This is a story that Jesus told.   He had just been speaking about two calamities that had fallen on certain people, then He asked, "Do you think these people were more wicked than their fellow men because they suffered things?"   His answer was, "I tell you, No; but except you repent you shall all likewise perish!"

     Repent or perish was His message.   To illustrate this He said, "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard: and he came and sought fruit thereon and found none.   Then he said to the keeper of the vineyard, 'for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and found none.   Cut it down.   Why cumbereth it the ground?'   But the keeper of the vineyard said unto him, 'Lord, let it alone this year also, while I dig around it and fertilize it.   And if it bear fruit, fine; but if it doesn't, then you shall cut it down.'"

     This worthless fig tree is here made to represent the unrepentant sinner.   There is no fruit, no glory to God in the sinner, and he stands condemned.   "Cut it down," is the command.   "He that believeth not shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)   Why cumbereth it the ground?   Why is this worthless thing occupying this amount of valuable space?

     Friend, if you are lost today, did you ever think that that's just the way God looks at you?   He sees you as not worth the ground you stand on, and because you have not repented and trusted Christ, you stand condemned.   "Cut it down," He says, for you are utterly worthless and under condemnation right now.

     There are many people highly honored in this world, respected and looked up to, who in God's sight aren't worth the space they occupy.   There are many people who consider themselves quite something, in fact they have a very high opinion of themselves.   If they could only see themselves as God sees them.   That's what the Bible is for.   It shows us how God looks at us, and by it the mighty are made humble as they read it, and sinners are brought to repentance.

     The tree was under condemnation because of no change, no repentance and no fruit.   It had been planted there to bear fruit for its Lord.   Man was planted in this world to bring glory to God and to bear the fruit of righteousness, but "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23.

     The Intercessor.   The fig tree would have been cut down, but that the keeper of the vineyard interceded for it.   "Give it another year," he said, "and I'll treat it kindly.   I'll cultivate around it and fertilize it."   Isn't it wonderful that this fruitless, worthless fig tree had a friend that cared!   I believe that Jesus was letting us know that every lost sinner on this earth, no matter who he is or how worthless he may be, he has a friend who cares about him.

     Not only does every lost sinner have a friend and intercessor, but it is through this intercessor that each person has a certain span of life on this earth to live.   All are sinners.   All have failed to meet God's standard, and so are condemned to die.   Yet they are allowed to live on, and given health and many joys and blessings.   Why is God so good to the wicked?

     "Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." Romans 2:4.   God's justice on the one hand condemns sinners, but on the other hand His love goes out to them, (John 3:16) and because of that love and redemption that is in Christ Jesus, who died for our sins on the cross, all men are given a certain amount of time to repent, and this amount of time is all of GRACE through Jesus Christ.   "Where sin did abound, grace did much more abound." Romans 5:20.   If sin abounded to every man through Adam's sin, then grace did much more abound to every man through Jesus Christ.

     On every hand behold the goodness of our God.   In our land we are especially blessed.  People go on rejecting God every day, and still He continues to let them live and showers down blessings.   But they will never recognize that these are from God.   If the children are healthy, it's because mom is such a good cook.   All the food and clothing is because dad is a good provider.   If the daughter excels in studies, it's because she gets brains from her mom.   If the son is good at athletics, his proud father says, "He got it from me."   God is never taken into consideration until misfortune happens, there He will get the blame.

     Some have said to us, "Don't you think God was mean to you, letting you get into a wreck and Ricky get so badly hurt?"   But we don't see it that way.   Tommy lost control of the car, and we turned over, landing in a ditch beside the road and all were hurt, Ricky worst of all.   A few days later I read in the newspaper the story of a family about like ours.   They were traveling the freeway west from Oklahoma City, when they lost control of their car and turned over.   They landed in a rock pile and all were killed.   God was good to us.   We didn't land in a rock pile.

