Ozark Christian Schools of NeoshoPO Box 398, Neosho, MO 64850-0398(417) 451-2057 -- www.obicollege.com

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The STANDARD BEARER

Bible Holiness ConvocationOctober 17-20, 2016

Theme: “TOTAL VICTORY ” PSALM 34:19“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

Kesler Auditorium, 906 Summit Street, Neosho, MO 417-451-2057 www.obicollege.com

Daniel E. Taylor Monday7:00 PM

Randy SnowTues. & Thurs.

7:00 PM

Nathan Akers Wednesday7:00 PM

Stacey Floyd Tue.- Thurs.

10:30 AM

David BrimmYouth ServiceTue. & Thurs.

2:30 PM

OBI Seek TeamChildren’s Service

Tue.- Thurs.10:30 AM

Mike Shelton Tue.- Thurs.

Prayer6:30 PM

Gene Canter Tue.- Thurs.

Prayer9:30 AM

“A place where God can help Himself to young lives.” Founder D. C. BranhamVolume 47, No. 5“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

Sept./Oct. 2016

OBI Personnel Changes

Caleb & Niki WilliamsOBI Graduates 2011 & 2012

New Men’s Dorm Supervisors

Seth & Anna HooverOBI Graduates 2013 & 2016

New Outreach Directors

Callie CraftonOBI Graduate 2015

New Librarian

The President Writes 2

(Cont. on pg. 3)

Daniel E. Taylor, Editor-in-ChiefWallace E. Joice, Editor Carol J. Joice, Graphic Art

Bimonthly publication of Ozark Christian Schools of Neosho. Printed in the U.S.A. We are a nonprofit religious organization. Any contributions are appreciated and are tax deductible. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Standard Bearer, PO Box 398, Neosho, MO 64850.

By Daniel E. TaylorPresident

How Much Do You Know About

Being Ordained of God?

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth

.fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16).

In this text “ordained” means “God appointed, assigned a task by God.” Jesus is saying, “I chose to use you and I assigned you this job.” A religious organization may have various levels of credentials for it’s ministers. But Jesus says that we are all “ordained.” Clovis Chappel said: “Ministry is a word of many syllables ....” Meaning there is more to ministry than one thing. But ministry is not only a word of many syllables. It is a vocation with many categories. There is bus ministry, nursing home ministry, children’s ministry, jail ministry, campus ministry and many other ministries. Ministry is a word of many syllables, a vocation with many categories, and it is an occupation with many facets such as: teaching ministry, pastoral ministry, evangelistic ministry, prophets ministry, etc. To use a modern day expression, “Ministry is Huge!” To really understand the purpose behind Jesus’ decision to choose and use us in the work of His Kingdom, we must look at a little word that is used twice in our text, “fruit.” Jesus says before we ever chose to accept Him, He chose to use us! Remember, just because Jesus chooses to use you does not mean you have no choice or say in the outcome. Think! Judas was there when Jesus said these words in our text. And Judas terminated his potential to bear fruit at the end of a rope, because he chose to sell out to the world. When you think about how Jesus

worked in your life to bring you to where you would accept him and be saved, do you ever ask yourself, “why?” If the thought ever crossed Judas’ mind, it must have been swallowed up by his greed for money. “The bag and the things put therein” (John 12:6). Is the story of the ten lepers that Jesus healed intended to teach us that 90% of the people that Jesus delivers never go back to him and try to find out why? “Where are the nine?” Does only one out of ten Christians realize that Jesus reaches out to us for a reason? Nobody comes to the Father except the Spirit draws them. It is of the Lord’s mercy that we are not consumed, in our tracks! And there is a reason. Do you realize the first thing you need to do after you are saved is to find out why? What is your “fruit?” And what must you do to bring it forth ...? Let’s break down the text into bite-size digestible pieces, and see what it tells us about being ordained of God. I. It is your decision to accept Jesus as Savior, but it’s Jesus’ decision to choose how He intends to use you in His Kingdom! Verse 16 says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you ...” Remember Jesus chose to give us a choice. Remember if you choose to join the army of the Lord, the Lord chooses where you are stationed and what your assignment is. If you choose to serve the Lord, the Lord chooses where you serve and what your role is! In our text, Jesus is explaining to His followers, there is a bigger purpose behind my call for you to follow me, than to just help you get to Heaven someday. The church is the Lord’s army! Its primary reason for existence is to execute a rescue mission! The devil has tried to turn it into a Moose Lodge or a Ladies Auxiliary Club. I realize that Bible-believing churches are fighting for survival in these last days! But that is not all we are doing! We are spreading the good news that Jesus saves in hope that someone that hears the message

