GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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A TIME OF CRISIS
By Charles W. Wages

Life is sometimes described as one crisis after another. We often think of a crisis as being an emotionally significant event that causes a radical change in that persons life. Sometimes the crisis is caused by events outside our control, such as accidents, wars, recessions, severe illness of self or loved ones. The causes of crisis are so numerous that we are all affected whether a believer in Christ or not. What is the answer to a victorious life in time of crisis?

It shouldn't take a severe crisis to bring a person to Christ, but often it does.

From Crisis to Christ

Sometimes a person needs a crisis in their life to see their need of salvation. Often, self dependant, successfully active people are blind to the fact that they are sinners by nature and practice. They are self-sufficient and self-reliant and never think of being blind and lost. The crisis often causes a person to see how helpless they really are and their need for Someone to help. The crisis doesn't save them, but their turning from self to the Saviour and trusting Him as Saviour and Lord results in salvation. The gospel of Gods grace is sufficient to save from the guttermost to the uttermost all who believe.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)

Sometimes, a crisis turns believing people to greater service for the Lord. We could speak of this as,

From Crisis to Challenge

The apostle Paul spoke of a door being opened unto him to serve the Lord.

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Cor. 16:9)

However, he was quick to write, and there are many adversaries. The devil is quick to respond every time an opportunity is offered the child of God to serve in some manner or capacity. The needed advice is given in verses, 13-14,

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with love.

We are also admonished in Galatians 6:10,

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

In 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1, the apostle Paul thanks God for the believers and their faithful work for the Lord. In verses 2 and 3, he writes,

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.

Note how the service of these saints is listed,


. work of faith
. labor of love
. patience of hope.

We must remember these saints were ministering in a time of great crisis and challenge. Also, it is . . . wonderful that these three virtues of service are those familiar three virtues found in 1 Corinthians 13:13,

And now abideth faith, hope, and charity (love); but the greatest of these is charity.

These three should be the basis for our service for the Lord in time of crisis, not the love of money or fame. Someone wrote,

Shamger had an ox-goad;
David had a sling;
Dorcas had a needle;
Rachel had a string;
Samson had a jawbone;
Aaron had a rod;
Mary had some ointment;
But all were used of God.

One thing is sure, that if we turn to the Lord in times of crisis, it will become a

Crisis to Victory

Who could forget or not be moved by the apostles cry of victory in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57,

 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.    But   thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We read much today about victories on the battlefront, and in the air, but to the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, the spiritual victories are the most important. A soul saved; a prayer answered; a fallen believer reclaimed; the understanding of Scripture; the fellowship with other believers, etc. These are spiritual victories that build us up in the faith. We then can explain and proclaim,

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phil. 4:13)

These are the things that bring victory out of every crisis. The saying of an enlightened saint is true today. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. In times of crisis let us turn to Christ, prevail in service, and rejoice in the victory.

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BY LAW OR BY GRACE?
By Pastor Bob Hanna

Over time, there has existed constant conflict among denominations and sectarian organizations re the eternal destiny of man and the path toward the goal. Many are convinced that faithful keeping of the ten commandments is sufficient to open the door to paradise. Others believe that a mixture of human endeavor and divine faith will accomplish the purpose. God gives us the clue to our ability to qualify on the strength of our own efforts. "We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). The apostle Paul revealed to the Jews the insufficiency of law keeping for salvation as he preached in the synagogue, presenting their Messiah as the only way of salvation: "By Him [Jesus Christ) all that believe are justified from all things, from which; ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:39).

Of course, the Israelites, like so many people today, continued to rely on their own performance despite Paul's revelation. "For they [Israel] being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth" (Rom. 10:3,4). Peter, addressing the Sanhedrin, announced, "Neither is there salvation in any other [than Jesus Christ]: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

The law was once a part of the salvation formula, but never was it the vehicle. It served only as affirmation of faith, proving sincerity and dedication. It was always by grace through faith that salvation was obtained. In the dispensation of the grace of God, the law is no more in force. Christ has fulfilled the law, "Having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross" (Colossians 2:13,14). Paul writes, "Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Romans 6:14).

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THE WORDS OF CHRIST
By Pastor Bob Hanna


One of the greatest causes of confusion in Christendom is the erroneous belief that Christ in His earthly ministry is instructing and addressing you and me as members of His body in this dispensation of the grace of God. Our apostle writes, "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the Circumcision [the nation of Israel] for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers [Abraham, Isaac and Jacob]" (Romans 15:8 ). "To whom [Israel] pertaineth the adoption and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever Romans 9:4,5.)

Consider Christ's own declaration regarding His earthly ministry when He was approached by a Gentile woman: "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. It is not meet [appropriate] to take the children's (Israel's)  bread and cast It to dogs [Gentiles]" (Matthew l5 :24,26).

Paul explains to Gentile believers what their plight had been before Christ went to the cross: "Remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph. 2:11,12). As has been noted Christ in His earthly ministry was not addressing you and me. He speaks to us now from heaven, and only through the pen of the apostle Paul, who declares in his epistle to the Romans, "I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,  that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost" (Romans 15:15,16). "For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office" (Romans 11:13).

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MORE THAN CONQUERORS
by C. R. Stam


Two boys fight in a back alley. Fists fly. Shouts go up from the other youngsters standing by. "Give it to ‘im! Let ‘im have it!"

Finally one of the two struts away with an arrogant bearing, head and shoulders wagging. He has won!

But has he? Look at him. He has a bloody nose, a black eye and welts on his face and arms. And if looks could kill he wouldn’t even be alive, for while his friends shout his praises, the boy he has beaten gives him a look that says: "Just wait." He has not won anything except, perhaps, a bitter and lasting enemy.

So it is with the wars that nations wage against each other. Necessary as it sometimes becomes to defend our liberties, our homes, our way of life, by force of arms, seldom does any nation actually win the war. Rather all lose, even the "victors," as in their "victories" they sow the bitterness and hate which are the seeds of future wars.

