“This well presented book incorporates scanned copies of the Precious Seed Magazines from their inception in September 1945 to the May-June 1948 issue. It is attractively bound and the front cover is a copy of the 1945 original, meticulously reproduced in colour by artist Katie Piper (nee Smith).
The names of committee members and contributors will no doubt stir many memories for older readers who remember the ministry of men such as W. E. Vine, W. Trew and J. M. Davies. The Readers’ Questions in each issue are answered by E. W. Rogers, with many most appropriate to the present day. The reports of Gospel Work are particularly interesting. The numbers attending tent meetings and other outreach work are at times quite staggering, when compared with the relatively few who show any interest in the gospel in our day, despite genuine effort and prayerful concern on the part of many believers. A further point of interest to note is the number of assemblies mentioned, and apparently thriving, just seventy years ago, but which are now no longer in existence or greatly reduced numerically.
The March-April 1947 issue highlights the decline of sound biblical teaching in schools. To seek in some way to address this problem, a magazine page was dedicated to teaching for children. The trustees enlisted the help of two public school teachers to undertake this responsibility. With teaching for younger children and those through teenage years, this has developed into the Young Precious Seed published in the current magazines.
The articles reproduced cover a wide range of teaching from both Old and New Testaments, remaining consistently faithful to the stated purpose of Precious Seed as being to encourage the study of the scriptures, the practice of New Testament church principles and interest in gospel work.
Whether reading through or just ‘dipping in’, this book is far more than a window on a bygone age, more an encouragement to all believers that we have before us in our day an open door.”
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. NKJV
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. KJV
O precious, simple proverb! How many have committed you to memory! How many have hung on to you when life has thrown its curve balls? Learned at a young age by many, this proverb has been a faithful guide for Christians throughout their lives. Let us ponder it again to gain something anew.
This proverb consists of two parts. The first part has to do with our trust (Prov. 3:5). To trust in the Lord with all your heart is the positive side of this truth; to not trust, or to not lean, on your own understanding expresses it negatively. Sometimes we are asked to trust in situations that do not make sense to us. Why would God give a married couple the desire to have children and then physically hinder them from having any? We don’t know. Why would God lead us along a career path, taking all the necessary steps to qualify for it, only to take away our health, preventing us from fulfilling the job He has prepared us for? Again, we don’t know. Again, why would God allow leading pastors and gifted teachers to be called away from a struggling assembly, or to be imprisoned or put to death at a time when their families and churches urgently need them? We are at a loss to explain it. But this is when Proverbs 3:5-6 becomes most precious to us.
The second part of this proverb has to do with our paths. If we acknowledge Him in all our ways, then He will direct us in all our paths. If you include Him in the dating and courtship process of your relationship, then He will direct you in the marital part. Conversely, if you leave Him out of the dating/courtship process, if you ignore His counsel and neglect to pray or to ask Him for His guidance, then your paths will not be smooth (as another translation puts it). On the contrary, your paths will be very bumpy and rough.
God never tries to hurt us but only to bless us. If we include Him in our decision making, taking His counsel into consideration first, if we lean not on our own understanding, trusting with all our heart like little children, then He will direct our paths and make them smooth.
~ From Shane Johnson’s Wisdom for Fools: 101 Proverbs to Live By, Chapter 6, pg. 28.
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“The aim of this first book in the Aletheia Adventure Series is stated in the Preface as being “an attempt to help and encourage young readers to develop an understanding of the truth contained in the Word of God”.
The story is set in the city of Aletheia, in the mysterious land of Err.
There is a full page detailed map of the city of Aletheia with names such as Redemption Square, Good Shepherd Primary School, Pray Always Farmlands and Run-the-Race Retirement Home.
In the land of Err there are similar names with spiritual significance in their meanings such as: Inner-self Improvement Centre, Know-it-all, Angerton, Mockton and Other-gods Conference Centre.
The reader is introduced to Jack Merryweather “an ordinary boy to whom extraordinary things never happened”. Little did he think that this was about to change. Since the story is presented in an allegorical way, the individuals in Jack’s class at school have names such as Marigold Goody who “never did anything wrong”.
The adventure really begins with Jack encountering Timmy Trial who is the school bully. They enter the farm sheds belonging to Jack’s Grandad and are transported into a mysterious land “the farm sheds were gone; there was a strange road ahead; an unknown city loomed large close by”.
The purpose of their unexpected journey is revealed when Timmy is told by an inhabitant of the city “there’s plenty that we can teach you during your time with us to help you understand what it means to become a Christian”.
The two boys are joined by Henrietta Wallop and her two brothers, but Timmy has had enough and slips away “a lone figure walking south down Apathy Road”.
