Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
After Uncle Joe was visited by an angel in 1959 and healed of the cancer that the doctors said would kill him in 60 to 90 days, he immersed himself in the scriptures, and as he studied the Bible, he wrote out many of his thoughts. I have taught many of you that “the world” is comprised of but three things: “the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the lust of the eyes”. In the following message from Uncle Joe, edited just a bit, you will see that in teaching you that, I am only passing on to others what I was taught.
Pastor John
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Into All the World
by Uncle Joe Murray
“And he told them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15
When we think of the Commission that the Lord gave His first disciples – and the commission that today is ours also – we immediately think of the foreign fields of the unreached and the unevangelized regions of the world, the distant, remote corners of the earth. But, we often fail to acknowledge the fact that the “all the world” is all around us, and begins with us.
To overcome our world, we must begin by overcoming the elements of the world within ourselves, and the influence of the world that is within others around us. By overcoming these things that are destructive to the soul we truly overcome the world, “for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and its lust, but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1Jn. 2:16, 17).
If something influences us, we are “following” it. The question, “Who are you following?” is only another way of asking, “Who is influencing you?” We can follow, or be influenced, by good as well as by evil. Paul told the saints to “follow after the things that make for peace” (Rom. 14:19). This was only another way of saying, “Let your spirit be influenced by the peaceful spirits of others.” When he wrote, “follow after charity” (1Cor. 14:1), he was only saying “Let your spirit be influenced by the charity you see in others.”
Here are some other things Paul wanted the saints to follow:
1Thess. 5:15: “follow that which is good” (that is, “Let good people influence you.”)
1Tim. 6:11: “follow after righteousness” (that is, “Let righteous people influence you.”)
2Tim. 2:22: “follow faith, charity, and peace” (that is, “Let faithful, loving saints influence you.”)
Heb. 12:14: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness” (that is, “Let God’s holiness and peace influence how to treat others.”)
Heb. 13:7: “Remember those who have rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (that is, “Let the example of faithful elders influence you.”)
Heb. 6:11, 12: “But we earnestly desire that each of you show the same diligence, in the full assurance of hope, until the end, that you not become lazy, but followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (that is, “Work steadily in the Lord as you see others do.”)
1Pet. 2:21: “. . . leaving us an example that you should follow in his steps” (that is, “Let the example of Jesus influence you.”)
My father once told me that others will follow you, once your mind is made up. In other words, you will influence others once Jesus has sufficiently influenced you. But not only will people follow us once we are on the right path; on the day of judgment something else will follow us, too!
“And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘Write, From now on, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, for their works follow them’ ” (Rev. 14:13).