The Baptist Beacon

By Elder Roy Brooks

Indianapolis, IN

Great and manifold are the blessings which God the father of all mercies hath bestowed upon us, the Church of the living God and to humanity, when inspired men, whom he had called were moved upon by the Holy Spirit to pen the words now contained in the Holy Bible and hath given it to humanity for their benefit and their eternal well being. "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is on any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

My Bible, which came from the very mind of God and out of the library of heaven, He has given to me. It amazes humanity, the things that are written therein, and He has chosen the Church to proclaim the truth of it in the gospel form of preaching the Word of God, to give us an insight from its beginning unto its end. In it is recorded the way of life and the things that are essential for our (humanity's) destiny and existence in eternity.

What greater calamity can fall upon a nation, people and the Church, than to lose the joys that fill our heart with the blessed continuance of the preaching of God's sacred word among us, which is an inestimable treasure of all the riches of the world, directed and disposed unto humanity, of the eternal happiness which is in heaven above. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and they shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst." (Amos 8:11-13).

We, as children of God, members of His Church, should never allow life to become a common-place between life and death. We must turn the pages and see the mysteries, as we live in between life and death, and be awakened to the eternal relevance of Spiritual Truth.

Yes, we exalt The Book as one of the most remarkable books of all times, but open it not; look at the pages but never see. Can we study its profound meaning while our hearts hunger and souls starve, eyes long to see the sacred path of and to God?

Dust on my Bible, dust on my altar where I used to pray and read; can I go on without my Bible? Why did I stop? The problems I face today, what kind of day? Am I up to the challenge that I will encounter? Where is the God-like peace that I used to feel each day? Is this what the particles of dust have done to me? Fatigue, fear, frustration, failure - are these what I have become acquainted with? Is this what has destroyed my love for my Church, my Lord and the unsaved? Where is the Truth I used to feel so strong about - the happiness with whatever accomplishment I achieved, all the while feeling the refreshing waters upon my body, and especially in my soul? My Bible, when I used to read it, was like discovering a treasure, while mine eyes saw in it a valuable jewel and a pearl of great price. My Bible told me that, where my treasure is, there will by heart be also, but life does not stand still,

I have to get it while I can. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21).

Humanity never stops searching to achieve the goal in between life and death. Making money and storing it away, doing the same thing over and over, piling up more and more and they are not rich toward God. We stand still in the growth of ourselves. Falling in to savagery, we begin to deteriorate in faith, (faith cometh by hearing) courage, character and inner peace and contentment.

In between life and death there are dreams, sometimes they have a away of becoming blurred, and some die. There are disappointments and one may cling to them and lose everything. We all face these times as did the followers of Jesus, "We toiled all night and took nothing." This may turn out to be the best things that ever happened; for this astonishing event, Jesus used this saying: "If your foot causes you to sin,

cut it off." In other words, you need to stop now and

discipling yourself - to shut off that which is bringing decay and destruction.

There is no time to be wasted. The intelligent will shut the door and never look back - pick up the Book, take a look and see that the word of the Lord is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

My Bible - the Law of the Lord - The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the people. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:7-10)