Monthly Archives: April 2009

Elijah Coleman Bridgman Goes to China

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Elijah Coleman Bridgman was born in Belchertown, Massachusetts, USA April 22, 1801.  He was to become the first missionary sent to China by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM). It was this Board that had also sent Adoniram Judson to India – America’s first foreign missionary.

Mainly Congregationalist in its denominational make-up, the ABCFM later embraced other denominations – until about 60 years later when “denominations came to feel they could operate more effectively with separate organisations … and left the ABCFM with Congregationalists as its chief supporters” (Encyclopaedia of Modern Christian Missions, page 655).

Elijah Bridgman trained at Andover Theological College and then sailed for China on 14 October, 1829.  Here he met up with London Missionary Society worker, Robert Morrison, China’s pioneer missionary.

Bridgman devoted a year to conquering the Cantonese language – later writing a 730-page manual on it! (Dictionary of the Christian Church, page 155). In 1832 Bridgman started a mission press and began publication of ‘The Chinese Repository‘, which he edited until 1847. This monthly magazine was designed to awaken the Christian world’s interest in the spiritual needs of that vast land. This was the world’s first major journal on China, making Bridgman America’s first China expert.

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In 1836 he commenced translating the Scriptures into Cantonese, but this task was suspended when the tragic “Opium War” broke out (1839-1842).  But by 1845 the Chinese Emperor pronounced an edict permitting missionary work. The same year Elijah Bridgman married Miss Eliza Jane Gillett. Together they continued to serve the Lord, “on one occasion nearly sacrificing their lives to an infuriated mob” (Great Missionaries, page 102).

They worked together at Guangzhou and adopted two little Chinese girls. Eliza later, in 1850, founded and managed for 15 years the first girls’ school in Shanghai.

Failing health led to Dr Bridgman’s death in Shanghai on 2 November, 1861, and his wife temporarily returned to America. Then, at the age of 59, and alone, she returned to the mission at Peking, where she and her late husband had laboured. Here she secured substantial property and started Bridgman Academy, noted for educating a large number of Chinese women leaders.

Just a decade later she, too, passed into the presence of her Lord, on 10 November, 1871.

To put Bridgman’s work in perspective, Hudson Taylor’s China Inland Mission which directed English missionaries to China, was formed in 1865, four years after Bridgman’s death.

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This post is based on notes by my late friend Donald Prout. I have updated these historical posts with information gleaned from other sources. I am indebted to Don for awakening in me an interest in Church History. Don’s notes can be found at: www.donaldprout.com

Find hundreds of succinct Church History posts at: http://chrisfieldblog.com/topics/ministry/church-history

Wilfred Grenfell at the North Sea

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English Physician and Missionary Wilfred Thomason Grenfell experienced his ‘ice-pan’ adventure, on April 21, 1908. The story of this remarkable life commences on February 28, 1865 with Grefell’s birth at Parkgate near Chester, England.

At the age of 20 he attended a tent meeting run by Moody and Sankey, and Moody’s common-sense – when a platform guest was “coagulating a prayer” (Moody, by J. Pollock, page 275: “Let us sing a hymn while our brother finishes his prayer” said Moody!) – led to Grenfell’s conversion.

After graduating in medicine he joined the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen – and for the rest of his life he worked among the North Sea fishermen of Labrador and Newfoundland, seeking to improve conditions for those who lived there.

The story of his meeting his wife-to-be on the deck of the “Mauretania“, as he was returning to his mission field from England, is worth telling.

“Within a few hours (of meeting her) he proposed. ‘But you don’t even know my name!’ she protested. ‘It doesn’t matter,’ he replied. ‘I know what it’s going to be’!” (Arrows of Desire, by Dr FW Boreham).

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It was that same year that the “ice-pan” adventure occurred – on Easter Day! The request had come from 100 kilometres southward for Grenfell to amputate a leg. He hitched his team of huskies to the sled – “Moody, Watch, Sly, Doc, Brin, Jerry, Sue and Jack … as beautiful beasts as ever hauled a komatik over our northern barriers,” he wrote.

But as they were crossing a huge ice-pan, it suddenly broke loose from the mainland. “The piece of frozen snow on which we lay was so small that it was evident we must all be drowned if we were forced to remain on it as it was driven sea-ward into open water.” He continued that darkness was falling and “there was not one chance in a thousand of my being seen …” The temperature was dropping rapidly.

