GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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GRACE AND THE BELIEVER



PHILIPPIANS 1:29
'For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake'


As we consider our position and standing in Christ (as members of the Church which is His Body), we cannot but rejoice and be thankful. But we must not become smug and self-righteous in the knowledge of our eternal security. Along with the free gift of our redemption by His shed blood, for which no price is exacted of us, we have received a holy charge of responsibility: "If (since) ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH" (Colossians 3:1,2).

" ...Walk worthy of the vocation [calling] wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness with long- suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3.) "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without [non-believers], redeeming the time. LET YOUR SPEECH BE ALWAYS WITH GRACE..." (Colossians 4:5,6.)

Not all will be sugar and spice! "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). "For unto you it is give in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also TO SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE..Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION" (Philippians 1:29) (2 Timothy 3:12).

Thus the apostle's admonition of total commitment: "WHATSOEVER YE DO in word or deed, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, giving thanks.." (Col.3:17.)
From Amazing Grace

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THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE FATHER IN SALVATION
By Paul Hume



Scripture Reading: Eph. 1:3-6; -Rom. 8:28-30; I Pet. 1:2

When we come to the blessed theme of our personal salvation, we observe readily that each Person in the Godhead had a distinct part therein. It has been stated in the light of Ephesians 1:3-14 that God the Father planned our salvation, God the Son purchased our salvation, and God the Holy Spirit protects our salvation. When we begin to think of the magnitude of our salvation and the wonder of it all, we feel constrained to sing with William R. Newell:

"Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!
Oh, the grace that bro't it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!"

What was the distinct role of the Father in our salvation? He purposed to "bring many sons into glory" (Heb. 2:10). As a Father---the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ--the desire of His holy and loving heart was to fill His household with "many sons" who should bear the image and likeness of His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus! Thus, especially in relation to this present economy of grace, He was pleased to elect out of the name of mankind many who would become part of this great family. Thus we read of what has been aptly called "the Golden Chain of Redemption" in Rom. 8:29-30. Let us stop and look at each golden link: He first purposed in His own heart; then He foreknew (knew beforehand) all who should fulfill that purpose; (His election of those who should comprise this family should fit in here) then He predestinated these elected ones--that is, He marked them out beforehand--to the position as full-grown sons (notice Eph. 1:5 here); then (after they were born and prior to their salvation-experience) He called them effectually to Himself; then, by faith He justified them (that is, declared them perfectly righteous); finally, He glorified them (notice how this is already certain even though none have experienced it yet!).

"Sons we are by God's election
Who on Jesus Christ believe,
By eternal destination."

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THE WORKS OF THE FLESH vs. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
by Russel S. Miller


Adultery heads the list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, with fornication and uncleanness following second and third in succession. There is a world of sinners out there, unrestrained with unbridled lusts, to which the Lord sends His ambassadors with "the message of reconciliation" (II Cor. 5:14-21).

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like..."

It was adultery that ruined King David, for when it came time for the king to go to war, he was on his rooftop:

"And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon" (II Sam. 11:2).

Did the Lord have this in mind when He said: "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt. 5:28 )? It is truly "from within, out of the heart of man, [that] proceed evil thoughts"; and "adulteries" are at the top of this list in Mark 7:21-23 also.

Again, in Romans Six, the Apostle Paul speaks of the works of the flesh as unfruitful and leading to death: "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death" (Rom. 6:21). In Colossians, we read that these works of the flesh originate from within, and pointing to the Christ of Calvary’s cross, Paul says: "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, YET NOW HATH HE RECONCILED IN THE BODY OF HIS FLESH THROUGH DEATH, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight" (Col. 1:21,22).

Consequently, there is real "joy and peace in believing" (Rom. 15:13) as God’s grace saves and transforms lives so that Christ may be seen, and not the works of the flesh.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22,23).

It is only right that there are laws against the works of the flesh, but how could there be laws against the fruit of the Spirit? A striking contrast indeed!

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"NEITHER CAN HE KNOW THEM"
By Robert Hanna

Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 2: 14

Many of the world's great intellectual giants have been diligent scholars of Scripture, yet have gone to their graves without ever having understood what the Word of God really says. Most of us have pondered over this at one time or another (those of us who are Christians). It appears on the surface, that if we of average mental capacities can understand the message of the gospel, then surely men of up to twice our intelligence quotient can easily do so.

