what God expects of Pastors; spiritual warfare; a Biblically based marriage; the “body” of the church; how to know if you are growing spiritually; Joshua’s trust in God under adverse circumstances; an overview of Old Testament history; the concept of redemption; how to study the Bible; praying without ceasing; God taking full responsibility to build His Church and other subjects too numerous to mention.

While in India, we held an outdoor church service and served cupfuls of milk at a Dalit campground, (the tent homes of the “untouchables” at the lowest level of the Indian caste system), held services and gave out rice at a lepers colony; and held outdoor services at a gypsy village that required 2 translators to get the message into the local dialect.

            We visited numerous local churches, some quite nice but most mere huts in outlying villages, and held services most every evening.  The joy and pride seen on the pastor’s faces when we arrived at their houses of worship made the entire trip worthwhile.  They are so encouraged that we would come to visit them and meet their congregations.  It is truly touching.

                One day, after day 3 of the Leader/Pastor conference, we went with one of the attendees to a small home church meeting in what you might generously call a slum.  The ground floor of his house / church is unfinished; the ceiling is the floor of the church above.  Most of the walls are completed in the church.  Only one room in the house is completely walled in.  This man has made his church the priority over his own home.  The service was full, mostly of women, with a dozen men besides.  He is praying for $400 to purchase the bricks necessary to complete the walls in the church.  The house can wait.

            Years ago this pastor was in a terrible bus accident that resulted in the doctor’s ultimate determination to amputate his legs.  He was a “priest” in the Hindu faith, but a nurse told him about Jesus Christ and his history of healing.  He prayed and when the doctors came to take another set of xrays, said, you are healing.  He walks just fine and has been telling his story from house to house ever since.  He’s been in the car with us and knows no English at all.  But he talks a mile a minute to Moses and they both laugh a lot.  He has a good and kind face.

            On a different day I met my own new ministry.  He is the pastor of a small church with a leaky roof in a backward town, has a wife with a heart condition, 2 daughters in college, a son at home, and a church to minister to.  He is quiet and unassuming, a little intense when talking, and devoted to his Lord and his people.  His wife and son, who I met, are very sweet spirited and I could see that his son honored his parents and served right along with them.  He is probably 14 years old, but apparently a fine man already.  I called him the good son.  I do not know the pastor’s name.  I had my picture taken with them and could tell they were just a little surprised at that.  After all I had sat in the back of the church taking pictures, why would they want their picture taken with me?  But I was a visitor from America so it made sense.  My 25 dollars a month will provide about one third of his monthly income.

            Another church we visited was about 10 feet square.  Wattle and daub walls, with the daub only reaching up about three fourths on three sides, hardly at all on the fourth.  Three or four plastic chairs at the head, flour and sugar and fertilizer bags sewn together to make a carpet, and voila!  A church!  The total cost was $300 American dollars, which was provided by those who donate to the Indian Ministry sponsored by Main Street Baptist Church.  This pastor, too, receives $25 a month from someone in the US who has committed to contributing that amount for him.  The pastor was a young man we’ve met a few times already this trip at various trainings and locations, and he was beaming, as are all the pastors when we visit.  But the people in this place were beyond friendly.  They approached us immediately, smiled from ear to ear, and genuinely welcomed us to their village and church.  Their children were active and bright and outgoing and cheerful.  Right out of a movie scene.

            Another pastor we visited is unusually short, even for India, and was born with a withered leg that he can still walk around on with quite a bit of rotating the hips and throwing this leg out before him.  I noticed him particularly during the 3-day Leaders / Pastors conference at the beginning of the trip.  First I noticed how short he was, then I noticed how his face beamed with happiness all the time, then I noticed how intently he listened to the training – how seriously he took his studies.  I am thrilled he is one of 6 pastors that receive $25 a month of support from sponsors in the US.  His church/house combination couldn’t have been 150 sq feet divided into 2.  It is at the end of a trail at the end of an alley near the end of a side street.  Half living space, half church/school, it is his home, it is his church, it is his life and he is radiant. The dedication of such men, needy themselves, ministering to the needy for their Lord, I have never seen before. 

            Most of these pastors heard the gospel preached, responded to it, got a Bible somehow, and in reading it and sharing their faith with their family and friends, became the “pastor” of their own church quite by accident.  Once in that position, they felt led to fulfill that position full time, quit their jobs, and have been living on faith ever since. 

            It is heartening, encouraging, amazing and humbling to be in their presence, and to have them thank us for coming.  Moses tells me that at most 1-2 percent have other employment besides a salary from an often poor congregation’s tithes and offerings. People often bring small amounts of rice as their offering.  Again, where do such men come from?