It is different, however, with "the good fight of [the] faith," for the Christian may come out of every battle stronger than when he went in. Only the Christian can say with regard to the heartaches and disappointments, the difficulties and obstacles, that cross his path: "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Rom. 8:37).

During Paul’s busy ministry for Christ he suffered a painful "thorn in the flesh," and "besought the Lord thrice" that it might be taken away. The Lord did not see fit to remove the thorn, but answered Paul:

"My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (II Cor. 12:9).

Paul’s response:

"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me... for when I am weak, then am I strong" (Vers. 9,10).

Let all go well, and we are prone to grow careless in our Christian lives. Adversity, on the other hand, makes Christians lean the harder and pray the more -- and therein lies their strength and their victory.

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REJOICING IN RECONCILIATION
By Charles W. Wages

And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven. And you, that were sometimes 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 unreprovable in His sight. (Col.1:20-22)

How we should rejoice in the mercy of God! When we realize that the world was alienated by sin, we can see the necessity for God to institute His great plan for reconciliation. We will mainly consider this great truth from the cross of Christ to its further development in the epistles, especially of Paul. In Romans 5:10, we are told:

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

This very clearly teaches that reconciliation is dependent upon the death of Christ. This is God's way of reconciling the world and individual sinners to Himself. God doesn't need to reconcile Himself to the sinner, but the sinner needs to be reconciled to God. It is totally a one way street. God hasn't done anything wrong. In family or business disputes, it is usually true that both parties are wrong, For instance, in I Corinthians 7:11, the apostle Paul instructs the departing wife to be reconciled to her husband. However, in the case of the world, we are shown that all the world has become guilty before God (Romans 3:19). Knowing that God so loved the world, we can readily understand why He was willing for His only begotten Son to die to provide reconciliation whereby sinners can be saved by simply believing:

That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried and that He arose again the third day according to the scriptures. (I Corinthians 15:3-4)

Another great truth involved in the study and understanding of reconciliation is that through the death of Christ, Jew and Gentile have been brought together in one body. It should be understood that in the major portion of God's Word, there was the distinction made between the Jew and the non-Jew (Gentile). When we see this, the Old Testament, Gospels, and the first part of the book of Acts become more meaningful. In the book of Ephesians we are taught that Gentiles were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. The use of the word aliens shows that Gentiles were alienated, consequently the need to be reconciled. Ephesians 2:11-18 then proceeds to show how God reconciled both, Jew and Gentile, into one body. Then it is summed up in Ephesians 2:16:

And that He might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.

Both, Jew and Gentile, were guilty before God. Since Israel rejected Christ and God's offer of the Kingdom, they were set aside and became outsiders as well as the Gentile. Both needed to be reconciled to God. The means for this was the death of Christ on the Cross. The person to be commissioned for the work or ministry of reconciliation was the Apostle Paul (II Corinthians 5:17-20). It is through the Apostle Paul that we are introduced to the joint body in which there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Ephesians 3:1-10). Our heavenly Father makes no distinction between Jew or Gentile today in saving the lost. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ saves to the uttermost, all who come to Him by faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. In Colossians 3:11 we are told:

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all and in all.

Not only has God reconciled the world and the Jew and Gentile into one body, the Church, but we can rejoice in reconciliation to know this includes every individual who comes to Christ. In the great and important passage found in Colossians 1:20-21, we find that God has reconciled all things unto Himself. This includes even the creation that was affected by the original sin of Adam. However, God, through Christ, has even taken care of the redemption and restoration of His creation (Romans 8:21-22). It is so important to see, though, that God is interested in the individual. Notice in Colossians 1:21:

And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in Your mind by wicked works, yet now has He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight.

This great truth of reconciliation is clearly taught in II Corinthians 5:14-21. This needs to be read and studied carefully. It teaches us of so many things, but we see that when God reconciled the world to Himself, He provided for individuals that would believe the gospel of God's grace. In verse 20, of the above passage, stress is laid upon the individual. Notice the underscored pronouns, (underscoring is made by the writer), in the following Scripture:

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

It is wonderful to see the results that have and will be accrued by God's act of reconciliation. These should make us rejoice in reconciliation. First, we see that old things have passed away. These old things not only consist of sins, but the letter of the law and the ordinances and requirements of the law. We also see that all things are become new. Not only a new life, but new ways of looking at life. Also, the new man, the Church which is Christ's Body, is now preeminent in God's plans and purposes (Ephesians 1:19-23). Practically, it enables us to have new friends, new relationships with our heavenly Father, other believers and ourselves. Also, a brand new outlook and future. REJOICE IN RECONCILIATION!

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THE FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST
By Gregg Bing

The sense of smell, which is sometimes taken for granted, affects several different areas of our lives, sometimes positively, sometimes negatively. The difference is often indicated by the word that is used to describe the smell. For instance, the words odor, stench, and sometimes even the word smell itself, have a negative connotation. On the other hand, the words aroma, fragrance, and scent are almost always used in a positive way.

One thing affected by the sense of smell is our sense of taste. For instance, the smell of freshly baked bread can almost make ones mouth water for the taste, while a person who has a stuffy nose and cannot smell a thing, will often say that most foods seem to have no taste at all.

Another thing that smell can affect is mood or attitude. The perfume industry depends on this, for their aim is to design, market, and sell fragrances that can evoke feelings of romance or attraction.

Smells can even affect our actions. For example, some odors are so strong and so disgusting that they can make people sick to their stomach.

In 2 Corinthians 2, the apostle Paul is led of the Holy Spirit to use the concept of smell or fragrance to illustrate how the testimony of believers can affect the lives of others.