Such, however is not the case. Science, medicine, law almost any other topic imaginable would be child's play to such geniuses as these of whom we speak. Why, then, should the meaning of the Word of God be so elusive to them? Because "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are· foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, BECAUSE THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED."

Regardless of the degree of a man's intelligence, his spiritual discernment is governed by his relationship to God. Paul tells us, "They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:5-7). The gospel of the grace of God reveals a simple message to an open heart and receptive ear. But the hardened heart and the deaf ear cannot be penetrated without the penitent desire of their host.

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Experiencing Peace In Threatening Times

I saw a throne standing in heaven, and One was sitting on the throne. - Revelation 4:2
by Steve McVey

American baby boomers are living in greater threatening times than any of us have seen in our lifetime. We are losing our jobs, seeing our retirement funds disappear, watching our homes go into foreclosure, wondering about the threat of terrorism against us, and being told that things will probably get worse before they get better.

We've been told all our lives that Christians can experience peace in the midst of the storm, but now that we're here that statement becomes more than a pious platitude. We've always believed it's true, but the question is, "How do we experience that peace?" The answers are in understanding that God is on His throne and resting in the truth about Him.

1. God is in charge. Sometimes we have to get back to basics. The greatest fundamental truth that will give you peace during these turbulent days is that God is real and He is in complete control of this world. Things aren't just happening. A Sovereign God is working out His eternal purposes within this tiny box we call time. History really is His story and He is working out the plot in this world one day at a time. The story has a happy ending and we need to remember that when we are living through some of the scary scenes in this eternal drama.

2. God is your Father and loves you dearly. This omnipotent God isn't indifferent toward your circumstances. He adores you and cares about your life more than you can possibly imagine. Sometimes our circumstances could lead us to believe that God doesn't care, but don't fall for that lie. He does care about you and won't abandon you in your trials.

3. Your Father is always superintending the details of your life. Whatever unfolds in your life, you can be assured that God is directing the details. He knows about your job security, you bills, your family, and your financial balance. This is a time when trusting Him is the only way you're going to get through this without falling apart emotionally. Choose to believe that He is guiding your steps.

4. You can trust Him regardless of what happens. None of us know the future. Committed Christians have already lost their jobs. Some have lost their homes. Many have seen their retirement accounts dissolve. Our God isn't Santa Claus, so you may not get what you want but you can be assured that our loving heavenly Father will be with you and will lead you forward one step at a time regardless of how things turn out. Your life source isn't found in the external, but in the Eternal. Remember that when times are scary.

These four statements sound simple, but they are profound. Read them again. Affirm their truth. Embrace them as the basis for your approach to life in these uncertain days. You can experience peace in the midst of threatening circumstances because Jesus doesn't just give you peace. He is your peace. Trust Him and you can know peace no matter what happens around you.

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OUR SECRET WEAPON EPHESIANS 6:18-20; ROMANS 15:30-32
By Pastor Paul Hume

The 'Life that wins' is one in which prayer is a vital element. 'Pray without ceasing.'  'In everything by prayer ....' 'Be instant in prayer.' 'Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.' 'Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. ...' 'Men ought always to pray and not to faint.'

YET how prayerless many of us really are! Someone has well stated, 'Prayer is work, but prayer works.' For many, the only praying they experience is before meals at home (how rare it is to see believers ask 'the blessing' before a meal out in a restaurant!!), when bad news or sickness strikes in the family, or in a church service when the leader requests the people to 'bow your heads for prayer.'  We leave the work of praying up to the pastor, the missionary, or perhaps ladies' missionary society! Then we complain about the dearth of souls being saved, and the slow spread of the Gospel, and the powerlessness of our churches! It is easy to organize, but so difficult to agonize (in prayer)! We will attend a ball game quicker than attend prayer meeting! People will turn out in numbers for a banquet (in spite of the price of the tickets), but they will find some excuse for absenting themselves if it is a meeting 'just' for prayer! In some places we can get a fairly good group for Bible study (which I am one hundred per cent for), but if you announce you will spend the majority of the time in prayer, your group will diminish to almost no one!

