GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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STANDING FAST IN THE FAITH
By JOEL FINCK, Pastor.


Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 16:13

Few things are as important in the Christian life as taking a stand. In a world where being popular seems to be all important, it is rare indeed to find an individual who consistently obeys Paul's admonition, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (I Corinthians 16:13). Standing fast in the faith involves maturity. This is what Paul means by the expression, "quit ye (literally, 'conduct yourselves') like men."

Taking a stand often involves both the positive and the negative. As believers in the Gospel of the Grace of God committed to the Apostle Paul (Acts 20:24), we must heed Paul's God-given instruction to Timothy, "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God" (II Tim. 1:8 ). This is a positive step; standing for the truth of the gospel.

But there is also a need to stand against error and compromise. Paul instructed Titus concerning the "many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers...whose mouths must be stopped," to "rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth" (see Titus 1:10-14).

The Gospel of Grace is under attack today both overtly and through neglect. It is up to us who know and love this glorious message to both proclaim it boldly and defend it from those who would compromise its contents. If we do not do so, who will?

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THE HOPLITE OF THE HEAVENLIES
or HOLDING THE FIELD, Eph.6:10-20, is worthy of inclusion in this study.
PART 1 OF 2
By Dr. A. J. RODDY


We dare not consider the stenai [stand] of Eph.6:13 apart from the provisions of chapters one through three. This is no mere privilege: it is an imperative. This stand is the third of three great verbs in this epistle, the first of which is the prerequisite of the other two.

The first is seen in the ineffable assertion "He made us sit together," Eph.2:6. Christ, when He had made purification for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High, Heb.1:3. God the Father set Christ in His own rights in the heavenlies, Eph.1:20. Paul affirms that we share in that magnificent sequence, as objects of lavished grace, when he states that we are "jointly-quickened with Christ, jointly raised, and jointly-seated with Christ in the super- heavenlies," Eph.2:5b,6.

This is, of course, a Fait Accompli. In as much as through His incarnation, passion, resurrection, and ascension He has forever triumphed over the Accuser, this standing, or should we say, joint-seating, is in no jeopardy of failing. Far from being the victors, we are the objects of the VICTOR'S interest; our role in this glorious enterprise is a passive one, He made us alive in union with Christ Jesus, it was He that worked in Christ Jesus when He raised Him from the dead, Eph.1:19, so raised us up in union with Him. It was He, by that power lifting Christ to the heavenlies and causing Him to be seated in the full rights of God, jointly lifted us into that realm and set us there with Christ.

Observe, it is not said, in raising us to the heavenlies, we are to be seated. He Who delights in the impossible has triumphed over all our weakness in His matchless strength and He has set us as objects of grace in a joint-union with Christ. He picked us up and set us down. It is difficult to accept the fact that we are loved without merit or demerit - no deserving, no striving, no reaching, no attaining, no gaining, and thus, alas, no boasting! Paul asserts that from first to last this is the gift of God. We did not even SIT down, He sat down, and He SEATED US.

Now it is to us, in this heavenly sphere, objects of this grace, that the command comes to walk "worthily of this exalted Calling", 4:1. It would seem impossible that one so blessed should walk unworthily, or otherwise than in love - but the truth we dare not overlook is that the exhortation to walk worthily is directed to those who are so seated. The walk is expected of those who have been made to sit. Only those who have been made to sit with Christ in the heavenlies can hope worthily to walk. The "seating" does not depend upon the walking; the walking, one's way of life, depends upon the sitting. The "Seating" is the work of God in union with the glorified Christ, and we are seated by God and told to walk. The seating is bound up with the accomplished, finished work of Christ, NOT in the walking. The sitting is the cause, the worthily walking is the result.

Here our pride may ensnare us yet. "Here at last," weak flesh shouts gleefully, "is something for me to do." But this is, to the contrary, also the outworking of the indwelling Christ, Who, by the power that is at work in us (that power not being exhausted in our being raised to the heavenlies and seated there) is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we may ask or think, Eph.3:20, in line with the Christ-like walk.