Grenfell knew that if he could survive the night, a rescue party might find him next morning. But could he survive in that cold? “I saw that I must have the skins of some of my dogs if I were to live the night without freezing …” Three dogs were slain, and Grenfell huddled in their fur until next morning, when a rescue took place.

For days, he tells us, he had painful reminders “in my frozen hands and feet.” But he fully recovered and continued his medical missionary work.

“In our hallway stands a bronze tablet,” he writes, “to the memory of three noble dogs – Moody, Watch, Sly – whose lives were given for mine on the ice – 21 April, 1908. One cannot but think of Another – the Lamb of God – Whose “life was given for mine” … that first Easter Day.

Grenfell went on to achieve much for those he cared about. He raised funds through speaking tours and books. When the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen withdrew its support, he founded the International Grenfell Association. During his forty years of ministry in Labrador and Newfoundland he helped establish six hospitals, four hospital ships, seven nursing stations, two orphanages, two large schools, fourteen industrial centres, libraries and a cooperative lumber mill in Labrador.

Grenfell died on October 9, 1940, in Charlotte, Vermont, USA.

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This post is based on notes by my late friend Donald Prout. I have updated these historical posts with information gleaned from other sources. I am indebted to Don for awakening in me an interest in Church History. Don’s notes can be found at: www.donaldprout.com

Find hundreds of succinct Church History posts at: http://chrisfieldblog.com/topics/ministry/church-history

Doctrine Revealed

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Many Christians have become distracted by what they know as ‘doctrine’. Many people believe that the way to heaven is by correctly interpreted Biblical truth. Churches split and new denominations emerge, based on different ideas of what is correct doctrine.

Doctrine has a strange power to subvert people’s hearts. While they may believe in love, truth and noble things which make up our Christian walk, they will quickly violate those things when they meet someone who doesn’t agree with their doctrine. Worse still, if someone contends with them about their interpretation of some doctrinal point, Christians can be known to become vigorous in their opposition of each other.

The notion of loving our enemies goes out the window for some people. It is as if they worship their ‘doctrine’ not the Lord. It is as if they believe their doctrine will save them, not the blood of Christ.

Doctrine Defined

The general concept of ‘doctrine’ which is taken as gospel by Christians, theologians and Bible students today, is that doctrine is “accurate interpretation of Bible truth”. Some of the dictionary definitions for the word ‘doctrine’ give us: a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school; a belief or teaching of the Church; a body of instruction which expresses the Church’s faith.

The Bible, however, gives a much richer dimension to ‘doctrine’ than our didactic concepts allow. We think of doctrine as subject matter which is taught, as in a class lesson. We may then ask that the body of truth be ascribed to, examined in a test, faithfully repeated to us, or the like.

However, the use of the term doctrine in the New Testament was linked much more to lifestyle and actions than to a set of beliefs written in a book.

New Testament Doctrine

Consider this quote from Paul’s letter to his associate Titus.

“But speak the things which become sound doctrine” Titus 2:1

That instruction, if given to today’s Christians, might lead to the preparation of a study course or a sermon series on right beliefs. We might explain how our set of beliefs differs from those of another branch of Christendom, and sell our audience on the superior correctness of our particular interpretations and doctrinal perspectives.

But before we get too carried away on that endeavour, let’s see what Paul was really asking Titus to do.

“But speak the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things” Titus 2:1-3

Paul’s reference to “sound doctrine” was not about a set of beliefs but practical Christian living. It mentions the correct behaviour of aged men and aged women. It goes on in the following verses in Titus 2 to discuss young women, young men and servants. Sound doctrine did not lead to a theology exam, but could be seen in the way of life of those who had it.

That’s radically different to the concept of ‘doctrine’ which has dominated the Christian mindset for centuries. And if you take that perspective and apply it to the many other verses which mention doctrine a different picture emerges, than that of theological exactitude.

Consider these examples…

“In all things showing yourself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing un-corruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Titus 2:7,8

“And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority he even commands the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Mark 1:27

“Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.” Acts 13:12

Theology and Doctrine

Many years ago I was required to study a book titled “All the Doctrines of the Bible”. However that book did not have any doctrine about aged men or aged women, young men or servants. It had no doctrine of casting our demons (see Mark 1:27,28) or calling blindness onto a man who opposed the gospel (Acts 13:10-12).