            One particular church service was the most convicting and encouraging of all.  A building description is superfluous:  3 or 4 plastic chairs, microphone and speaker, a wire hung between two trees with a phosphorescent light suspended, blue tarps laid out on the ground next to a house and not 10 feet from water buffalo eating at a haystack,  35 or so women and children, about 15 men, more eager and attentive than any I’ve seen.  No building.  No pews.  But worship and faith and joy and a desire to learn and grow.  What more could a pastor want?

            On the flight from Philadelphia to Heathrow on our way to India, I was overcome with a sense of fear and dread that called out to me to find a flight back to Philadelphia, run away and return to money to those who contributed towards my trip.  What are you doing going to India?  You have a business to run!  How will you pay the bills?  These and other such questions would cause me to lose heart.  I listened for a while, and felt a frightening pounding in my chest, and realized that this was just the enemy trying to get me to quit.  I’m glad I didn’t.

So, what have I learned while in India?         God can do very much with very little.  There are men and women in the world willing to risk their lives for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Wherever you are, serve God there.  Peace and happiness and joy do not come from things.

            I am thrilled to have been able to play just a small part in encouraging the relatively young Christian churches we visited, assisting Jerry in the training of their almost completely untrained pastor corps,  and documenting and photographing it for myself and he and some few readers of my emails and Facebook page.

            I suspect not too many visitors to India get to see what I have seen, like the remote villages and gypsy camps.  How many talk to hundreds of men and some of their wives; although sometimes just briefly or through an imperfect interpreter?  Get to eat in their homes and, for a couple nights anyway, sleep in one of their stick frame beds with hand tied webbing?  I suspect not many.

            “Will you come back to India?” I am frequently asked.  I don’t know.  God laid it on my heart to come this year, so I pursued it as an assignment.  If He says to come again I will do all in my power to obey.

            I hope I fulfilled my mission this time.

With Hope in Him,
Jim Hodges

            Too often we relegate Jesus to the New Testament miss all the Old Testament has to say about Him.  There are hundreds of prophecies (456 the rabbi’s say) and many, many types as well.  These are pictures of Him, like Joshua being a picture of Jesus as deliver, Melchizedek a picture of Jesus as eternal king and priest in one, Joseph a picture of one rejected by his brothers despite no recorded sin in his life, Passover and the innocent blood of a lamb to cover sin and hundreds more.  But what we often overlook is Jesus’ appearances in the Old Testament.

            Now understand that He wasn’t called ‘Jesus’ until He took up our humanity at His birth, but He always existed as the Second Person of the Trinity (John 1:1, 15; 8:58).  He was with the Father before creation (John 17:5, 24) and took part in creation itself (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17).  He even walked and talked with Adam and Eve in Eden (Genesis 3:8-24).  The Bible tells us that no man has seen God (the Father) at any time (John 1:18) and the Holy Spirit is unseen with no visible form.  Therefore every appearance of God to man is the Second Person of the Trinity, before His birth, when He was on earth as the man Jesus, and when He returns at the end of the Tribulation to rule and reign on earth (Revelation 19-22).  Not only did this same Person walk and talk with Adam and Eve, He killed the animals whose skins were used to cover their shame and guilt.  In doing this He knew that it was just a picture of what He Himself would do to cover sin when He came to earth.

            It was this same Second Person of the Trinity, this ‘Jesus’ before His birth, who spoke with Noah, then closed the door of the ark and joined them inside.  He rescued Hagar when she fled Abraham (Genesis 16:7-14) and appeared to Abraham to reaffirm the covenant (Genesis 17:1-27).  He came to Abraham to assure Him He would have a son the next year (Genesis 18:1-15) and then later told about the coming destruction of Sodom (Genesis 18:16-19:22).  He stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac and provided a substitute instead (Genesis 22:10-11).  In fact, this was done in the same place where He Himself would die on the cross as the final substitute for all our sins. 

            He also spoke to Jacob in a dream (Genesis 31:11-13) and wrestled with Jacob (Genesis 32:24-32).  He appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-14).  He brought the plagues on the Egyptians and led the Jews out of Egypt in the cloud of fire.  He gave the law to Moses on Mount Sinai and appeared many, many times to speak with Moses (Exodus 33:11). 

            He blocked the way of Balaam’s donkey (Numbers 22:21-35), gave Joshua instructions as to how to conquer Jericho (Joshua 5:13 – 6:2) and appeared to Gideon (Judges 6:11-23 and Samson’s father (Judges 13:1-7).  He appeared to many of the prophets like Ezekiel (1:1-28) and Zechariah (1:12; 12:8).  He was in the fiery furnace with Daniel’s three friends (Daniel 3:25) and killed 185,000 Assyrians in a single night when they surrounded Jerusalem (II Kings 19:35; Isaiah 37:36).  In fact, when He came it was to bring judgment on sin.  That is true in Old Testament where He brought judgment in the form of the flood, to Sodom and Gomorrah, in Egypt, on the Canaanites through Joshua, on the Assyrian army and many others.  In the future He will return to earth to bring judgment at the end of the tribulation.  When He was born as Jesus and grew up as a man, that was to bring judgment on sin as well.  Only instead of the judgment being poured out on guilty mankind He took it Himself on the cross to spare us results of His judgment (Romans 8:1).  Coming as the meek and mild Jesus, full of grace and mercy, is only possible because He became our substitute.