When we come then to the battlefield of 6:10-20, we are told to HOLD THE FIELD, it is still within this glorious context. Because of our seating and walking the call comes to us to Hold the Field. The seating is not in danger, if we yield to the Enemy that which has been wrested from his grasp, the walk may be in danger of being unworthy of such a high calling.

The Great War was won in the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. We are not told to take the field but to hold it. Eph.6:10,11: " ... keep being empowered (endynamousthe, a passive) in union with Jehovah and in union with the effectively-working- might of His strength. Put on God's Panoply, so as to be empowered (dynasthai) to stand against the skillful strategy of the Devil"

The power is His power working in us the impossible, we are told to submit to its constant empowering. No frail human wretch is called upon in his unaided strength to face so great a foe, even if the foe is already conquered. Here, the man of the heavenlies, in union with the Lord of the heavenlies, is reminded of his duty to withstand, he is in no danger, for he has the life of His Lord, in this conflict he cannot lose, for the victory is assured, before the call to battle, he sings the victor's song. The ground is already won, it is his matchless privilege to hold it in union with Christ who empowers him, and Who, in the final analysis, holds it. But the man of the heavenlies is called to share in this enduring conflict, for he who was ousted at Calvary would regain the lost ground, he will not, he cannot, try as he may, for the ground is held in the power of the Lord Jesus. The war is won, through Christ our Victor.

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THE HOPLITE OF THE HEAVENLIES
PART 2 OF 2
By Dr. A. J. RODDY



"Dress up in God's panoply", Eph.6:11. The emphasis is not upon the English word "whole." The word panoply means whole Armor; for what Hoplite (foot-soldier) would consider going to war with only part of his Armor? This is a war against a master schemer intent upon wrecking the life of the Man of the Heavenlies, the Heavenly Hoplite, as he goes about his walk. Satan, nor demon, cannot touch the life seated jointly with Christ in the heavenlies but he will contest the victory claim to the end that the life he cannot touch be rendered as ineffectual as possible. It is not rewards that are disputed but the usefulness of a person's life for Christ.

Each of these epithets, Eph.6:12, Principalities, Authorities, World Tyrants of this Darkness, Spirits of Supermundane Wickedness in battle dress - they march, but you are not told to march, you are not told to fight. You are told to be dressed in God's panoply so as to be able yourself to stand. This is repeated "for this reason pick up God's panoply, so that you may be able to withstand in the day, the Evil One, and having done all things thoroughly to be able to stand decisively there, Eph.6:13.

If one strips away the imagery of physical "Armour" the panoply consists of Truth, Righteousness, the Gospel of Peace, the Faith, and the Word of God. Satan's warfare is against these issues.

Before the Heavenly Hoplite takes his stand upon these ramparts he does the "girding ... putting on ... binding under the feet (the sandals) ... picking up." After the hoplite has done all these, he then takes his stand.

Only the praying is present, 6:18, as though timeless, characterizing every act of the soldier. Thus, the warfare of the heavenlies is bounded by the command ever to submit to the empowering and ever to be praying in every season in spirit.

Praying for whom? For all the saints. They too are heavenly hoplites; and they too take their stand. Ever praying, for whom? "And for me ... " Ah! for thee, Paul? Bound in chains, gazing perhaps upon the Roman soldier to whose wrists thou art chained, whose very Armour may have given thee the figures for these passages; for thee Paul, who despite chains and prisons art none the less a heavenly hoplite of God? And, why pray for thee? Wouldst thou be free of thy chains? Wouldst thou be free of thy prison? Ah, hear him, this great soldier-saint: "and for me, that to me may be granted utterance, in opening my mouth (not these prison doors), with boldness to make known the Mystery of the Good News, for the sake of which I GROW OLD IN MY CHAINS (for this is the meaning of "I am an ambassador" that I may speak freely in it, as indeed I must speak."

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land.
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.

Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
 Leaned me against a tree to die: and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And pierced are the feet that follow me;
But thine are whole ... can he have traveled far
Who has no wound or scar?

By: Amy Carmichael

Dr. A. J. Roddy

Hoplite, Gr., "hoplites" - tool or weapon, a heavily armed soldier. A.J.R.