Someone has said, 'The Gospel moves at a slow and timid pace when the saints are not at their prayers early and late and long.' Paul depended much upon the earnest prayer-support of the saints for the success of the Word and the Gospel! (II Corinthians 1:11). Our Lord's disciples wisely requested their Lord to 'Teach us to pray,' not 'teach us to preach.' Why? Because prayer is indeed our 'secret weapon' in rescuing souls from the 'power of Satan,' and the growth of believers unto spiritual maturity (see Colossians 4:12).

Grace, Peace and Love,
Pastor Hume

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LOOK AND LIVE!
By Miles Stanford



"But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18 ).

As the plant to the sun, we look to the Son for growth!

"What is the good of a man being ennobled, made a prince of, if he feels he has gained no more or sensible acquisition by it? This is the disappointment which souls feel without being able to account for it; and they are subject to nights of wrestling, because they have rested in their grand title, instead of in the means of supporting their titles, which is dependence on, and ever deepening acquaintance with, the One who has conferred them." -J .B.S.

"I cannot conceive anything more satisfying or cheering to the heart than the consciousness that I may not only draw near, but that I draw near in answer to the thought and interest that the Lord Jesus has about me, and that I draw nigh to enjoy myself in His presence where there is so much thought and interest about me. It is there my heart goes out in acknowledgment of Him in answer to His deep, gracious, and everlasting love."

"By means of the Word, look to the Lord Jesus in faith. Exercise the blessed trust that He is yours, and that He has given Himself to you, and that you have a claim to all that is in Him. It is His purpose to work out His image in you. Behold Him with the joyful and certain expectation: the glory that I behold in Him is destined for me!" -A.M.

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6).

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HIS CROSS-OUR CROSS
By Miles Stanford



"He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him... take up his Cross daily" (Luke 9:23).


We go all the way to Calvary in faith and there find ourselves identified with the Lord Jesus in His death and resurrection. And Calvary comes all the way to us in experience as the Holy Spirit applies that finished work to our lives.

"It must be as with Israel and the manna; there must be the daily gathering and daily dependence upon God. If circumstances come between our hearts and God, we are powerless. If the Lord Jesus is nearer, circumstances will not hinder our joy in God."

"In the Reformation there was, through grace, a great deliverance. The groundwork of Christianity was recovered; namely, justification by faith. But though this was recovered, it was not maintained that the old man was crucified on the Cross, and hence they only refused the exactions of popery, but recognized the flesh as still before God. Refusing the exaction was right; but the retention of that in which the exaction could be made, the old man, was the weakness of the Reformation."

"I do not see the Cross truly if I only see it as opening a way of escape for me, and yet allowing that in me to escape which has incurred the judgment of the Cross. "

"In the present day (1867) the truth is lowered to the measure of man's need; hence if the need is met, which grace does, the convert makes little or no. advance; he rests in the satisfaction of his need, instead of being directed to the scope of God's thought, which only begins with his need.

"Where would souls be put if they were simply and definitely instructed in Christ Jesus and Him crucified and risen; connected by faith with the living One, who was crucified, and whose death terminated man in the flesh?" --J.B.S.

"Whosoever doth not bear his Cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:27).

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KNOW YE NOT?
By Pastor Marvin Duncan


Part 1. - The Book Of Romans
Part 1 of 2

There are many things the apostle Paul would have the members of the Body of Christ know and in our last study we saw some of the things he would not have us to be ignorant of concerning this dispensation of the Grace of God. Today, I would like for us to consider a phrase used by the Apostle Paul to call attention to something that is very important for all of God's redeemed of this dispensation to know. That phrase is, "KNOW YE NOT." As Paul presented the message of the Mystery to the different Gentile congregations, he expected them to grasp everything he taught about God's program for today. Yet, after Paul left these different areas, he received word that some of the Saints had not fully understood what he had taught, or they had neglected to put into practice some area of teaching that was necessary if these Saints were to walk well pleasing to our Lord. When writing to these congregations after hearing of their failure to live up to the teachings he had given them, Paul brings up these different doctrinal points by challenging his readers with the phrase, "KNOW YE NOT." He then proceeds to repeat the doctrine they were failing to put into practice in their personal lives.

In the Book of Romans we have three subjects that are introduced with the phrase, "KNOW YE NOT." Let us look at these passages and see if we can gain a fuller insight into Paul's teachings concerning the message of the Mystery which had been "HID IN GOD" (Ephesians 3:9) and "KEPT SECRET, SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN" (Romans 16:25).

