Through the Years

On April 27th I reached the 24th anniversary of my tenure as president and editor of the Sword of the Lord. It seems like only a recent yesterday that I walked in for my first day in the office; but in reality, it has been almost two and one-half decades.

After my years as pastor, this was a significant change for me. I loved being a pastor, but I also love what I do now. The work here at the Sword of the Lord is very enjoyable to me and I am still preaching a lot.

In so many ways I am privileged and I am blessed. I thank the Lord for His goodness, His mercies and His blessings on a daily basis.

Through the years the Lord has allowed me many opportunities. I’ve preached in so many, many places here in North America and in 30 other countries of the world.

Through the years I’ve seen many hundreds, indeed, thousands of men, women, boys and girls come to Christ. In one-on-one soul winning and in services where I’ve preached, I’ve been enabled of the Lord to win souls.

Through the years the Lord has blessed with resources to provide for the funding of the ministry. In ways that could only be God-given, I have seen His sweet promises fulfilled again and again.

Through the years I’ve had the joy of working alongside some of the finest Christians on the planet. What a blessing to have such friends and fellow workers!

Through the years I’ve known personally the giants of yesteryear. I have preached in great confer­ences alongside many of these wonderful men who are now in Heaven.

Through the years I’ve had a platform for preaching the Gospel and declaring the whole counsel of God. I have not always been popular, but I’ve tried to be right and do right whether or not I’m popular.

Through the years I’ve preached from the same Bible, preached its truth and unashamedly identified with the crowd who did likewise.

Yes, through the years we have enjoyed quite an adventure, a journey of joy.

Now entering into my 25th year here at the Sword of the Lord and through the years ahead, here are my scriptural guidelines that I want to keep front and center.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”—Acts 1:8.

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”—5:42.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”—I Cor. 15:58.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”—I Thess. 4:16–18.

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”—I Tim. 2:3,4.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”—II Tim. 2:2.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”—II Tim 3:16,17.

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”—II Tim 4:2.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”—Heb. 4:12.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”—Jas. 1:5,6.

Yes, through the years past and through the years ahead these great passages are like lighthouses along the shore. They provide guidance to keep our ships sailing as they should and enable us in the midst of every storm to make our way safely to port.

Thank you for being a friend and for your partnership with us in the ministry of the Sword of the Lord.