Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross ---- Join our chatty new email group, FRIENDS! Sign up free: friends-join@... And be sure to read the rules of the game: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/join_our_new_chat_group.htm ---- COLUMN: Up for the Task Jesus Had No Closet by Paul Goddard Money is a terrible master, but an excellent servant" -- P.T. Barnum Since the beginning of time, mankind has traded one item of value for another. Over the centuries nomadic people have bartered cattle for grain, swapped goats for sheep, and exchanged figs for olives. Kings have demanded gold, silver, and copper from their subjects to expand kingdoms. In the 7th century B.C., coinage was invented to make this tribute easier for exchange. Today money has become the most common means of exchange in the world. During the early ministry of Jesus Christ, a teacher came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Matthew 8:18-27). With this response, the Son of Man set the stage for his followers. When he sent the twelve disciples to preach to the Jews, he gave them some unique instructions. Show mercy by healing the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Likewise, he told them not to take any money or provisions with them on the journey (Matthew 10:5-16). In response to these speciation's, they trusted and obeyed. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? In today's modern world, God has blessed us with so many blessings. How shall we account for this wealth (1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 5:1-19)? Shall we sin by trusting in self, or shall we trust in God (Proverbs 18:11-13)? Christian, are you up for the task? "Down from My home above, Salvation full and free, My pardon and My love; I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, What hast thou brought for me?" --Frances Havergal ---- Join the conversation. Read this article online and share your thoughts with us. Click here: http://www.forthright.net/up_for_the_task/jesus_had_no_closet.htm ---- COLUMN: Heavenly Connections Unparalleled Power by Tim Hall Isaiah's presentation of the Messiah is both fascinating and intriguing. In many visions, God revealed to this prophet a Savior whose ministry would be marvelous. But his results and approach would be different from anything the world has ever seen. Consider Isaiah 42 as an example. One feat the Messiah would accomplish is announced in verse 1: "He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles" (NKJV). "Gentiles" encompassed a vast portion of the earth (all who were not Jewish), the majority of mankind. Keep in mind, also, that few Gentiles knew God and his will as did the Israelite nation. What a job that would be to bring justice to the Gentiles! Verse 4 assures the reader that the Messiah would be successful in this aim: "He will not fail nor be discouraged, till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for his law." Many rulers have launched ambitious projects in the past. Some have even made world peace their aim. But before many years have passed, such projects have been deemed failures. Not so for the Messiah. "He will not fail nor be discouraged." In that way, the power of the Messiah is unlike that of any other. There's one other way mentioned in this passage in which the Messiah's power is unique: "He will not cry out, nor raise his voice, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed he will not break, and smoking flax he will not quench; he will bring forth justice for truth" (Isaiah 42:2,3). Virtually every empire of the past has been established by force. Mighty armies have leveled the opposition and made it possible for a new ruler to reign. But that won't be the case with Messiah. Bruised reeds are extremely fragile. It would be an easy thing to finish them off, even by unintentionally mishandling them. The same is true for smoking flax; the flame is gone, and there's little hope it will return. But in the hands of the Messiah, such fragile ones are safe. His power is not an overbearing power that crushes the weak. He uses love and righteousness to topple empires. In submitting to the horrible execution of the Roman Empire, Jesus presented a power that the world could never have otherwise imagined. When Jesus rises to power, there is no collateral damage. There is no doubt the Messiah is powerful. Jesus Christ is Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 17:14), and to him every knee will one day bow (Philippians 2:10). But don't regard his power in the same light as earthly potentates. His power is unique in that it will not fail and that it is gentle to all who confess his holy name. ---- Join the conversation. Read this article online and share your thoughts with us. Click here: http://www.forthright.net/heavenly_connections/unparalleled_power.htm ---- You can help us get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.htm