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. (2 Cor. 2:12-13)

Paul first makes reference to a time of stress in his life. He had come to Troas to preach the gospel and, though the Lord provided an opportunity for ministry, Paul found no rest in his spirit. He had hoped to see Titus there, but the young man, whom Paul described as a true son in our common faith, never arrived. Though Paul was disappointed and somewhat distressed about this situation, he emphasized that there is always triumph in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (2 Cor. 2:14)

The illustration Paul uses here is that of a Roman triumphal procession; a parade to honor Roman generals who won great victories in battle. The victorious general, when he returned home, led a procession through the city streets, riding in his golden chariot. The procession was followed by the conquered captives, most of whom were destined to die in the arena. During the parade the Roman priests would burn incense. The aroma of the incense paid tribute to the victorious general and his army.

Paul thanks God for the triumph that we have in Christ; the victory that He won over sin, over death, and over Satan through His sacrificial death and His powerful resurrection from the grave (1 Cor. 15:57). Because of His finished work on the cross of Calvary, the Lord Jesus Christ always leads us in triumph at all times, even in times of distress or disappointment. Not only that, but we can thank God that through us He diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

It is truly amazing to realize that God chooses to work through us, mere sinners saved by His grace. Even though we live in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7), God can fill and use these vessels as instruments for His service (Rom. 6:13).

Paul speaks of God using us to diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. The word diffuse literally means to make manifest or known. Like the aroma of the incense burned by the Roman priests bore testimony to and honored the triumph of the victorious general, so our lives are to bring glory and honor to our victorious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The fragrance we are to diffuse is that of His knowledge, or, more literally, the knowledge of Him. This knowledge is found in Gods Word. This is why, as Gods children, we are told to: Preach the Word! (2 Tim. 4:2).

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (2 Cor. 2:15)

Believers are, to God, the fragrance of Christ. The word fragrance means a good smell or a sweet smell. The idea is seen in Leviticus chapter 1, where we read of the burnt offerings the children of Israel were to bring to the Lord. As the sacrifice was burned on the altar, the smoke that rose up from the fire carried a sweet aroma to the Lord (Lev. 1:9). As the burnt offering was a sweet aroma to the Lord, so Christ's death on the cross for our sins was an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (Eph. 5:2). God was propitiated (satisfied) through Christ's finished work on the cross for our sins (Rom. 3:25-26). His holy and righteous requirements being satisfied, we can now be accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6). When we trust Christ as Savior, God places us in Christ by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). When God sees us, He sees us in His Son, and, we are, to Him, the fragrance of Christ a sweet smell of satisfaction.

God also sees us as the fragrance of Christ in our testimony to others, among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. Just as certain smells can affect people, the fragrance of Christ can affect people in an even more powerful way. We are to manifest the fragrance of His knowledge to other people. The fragrance we manifest is the same to everyone, the knowledge of Christ and His finished work of redemption, but the response is not always the same.

To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. (2 Cor. 2:16a)

Some respond to the fragrance of Christ like the crowds who welcomed and cheered the Roman general as he led the victory procession. To them the aroma of the incense burned by the priests was a wonderful smell, a smell of great triumph, not just for the general, but for them as well. Likewise, to those who hear the Word of God and believe it, trusting in Christ as their Savior, the fragrance of Christ is truly a sweet smell. It is an aroma of life to them, and embracing it as such, it leads them to life eternal and to great triumph in Christ.

Others respond to the fragrance of Christ like the conquered captives, the slaves who were on their way to die in the arena. To them the smell of the burned incense was not a sweet smell at all, but an odor of impending death. Thus, to those who hear the Word of God, but reject Christ as Savior and Lord, the fragrance of Christ has no attraction for them. It is nothing more than a smell of death, and they remain in their sinful state, perishing.

As believers, we must realize that we cannot control a persons response to the Word of God. As much as we want people to believe and be saved, we cannot force them. We can only diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge in every place we go. We can proclaim the truth of Christ and Him crucified. We can share with people the wonderful gospel of Gods saving grace. We can show people the joy and the great triumph we have in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What a tremendous service and responsibility this is! This leads us to question, as Paul did:

And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Cor. 2:16b)

The answer to this question is given in 2 Corinthians 3:5: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. We must not make the mistake of thinking that we are sufficient, in ourselves, to do anything for the Lord. Our ability to serve the Lord comes from Him, and from Him alone.

For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. (2 Cor. 2:17)

Many in Paul's day (and in our day too) were peddling the Word of God, not preaching for the glory of God, but for their own dishonest gain (1 Tim. 6:5). Men like this have no concern for the truth and accuracy of Gods Word and will often twist and corrupt the Word if they feel it will be more profitable for them.

Paul emphasizes that true ministry stands in stark contrast to these peddlers. We are to speak in sincerity, not for our own selfish gain, but for the glory of the Lord. We are to speak as from God, or literally out of God. We must remember that the message we have been entrusted with is the Word of God. It is not to be corrupted or handled deceitfully, but presented for what it is the Word of truth (2 Cor. 4:2). It is also vital that we realize our dependence upon the power of God in our lives, yielding to His Holy Spirit to work in and through us. Finally, when we speak, we are to speak in the sight of God, being concerned with pleasing Him and not with pleasing men (Gal. 1:10).

What about you? Are you manifesting the fragrance of Christ among the people you come in contact with each day? Or, is your life diffusing a different kind of smell an indistinct smell, maybe even a foul odor? God desires to diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge through you, a fragrance that will certainly have an impact on the lives of those around you. What type of impact will your life have?

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AVOID AMBUSH
BY Miles Stanford

"I find therefore the law of my nature to be that when I desire to do what is right, evil is lying in ambush for me" (Rom. 7:21, Wey.).

Struggle in yourself, and be trapped; rest in Him, and be free!

"Many Christians keep themselves in a perpetual foment through hoping they will get into a situation where they can enjoy a better (and easier) Christian life. They feel enclosed in a net of circumstances from which they cannot escape. They are so wearied and baffled and beaten by the continuous pressure about them that they wish and itch for things to be different, quite sure that if they were only different Christ would be more real. It has not dawned upon them that at the heart of these very circumstances they are to find the Lord Jesus, find His grace sufficient, find the life more abundant." -L.E.M.