     Some people, no matter how good God is to them, never see it, or if they do, they only despise God's goodness.   "Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearence and longsuffering."   Yes, they despise His goodness, they despise the cross and the Son of God who died there for their sins.   All the while they blame God for their troubles.   They never repent.   So the end of their lives will soon come, the end of the period of God's grace, and in hell there is no repentance.   As in this life, they will continue to blame God, and "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."   Who do you suppose they will gnash their teeth at?   Why, God, of course.

     Oh, what a difference being saved makes, when you have repented and looked to the Lord Jesus as your Savior, and seen the wonderful goodness of the love of God!   We all meet with troubles and trials in this life, but those who are saved have an overcoming strength in Jesus Christ, and they always know there is something better farther on.

     I want to tell you friend, that we have so very much to be thankful for.   God loved us even when we were lost sinners.   He loved us, and Christ died for us.   He always treats us far better than we deserve.   Romans 6:23-- "The wages of sin is death, (That is what we deserve.) but the GIFT OF GOD is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord."   This is what we don't deserve, but it's what we get, when we come trusting in Jesus as our personal Savior.   It's a free gift.   It cannot be earned, cannot be bought or gotten any other way.   It has to be accepted as a gift by going in faith to Jesus.   Can't you just get your eyes open and see how good God is to you in Jesus Christ?  It's all because He cares for lost sinners.

See other poems by F. C. Creel in:

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Located in the "Baptist Landmarks' Library"

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     We have a pastor. His name is Ty Carlson.   This is his first church.   He is 52 with a wife and six year old daughter.   He is coming out of the Auburn Missionary Baptist Church.   He is a church man and very grounded.   Dr Beach was his mentor also from Auburn.   Dr Beach is good friends with Dan and Francis Allen's son and daughter in law.   They all know Brother Lynn Hoover.

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Outreach Opportunities in Chile

     Thank you for your concern and prayers for the Castner and Heinz families through this recent earthquake.   This is an update and request for help from Lehigh Valley Baptist Church.

     Our missionary families are all safe.   They were woken up in the middle of the night with the shaking of the 8.8 earthquake, which was centered about an hour north of where they stay. Pictures fell off the walls, but at this point it seems that their buildings sustained no structural damage.

     You may have heard that we had a small missions group visiting our missionary families in Chile at the time of the earthquake.   Four men from our church were in the country for an ordination service which was scheduled to take place on Saturday.   We can't help but see the hand of God in timing this perfectly, so they could be there to be a blessing and a help.

     This quake has not seen its equal since 1960, over 50 years ago.   Over 700 have been reported dead and the devastation an hour north of our missionaries is tragic.   People there have lost everything.   Concepcion has gotten most of the press, and therefore most of the aid, but dozens of villages around were also damaged greatly.

_Opportunities for the Gospel_

     In short, our men are planning to go into the areas around Concepcion to distribute food to those in need. They have found a supplier who will help them at greatly discounted prices.   They were able to find fuel and are taking a survey trip today (Tuesday, March 2) to see what can be done.

     "Let me share this blessing, we were pretty discouraged yesterday with the fact that no one would sell us gas anywhere, since we were all prepped and loaded for the trip!   We headed into Villarrica to put Beth on the Bus to go home and since we were in town without much gas and stuck for the day (apparently), we went to the Market place, and then someone got hungry when I mentioned empanadas de marisco (seafood), so we ended up eating.   After that I had a few things to get done and we started heading out of town.   We passed the first gas station and nothing changed, no gas, no movement, we passed the second and there was a line, so I did a quick U-turn and we got in a long line, we didn't know how much they were selling, but it looked like in some cases they were filling up.   When we arrived at the pump I said "lleno" and he filled it up!!!   We just happened to pass that station at that very moment when they opened to sell only diesel fuel!   Right, our great God has a plan!   Amen??!!   We are heading out to buy what we can to help.   We plan on renting a truck to fill that up with provisions, but none available right now and the dangers are great because of looting.   We are going to scout out right now and do what we can, but pray for further leadership from God. One thing we know, this will take months and years to rebuild!!!   Pray!"