How could a book be titled ALL the doctrines when it clearly leaves out things which the Bible describes as ‘doctrine’? The reason is that our church world has become besotted with theology and superimposed that concept over the meaning of the word doctrine.

Knowledge puffs people up (1Corinthians 8:1) and so when people have knowledge of theology they want to elevate the status of their mental powers, giving themselves credits that they do not deserve. Paul would not have looked at the Theology test scores of his followers, but at their lifestyle. Yet today we take note of Bible college grades and not the evidence seen in a person’s life. What fools we have become!!!

Doctrine is not accurate interpretation of Bible truth, but proving the truth of what you believe by your lifestyle. When Jesus broke the power of a demon (Mark 1: 21-27) the people marveled at His doctrine. The action proved the power of the truth that Jesus taught. Sound Doctrine is action not theology. Your doctrine is seen in your actions not in your test results.

Live Your Sound Doctrine

If you cannot live the things you have studied then you only have empty head knowledge. If you live with Christ or Paul as your example you will have sound doctrine, even if you can’t pass a theology exam. Get real about what the Bible is talking about.

We are not saved by our correct answers to theological questions. We are saved by faith. Then that faith is to be seen in our lifestyle as we bring forth fruits which prove that we have repented. We become a new creature and live differently from the worldly way we once lived. We do not love the world any more and we don’t love any of the things in the world any more. We die to self, crucify our flesh, take up our cross, love not our lives to the death, and let God’s kingdom be established over our whole lives.

If you are a theology student then watch out. You may well become seduced by the foolish idea that your head knowledge counts for something, when it is nothing but ego feeding knowledge that puffs you up. You will not get to heaven by what your brain cells do, but by what your heart, mind, soul and strength are committed to.

Samuel Pollard and the Miao

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Samuel Pollard was born on April 20, 1864.  The place was Cornwall, England, where his father pastored a Bible Christian Church. It was his father who led him to Christ and instilled in him a passion to serve the Lord.

Converted at the age of 11, he came under the influence of Pastor FW Bourne (who wrote the life story of Billy Bray), and it was during this time he felt led into missionary service.

At the age of 22 he sailed for Shanghai and there worked with the China Inland Mission.  At the age of 36 he married Emma Hainge, also working with CIM. “There was much opposition. As they passed along the street men would spit upon the ground, and women would hold their noses…” (Twelve Mighty Missionaries, by E Enock, page 62).

Pollard’s early efforts were largely ineffective, despite his energy and inventiveness. In the early days he would beat a Chinese gong as he marched up and down the streets. Known as ‘the little man with the gong’ he attracted large crowds of curious Chinese but for six long years, he knew of no converts from his efforts.

Pollard’s initiative led to him being regarded as a famous ethnologist and anthropologist. In 1903 he was the first westerner to visit the Yi people of Liangshan.

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However it was on 12 July, 1904, that “the great harvest began” and with an unexpected connection.  Ministry among the Miao people saw startling results. The Miao (also spelled Meow) were a people group from the Yunnan mountains in Western China who worshipped gods of wood and stone. Unexpectedly a small hunting party of Miao tribesmen arrived at Pollard’s door asking to be taught to read and learn the gospel.

From that day on a continuous stream of people came to his door that they might hear the Good News. Persecution broke upon the new-born Church. On one occasion “Pollard was beaten nearly to death”, and spent two months in hospital as a result. On recovering, he turned his attention to translating the Scriptures into the Miao language. This necessitated inventing a script – for they had no written language – and teaching them to read. The writing system which he created is known as the Pollard script and Pollard Miao.

Over the next eleven years Pollard won many Miao to Christ and planted churches in their villages. Pollard would venture on horseback to the remote mountain villages, preaching the gospel. Their hunger to learn brought more than 100 at a time to Pollard’s little mission station in Chaotung. They would start their lessons at 5am and still be reading at 1am the next morning. These natives crammed themselves with understanding of Christianity.

The New Testament in Miao was eventually published by the British and Foreign Bible Society. Not long after Pollard completed translating the book of Revelation he contracted typhoid fever and died.