"You might be secretly attempting to correct and improve yourself, and suffering a good deal of private vexation and disappointment on account of the futility of your struggles. It was at a moment when I was utterly discouraged, and ready to give up the whole thing in complete despair, that the Father showed me how I was attempting to work upon the old material which He could only condemn, and had, and that my disgust and despair as to myself were only a feeble echo of His.

"My Father was not looking for any good in me, and had the Lord Jesus Christ before Him, the perfect and infinitely acceptable Object of His heart. And I, in my nothingness, had ceased to look for good in myself, and began tasting the deep joy of being in Christ, and free to have Him as my Object; while as to life, I entered in some degree into the blessedness of knowing that it was 'not I, but Christ liveth in me.'" -C.A.C.

"For to me to live is Christ" (Phil 1:21).

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HEART OF THE MATTER
By Miles Stanford



"That I may know Him" (Phil. 3:10).

Immaturity is selfish; maturity is selfless. "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). "The question for the tried and tempted, the harassed and oppressed, is this: 'Which would you rather have, the power of Christ's hand in deliverance from trial, or the sympathy of His heart in the midst of trial?' The carnal mind, the unsubdued heart, the restless spirit, will, no doubt, at once exclaim, 'Oh! let Him only put forth His power and deliver me from this insupportable trial, this intolerable burden, this crushing difficulty. I sigh for deliverance. I only want deliverance.'

"But the spiritual mind, the subdued heart, the lowly spirit, will say, and that without a single particle of reserve, 'Let me only enjoy the sweet company of the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ in my trial, and I ask no more. I do not want even the power of His hand to deprive me of one drop of consolation supplied by the tender love and profound sympathy of His heart. I know He can deliver me, but if He does not see fit to do so, if it does not fall in with His unsearchable counsels, and harmonize with His wise and faithful purpose concerning me so to do, I know it is only to lead me into a deeper and richer realization of His most precious sympathy.''' - C.H.M.

"The same faith that sees glory for us at the end of the path sees God for us all through the path. This is the secret of real strength. What unbelief does is to compare ourselves and our own strength with circumstances. What faith does is to compare God with circumstances."

"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ" (II Cor. 1:5).

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THE STATE OF THE BELIEVER
By Charles Wages

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phil. 4:11-13)

It has often been pointed out that there is a difference between the standing of the believer and the state of the believer. Our standing as a child of God never changes. Since trusting Christ as Saviour, we have been placed in an eternal position by the eternal salvation that God has so graciously given. However, our state as to how we act and react while living in fleshly, earthly bodies has its ups and downs and changes as to how we live on earth.

Without pursuing the difference between our standing and state, we will concentrate on the state of the believer. I believe the scripture given, (Phil. 4:11-13), refers primarily to the apostle Paul's life as he served God on earth. They, also, refer to the physical necessities in order to live for and serve the Lord in the ministry God had given him. This can be confirmed by the words hungry and full. However, that never seems to be Paul's primary concern, however necessary it might be. His primary concern was how to fulfill the ministry God had given him to preach, teach, and to help others serve the Lord. He wanted his state to be one in which his life would count for God. Therefore, his state was not just one of being hungry or completely satisfied.

God is interested in our emotional state, that is how we act and react to events, personal relationships, and the ups and downs that attend our human lives. The book of Philippians is characterized by the words joy and rejoice, and encouragement to trust the Lord to take care of us in every circumstance. Read and reread that wonderful passage in Philippians 4:5-7:

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The expression be careful for nothing is encouraging us to not be anxious or apprehensive about conditions beyond our control. The apostle Paul endured terrible experiences, physically and emotionally, and spiritually. However, he was able to write words of encouragement to believers. In 2 Corinthians 1:8, he accounted his troubles in Asia and then wrote, in that we despaired even of life. To despair utterly means to give up on life, physically, emotionally and spiritually. How refreshing to read what the Spirit led Paul to pen in 2 Corinthians 4:8:

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed.

And then to write in 2 Corinthians 4:18,

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

God is able to lift us from the depths of despair to the heights of heavenly joy. What truths to aid us in our emotional state! Yes, it is possible to be well fed physically, but down in the dumps emotionally.

God, no doubt, is interested in our state as to the daily necessities of food, shelter, clothing, etc. However, the most important aspect of our lives is our spiritual state. God is interested in the well-being of all His children. To illustrate this, the Word of God is often referred to as food items. For example, we read of milk, honey, bread in reference to the Scriptures. Its possible to abound and be fed as to the physical necessities and be starving spiritually! We could be rich in this world's goods and be starving spiritually. This is the state of the majority of people in the world system. The wonderful verse in Philippians 4:19, doesn't just apply to our physical needs.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

We remember the warning of our Lord to a person who wanted his brother to divide his inheritance with him.

Take heed and beware of covetousness; for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth. (Luke 12:15)

The spiritual state of the believer is of utmost importance to the Lord. This speaks of our relationship to the Lord and determines the course of our lives as to the here and hereafter, the temporal and the eternal. To be healthy physically, we must eat the proper food; to be emotionally stable, we have to trust the Lord to strengthen us; to be strong and sound in the faith, we must partake of Gods spiritual food, the Word of God.

Our state vitally affects our life and service for the Lord. When we are emotionally upset and distraught, it is difficult to live and serve God. When we are spiritually bankrupt, it is impossible to serve in an acceptable way the Lord who loves us so much.

Yes, our standing as believers is secure; our state is sometimes shaky. God is taking care of our standing (Col. 2:10), we are greatly responsible for our state. We should depend upon God's ever present help to sustain and stablish.

I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me (Phil. 4:13).

We often speak of the state of the Union, the state of our affairs, or our state of mind, but what about our spiritual state? It is so easy to become cold, indifferent, and even spiritually dead. It concerns more than our physical which can be a state of mind. It concerns our hearts. It involves more than our relationships with people. It concerns our relationship to the Lord and His Word. It is one thing to be content with our physical condition, but quite another to be content and self-satisfied with our spiritual condition. It is of utmost importance that believers stay close to the Lord through prayer, study of the Word, and fellowship with His children. We should be concerned with the spiritual condition of God's children. We can do this by being spiritually strong ourselves. Consider what Paul wrote in Colossians 4:7:

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord.