An exciting adventure begins as the four children set out to rescue Timmy in the land of Err. Will they be kept safe from the dangerous Snares in the dark forest? Will they ever find Timmy? You will need to read the book to find out.
There are numerous illustrations throughout the narrative as well as a helpful list of Bible references included at the end of this imaginative book filled with valuable spiritual lessons.”
“Subtitled Mentoring the Next Generation for Christ, the subject of this book is clear although the word mentoring may be less familiar to UK readers. It focuses on the importance of what Paul wrote to Timothy long ago about “teaching others also” (2 Tim 2.2), and it does this very well indeed.
The first chapter uses the familiar Olympic torch idea: “passing the torch” means to transfer responsibility to someone else. Every Christian is to be a beacon of truth during their lifetime, and all are also called to pass the torch to the next generation. But “how does one motivate younger believers, especially our own children, to catch the vision and be sold out for Christ?”
The latter half of the book tackles this question in a clear, inspiring and very readable way. Stimulating younger people, especially teenagers, Bible study and resources to help, training in godliness, and participation in all assembly activities are each described with good examples given. Responsibilities of both the mentor and the mentee (unusual word? but you get its meaning!) are well set out: for the mentor – be available, be willing, be accountable, be an example; the case of Elisha with Elijah is used to make some excellent points for the mentee to heed.
The earlier half of the book describes in some detail what is to be passed on, and why. In its own right this is worth reading and heeding, very relevant to the needs of assemblies today, totally Scriptural, absolutely clear, and a good reminder to us all. Here are some subheadings: divine truth is immutable; grace and truth are inseparable; meeting with believers is essential. The church has a threefold ministry: exaltation of the Lord, edification of believers, evangelism of the lost. A chapter called “A Pattern to Follow” describes both the expression and the distortion of salient NT truths such as – Christ the Head of the church; unity of all believers; priesthood of all believers; plurality of leadership; sanctity of the genders; the great commission.
Near the end of this highly recommended book is a challenge: “The church needs … those with ability and discernment to shun the limelight in order to invest time with those who need to learn sound doctrine, and to become aware of their calling in Christ”.”
Thomas Newberry translates 1 Timothy 1:11 in his marginal notes this way “according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God…” The character of the gospel and the character of God cannot be separated. What is true of one is true of the other. It is precisely this theme that David Dunlap takes up with clarity and fullness.
There has been sloppy and dangerous thinking among popular evangelicals when it comes to the truth of the gospel and the character of our God. Relying heavily on some of the thinking of spiritual giants of the past, there has been a failure to compare what they said and what God said. The result has been we have moved to “another gospel” (Gal. 1:6). This “other” gospel has weakened our witness and robbed us of power.
We have lost the vision of the limitless nature of God’s grace and mercy, the boundless character of His love, the wideness of His invitation, His generosity, His unrestrained, even prodigal heart that throws open the doors of heaven to, as the old hymn put it, “that grand word ‘whosoever.’”
Quotations of popular modern day evangelicals together with worthies of the past are faithful. That is they are fair representations of what the author intended to say and no open-minded reader will be able to charge the writer with taking these out of context. David also freely acknowledges that many other things said and written by these well known men are faithful to the Scriptures. It is their errors and its implications he takes issue with.
Everyone interested in communicating the gospel will benefit from reading this book. Each chapter will require thinking. This is not a work for the careless. The abundance of Scripture references enables all of us to be “Bereans” in our reading. The author welcomes that. This will cure us from Limiting Omnipotence.
~ From the Forward by Brian Gunning (Pg. 11-12, Limiting Omnipotence)
“Egypt to Canaan is sub-titled “A Comprehensive Study” of the 40-year journey that took Israel from slavery in Egypt to the land of milk and honey God graciously gave them. The Study is comprehensive in that it deals with the books of Exodus and Numbers and the early chapters of Joshua. The author states clearly in his Preface that his intention is to deal with the journey from Egypt to Canaan “more thoroughly than other books dealing with the same subject” and to avoid “intellectual coldness”. He adds that his approach is “warm, personal and faithful”.
Robert Surgenor’s looks to find applications to the issues of today’s assemblies and the saints who fellowship there, often illustrated by interesting personal experiences. He keeps the Lord Jesus before the reader’s eye, not only as he deals with the Passover or the manna or the red heifer offering, but as he applies the lessons arising from the eventful journey to Canaan.
The author’s approach is further evidenced in how he treats the Tabernacle. He does not deal with the curtains and their dimensions, or the various pieces of furniture, but concentrates on willing hearts, their liberal giving, and the gifted individuals whose labours produced the Sanctuary in which God was pleased to dwell. His particular focus is the role of women in the context of making that Sanctuary (Ex 25.8), whose example leads him to other godly women and their role in their day.
