ETERNAL INK
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The articles within this publication remain the copyrights of the authors.
Any permission to reproduce any article, in any format, must be granted
by the author.
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Editor-in-Chief of Eternal Ink – Mary-Ellen Grisham – eternallyours8@yahoo.com
Administrative Editor – David Davis – cyber.angel.wings@hotmail.com
Devotions Editor – Pat Earl – brian.earl@sympatico.ca
Features Editor – Carl Phillips – CarlPhil10@aol.com
Special Materials Editor – Ivie Bozeman – ivie@rose.net
Poetry Editor – Elizabeth (Betty) Pearson – roybet@sbcglobal.net
Eternal Ink Google Group – http://groups.google.com/group/eternal-ink
ISSN#: 1528-9605
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Table of Contents
1) Mary-Ellen’s Note
2) Devotion
3) Poetry
4) Christian Witness – Guest Feature
5) Christian Living
6) This n’ That
7) Feature
8) Closing Words
ISSN#: 1528-9605
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1) Mary-Ellen’s Note
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and now Thyatira….We have been
considering Jesus’ messages to the seven churches as written by
John in Revelation 2 and 3 with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We have noted that for each of the churches, there are words from
one aspect of the vision of Christ. These words reveal each church’s
strength, weakness, and possible eternal gifts, with some overall
insight that sums up the message.
In Revelation 2, we find that Thyatira has a Jezebel who claims to be
a prophetess, but she is misleading some church members with her
“deep secrets of Satan.” Again, this false teacher is causing sexual
immorality and the eating of unclean food sacrificed to idols.
The aspect of Christ that speaks this message is the Son of God,
“whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished
bronze” (verse 18). When Jezebel’s punishment is given, all the
churches will know that this Jesus is “he who searches hearts and
minds, and…will repay each…according to his deeds.” (verse 23).
The presence of this one strong detractor from God’s Word and way
is a shame because Jesus finds them otherwise acceptable. The
church as a whole demonstrates good deeds and steadfast faith,
doing more than they did at first. No burden will be imposed on the
good members, and those who remain faithful will have “authority
over the nations” (Psalm 2:9) and the gift of “the morning star.”
Jesus is spoken of as the morning star in Scripture (Revelation 22:16).
The message certainly has relevance today for churches who are
allowing one strong personality to dominate policy and behavior in
the church. The real leader of each church is Jesus, and the
organization, operation, and works of the church should be under
His leadership as each member of the body contributes a part to
the church. Each member has a unique gift and contribution, and no
part of the body should be excluded. Coming together on a Sunday
morning allows for the full and glorious performance of Christ’s body
in that church as each member contributes the best he can be with
peace and harmony toward all other members.
Certainly the message for Thyatira reminds churches to scrutinize
self-proclaimed prophets and prophetesses and those who profess
an inside deep knowledge of arcane truth, which could be Satannic.
Here the leavening of love balanced with discernment and wisdom is
needed. There should be no criticism of the earnest working and
guidance of the Holy Spirit, but mature Christians, with Bible basis,
should help weigh the eternal value of any self-professed prophecy
or inside knowledge.
And as Ivie Bozeman reminds us in her feature below–gentleness
and self control in our Christian relationships with one another.
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2) Devotion
Signs of Truth
By Pat Earl
While I was sitting on the deck enjoying the mid-September sun, my
attention was drawn upward by a familiar sound. Sure enough, there,
against the azure sky, was a perfect V. Canada geese returning from
their summer sojourn in the north honked their greeting as they soared
across the sky.
Earlier in the week, at a local market I saw the bountiful array of fruits
and vegetables, evidence of another abundant harvest.. These, along
with shorter days and cooler climes, are sure signs of a change of
seasons. Autumn with its glorious display of vibrant colour is about to
arrive in our part of the world. This also is a sure sign of the faithfulness
of God’s word:
“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
Day and night
Shall not cease.”
Genesis 8:22
These words were spoken by God after the flood which destroyed
both men and animals. Noah, his family, and the creatures that God
commanded him to take onto the ark were the sole survivors. As
God smelled the soothing aroma of Noah’s offering made when he
was once again on dry land, He vowed never again to destroy His
creation. Although there have been earthquakes and floods,
hurricanes and other destructive occurrences, the earth is still in tact.