Upon his death at the age of 51 (September 17, 1915), 1,200 mourners gathered at the burial service. In the June, 1996, issue of the magazine, Pray for China, Tao Yumi, who 60 years earlier had been a pupil in the school Pollard had established, was quoted as saying:  “We were slaves before he came.  He taught us everything.”  And the article adds “in July, 1995, the Communist authorities restored his (Pollard’s) grave, and declared the site a national monument”!

Samuel Pollard had brought a tribal group of tens of thousands out of darkness and animism into the light of the gospel. He brought them out of ignorance to a place of education and dignity. He spread democratic thought, founded schools and developed education in China’s undeveloped regions. He promoted civilized customs, getting rid of harm from opium, and encouraging charity.

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This post is based on notes by my late friend Donald Prout. I have updated these historical posts with information gleaned from other sources. I am indebted to Don for awakening in me an interest in Church History. Don’s notes can be found at: www.donaldprout.com

Find hundreds of succinct Church History posts at: http://chrisfieldblog.com/topics/ministry/church-history

John Hales Turns Arminian

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John Hales was born in Bath, UK, on April 19, 1584. He was educated at Cambridge, and became a Greek lecturer before becoming a leading Church of England theologian, “one of the best Greek scholars of his day” … and a thorough going Calvinist. So much so, he was invited to share in the Synod of Dort (1618-1619), a gathering of Reformed (Calvinistic) theologians who opposed the Remonstrants (or Arminians … those who opposed some of Calvin’s distinctive teachings).

The differences were vigorously debated, and the Arminians were condemned as teachers of heretical doctrine.

But John Hales weighed the debate carefully in his mind. Had Christ accomplished salvation by His death only for the elect – or did He provide salvation for all mankind … if they chose to believe in Him?

And he who had come to the Synod a convinced Calvinist changed his mind – “as he says in one of his own vivid phrases, ‘I bade John Calvin goodnight‘.” (Arminianism. by A. Harrison, page 90).

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John Hales returned to England and was made Prebendary of Windsor by Archbishop Laud.  But when he refused to acknowledge the Commonwealth “he was deprived of his living, fell into poverty and had to sell his library!” (Dictionary of Literary Biographies, page 298).

Hales had spent his time among his books and in the company of literary men, among whom he was highly reputed for his common sense, his erudition and his genial charity. He was called “one of the clearest heads and best-prepared breasts in Christendom.” For all that he also loved solitude and was content to be one of those who possessed their souls in peace.

Hales was disturbed by the spirit of controversy which prevailed in his day. He saw that theological dispute was not the calling of the church. He dreamed of a common liturgy which omitted all the things about which men differed and argued.

While Hales’ writings are clear he was always reluctant to put pen to paper until it was necessary to do so. He did not believe that men should write indiscriminately, but purposefully and in great moderation.

John Hales died in Eton on May 19, 1656.

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This post is based on notes by my late friend Donald Prout. I have updated these historical posts with information gleaned from other sources. I am indebted to Don for awakening in me an interest in Church History. Don’s notes can be found at: www.donaldprout.com

Find hundreds of succinct Church History posts at: http://chrisfieldblog.com/topics/ministry/church-history

The Power of Believing God

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It has become trendy in recent generations to mock faith and to belittle those who believe in God or who trust God above other things. I faced the mockery of university lecturers when I was at Sydney University in the early 1970′s. I have read and seen many statements of ridicule against people of faith.

Yet, history reveals that the simple and seemingly powerless act of believing God is the most profound thing a person can do. Much more has been accomplished by faith than by education, human reasoning, money, military might or the force of human will.

Abraham’s Transformation

A nomad from 2,000BC came to be the most significant figure of the ancient world and impacts the entire globe today, through the simple act of believing. Abram was a shepherd, living in a tent, with no fixed address, no land holdings and a small family. Tens of thousands of people like him came and went without a mention. Yet Abram, better known by his new name, Abraham, is revered by three of the world’s largest religions, and is regarded as the father of all people of faith that ever lived.

How did Abraham come upon such significance? Was it by attending the universities? No. Was it by amassing amazing wealth? No. Was it by out performing everyone else on the planet? No. Was it by showing his male prowess? No. Was it by proving he could live independently of God? No.

