My Burden

A Poem by
Charles R. Grisham

Oh, how I wished to drop my load,

Out where love's sweet waters flowed;

I stopped to rest, and there I sighed,

That God would end my foolish pride.

But as I sat, an angel came,

With heavenly love all aflame;

He bade me to myself deny,

And on my Master to rely.

Look ahead, and see the light,

That shines beyond all sense and sight;

Where glories of an all-pervading mind,

A universal heaven, unconfined.

Then ending all my needless weeping,

I arose to walk in the Father's blessing;

To gladly bear my earthly load,

Toward heaven's mighty blessed abode.

December 28, 1951

For What Purpose was I Born?

By Charles C. Kirby
(A radio message dated November 11, 1945)

Inasmuch as all are born without their own consent, can it be that we are the helpless victims of Nature? Is it not more probable that those who are unhappy in this life have failed to fulfill the purpose of their birth?

When Christ was born, the Jews believed that He had come for the purpose of overthrowing Roman power and establishing the throne of David. When He failed to do that for which they thought He had come, they were sorely disappointed and immediately began to prepare to kill Him. Nevertheless, the Voice of God spoke from Heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Evidently, Jesus was fulfilling His Heavenly purpose in life. What then was the purpose for which He was born? When we discover that, we have the key to every problem in our life; for Christ is and was the great example to all mankind. Pilate asked Him, "Art Thou a king then?" Jesus answered, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." (John 18:37) He being an example unto us, therefore, let us also bear witness unto the truth.

Seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah revealed the plan and purpose of God coming into the world to be born of a woman. Practically all things in the universe act according to the law of cause and effect. The cause for the coming of Christ is found - a deplorable condition upon earth that required the aid of a Saviour from Heaven. "And judgment is turned away backward and justice standeth afar off, for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. And the LORD saw it and it displeased Him that there was no judgment. And He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor. Therefore, His arm brought Salvation unto Him and His righteousness it sustained Him. For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of Salvation upon His head; and He put on garments for clothing and was clad with zeal as a cloak." (Isaiah 59:14-17)

I have little or no confidence in any man's religious profession when it is not put into practice with a good supply of zeal. Christ Jesus came to the world and found the nations bound by their superstitions, ignorance, and fear, even in the children. The rulers of the Temple and synagogues were bound by sinful habits, which, although they condemned them in others, they condoned them in themselves. The lies of the satanic being who had deceived mother Eve into sinning had thoroughly schooled the inhabitants of the earth in his evil teachings and cunning ways: men living in sin without shame. Yes, they worshipped gods that were not real. They defiled themselves and all who came in contact with them. Jesus told the Pharisees that they compassed land and sea to make one convert, and when he was converted to their belief he was without doubt a confirmed child of the devil and headed for hell. In the midst of such gross darkness, sin, and shame, Christ stood forth as the world's only hope. And, please be informed that Christ is still the only hope for the world of today. When men could not penetrate the darkness of sin and unbelief, Christ was the light. When they knew not which course to pursue, Christ was the way. When they were dying physically and mentally, (dying in body and soul,) Christ was the life. And when they could not discern between right and wrong, Christ was the truth. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)

How weighty the words of Christ, "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth."

• "O Truth,Thou art the guide to all that stumble in darkness; Thou art the hope of all who perish today in the pangs of death and sin; Thy lamp of light is the beacon that guides life's lost sailors into the Haven of rest. Thy Word is the bread that makes the weak strong. Thy Spirit is the garment of righteousness that is given to clothe the naked. And, Truth, Thou art more precious than the gold of Ophir. Thy Words are like apples of gold in pitchers of silver. Thou hast escaped the search of the wise and prudent." [Source unknown]

And even those who brought the atoms under control, making possible the discovery of the atom bomb have been unable to find and analyze truth. But, thanks be to our Great God, this secret has been given to the meek of the earth, God having passed by the door of the high and mighty, chose rather to dwell in the hearts of the meek and lowly. Christ Jesus came from the glory world to bring truth to the earth. Even though His personal ministry was limited to but a small portion of the earth, earth's billions have been privileged to hear His gentle voice, "Come unto Me." He stands out today as the light of the world and the personification of truth. So far-reaching has His life and ministry been that millions down through the centuries of time have been set free through His Word and Spirit.

The miraculous success of the apostles of the early church was built upon this foundation. They were filled with the Spirit of Truth, which is the Holy Ghost. The souls of the apostles were as burning torches touched by the fire of the Spirit of Christ, the light of life, and the more abundant life. Just before Jesus went away, He said unto His disciples, "These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures and He said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things." (Luke 24:44-48)

Why was I born? Well might the apostles have asked this question of themselves until the day when Christ filled them with His Spirit and sent them forth to bear witness to the truth. Here was the answer to the eternal question, "Why was I born?" Here was the fulfillment of life and living. Here was a purpose, here was a mission and a goal - to bear witness to the truth. The lives of the apostles, like all true Christians of this generation, were filled with the life of Christ. His purpose was their purpose. His mission was their mission. His truth became their truth. "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, to bear witness unto the truth." The God who made the universe, He who made man in the beginning and breathed into him the breath of life - yes, God,our Great Creator, came down through more than forty generations of His children and was born of a woman to bear witness to the truth. Before the light of His Spirit, before the piercing light that burned in His eyes; the hearts of men melted to the point of public confessions. The healing eyes of the Spirit of Truth, like the balm in Gilead, healed again the hearts that were torn and bleeding.

