But didn't the OT endorse the casting of “lots”? Yes, but casting of lots “is a biblical illustration not of gambling (for no money or other value was placed at risk in hopes of greater gain) but of individuals trusting a sovereign God to direct the ‘chance’ disposition or direction of the lay of the lots. People used ‘chance’ to understand God's will. Their faith was not in chance but in God” (Rogers, CRJ, p. 21-22). Be it noted, also, that subsequent to the casting of lots in Acts 1 the practice is nowhere mentioned (or endorsed) in Scripture. It would appear that, with Pentecost and the coming of the fullness of the Holy Spirit, God has dispensed with all such forms of ascertaining His will.
Sam Storms

Millions Now Living Are Already

Millions Now Living Are Already

MILLIONS NOW LIVING ARE ALREADY DEAD!

What is this – double talk? A paradox? Some kind of joke?

Neither of these – Just a way to call your attention to a universal situation because statistical facts “hammer home” the startling information that 68 million flesh and blood people die every year. Death is a big business with 160,000 people dying every day. It’s a deadly and frightening fact of life.

O.K., so you’re young – heathy and full of the old “spizzas!” The truth is you’re already on the Death list. You, like many others, may be dead already. The unshakeable Word of God declares that millions now apparently ALIVE are actually dead. Spiritually dead. Listen to the Creator’s words!

“And you (believers in Christ) hath he (God) made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1

It is God who said:

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:12

Which means, my friend, that if you have not been born anew, you carry Adam’s death penalty in your soul. You may be physically in your soul. You may be physically alive but spiritually dead, and therefore, have no contact with God. God in great mercy provided a glorious way out through His Son. Here is His guarantee:

“But as many as recieved Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my Word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into comdemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

By recieving Christ as your Saviour by faith, you will come alive spiritually. You will also come alive in understanding the Bible, God’s Word. You will come alive with new desires, Godly desires. You will come alive with a hope burning in your heart of knowing that there will be life after death, life with Christ.

Would you right now, from a repentant heart, cry out to God with this prayer?

“Believing the Gospel, that the Lord Jesus Christ died for me, and that He was buried for me, and rose again the third day from the dead for me, I now recieve Him as my Saviour, and confess Him as my Lord.”

Charles Svoboda

From the S.O.N. BBS, WI