Satan is not Omnipotent, Omnipresent, nor Omniscient. Demon activity crested in crisis in view of Christ's impending death and resurrection. Curiously, demons used Christ's rightful titles. Mt,8:28,29; Lk.4:33,34. Demon activity is within the realm of Satan's pseudo- Ministers of Righteousness, 2 Cor.11:13-15. R.H.S.

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Unanswered Prayer:
ITS CAUSE AND CURE
Part 1 of 5
BY RICHARD JORDAN



Prayer is one of the most asked about subjects in the Christian life. Instinctively we know about it, yet experientially we face question after question: If God knows all my needs, why should I pray? Can I change God's mind or my circumstances through prayer? Is it enough to pray only once or should I pray persistently for the same thing? How can I be sure God hears my prayers? How does God answer my prayers-and why does He not answer them?

We pray. We know we should. But questions like these haunt our minds. We pray about our fears, anxieties, problems, joys, wishes, dreams---yet often it seems the heavens are brass; God is silent and it seems "no one cares for me." Prayer becomes confusing, a burden and a cruel mockery.

THE BASIC PROBLEM

The fundamental fallacy in the prayer arena comes from a failure to "rightly divide the word of truth," namely: the claiming of prayer promises that have nothing to do with the dispensation in which we live, but belong rather to a program which God Himself has interrupted and is temporarily holding in abeyance.

For those who fail to recognize the distinctive ministry and message committed to the Apostle Paul, the topic of prayer poses a difficult and perplexing uncertainty. Consider the prayer promises made during our Lord's earthly ministry:

        "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you;
        "For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Matt. 7:7,8 ).

        "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 18:19).

        "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matt. 21:22).

        "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
        "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it" (John 14:13,14).

    Wonderful promises, indeed!!  But who among us does not know the disappointment, confusion and heartache of claiming one of these promises and having it seemingly fail. That's why we develop theological "gimmicks" to explain away the seeming failures. The fact is, however, that these promises do not work for us because they do not apply to our dispensation.

For even a casual Bible student nothing could be clearer than the fact that our Lord came as "a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God to confirm the promises made unto [Israel's} fathers" (Rom. 15:8 ). He proclaimed the "gospel of the kingdom" long promised to Israel and declared:

        ".....I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 15:24).

This is why, in His first great commission to the Twelve, He commanded them:

        " ... Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 10:5,6).

These verses need to be faced honestly so they have their full impact: the simple fact is that the prayer promises made by our Lord during His earthly ministry have nothing to do with the dispensation of grace or the Body of Christ.

Lord Jesus, You are my indwelling treasure. When pressures, perplexities, persecutions, or catastrophes come my way, teach me to trust in You. When others ask how I am sustained through these difficulties, remind me to give all glory and honor to You. In Your name I pray, Amen.

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Unanswered Prayer:
ITS CAUSE AND CURE
Part 2 of 5
BY RICHARD JORDAN


The record is clear that the nation Israel rejected her Messiah both in His incarnation (Matthew thru John) as well as in His resurrection ministry through the Apostles and "little flock" in early Acts. It was only then that He raise up a new apostle Paul---and sent him for to usher in a new dispensation---"the dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:1-9, Rom. 16:25, 26, Col. 1:24-26, I Tim. 2:4-7, etc.).

We simply cannot go back to the so-called Four Gospels or the early Acts period to find instructions for living in the current dispensation of grace. In vain these records will be searched for instructions for the Body of Christ.

This is the explanation for the many seeming failures of the Kingdom prayer promises.  In that program these promises function perfectly. To remove them from where God has placed them, to "rob Peter" of his program to "pay Paul" with coinage he cannot use, is a blunder without equal where the subject of prayer is concerned.

WHAT PRAYER IS NOT

Prayer is a vital part of every believer's life. Too many of us, however, view prayer as a performance---as a ritual to make us more spiritual or as a means of getting what we want. To turn prayer into a method of seeking to manipulate God to be more favorably disposed toward us is to not only miss the purpose of prayer altogether but also to thwart the grace of God to us in Christ. Thus we need to understand just what prayer is not.

