SOUL FOOD by Dr Jack Van Impe

FAITH

Memory Verse: But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6)

Faith sometimes needs reviving.

All Christians understand that salvation comes through faith. Before that day of peace with God arrived you struggled and tried to find the answer to life, but to no avail. Neither religion nor ritual met your need. Finally faith made the difference: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. " (Romans 5:1)

But faith is more than the key to eternal life. It is to be the daily experience of the child of God: "Now the just shall live by faith..." (Hebrews 10:38). And the mighty people of the Bible trusted God in their everyday battles. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went (Hebrews11:8)

Today, however, your faith may be faltering. Like Peter who walked well on the water until he looked about and saw his precarious position, you may find yourself sinking under the circumstances. You put on a good front and others don't know about the churning within.

Faith grows as we focus on the strength of the object of faith, the Saviour Himself. Peter's cry: "Lord save me!" (Matthew 14:30) may be about all you can muster today. But that was enough to lift the drowning disciple back to the surface. Your present problems may be designed to demonstrate the power of God to deliver you. Have faith in God.

Grumbling? Memory Verse: Do all things without murmurings and disputings (Philippians 2:14).

Grumbling is serious.

Consider the following examples:

When Israel murmured against Moses, there were in reality murmuring against God: "... and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD" (Exodus 16:8).

At the edge of the promised land, Israel grumbled in unbelief and it cost them forty more years in the wilderness: "Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me. Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun" (Numbers 14:29-30)

The onlookers murmured when Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with precious ointment: And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against here" (Mark 14:4-5)

The Pharisees and scribes murmured because Jesus received sinners: "And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them" (Luke 15:2).

Judgment is coming for grumblers: These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts.." (Jude 16).

The grumblers have been around in every age. Are you comfortable among them?

Memory Verse: But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ (Philippians 3:7).

Christ had all of Paul. From the time of that experience on the road to Damascus until he finished his earthly course, he was a totally surrendered man, He counted all things loss for Christ.

A number of things were important to Paul before that lifelong surrender. There had been his pride of ancestry, his position as a Pharisee, his respect among his people, his future as a leader among them. Now all those things were counted but loss Eternal things had priority, Christ was Lord of his life.

There is but one area thorough which we gain by total surrender. On the battlefield, surrender means defeat. However, in our walk with God, surrender meas victory. It speaks of complete agreement with His will. And this is the greatest choice in life.

Paul's total surrender allowed him to reach his goal in life--the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Few reach their goals. Youthful dreams often turn to nightmares. Castles tumble. Hopes crumble. Ideals are compromised for the sake of convenience. Not many arrive at their chosen destinations in life But here was a man who surrendered and won. He discovered the way to blessing was in giving everything over to his Lord. And he never regretted it.

It is not too late for total surrender. You can abdicate the throne of your life in favor of Christ That is the road to personal revival and blessing. Others may not understand as was the case with Paul, but how many of his contemporaries do you know by name?

Give Christ first place in your heart.

Memory Verse: I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came (Job 3:26).

Sometimes we know why trouble has come. A lady in a hospital bed once said to me, "I know why I'm here."

Trouble may come as a result of God's love and concern for us. Many will be in heaven because trouble enabled them to see the real issues of life more clearly. When their eyes had been washed with tears, they saw the folly of living without Christ and the emptiness of worldly gain or pleasure. A time of trouble became a signpost for heaven.

Trouble may come to a Christian because he is not living in the will of God: "for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" (Hebrews 12:6,7). A professing Christian who seems to continue to get away with sin should examine himself to see if he is in the faith.

Trouble may come because God has a special purpose for it. Jesus met a man who had been born blind and His disciples thought the man's trouble was the result of some sin that he or his parents had committed. But Jesus told them that the blind man's trouble was not the result of his sins or the sins of his parents (John 9:3). His blindness was for the glory of God. Jesus restored his sight.

Trouble may come as an attack from Satan. That was the source of Job's trouble. He had not been presumptuous or backslidden. His trouble was an attack from the enemy.

We must be careful not to judge others in their times of trouble. If trouble comes to us because of sin, God will let us know so that we can confess it and be forgiven. Trouble that is not easily explained should be entrusted to the Lord.

His grace is sufficient for all!

PRESERVED

Memory verse: Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7)

CHOOSE LESS

Memory Verse: Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith (Proverbs 15:16).

A few years ago, a man stepped out into his back yard, and looking up saw a speck in the sky. It grew larger and larger. Then he discovered it was something alive, a struggling, living mass of something slowly descending to earth.

What he had first seen as a speck, had now revealed itself to be two lard bald eagles in deadly combat. The huge birds were fighting in the sky over a fish. the fish finally dropped to the ground, but the birds continued their struggle until they were both bloody and exhausted. With a last fatal scream and a plunge at each other, both birds came tumbling down to earth--dead, falling side by side, within a few feet of the man who hand been witnessing the fierce battle of the sky. Greed had destroyed them.