            Every time God appears to man in the Bible it is the Second Person of the Trinity.  In New Testament He is called Jesus.  In the Old He is referred to as ‘God’, ‘Lord’ or more commonly ‘The Angel of the LORD.’  ‘Angel’ is Hebrew word which means ‘messenger.’  Jesus was God’s messenger.  ‘LORD’ is the special covenant name God used with His people.  It was composed of 4 consonants, Y, H, W, H.  In honor and respect the Jews never pronounced this name so no one knows what the vowels were, but ‘Jehovah’ and ‘Yahweh’ or the most common suggestions.  Basically it means “I AM,” referring to God’s eternal existence, The Fist and Last, the Alpha and Omega.  When Jesus used this name for Himself (John 8:58) the Jews understand He was claiming to be the One Who appeared to man in the Old Testament and tried to stone Him for blasphemy (John 8:59f).

APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT

            Think through the Old Testament, even go back and reread it.  Each time God appears to man think of Him as ‘Jesus’ before His birth.  Your understanding and appreciation for Him will grow greatly, as well as your love and trust.  It is very moving to see how many times God has reached out to man, and to us as well.  It is humbling to realizing that the only reason He didn’t come to bring judgment to us as well is because He volunteered to take that judgment Himself.  He stepped in front of us to take the bullet of eternal condemnation for us.  What a wonderful God we serve!

BIBLE STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Read Matthew 8:22-32.  Write down questions you would have asked Matthew were you there when he was writing or reading this passage.  Look at the context, what happened before and after this passage, to get additional insight to what it is all about.  Then see if you can discover the significance of calling Jesus ‘Son of God’ after this event?  Why that name?  Why did it become so common?  See what you can discover. 

Lord often used as a title (name) of Jesus and is the second most common designation used for Him.  It occurs 150 times in the Gospels, 100 more as ‘Lord Jesus,’ and over 500 times in the rest of the New Testament.  Basically it refers to Jesus as Master, in effect as God who sovereignly rules over the affairs of men.  Some times it is used of men who are in a position of authority (Genesis 24:12, 18, 21) but they, too, are under the authority of Jesus Who is ‘Lord of all lords’ (Revelation 17:14; 19:16).  

            Lord is often used in conjunction with another term to describe Jesus.  Paul says He is “Lord of all” (Romans 10:12; Acts 10:36).  Isaiah calls Him “Lord God” (Isaiah 40:10).  Stephen referred to Him as “Lord Jesus” when he was dying (Acts 7:59).  He is ‘Lord’ because He is Stephen’s Master, the one Stephen serves in life and as he is dying.  ‘Jesus’ refers to the man from Nazareth who lived on this earth, died and came back to life.  ‘Lord’ is mentioned first because Stephen lived after Jesus’ earthly life and Jesus is now proved to all as God and Lord.  Conversely, the angels told shepherds that “Christ the Lord” was born (Luke 2:11) because His work as the Messiah who came to pay for sin was in focus.  It was the “Lord,” God Himself, who would be the Messiah/Christ. 

            So now we have 3 names/titles: “Jesus” is His human name referring to Him as Savior, Deliverer (Matthew 1:21).  It is the New Testament (Greek) equivalent of the Old Testament (Hebrew) name Joshua.  “Christ” (“Messiah” in the Old Testament) refers to Him as the Anointed One, the Priest, Prophet and King who was to be both God and man.  “Lord” refers to Him as our Master, Owner for Hi is deity.  He is God (Lord) and man (Jesus) in one person (Christ).  Just as blue (sky, death) and red (blood, humanity) mix to make purple (royal kingly color) so the Lord Jesus Christ is 100% God, 100% man and thus God and man in one. 

            Whenever you come across a combination of these names always note which comes first for that is what the author it emphasizing.  “Lord Jesus Christ” for example emphasis His death and is commonly used in the Epistles (after His death and resurrection).  “Jesus Christ the Lord” focuses on the man Jesus who came from Nazareth and who was God.  This is more commonly used in the Gospels, before His death and resurrection.  Whichever is first is emphasized.  Every word in the Bible is inspired, even the order of the words.  Nothing is insignificant.

            How does this apply to you?  Can you call Him “Jesus”?  Is He your Savior and deliverer, the one who paid for your sins on the cross?  Have you accepted this free gift by faith?  Only a small portion of mankind can call Him “Jesus.”  But only a minor portion of those who can call Him “Jesus” can then also call Him “Lord.”  Calling Him “Lord” means recognizing He is your mater, your owner, the one with sovereign control over your life, the one you promise to obey and faithfully live for.  Can you call Him “Lord”?  Calling Him “Jesus” is of no cost to us, He paid the whole cost.  But calling Him “Lord” is very costly to us for we commit to giving up everything for Him.  What about you?  Can you call Him “Jesus”?  Can you call Him “Lord”?

APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT

            Take a moment to pray and thank Him for His role as “Jesus” your savoir and deliverer.  Then refer to Him as “Lord,” committing yourself to Him as your owner and master.  Thank Him for His protection, guidance and care.  Promise your loyalty and service to the one who is your Lord.

BIBLE STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Some times it is hard to tell which Person of the Trinity a name refers to.  For example, In Revelation 19:6 the title “Lord God Omnipotent” is used.  Does it refer to the Father or Son?  The verse doesn’t make it clear, but the context does.  Look at the verses before and after the verse in question to determine the context.  This One is called “God” (verses 5 and 1).  We read that He is seated on the throne (verse 4).  Just whom does John picture on the throne in Revelation? Chapters 4 and 5 in Revelation have already detailed this scene.  The One on the throne has a scroll that no one is able to open until the Lamb of God comes and stands before the throne to take and open this scroll (5:6-7).  That is clearly a picture of Jesus (verse 12).  So it must be the First Person of the Trinity on the throne, God the Father. 

By knowing the context many of the questions you have asked can be answered and more insight gained into a passage.  Let the Bible interpret itself in this way.  Read Judges 6:22.  Gideon says He is God.  Look in the context, the verses before and after, and write down all the proofs you can find that this Angel of the Lord is God.  Also write down questions you would like to ask the author of this passage.

            Hold up!!  Now wait a minute!  Just hold on before you judge me!  Let me tell you my story first.  I’m not in any way defending slavery.  Its just I found myself in a situation that wasn’t as black-and-white as you folks in the 20th Century seem to think.  Let me explain….

            I was born and raised in western Virginia in the 1700′s.  Masters treated their slaves very harshly there and I was determined to never own a slave.  I moved to eastern Virginia where slaves were treated more leniently.  I fell in love with and married a girl who had inherited slaves from her parents.  She knew I was terrible opposed to slavery and said I could do what I thought best.  I found I could not just set them free, for the laws of the state forbid that.  Even if I could, they had no way of supporting themselves, and chances are some white would come along and sell them back into slavery for some quick, easy money.  I could send them back to Africa, but most weren’t in a condition to go, and none wanted to leave family (most had husbands, wives or children on neighboring plantations) and friends for a strange land.  The same would have been true had I sent them north, and then they would have had to depend on finding some charitable hands to support them.  Finally, after much prayer and deliberation, I was determined to sell them or give them away.  However they begged me to keep them.  Moving away from family and friends, and from a kind master, was more than they could think of.  I felt I had a duty to care for them in the best Christian manner I could.  This responsibility was especially strong since many of my slaves were also Christians.  This made the whole slavery issue even more complicated.  If it would have been stopped in the beginning it would have been much more simple.

            The first slaves came to this country when Jamestown bought 20 from a trading ship in 1619.  By 1830 there were 2 million here.  In the south there were 2 blacks for every white.  Slaves were used to raise tobacco, and very hard crop to raise.  The cotton gin made it a lucrative business, and manpower was needed to grow it.  The founding fathers debated outlawing slavery in the Constitution, but the south so objected that it was dropped to keep much-needed unity at that critical time in our nation’s birth.  I think the real reason slavery flourished and stayed, though, is because of the sinfulness and depravity of the human heart.  What other explanation is there for one person owning another!

            There were more anti-slavery organizations in the south than the north, but they didn’t have much impact.  Those in the south who found salvation in Jesus had to leave their cold, dead main-line churches for teaching and fellowship.  The new, growing Baptist and Methodist churches they joined were looked upon by the powers that be as outsiders and rejects, so they carried no weight in the south. 

            While many slave-owners were Christians, most were nominal church-goers who didn’t want their slaves to become Christians.  They didn’t want they hearing about love and equality.  They were afraid the slaves would feel proud and equal with the masters.  Some wanted to be the only ‘god’ the slaves served.  When a slave was a Christian and lived like Jesus masters often focused their hate and violence on him (or her).  I guess they were convicted of their own ungodly life and, like always, found someone to blame.  Many slaves, though, did turn to Jesus to meet their needs during their terrible years of slavery.  They brought no real religion with them from Africa and saw enough true Christianity among the whites to turn to Jesus.  They kept the basic truths, of course, but changed all the cultural trimmings from white to black.

            Several nights a week blacks from neighboring plantations would slip out to meet in the woods to sing, pray, and listen to preaching.  The emphasis was on encouragement to each other and trusting in God for their present needs and future deliverance.  Those gifted among them became preachers. 