For many sincere believers prayer is a way to relieve guilt. Through "keeping short accounts with God" by constantly confessing their sins and asking for forgiveness, they hope to have Him forgive their sins. Rather than relieving the guilt of past failures, however, this in fact demonstrates a sad misunderstanding of the finished work of Christ---the very basis on which we pray!

Consider just one verse:
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:7).

Both redemption and forgiveness are found in Christ. In order to be redeemed, must we ask Christ to redeem us every day? No! Then why would we ask Him to forgive us daily?

The truth is that God's only answer to the guilt of sin is the cross-work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our faith resting in the facts of what Christ has accomplished for us at Calvary that settles the sin question and removes the burden of guilt from our shoulders (Rom. 4:6-8, Col. 2:13; 3:13, etc.).

Prayer should never be motivated by guilt! When we pray "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:20) we are doing far more than simply tacking a phrase to the end of our prayers. This is actually an expression of a vital understanding: that we have no righteousness of our own by which we can approach God but that Jesus Christ has given us His righteousness---and this is the source of our confidence in speaking to our heavenly Father. This is the very basis of our prayer.

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Unanswered Prayer:
ITS CAUSE AND CURE
Part 3 of 5
BY RICHARD JORDAN


A further point is that prayer is often seen as a way of obtaining financial or material gain. Surprisingly even grace believers can be found clinging to this idea.

A passage we all could take more to heart is I Timothy 6:6-8.

        "But godliness with contentment is great gain. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
        "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

Read those verses again, will you, and ask yourself: Am I truly content with what I have while I am asking for more material things at the same time? Can material things bring contentment?

Another underlying motive for many people's prayer life is the desire to gain God's favor and blessing by their prayers. By using just the right formulas, by employing certain words, by their "much speaking" (Matt. 6:7) they hope to have God accept and bless them with otherwise unattainable benefits.

Such performance-based-acceptance is, of course, the very antithesis of grace---of being "blessed with all spiritual blessings" in Christ and made "complete in Him." It serves only to reduce prayer to a formula for approaching God and gaining His favor, rather than intimate communication resulting from our personal relationship with Him through Christ Jesus.

Again, too often prayer is seen as a mechanism to either find or change God's mind or will. Genuinely sincere people will try to get God's leadership and agreement in doing what they want to do---buy this house, sell that car, take a certain position, attend a particular event, etc.--- praying fervently that God would reveal His will for them in such matters.

But, we must ask, hasn't He already revealed His will for us in His Word? Hasn't He already equipped us with the capacity for---and challenge of---applying His revealed will to the details of our lives?

If, as II Timothy 3:16,17 indicate, the Scripture completely equips us "unto all good works," are our feelings, impressions and circumstances really means by which we are to receive revelation from God?

Lord God of truth, forgive my multiplied attempts to develop a Christian walk by my promises to You. Lord, You know how often I have failed. What a joyous option this is — to live by Your promises to me! Please teach me how to think and live this way, in Jesus name, Amen.

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Unanswered Prayer:
ITS CAUSE AND CURE
Part 5 of 5
BY RICHARD JORDAN


In the dispensation of grace the will of God is executed through the word of God working in the inner man of the believer (I Thess. 2:13). The first issue, therefore, in prayer is communion with God over what His word says and how it applies to the various situations we face. Conscious that He hears and knows our every thought, we thus talk with Him about our "every care."

It is through this pattern of "Pauline Prayer" that we are able to work through matters of discernment regarding the application of God's word in each area of life. When we thus pray---when we thus pour out our hearts to God---there is always an answer:

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." This "tranquilizing" effect of prayer enables us to always be sufficient for all things.

The bottom line to prayer in the present dispensation is this: You are His child. Talk to Him. Tell Him what's on your heart, how you feel---He knows already! Tell Him about your gratitude for what He has done in your life. What He wants most from you is YOU! He wants you to grow to know Him, so listen to His word and appreciate the reality of His word actively working in your life and allowing Him to live through you.

The door into God's presence has been opened to us through the person of Jesus Christ. Don't rob yourself of the opportunity of making Ephesians 3:12 a reality in your experience:

"In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him."