or reads the tract will believe and be saved. If all a church does is fight for survival, how long will it survive? Just suppose Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, or Jim Bowie had defended the Alamo and kept Santa Anna out. They stayed in the Alamo, and fought the Mexican Army from 1836 until everybody in there was picked off or died of old age. Children born in the Alamo would prolong it, but death would come eventually. We could call it “The First Church of the Alamo.” So how many “Church of the Alamos” must we have before we realize we are not just in a fight for survival. We must go forth and win some souls, taking the war to the enemy before we die of old age. II. The Lord has a perfect will for each of us that involves the spreading of the gospel message! Verse 6 says, .... “ordained you that ye should go…” Never forget that each of us is a member of the Lord’s Salvation Army. Some Christians act as if they are destined to have no destiny. When Jesus says: “I have ordained you …” it means He has chosen you, and has a special part for you to play in His quest to save souls! Some are called to be front-line soldiers, some are called to organize supply lines, and some are medics that care for wounded soldiers. Everything you envision the army of the United States needing, to be able to function, the army of the Lord needs also. The difference is our

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The President Writes Continued From Page 2

enemy is the devil and the forces of hell. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers…” (Ephesians 6:12). The reason for most church problems is that people forget who the enemy really is, and therefore resort to carnal weapons with which fight. It is our responsibility to hear the Words of Jesus in verse 16 and remember where the battle is, and what the objective is! The Lord wants to use each of us as soul winners! G. C. Morgan said, “the objective is to evangelize the world, not just to travel all over it.” Each of us have unique opportunities to reach out to certain people. There are people you know personally that never go to church, never watch a T.V. preacher, or ever listen to a Christian radio program, but they talk to you, they work with you, they are kin, or have a relationship with you. Who do you think is behind that? Who do you think put you in the family you are in or the workplace where you work or the neighbors you have? Jesus said, “I ordained you!” III. Remember the only thing about your life that will last for eternity is the souls you helped to win. Verse 16 says, “Bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” In this verse the word “fruit” means, what our life produces: it refers to what was accomplished by us in life. A factory employs someone to work on the assembly line doing piece work. The fruit of their labor is their output. Jesus saves us and we become workers in the soul factory, the church! The fruit, product, or output of our Christian life is the souls we win, the sermons or Sunday School lessons we share, the offerings we give to spread and support the Gospel, the tracts we distribute, the Bibles we send, the Christmas boxes we give to missions, etc. “Fruit” is what we do to help the church impact

people for eternity! Jesus tells us in John 15:5 how we are able to bear spiritual fruit. It is through our connections with Him! “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” When we are firmly connected to Jesus, it causes us to produce spiritual “fruit” that results in reaching lost souls! The amount of “fruit” we produce depends on how well we are connected to Jesus! The stronger spiritual experience a person has, the more productive they are in helping people get to Heaven! The only things in this world that are not temporary are souls! We often stand in awe of things people have done in their life time. But glory fades! We can remember Rudolph Valentino, Jenny Lynn, Charlie Chaplain, Jimmy Rogers, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson, but give it enough time and their names will fade away like a flower of the field. They will be like King Tut, “I’ve heard the name, but who cares?” If you visit the Roman Coliseum today, it is a mere skeleton of what it was 2,000 years ago. I’ve stood on the graves of great poets and politicians, and saw the tombs of kings and queens in Westminster Abbey, gathering dust on the outside, and full of dust on the inside! Someday the Statue of Liberty will just be a shattered figure strewn across the sand of a barren New York harbor. The Washington Monument will lay on the ground like a rotted off fence post. Hear me children, the house you are planning to build will not remain, and the churches you build will not remain. But the souls you reach and help to walk with God, that is the “fruit” that remains. That’s why Paul told Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this

thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (I Timothy 4: 16). The Gospel is the greatest news ever sent to anybody about anything! It is not just good news, it is the greatest news, greater than the message MacArthur received saying Japan wanted to surrender, greater than Alexander Fleming’s announcement that he had discovered penicillin, and greater than Edison’s light bulb, or the Wright Brothers plane! But there is a problem! The problem is not the Gospel, the problem is those that are ordained to carry it to the world! There was a talcum powder company advertisement that read, “We couldn’t improve the powder, so we improved the box!” That is what Jesus is telling us in our text, the Gospel is perfect, but the box it comes in needs improvement, and you are the box! IV. If we obey the Lord’s call to reach out to the lost, He puts our name on His heavenly bank account. “That whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you” (John 15:16). Do you know why some men are so effective at building things? Because they know what the goal is, and they know what the steps are to accomplish that goal. Let’s ask ourselves a few basic questions that will help us understand what the Lord is trying to do in and through us. The best way to do this is to ask ourselves these questions: 1) Why did God send His Son to this messed-up world? The answer is in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 2) What did Jesus say was the reason He came into this world? “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). 3) What did Jesus tell His disciples they were supposed to do? “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). 4) What does a person need to do to be saved? “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in (Cont. on pg. 6)

4OBI Guatemala Update

By MikePennington

OBI GuatemalaField Director

Donation CouponYes I would like to Contribute to OBI Guatemala’s mission work.

� One Time Gift $_____________� Monthly Gift $______________

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$3000 each month.

LEARNING TO LEAN ON

JESUS “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples,

and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21,22). The word for “confirming” in this text in the original language of the Bible literally means to “prop up” or under gird something. It is used of brethren in Acts 15:32, of churches in Acts 15:41, and disciples again in Acts 18:23(strengthening). Mankind is completely

incapable of standing up or maneuvering in the spiritual realm without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. (Consult John 3:5-13). The Christian faith stands firm upon the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. We are spiritual invalids without the constant support of Biblical preaching and teaching that builds up the inner life. Unbelievers and atheists, from their lame position, often accuse religious people of using their religion as a crutch. In our pastoral days, a precious elderly saint, Sister Ruth Culbertson, used to often say when asked how she was doing: “I’m leaning heavy on the Lord.” We need to learn to lean on Jesus more, and less on our own understanding, so that He can direct our steps in this sin-cursed world. On August 25-27, we held our 11th annual Alumni convention at the Bible school. This is a time when former graduates can come to hear inspiring messages, enjoy fellowship and meals together, and share what God is doing in their

ministries. There were about 45 Alumni who attended from several countries; some for the first time. It is always exciting to meet them and listen to the stories of their Bible school days and where life has taken them to the present as they pursue God’s call on their lives. Our theme was “Confidence in God” Psalms (31:1-5). Current students, staff, and church members in attendance were also encouraged to continue in the faith and lean on the Lord. Many times our hearts have been overwhelmed by the touching letters, notes, and prayer requests that we have received from people who support this mission work by their prayers and offerings. It is impossible to express our deep appreciation for your faithfulness over the years that help the work of the kingdom going on in Central America. Thank you for “confirming the souls” of some disciples by your sacrificial efforts. Till He comes, The Penningtons

Students performing dramaduring convention

1987 graduates-Pastor Attilano Palencia and wife(outside couple) San Lucas Tolimanand Pastor Jose Coc and wife (inside couple)- Zone 13 Via Nueva

Pastor Amado GilJutigalpa, Nicaraqua (95 Grad)

Some of the Alumniwho attended the convention

Student body ministeringin song during convention

Pastor Juan Martinez - La Grecia, El Salvador (88 El Salvadoran graduate)

Ozark Christian Missions Report 5

By Rachel Prihoda2006 OBI Graduate

A mission’s trip is not something that I can wholly convey with words, it is a God-experience that is unexplainable; yet, I am going to attempt to share my

experience. Missions is not a “trip,” God called us to reach

the lost wherever He places us. A “mission’s trip” simply means that we are reaching the lost in another culture. This summer I had the privilege of plunging into the culture of Zambia. For people in Zambia, home is a concrete block building about the size of a small shed. During the day, I would pass these homes, and see a woman on her knees scrubbing her dirty clothes over a pot of water. The children were usually out walking the streets. Children as young as six and seven years old would have the responsibility of the baby strapped

to their back. Shoes were sometimes literally hanging by a thread on their leather-skinned feet. Most of the men were usually in the bars, and had often abandoned their families. That is a small description of what I saw every day. Seeing the children that might get one good meal a day, and the people blinded by hopelessness, made me want to sell everything at home and try to help them all. I realized, though, that I am just one person, and it is impossible for me to change the extreme poverty they live in. After this realization, God immediately reminded me that although I cannot change their poverty, He made a way to change their hopelessness and that was the reason I was there. God put Brother Miles and Brother Moreino in charge of this mission’s group to Zambia this summer, so that as a team, we could present the hope of the Gospel to them. While we were in Zambia, we held two kid’s crusades. One in a small village, and