            One of the most gifted was a man named John Jasper.  He was born a slave on July 4, 1812, on Peachy Plantation, Virginia.  At 22 he married a girl on a neighboring plantation, and returned the next day.  Accused of trying to run away, he was separated from his wife and never saw her again.  He became very bitter and hard, turning to any in he could find.  When he was 27 God’s Spirit began convicting him greatly, so much so that he finally broke under the Lord’s hand and turned to Jesus crying “Oh, Jesus, have mercy on me.”  Immediately a light broke in his heart, the burden was gone, and he began telling others about Jesus.

            Jasper had a very godly, understanding master who had been praying for his salvation.   He gave Jasper freedom to preach and tell about Jesus.   He was such an animated, emotional, exceptional speaker that he started doing all the black funerals he could travel to.  Even whites came to hear him preach, saying he was the only black man God ever called to preach.  Women would faint, men would shout, and sometimes even hours after the sermon a few would still be lying about as if they were dead.  Jasper preached with such eloquence that the hearers were ready to crown Christ “Lord of All” right then and there.  Even white pastors came to hear him because his special way of lifting Jesus up encouraged all who heard him.  After the Civil War he pastored a black church in Richmond, but many whites came, too.  He died in 1901.

            Negro spirituals developed early.  Singing was a way of encouraging each other and keeping their focus on Jesus.  It made the work easier and the time pass more quickly.  Focusing on God’s deliverance as seen in Jesus, Moses, Daniel and others, Negro spirituals developed into an important part of their life.  Even today we can be ministered to by songs such as: Every Time I Feel The Spirit, Go Tell It On The mountain, I Know The Lord Has Laid His Hands on Me, I’m a Rolling Through An Unfriendly World, I’ve Got To Walk My Lonesome Valley, Joshua Fought The Battle of Jericho, Lord I Want to Be a Christian In-a My Heart, Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder and Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?

            Yes, slavery was awful, and unacceptable.  I make no excuses for it or us for not doing more sooner to remove it.  Before you judge us too harshly, though, ask yourself how future generations will look at your allowing abortion to continue.  Are you any better than us?

            Still, God used slavery to bring many poor slaves into His kingdom forever.  They are now enjoying eternity with the One who helped make their lives livable.  Trials always bring God’s people closer to Him, and with the hardship the slaves faced their developed a real closeness with their true Master, the One who really loved them and would provide the only real freedom they would ever find.  Is He your Master?  If not, you are more of a slave than those poor blacks ever were.  No southern slave owner was ever a more cruel master than sin, and without Jesus sin is your master.  How much better to find freedom in Jesus!

            What was so special about being the Christ?  We must understand more about the name to grasp the full significance of it.  ‘Christ’ is the Greek word for ‘anointed (or smeared).’  The Old Testament equivalent is ‘Messiah,:” which also means ‘anointed.’  This was usually done with oil and was used as the initiation of a man as a priest (Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 4:3), a prophet (Isaiah 61:1) or a king (1 Samuel 10:1; 24:7; 1 Kings 19:16).  When Christ was baptized by John the Holy Spirit anointed Him as a priest, prophet and king (Matthew 3:16-17).  This was one of the hundreds of prophecies that He fulfilled showing He alone qualified to be the Christ.  No other person could ever be all three for no mere human being could be both a king (tribe of Judah) and priest (tribe of Levi).  Jesus was able to be both because He was a priest after the order of Melchizedek, an eternal priesthood, and not of Aaron’s priesthood which lasted only for this life (Hebrews r:6-10; 6:20; 7:1-17). 

            Jesus as priest.  A priest was a go-between between God and man.  He represented God to man but showing us what God was like and what He expected of us.  He also represented man to God because, as a man, He knew by experience all that we go through.  We benefit from His sacrifice and intercession (Hebrews 7:25).  As the Messiah He showed man God’s perfect standard, which man cannot meet.  As the Messiah He also paid God’s price for sin by His suffering on the cross so we could reconciled to God.  When Jesus left His carpenter’s shop in Nazareth to present Himself to John as the Messiah He was volunteering to do all that was required of the Messiah and prophesied in the Old Testament (Isaiah 53 for example). 

            Jesus as prophet.  A prophet warned of danger and guided the people in their future direction.  Jesus does this through His teaching ministry.  His words are recorded in the 4 gospe

ls.  He reveals them to us through His Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13).  Having provided salvation as our priest, He now teaches us how to live as our prophet.

            Jesus as king.  Jesus came as King of the Jews on Palm Sunday, but most rejected Him because they wanted a military king to fight against Rome instead of a lamb to be slaughtered for sin.  Pilate recognized who He was and put a sign on the cross proclaiming Him as the king of the Jews.  Revelation 19 describes what it will be like when this King returns!  A king is responsible to provide for and care for His people, and Jesus does that for us by giving us spiritual gifts (Ephesians 1:3; etc.).  Paul lists many blessings from our King (“in christ”) throughout Ephesians. 