In His presence you always have a welcome and hearing!

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THE HIGHEST EXPRESSION OF FAITH
by C. R. Stam

    In Rom. 8:26 we read what our hearts must often confess to be true:

"...We know not what we should pray for as we ought..."

But the Apostle hastens to explain that the Spirit makes intercession for us according to the will of God, adding:

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28 ).

Believers may not receive whatever they ask for in the darkness of this age, but

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (II Cor. 9:8 ).

We may not receive whatever we ask for, but by His grace we may have so much more than this, that the Apostle, in contemplating it, breaks forth in a doxology:

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

"Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen" (Eph. 3:20,21).

In the light of all this the highest expression of faith today is found in the words of Paul in Phil. 4:6,7:

"Be careful [anxious] for nothing -- but in everything -- by prayer and supplication -- with thanksgiving -- let your requests be made known unto God -- and..."

"And" what?

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive"?

NO!!

"...and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [garrison] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

"CHRIST IS ALL"  the covering principle of this Book of Colossians, let's look at the following verses: "That in all things He might have the preeminence" (1:18 ); "In Him should all fulness dwell" (1:9); "In Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (2:3); "In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (2:9); "In Him, which is the Head of all principality and power" (2:10); "Christ is all and in all" (3:11). I am sure we all can sing with Charles Wesley, "Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find."

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His Plans are Good
by Anabel Gillham


"For I know the plans that I have for you,"
declares the Lord.
"Plans for good and not for evil
to give you a future and a hope."


           We were sitting on the patio trying to relax after a very frustrating day of house hunting. Our moving had turned into a much bigger event than we had bargained for.  The new job was secure but that's all that was secure in our tired minds. The house we had tentatively planned to purchase had been inspected and found wanting; the house we had for sale back home was still on the market; the realtor was enjoying our company but not showing us any prospective homes as far as we were concerned so Bill, especially, was feeling pretty down. Our hosts were gone for the evening and we were alone for just a while. Bill was trying to put up an "it's okay" front, but inside was wondering if we had made the right decision. He was the "bread-winner", the "decision maker", the "responsible" party, the "man of the house", the husband and the dad, and nothing was going as we had hoped.

           He had his Bible with him and was reading. Suddenly he looked up and said, "God just showed me the answer!" I was eager to hear just what God had told him that could possibly clear up our uncertainty. He said, "Let me read to you." Fine. I needed to hear. Then he read Jeremiah 29:11: Bill and Anabel, I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. "That's for us, Honey! That's what He's doing. We have to believe those words!"

           Well, that was a long, long time ago, and God's Word proved true. Oh, not immediately. We had some pretty harrowing experiences to face that were nestled in between the "plan He had for us"' almost losing our youngest son, five of us crowded into a very small house, serious illnesses, extreme financial frugality, our job security getting shaky' and other "stepping stones." But we began slowly resting, trusting that His promise would come true at His "appointed time."  And what a plan was wrapped up in that promise! A  plan far beyond our wildest dreams, expectations or hope (Eph. 3:20).

           As His children, as Believers, His words are for us and to us. He promises to care for us. He tells us over and over that His love for us is unwavering and that His plans will come about despite the time lapse and the events that come in the "in-between" times. Was it easy to "endure" the "stepping stones" as I called them" No. They were more like huge, scary boulders with tumultuous water swirling around them. But "retrospect" is a gift from God. We look back and see so clearly that His plans definitely were for "good and not for evil: to give us a future and a hope."

           I know. That isn't always clear for us, but He says, "Anabel, My ways are so much higher than your ways! Higher than the heavens from the earth! You can't possibly understand them. Just trust Me" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

           I have no idea what is going on in your world right now. Mine has some big, scary boulders scattered around complete with the raging waters! But I know 'yes I know' that beyond those boulders I will discover His plan for me. Do the boulders go away? No. But I have learned to trust Him who says to me, "Anabel, I know the plans that I have for you, dear. They are good plans for your future and to give you hope." If you listen carefully, you will hear Him saying the same thing to you.

