12/30
1998
Jesus calls us to be members of HIS
church.
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as of 12/30 1998 |
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| ALONG THE KING'S HIGHWAY |
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Bibleman2@aol.com John Clark Published in 1998, by Hopewell Publishing Company, the book has 190 pages of wisdom rarely seen in writings by men today. His humility shines through each one of the thirty-two chapters in the book. You may obtain a copy of this book by E-Mailing Wiley Davis at W2054@aol.com or by calling him direct at: (501) 751-4175 The price of the book is $ 7.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling. Chapter One - Highway to the Future -- Brother Davis aptly shows through Isaiah the Prophet that God truly knows all that will occur. The "highway" spoken of is "the way of Holiness". He then gives analogies of traveling the highways of today. Chapter Two - A Light for the Journey -- The summary of chapter two is the "light" spoken of that is before our pathway -- the Word of God. He speaks of the Christian attitude that all should have toward what God has spoken through His disciples who wrote His book. Chapter Three - Principles to Live By -- In this chapter, one learns of the "principles" of the Christian life for growth and development in living a holy life. He speaks of "sin" and its consequences; human judgment; the Beatitudes of Christ in Matthew, chapter five; and others. One sentence that caught my eye was, "Anything that hinders you from serving God should be disposed of even if it is painful at the moment." How true are these words. Chapter Four - In Whom Must We Trust? -- Wiley places the emhasis of this chapter on Romans, chapter seven, specifically the battles which all must fight -- the flesh versus the spirit and vice versa. The plan of salvation is given in this chapter as a way to begin living as a Christian, and how we must depend upon Jesus Christ for our strength. Chapter Five - The Choices We Make -- This chapter uses Matthew, the tax collector, as an example of how we assess situations and make correct decisions. How important is it that we know the proper way to ascertain the pros and cons of situations in life with which we are confronted? Chapter Six - Searching for Something -- In this chapter, we see the Ethiopian Eunuch searching for "truth". Wiley appropriately shows us the "ways and means" of God to reach those who seek to serve Him, through the gospel, which is the "power of God unto salvation". Chapter Seven - Created for a Purpose -- In such a simplistic and meaningful way, Wiley demonstrates beautifully the basic meaning of life and why we were created. Chapter Eight - As Instruments in God's Hands -- The serving of God is how we submit to God. Clay is easily molded, and when going through the fire, sets hard as stone. God is the "potter", and we are the "clay". He puts forth the principle of the Bible, that it is not so much what we do, but how we submit that is so important -- and the understanding of this principle. Chapter Nine - Yielding for Protection -- In this chapter, we learn of the submission of Jesus to the Father, put in such an humble way, that it parallels the second chapter of Phillippians which depicts the humility of the Lord and how that we are all to be meek and lowly. Humility is placing ourselves in God's might. Chapter Ten - Visible Christianity -- The identifying marks of Christianity, as Wiley says, are the love and service that we do for others. What a remarkable statement is shown by illustrating the story of the Good Samaritan. Chapter Eleven - The Greatest is Love -- This chapter deals with what Jesus called, "the greatest commandment" -- to love one another. He astutely remarks that "love" does not come from "knowledge", but from the yielding our hearts to God. Knowing about love is so different from practicing love. Wiley shows this to be true. Chapter Twelve - The Cup and the Crown -- Here in this chapter, we see the anguish of our Lord and Saviour as He was in the Garden of Gethsemane, burdened with the "anguish" of enduring all of this because of the sins of all mankind. The crown of thorns that was placed upon our Saviour's blessed head was placed there because of all of our sins. The theme here may be said to be, "I crowned the thorns upon His head." Chapter Thirteen - The Pure in Heart See! -- How does one "see" God? He deals with Isaiah 6:1-10 in depth. Is it in a vision? Is it in a dream? Is it an image in the mind? Those who are really "pure in heart" see God, or the hand of God in every place that they look. Chapter Fourteen - The Tears of Jesus -- As most Christians know, the shortest passage in the Bible is, "Jesus wept." Why did He weep? For what purpose would the Saviour of the World shed His precious tears? It was for His