Abraham’s transformation came about by the stupidly simple act of believing God.

“For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:3

Abraham believed God! That’s all. It’s so simple that any child could do it. It was completely unlike the things which many men today try to excel at.

All those men who are amassing wealth, going to the gym, dressing to kill, climbing the corporate ladder, wooing the women, impressing their peers, outperforming the competition, gaining fame and notoriety in sport or on the stage, or otherwise seeking to make their mark are destined for obscurity and oblivion. They are not doing the simple thing that made Abraham great.

The Call to Believe

It was the Believing that counted in Abraham’s case. And it’s just the same today. God wants us to Believe, and He will credit us with everything He has to give if only we will expect Him to do the impossible, because He said He would.

David believed and so he took on Goliath (1Samuel 17:42-49). No one would face such odds without believing that God would do the impossible.

Elijah believed God when he took on the prophets of Baal (lKings 18:36-40). He believed God so much that he asked for gallons of water to be poured over the sacrifice. When the sacrifice was saturated he called on God and fire consumed the offering, stones and the water! Only someone who believed would dare set up such a challenge.

The centurion believed in Jesus for his servant’s healing. (Matthew 8:5-13). He believed God so much he only wanted Jesus to speak a word of healing. He was sure it would work. Jesus had not seen such great faith from a Jew.

Many great things can be done, if only we will Believe!

Jacob De Shazer Converts Japan

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Jacob De Shazer was part of Lt Col James H (Jimmie) Doolittle’s Bomber Squadron which bombed Tokyo, on April 18, 1942.  Sixteen North American B25 bombers rested on the deck of “USS Hornet” until – at 3.15 a.m. – the alarm was given.  Battle stations!  So it was the first bombing of Japan’s capital city took place.  But B25 number 16, named ‘Bat Out of Hell’, ran out of fuel and the crew bailed out over enemy occupied territory in China.

Jacob De Shazer tells how he and his buddies were captured, “imprisoned, beaten and half-starved”.  Three fellow crewmembers were executed, and a fourth died of “slow starvation”.

Duriing his 40 months of brutality and solitary confinement De Shazer asked a guard if he might have a Bible. The request was granted. “I eagerly read its pages.  Chapter after chapter gripped my heart,” he later wrote.

And then, on 8 June, 1944, “God gave me grace to confess my sins to Him … and He saved me for Jesus’ sake.”

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De Shazer and several other crew members were imprisoned until their liberation a few days after Japan’s surrender in August 1945. After the war, home in America, De Shazer entered Seattle Pacific (Bible) College, and later returned to Japan as a missionary!

One of his first meetings was in the largest auditorium in Osaka – 4000 crowded inside and 3000 listened outside – and Jacob De Shazer (who had once bombed Tokyo), and Mitsuo Fuchida (who once bombed Pearl Harbour and who De Shazer led to faith in 1950), testified together of their common love for the One Who had reconciled them to God … and each other.

De Shazer preached and planted Free Methodist churches in Japan for nearly 30 years, before returning to the USA and retiring. However, he and his wife enjoyed a further 30 years together in retirement.

Jacob De Shazer died in his sleep on March 15, 2008 at his home is Salem, Oregon, at the age of 95.

Further information about Jacob De Shazer can be found at: http://chrisfieldblog.com/ministry/church-history/jacob-deshazer-bombs-japan

An article about De Shazer’s mother and her remarkable sense to pray at the very time De Shazer was parachuting from his plane can be found at: http://chrisfieldblog.com/family/parenting-family/the-prayers-of-a-mother

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This post is based on notes by my late friend Donald Prout. I have updated these historical posts with information gleaned from other sources. I am indebted to Don for awakening in me an interest in Church History. Don’s notes can be found at: www.donaldprout.com

Find hundreds of succinct Church History posts at: http://chrisfieldblog.com/topics/ministry/church-history

Adam Clarke a Dedicated Life

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Adam Clarke was married, April 17, 1788. Born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, about 1760, he was to become a powerful evangelist and a significant author. However his early years at school gave the impression he was an underachiever. When he was about 8 years old a jibe about his lack of intellect prompted Adam to apply himself and the results were astounding.

Clarke mastered twenty languages and inquired into almost every branch of learning. He became proficient in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Samaritan, Chaldee and Syriac versions of the Scripture and learned in all the oriental languages and most of the languages of Europe.

