HELEN REDMAN, DIRECTOR
NEWSLETTER
November 1998
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HELEN REDMAN, DIRECTOR NEWSLETTER November 1998 |
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Hebrews 13:5 and 6: Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have, for He hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." So we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Griffith Thomas states: "The word 'conversation' means 'Life', not 'speech', and refers to conduct, which was to be 'without covetousness and marked by contentment.'" The basis of this contentment is the Word of God, responded to by faith. "Without covetousness" in the Greek is the exhortation against covetousness in the form of love of money. The word "content" in the Greek is translated from the word, Arkeo, "to be possessed of unfailing strength, to be strong, to suffice, to be enough", finally "to be satisfied, contented." In other words, we should be satisfied with that which meets our need, and be content with our present circumstances. In Philippians 4:11, Paul states, "Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned , in whatsoever state I am, to be content." In this passage "content" means "self-sufficient." Paul was was self-sufficient because he was Christ-dependant. The word "content" therefore, in our Hebrews passage, means more than "satisfied". It refers to the ability of the Christian, dependant upon the Holy Spirit, to be independent of outward circumstances. The following promise is made by God Himself; for He hath said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." It is almost impossible to reproduce in English, the emphasis of the original, in which no less than five negatives are used to increase the strength negation, according to the Greek idiom. Perhaps the nearest rendering is "I will not, I will not, I will not leave thee nor forsake thee." I like the way Dr. Wuest puts it, "I will not, I will not, I will not let thee down, leave thee in straits and helpless, abandon thee." All which means that God will come to our rescue when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances. The words "be content with such things as you have," were made real to my heart by God, while living in the old parsonage in East St. Louis, when we first moved there from Tulsa. The parsonage was three stories with a full size basement. The heating in the winter was old time radiators heated by a coal stoker. In the middle of the night the stoker would go out and fill the house with smoke, ruining my curtains and furniture. I found myself complaining a lot, until one day God quickened this part of scripture to me. After I stopped complaining and asked God to forgive me, I was content and able to cope with the situation. It wasn't but a short time after, that God made it possible for the church to sell the parsonage and build a beautiful six room apartment, attached to the church where I enjoyed living for fourteen years. So we can boldly say, "The Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." A double conclusion is reached; confidence in God and courage against man. This two-fold conclusion is based upon the character of the Promises: because He is infinitely good, wise, faithful, powerful; and because He changes not, we may boldly or confidently declare with Abraham, "God will provide", and we can say with Paul, "If God be fore us, who can be against us." I have so much to be content and thankful for: the way God is opening new doors for C.M.A. and your supplying the needs enabling us to go through those doors. I'm so grateful for our partners that are part of the team. May you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving and be blessed.Peru Schedule - November 1998 Arrive in Lima - 6th Leave for Cusco - 7th Minister in church in Cusco - 8th Women's Meeting in Cusco - 9th Sight-see in Cusco - 10th Return to Lima - 11th Women's Seminar in Lima - 12th Women's Retreat - 13th & 14th Minister in churches in Lima - 15th Return to U.S. - 16th Next newsletter will have a full report and pictures of the Peru trip. |
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