KemberleighKimble

OBI Junior

one in the town of Bauleni. Each day we held the crusade, more and more children would come. On our last day in Bauleni, God allowed us to both present the Gospel and feed about 3,000 children. The time, money, and work that was poured into this mission, was not done in vain. I witnessed thousands of children with their hands raised acknowledging that they wanted God to be the foundation of their life. My prayer and heart’s desire is that each of those children truly wanted God as their foundation; but even if only one of them was sincere, it was worth it all to see one soul saved. About six months ago, I read a quote by Helen Keller that said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” People all over the world are blinded by hopelessness and sin. My challenge to both myself and to you is: to never be content with having sight through salvation, but to have a vision to see souls saved from Hell. For, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Ozark Christian Missions’ primary goal is to provide OBI students with the opportunity to participate in ministry while experiencing a culture different to their home culture. These experiences can and will change a life forever by changing the student’s perception on how urgent the need of laborers is in the harvest ready fields. This summer Brother Phil Moreino and Brother Terry Miles took a group of young people to Zambia for a missions trip. While this trip was not hosted by OCM, several current and previous OBI students participated in this missions opportunity. The following article is an account of the Zambia missions trip by Kemberleigh Kimble.

LIVING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Ozark Christian Missions Report

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Editor’s Notes

The President Writes Continued From Page 3

THE BREVITYOF LIFEBy Editor

Wallace E. Joice

Someone has said, “The most surprising thing about life is how soon it’s over.” Moses, the great lawgiver, said, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if

by reason of strength they be fourscore years; yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). Really, in comparison to eternity,

thine heart that God hath raised him .from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). 5) How does someone stay saved? “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not move away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister” (Colossians 1:23). These are vital questions that must be answered if we intend to know what Jesus wants to do with us in His kingdom! Jesus says that, we as Christians, have access to the resources of Heaven if we intend to use them for the purpose He tells us to. Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:18 that he is determined to build His church and all the power of hell can’t stop it! From the day Brenda and I borrowed the money to rent the church building in Luray, Virginia and turn the electric on, we believed hell couldn’t stop what God was doing. The Holy Ghost told me, if I would do what I knew was God’s will to do, He would provide the power to make it happen. Material, money, and manpower all depends on our faith in God’s power. As Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing.” The church is designed to be a healthy body that works together with a purpose to do God’s will. One man said, “the main thing is to make sure to keep the main thing, the main thing.” That’s true! But the problem we have is this: some people don’t know what the main thing is, or they stick to the main thing and neglect the other important things that make the ministry of the church work. I’ve heard people say, “the church is all about being saved, or growth in size, or holiness, or missions, or charity

projects, etc. Is the church all about any single one of these, or is it all about all of these? You may ask, “How can it be all about all of these? If God is all powerful, all-knowing, and always present, then it stands to reason that all He does is all important. But we think God is like us and thinks like us. But if you read the Bible, you soon figure out that is not so. For instance, we read about where it says, “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of Heaven.” And we say, “OK, I get it, that’s what it’s all about.” Then we read, “Without Holiness no man shall see the Lord.” “OK, now I get it, that’s what its all about.” Then we read, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.” Oh, “OK, so that’s what it’s all about.” Then we read where Jesus says, “The first and great commandment is to love God with all your heart.” “Oh, that’s what it’s all about.” But it is about all of those things! Just like the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are all one. Here is how we must look at what Jesus wants to do in and through our lives. We must remember that every little part of all the things that make up the ministry of the church are important. For instance, a plastic plug worth fifty cents kept a one hundred million dollar rocket from launching on its mission. A pilot and co-pilot crashed a plane killing hundreds as they messed with a seventy five cent light bulb. A condenser the size of a half-pack of lifesavers can stop a car with four hundred horsepower in its tracks. Here is what we must be careful about, don’t let something big or small shut us down and keep us from moving forward and doing the work of God. Here is what we as a church must do to accomplish the work Jesus has