            In the Gospels He is referred to as “Jesus Christ” for the focus is on His humanity.  The man Jesus of Nazareth is the God-man prophesied to be our Priest, Prophet and King!  However in the epistles Paul refers to Him as “Christ Jesus” for after His resurrection and ascension the focus is on Jesus as the God-man who conquered sin.  He is exalted and glorified God who had become the man Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus suffered in the past but Christ lives eternally at the right hand of God in heaven. 

APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT

            Christ as king has given you many great gifts.  List as many as you can.

            What gifts can you give Him?  What is the main gift He wants from you?

BIBLE STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Lets continue to dig deeper into a passage by asking questions.  Read Romans 10:9-13.  If you were in the church at Rome and this was read to you, what questions would you have for Paul the next time he visited?  Think of as many as you can and write them down.

Before Jesus was born God chose His name to be ‘Jesus’ (Luke 1:29-33; Matthew 1:20-25).  ‘Jesus’ was a common name because it was the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name ‘Joshua.’  Many parents wanted their son to grow up to be a courageous leader for God like Joshua so it was a common name.  Like Joshua, Jesus led those who follow Him to victory.  The word ‘Jesus/Joshua’ basically means “Jehovah saves” and speaks of Him as our deliverer.  That’s why God chose that name for His son.

In addition to the Joshua who led the Jews into the land there was a high priest named ‘Jeshua’ which is another form of the same name (Ezra 3:1-9).  He was a high priest following the Jews’ return from captivity in Babylon.  The high priest carried the guilt for the people’s sins in a symbolic way, Jesus did it in a real way as our sin-bearer (Hebrews 4:14-16; 9:6-28). 

The same name appears as ‘Hosea’ in English, which also means ‘Jehovah saves.’  Hosea is a perfect picture of God’s love for us in that his wife left him for others but despite her unfaithfulness He paid the price to buy her back and restore her as his wife (book of Hosea).  That, too, is a picture of Jesus who redeemed us, who bought us back from our sin (Galatians 3:10-14). 

Jesus is the most common and familiar name used of God in human form in the Old Testament of the more than 300 names and titles, it is the most common, used about 550 times.  It is truly a very significant name because it is a saving name (John 20:31).  There is no other name we can call upon for salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).  We can’t call upon Mohammed or Buddha to save us.  We can’t call upon our good works to earn our salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).  It is only the name ‘Jesus’ that brings salvation.

The name ‘Jesus’ is a satisfying name (John 14:1-14).  How many people in the last 2,000 years have called upon that name to help them in a time of sorrow?  Also it is a strengthening name (Acts 3:6, 16).  Strength for healing, for daily life, for whatever we face comes through Jesus.  That’s because ‘Jesus’ is above all a supreme name (Philippians 2:9-10; Acts 16:18).  Satan and demons must yield and submit to the name of Jesus. 

Personally, I know it is a sweet name, the sweetest name ever (John 9:11).  What thoughts and emotions come to you when you think of the name ‘Jesus’?  How many times have you used that name in worship or prayer?  It is sweet to all God’s people, that’s why there have been thousands of songs written about that name.  ‘Jesus.’  There isn’t a better word in any language than ‘Jesus.’

APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT

‘Jesus’ means ‘deliverer, savior.’  Make a list of as many things as you can think from which Jesus has delivered you.  Pray and thank Him for each one individually. 

BIBLE STUDY ASSIGNMENT

One of the best ways to get more out of a Bible passage you study is to put yourself in the place of the person who first read the passage, the ones it was written for.  For example, Luke wrote Acts 16:16-18 to a man named Theopholis.  He was a Christian living in Paul’s time who wanted to know more about Jesus.  What would he have thought about Paul casting out a demon in Jesus’ name?  If you were him and could have asked Luke questions about what he wrote, what would you have asked?  I would have asked Paul why he didn’t cast out the demon right away?  What was he feeling when he was ‘troubled’ – sorrow for the girl, anger at Satan, frustrated at the interruptions or what?  Did the girl know it was a demon speaking through her or was she surprised when Paul talked to her in this way?  Did the demon ever try to return?  Where did the demon go when he left her?  What did Paul do to help you afterwards?  We may not know the answer to these questions, but asking them helps the passage come alive and give us greater insight into what the Scripture says.

Before reading the next blog read Luke 9:18-27 and put yourself in the place of the person who read this – also written by Luke to Theopholis.  What questions do you have about this passage?  What would you have liked to ask Luke if he were there?