Baptized Into Christ

Not only did the Saints of Paul's day lack a good understanding of the doctrine of baptism, many today are confused about what Paul taught in Romans 6:3, when he wrote:

"KNOW YE NOT, THAT SO MANY OF US AS WERE BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST WERE BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH?"

There are many Christians today who believe a water ceremony is being spoken of in this Romans 6:3 passage. Paul would not be talking about a water ceremony here because he had already taught that Water Baptism was not to be practiced in this dispensation of the Grace of God (First Corinthians 1:17). Water Baptism was given to the nation of Israel as a ceremony that identified the recipient into the Priesthood. In as much as there is no priesthood for the Body of Christ, there is no water ceremony to be practiced today in this dispensation of the Grace of God.

A majority of the problems surrounding the subject of BAPTISM would be answered if we recognized the fact that BAPTISM is a Greek word that has been inserted in our English text. If we are to understand what the writers of Scripture meant when they spoke of Baptism, let us use the English word, IDENTIFY or IDENTIFICATION, when we see this Greek word in our English text. In every place where the subject of Baptism is spoken of, we will find some kind of identification being referred to. This can be seen in Romans 6:3 if we use our English word, IDENTIFIED, in place of the Greek word, BAPTIZED. In this passage, Paul is talking about our oneness with Christ. The doctrine that had been missed by these Roman Saints was the fact that when Christ died on Calvary's Cross, God saw every believer as having died with Him there. It is this identification with Christ that gives us the power to overcome Sin. Not only were we identified with Christ in His death, we were also identified into His burial and His resurrection. This is why Paul encourages the Saints to live the resurrected life right now. (Romans 6:3-6).

Paul wanted these Saints at Rome (and all the members of the Body of Christ) to know that we already have the victory over sin. Because of our having died with Christ, Sin no longer has any claim upon us. Sin cannot dictate to, or exercise control over, a dead person. This is Paul's point in this Romans six passage. Since every believer died with Christ, and because of this death Sin has no claim upon, or power over, those who are IN CHRIST, why is it that so many Christians are not free from sin in their lives? The answer is simple. These Saints whose lives are weakened by sin have never understood the teaching of Romans 6:3. They do not know that Sin no longer has any authority over their lives. They have never put into practice the truth of Romans 13:14, where Paul said:

"PUT YE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND MAKE NOT PROVISION FOR THE FLESH, TO FULFILL THE LUSTS THEREOF."

Because most Saints do not know that Sin is powerless due to our death WITH CHRIST, they ALLOW Sin to work in their lives. They even make allowances for sin in their lives by saying, "I can't help doing the things I do because this is the way God made me." This statement is just an excuse to satisfy the desires of the flesh and blame God for their actions.

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KNOW YE NOT?
By Pastor Marvin Duncan

Part 1. - The Book Of Romans
Part 2 of 2



To Whom Ye Yield Yourself


In keeping with his theme of our being freed from Sin by our identification into Christ's death, Paul addresses our separation from Sin in detail in the last part of Romans chapter six.

Paul has already established the fact that we died with Christ (Romans 6:3), were buried with Him (Romans 6:4) and were then raised with Him unto newness of life (Romans 6:5 & 11). Because of this identification with Christ, we are encouraged not to serve Sin (Romans 6:6-7). The whole purpose of this lengthy discussion of Sin no longer having dominion over the Saints is to press home the point that all relationships that once existed between the Saints and Sin have been severed because of their death with Christ. Not only had the Saints at Rome miss this most important teaching of our identification with Christ, they were not aware of the fact that man is a perpetual servant. Paul addresses this truth in Romans 6:16 by saying:

"KNOW YE NOT, THAT TO WHOM YE YIELD YOURSELF SERVANTS TO OBEY, HIS SERVANTS YE ARE TO WHOM YE OBEY."

We who live in the United States are prone to believe man was created to be an independent creature who is free to do what ever he wanted to do and is not responsible to anyone. This was never the case. No Scripture can be found to suggest man was created to be anything but a servant. Romans 6:16 makes this clear.

