Beating to Windward (November-December 2011)

November-December 2011
Volume 20, Number 6

Christians are often depicted in Scripture as on a journey through the wilderness of this world to the Kingdom of God. In Ephesians 4:14, the apostle Paul places this journey on the turbulent waters of a sea, where the winds can rise to blow us off course. However, contrary winds can be weathered by tacking against them, allowing us to make forward progress toward our destination despite the opposition.  (iStockphoto)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh
Living by Faith and Humility

People resist God because of their pride, but pride can be neutralized by humility, a character trait that allows a person to submit to God and have a relationship with Him. John Ritenbaugh provides many examples to reveal that God wants us to evaluate ourselves and recognize our dependence on Him, which draws God's attention and favor.

Ready Answer
Prevailing Winds
by Gary Montgomery

Unless we are employed in a maritime occupation or have a particular interest in sailboats, we probably do not know a great deal about sailing. Using Paul's analogy in Ephesians 4:14, Gary Montgomery teaches a handy nautical maneuver, discussing how the steady, contrary winds of this world's way of life can be overcome by adjusting our sails to make spiritual headway.

Prophecy Watch
Hidden From the Hour of Trial
by Ronny H. Graham

Members of the churches of God often ponder and discuss going to a Place of Safety to be protected from the ravages of the Great Tribulation and to be prepared for the return of Christ. Taking his cue from Ezekiel 5, Ronny Graham speculates that those whom God hides will be few—and some of them may be "thrown into the fire" before the end!

WorldWatch
Christians and Evolution
by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Because of the secular humanist coverage of the mainstream media, it is generally thought that evolutionary thinking is the majority view. Richard Ritenbaugh shows that, though seemingly large and increasing numbers of clergy and churches accept Darwin's theory of evolution, they are in reality a rather small percentage of professing Christians.

Bible Study
The Miracles of Jesus Christ:
Healing a Deaf-Mute (Part One)
by Martin G. Collins

Among the gospel writers, only Mark records Jesus' healing of the deaf-mute man (Mark 7:31-37) in any detail. His handicap, one that first-century medicine had few answers for, isolated him from society. Martin Collins explains that Christ's healing of the man's hearing and speech have spiritual counterparts from which we can learn valuable lessons.