           Oh dear, dear Lord. I know this, but my emotions zoom right up to the top of the ladder and I find myself feeling totally inadequate and scared.  That's all right, isn't it? My emotions run rampant without a great deal of urging and I AM totally inadequate! But You are not, and You live in me to face these scary "Caution: Boulders Ahead" times for me. Help me to remember this, please, to cling to these words of encouragement from Someone incredibly strong and powerful and who loves me dearly. Then, too, He knows every "baby" step I will be taking.

[nChrist]

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Too Good to be True - But It Is
by Anabel Gillham



I Timothy 6:11 (NAS)
...and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness

Pursue: (1) to follow in order to overtake or capture; chase (2) to follow a specified course, action (3) to strive for

Paul told Timothy to steer clear of one thing especially - the love of money.

"Timothy, let me warn you about something. Men who have as their goal becoming wealthy expose themselves to all sorts of temptations. It's one of the most common traps that Satan will use in the world. These men become obsessed with money and how to get it, and will do all sorts of foolish and wicked things, passionately pursuing their desire for wealth. This can separate them from their faith and even destroy them and when they become aware of what they have done they agonize over their foolishness (I Timothy 6:9-10, my paraphrase).

Then, he told Timothy: Run from this trap, my dearly beloved Timothy. Instead of this, pursue . . .. Pursue what, Paul? Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. And you immediately retaliate: "I've tried and tried and tried - and I just can't be all of those things, Anabel. It's beyond my capability."

Let me share something with you that will set you free and completely amaze you - you'll shake your head with wonder and gratitude and whisper, "How incredible!"

What is righteousness? My Identity

What is godliness? My character

What is faith? My source

What is love? My motivation

What is perseverance? My mind-set

What is gentleness? My behavior toward others.

Do you realize that you don't have to pursue these things? They are yours! They are mine! How? Through our beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the personification of all those things! He changed me. I am a new creation because of my relationship with Him! I AM all of those things - righteousness, godliness, love, perseverance, gentleness because He is - and He is in me - and will be through me.

Oh, I tried for so many years to BE righteous and godly, loving and determined, being all that folks needed me to be - gentle, thoughtful and kind. I must confess that I failed and then lived in depression for weeks because of my failure. But I refused to stay down: I'd painfully pull myself up, dust myself off and try, try, try again - and fail!

Then, I became an instructed Christian and found that all that I am or ever hope to be is wrapped up in Him - not my struggling and failing or my success and celebrations! That is faith. Faith is living like God tells the truth. Faith is walking like the person He made me to be. Faith is trusting Him to come through. Will He?

With apologies to Whittier: Alas for him who has not learned in hours of faith, the truth to flesh and sense unknown, that God's promises never fail and He will never deceive His own.

Meet the real you. Meet the real me. We're pretty neat people, you know. God made us that way! Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift to us - Jesus Christ (II Cor. 9:15)!

Acts 17:28, I Cor. 8:6

Dear Jesus, my victorious Lord, how often I attempt to be the one who directs my life. I confess that when I lead, victory is not the result. Lord, help me to count on You to lead me in Your triumph, even in the difficult situations that I frequently encounter. In Your triumphant name, I pray, Amen.

[nChrist]

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The High Call of Suffering
by Anabel Gillham

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our affliction
so that we will be able to comfort those who are in
any affliction with the comfort
with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
- II Corinthians 1:3-4

I never cease to be amazed at how God works!

We cannot understand our suffering or His silence to our passionate pleas. We endure loss, loneliness, rejection, financial hardship, grief--all sorts of painful things and wonder why we have to be the one enduring this trial. We entreat the Lord for healing and it doesn't come. We request prayers from family and friends and there is still no respite from the pain we are experiencing. "Why, Lord, why must I go through this wretched time? Why, Lord? Why? I don't understand."

Then, quite unexpectedly, some hurting person--possibly someone you've never met before---enveloped in despair and fear and confusion comes into your life and you find yourself saying, "Oh, come sit down and let me talk to you. I understand! I've been through that very same thing. Let me tell you what happened and how the Lord brought comfort and strength and understanding."