Paul's point in this last part of Romans chapter six is to show that every man was a servant (a SLAVE) to Sin by virtue of physical birth. The natural man may insist he is doing what he wants to do, but the truth is that Sin is his Master. The natural man can do nothing except what Sin wants him to do. The natural man is like a beast with a ring in his nose by which Sin leads him into the activities of the flesh. We were ALL the slaves of Sin before we were saved and we all did the bidding of our Master. BUT, with salvation and our death with Christ on Calvary, Sin's power as our Master was severed. Now, as the Saints of God, we have become the servants (the SLAVES) of "RIGHTEOUSNESS" (that; is, of Christ). The great difference between these two Masters is that Sin demands full obedience from his slaves; whereas Christ sets His servants free to serve Him out of a heart of love.

Most Christians fail to recognize Christ's ownership over the Saints of God. Yet, this is the whole purpose of God's redemption. By the shed blood of Christ, God purchased the Christians out of the slave market of Sin. Once a Slave of Sin has been bought by the Blood of Christ, Sin relinquishes all rights and claims over that one and Christ takes title to these slaves of Sin. Christ owns every believer because He purchased them. This is what Paul is speaking of in First Corinthians 6:20.

Romans 6:23 shows us the difference between these two masters. Sin takes everything from his slaves and rewards them with DEATH. Christ GIVES His servants the GIFT of Eternal Life.

The  Law  And The Living

The truth Paul would have us know is that we DO NOT have to serve Sin as our Master any more since we have been redeemed. If Sin continues to have any control of our life, it is because we have permitted him to take control of that which belongs to God. This is why every Christian should put Romans 6:12-13 into practice in his daily walk.

In Romans 7:1, Paul again challenges these Saints by asking the question, "KNOW YE NOT?" This time Paul speaks of the power the husband has over his wife because of the Law of Marriage. The Law of Marriage continues in force as long as the husband and wife are alive, but when one of the marriage partners dies, the Law of Marriage is broken and the remaining partner is free to be married to another.

Paul uses this Law of Marriage to teach the same truth he had been talking about in chapter six, that the Christian is no longer bound to Sin. In Romans 6:16-23, Paul speaks of the Master/Slave relationship. In Romans 7:1-6, Paul uses the Husband/Wife relationship, showing Sin as the husband and mankind as the wife. As long as a man remains alive, he is bound to Sin as a wife is bound to her husband. But, if the "wife" were to die, Sin would have no more authority over her because the Law of Marriage only has power over the living. Paul's point is that the "wife" who is saved, DIED with Christ on Calvary. Therefore, Sin no longer has any power over her because the Husband/Wife relationship was broken by the death of the "wife."

Just as the living member of the marriage relationship is free from the Law of Marriage when one partner dies (Romans 7:2-3), the same is also true of the dead partner. This is what Paul has in mind in Romans 7:4. Since the Christian DIED WITH CHRIST; his marriage to Sin has been broken. The Christian who is free from his marriage to Sin is now free to be married to Christ. In any marriage, the wife should bring forth children for her husband. This is the picture Paul presents in Romans 7:4. Having chosen to be married to Christ, we should, as a faithful wife, bring forth "FRUIT" unto God. This "FRUIT" is Spiritual offspring produced by the Christian as he is empowered by Christ.

In all three of these passages where Paul uses the phrase, "KNOW YE NOT," he wants the members of the Body of Christ to know of the freedom from Sin that results from the death they experienced by their identification with Christ.

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WHAT PETER PREACHED AT JERUSALEM WHAT PAUL PREACHED AT ANTIOCH
By Pastor Robert Hanna
Scripture Reading: Acts 3:19-23; Acts 13:37-39


The Apostle Peter, preaching to the Jews, declared: "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and Signs ... which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain ... Let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Their desperate response to this indictment was to say to the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:22,23, 36-38 ) Peter's message was delivered only to Israelites.

How different was the Apostle Paul's sermon, delivered after He had been appointed to be the dispenser of grace. He too began with, "Men of Israel." (Acts 13:16) But he had a different message for them. Paul knew what Christ had accomplished on the cross: "Be it known unto you therefore ... that through this man [Jesus Christ] is preached unto you forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:38,39) Thus when he was asked, "What must I do to be saved?" He could answer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 16:30,31)

Glory be to God for fulfilling His promises in raising Jesus Christ from the dead. Nevertheless, does His resurrection have any meaning to you? Has it had any impact in your life? Have you experienced the work of salvation that Jesus Christ perfected in His resurrection?