friend, Lazarus. Wiley says that he believes that Jesus still weeps today. There is so much heartache and despair. Remember, Jesus identified with others. He bore in His body all of the pressures and problems that man can "feel." Chapter Fifteen - Tenderness in Spite of Pain -- Opinions have caused a "split" in the body, which I have often heard this man refer to as a "rupture." The body then becomes sick. Why? Most often, it is over opinions that are not dealt with in scripture. What we believe dictates how we act -- or react. We must all be "tender" regardless of the actions or reactions of others. Remember how Jesus acted? Wiley examines His actions very thoroughly. Chapter Sixteen - Bridges of Communication -- Jesus Christ was the greatest communicator of all time. What principle do we learn from observing His practice of this art? Probably the greatest thing is that He was able to speak on a level with the people. The parable of the sower is examined. Chapter Seventeen - Miracles Were Not Enough -- Wiley said, in this chapter, "We have Moses, we have the prophets, we have John the Baptizer, and we have Jesus himself. Is that not enough? Too many times, he says, we trust in the preacher instead of trusting in the Lord. Chapter Eighteen - A Vision of the Past! -- Memories! Ah, the pleasantries of them! But, alas, some of them may not be so pleasant! When one takes the time to look at his life of the past and then focus on the blood of Jesus for cleansing, that is all that he can do. Chapter Nineteen - Mercy, Not Justice! -- How will the Judgment be? Will it be what we deserve? Or will God show forth His mercy? Learn what the Bible says regarding "Mercy, not justice!" Chapter Twenty - The Great Physician -- The first sentence depicts what I believe he wishes to say in this chapter: "We have learned a lot about educational methods and teaching techniques, and how to manipulate people; but in order to be successful, everything has to be just right." Yes, and what better way to describe "just right" as the cure-all for sin than Jesus, the Great Physician. He gave Himself for us -- so ought we to give of ourselves "to the service of others." Chapter Twenty-One - The Promise of the Father -- The "promise of the Father" is mentioned in scripture in John 14:16-18; Acts 1:4; and Joel 2:28-29. This is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Chapter Twenty-Two - The Power Within -- The "power within" each Christian is explained by Wiley as: "Without God's reinforcements living within, there will be no manifestation of God's attributes visible without." Chapter Twenty-Three - Sheep Without a Shepherd! -- In this chapter, Wiley examines the Reformation, leading up to the Restoration, or, Great Awakening. Sadly, the invoking of traditions of men have kept many from simply demonstrating obedience to God. Chapter Twenty-Four - Peace From Him -- "The peace that Jesus gives can be received only by the individual who is willing to follow wherever the path may lead." He emphasizes the fact that this individual has become a new creature in Christ. Simple and to the point. Chapter Twenty-Five - An Awesome Presence -- One of God's attributes is His Omni-presence. Wiley shows how that even in the face of the unknown (the future), we have One who is always with His people. Chapter Twenty-Six - What Does the Great King Expect? -- That Christians are to have the attitude of, "What would you have me to do", is examined in light of analogies. This attitude is what impresses "the great king" in Wiley's analogy. Just what does the Great King expect? Those who are great in His kingdom are those who serve others. Chapter Twenty-Seven - Our Father's Family -- Wiley shows the comparison of a father's love for his children as compared to the Heavenly Father's love for His children. Chapter Twenty-Eight - A Family Celebration -- This chapter deals with the 100th celebration of a speech delivered by one of the Restoration men, Thomas Campbell, and his speech about "unity". Chapter Twenty-Nine - I Too Have a Dream! -- In this chapter, Wiley gives eight exciting and wonderful things that he dreams of. These eight things would be worth the price of the book. Chapter Thirty - Evening Before the Dawn -- He looks at, here, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Chaper Thirty-One - Loved Ones Are Recognized! -- Many is the time that I have heard the question, "Will we know one another in heaven?" There have been pros and cons down through the ages. Wiley shows all the reasosn why we will know one another up there. Chapter Thirty-Two - Glory to be Revealed -- The "family reunion"; the "great homecoming" of all the redeemed simply praising and giving glory and honor to God the Father. Think of it. Yes, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, you DO need this book for your library. God bless. -- John Clark |