Egypt to Canaan is written in very accessible English. Its sections are relatively brief, enabling even a busy person to read its 754 pages in a relatively short time. Younger readers would find it helpful and the author’s experiences encouraging and challenging. They will not be stumbled by a level of detail provided, although occasionally they may ask for a little more information, for example when Robert Surgenor speaks of Moses’ sister as a fifteen-year-old when “the babe wept” at the edge of the Nile.”
God is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish. He stands at the heart’s door in sunshine and rain, patiently waiting to gain an entrance. Sometimes His patience extends over many years. Dwight L. Moody illustrated this with an unforgettable example.
One night he had preached on Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” At the close of the meeting, a man came up to him in extreme agitation.
“Mr. Moody,” he said, “when I was leaving home, my mother pled with me to trust Christ but I said, ‘I can’t think of that now. I have to go out and make a living.’ But I promised her that I would go to church every Sunday.
“When I settled in my new accommodations, I found that my mother had put a Bible in my bag with Matthew 6:33 marked, ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’
“On the first Sunday, I went to church. The preacher took as his text Matthew 6:33. I thought it was more than a coincidence. I wanted to trust Christ but I didn’t do it. I slipped out.
“The next Sunday I went to a different church. The text that day was Matthew 6:33. I knew that God was chasing me down. I knew that He was speaking to me. I was greatly stirred. But I said I would come to Christ some other time.
“Some weeks later I was in another town. Would you believe it? — the minister spoke from Matthew 6:33. Some people sitting near me questioned me and found that I wasn’t saved. They urged me to receive the Lord Jesus. But I said, ‘No, if I did that, I wouldn’t be able to do what I want to do.’ And so I went out, rejecting Christ.
“Mr. Moody, I have attended church for forty years. I wanted to keep that promise to my mother. But in all those forty years, I have never heard that text again.
“Then tonight I came into your meeting and you preached on Matthew 6:33, ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’ Mr.
Moody, do you think that God will still forgive me and save me?”
Moody assured him that the door of salvation was still open, and that night the penitent entered in. God’s patience had extended over forty years, and a mother’s prayers had followed for that long, too.
~ From William MacDonald’s The Wonders of God, pg.85
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With the Summer Olympics now happening in Brazil, many are watching their countries compete for a gold medal. It’s an exciting time for many – but what about spiritual relevance? In My Heart, My Life, My All, William MacDonald writes about the spiritual applications that can be gleaned from the games.
While I was writing the previous chapter, the Summer Olympics were going on in Atlanta. The world was witnessing some superlative examples of commitment from an earthly standpoint.
Every four years athletes from about 197 countries gather for the Summer Games. Mostly young people, they are the best that these countries can send to compete in the various sports. As far as physical prowess and skill are concerned, they are world class. Countries don’t waste their money on second-rate athletes. They want the best.
Preparation
How are these exceptional young people sorted out from the common herd? No doubt, they have natural ability in their sports. Their bodies were created with just the right coordination of mind and muscles. But that is not enough. Before coming to the Games, they have practiced almost interminably. For example, one swimmer is reported to have practiced ten hours a day, six days a week, for seventeen years. The U.S. women’s synchronized swimming team practiced swimming six hours every day and did aerobic exercises every day for a full year. That kind of discipline is typical of the winners. Behind every gold, silver, or bronze medal are years of disciplined practice.
Motivation
These athletes have enormous motivation. They are going for the gold. They are forever looking forward to the time when they will appear before the judges and when the victor’s medal will be draped around their neck. They dream of the fame that could come to them, and of the money they might receive from lucrative endorsement deals. They anticipate the tumultuous cheers of the crowd.
Their minds are focused. They do not waste their time on trivia. If they are gymnasts, they are dedicated to refining their routines. No pain or weariness is allowed to interfere with their goal. Many of the normal relationships of life have to take second place. One thing and only one thing occupies their minds—that gold medal.
They have disciplined their bodies and brought them into subjection. They could have “pigged out” with favorite foods and drinks, but they knew that if they did, they couldn’t win. They realized that they had to be temperate in all things.
Every sport has its own language, and the athletes master that language. They add new words to their vocabulary. They consider it a small price to pay.
Then come the eliminations. One by one the aspirants are dropped until the best person or team has proved itself.
Competition
Finally the Olympic games arrive. This is the moment of a lifetime, the goal toward which the athletes have striven, worked, practiced, dreamed. As they come front and centre, we notice the determined look on their faces. No silly, sickly smiles. They are going to give it all they have.
Every nerve is stretched. Every muscle is tense. They’re off! With all the determination of which they are capable, they give it their best.