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THE SECOND ADVENT and  THE GLORIOUS APPEARING
By Pastor Robert Hanna

Scripture Reading: Zechariah 11: 1-4; Titus 2: 11-13

"The day of the Lord" is that future day when "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (II Thessalonians 1:7,8 ) In Zechariah 14: 1-4 we read: "Behold, the day of the Lord cometh ... And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west. .. " The Lord Himself foretells, "Immediately after the tribulation shall the sun be darkened     Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:29,30) The apostles witnessed Christ's ascension. "While they beheld, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And two angels standing by said, "This same Jesus shall so come [back] in like manner. .. "(Acts 1:9-11) At His coming He will establish the millennial kingdom and sit on the throne of His father David - all in accordance with prophecy.

So much for Israel's expectation. But what about the saints today in the Body of Christ? We are "Looking for [expecting] that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13) "Then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:4)

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WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS
by C. R. Stam


Strange, is it not, that when men are successful, they generally credit themselves liberally for their success but when things go wrong they begin to blame others -- even God.

The writer does not have up-to-date information about two particular plots of ground in Moscow, but some years ago one of these was a beautiful garden, the other a patch of weeds. Above each there was a sign. Over the one: "This plot is cared for by the United Soviet Socialist Republic," over the other: "This plot is cared for by God"!

Evidently the atheistic Soviets who hatched this "bright idea" did not stop to think that only God could produce the beautiful flowers in the USSR plot. All their watering and cultivating would have been in vain except for the God they deny.

As to the other plot, they probably did not even know that even in Eden God put the garden in man’s charge "to dress it and to keep it" (Gen. 2:15), and later, when man sinned, God said to Adam, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake" (Gen. 3:17). This is why the Soviets must employ a gardener to control the weeds in even their garden! How wrong and foolish, then, for man ever to blame God for anything that goes wrong for him or causes him trouble!

Actually, when I have been asked: "If God is a God of love, why does He allow all this trouble and misery, and all this wickedness?" I have replied: "That’s easy. When God sent His Son into this world offering peace and righteousness and prosperity they cried: 'Away with Him' and nailed Him to a cross. If the Bible is true, and in this case it has surely proved to be true, how can this world expect peace while they still reject the Prince of Peace?"

[nChrist]

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ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK
By Pastor Robert Hanna

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:20-21

King Solomon prayed to God for wisdom because he knew that his human limitations were such as to be totally inadequate for the task to which he had been appointed. His humility and faith and dedication were rewarded twofold. "And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies ... behold, I have done according to thy words. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour" (I Kings 3:11-13) .

And so it has ever been. You and I live in an entirely different chapter of God's dispensational book, but we have the same glorious relationship with God as did Solomon insofar as prayer is concerned. "Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). Our bounty from God is not always measured in terms of this world's goods, or robust health or freedom from pain and grief. But we are as greatly blessed as was Solomon in degree.

We receive according to His purpose. There is no limitation to God's ability, for He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." The more completely we humble ourselves and depend on Him, the more He is glorified.

[nChrist]

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THE BEQUEST OF PEACE
By RALPH F. BALOG

Scripture Reading: John 14:27

How very thankful the twelve apostles should have been for the Lord's promise: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." In John 14:27 the apostles were facing the reality that their Lord would soon depart from them physically. With their spiritual Leader gone there would naturally be inward unsettlement. So the Lord Jesus Christ promised them "His peace." Glorious promise! No matter what the outward circumstances of life His "inner peace" would be their foundation of assurance. No storm too fierce; no foes too strong to override the heavenly peace (so different from the world's), or the Lord wouldn't have used the analogy. The Lord's peace is ever abiding. The so-called peace of the world is fleeting at best.

Ever remember that in this present dispensation of the grace of God, the God OF peace is only so to those who are fulfilling Phil. 4:9: "DOING what they have learned, and received, and heard, and seen in Paul." Don't you for one moment believe those television evangelists who claim to be in the will of God while following a program long ago set aside by God Himself. You would think the Kingdom program was still in order the way the Church carries on in defiance of Pauline truth.

The bequest of peace today is in following Paul, as He followed Christ. Ever magnify Paul's office and you will see that all the honor and glory for everything done in our life here below must be given to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace believers have "compounded peace:" 1). "Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1) and 2). the peace of God for "rightly dividing the Word of Truth" (Phil. 4:9; II Tim. 2:15).