Vol. 10, No. 12, for the week of April 15-21

 

This has been a week of celebration for our ministry.  It was 25 years ago that Village Schools of the Bible was founded by Monty Sholund, a missionary retiring after 25 years of service in South Africa.  When he came to the States, he assumed a position as Director of Christian Education and Music at a local church.  While there, he was asked to begin a class where students could be taught the Bible in a systematic way from Genesis through Revelation.  Thus was born Village Schools.  During those 25 years, 2000 individuals have completed what we call "the cover-to-cover" class - a comprehensive 36-week study of the entire Bible.  It was designed for those who wanted to take the Bible more seriously.  And, over the course of those years, we have witnessed men and women whose lives have been dramatically altered because of their study.  We have seen churches become revitalized because some within their leadership began to wrestle seriously with what the Bible had to say.  I am now completing my 8th year with Village Schools.  And I still get excited when I see people whose lives get turned around.  I could share with you story after story, but let's just say that God honors those who really take His Word seriously.  Tomorrow evening is our 25th Anniversary Banquet.  Over 200 people will be in attendance.  Two of our graduates - both well-known authors and businessmen - are sharing with us how God used the Word to impact their lives.  And, the Lord willing, Monty will be with us.  His health is failing rather quickly, but he has a heart to come and join in the celebration of what God has done.  May I say to you: If you take your study of the Word of God seriously, God will honor that and you will find your life takes on a whole new meaning. 

 

Also, this past week my first book became a reality.  It is titled, "Knowing and Growing: Reflections on the Chapters of the New Testament."  The book is a compilation of over 20 years of my own study of the New Testament, writing an outline of each of the 260 chapters of the New Testament and some devotional thoughts for each chapter as well.  Originally it was intended to be my legacy to my children, so that they would have a sense of their father's passion for the Word.  But I was encouraged by so many others to have it published.  You are interested in how you can obtain a copy, just write and let me know of your interest.  Village Schools is the publisher and the cost for the book is $20.  It is 560 pages long.  I wonder how long the Old Testament portion will be?  Stay tuned.

 

I want to take a few moments to address the tragic and senseless act of violence that was perpetrated at Virginia Tech University this past Monday.  Once again it is a strong reminder that we live in a fallen world and that the prince of the power of the air is at work.  Franklin Graham, in an interview Wednesday on Fox News Channel, said, "There is evil in the world, no question about it.  I believe Satan, the devil, is behind this.  This young man was filled with evil.  There's no way to describe the fact that he could go and murder this many people and do what he did without this man being possessed by an evil spirit who brought this carnage on this university. "  The question being asked by so many is "how could this have happened?"  Perhaps we will never know all the thoughts that went through Cho Seung-Hui's mind and heart.   His video and notes sent to NBC News certainly portray a young man who was very deeply disturbed.  In some ways his plays and poems were a way of crying out that something was wrong in his life.  Some tried to hear him, but he seems to have rebuffed many. 

 

The act of violence should not have surprised us.  We live in a violence dominated society.  Just look at what movies are the box-office hits.  Just watch the popular shows on television and if it isn't sex, it is violence that sells the advertising.  And the video games today create a sense of the real that is frightening.  I actually believe that, for many young people, the line between reality and the imaginary becomes so blurred that it is no longer distinguishable.  And so, a very disturbed young man plays out in real life what he has written on paper. 

 

I remember the words of David: When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3).  For the past generations, the moral foundations of our nation have been slowly eroded.  In its place has come toleration for immorality.  Our focus today is not upon what is right...but upon our rights.  The Golden Rule - do unto others as you would have them do unto you - has been replaced with the motto - I am the most important person in the world.  Is it any wonder that sin and lawlessness is increasing?  David asks the question - what can the righteous do?  Let me see if I can answer that.  First, the righteous need to get back into the Word of God and begin to take it as the only source of truth and life.  I continually challenge my students to be like the Bereans.  Second, the righteous need to become emboldened through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to proclaim what truth is.  We have got to stop being intimidated by the forces of evil, whether those forces come dressed in religious clothes or the clothes of the world.  Yes, we need to love the unlovely...but we must not stoop to become their doormats.  Just reread Matthew 23 and see if Jesus became a doormat to those He was seeking to win.  Is there still hope for our nation?  I believe that answer will be decided within the next few years.  If Christians can begin to take living for Jesus Christ seriously; if churches can begin to see beyond the numbers who sit in the pews and put money into the offering plate and see needy people, then perhaps...just perhaps. 

 

God bless each of you as you seek to serve Christ well in your marketplace.  I pray that He will be honored through your life.  May we have the resolve of Daniel of old- may we purpose in our hearts that we will not defile ourselves from the service to our Lord.  And, remember to keep looking up...the trumpet will sound someday soon.  What a glorious note that will be.

 

Next week, the Lord willing, we will finish our study of Revelation 19.  Until then, God bless.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Say and do something positive that will help the situation; it doesn't take any brains to complain.  (Robert A,. Cook)