     "You won't believe it...Yes you will.   We just arrived at the Distribution Center for Trebol Supermarkets.   We were talking with the manager and arranging to take powdered milk and noodles to the disaster zone, when lo and behold, Sr. Elias Amat and wife Delia walked in and it just so happens that they are the owners of the property where we rented and started the church here in Temuco.   They are grateful to see us after so many years and confided that they are committed to help us in this relief effort!   They will give us discounts on everything and his office door is wide open to us!   You just can't plan this; it is all of God!   We are loading up and heading out with the confidence He is with us and has gone before us and will bless us exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think!   Keep praying!"

     Though the men will be helping with distributing food and other necessities, they are using this as a platform to preach the Gospel. People are hurting and don't understand why a catastrophe like this would occur.   This is the perfect opportunity to share God's Word with them.

_How You Can Help_

     Primarily, we need your prayers for safety and open doors for the gospel.   The looting and crime is very great right now with reduced security and everything in ruins.   Sending trucks of food into the severely damaged areas is necessary, but also dangerous.   We are praying that God will lead Garry & Don to the right places for distribution - areas where there are people who are ready to be ministered to with the gospel.

     Secondly, we also need financial help.   We have spent over $2000 and have committed another $4000 in food right now. With Garry & Don's contacts, specifically this manager of Trebol, we will be able to get the most 'bang for our buck' in helping the people most affected by the quake.   We have set up the "CHILE RELIEF FUND" here at Lehigh Valley Baptist Church, from which Garry & Don will be able to buy food, supplies, gas, and be of assistance to those in need. As Garry stated above, it will take months and even years to rebuild everything that was destroyed, so this will be an area of ongoing need.   As long as they have the funds to help with needs, they will use this as an area of ministry.

     If you would like to help by contributing to the Chile Relief Fund, please send a check to:
Lehigh Valley Baptist Church
4702 Colebrook Avenue
Emmaus, PA 18049

     If you have any questions, you can contact the church office at (610)965-4700 or office@lvbaptist.org.

     Once again, thank you for all your concern and prayers over the past few days.   Don't stop now!!!   Though the initial danger is over, we believe God has placed our men in a position of ministry "for such a time as this."   We can't wait to see what God is going to do!

Letters To The Editor

     This is not so much a letter to the editor as it is a letter to the author.   I began reading this article and it sounded like a familiar story.   I had heard it before somewhere and as I read on I realized I knew who this was.   I checked the author's name and saw it was Peggy Snyder.   40 years ago, my 3rd teacher's name was Peggy Snyder and she told us this story.   She was a great teacher and I even remember when she put music to Psalm 100 and our class sang it at our morning assembly.   I remember the Psalm and how the music went from all those years ago.   Thanks for everything Mrs. Snyder!

The PEW SHAKING, DOOR BANGING, AISLE WALKER

     While this bird wears a path up and down the aisle, he is seldom seen heading toward the altar because he has to leave for a drink of water just as the invitation begins.   It is assumed that he has a one-track mind because a few minutes after the services begin he remembers something he left in the car.   At five minute intervals during the services he thinks of and attends to; a drink of water, a trip to the bathroom, a drink of water, A visit with another bird who just stepped out, and if the sermon lasts over twenty minutes, a burnt sacrifice, the odor of which wafts back into the sanctuary.   It might be possible to get this bird to sit still if one could determine what he is running from.

     WILL YOU TAKE A POSITIVE STAND FOR LANDMARK DOCTRINES, HISTORIC BAPTIST INDEPENDENCE AND DIRECT MISSION PRACTICE?   THEN SIGN UP FOR A SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS PAPER AND SPREAD THE TRUTH AS IT IS IN THE WORD OF GOD.