Chrisitians and churches are often destroyed like those birds. Testimonies are ruined. Congregations are divided. Reputations are destroyed. And all for the love of money, position, or recognition. Someone demanded his rights..insisted on them, regardless of the destruction.

Here is a verse from the Bible that needs reviving: "Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law with one another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" (I Corinthians 6:7).

That bit of advice would halt man a court battle between Christians and on a daily personal level would quiet many troubled seas. Strange that this practical verse seldom appears in Sunday School lessons or memorization programs. Perhaps many would rather ignore its message.

IN YOUR PRESENT CONFLICT, CHOOSE LESS. Take wrong.

PEACE IN TROUBLED TIMES

Memory verse: And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet (Matthew 24:6)

Present world conditions incubate fears. And things are not likely to improve. Jesus said: "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken: (Luke 21:25, 26).

But Christians do not need to be troubled.

The movements of men and nations in our day are but the outworking of our Father's plan. Perilous times, the explosion of knowledge, Israel as a nation, Russia a militaristic power with designs on the Middle East, China becoming a world power, the coming together of the nations of western Europe, the slide of morals, the space programs and other developments are simply indications that God's word is true and that our Saviour is coming soon.

What a great time to be alive!

Sometimes Christians become afraid when they read about a coming Antichrist, the mark of the beast and terrible persecutions that will come to believers during the Tribulation. But we must realize that we will not be here for that frightening time. Many will be converted after the Rapture of the church and will endure persecutions and martyrdom but Christians living at the time of Christ's return will escape the Tribulation (Revelation 3:10).

Look about you. See the fulfilling of prophecy. And rejoice!

the Lord is coming. He's coming for you!

EVERLASTING LOVE

Memory verse: The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee (Jeremiah 31:3)

An old Scottish woman who was alone for the greater part of each day was asked, "What do you do during the day?"

"Well," she replied, "I get my hymn book, and I have a little hymn of praise to the Lord." "Then," she added, " I get my Bible and let the Lord speak to me. When I am tired of reading, and I cannot sing anymore, I just sit still and let the Lord love me."

The length of love is often celebrated. We congratulate those who have been married for twenty-five or fifty years. In this day of trail marriages and easy divorces, couples who experience lasting love are somewhat rare.

But God's love lasts!

The love of God doesn't diminish with the passing of time. His love for you and me is as strong as it was yesterday, last month, or last year. And this in spite of our own failures along the way.

That's only part of the story.

God's love is everlasting. He'll love us as much in ten thousand years as today. Our walk with Him can be bathed in love through all our days on earth and then when we arrive in heaven immediately after death, His loving arms will greet us home.

Many long for love. Life has been hard and sometimes despair has become an unwelcome companion. That may describe your life.

Here's the good news: GOD LOVES YOU! And His love never changes. Respond to His love and His lovingkindness will be your experience forever.

Memory Verse: If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you (John 15:19).

The world loves its heroes, but even this love is temporary. One may be king of mountain one day and cast down the next. Big names of the past are often the moral and financial wrecks of today. Faces that once graced top magazine covers now sell cheap sensational papers with stories of the former star's present predicament. The worlds love is fickle and dependent on fortune.

God's love is enduring. The ups and downs of life do not affect it: "Who shall separate us from the love of Chris? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35,37-39).

Which love shall we choose?

Responding to the love of God by receiving Christ can put one at odds with others. Some will not understand. The love of the world will be forfeited. In some cases this may cost popularity or money. In many parts of the world it means imprisonment or even death. Nevertheless, it will be worth it all when we meet the Lord.

Forfeiting the world's love to serve Christ is a small loss compared to eternal gain. Wise ones choose the love that lasts!

God Hears!

Memory Verse: O though that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come (Psalm 65:2)

The tin-roofed tabernacle in Waterloo, Iowa roared under a driving rain when Dr. Charles E. Fuller stepped up to the microphone to pray. "Lord, if you don't stop the rain, the Old Fashioned Revival Hour will not be able to go out over the air. For Jesus' sake, please stop the rain!"

Within three minutes the rain stopped abruptly and the program was broadcast without interference. But five minutes after the service was over a downpour drenched the home going crowds.


In Pontiac, Michigan the final night of the Jack Van Impe Crusade was scheduled for Wisner Stadium, an outdoor arena. Ran was forecast and had it come it would have been necessary to move the meeting to a church building holding less than half the capacity of the stadium. Christians were asked to pray. On that closing night, clouds were threatening and dark. Rain fell in torrents throughout the area--except in a four block radius surrounding Wisner Stadium.. God had heard the prayers of the people and was pleased to answer. The news media covered the story of the miracle.

Examples might be multiplied where earnest prayer has been heard and answered. Why then are we so timid in our asking? A. B. Simpson wrote, "Our God has boundless resources, the only limit is in us. Our asking our thinking, our praying are too small. Our expectations are too limited.

God hears. And here you are carrying that load!

Give your burden to Jesus. Ask and receive. Prove His promises. The God Who holds back the rain can also give showers of blessings!

Memory Verse: And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man (Genesis 2:23).