II Corinthians 1:3-4 (above) has just become a part of our life and we suddenly grasp that through this suffering He has prepared us to minister to someone else. He is allowing us to share His unfathomable love with others. And they will listen. Why? Because we've been there. We understand.

I wrote a letter just the other day to a mother who had placed her mentally challenged child in a home. She was groping for her sanity! Why would a letter from me be a special word for her? Because I had experienced that same loss, the same guilt, and desperate longing. She was encouraged because I had been there. I understood.

How special you are to God as He patiently, lovingly teaches you, knowing that someone who is hurting just as you have been hurting will be crossing your path before too long. Somehow the Lord will bring that person into your life and you will be able to answer the questions they ask from the darkness of their desperation and suffering.

To be used by God to His glory. Suffering is truly a high calling, isn't it?

Dear Lord of light, I praise You for bringing me out of darkness into Your gracious light. Grant me grace to proclaim Your excellencies. Shine Your light into the hearts I hope to reach. Grant them the miracle of resting and trusting you in your high calling of us, in  the Lord Jesus Christ we pray.  Amen.

[nChrist]

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SALVATION AND THE HUMAN WILL
By Paul Hume


Scripture  Reading: Rom. 9:15-16; John 1:12-13; 3:16

Dwight Lyman Moody once said that "the whosoever wills are the elect, and the whosoever wont's are the non-elect!" This is certainly true. The human will does play an important part in personal salvation. But the problem which ultimately must be faced when one deals with the sovereignty of God must touch on this matter of what place man's will plays--if any.

Now there are two extremes to avoid. One is that since God is sovereign, and since man cannot save himself at all, then man has no part at all in salvation. That is, God will save him without any action on his part. The other extreme is that God cannot and will not save anyone unless he is willing to be saved.

In between these extremes we believe the truth lies. It is true that the sinner is "dead in trespasses and sins" therefore cannot, of himself, take one step toward God and salvation. It is also true that God has given man a will, and He respects that will. Yet due to the fact that the depravity of the human nature has also crippled the will, God must first move and work in the sinner to make him willing to be saved! This is what Christ meant when He said, "No man can come unto me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him" (John 6:44). This is also what is meant in John 1:12-13: "But as many as received Him (Christ), to them gave He power, (authority) to become the sons of God (children of God), even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Therefore, as Romans 9:16 states, "it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy."

Hence, how beautiful it all works out. Of my own will, I did not want God or His salvation (Christ). But He wooed me and drew me, with love and power and gave me the willingness to receive Christ into my life! Bless the Lord, oh, my soul!

"I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love,
And thus He bound me to Him." (J.G. Small)

[nChrist]

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GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY AND CHRIST'S COMING
By Pastor Paul Hume



Scripture Reading: John 14:1-3; Phil. 3:20-21; Tit. 2:13

Jesus Christ IS coming again! This has been heralded during the past sixty to seventy years as it never has been since the first century in the days of the Apostles. The great recovery of what we sometimes call "premillennial truth" has brought this about. This blessed truth of the soon-return of the Lord Jesus has filtered through churches of many denominations including the rise of independent churches. How we bless God for those who not only are truly saved--regardless of human labels -- but who also "love His appearing."

When will Christ come? No man knows! Concerning His second coming to the earth, our Lord declared: "But  of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: "for ye know not when the time is" (Mark 13:32-33). Hence, all of His exhortations concerning His second coming at the close of the Great Tribulation were based on the fact that His coming would be "like a thief in the night" (Matt. 24: 36-51). This will be due to the fact that "those days should be shortened" (Matt. 24:22; see Dan. 12:11-13).

When will Christ come for "the church, which is His body?" Again, no man knows. For we believe that since this Mystical Body of Christ is a separate and complete program in itself and unrelated to the prophetic program of God (although there is an ultimate inter-relation between the two in the ages to come, I believe), that there will be what some have rightly termed a "secret rapture" for this church. This rapture ("catching away"--I Thes. 4:17; "calling on high"--Phil. 3:14; being "received up into glory" -- I Tim. 3:16) will take place before the prophetic program is on the stage of world history again. Just as we begin to see signs of the approaching Christmas Season early in the Fall but hear or see nothing about Thanksgiving until November is reached; so we are beholding signs of Christ's second coming to earth now. How much nearer must the conclusion of this blessed "dispensation of the mystery" be! The time is His secret! Being saved and ready is our responsibility! Are you?

