STALIN'S DAUGHTER COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT GOD

STALIN'S DAUGHTER COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT GOD

Joseph Stalin's daughter, Svetlana Aliluyeva, is a living illustration of God's universal faithfulness to every soul. Born in an atheist's home, she testifies to the fact that the reality of a living God cannot be obliterated from the conscience or consciousness of one raised apart from God's word and in a home where one is taught to be an atheist and materialist. In the book, Svetlana, the Story of Stalin's Daughter, by Martin Ebon, on page 163 Svetlana is quoted as saying "Since my childhood I have been taught communism, and I believed in it, as we all did, my generation . . . I was brought up in a family where there was never any talk about God. But when I became a grown-up person, I found that it was impossible to exist without God in one's heart. I came to that conclusion myself, without anybody's help or preaching. But that was a great change, because, since that moment, the main dogmas of communism lost their significance for me." In another statement in her book, Twenty Letters to a Friend, page 72 , she states, "I, who'd been taught from earliest childhood by society and my family to be an atheist and materialist, was already one of those who cannot live without God. I am glad that it is so." -- "The Cornerstone of Living," hdm0303, by I. Parker Maxey

ATHEISTS DISREGARD CONVINCING EVIDENCE OF CHRIST'S DEITY

ATHEISTS DISREGARD CONVINCING EVIDENCE OF CHRIST'S DEITY

In the book Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell states, "The evidence proving the deity of Jesus Christ [and I would add, the genuineness and authenticity of the Bible as the Word of God], is overwhelmingly conclusive to any honest, objective seeker after truth. However, not all not even the majority -- of those to whom I have spoken have accepted Him as their Saviour and Lord. This is not because they were unable to believe -- they were simply unwilling to believe! For example, a brilliant but confused psychiatrist . . . frankly confessed to me that he had never been willing to honestly consider the claims of Christ in his own life for fear that he would be convinced and, as a result, would have to change his way of life. Other well-known professing atheists, including Aldous Huxley and Bertrand Russell, have refused to come to intellectual grips with basic historical facts concerning the birth, life, teachings, miracles, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Those who have, such as C. S. Lewis and C. E. M. Joad, have found the evidence so convincing that they have accepted the verdict that Jesus Christ is truly who He claimed to be and who others have believed Him to be the Son of God and their own Saviour and Lord." -- "Man's Ascent to God," hdm0127, by I. Parker Maxey

Lesson Ten of the Quarter: A Call to Labor

 Toda's lesson comes from Nehemiah 2: 4-13; 17, 18. Four months had passed since Nehemiah first heard about the conditions of the home land. He had spent long hours in payer seeking God's leadership and yo obtain God's favor. As Nehemiah did his work before the king, his sad countenance was noticed by the king. No sadness was allowed in the king's presence (Esther 4:2), but Nehemiah could not hide the sorrow of his heart. He told the king his grief, "The city, the place of my fathers' sepulchers, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire."

The first section is "Requests Granted." vv. 4-8 After hearing the cause of Nehemiah's sadness, the king asked, "For what dost thou make request?" Nehemiah said a short mental prayer and stated, "If it please the king...that wouldest send me to Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it."  Short mental prayers are effective if there has been extended periods of prayer prior. We should never allow our prayer life to be limited to short mental prayers. 

The king asked some questions and Nehemiah had the answers ready. No doubt the time spent in prayer had prepared him for this moment. Some believe that Nehemiah suggested a year for his absence and later requested an extension. WE know that Nehemiah became governor of Judah for a period of twelve years. 

Nehemiah requested letters from the king for two purposes. First, the letter would guarantee safe passage until he arrived in Judah. Second, the letter was to secure the necessary building materials for the reconstruction. Nehemiah had three projects in mind: construction of the palace, i.e. a fortress for the temple area,  the wall of the city. and the actual temple area. The king granted all of Nehemiah's requests. Nehemiah took no credit for himself and with the psalmist he could say, "this is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." (Psalm 118: 23)

The summary points for this section are:

1. Short mental prayers are no substitute for a consistent prayer life.

2. Always take your requests to God before man.

3. All credit for our blessings go to God.

The second section is "Opposition Identified." vv. 9, 10 As Nehemiah travelled to Jerusalem, he delivered the king's letters to the governors on his route. Sanballat the Horonite was governor of Samaria. He became very upset when he read the letters from the king. His friend, Tobiah the Ammonite was extremely grieved. These two men would become the chief opposition to Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem. They waned the Jews to remain a reproach, their cities without walls and defenseless. 

The summary points for this section are:

1. When you are doing God's will, there will always be opposition.

2. Though you may not see it, God will provide protection.

3. Those that oppose God's plan know that ultimately they will be defeated.

The third section is "Ruins Inspected." vv. 11-13 When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem after his long trip, he rested three days. However, he was still active. He was laying the plans for the work ahead. He was meeting with different people including civic leaders and spiritual leaders. After the three days, he made an inspection of the ruins. This was a time of careful contemplation. He was surveying the situation and making plans to be able to successfully complete his mission.

Nehemiah began at the Valley Gate on the southwestern side of the city. He then proceeded southward to the dung gate where the refuse of the city was brought. Next, he traveled up the Kidron Valley and passed the temple mount. Finally, he crossed the northern end of the city and down the western side back to the Valley Gate. He viewed the entire project so he could effectively complete his planning. While Nehemiah appeared well organized and an efficient planner, he said, "nether told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem." It was God who had planted the desire in Nehemiah and God was leading him.

The summary points for this section are:

1. Before beginning a project for the Lord, always sit down and count the costs before beginning.

2. Knowing that a project is God's will does not eliminate the need for careful planning. 

3. Where God guides, He will supply.

The fourth section is "Workers Enlisted." vv. 17, 18 After reviewing the ruins, and laying out his plans, Nehemiah called the people together. First, he wanted to stress the need (v. 17). Then, he enlisted their participation (v. 17). Nehemiah assured them that the rebuilding of the wall was not merely his idea. God had protected him on the journey, given him wisdom and He had provided the materials for the project to be completed. Having heard such words of assurance, the people responded enthusiastically, "Let us rise up and build." The people and leaders took hope and encouraged each other. (v. 18) 

The summary points for this section are:

1. God wants His people to build a strong church to resist the enemy.

2. Leaders that follow God's direction will inspire the people.

3. We are to inspire each other to build God's kingdom. It is a group effort.

The Golden Text is: "Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem." (New. 2: 17) There is a message for us today, especially today given the attack on the church. We need to build walls around the church. The wall consists of faith and good works. As we walk in faith and are true to the Word of God, the church will be safe from harm. False prophets and teachers will be kept at bay. Satan will find no opening to infiltrate God's Word, provided we remain true to His Word. Let us be faithful to build the wall in front of us. That would be our home, our church and our community.

Next week, "Threatened but Determined." Nehemiah 4: 1-14  

FULFILLED PROPHECY CONVINCED THIS FORMER ATHEIST

FULFILLED PROPHECY CONVINCED THIS FORMER ATHEIST

A very intelligent gentleman in Boston, years ago, requested me to visit him. During our interview he made this statement:-- "For fifty years of my life up to a few weeks since, I was a confirmed atheist. I had no idea that my belief could be shaken. As I lay upon my bed from a slight indisposition, the following reflections passed through my mind. There are in the Bible a vast number of predictions which no human foresight could have divined. Every one of these, when the time specified arrived, was fulfilled to the letter. The same Book foretells for the soul a future state of eternal retribution. These last predictions will come to pass just as all the others have done. All this came before my mind with such distinctness and force as to render doubt impossible; and I am here, a believer in Jesus." -- "The Baptism of the Holy Ghost," hdm0390, by Asa Mahan

HE SOWED INFIDELITY AND REAPED SNAKES

HE SOWED INFIDELITY AND REAPED SNAKES

Ever and anon for some years we have heard of an infidel who lived years ago, to a ripe old age, and when he died, his grave was infested with a den of snakes. Some time ago I was holding a meeting, and this story was repeated to me, by a Nazarene preacher who had seen the grave and had killed snakes crawling over the grave. I, at once requested that I be carried out to see this notable grave. I spent half a day driving out to see the cemetery, and taking a Kodak along made the picture of the monument as you see it on the cover of this booklet.

We were told that this man especially delighted in ridiculing the Bible, calling it superstition, and ghost stories. He took special delight in deriding the story of Eve in the Garden of Eden, and the snake talking to her. He was often known to say that "any half-wit could write a more credible fairy tale than that given in the Bible. The idea of a dirty slimy snake crawling into the garden on its belly, and entering into a controversy with Eve. The most bungling blunder, of ancient Hebrew superstition, that an ugly snake could outwit a shrewd woman, and deceive her by his logic. Preposterous! Take a snake story like this to prove the authenticity of your Bible. The very first story in the book is ridiculous. I had rather have snakes crawl all over my dead body than to believe such rot." Such are the current stories about this man and his grave in the neighborhood where he lived.

Note the picture [see both hdm0553a.jpg, a drawing on the booklet cover, and hdm0553b.jpg, the picture to which C. B. Jernigan here refers] standing on a granite base fourteen feet high, with a life-size statue of the man, holding in his right hand, above his head a scroll, on which is inscribed: "UNIVERSAL MENTAL LIBERTY," lifted up. He has his left foot on the Bible, and the finger of his left hand pointed to it, on which is inscribed "SUPERSTITION." (Up with universal mental liberty, and down with the Bible.)

This monument with its statue was made by him, and erected before his death, overlooking the grave of some very devoted Christian people we are told. The picture with the snakes in it was taken by a minister, who had killed these snakes off the grave lot at the foot of this monument.

The grave lot is full of snake holes that undermine the monument, and other places on the grave lot. We saw a dead snake on the grave the cold winter day that we visited the place. The cemetery is more than one hundred years old, as we found tombs there where people were buried in 1817, and many before 1830. It is one of the most beautiful cemeteries that we have ever visited, covered with blue grass, which is kept closely mowed, and we did not find a single snake hole any where else in the whole graveyard except those on this grave.

It is currently reported that any summer day one may find snakes crawling over this grave. The snakes in the picture were all killed on the grave, on a sunny November day, and hanged on the stick leaning against the monument where the picture was made, by this minister.

Explain this strange phenomenon?

All that I know is what I have seen, and heard about it. He certainly sowed infidelity and reaped snakes.

Story of the Snake-Infested Grave Confirmed

In the month of March, 1930, I was assisted in a revival meeting in the great Church of the Nazarene, in East Liverpool, Ohio, by the Vaughan Radio quartet and one night in an audience of 800 I offered this book (A Snake Infested Grave) for sale, and while a member of the quartet was distributing the book through the congregation, he met a gentleman who told him that he had married the granddaughter of this noted infidel, and that he desired and interview with me.

After service, a fine looking man came up, introducing himself as Mr. B____, the manager of one of the great chain stores in the city. He said my first wife was the granddaughter of the man whose statue is on the monument on the cover page of this book. She is now dead, and is buried along side this monument. The infidel he said was a very noted character and very rich for his time, being worth at least five hundred thousand dollars. He was notorious in his hatred for the Bible; calling it a bundle of ignorance and superstition, publicly defying people to discuss the question with him. The grave lot where he was buried was on a hill side, and filled in with stones and other rubbish, and was literally a den of snakes.

The next day the Vaughan quartet drove out 40 miles to look at this monument, and the grave of this man's wife, and found it as he had said.

The next night Mr. B____ brought us a photograph of this noted character, and the next, night Mr. B____ was at the altar, and was gloriously converted.

Truth is stranger than fiction. -- "The Snake-Infested Grave," hdm0553, by C. B. Jernigan

Winning an Infidel

IT WAS HIS TRANSFORMED LIFE THAT WON THE INFIDEL

A man of great wealth, prominence, and learning, who is the owner of extensive mining interests in Pennsylvania, had unfortunately become an infidel and almost a blaspheming atheist. He had in his employ a man of desperate character, -- a man whose profanity and wickedness was shocking even to him, infidel and atheist as he was; but such was his value as a workman that he disliked to give him up. At last this wicked, lost man was brought under religious influences, through a meeting held by a Methodist minister for the benefit of sinners. He was soon brought under conviction for sin, and after a fearful struggle was happily converted to God. His whole manner of life was at once reversed. His terribly passionate nature gave place to one as gentle as a child's. His fearful profanity was supplanted by a spirit of prayer and praise, and his insubordination gave place to fidelity of the strictest type. Soon after his conversion he became anxiously concerned about his employer, but could not gather up sufficient courage to go to his home and speak to him about his soul.

At last, some six months after his conversion, he became so deeply concerned upon the subject that he could not sleep; and one morning early, after spending a sleepless night, he determined to go to his employer in the name and strength of his divine Master, and speak to him about his soul. He started with trembling on his way. As he approached the house he saw that, early as it was, there was a light in a lower room. He knocked timidly at the door; his employer answered the summons in person, and by his appearance and manner showed that he had not retired during the night. No sooner was the door opened than the poor miner grasped his employer's hand and cried out, "I hope you will forgive me, but I am so concerned about your soul, I cannot sleep: so I thought I would come and speak to you." The man of wealth and culture pressed the hand of his poor ignorant employee, and in a voice choked with emotion said, "Come in, Thomas, come in; I am so glad you have come; God must have sent you. I am so unhappy. I have been trying all night to pray, but cannot. I want you to pray for me." They knelt down together, and the astonished miner poured out his soul in prayer for his distressed employer; and there they remained weeping and praying until the master was happily converted to God.

He then, in reply to the inquiries of Thomas as to how he came under conviction, made this statement: "I have long been an infidel. I did not see much difference between the lives of many Christians with whom I associated and my own, and that strengthened me in my infidelity. At last you professed to be converted. I knew what a terrible man you had been, and determined to watch you and see the result. I did so. I watched you when you were not aware of it, but I saw nothing with which I could find fault. On the contrary, your consistent and marvelously changed life condemned me. I felt that if you, without education, and sunk to the very bottom of the pit of wickedness, could be so transformed, and lead so beautiful a life, there must be something in religion, and it was time for me, who had enjoyed so many advantages, to think about my soul. And as I thought about it, I found I was a sinner in the sight of God, and lost forever unless He would save me. It was your life, Thomas, that led me to Christ." -- "Revival Kindlings," hdm0412, by M. W. Knapp

We Are Under Divine Judgment

 Below is a statement from Dr. John MacArthur regarding divine judgment. I concur 100%. We have removed God from our government, our schools, our churches (many have become social help centers or prosperity promise shoppes), and allowed insanity to control our culture. A person born a male, believes he is a female, and we have to affirm it or face a cancel culture. Gay marriage contradicts the Biblical design for marriage (find one passage that supports same sex marriage and I will change my mind), but we are supposed to affirm the right of two men or two women to marry. If we don't, we face the cancel culture. COVID-19 has allowed the government to remove our rights of freedom to worship God. Churches were required to close, but bars and abortion clinics remained open. We are living Romans 1 and our current leaders in Washington D.C. are leading the way. This is madness. We need to preach repentance and the Lordship of Jesus Christ, it is our only hope. We must preach truth. It must be our response to what is going on in our country. Here is Dr. MacArthur's statement:

"It was John Calvin who made the interesting statement that when God judges a people He gives them wicked rulers. When God judges a people He gives them wicked rulers.

So this judgment of God, that has sent us down this careening path of transgression, iniquity, and sin, is also aided and abetted by wicked rulers because they tend to be the architects of all of this—if not overtly, certainly covertly.

So I just want to say that you have to look at this in the light of divine judgment.

What is happening in our country—the chaos, the insanity, the nonsense, the things that you can’t figure out, the confusion, the disorder, the disruption—is all part of divine judgment. And if you understand it that way you’re going to realize that you can’t fix it, you can’t fix it.

The next election will not fix it. No election will fix it.

A new governor in California will not fix it.

It cannot be fixed; it is divine judgment, and it is obviously unleashed on us, and we’re in the final stage, the stage of insanity.

The folly of all follies in a situation like this is to think there’s anything you can do in the human realm to stop the divine judgment of God.

That’s not possible.

This is God judging, and He laid it out in detail. We are under judgment at a severe level, the most severe level revealed in Scripture, short of final, global judgment yet to come in the end of the age, and eternal judgment in hell.

What is wrong in this country is not fixable; this is God bringing judgment. The good news is that He protects His people in the judgment, that His cover is over us. We are in the shelter of His protection. We are saved from the wrath to come, and we are protected in the current judgment.

But I just want you to understand that the church has one great responsibility in the midst of this judgment. It’s not to try to fix what’s wrong in society.

That same chapter, Romans 1, gives us our mandate. Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel [of Christ], for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew and the Gentile.”

Our responsibility is to preach the gospel—not to be ashamed of the gospel but to preach the gospel, which is the only answer.

The only hope is Christ, and the only appropriate response to Christ is to embrace Him as Lord and Savior, and to embrace His glorious gospel."

— John MacArthur