Season follows season. Day follows night.
This is only one of many examples showing God’s word to be true. As
we read the Bible from cover to cover, we can believe every promise.
We can know for sure God loves us; Jesus paid for our sin and we are
washed clean by His blood; therefore, when God looks at us, He sees
no wrong. He is preparing a home for us in His heavenly kingdom, and
we will live with Him forever.
When we have doubts, when we are discouraged, let’s look around for
the everyday signs telling us God means what He says. We can stake
our lives on the truth of His Holy Word. God never changes, and His
word endures forever. Believe it. It’s true!!!
Pat Earl
brian.earl@sympatico.ca
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3) Poetry
*Blinded by Choice*
By Joyce C. Lock
When God decides a matter,
The first place He will start
Is not upon the circumstance.
He looks upon the heart.
(c) by Joyce C. Lock
http://iam.homewithGod.com/glimpsesofgod/
Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23
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4) Christian Witness – Guest Feature
God’s Gracious Love
By Rosemary Renninson
Romans 5:8-”But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(KJV)
As a child of nine years, I had a wonderful spiritual and emotional experience when I received the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart. I was no longer alone or afraid. The Lord was with me.
Later in life, due to a crisis, and a great desire to renew and refresh my relationship with the Lord, He graciously gave me another wonderful, memorable experience and revelation of His gracious gift of love and eternal salvation.
That was almost thirty years ago. My gratitude, joy, and knowledge all these years has been that God heard my crisis prayers and desires for Him to come again into my heart, my life. He came even though I was still a sinner and hadn’t yet asked for forgiveness.
Romans 5:8 “But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.” (AMP)
I knew I needed a fresh start, and longed for a clean slate, as it were, which God graciously granted. It was later that I discovered from His Word that He had never left me. No, it was I who had strayed from Him – had lost my way in life.
From today’s Scripture, may we believers always remember our loving God demonstrates, proves, represents, commits and commends His love towards us, long before, and all the while we have not yet turned to Him, not yet fully believed, or received Him? May we also bear in mind God commends His Love in and by action, not in word only?
Christ died for us, all of us, without any action or relationship on our part. Is this not totally amazing love and grace? May we not only remember this amazing loving grace for ourselves in the name of the truth of God’s Word, but remember it most strongly as we speak to and witness to those who are still unsaved sinners just as we were once?
Please, may we ever remember we have nothing to be judgmental about? By His grace alone, it was our broken, humble hearts that drew us to our Lord’s undeserved gift of salvation. Remembering this will help us lead those to Him, whom He is waiting to save by this same grace. Jesus Christ our most loving Lord and Saviour, died once for all, while we were still in sin.
Prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus for Your saving love, and gracious sacrifice for all of us. Thanks and praise to You that we have assurance of eternal salvation, as well as God-given opportunities to commend and share Your active sacrificial love with those You desire to save. In Your precious Name, we thank You. Amen and Amen.
Rosemary Renninson
Westbury, Victoria , Australia
artrose@dodo.com.au
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5) Christian Living
*~ Welcome the Lessons ~*
By Joyce C. Lock
When we read of the great men of old (the mighty and the strong, the
courageous, the faithful, those who slew thousands and ten thousands),
perhaps we also think of phrases like “faster than a speeding bullet, more
powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings with a single
bound.”
In admiring their feats, we tend to think of these men as super human,
almost supernatural, and ‘nearly impossible to follow’ while missing their
weakness and how God brought them to places of such courage and faith.
If you have ever found yourself in a series of lessons where you hang on to
God because there is nothing else to hang on to, and He gives you sweet
promises like this (“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with
thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou
walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame
kindle upon thee,” Isaiah 43:2), then there is nothing left to do but hang
on, drown, or get burned. That is how God’s chosen become courageous.
If you are experiencing anything like this then, consider that you might
have been chosen for special services, too, and welcome the lessons; Isaiah
43:10.
One step at a time you will come to “know” God with your whole heart,
“believe” Him with your whole life, and “understand” with your whole being
that He is all there is, all there ever really was, and all you need. You
will be so consumed in His love that there will be no doubt but what God
dearly loves you, He is for you, He will always be there for you, His
promises are true, you can count on Him for anything, things will always
turn out for your good, and He will always do the most loving thing possible
toward you.
