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Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

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the kings of Judah, against the princes In the Holy Land there was nothereof, and against the people of the snow—rather a rainy season. But when theland." Jeremiah was a real patriot whoendeavored to have his country do the willof God. This attitude will invoke the bittercold rains stopped, the flowers again cameto life.If you live in the north where snowopposition of the forces of covers the ground from December tounrighteousness but God is able topreserve His people in every emmergency.4: The Way to Be Great Is Throughthe Role of a Servant.Jesus said this truth in Mark 10:42-44.The disciples were much displeased withtwo of their number, James and John,because they asked of Jesus that they mightsit, "one on Thy right hand, and the otheron Thy left hand, in Thy glory." "Jesuscalled them to Him, and saith unto them,Ye know that they which are accounted torule over the Gentiles exercise lordshipover them; and their great ones exerciseauthority upon them. But so shall it not beamong you: but whosoever will be greatamong you, shall be your minister." Oneshould not seek high office in either churchMarch, the first yellow crocus that sticksits head through the snow thrills you andreminds you of the beauty of nature. Thoseof .you who live in the South find pleasurein the blooming of tulip trees and giantmagnolias. All winter long, the flowershave been dormant waiting for God's call.Next our text mentions that spring isa time of the singing of birds. During thelong winter the birds that do not migrateare busy searching for food. The birds whodepend upon insects for food must follownature's call to warmer climates in order tosurvive. But with the advent of spring thebirds return to their home to raise theiryoung. Even birds have a place in God'splan. The phrase,"the voice of the turtle,"does not refer to the reptile but rather toor state for the sake of adulation but for the turtledoves which is a species ofservice to God."Lesson based on International Sunday Schoolpigeons common to Palestine. They are amigratory bird leaving in the fall andLessons: the International Bible Lessons for returning in March. The fig tree begins toChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Division bear fruit and blossoms before any leavesof Christian Education, National Council of Churches appear. In the Holy Land this is a sign ofof Christ in the U.S.A."spring.This beautiful passage of ScriptureJunior Topicteaches us that in our lives during aspiritual winter we can be dead in sin butForIulyll,1971with the coming of spring, our acceptanceUnit: God's Gift of Natureof Christ as our Savior, we are born again.NATURE'S BEAUTY AND PRAISEThe second part of our lesson tonightMrs. Robert McElroyis on praise. Our memory Psalm for thisMemory Psalm: Psalm 148.unit is Psalm 148. So let us study this PsalmMemory Verse: Song of Solomon 2:10-13, carefully.Scripture: Matt. 6:28,29; Song of Solomon What is praise? How can we praise2:10-13; Psalm 148.God? Who should praise Him? WhenLast week we studied some of the should we praise Him? Study Psalm 148 tolessons of nature. We were reminded of thestrength, glory, and majesty of the thingsHe has made. Another of nature's lessonsfind the answers to these questions.Psalm 148 begins with the words,"Praise ye the Lord," as do all of thewas not to covet fine clothing nor to be Psalms from 146 through 150. These are theproud of it, but rather, to depend uponGod in His wisdom to care for our needs.Psalms of praise. Our dictionary tells usthat praise means "to glorify God, expeciallyTonight we will be thinkingin song; to worship." We com­of nature's beauty and praise. monly use the words, "Praise the Lord," toRead together the Scripture reference: mean sing Psalms to His glory. But praiseSong of Solomon 2:10-13. This is a means more than this. We need to praisebeautiful description "of one of nature'smost glorious acts. It is a promise thatGod in thought, in word, and in deed. Wemust back up our praise with actions thatwhen winter comes—spring is not far praise the Lord.behind. Look out your window. Does snow In the first six verses, there is a callcover the ground or is rain making patterns for heavenly beings to praise God—angels,on the windowpane?It matters not whetheryou are living in New York or Californiaand heavenly hosts. Then the stars, moon,and sun, all creations of God's hands arethe spring season beckons to you told to praise Him. Think about that athroughout the dark winter days.The Bible tells us that the winter dayswill pass—they won't last forever. Besides,spring would not be so wonderful andpleasant if it did not follow winter.12minute. How is it possible for these thingsto praise God?Read the remainder of the Psalm andnote the great variety of animals andhuman beings that are mentioned. All ofthese are things of this world. There is nocreature too important to praise God andneither is there any creature too unimportant.Not only should kings and princesand judges praise God, but also youngmen, young girls, old men, and children.Children just like you are called upon topraise God. We must remember that eachof us—no matter how quick or how slow,no matter whether we are leaders orfollowers—is precious to God and each ofus has a place in His plan."Let them praise the name of theLord: for His name alone is excellent; Hisglory is above the earth and heaven. . .Praise ye the Lord."Questions:1. What are the signs of spring in yourarea of the country? Is it the fig treebearing fruit?2. What are some of the mostbeautiful things in nature you have seen?3. How can each of us show morepraise to God?Activity:Howmany different animals wereyou able to find last week in the Bible?What new ones did you find during theweek? Perhaps you can share thereferences for these "new-found" animals.Tonight we are going on a differentsafari. We are looking for flowers andplants. Remember the kinds of climate theHoly Land has, then start looking.Yotimight begin with these: Ex. 9:31; Gen.41:49; Numbers 13:23; Amos 8:1; I Kings5:11; II Samuel 23:11; Numbers 17:8; Isaiah35:1; I Kings 4:33.Next week we'll be looking-for trees.Prayer MeetingTopicforluly 14,1971PRAYER FOR CONFERENCESMr. Sam WilkeyAs we are well into the summer,many are expectantly looking forward to asummer conference or conferences. Infact, as can be seen below, CovenantHeights has already been in session for acouple of days. Tonight we are to considerespecially our summer conferences inprayer.The leader might consider, amongothers, these objectives or values of oursummer conferences: Spiritual refreshmentMatt. 11:28-30; Relaxation -Eph.5:16; Fellowship - Mai. 3:16; Phil. 1:3,5;I John 1:7; Prov. 27:17; Opportunity forservice -1 Cor. 15: 58; I Thess. 2:8; Judges5:2.Perhaps different ones canremember theme Psalms from differentconferences which the leader can use forPsalms to be sung during the meeting inpraise of God.It may be of value to have individualsCOVENANTER WITNESS

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