Evangéliumi Hírnök, 1999 (91. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1999-04-01 / 4. szám

8. oldal

1999. április

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER (PSALMS 23:5)

When we study the 23rd. Psalm, and see all the wonderful blessings the psalmist describes as being his; we say that it is no wonder he proclaims: “My cup runneth over.”

We understand the cup, as referred to here, describes the believer’s capacity and desire for spiritual blessings and power from the Lord. Every Christian has such a cup, but each is different even as are our talents, our gifts, end our abilities.

We will look at some of the cups Christians have; realizing that many have the capacity for spiritual blessings, but lack the desire for them while others may possess a degree of desire while lacking the capacity.

First, the UPSIDE DOWN CUP. At a banquet, a cup left upside down on the saucer speaks of the person nor wanting any coffee. Many Christians seem to be saying the same thing as they rebel against God’s leadership end will for their lives. They don’t want to have their lives disturbed, and would rather keep the status quo. The capacity to be blessed and used of the Lord is there, bur their cup is upside down as if in rebellion to God’s will. Now, if the waiter pours hot coffee onto that upside down cop, someone will be burned. God does not force his blessings upon us, but if we are rebellious we will get burned.

Then there is The CUP FILLED WITH OTHER THINGS. It may be a large cup, but its capacity is restricted because it is mostly filled with other things. These things may be worldly or materialistic which will draw us away from the Lord. The Word of God tells us that if we love the world, the love of the Father is not in us. Christians can also get their cups filled with a lot of good things. Satan can deceive us by getting us busy, and our lives so filled with doing good things that we do not have time for the best thing. Jesus said: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and the other things will be added to you.” How sad when people of great capacity get their priorities so out of order that they don’t have time to serve the Lord and receive his power and

blessings because they are too busy doing other things.

Next we will examine the LITTLE BITTY CUP. Doubting Christians who are unable to trust the Lord and his will for their lives may have a degree of desire for the Lord’s spiritual blessings, but are hindered by their little faith. Christians must learn to trust the Lord for big things, and walk by faith. James tells us that the doubting man shall not receive anything of the Lord.

Then there is the OVERFLOWING CUP. God can fill it, no matter how big it is. This is the person who seeks God’s leadership in all of his decisions of life and can say with the Apostle Paul: “For me to live is Christ.” Every child of God can have this overflowing cup.

Turn that cup right side up, and open your heart to God. Acknowledge your rebellion, and he will cleanse it and renew you. No matter how good the things you are interested in seem to be, if they keep you from the Lord; get them out of the way and make room to put God first. Bring that little cup with your doubts and fears, and ask God to help your unbelief. Trust him for everything in your life and he will strengthen you.

To our lost friends we must say that until you come to Christ as saviour, you do not have a cup or the capacity for his spiritual blessings. “For without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) Rev. Denzel Alexander

IDA BOTKA PATO

On November 6, 1998, the Lord called Ida Botka Pato to her heavenly rest. She was the daughter of one of our beloved Hungarian Baptist pastors, the Rev. Joseph Botka. Ida’s life revolved around her service and devotion to her Lord. She was happy when she could do service within her Sillman Memorial Baptist Church in Bridgeport, CT. She used her voice and talents to glorify God. She raised four children, a son, Daniel, and three daughters Lydia, Julie and Valerie. She also leaves behind two brothers, Joseph and Louis and two sisters, Julia and Irene. All of the Botka family are active in the service of the Lord.

Happy are the persons who serve the Lord faithfully during their lifetime. Their reward will be an eternal home with our Lord and Savior. Ida is now with her Lord and singing with the Saints of old in that heavenly choir. We will miss her, but we know that we shall meet again when God calls us Home.

Ernest J. Kish

Important Notice

At a meeting held on March 5, 1999, the Finance Committee of the Hungarian Baptist Convention recommended to the Convention’s Executive Committee that we give thought to the sale of our Bethesda Baptist Retirement Home complex in Palm Bay, Florida. The reasons for the proposal was that the management of the Home was becoming more and more complex and that there was a limited number of business oriented individuals within our Convention who were on the scene to oversee the operation. If we would sell the complex, and have the proceeds invested within our American Baptist Churches, USA in Valley Forge, Pa., the proceeds would generate far more interest than we would need for our Convention’s mission projects. It also could provide the means by which our member churches could improve their local effectiveness.

On March 6, 1999, our Convention’s Executive Committee authorized the Finance Committee to take preliminary steps to investigate the possibility of the sale of the property. This is being done at the present time. A report will be submitted at our Conventions next session during July 8-11, 1999 in Cleveland, Ohio. The matter will be fully discussed at that time and a positive vote of our Convention constituency will be required before a sale can be made. The full details will be presented to you at that time for your consideration. Please give prayerful thought to this matter and remember those individuals who have the burden and responsibility to carry out the responsibilities which the Convention places with them.

The Finance Committee of The Hungarian Baptist Convention of North America Ernest J. Kish, Chairman

The Bible in 50 Words

“God made, Adam bit, Noah arked, Abraham split, Joseph ruled, Jacob fooled, Bush talked, Moses balked, Pharaoh plagued, people walked, sea divided, tablets guided, Promise landed, Saul freaked, David peeked, prophets warned, Jesus bom, God walked, love talked, anger crucified, hope died, Love rose, Spirit flamed, Word spread, God remained.”