chosen and ordained us to do: 1) We must do our best and trust that the Lord will make it adequate! 2) Keep doing what you know you are called to do and don’t let your critics distract you. 3) Keep trying to find God’s perfect will. 4) Seek to find out what it really means to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” 5) Stay in your lane and keep your eye on the finish line. 6) Follow the Bible’s instructions on how to make a difference. 7) Keep your eyes on Jesus! 8) And remember, the Holiness lifestyle is the key: because without it nobody will see the Lord! If you get a chance to do something that will further the cause of Christ, do it now! Examine yourself. Is your heart right with God? What would you do if someone offered you a thousand dollars for every person you brought to church, and two thousand for every one that got saved? Would you do more than you are doing right now? Jesus is sick and tired of your frivolous excuses for why you are going to quit. Jesus is trying to tell somebody, it is time to stop looking for an excuse to quit and start looking for a reason to GO! Go the second mile, go teach all nations, go to the lost sheep, go preach, go into the city, go into the villages, go into the country round about you. Go into the highways and hedges, streets and lanes, and GO work in His vineyard. What was the first sensible decision that the prodigal son ever made? “I will arise and GO!” God has ordained you to go. The question is, “Will you?”

(Cont. on pg. 7)

6 7———

Editors Notes Continued From Page 6

what is eighty years? If the Lord spares me until October 1, I will be seventy-nine years old. I have been a minister for nearly sixty years. I preached my first sermon in the Fall of 1957. I was nineteen years old, soon to turn twenty. From a human standpoint, that seems like a long time, but I can assure you, it hasn’t seemed very long. Many years ago, when I was barely able to walk, we lived next door to a Civil War veteran. In that long bygone time, few poor people had indoor plumbing. Nearly all of us had outdoor privies. The old veteran was blind. He had a line stretched between his back door to his outdoor privy. Because he was quite

feeble, sometimes he would lose his line. My parents were very kind and caring, so they looked out for the old man. Many times they helped him get back on his line. After one such occasion, Dad asked him how old he was. He replied that he was ninety something years old. Dad marveled and said, “You have lived a long time in this world.” He then replied, “I know that seems like a long time to you, but it hasn’t seemed long to me at all.” How quickly life passes! Methuselah lived to be 969 years old (Genesis 5:27). Almost a millennium. Do you suppose that this seemed like a long time to him? At the longest, life is brief! My ministry has spanned almost

60 years. I have seen a lot of changes. I have preached the funerals of at least two centenarians (people who have lived 100 plus years). I have lived through the eras of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao Tse-tung. These wicked men were responsible for the deaths of millions. They won a lot of battles, but lost their final battle with death! No one is afraid of them anymore. How well the Irish philosopher, politician, and orator, Edmund Burke, said, “What shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue.” F. B. Meyer, the British expositor, truly said:

“Only one life. ‘Twill soon be past.Only what’s done

for Christ will last.”

Summer Outreach Summaries

Jeron Presley, Justin Malone, Josh Adams, and I had the opportunity to represent OBI at churches and camps in the Midwest this summer. The Lord blessed us with a wonderful summer of ministry. We attended and helped at youth camps in Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas. We also ministered at churches for three weeks prior to the camps and on the weekends between camps. We saw the Lord touch many young people in these camps and church services. There were young people saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, called into the ministry, and called to deeper levels of commitment to Christ. Our experiences this summer reinforced in my mind that God is still pouring out His Spirit upon our Holiness young people. Jamin Martin

I’m happy to report after traveling this summer to many different youth camps, churches, and camp meetings that God is not dead, and He is still moving in our midst! I had the great privilege of traveling this summer with Ben Hiles, Ben Shoemaker, and Cody Whitaker. Together, we saw kids and adults alike saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, called to ministry, and many received a deeper relationship with the Lord. I can testify that God is raising up a group of young people in this last hour that have Christ as their main focus. I’m looking forward to see what else God has in store for His people.

Jeremy Margeson

OBI “Kids Under Construction” had the opportunity of travelling from the beginning of June through mid-August. It was a very enjoyable ministry, going to different churches and doing kids crusades with so many awesome kids. Doing ministry may not always be “easy,” but ministering to children is definitely one area that is a joy to be a part of. “Kids Under Construction” went to eight different churches. God blessed and many kids opened their hearts during altar time. If there’s one thing we encourage young people in, it’s this: if ever given the opportunity to help in children’s ministry, do it!