At Jacob's well this man of truth drew from the depths of a Samaritan woman's heart the confession of a life wasted in sin. And there, this great Son of Jacob offered her the water of life that could wash away each guilty stain. This was the ministry of all Spirit-filled preachers in the apostolic era. That is exactly what Jesus did when He sent forth His ministers to make disciples of all nations. The powers of darkness were greater than the men who were to be sent against it. Therefore, Jesus said unto them, "Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you. But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)

Now turn to the second chapter of the book of Acts. There you may read the account of the coming of the Holy Ghost Fire. This, of course, was the Pentecostal Fire. When the multitude that gathered heard the apostle Peter preach unto them that in Jesus Christ was the redemption for all mankind, they became convicted of their sins and asked, saying, "Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent!" Then and only then will God answer for you that eternal question, "Why was I born?"

By your first birth you were born in sin, therefore Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3-5) By virtue of the second birth, a birth of the water and Spirit, which is baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, you become a child of the Kingdom, a witness of the Truth, and you will also know the purpose for which you were born.

Tribute to Bishop Kenneth D. Beckwith

Bishop Kenneth D. Beckwith

Bishop Kenneth D. Beckwith

July 21, 1931 ~ February 18, 2014

Ozark, Alabama

Loving Pastor, Husband, Father, and Friend

Giving honor to Bishop Beckwith, Pastor and Mentor of our beloved Pastor Ken Foreman. He often speaks of the impact this precious man of God made on his life and ministry from the very outset of his walk with God. When a life makes such a great impression on the life of another - it reaches past the here and now and extends on into eternity. Like ripples on a pond, spread, reaching from impact point to the farthest shores.

We here at New Life Apostolic, never had the privilege of meeting Bishop Beckwith in this life. Yet we have seen and experienced his influence in the care and diligence displayed by our Pastor day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year. Thus, we look forward with joy to the day when we will meet him and get to thank him for giving of himself so freely and blessing us so richly.

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love,

which ye have shewed toward His Name,

in that ye have ministered unto the saints, and do minister.

And we do desire that every one of you

do shew the same diligence to the full assurance

of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful,

but followers of them who through faith and patience

inherit the promises."

(Hebrews 6:10-12)

Who Will Take His Place?

A Tribute to James L Kilgore...
By Rachel Coltharp

There was a man who took notice of sparrows; those that fell to the ground with broken wings. He noticed them, gathered them, bound their wings, and protected them from predators that would have likely made quick work of these wounded creatures. With gentle hands, he wiped the bloodied birds, wrapped the broken bones, and fed them until they mended. Then he gave them the confidence to fly again... and fly we did. Fly we do.

Who will take his place? 
There are two answers...
  

#1 Somebody else.

#2 Me.

It is not arrogance that replies with the second answer. It is what we are called to do; to notice the pain of others, to give sacrificially, to live for something BIGGER than ourselves. To cast every crown, every praise, every accolade at the feet of Jesus. To be Jesus in skin.

Who will take his place?

We will.

Long live the memory of the man who noticed, who was never too busy to shelter, to mend, and to teach us to fly.

_____________________

Editor's Note: Bro. James L. Kilgore pastored in Houston, Texas for many years. Close friend of our Bishop, Charles R. Grisham, Bro. Kilgore was a man of vision and passion, with the heart of a servant. This tribute was written by Rachel Coltharp.

God's Name Manifested

By Charles C. Kirby

Text: John 17:1-7
Key Verse: “I have manifested Thy Name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest Me them, and they have kept Thy Word.” (John 17:7)

If man is to know the one and only true God in a real, practical, and experiential sense, and then be able to utilize that knowledge for his own benefit, it is absolutely necessary that he have a revelation of His Name. This is so because it is through His Name that God has elected to make Himself known to mankind. The history of the worship of the one true God discloses the fact that this worship was ever essential and inseparable from His Name. Hence God said to Moses when He revealed His Name, “By this Name was I not known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Exodus 6:3) Again, when God declared to Moses that the purpose of taking the Israelites out of Egypt was that they might worship Him on the mount, Moses asked, “When they shall say to me, What is His Name? What shall I say unto them?” (Exodus 3:13)