Also in Philippians 2:19-20:

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man, likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

May we be able to help others in their spiritual lives by being strong in the Lord ourselves.

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THE KNOWLEDGE AND JOY OF SALVATION
Part 1 of 2
Pastor J. C. O'Hair

Of course you know that once upon a time a man by the name of Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of a big fish. "Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly." "Salvation is of the Lord." Jonah 2:1 and 10. Jonah was sure that no one but almighty God could save him from his awful predicament. "Salvation is of the Lord."

The whole world today is full of trouble and sorrow. All men everywhere should agree with Paul's statement or question, "hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" O, that every human being would cry out with Jonah, "salvation is of the Lord." Today how true are the words uttered more than nineteen hundred years ago, "a man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven." John 3:27. Every man on this earth should lift up his head to heaven and thank God for the truth of Romans 6:23, "the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." But he should do more than thank God. He should, by simple faith, receive that free gift by receiving the Lord Jesus as his own individual, personal Saviour. Hear the wonderful words of that Saviour, "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3.

Perhaps you have heard the testimony of the simple but wise lad after he had heard a gospel message on John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that who so, ever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The lad thus summed it up: "God said it; Christ did it; I believe it; that settles it."

We have undoubtedly been greatly impressed with the statement in Titus1:2; "In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began." God cannot lie. Eternal life is God's free gift for receivers. And of course with this profound and glorious Divine truth we link the good news of II Timothy 1:9 and 10: "God, Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and incorruptibility to light through the gospel."

God calls sinners to trust and rest in Christ's perfect work.

"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. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, The Man Christ Jesus Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." I Timothy 2:3 to 6.

Has any servant of the Lord testified this saving message to you? Perhaps you have heard it many times, but you have ignored or repudiated it. This is very good news for all men, women and children. As an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ, may I beseech you, persuade you, plead with you to hear this all-important truth, to consider it seriously and diligently, and to believe it for yourself even unto the saving of your precious soul? Surely it is one thing to know that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary to be the Saviour of the world; but it is quite a different thing for you to know that He is your personal Saviour. Salvation is very personal. Are you saved? Will you believe this Divine truth, a message from the holy God in heaven to unholy,ungodly sinners on earth: "by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath be, foreordained that we should walk in them?" Ephesians 2:8 to 10. And note this blessed truth in the same chapter: "But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13.

Almost every person will say, "I am a sinner." But so few are sufficiently exercised concerning their precarious spiritual state to say, "I am a lost sinner." God's Word plainly states that no unrighteous man shall inherit the kingdom of God. The same Word plainly declares, "There is none righteous, no not one." But over against this sad news God's Word declares some good news for sinners; for God's Word tells plainly how an unrighteous, lost sinner can be saved and become righteous.

We learn, in I Corinthians 1:30, that Jesus Christ is the believing sinner's righteousness, holiness and redemption. We learn, in Ephesians 2:14, that Jesus Christ is the believer's peace. We learn, in I Timothy 1:1, that Jesus Christ is the believer's hope. We learn, in Colossians 3:3 and 4, that Jesus Christ is the believer's life. We learn, in Colossians 2:10, that the believer is complete in Christ. We learn, in Ephesians 1:3, that the believer is blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. We read, in Acts 13:39, that believers are justified from all things through Jesus Christ  the eternal Son of God. How wonderful to stand in the presence of the Holy God with all our sins pardoned, forever put away, and as though we had never committed one sin! This is good news; the gospel. This is the grace of God. This is what the precious shed blood of the Lord  does for the guilty, condemned sinner when that sinner, by simple faith, receives the Lord Jesus Christ as his own personal Saviour.

In II Corinthians 5:21 we read that God made Jesus Christ, on the cross, to be sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. We read, in Romans 4:4 and 5, that ungodly sinners can be justified by faith without working for salvation. Believers should abound in good works after they are saved by grace through faith in the good work of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit."With the heart man believeth unto righteousness." Romans 10:9 and 10.

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THE KNOWLEDGE AND JOY OF SALVATION
Part 2 of 2
Pastor J. C. O'Hair


If righteousness could be gained by works or religion, then Christ died in vain. Galatians 2:21. For many centuries man, under the law, was a miserable failure. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:4. Last night I heard a very interesting conversation between two well-dressed, intelligent-looking  men. Among other remarks, one said to the other, "I really believe religion is a good thing for a man, if he doesn't get too much of it."The other replied, "Not for me. Morality is a splendid thing; but I balk when it comes to religion." Of course, the question that came to my mind was, "just how much religion is too much, or how much is too little, or how much is just right?" Then of course, my heart went out in sympathy and pity to both of them, a little bit more for the man who was satisfied with his own morality. He should read Isaiah 64:6 and Ezekiel 33:13 and Romans 3:19 and Romans 8:8 and Romans 4:4 and Romans 7:18 to 24. In these Scriptures we learn how utterly futile are man's best endeavors and religious labors to even help to save him. When a lost sinner turns to religion, instead of to Christ, for pardon and salvation, he is twice dead, plucked up by the roots, and then he needs to be saved from religion as well as from sin. In Romans 3:24 to 26 we read that because of the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who was both God and man, God can be both just and merciful in His dealings with the believing sinner. He can be just and the justifier of the believer, and can declare him righteous without a cause, by His grace. God is a great Giver. Man is a poor receiver. Man is incurably religious, and Satan is accused of the crime of deceiving the whole world. He deceives the religious, unsaved man, causing him to believe that if he needs Christ at all, it is as a helper and a teacher, but not as the Saviour. Christ's once-for-all sacrifice on the cross is man's one and only hope. If we are to reach God's heaven, we must come to God in God's way, by Christ and Calvary.

It is well for every saved person to become identified with some group of believers and assemble regularly for worship and hear the Word of God expounded, but no one is saved by "joining the church." Salvation is of the Lord; and by grace; the gift of God. Before God will accept a person's work, that person must first be the workmanship of God. Ephesians 2:10.

Hear these two wonderful verses of Scripture:

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life." 1 John 5:13.

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans15:13.

How sad to know that many conscientious, sincere religious people feel satisfied and secure, although they are headed for a Christless and hopeless eternity, because they have never been regenerated by faith in the crucified and resurrected Christ. Christ, by His own blood, entered once into heaven, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12. It was this Christ Who said, "marvel not that I said unto you, ye must be born again." John 3:3 to 7.

It is likewise sad to know that there are many fearful saved people, who have not the assurance of their salvation. They are trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, but they doubt and fear because of the wrong interpretation of some Scripture or because they think they have to supplement the perfect work of Christ, or because they are depending upon their feelings. No person and nothing can ever separate the believer from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:38 and 39. Every believer should be careful to maintain good works and should know that Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 3:14 and 2:14. But no believer should trust in himself for salvation, but in the glorified Christ, Who is able to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God, through Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25.

God cannot lie. God will have all men to be saved. God's Word says,"believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." "These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW." God wants every believer to KNOW. "KNOW that he has eternal life." That is why it is so important to know that we are living in God's "grace" dispensation; that believers are saved by grace, and not by religion, nor by any mixture of religion with Christ and grace. If you are a believer, do not discredit or dishonor God by doubting. Endeavor each day, by God's grace and power, to walk worthy of the calling where with you are called, and thus behave as becometh saints. But keep in mind the truth that you are not saved by behaving. You are saved by believing. Then you are to behave, because you believe. So far as the adults on this earth are concerned, there are just two classes, "dead sinners" and "living saints." When the dead sinner believes the gospel of grace he passes out of death into life and becomes a living saint.

If your trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ and you are relying upon Him and His redemptive work, say from your heart, with the lad, "God said it: Christ did it: I believe it: that settles it."

Now, concerning the joy of salvation, let us think of the five F's of salvation; The Fact; the Faith; the Fruit; the Feeling; the Future. The great fact is, that Jesus Christ, the God-man, obtained eternal redemption for us. This salvation is appropriated by faith. "By grace are ye saved, through faith." The end of your faith is the salvation. of your soul. I Peter 1:9 to 12. Christ said, "herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit." John 15:8. Christians or saints are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus, unto good works which God before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10. Believers are told to rejoice because their names are written in heaven. They are to be filled with all joy and peace in believing. Then think of the glorious future, when Christ shall appear, we are going to appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:3 and 4. So shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:17 and 18. Surely believers have a glorious future; eternal bliss and eternal glory, with the eternal Lord. Believers are to be rewarded for their labor of love. Believers are to receive crowns. Their labor in the Lord is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58 and I Corinthians 3:11 to16. Surely we have a wonderful and glorious future. Note Ephesians 2:7; "That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus."

While we are waiting for God's Son to come for us we are told to"rejoice in the Lord always . . . and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4 to 7.

So we are to be filled with all joy and peace. How? In believing. Who is to fill us? The God of hope. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who is given unto us. Romans 5:1 to 5. By this indwelling Holy Spirit we are to abound in hope. We have a hope laid up in heaven. We are looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13. He is our hope. He is our peace. We are to experience eternal joy, because we are in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

Surely you have decided that you will receive God's free gift, eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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The Wisdom
Of God

and the Wisdom
Of the world
By Dr. Lloyd A. Peterson

Paul, in writing to the Church of Corinth, contrasts the wisdom of God with the wisdom of the world: There is much more to this than may appear on the surface. It is really the Kingdom of Light in contrast to the Kingdom of Darkness. It is Divine Wisdom contrasted with Satanic wisdom.

Most of us have a very poor conception or understanding of the authority, power and wisdom possessed by Satan. Ezekiel, the prophet, speaks of Satan's wisdom in chapter 28 and verse 12: 'Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.'  Another translation is 'Thou art the finished pattern' and still another 'You complete the sum', that is of wisdom and beauty.

That the prophet is speaking of Satan is evident because verse 13 declares that he was 'in Eden the garden of God'. It also declares that be was created. This could not be said of the King of Tyre, of whom Ezekiel had been speaking. It also speaks of him as 'the anointed cherub'. verse 14.

When God created Lucifer, He gave to him wisdom and beauty. He probably was the highest of God's creation. He must have had beauty, for Ezekiel's description of him is beyond our grasp. His covering was of beautiful stones, nine of which are found in the garment of the high priest. Compare Ezekiel 28:13 with Exodus 39:10-13. This latter suggests that he was a priest-king in God's original creation. He perhaps was at the very footstool of God, next to God, an intercessor for the then existing creation. He was given authority and power.

Little do Christians realize this. Acts 26:18 says 'To turn them from darkness to light, and from the power (authority) of Satan unto God'. Col. 1:13 says 'who hath delivered us from the power (authority) of darkness'. When Scripture speaks of Satan as 'the God of this world'  it means that God gave to him the authority, power and wisdom of rulership of this planet.

Job 1 shows him as the steward of this earth. The Savior acknowledged his authority and power. He, the blessed Son of God, did not contest with him but answered in the temptation by saying 'It is written'. Jesus at one occasion said to the disciples, 'the children of this age are in their generation wiser than the children of light'. Luke 16:8. We are told to be 'wise as serpents'.

Oh! that we as the children of God may fully realize the spiritual warfare that exists. 'For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.' Eph. 6:12. We could be so much more victorious in Christian experience. How dare we but flee to the Lord when the tempter strikes. Jude reminds us of this need when he said, 'Michael, the archangel, when contending with the Devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.' Jude 9.

This is the reason for the contrast of wisdom in 1 Cor. 1, Christ is presented as the wisdom of God. 'For the preaching of the cross (the Word of the cross, or Christ of the cross} is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God'. Hebrews 4:12 says 'For the Word of God, (the logos of God, the Savior) is quick and powerful'. See the following verse where this word is personified and identified 'Neither is there any other creature that is not manifest in His sight'.

Again Paul, in Corinthians, says that Christ to the Jew is a stumblingblock and to the Greeks foolishness, 'but unto them which are called ..... the power of God and the wisdom of God'.

In the Proverbs the writer, divinely inspired, quoting the Savior says, 'counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength'. Provo 8:14. No little wonder then that the writer says, 'Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding ... Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not ... Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.' Proverbs 4:1, 5, 6.

Have you ever wondered why God so honored Solomon in his choice for wisdom? (l Kings 3:5-12) Here is the answer: it was not general understanding that Solomon prayed but it was for the Wisdom of God, or as Paul states it in 1 Cor. 2:15-16, 'He that is spiritual judgeth all things ..... For who hath known the mind of the Lord ... that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ'. Again, Paul says in Romans 8:7 'the carnal mind is enmity against God', therefore, 'Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.' Phil. 2:5.

Do you see, my friend, the contrast of the wisdom of this world and that of God? Christ is the Wisdom of God. In Him, with Him and through Him alone is there victory. No little wonder on the Mount of Ascension, after Satan's power was broken, He said to the beloved disciples, 'All power is given unto me, go ye therefore.'

Yes, we agree with Paul that Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God., ... of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord'. 1 Cor. 1:24, 30-31.

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FREE-BORN
By Miles Stanford


"For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God" (Gal. 2:19, ASV).

No true believer expects the Law to give life, yet many expect it to govern life. Too few realize that their death on the Cross separated them from the entire principle of law, and that their resurrection united them to the Lord Jesus, "full of grace and truth" (John I:14).

"All of the Lord's commands to me are according to the new nature I already have. He is my life, and all His words are the expression of that life. Therefore when His words are given to me, they only give me the authority to do what my new nature likes to do. 'A new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and in you" (1 John 2:8 ). -J.N.D.

"Does our Father mock us by bidding us do what He knows we are unable to do? No! He gives commands we cannot perform in our strength, that we may know what we ought to request from Him."

"Legalism is an effort to shape oneself to given laws or rules. Seeking to urge oneself into conformity to law, the old man is before the eye, and satisfaction is felt according as there is conformity to a given standard.

"The moment legality is sanctioned, it must be with reference to that which needs to be made subject. This is not Christian, because as believers we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, against which there is no law."

"Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty with which Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1).

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A Changeless God
In a Changing Age
By Dr.  Lloyd A. Peterson



This message comes to us from the 27th Psalm. It is a song precious to the hearts of most Christians. David wrote this Psalm probably after his experience of II Samuel 21:15-17. You must read this portion to understand the Psalm. David was evidently aged when he went out to war with these Philistines. He very nearly lost his life in the battle. His friends said, 'Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.' In Hebrew and the Chaldee this Psalm is captioned 'ledavid' which is 'to and for David'. It is the testimony of sweet confidence in the living God.

There is a confidence because of divine protection. Verses 1-3. Confidence is given in the realm of spiritual, mental and physical anguish. He declares, 'When the wicked ... ' Verse 2. 'Wicked' here is not personified; it is wickedness in general. The Hebrew word is 'ra-a'. It means the breaking up of all that is good and desirable. If a Greek word were chosen it would be 'poneros', which is moral depravity and corruption. A day like this is not only spoken of as coming but some of us believe that it is here. We who have children and grandchildren care for their souls and we are tempted to worry. But let the age come, twisted and warped as it is, we may have confidence in the living God that He cares for His own. Isaiah said of Him, 'When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard.' Isaiah 59: 19.

Again the Psalmist declares, 'Though an host should encamp against me.' Verse 3. This is MENTAL ANGUISH. It is a picture of the threats about us. None of these have actually engaged us in struggle yet, but they are like the Philistines encamped round about Israel. It engenders a spirit of uneasiness. It disturbs the rest that belongs to the chosen of God. Our Heavenly Father wants us to rest in the Lord. These threats come to all of us at all ages of life, but God says that we should not be disturbed. David in the Psalms says, 'I shall not fear'. Dearly beloved, God does not permit one thing to be an accident in your life. We call them such but this is improper. Our Father knows what we have need of and when we need His protection. Sometimes the Lord lets the host encamp about us so that we may more carefully examine both ourselves and our God. The host sometimes becomes His tool to make us a vessel unto honor. A dear brother in the Lord gave me a piece of paper. It had this message on it: 'The present circumstance which presses so hard against you is the best shaped tool in the Father's hand to chisel you for eternity. Trust Him then. Do not push away the instrument lest you lose its work.'

Once more the Psalmist declares, 'Though war should rise against me.' Verse 3. This is PHYSICAL. This is actual contact with the enemy. It is not only threat but experience in the physical. We all know what this is and will as long as we live in these bodies. Young people are not so cognizant of this but time brings all face to face with this issue -- the care of the physical.

What about age? With it come infirmities. Oh, how rich the Word is here!  David said, 'I will be confident.' How could he say this? If you care to study, read on in the Psalm. David begins to pray and as an old pilgrim along life's road he wisely asks for some items of life, even in late years, that God sees fit to give all those who seek His guidance. No wonder we may say 'Selah' (think of that) for this is our unchanging God in this changing world.