In his late teens Clarke’s curiosity led him to Methodist meetings where he remained to pray, seeking salvation. He says of this quest, “I regarded nothing, not even life itself, in comparison with having my heart cleansed from all sin; and began to seek it with full purpose of heart. Soon after this, while earnestly wrestling with the Lord in prayer, and endeavouring self-desperately to believe, I found a change wrought in my soul, which I have endeavoured through grace to maintain amid the grievous temptations and accusations of the subtle foe.”

Once saved he soon began exhorting others. He then traveled to England, and handed himself over to John Wesley. Wesley said to him, “Do you wish to devote yourself entirely to the work of God?” “Sir, I wish to be and to do whatever God pleases.” “I think you had better go out into the work at large,” said Wesley. Wesley then laid hands young Adam and sent him to the Bradford circuit. Clarke had twenty-three appointments and did most of his travelling on foot, carrying most of his belongings on his back.

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In his first year this ‘boy’ preacher delivered 506 sermons “and a great number of public exhortations, which he did not class as sermons”. In 1786 he was sent to France (the Norman Isles), for he was skilled in the French language, and many, many others. There he and his companions were initially persecuted but proved successful.

Clarke lived with remarkable focus and was determined to harvest the time available to him. He rose early and worked diligently at all his tasks. His advice to youth was, “The grand secret is to save time. Spend none needlessly. Keep from all unnecessary company. Never be without a praying heart, and have as often as possible a book in your hand.”

Back in England he married Miss Mary Cooke – “through their lives they were supremely happy” – and six sons and six daughters were born.

Clarke saw salvation as the most powerful effect that mankind could ever experience, and he saw it as an ongoing work of grace with limitless capacity to continue transforming human lives. “As there is no end to the merits of Christ incarnate and crucified; no bounds to the mercy and love of God; no let or hindrance to the almighty energy and sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit; no limits to the improvability or the human soul, so there can be no bounds to the saving influence which God will dispense to the heart of every true believer.”

Best remembered for his massive Bible Commentary – despite a few oddities of interpretation … e.g. Eve was tempted by an orangutan – Adam Clarke was one of John Wesley’s right hand men.

Commenced 27 years earlier, his Commentary, finally completed on 18 March, 1825, on his knees, entitles Adam Clarke to be ranked “among the chief of expositors, a prince among commentators”, said C.H. Spurgeon.

After John Wesley’s death Clarke was elected president of the Methodist Conference three times. He was so reluctant to accept the responsibility that the first time (1806) his brethren had to carry him bodily and place him in the chair: but once there, he performed his duties with grace and success.

Dr Clarke died during a cholera epidemic on 26 August, 1832. He was away from home when he contracted the disease but his wife and children were able to reach him before he died. Just weeks before his death he had written in his journal, “I feel a simple heart: the prayers of my childhood are yet precious to me, and the simple hymns I sang when a child, I sing now with unction and delight. Philippians 1:21. May I live to Thee, die in Thee, and be with Thee to all eternity. Amen. – Adam Clarke.”

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This post is based on notes by my late friend Donald Prout. I have updated these historical posts with information gleaned from other sources. I am indebted to Don for awakening in me an interest in Church History. Don’s notes can be found at: www.donaldprout.com

Find hundreds of succinct Church History posts at: http://chrisfieldblog.com/topics/ministry/church-history

Greed and Fear

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We are told that the two forces that drive most people in our world are Greed and Fear, or Desire for Gain and Fear of Loss. The Stock Market is said to be driven by Fear and Greed. Most people seem to be caught in the turbulence of these two competing streams.

It is to be expected, then, that the Bible would have something to say about these two overwhelming forces in our society and in people’s lives. And, Yes, It Does!

God’s Assurance to Abraham

Way back about 4,000 years ago God spoke to a man named Abram and told him that God would be to him two very important things. Those two things speak directly to the subjects of Fear and Greed, or Protection and Gain.

“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward.” Genesis 15:1

While many people spend their life either “Defending” or “Gaining”, here God declares that He is our Defense and our Gain.

By being our “shield”, God is the one who protects us from all kinds of evil and attack – be it physical, spiritual, evil intentions, litigation, exploitation or whatever. We can sleep easy at night and feel safe during the day, because God is our “shield”.

