Forty Years and Counting

[Mike and Lisa Tracy]

There’s little question that the number 40 has some Biblical significance. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights in Noah’s time. Moses went up to the mountain for 40 days and nights. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years after the reconniassance team had spent 40 days in The Land. Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. There were 40 days between the Ascension and Pentecost. Those were only the examples I could think of off the top of my head here in my office.All of that came to mind because it was 40 years ago this fall that I began to seriously search the Bible for answers and direction. Actually, my attention had been drawn to the Bible sometime before that. More accurately, it was 40 years ago that I found a place where I could begin to get answers. Even as I write that it is kind of amazing to me because it doesn’t seem that long. To borrow (and change) a phrase from the great American philosopher Robert Seger, “40 years, where did they go? 40 years, I don’t know. I sit and I wonder sometimes where they’ve gone.”I like to think that I have grown and matured spiritually (and other ways as well) over that time. Certainly I have some different perspectives now than I did back then. As an example, in our room at home there is a chest of drawers. It is tall enough that if you were a young child in the room you could not see what is on the top of it. But as an adult, it is pretty obvious what is there. It isn’t hard to see at all and that is because you see the chest of drawers from a different perspective because you grew.There are some things that were black and white back then that are a bit gray to me now. There are some things that had less importance back then that now seem to me to be very important. Some of the things I paid attention to back then don’t get much attention at all these days. Conversely, there are matters now that I pay far more attention to than I would have back then. It is all because of perspective, seeing things from a different vantage point. There are things I wish I could do over, there are things I wish I had not done, there are things that I wish I would have done. There are also plenty of things that I am thankful that I did.To be sure, there are those items and viewpoints that have not changed at all. Jesus Christ is the same today and forever (though I can say I appreciate him and his work more). The Word of God has not changed one bit (though I can say I appreciate and understand it more). God Almighty, His love, grace, peace, power,(that was all I could think of right now) have not diminished at all (though I can say I endeavor to rely on Him more than ever).It has been a wonderful 40 years and I am excited to see what the future holds. For certain I know who holds the future.

[Ken & Sue Brown]

Hi,

Thanks for responding. I neglected to click on the "follow" thing, so I just noticed that you had responded. I don't know what article or articles you might have read (probably the one(s) on this site that I submitted years ago). A more complete analysis of righteousness before God being a gift paid for by Jesus Christ is on my website, "brownbible.com." In the top header click on "articles" and then "gift of righteousness." The article called, "No More Conscience of Sins" is the best place to start. There is a two-part article on the two natures, a three-part article on 1 John 1:9, a two-part article on "Who is the Old Man and What is He Doing," a three-part article called "Romans on Righteousness," and other miscellaneous offerings in this category. Took me 20 plus years to put it together, and I don't expect anyone to assimilate it shortly. This series was the reason for establishing the site, though I have posted many other miscellaneous articles like "How Did Matheusalah Die?," It's The Lord's Prayer, Not Your's," "Live By the Sword, Die by the Sword?," and others.

The site is dedicated to the accuracy and integrity of God's Word, and we are getting a significant volume response, If you check it out and decide you would like to participate, I would welcome your submissions.

God bless you.

Ken

[Mike and Lisa Tracy]

Ken, I did just finish reading your blog and the comments that followed.  It was very interesting and refreshing.  I have to say that I had not really thought much about the topic (at least in the sense that you wrote about it).  I have mostly just accepted that in my flesh I will "miss the mark" at times but that never changes the standing I have nor does it change what Christ is made unto me. 

 

[Mike and Lisa Tracy]

Ken, thanks for the correction on 40 days from Acension to Pentcost.  I do know that it is from the Resurrection to the Acension and that it is 10 days from Acension to Pentecost.  I can't believe that I did not notice that before (I even had this proofread by other eyse as well). 

If it had not bee for the The Way Ministry I would have NEVER have to come to the place that I am in my life and I am thankful for that.

[Ken & Sue Brown]

Thanks for your post. So nice to see people express their gratitude (rather than their contempt) because of what they learned and continue to learn largely because of a ministry that had its greatness as well as its faults. It was "the best and the worst of times," but I loved it and still do.

[One small point, I'm sure you know this but just misspoke. It was 40 days from the resurrection to the ascension (He was seen of them 40 days). From the ascension to the Day of Pentecost was 10 days.]

It has been nearly 50 years for me since PFAL, and I have never regretted my involvement (though I wish I had prepared better for some other career). We continue to learn (Dr. Wierwille would have wanted that) so consequently, there are things I believe differently now than then, but I will always be thankful for the foundation laid.

[By the way, the biggest departure I have had from past teaching is that it seems clear to me from the Scriptures that righteousness before God is righteousness before God, and it is a gift, paid for by Jesus Christ. We are not righteous in one way but not in another. We are righteous. It is a gift. We are exhorted to do many good works, but we have been forgiven of our sins (that means ALL of them): past, present, and future. My blog is listed somewhere on this site if you want to check it out.]

Again, thank you for this post. I appreciate it.

God bless you.

Ken

 

[Michael Prahm]

Reagan was the 40th president

[Mike and Lisa Tracy]

Thank you very much Michael and Joe.  It is a privilege to be in the Body of Christ - obviously because of God's grace and Jesus Christ's work - and because of the joy to have friends like each of you.

[Joseph Block]

I have been exercising thankfulness for many years from a teaching I once heard.  It made so much sense to me, that bonding to this truth has had a profound impact on my life.  Michael, whether it was forty years or perhaps twenty...your simple handshake had an impact on me.  I am so proud to be acquainted with the sons and daughters of God, as He's privileged me to be.

This subject is an important one, and I don't know all the reasons why it is so.  But, when I look back forty years ago in my growth (I was 15, then), I was afraid of the dark. I used to walk down the street after school on my way home and I was okay, but if it was after dark... terrified.  It must have been inspiration/revelation, but I got a strong thought in my mind one time while I was scared (way back then), that just snapped me out of it. I knew it was God, but didn't really know until PFAL and later.

I know that E.W. Bullinger put a good work together on Number in Scripture. Perhaps a recent work could be done.

~Joe

[Michael Prahm]

Dear Mike and Lisa

Again, another fabulous blog.  I know this isn't biblical, but one of the great songs of all time, before I got born again, was by Sha Na Na, called TOP FORTY.  You can go to You tube, and find it, and if I had any skill I would put it here for you, but I am noit that savvy.  Just the same, thought of this when I read your postr, and went and listened to that song.