By Demar Elam

History has illustrated again and again to man lessons on the impossibility of invincibility. However, man never seems to learn!

The word "invincible" means: "incapable of being conquered, overcome or subdued." This word came to mind as I stood on the magnificent walls of Ft. Pulaski located where the Savannah River meets the Atlantic Ocean on Cockspur Island. I allowed my mind to run with imagination as I reconstructed the assault of the Federal forces on this glorious old fort and its gallant forces near Savannah.

When my thoughts returned to the present I was forced to think of the lesson to be learned from this historical event. Those "in the know" at that time had thought the fort to be impregnable. However, a new weapon — the rifled cannon — brought an end to the era of impregnable masonry fortifications and verified the superiority of the new rifled guns.

Did you know that of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" only one is still standing today, the pyramids of Egypt? Even they have been ravaged by raiders and robbed of their priceless treasures. What do these magnificent structures, Ft. Pulaski, the Titanic, and the great Empires of the ancient world have in common? They were vincible! They were indeed capable of being overcome and subdued.

The same is true of man. Man often becomes puffed up and thinks within himself that he is invincible and needs no one, not even God! He convinces himself that he has the world in his pocket, that he is self-reliant and self-sufficient. Yes, he even reaches the point of feeling invincible!

Man's frailty is exhibited daily. "…For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets" (Eccl. 12:5). The preacher went on to say, "or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 12:6-8).

As I stood on the walls of Ft. Pulaski and looked out across the marshes, I asked myself, "Where are the gallant men who manned these walls? Where is that young lieutenant fresh from West Point, named Robert E. Lee, who was assigned to build the dikes and drainage system for the island?" Gone, yes gone! All of these who began constructing this mighty fortress in 1829 have gone the way of all men.

Then I think of God's invincibility, the words of the Psalmist come ringing forth, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God" (Ps. 90:2). God is from everlasting to everlasting! That is invincibility! God is truly incapable of being overthrown, subdued, overcome, or conquered. Man is here today and gone tomorrow (James 4:13,14), but God is from "everlasting to everlasting." The battle of good and evil rages, but God cannot be conquered by the evil one. Here is man's only picture of true invincibility.

I want to serve the invincible God. Do you?

Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 34.

By Michael E. Brooks

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it?" (Lk. 14:28).

On one trip to Suriname I met a taxi driver who was attending our campaign. He offered to drive me to various appointments and I accepted, assuming that I would pay for the rides. After the first trip I asked what I owed, and he responded, "don't worry about it now, we will settle up after the end of the campaign." Some days later we did "settle up", at what I felt was a very exorbitant rate. Unfortunately any opportunity for negotiating was past, and I felt compelled to accept his terms.

Jesus advises us to arrange terms in advance. Know what you want to do, and assess the costs of your actions in advance. With regard to discipleship, he teaches:

"If any man comes to me, and hates not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" (Lk. 14:26,27).

Following Jesus requires absolute commitment. Too many "would be" disciples make an initial decision to be a Christian, but soon find that the cost is greater than they anticipated. They are like the seed scattered among the thorns in Jesus' parable of the sower (Matt. 13:3-23). The "care of the world" chokes the word and the recipient becomes unfruitful. When it becomes time to "settle up", he is unable or unwilling to pay the price.

The same principle also works when it comes to sin. Satan entices us with promises of pleasure or gain, but does not tell us what our actions will cost us in the long run. We aren't told that the alcohol or drugs that promise us a good time will eventually cost our health, our jobs, our families, and our lives. But millions have realized far too late that that is the true price. Similarly the unethical and ruthless practices that provide profit and prosperity will cost far more than they produce in lost trust, ruined reputations, and broken relationships.

Now when I get in a taxi, anywhere in the world, I first ask, "how much?" If the cost is more than I feel it should be I get out and try another car. I follow the same principle in spiritual matters. Christ is upfront with us, letting us know exactly what he requires. Satan, on the other hand, is deceptive, concealing the final bill until it is too late for us to negotiate and choose whether what we have gained is truly worth the price we pay. Yes, the cost of discipleship is high, but only until we consider the exorbitant cost of not being Jesus' follower. Satan's is the price we can never afford to pay.

by Tim Hall

As I turn on the faucet, water fills my glass. Stepping into the shower, I don't wonder whether there will be water today. I've lived in this house for over twenty years now, and there have been very few times that our pipes haven't been filled with freely flowing water.

But it hasn't always been so on this piece of real estate. Out back, barely visible beneath the chestnut tree, is a brick-lined hole in the ground. It's filled with dirt and rocks now, but once this was a well, the source of all the water used by the residents. How reliable was this well? I have no information on that. But I know wells sometimes go dry. And that means hardships.

It's not that there is no longer any water underground. It's the accessibility of the water that has changed. The bottom of the well may have caved in, or water tables may have shifted. No, there's plenty of water down there, but you have no way of getting to it now.

For a time, Israel had no access to the favor of God. They brought it upon themselves. In spite of repeated warnings from the prophets, Israel and Judah chose to reject God's will in favor of idolatry. God's punishment was looming, warned prophets like Isaiah, Amos and Jeremiah. When it comes, you'll wonder if you will ever again taste God's grace.

After the fearful visions of punishment, though, there were always words of hope. Isaiah 12:1-3 is a noteworthy example: "And in that day you will say: 'O Lord, I will praise You; though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; "For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He also has become my salvation."' Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation" (NKJV).