David wrote this Psalm when he was aged. He probably was tempted to feel that the days of his usefulness were over. (As suggested, read II Samuel 21:15-17.) He was told that he should not go out to battle any more. He was not able and capable as in former days. David was told that he should not 'quench the light of Israel'. It is not the easiest experience in life to be set aside from service. This is what Paul dreaded most. 'Lest I myself should become a castaway (set aside or disapproved)'. I believe that the Scripture teaches that until God takes us to heaven we are used of Him. When David saw that this particular phase of his ministry had come to an end he said, 'There is more for me to do, that will I seek after'. In so many words he declared that there was a ministry of prayer and through this he would reach areas that he had not before touched for God, and in this, confidence would be restored. By such communion several experiences would be his:

Number 1 - Prayer would reveal God's presence. Verse 4. 'I will seek ..... that I may dwell in the house of the Lord. ' He was speaking of the sanctuary. He knew what he would see there. There he would see the candlesticks, the table of shewbread, the altar of incense, the Mercy Seat, etc. These all spoke of God and His faithfulness and care for the children of men. In short, these items of furniture revealed the person and the nature of God. They spoke of God and His undying love for man. No one could abide here and ever worry. The storms of life that come with age, or any period of life in this age or any age, must abate when we stand in the presence of God. It is impossible as a Christian to have communion with God and worry at the same time. Do you remember what Martha said when Jesus came to the grave of her brother? She said to the Master, 'If thou hadst been here. ' There is a motto that reads: 'If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies; yet distance makes no difference, He is praying for me.' Try, my friend, to spend time in the Holy of Holies; see what God's presence will do when you behold Him.

Number 2 - Prayer would reveal His beauty. Verse 4. David said, 'To behold the beauty of the Lord'. Another translation reads, 'To consider the pleasantness of Jehovah and to look upon Him with admiration in his temple'. David is saying, 'There is a great ministry for me even now and that is to reveal the beauty of the Lord.'  No one can abide in God's presence and not reveal and reflect God's person. Moses did when he came down from the Mount. I know that his (Moses') experience was unique, but II Corinthians 3:18 says that the Holy Spirit through the Word has a way of revealing the beauty of the Lord. 'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. ' There is a tremendous ministry for all of us until Jesus calls us to heaven regardless of age. Think of it! While the world and its religion are so busy and taken with the peddling of their wares, denominationally and otherwise, God can use a few humble and dedicated souls to reveal HIS BEAUTY. Does not this verse in Corinthians teach us that this is possible? Be sure to note, however, it is through THE WORD. This by prayer brings us into His presence.

Number 3 - Prayer would reveal his power and purpose. Verse 5. 'He shall hide me in His pavilion'. What is better than to know the power and purpose of God? This can be a reality in and by communion with the Lord. The word 'pavilion' comes from the words 'papilio' and 'papilion' which means butterfly. It signifies a tent made of cloth stretched out on poles which in form resembles the butterfly. Here God hides the trusting soul. Does it mean that a man in the Old Testament who felt the judgment of man and fled to the Tent Tabernacle and laid hold of the horns of the altar could feel security here; or does it mean that as God has taken and transformed the worm, a creature of dust, into the beautiful butterfly to flit about in glorious splendor, so He has done for those that trust in Him? Whatever it does mean, it speaks of the POWER and PURPOSE of God. When a believer learns this, that he is in God's tender and purposeful care, rest quickly comes to the searching heart.

May the Lord help up to find and take time for a ministry of prayer; then the above named pleasures will be ours.

Amen and love.

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"NOT ASHAMED"
By Pastor L. Peterson, now
home with our Lord



There have been times in our Christian experience when we have been ashamed to make our true identity known. This could be the result of our conduct at the time or because of the presence of unbelievers. Perhaps like Peter in his experience we were completely outnumbered and would have been put on the spot had we made known our identity. Really, like it or not, for the moment it amounts to having been ashamed of our Saviour. This is an awful thing, and as a result we like Peter after such denial, weep and seek the Master's forgiveness.

How often the Saviour has had occasion to be ashamed of us. But never so. The writer of Hebrews states, 'He is not ashamed to call us brethren.'  How is this possible and why is it so? One reason is found in 'this verse: 'He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one.'

The Scriptures teach us that there is a mystical union (wrought by the Holy Spirit) between Christ and the believer. 'For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.'  Eph. 5:30. The Saviour loves His body. Ephesians again testifies that He 'nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.' Eph. 5:29. It is because of this union 'He is not ashamed to call them brethren.'  Think of it, dear Christian, the creator and sustainer of the universe loves us so much that He is never ashamed of us. This includes all of us. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church and said that even the members of the body that seem to be more feeble are necessary. See. I Cor. 12:22. This is no encouragement to give way to careless living. This is, a motivating force for a closer walk with the Lord.

Another reason also for his not being ashamed to call us brethren is that 'He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.'  Psalm 103:14. I shall never cease to thank God for this wonderful portion of His Word. May I tell you why? In my day I've seen a lot of dust around the country. I have yet to, find any that has had much of value as far as any intrinsic force is concerned. Verse 14 of this same chapter in Hebrews says, 'Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same.'  Again in verse 17, 'Wherefore, in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren.'  Therefore, it is written again, 'We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.' Heb. 4:15. This is the reason for His not being ashamed 'to call us brethren.'  Oh, how the Lord loves us. We should never lose sight of this fact. It is so easy to become discouraged these days and particularly, so if we give an honest appraisal of ourselves. Yet the Lord does not want us to be like that. We should look at ourselves as in union with Him.

Do you have troubles and are you often disappointed with yourself? Keep before you, dear child of God, that your Lord and Master does not sit in judgment to punish you. He rather is seated at the right hand of God the Father and is in sympathy with you.

As I bring this little message to a close I call to your attention two words in Hebrews. One is in chapter 4, verse 15 (previously quoted in this message). It is the word 'touched.' It really is 'sympathy.' Again in verse 2 of chapter 5 we have the English word 'compassion.' This too, is the word 'sympathy' in the Greek. The message is simple: He can and does have sympathy for us, and, 'like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For He knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we are dust.' Don't expect too much of yourself, dear friend, and you won't be disappointed so much. In fact,don't expect anything of yourself, for in your flesh (dust) 'dwelleth no good thing.'

You may expect something from the Lord, however, as He works in and through you 'for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do.'

Thank you, dear Lord, for never being ashamed of us to call us brethren; help us never to be ashamed of you and to make our identity known.

Amen and love,