[nChrist]

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Courageous Living
Part 1 of 5
By Preston Gillham


Almost twenty years ago a man I know called his family together, lined them up in the family room, and beginning with the four-year-old, told each of them he didn't need them in his life. Last in line was his shell-shocked wife. "I don't need you. I don't love you. I'm leaving. The divorce papers will arrive in a few days."

And with that, he left to sleep in the arms of a younger woman and seek personal fulfillment through irresponsibility. His statement to the family as he turned tail to run is very revealing. He thought life was about other people taking care of him. He defined his masculinity by going to bed with another woman. He either missed, or ignored, the fact God intended for a man to be an instrument of redemption who lays his life down rather than pick it up.

A courageous man serves as Christ served, by laying his life down on behalf of those He loves. This may mean stepping into the line of fire, but it can also mean sharing your heart and soul with transparent honesty.

Time is life, and giving your time is like giving your life. A courageous man knows the importance of taking those he loves with him through life. Manhood is a code of honor, an ethic of integrity, a lifestyle of strength, and a confident security better observed than discussed, participated in rather than talked about. When a man gives of himself, lays his life down, and positions himself as an instrument of redemption he is taking up his God-ordained station in life.

We have Jesus Christ living inside us, sticking closer than a brother. The heritage our forefather, Adam, bequeathed to us haunts our flesh and stands in our memory as a profound failure of what our Father intended a man to be. We can opt to walk the same course Adam did, declare ourselves independent agents, discredit our Father's reputation, nurture shame, and fail in our task as men. Or we can choose to walk the way our elder brother did, depending upon our Heavenly Father, and let Him be our strength, source, significance, and security. In so doing, we determine to succeed in our role as men and take up our station in life as instruments of redemption.

How the enemy of God would love for us to praise the Lord we have found security as men, then fail to realize we will only know the true meaning of life if we lay our lives down.

Men provide life by giving their own life away. This is what those men have done who died for our country. When we walk past the war memorials in Washington, D.C. the reverence we give and the honor we feel is because we know their selfless service makes it possible for us to live the lives we live. On a more routine basis, this is what a man does who gives his life by sharing it with those he loves, even if it is as simple as a walk. And the ability of another person to live as God intended for them to live is the reverence and honor given because we laid down our lives.

Instead of languishing under the weight of shame left to us by Adam, we can cloak ourselves in the courage of Christ as the strong, secure men we are. This is the foundation equipping us to build a life of practical redemption for those closest to us. A courageous man loves, not because those he loves perform like he wants them to, but because of who he is and who they are. He loves because he is a loving person and because they need his love. He loves because Love Himself lives in him.

For Lifetime Guarantee, that's Grace.

[nChrist]

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Courageous Living -- Prayer
Part 2 of 5
By Preston Gillham


A courageous man is a man of prayer. But before you conjure up an image of yourself kneeling in your closet for an hour with a list, you need to know a courageous man of prayer is a man who communicates with his Father while doing what he needs to do and never dropping his guard against the insidious enemy he faces.

The Scripture says we are to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This can only mean God intends prayer to occur in all venues of life: kneeling, lying down, eating, riding, walking, running, working, loving, caring, kissing the kids good night, going to the ball game, the theater, fishing... although I must admit, I pray all the time when I'm fishing and it doesn't do any good.

Prayer is doing with God what God has already done with you. Said another way, God has shared everything He has with you, all of His hopes, dreams, aspirations, convictions, disappointments, hurts, and even the life of His eldest son in anticipation of your responding at the same level.

Courageous prayer is communicating with your Father and taking those closest to you on your journey toward His heart. As you communicate with them from your heart, and let them observe you doing the same with your Father, they see a model of the relationship you have with Him both through your communication with them and your communication with God.