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Dear Friends, how often do you think about the return of Christ?
I have personally heard more and more talk about the eminent return of the Lord, in the last two years, than I have heard in the last twenty years. Maybe it is time for us once again to revisit some of the verses in regards to this incredible subject. You know of course that you can find the gospel in the Old Testament and one example of this is found in Genesis 24. In Genesis 23 you will find that Abraham has just buried his wife. It is important to recognize Marriage and Burial are a major part of the Biblical narrative found in these chapters. I would encourage you to go read the story again and when you do you will find a special foot note in Genesis 24:67: “Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and he took Rebekah [in marriage], and she became his wife, and he loved her; therefore, Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”
Have you ever heard of The Camel Test? In Genesis 24 Rebekah passed this test in an extraordinary manner. What she actually did was to serve her own destiny. Is it possible for us to serve our own destiny?
It is so easy to overlook some of the finer points in context when reading the Bible.
We are taught in scripture, Revelations 19:7 “Let us rejoice and exult and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Bride has come and His Bride has made herself ready.” I love the picture of Isaac when Eliezer returns with Rebekah, you find it in Genesis 24. Isaac appears to have had anticipation and expectation of her coming back with the Eliezer, when he met Rebekah. He had gone out to pray, to meditate, in a field at the close of the day, v. 62, 63. It was the Elder Servants commission from the Father to go find a bride for His Son. It could not be a Canaanite, so His journey was long. When He found Rebekah and she chose to return with him to meet Isaac, he spoke with her about him all the way back on the camel ride to her new life. I can just hear Eliezer talking to her about the family history as they journeyed, like a paraclete he was side by side with her on the way.
The very best Counselor is the Holy Spirit; take a moment to give this some thought. The Holy Spirit is resident in the Spirit filled believer and I like to think of Him as our personal trouble-shooter. The Greek word Parakletos, is very helpful for us to get to know God the Holy Spirit. Parakletos means: Advocate, Helper, Comforter, and Counselor.
To see a counselor, you have to make an appointment and more often than not the counsel can be very expensive. The Holy Spirit never makes any mistakes in what He has to say. It is marvelous when believers realize the Holy Spirit is present with us and always on call for The Lord never sleeps and is always on call. In Genesis 24, we have:
1. A PICTURE OF THE FATHER IN ABRAHAM
2. A PICTURE OF THE SON IN ISAAC
3. A PICTURE OF THE BRIDE IN REBEKAH
4. A PICTURE OF THE EARTHLY FAMILY IN HER FAMILY
5. A PICTURE OF HOSPITALITY WHEN SHE SERVES THE ELDER SERVAN AND THE CAMELS
6. A PICTURE OF AGREEMENT WHEN SHE VOLUNTARILY SAYS, “I WILL GO.”
7. A PICTURE OF GIFTS GIVEN, WHEN SHE IS GIVEN JEWELERY
8. A PICUTRE OF COMFORT WHEN SHE JOINS ISAAC IN SARAH’S TENT
9. THIS IS A PICTURE OF LOOKING TO THE FUTURE AND NO LONGER TO THE
PAST
I have heard from friends in Hungary that a revival of magnificent proportions are taking place as they are facing the iron hand of communism once again and restrictions are being placed on them people are turning to Christ. Friends in China are letting me know that the persecution on Christians is becoming more severe day by day. Let us continue to join with thousands of believers that are crying out for a world-wide move of God. Let us hold fast that God would pour
out His Spirit on the young and the old.
For the signs of the times are a good indicator that things are beginning happen more rapidly, like a woman in childbirth.
MARANATHA.
Your Loving Pastor’s Cleddie and Gaynell
(With deepest gratitude we thank you for standing with us to bring glory to God and blessings to friends and families.)