Eve was made, "not from Adam's head to be over him; nor from his feet to be trampled by him; but from his side to be next to him; from under his arm to be protected by him; and near to his heart to be loved by him."

God has established the home, not the herd.

No earthly bond is so close and wonderful as that special relationship existing between and man and a woman who have been joined in marriage.

Adam must have been the most handsome of men and Eve the most beautiful of all women., They lived in a world untouched by sin. Grief and tears were unknown until after the fall. We struggle to understand such ideal conditions. Nevertheless, Christian marriage can be a taste of heaven. When two people are in love and express their affection continually while living in an atmosphere of faith in Christ and dedication to His will, they experience something of the blessing shared by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Adam said that Eve was bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Paul said the same is true of Christ and the Church. "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:30, 32).

Grasping this truth makes living the Christian life an adventure in faith. F. J. Huegel has written: "What is impossible to me as an imitator of Christ becomes perfectly natural as a participant of Christ."

Now don't you feel close to Jesus?

Memory Verse: And who knoweth whether thou are come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)

God is always on time.

in the darkest day, God makes a way. The Jews were faced with extinction because of the evil plan of a Jew hater named Haman. he was not the first nor the last to attempt to destroy the Jews. History's graveyards are filled with those who hoped to do away with the children of Israel.

Esther ws the queen but had never revealed her racial identity to the king. Now Mordecai, her relative who had raised her, came to ask her to intercede on behalf of her people. it was a risky request, placing Esther's life in danger.

God uses a woman or a man to fulfill His plan. Throughout history, God has raised up people to carry out His will. Moses' mother defied Pharaoh's law and spared the life of her son, who was destined to deliver his people. David arrived at the camp of Israel when Goliath had intimidated the armies of Saul. john Wesley was converted and his heart was set afire for Christ in time to save England form the revolution. John Knox was there when Scotland needed him. Esther must face the challenge of rescuing her people.

Esther's cry was to do or die. She laid her life on the line. Read again her response to the call of duty: "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day: I also and my maidservants will likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16).

Esther rose to the occasion and saved her people.

"Who knoweth whether thou are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (See Acts 1:8)

BE THANKFUL

Memory Verse: Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2).

Sergeant Vernon W. Entrekin relates how he recited the 145th Psalm while dangling by his left foot from a parachute after bailing out of a C-47 transport plane during a swirling snowstorm. Entrekin was one of six aboard the plane when the pilot lost control above Dwight, Nebraska. It was his first parachute leap. he had been reading the 145th psalm just before starting out on the flight. he found himself saying: "The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down...The Lord is night unto all that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."

Entrekin asked for strength to climb back into the parachute harness which he had failed to fasten securely. Gasping for breath in the ice air, and summoning the last ounce of his energy, he doubled his body, and caught hold of the harness above his foot. Slowly he was able to climb back to a sitting position while dropping swiftly through the air. Finally he landed with a jolt and unbuckled his parachute harness.

"Thank you LORD," he said.

And who wouldn't be thankful under those circumstances?

Still God has called us to be thankful all the time: "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1Thessalonians 5:18)

Our circumstance would make millions thankful. Food enough to survive should call forth as much thanksgiving in this good land as in one where many die of starvation.

Be ye thankful....continually.

THE HOPE

memory verse: for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel (Colossians 1:5).

There was good evidence that the faith of the Colossian Christians was genuine. It was demonstrated in their love for all the saints. Watching the lives of these Christians one concluded they were real. Their earthly walk gave testimony that they were headed for heaven.

People who are going to heaven ought to love one another while on earth.l Some expect to love others in heaven but they don't seem to be practicing here below.

To live above with saints in love
Will be eternal glory;
To live below with saints we know
Is quite another story.

But love for one another is the identifying mark of those who are citizens of heave; We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. he that loveth not his brother abideth in death..and this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment: (1 John 3:14,23)

If love for others identifies those who are born again and are going to heaven, will others know your destination by your present attitude?

If not, it's time for a change!

Perilous Times

Memory Verse: This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come (II Timothy 3:1)

Most students of the Bible do not have to be convinced that we are living in perilous times. The splitting of the atom has given man the power to bring about total destruction. In addition, we have learned to live twenty four hours a day in the rocket sights of our enemies who are bent on world domination.

Nevertheless, Christians need not panic.

Not one recent events has taken God by surprise. he is in control and is allowing man to work out His program. The words of the Psalmist are relevant today: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

Tough times are perilous, we never walk alone: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed:; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold tee with the right hand of my righteousness. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee" (Isaiah 41: 10 & 13).

Thought times are perilous, we can never be separated from his love: "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels , nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

Though times are perilous, these conditions are but reminders of better days ahead: "And then these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28). __________________

MEMORY VERSE: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O LORD, my strength and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

The most dangerous beast in the world is the one that lives in that den behind your teeth...your tongue!

James compares the tongue to a flame of fire. he warns that it is full of wickedness and can poison every part of the body.

David prayed that the Lord would set a guard at his mouth: "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).

The tongue at its greatest potential is used to bring praise to God. The dedicated Christian sings: