STEEL AND CONCRETE, January 2000
THE STEEL AND CONCRETE
MISSION FIELD NEWSLETTER
"VENGEANCE ISN'T MINE"
by Bro. Gregory Wamsley
Image by D.E.Waldon and Guy Parneix
As I grew up, I allowed bitterness and anger to build within me. Years of suppressed feelings and emotions lay dormant. Like a primed volcano, they erupted one day upon society. I sought my own vengeance, and it manifested itself in the crimes for which I'm serving time. Today, I'm not my own free agent. I don't have the right to just think or act the way I choose. My life doesn't belong to me anymore; it belongs to God.
Watching the events unfold on 9/11/01 was heartbreaking. My thoughts and heart went out to those families affected. I also felt an even deeper remorse for the victims I have harmed. What I felt mirrored that which I'd created in them. Terrorism and all crimes are acts of vengeance. The Bible has specific instructions on how people are to live together. As I watched the news that day, I heard people saying, "Oh, my God," and "Why would God do this?" Satan wants us to blame God when he's the one to blame. Don't ask, "Why did God . . . ?" Ask, "Why did Satan?" It's easy to look at people and blame them. Vengeance by humans only works against other beings. The Bible speaks of our true enemy in Ephesians 6:10-12: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Our problems in this world do not have a physical origin. They are spiritual. President Bush said, "We are at war." He spoke of physical war, when in reality we've been in spiritual war since the beginning of time. Satan keeps people blind to this truth. They walk around in their selfish facades, layered with a false identities, until their eyes are forced open by tragedy. Tragedy cuts to the core of our true identity, a core that is spirit, love-focused, and Christ-based. A once self-centered America is now loving and unified. Are we really "One Nation Under God?"
How does a nation remedy such a catastrophe? There is a thin line between revenge and remedy, and America and its allies have crossed it. Our Government warns of further terrorist attacks. Up jumps one of Satan's greatest spiritual weapons; it's called FEAR! In Proverbs 9:10 it says: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." In this already fear-stricken nation, fear has increased. May we use wisdom and understanding to see just how and who it is that we are to fear. Christ's own words put fear into perspective: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
I've come to learn that my true enemy is Satan and that I am not to fear man. Evil men are the puppets of Satan. Should we focus on the puppet while the puppet master goes free? Physical mankind cannot fight a spiritual enemy. That's why God's word says: ". . . the battle is the Lord's . . ." (1st Samuel 17:47, 2nd Chronicles 20:15). It is God who wins the war, but we, with His help, win the battles. To fight spiritual enemies we must use spiritual weapons.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:38-44: "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
It's easy to keep one's focus on self and seek vengeance for what others have done. But if you belong to God, then you cannot take the right of vengeance away from Christ, who said in Romans 12:19: "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord." All crimes are sin. Christ died on the cross for all sin, past, present and future. He died for every terrorist act, every murder, every lie, every sin ever committed. Not accepting His precious blood as an atonement for all sin is like telling God the Father that the death of His son wasn't good enough.
When my life is invaded by suffering I think of Hebrews 5:8: ". . . though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." America didn't decide to endure this tragedy, but they can now decide to go through it with God. When people trust Jesus Christ as their Savior, they become reconciled to God. They are His and should be motivated to be peace-makers. The peace of God inside these modern day saints is real. Outside of this, the only hope the world has for true peace is upon the Lord's return.
The Satanic terrorist puppets wanted to tear out the heart of God-fearing America. Let's show them that in Christ we still have one. The world of God (the Bible) is as true as it says it is. God and heaven are as real as the Bible says they are. Keeping these things in mind, no earthly tragedy or persecution should ever rob a child of God of the eternal glory that lies ahead. God has taught me that "Vengeance Isn't Mine." May I never forget it!
~ GOOD NEWS ~
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, in prayer plead the Gospel truth that you cannot save yourself and you must confess to Him that you are a sinner and are in need of a Savior. Accept him into your heart as Savior and Lord. Christ commands that one must repent from their sins. Read his word (the Bible) and learn of the NEW BIRTH you'll be given in Christ Jesus. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. . ." (Acts 16:31).
"THAT'S GOD"
submitted by Sister Toni Morgan
Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?
THAT'S GOD ~ he talks to you through the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk to?
THAT'S GOD ~ He wants you to talk to him.
Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them?
THAT'S GOD ~ there is no such thing as "coincidence."
Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford?
THAT'S GOD ~ he knows the desires of your heart.
Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it?
THAT'S GOD ~ he passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day.
~ THE POEM PAGE ~
"INSTEAD OF. . ."
submitted by Brother Chris R. Sweet
INSTEAD OF fighting and tearing each other apart, love one another with all your heart.
INSTEAD OF living for Satan, miserable and depressed, wake up and accept Christ so you too can be blessed.
INSTEAD OF allowing Satan to have your soul, remember your salvation and where Jesus played His role.
INSTEAD OF dwelling in a body of sin, in God's Word you'll find a new life to begin.
INSTEAD OF books that inform and reform, trust God's word, His true power can transform.
INSTEAD OF believing in man, whom you really know nothing about, believe in Jesus, who you can't live eternally in heaven without.
~ AND LASTLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY ~
INSTEAD OF love in your heart that's put there to stay, love isn't love until you give it away!
"AT ALL. . ."
by Brother Robert Canada
Do we think we can help God fight our battles
when we can't even fight the battles in our lives as they call?
God doesn't need our help to fight our battles at all.
If we don't put on the armor of God,
how can we win our battles if we stall?
God doesn't need our help to fight our battles at all.
The battle we think is ours
was won on the cross for all.
God doesn't need our help to fight our battles at all.
Why do we think we can fight with God
and not suffer or fall?
God doesn't need our help to fight our battles at all.
You think you're fighting a battle against God?
Don't be fooled like Saul (who became Paul!)
God doesn't need our help to fight our battles at all.
~ GRINS AND GIGGLES ~
"THINK GREEN AND GROW"
from 1001 HUMOROUS ILLUSTRATIONS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING
by Michael Hodgin
Christians can be thought of like green pumpkins on Christ's vine. While green they'll grow. If they think of themselvs as being too ripe, then they're already rotten.
"CONFUSED"
by Brother Gregory Wamsley
I remember being confused as a little boy. Halloween never really fit into the Godly life I was told to live. My parents alway told me, "Never take candy from stragers." When it came time for "Trick or Treat," I'd go up to a house and knock on the door. When the door opened, I'd say, "Trick or Treat." The stranger at the door would the attempt to hand me some candy. Remembering what my parents had told me, I just looked up at them and said, "No than you." ;-)
"TREES OF THE BIBLE"
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"THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD"
In heavenly armour we'll enter the land
The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that's fashioned against us will stand
The battle belongs to the Lord
(Chorus)
And we sing glory, honour,
Power and strength to the Lord
We sing glory, honour,
Power and strength to the Lord
When the power of darkness comes in like a flood
The battle belongs to the Lord
He'll raise up a standard, the pow'r of his blood
The battle belongs to the Lord
(Chorus)
When Your enemy presses in hard, do not fear
The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near
The battle belongs to the Lord
(Chorus)
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