Indeed, the early Christian worshipers of the one God were scions of the first worshipers we know anything about. It is written in the book of Genesis, “...then began men to call on the Name of the Lord.” (Genesis 4:26) After Pentecost, the disciples invariably worshiped in the Name of the Lord. They met together to call on the Name of the Lord “with all that call on Thy Name.” ...“to bind all that call on Thy Name.” (Genesis 26:26; Acts 9:14) Jesus taught the disciples to pray in and through the Name of the Lord. “Hitherto ye have asked nothing in My Name. Ask and ye shall receive that your joy might be full.” (John 16:24) The first words of the model prayer show what a place the Name occupied in true worship, “...Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.” (Luke 11:2) This Name was retained in the Name of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and constituted the one Name of God throughout time and eternity (so far as man can know from a study of the Scriptures because God put His finger on the “I Am” declaration and said, “...this is My Name and this is My memorial unto all generations.” (Exodus 3:15)) This is the only Name used in Baptism and the work of the ministry by the Apostles. It is the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, (the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in Jesus,) and it is written, “...that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:10) He is “...Lord of lords, and King of kings, and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14) Thus we are inspired by the Apostolic example.

All the academic discussions about and highbrow analysis of the Name of God will not and cannot avail the church for the present and awful crisis. Jude tells us to “...earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3) Faith based on a true system of doctrine can only be manifested in power, on the basis of an individual faith. The Apostles demonstrated as well as proclaimed that faith. In fact, many of them had to demonstrate the power of Jesus' Name in order to get an audience to listen to the message of the Gospel. Peter got the ear of the religious leaders who perhaps were not present on the Day of Pentecost, by performing an astounding miracle in the Name of Jesus.

A church policy based as it is today on a system of theology afflicted with the customs and methods of worldly societies, judges, and clubs would not tolerate the customs and methods of the first Christian church. The early church got the ear of the common people by the demonstration of the power in Jesus' Name. The modern church collects an audience by adopting, in an alarming degree, the customs and practices of the world, and in their theological discourses. It is fundamentalism versus Modernism. The “fundamental” of the first Christian church, as every honest Bible student knows, was the Name of Jesus. They emphasized that Name. They had no ornamental to emphasize. The modern church is all ornamental; in fact, it is hard to discover from their principles and practices what they consider as fundamental. Architectural display, ornamented windows, ornamented women, and ornamented congregations with “the bed too short and the blanket too narrow,” (Isaiah 28:20) Massive and complicated instruments, highly paid choirs and orchestras with a so-called Doctor of Divinity displaying oratorical fire instead of old fashioned, Apostolic Pentecostal Holy Ghost Fire that will, and does melt hearts of stone bringing sinners to repentance and filling their hearts with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, with a new hope in life. Yes, with the revelation of the Name of the Great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The fundamental of true religion is the power to demonstrate it's message to the world by miracles of mercy to mankind. Let that fundamental be non-existent or cease to operate, and you only have a dead system covered under the ornamental. The fundamental of an automobile is its motor. Let the motor cease to operate out on the highway, though it be covered by the most expensive and attractive body that could be built, what have you then? Only a palace by the roadside: for it is there you stop and the scenery gets monotonous because it never changes. Even so, let the vision and the Holy Ghost power of the early church possess the mind and heart of modern church ministry everywhere and there would be a cracking of the old, musty methods and the breaking of dead, theological forms. The Living Waters would begin to flow. Yes sir, and the desert will begin to take on life, the wilderness will blossom as the rose.

In spite of our blind systems which have stifled the power, love, and grace of God; thank God Jesus Christ lives today and His Name is as powerful as ever it was. Our God is and His Name is dynamic. Our old creed method is to try an absorb the seed. You might as well talk of the moist earth in the springtime absorbing the seed. The seed absorbs the earth, in it (the seed) is the life. Jesus is our life, and I have Him in my soul to believe that through His Name He will ultimately absorb all our lifeless methods of worship and service for we who trust, love, and serve Him. He will subdue all our enemies and swallow up death in victory. He is looking for a people who have an ear so trained that above the babble rising from the crossroads of our religious life, they will hear a voice announcing that a new day has dawned and the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Even as Phillip, the Evangelist, went down to the city of Samaria, (Acts 8,) and preached Christ unto them, and when they believed Phillip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.“Now when the Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 8:14-16) Friends, if God's ambassadors required of their converts in their day to know and acknowledge God's Name before a wicked and perverse generation by taking on that Name in baptism in water, then to be filled with His Holy Spirit, why should it be thought a thing incredible with you today for those who love Him to do likewise? Hence, you too must repent and be baptized in His Name for the remission of your sins and receive the Holy Ghost with the Bible evidence of “speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.” (Acts 2:4) This is the “Pentecostal Fire” we sing about.

Editorial Note: Rev. C.C. Kirby was pastor of Christ Church Apostolic in Royal Oak, Michigan. (My parents, J. Raymond and Marjorie (Smith) Broyles, raised their family there. For many years, the church presented a weekly radio program each Sunday, from 3:30 to 4:00 on radio station WEXL. These programs featured the church choir and a short radio sermon. The theme song, sung at the beginning and end of each broadcast, was "Pentecostal Fire." This message was aired Sunday, September 2, 1945.