JOHN CHAPMAN, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was born in Mass.  His father was a minuteman at Lexington and Bunker Hill, but was kicked out of the Revolutionary Army in 1780 for misusing military money and supplies.  The family then moved to Pa.  John found church life in New England dead and dull so he turned elsewhere for spiritual truth.  Of course he is known as a Bible-carrying, pot-wearing, apple-seed planter.  He knew much Scripture by memory and told stories wherever he went.  Unfortunately, he believed in Swedenborgianism (Church of the New Jerusalem).  They rejected the need of salvation as well as the work of Jesus in providing salvation. They believed God was in nature (pantheism), salvation by works, communication with the dead, and other demonic and occult practices.  Universalism (and now New Age) find their roots in this.   He was a strong witness for this new cult and one of its first adherents in this country.  Most people paid little attention to his preaching, though, for the doctrines were strange and he himself was a ragged old man that people didn’t take seriously.  He had much contact with Baptists, Methodists and other believers, but bitterly opposed their beliefs.  Unfortunately the one man in American folklore and history who is pictured as a Christian wasn’t!  Perhaps that is why Satan allows him alone (not Washington, Lincoln, Lee, Jed Smith, etc.) to be pictured as a Bible-believer.  

JEDEDIAH SMITH  You probably don’t know me.  I ended up doing more to open the American west than any other one man.  However, Disney never made a movie about me and I never got the publicity others got, so my name isn’t well known.  Still, I did it all for Jesus and my real reward is in heaven with Him.  I’ll tell you my story, though, to help you know that God had His people in all places and at all times in American history.

            I was born in 1798 in a pioneering family in New York state.  When I was 12 we moved to western Pennsylvania.  I learned wilderness skills from my father and spent all my spare time in the woods hunting or fishing.  At 16 I was given a copy of Lewis & Clark’s journals and was so impressed by it that I carried it along with my Bible with me the rest of my life.         At 19 we moved to Ohio, then when I was 23 I left my family and moved west on my own down the Mississippi River to St.. Louis.

            From the very start I was aware that I was different from other frontiersmen who were a very wild, rowdy lot.  I was a quiet person, preferring to sit alone and read my Bible.  I was well respected as a fine, resourceful woodsman.  I was in many Indian fights.  More than once I stayed behind to hold up the Indians while the rest of our party got away.  I explored lands no white man had ever seen.  I supported myself by trapping and selling furs, especially beaver.

            Life was dangerous.  Once I was attacked by a giant grizzly in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  He mauled me, even having my head in his mouth at one point.  I had several broken ribs, was missing an eyebrow, an ear was torn most of the way off, and I had massive wounds in my scalp.  Still I lived.  A friend stitched me up and in 10 days I was on the go again.  There was also danger from Indians, cold (sometimes I had to stay awake all night to keep from freezing to death), days without water on deserts, and desert heat (we’d bury ourselves in the sand during the day to stay alive).

            Many historians consider me the greatest mountain man ever, even greater than others who lived when I did such as John Colter, Edward Rose, Jim Bridger, Hugh Glass and George Drouillard.  What made me different was that I was a natural leader of men.  Many times God used my leadership skills to save the lives of those I was with.  I discovered the South Pass across the Rocky Mountains, allowing future wagon trains to go to Oregon.  It was the best way through the Rockies.  I am the first known white man to see the Great Salt Lake.  At the time we thought it was part of the Pacific Ocean because it was so salty.  I also happened to stumble upon the best way through the Rockies to California.  I was the first to cross the highest mountains and largest deserts in the American west. 

            At 32 years of age I was shot in the back by a Comanche arrow and killed.  Perhaps if I’d have lived longer I would have been better known in American history.  No matter.  I did what God had for me.  Each time you look at a map of the American west remember that I am the one man most instrumental for it.  Especially remember that my main purpose in life was to discover more about God and how best to serve Him.  I was known by all as a man of God, and used every opportunity I could to tell others about Jesus.  Many did come to salvation through my words.  God used me as a missionary among the early frontiersmen.  God has his people everywhere to spread His message to those they meet, and that is how God used me.  Always remember He has you right where you are to be His missionary to people you meet, too.

HIS PROVISION OF GRACE

(Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, Doylestown, PA)  Grace.  Where would we be without it?  We write poems and songs about God’s grace.  We ask Him for it, talk about it, and proclaim its greatness to others.  We are so taken with grace because it better than anything describes God’s workings toward us.  He gives us what we do not deserve (Mercy is not giving us what we do deserve).  Grace refers to God’s unmerited favor acting on our behalf.  The greater our need to more aware we become of His grace to meet that needs.  Sometimes that’s why He lets the pain get so bad, to show us how effective His grace can be.  That’s why God gave Paul a “thorn in the flesh” (II Corinthians 12:7-12).  Paul’s experience, like ours, is that God’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)!    

            ‘Sufficient’ means adequate in the sense of providing contentment.  Paul quotes Jesus as saying that His grace is sufficient for every need Paul has, especially the painful and distracting ‘thorn in the flesh.’  Actually the Greek word order puts the emphasis on God’s sufficiency: “SUFFICIENT FOR YOU is my grace.”  A thorn can be a great hindrance, but His grace is more than able to get us through any and every painful experience in life. 

            His grace is sufficient.  It is right on time, never early so we learn patience and trust, never late so we have to face things alone, never more than needed so we need to trust Him every day, even every hour, and never too little even though we often feel we need more than we receive.  We have His promise, though that what He gives will be sufficient.

            So we must stop asking God to remove painful circumstances and instead thank Him for His promise of providing sufficing grace to make it through.  I used to beg God to take away my longing for my wife while in India, but God showed me He won’t do that.  Instead I must lean on His grace for it is always just enough and always right on time.  Truly His grace IS sufficient

We made it home OK last night.  It’s a long trip but it’s very nice being home – although I do miss India.  Being on the front edge of where God is working is thrilling, but life and ministry here is important as well.  I have lists of plans for this coming year and for next year when I return.  I thank God for giving me time and ability to be involved in this very worthy ministry.  It’s not anything I ever thought I’d do – I am not a traveler nor do I seek out excitement and new challenges.  But God knows what I need.  I need you as well – your prayers, encouragement and financial support make this possible.  I thank God for all of you, and for Main Street Baptist Church which is so willing to allow me to put so much time into this ministry and shares me so sacrificially. 

Please keep praying for the pastors and Christians in India.  Pray God would continue to use the words spoken and the books given out for His glory.  Pray God would direct and use me as I stay closely involved with the work in India while home.  Pray He would direct Pastor Moses and me as we continue to help and train these fine men of God.  Thanks so very much!

Final batch of new pictures are on the India web site, under photos.  http://india.mainstreetbaptist.org/photos/

Wednesday, February 1, 2012, I will be back at Main Street Baptist Church for the 7 PM Bible Study.  I will show slides and talk about my trip to India.  Please come join us for a special time!

             It seems we as human beings have a natural propensity to take credit for what God does.  Take away His power and work in your life and what would be left?  That’s what you can take credit for, the rest is His doing!  Yet remembering that isn’t easy. So God in His wisdom used pain to get and keep our attention. The more He blesses and uses us the more pain is necessary because the more we will steal His glory and give ourselves acclaim for what He does.  Paul is a prime example of that.  He recognizes that God gave him a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble and to better experience God’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

            It is strange that we feel pride for those things over which we have the least control and to which we have the least right.  There is no greater humiliator than constant pain.  Paul’s pain was caused by a demon which God did not remove.  The greater Paul was used by God the more tempting it was for him to become proud of it, so the more necessary it was for God to show Paul  his total dependence on God.  God’s tool was a ‘thorn.’

            When I was growing up we had rose bushes in our yard.  One time a thorn broke off in my finger, under the skin.  It quickly got infected and caused me great constant pain.  That’s what a thorn does.  A thorn is a small, sometimes almost invisible cause of suffering.  It causes incessant pain which can’t be forgotten or ignored. There is no ‘one size fits all.’  God personally tailors each of ours for our particular personality and needs.  The common denominator is that the pain cuts through our feelings of self-centeredness and self-sufficiency and causes us to depend on God instead of ourselves.

            God uses my time in India to remind me of my total dependency on Him.  What painful situations has God used in your life to get you to depend on Him more?  Is anything now happening that is drawing you closer to God and making you more dependent on Him?   Not all things are good, but God uses them for good (Romans 8:28). Especially pain.

We had a slow, restful day.  We organized, packed, visited some friends and did some shopping.  In checking back it seems we have driven over 3,000 while here – all in New York City type traffic and on very, very bumpy roads! 

We’ve been doing a lot of thinking and planning about NEXT VISIT and I’d like to bring a small group of people along.  It would be 10 days to 2 weeks in January, 2013.  It would not be doing what Moses and I do but would be at a much slower pace, lots of rest and time to enjoy India.  We do want more people to experience India so they can pray and help support this ministry.  Cost, including flying here and back, would be less than $3000 (rough estimate).  If interested let me know!  We have exciting new things planned for the time Pastor Moses and I travel here as well. 

I’d like to bring some pastors to help teach pastor’s conferences and for me to train to possibly do this on their own in the future.  This could be done in August or January.  If interested let me know!!!!!

As expected, costs are more than anticipated so I need to send $2,500 to Pastor Moses to cover our bills.  This means the whole trip averaged out to $25 per pastor – wives, evening and Sunday services, etc. are all included in that cost.  I think that’s a phenomenally GREAT investment!  If you’d be hearing the praise and appreciation, the encouragement and great help these pastors talk about you’d know it is a small amount to pay.  Still, we must pay our bills, so please pray God would provide.  If you are let to give I want to thank you in advance.  Thanks!!!

Especially on my heart is being able to provide support for more pastors.  If you can commit to $25 a month for this very significant ministry please let me know.

We leave in 7 hours, 4 AM.  Pray for our trip home!