Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!
RED, WHITE, AND BLUE WON'T DO Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven." (Isaiah 6:6-7)

THE STEEL AND CONCRETE
MISSION FIELD NEWSLETTER
July 2000


<bgsound src="/journal/unbound/graphics/america.mid">
"America Medley"

Patriotic Music

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE WON'T DO
by Bro. Gregory Wamsley


Independence Day has just passed. It seems like only last week I'd written the newsletter titled "Independence: TICK, Tick." In all actuality it was a year ago. As I sit here in the dayroom and write, I see a fellow inmate drawing a red, white, and blue Mickey Mouse on a card in honor of Independence Day. Soon my thoughts go to the question, "How many people actually give honor to the Lord on that day?" There are all kinds of special gatherings, feasts, fireworks and celebrations. Independence is not just a title but society's avocation, and people seek many forms of independence or freedom. It was once proclaimed "Give me liberty (freedom) or give me death." Today it's misused freedom that's giving people spiritual death. When one gets right down to it, for the believer in Christ the word "Independence" has a two-fold meaning. We are commanded to be independent from the world and dependent on God. God the Father never meant for us to be "independent" from him. God the Son, Jesus Christ, is our all in all! God's word says we are to be totally dependent upon him, and rely upon him:

"Thus the men of Israel were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD, the God of their fathers." (2nd Chronicles 13:18)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)


These words remind me of the sparrows mentioned in Luke 12:6 and Matthew 10:29. If God knows about them and provides for them will he not do all the more for us? May I remember to rely upon my Savior and Lord for EVERYTHING!

As I look up from my paper to the sound of my fellow inmate's voice he says, "I'd put some grass under Mickey's feet but I don't have a green marker." I see the opportunity to assist him with my artistic knowledge, knowing that I'll work in a witness for Christ. I go on to tell him how to make green. "Put the color yellow down first, then go over it with blue and you'll get green." I explain that the three primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) when mixed together or with the neutrals (white and black), will make all colors. He does as I instruct and needless to say he is pleased. Now I have his attention and I say, "More amazing than that , I know how you can mix red and red and get white." He looks confused and then quotes back to me my color wheel example and says, "You said white is a neutral color made up of all colors, so red and red can't make white." I smile and say, "Maybe not on the color wheel, but in the Bible it does." He look confused and I open up my Bible and show him the following scriptures:

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." (Psalms 51:7)

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood . . . ." (Revelation 1:5)


In Ephesians 5:27 we read that the Lord is coming back for a Church "not having spot, or wrinkle." and I ask myself, "Do I have a lot of spiritual washing and ironing to do?"

The word of God is very clear. Our sins are referred to as two types of red: scarlet and crimson. Being washed (mixed) in the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ makes them clean, and white as snow or wool. So, I'll strive in Christ, by God's grace, to keep a faithful smile on my face, remembering that when it comes to payment for sin, "Red, White, and Blue Won't Do." It takes red on red to make them white, for me and you!

Salvation
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I pray that you will do so now. Do the following four things in prayer to God in the name of Jesus:

1. Admit that you are a sinner, and in need of a Savior.

2. Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord into your heart.

3. Live the rest of your life getting to know your Savior in Bible study and prayer.

4. Seek fellowship as the Spirit leads you and fellowship with those fellow believers.

Just pray these things in your own words. God isn't into big fancy prayers, but He is into sincerity. Pray to Him now!

JESUS IS
by Barbara Koska Timm

JESUS CHRIST IS GOD'S HOLY SON: The Ancient of Days, firstborn over all creation, bright Morning Star, the radiance of God's glory, the rising of the sun (Dayspring)

GOD SENT HIM TO EARTH TO COMPLETE HIS PLAN OF SALVATION: God's chosen and precious cornerstone, the stone the builders rejected, living Stone, sure foundation, Messiah, Anointed One

HE WAS BORN TO A VIRGIN: Indescribable gift, image of the invisible God, God with us, the testimony given in its proper time, God's Son

HE BROUGHT GOD'S GOOD NEWS: Chief Shepherd, Wonderful Counselor, friend of sinners, true bread from heaven, wisdom from God, witness to the peoples, Word of God

HE WAS CRUCIFIED FOR OUR SINS: Lamb of God, Passover lamb, fragrant offering and sacrifice to God, Faithful and True, holy servant Jesus, atoning sacrifice

HE ROSE FROM THE GRAVE: First to rise from the dead, firstborn from among the dead, first fruits of those that have fallen asleep

HE CRUSHED SATAN'S REBELLION: Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, head over every power and authority, a banner for the peoples

HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND SITS AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND: Great high priest; heir of all things; the way, the truth, the life; head of the church; intercessor

HE HEALS PEOPLE: Physician, Prince and Savior, refiner and purifier, the resurrection and the life, the living bread that came down from heaven

HE FORGIVES SINS: He searches hearts and minds, he loves us and has freed us from our sins, he is our great light, the great Shepherd of the sheep

SOMEDAY HE WILL RETURN TO TAKE BELIEVERS INTO HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM: Bridegroom, eternal life, author and perfecter of our faith, head of the body, the gate, source of eternal salvation, the Amen

HE WILL JUDGE THE NATIONS: Lord of the harvest, judge of the living and the dead, righteous Judge, blessed and only Ruler, Holy and Righteous One

HE IS: The consolation and hope of Israel, the covenant for the people, the horn of salvation, the messenger of the covenant

The Gospel of John "On The Spot" Puzzle
To save this word search, right click
and save picture to your hard drive.


Question six should read: It is the third largest book in the New Testament containing 24 chapters.
(scroll down for answers)









ANSWERS: 1) Job, 2) Obadiah, 3) Mark, 4) Jude 5) Titus, 6) Luke, 7) In ~ Amen
The Lord's Quote: John 3:7


Next
Back
Home

July 4 Graphics