Of course, they must observe the rules of the contest. Any deviation will result in a loss of points, and could cost them the prize. They divest themselves of everything unnecessary. This is not the time to wear attention-getting clothing or burden themselves with accessories that would add to their weight load.
Many of the sports require enormous endurance. Those bodies take a terrible pummeling. But there is no holding back. No pain, no gain. No price is too great to pay. Oceans of emotions flow. Often those who fail to win break down in anguished sobbing. It seems that years of preparation have gone down the drain in a moment of time. For some, hopefully, there may be another chance.
One young gymnast performed her final vault in the team competition with a sprained ankle. She did it voluntarily. And it was worth it when she won the gold medal for her team.
The winners experience a moment of exhilaration when they stand as their national anthem is played. They walk away with their medal, the coveted prize.
Christians who watch the games cannot help seeing spiritual applications. The similarities and contrasts are striking.
God is looking for the best contestants. In His case, however, the best are not the ones that the world would choose. They may be the ones whom the world considers foolish, weak, base, despised—the nobodies (1 Cor. 1:27-28). The ones who are the best for God are the ones who give Him their best, who consider Him worthy of all they have and are.
Youth is God’s best time with the soul. It is when the metal is still molten and can still be shaped. It is the time when energy is high and when mental faculties are sharpest.
Christians, too, must practice. God calls us to the practice of holiness. “He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy” (Ps. 147:10-11). Our practice is not physical; it is spiritual. For the believer, “…bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). This means shutting ourselves off from the noise pollution of the world to spend time in the Word, in prayer, in meditation, and in study. It means a life of consistent obedience to the Word.
Paul was probably thinking of the original Olympic Games when he wrote: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it…Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:24, 26-27, NKJV).
Read the rest of the story in My Heart, My Life, My All by William MacDonald.
“The Publishers describe Out of Egypt as “a devotional study of Exodus”. Certainly the author in his Preface suggests that there are in this volume 100 brief devotions; he adds that they can be “a reference source for deeper studies”, with which view the reviewer is pleased to concur. Out of Egypt would be a good starting point for any reader seeking to grasp the lessons of Exodus. The author sets out clearly the teaching of Exodus relating to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the nation’s first year in the wilderness. He deals clearly with the key events and their significance for Israel and the lessons they contain for Christians today.
Out of Egypt provides a commentary on the 40 chapters of Exodus, so the exposition does not deal with every verse in detail. Its purpose is not to consider minutely the laws Israel were to keep, the liturgy that would mark the Tabernacle which was to be the focal point of their religious observances, or the materials and construction of the Tabernacle itself. He follows the advice of another author writing on another book: “…we must not attempt to allegorise every detail here: that would…involve us in hopeless difficulty”. However, the author does deal with intriguing matters such as the Book of Life, or of the Living (Ex 32.32), and the Tabernacle pitched outside the camp (Ex 33.7).
Warren Henderson quotes much from Mackintosh, F W Grant, William Kelly, J N Darby, J B Bellett, and other authors of a past day as well as authors of the present day such as William MacDonald and Warren Wiersbe. He does not cite John Ritchie with whose Egypt to Canaan many readers of this Magazine will be familiar.”
“When communism was imposed on Vietnam during the 1970’s, Angela Tran’s parents decided that she should flee from the country alone. She was only sixteen years old.
As Bob Cretney follows the varied events of Angela’s life, the reader will discover that the hand of God is one that will never let go.
This does not mean that life was going to be easy for Angela. As one of the “boat people”, she initially found herself stranded in the South China Sea with over four hundred hopeful emigrants and a captain who had lost his way. The reader will discover how God spoke to her through this incident. Her steps are then traced through a Bankok refugee camp until she finally reached Canada.
In Canada, valued help was received from Bob Cretney, his wife, and the local believers.The bookalso considers how Angela adapted to the many cultural changes, and reveals how she met her husband.
The chapter entitled “Dark Secrets” relates Angela’s struggles when depression struck. She states, “I would ask myself, ‘How can I get out of this cloudiness that has engulfed me?’” Following this, how would she cope in her fight against cancer?
She observes, “I escaped from a cavern of sorrow, but I know I could not have accomplished what I did without God’s hand upon me”.
The focus upon Angela’s conversion and her battles along the rocky roads of life are woven in with a personal appeal to any non-Christian reader to trust in the Saviour. Bible verses with reference to salvation are carefully employed. This feature makes it a suitable book for presenting to those who are not Christians. The Unseen Hand is also enhanced with relevant full colour photos.
Angela’s purpose in relating her experiences is plainly stated: “…that you will come to realize that the God whom I love is there for you when you face seemingly unbearable circumstances in your life”.
Precious Seed 70th Anniversary Edition