In those days the wells of God's mercy were dry. God was still merciful, but He wasn't making it available to His people during the punishment. "No mercy" was God's firm stance for a period of time, and how they suffered as a result! But those days were now at an end. Though He had been angry with His people, that wrath had subsided. Now they were again free to come to the wells of salvation. The waters were once more accessible.

The wells are flowing still, a fact made clear by Jesus in John 7:37,38: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." Note that Jesus did not say "cups of water" or "buckets full". "Rivers" of water will flow through each heart that trusts in the Lord enough to follow Jesus Christ.

We're talking about deep wells with a great abundance of water. No wonder Isaiah said we would draw from the wells of God's salvation with joy! We have confidence that every time a bucket is lowered, salvation will be drawn up. What marvelous blessings! What a gracious God! "Great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!" (Isa. 12:6).

by Mike Benson

Question: "I receive a weekly copy of a local church bulletin. One recent issue announced, 'The youth group would like to extend a big thank you to all those who have been so supportive of the youth group's fund raisers for their mission trip this summer to Mexico. To _______ and _______ _______ for allowing the youth to use their yard for the rummage sale, to all those who donated their time, rummage items, and money to the sale, also to all those who have purchased calendars or simply donated money — THANK YOU!!' Are these activities Scriptural?"

Answer: You have communicated a concern pertaining to the Lord's church. I appreciate the manner in which you stated your question. Since the New Testament of Jesus is our sole guide in matters of faith and practice, we must go there for the answers you seek. Please consider the following points (1 Thess. 5:21):

1. The work of the church costs money. It is appropriate that the brethren who worship with the congregation you mentioned focus some of their energies on finances. A local church cannot effectively carry out its mission without some form of currency. I appreciate one Bible student's thoughts on this matter. He writes,

"Let me share an experience with you. On June 2, 1940, a little girl was born to us. She cost us money from the moment she was born. As she grew from [infancy] to girlhood, she cost even more — her dresses and shoes were more expensive, and we had to have the doctor through all those childhood diseases. She was even more expensive during her school and teen years. She needed long dresses to go to parties. When she went to college, we discovered, along with other parents, that all the college expenses [were] not listed in the catalogue. Then after graduation she fell in love and married. She was married in a church wedding and that too cost a lot of money. Then, five months after her marriage she suddenly sickened and within a week she was dead. She hasn't cost us a penny since the day we walked away from her grave. As long as the church is alive she will cost money, and the more alive a church is, the more money she will cost. Only a dead church, like a dead child, is no longer expensive" (emphasis mine—mb). Cf. 2 Cor. 8-9; Phil. 4:15-17; Gal. 2:9-10; Acts 11:27-30; Rom. 12:8; 15:25-27; 2 Thess. 3:6-15; 1 Tim. 5:16.

2. These brethren are also to be commended for their emphasis on missions (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). People who have been truly impressed with the grace of God in their own lives are compelled to share their spiritual fortune with those around them (2 Kgs. 7:9; Jer. 20:9; Rom. 1:14-16; 1 Tim. 1:12ff). The fact that this congregation plans to teach the Word in Mexico is indicative of their priority for lost souls (Matt. 18:11; Luke 15).

3. It is encouraging to see that young people are actively involved in efforts to publish the Gospel. When the youth of the church are involved in evangelistic outreach, they learn that Faith is much more than some narrow intellectual pursuit; they also begin to see it as that singular force which not only affects people today, but for eternity.

4. Whenever the Lord tells us something should be done (e.g. generic command) without informing us as to how to do so (e.g. specific command), we are at liberty to decide which method is most expedient (cf. 1 Cor. 10:23). For instance, had Noah simply been told to build an ark out of "wood", the aged patriarch might have chosen any number of different types of lumber for his boat project (cf. Gen. 6:14). Had the children of Israel simply been told to "transport" the Ark of the Covenant, they might have moved the sacred chest in a wide variety of ways (cf. Ex. 25:12-14; 2 Sam. 6:3; 1 Chron. 15:16). Had Jesus simply told us to use "food" during the communion, we could offer a wide "menu" of edible items today (cf. Matt. 26:26ff). Likewise, had Jesus simply told us to "give", we could employ any number of capital-raising ventures for obtaining money for His work. Bake sales, suppers, bazaars, car washes, garage and calendar sales are all effective means of raising funds. However, Christ has, in fact, specified but one method for financing the work of the church. Note—

"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: on the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come" (1 Cor. 16:1-2; cf. 2 Cor. 9:7).

WHEN we should give, WHO should give, HOW we should give and HOW MUCH we should give is clearly set forth in the Scriptures. We are therefore under Divine obligation to obey the Savior's will in this particular realm (Col. 3:17; Matt. 17:5; John 12:48). Monies to carry out missions were not solicited from unbelievers in the first-century church (3 John 7); nor should they be now. The New Testament condemns "making merchandise of the word of God" (2 Cor. 2:17—ASV footnote). "The church of the Lord is to stand in contrast to such efforts. We must not charge the lost for the opportunity of hearing the Gospel. ...It is a privilege and responsibility of those who have obeyed the Gospel to support evangelistic work" through freewill giving (Mike Vestal, "A Greeting and a Commendation," Studies in 1, 2, 3 John, Sixth Annual Denton Lectures, Dub McClish—editor, 283)

"There is nothing which so quickly wins men to a sympathetic hearing as the realization of complete unselfishness on the part of those who bear the message to them: and it is absolutely requisite that in all missionary efforts the missionaries be wholly independent financially and materially of those to whom they preach" (Guy N. Woods, "New Testament Law of Missions," A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles of Peter, John, and Jude, 362).