Jerris Dodson

Alumni In Action

2015-2016Officers

Randy Snow, Presidentdsnows@msn.com

Mark Hutson, Vice-Presidentlisahutson61@aol.com

Sheila Shelton, Secretaryshelton_0204@yahoo.com

If you have a change of address or if you desire to receive more or fewer copies of “The Standard Bearer” please indicate your desire at: 417-451-2057, or: psobi@hotmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS & PRAYER Please remember Brother & Sister Don Snow in your daily prayers for healing and strength. Joshua and Gabrielle Holden have a new baby girl, “Olivia Rose” born August 24, 2016. Clayton and Vanessa Hutson have a new baby boy, “Calix Warren Dean,” born September 1, 2016. Jeron Presley and Rachelle Fouts were united in marriage on July 16, 2016 Caleb Whitaker and Sarah Luper were unit-ed in marriage on August 15, 2016.

CALENDAR OF OBI EVENTSOctober 11-14 Midterm ExamsOctober 17-20 Annual ConvocationOctober 21-24 Midterm BreakOctober 25 Classes ReconveneNovember 23-28 Thanksgiving BreakNovember 29 Classes ReconveneDecember 12-15 Final ExamsDecember 15 Fall Term EndsDecember 31 Residence Halls Open

Jonathan HutsonOBI Graduate

2015

FEEL FREEYes we want you to feel free to sign up to receive The Standard Bearer by email. The email version of The Standard Bearer is usually received almost two weeks ahead of the printed paper copy and there is no postage cost to either of us. Please indicate your desire to receive it at: psobi@hotmail.com or phone us with your intentions at 417-451-2057.

KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON THE

FIELD John 4:35 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?

behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” Have you ever had a friend, a parent or a sibling attempt to redirect your focus? There was a sight they wanted you to see or a sign they wanted you to read. Sometimes we’re just not looking in the right direction. More than likely it’s because they have a better perspective from where they are. In this verse, the disciples are needing to readjust their focus. Christ uses the words, “Lift up your eyes...” The disciples, (like many Christians of today) had a misplaced focus. The disciples were focusing on the physical rather than the spiritual. How often is our focus on our jobs, on fashion, on entertainment, on our social status, while we pass by the proverbial Samaritan woman every

day. We focus on satisfying “self” while Christ wants us to focus on reaching the sinner. We should all take our focus off of ourselves, and keep our focus on the field. I want to point out three things that result from us keeping our focus on the field.

1. We will realize that true satisfaction comes from doing God’s will (vs. 34). The disciples weren’t wrong in buying bread, but their focus wasn’t on what it should have been. We must realize that physical things will never satisfy or fulfill a spiritual hunger. You need to see that true spiritual satisfaction will never be attained unless, you’re in the center of Gods perfect will, doing what He has called you to do. Jesus didn’t need food at that moment because converting the Samaritan woman, and doing the will of the Father had satisfied Him completely.

2. We will see that harvest time is now (Vs. 35). Jesus was trying to help the disciples change their focus from the wheat to all the people in need of God. The barley harvest may have been four months away, but the harvest of souls

was already ready. Jesus saw the Samaritans, dressed in their white apparel, coming out to see Him and He said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” We cannot afford to put working off. We must work while it is day, because the night is coming when no man can work.

3. You will see that every one has a different task in the field (Vs. 36-38). Some plow, some sow, some water and some harvest. Jesus told His disciples that they were receiving increase from something they didn’t labor for. That’s how it works in the Kingdom of God. Sometimes you labor and never see the harvest, and other times you harvest with no labor. But here is the important thing: whether you plow, sow, water, or harvest, you must be busy about the Father’s business. My prayer is this, “God forgive me for my negligence and lazy habits. Forgive me for having a misplaced focus. Help me to lift up my eyes and keep my focus on the field.”

Calendar Continued January 2-3 Registration Days January 4 Classes BeginJanuary 3-8 Winter RevivalFebruary 13-16 Midterm ExamsFebruary 17-27 Midterm BreakFebruary 28 Classes ReconveneMarch 16-19 Decision DaysApril 18-20 Final Week (Exams)April 21 Commencement