By being our “reward”, God is the one who brings profit, gain, growth, provision and the like into our lives. So we don’t have to be anxious, competitive, aggressive, opportunistic, exploitative, deceptive or any other wrong motivation, in order to be blessed. In fact God is our “exceeding great reward” – so He brings us real abundance and great blessing.

It Must Be The Lord

While God’s revelation to Abraham is that God, Himself, is the embodiment of our protection and our profit, a further revelation, given to King David, shows that God is to be the only source of those things in our life.

In Psalm 127:1 David declares that unless the Lord is your protection all your preparations to keep yourself safe are a waste of time. And unless God is the one who blesses you, all your efforts to get rich will be fruitless.

“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.” Psalm 127:1

If God is not with your efforts to build your house, or make profit, or build up your assets, or get what you want, then all the work that is put is in vain. It doesn’t matter if you hire the best builders or the cheapest, you are wasting your time trying to get gain when God is not in it.

And if God is not protecting you, then having watchmen, an alarm system, security locks on your windows and doors or a loaded rifle under your pillow will not protect your assets.

Another way to put that is: “It must be the Lord who is involved in your plans to gain wealth, or you will end up with nothing. And it must be the Lord who is protecting you are you will be done in, despite your best efforts.”

God is All

But do you see the significance of what God said to Abraham and David? God is all you need. God is ALL. He is completely sufficient as your profit, gain, reward, blessing and achievement. He is also completely sufficient as your insurance policy, protection plan, security system and safeguard for your future.

You don’t need anything other than God. You don’t need God AND something else. You only need to have God in your life.

God is ALL to us, we can want for no more. To strive to get what God is not giving is to take on God Himself. Before God made any covenant with Abraham He established the fact that outside God there is nothing worth having, and in God there is every-thing we will ever need.

Grace Livingstone Hill Writes Christian Fiction

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Grace Livingstone Hill was born on April 16, 1865, in New York State. Her father, Rev Charles Livingston, was initially a Congregational minister but the church became Presbyterian, and he, along with Grace’s mother had achieved some fame as an author. They both wrote for publications like “The Pansy” and Mrs Hill had a few books published.

Grace’s ‘Auntie Belle’, Isabella Macdonald Alden, sister to Mrs Marcia Hill, was known as Pansy and wrote an abundance of Christian Literature, while also speaking at conferences such as Chautauqua meetings.

On a Remington typewriter (a new invention at the time), Grace was soon churning out her novel, A Chautauqua Idyll, which was accepted by the publisher, the first of over 100 books to come from her fertile mind – and most of them are still in print over half a century later.  They are romantic novels with a strong Christian emphasis, emphatic in their faithfulness to Scripture.

Her biography, by Robert Munce, Grace’s grandson, was published in 1986. Munce also established the large Christian bookstore distribution business, Munce Marketing Group.

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A certain 19 year-old student wrote in his journal, on 8 February, 1931: “Read Grace Livingston Hill’s ‘The Witness‘, and it shook me to the core.” That student was Francis Schaeffer, who was destined to be come one of Christendom’s leading apologists.

And Dr J Dwight Pentecost testified that Mrs Hill “was instrumental in setting the course of my entire ministry…” (Confident Living, May, 1987).

Grace married Rev Thomas Guthrie Franklin Hill, who wrote for the Christian Endeavour movement. Together they wrote two volumes of a guide book for Christian Endeavor youth group leaders, ‘Christian Endeavor Hour with Light for the Leader’.

Rev Frank Hill died in 1899 and Grace received $3,000 in insurance payout. Then, in 1904m Grace married again, to FJ Lutz, who insisted that she use his name. However the couple parted ways and Grace continued to be known by her first married name.

Apart from her extensive fictional and historical fiction writings Grace was a keen artist. She even engaged in creating chalk drawings during sermons, to illustrate the message to the audience. Several of Hill’s books were made into movies.

Grace Livingston Hill died on 23 February, 1947, in Philadelphia, USA

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This post is based on notes by my late friend Donald Prout. I have updated these historical posts with information gleaned from other sources. I am indebted to Don for awakening in me an interest in Church History. Don’s notes can be found at: www.donaldprout.com

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