Only when we go through the fires and floods can we begin to walk as the
great men of old. For, it is when we are weak that we learn of His
strength.
(c) by Joyce C. Lock
http://iam.homewithGod.com/glimpsesofgod/
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6) This n’ That
ETERNAL INK GOOGLE GROUP
Once again, posters have begun to add inappropriate solicitations to
our Google group materials. We have marked these as spam,
reported the violation to Google, and posted a corrective message
to offset the damaging materials. Those who post materials and
messages to our Google group must be aware of our Christian belief
and realize that we will not welcome inappropriate messages or
suggestive website addresses.
We are always sorry that these unwanted posts go to those who
subscribe to the messages. We sincerely believe our corrective
action will once again rid our group of unwanted posts.
AN ADDITION BY CHRIS HANSEN FROM HIS BOOK
REVELATION REVEALED
“To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna.
I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it,
known only to him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17b NIV)
In the last edition of Eternal Ink, we considered the message to the
church at Pergamum in Revelations 2. The gifts for those who
remain faithful to Jesus include a white stone with a new name.
Chris Hansen adds a new dimension of meaning to the
interpretation with his note below:
I wrote in my book, “Revelation Revisited,” that the white stone was
sometimes given to someone who was acquitted of a serious crime,
so that if that crime were ever brought up again, the person bearing
the stone could proudly show it to any prosecutor and declare his
freedom from being recharged for that crime. John seems to be
suggesting that Jesus has acquitted us and our crimes against him
will never be brought up again by him–though our accuser will
certainly try. Chris Hansen
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(7) Feature
Speaking the Truth
By Ivie Bozeman
In most every group of people, there is usually one who withholds his or her opinion until last and then points out the one flaw in the plan, or what could happen if the group voted this way. Even though we label these people as negative, there’s a need for someone of their caliber. We need to see both sides of an issue.
While seeing and pointing out this flaw, even when defeated in the voting, this person will then cooperate with the group in their undertaking.
There was an old fable that once told of a kingdom defeated due to the loss of a horse-shoe nail. This moral could be told using numerous little things that could cause the whole to crack; such as, the pilot and all the passengers on an airplane’s life depend on how well the maintenance crew does their jobs.
The one who sees the flaw or what could go wrong is a valuable member of the team.
How does a Christian determine when to be negative or positive; when to speak the truth or to encourage a person?
Ephesians provides a guide: “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is Christ. From Him the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV)
As Christians we are called to speak the truth, but how one speaks the truth makes all the difference. Speaking the truth without love can be brutal and destructive. Telling the truth is not necessarily speaking all that’s on one’s mind. One has to be able to draw a line between the truth and personal opinion. One must be able to exert self-control over the tongue and see the broader picture. The fact that you do not like something does not make it wrong. That’s just your personal opinion.
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. This is a fruit greatly needed when speaking about something that requires truth.
Gal. 5:23 reminds us: “…gentleness and self-control, against these things, there is no law.
How well we handle gentleness and self-control speaks loudly of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Self-control means not over-responding or under responding to the circumstances around us.
In many instances the one flaw or the negative aspect never happens. However lives and kingdoms have been lost because this element was overlooked.
This type of social problem is not new. God told King Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions, but Saul followed a different feeling: “I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.” (Samuel 15:24 NIV)
Saul could have used someone to remind him of God’s command at that time. Saul was a king appointed by God, but yet, he failed God when the pressure was on him.
How will we act or speak when the need arises. Will we speak the truth in love, or like Saul, give in to social pressure?
Ivie Bozeman
ivie@rose.net
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(8) Closing Words
I hope I am speaking the truth with love as we look at Christ’s
messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. While I do
not even pretend to be an authority on Revelation, recently I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit or one of God’s spirits of light to direct my
Bible re-reading and study toward Revelation. I am simply trying to follow that hint and am sharing my study with our readers. Again,
though, as always, I urge you to read your Bible for its richness and
truth.
May the love of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always.
If you have found usefulness or blessing from this edition of Eternal
Ink, we hope you will share a copy with a friend.
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Until our next issue, may God bless you richly.
Blessings, Mary-Ellen
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