GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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A HIGHER CALLING
Part 1 of 3
By Mel Flogel



REALITY


The pursuit of happiness is said to be part of the American dream. No doubt, whether consciously or subconsciously, pursuing happiness, and pursuing wealth or at least a feeling of financial security are part of the goals and dreams of us in the USA. Add to this a desire to have or maintain good health.

For many of us, these are pursuits and may remain that way, simply a dream and a goal never reached. For others, this pursuit has become more like a rat race at times. And as one person has said, "It's been a real rat race here, and the rats are winning". Nevertheless, these motivations have brought about many accomplishments by us as a people.

But I submit to you that there is much more to life than this, that there is a much higher calling to each one of us individuals, a much more motivational power available to us. And what's more it is close to each one of us, and not just a dream. I'm talking about a relationship with God so personal that He takes up residence in your very being. We have some big words for this including: salvation, righteousness, redemption, justification and reconciliation. All of these terms, clearly defined can help us to understand it, and appreciate it, and often times to get it in the first place.

But has Jesus Christ taken up actual residence in your very being? I do not ask you if you understand the concept, rather, I ask you, Do you have the reality of Christ in you? Have you experienced the indwelling of God in the person of Jesus Christ? Has the Spirit of God born witness with your spirit that you belong to Him? Have you received the Spirit of adoption Who gives you the sense and assurance that God is your Father by relationship? Do you know (by experience) what it means to be "in the Spirit" and not merely "in the flesh "?

In Paul's gospel, we find God using "great plainness of speech" and asking straight forward questions like this. God wants us to know where we stand with Him. Paul said, "examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates? II Corinthians 13:5)

Unlike the American dream, which can remain that way, only a dream, God's desire is for each one of us to have the reality of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" which is the seal of peace with God, sins forgiven, and eternal life. Paul explains this by saying "you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest (or down payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory ", (Ephesians 1:13-14)

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A HIGHER CALLING
Part 2 of 3
By - Mel Flogel -


CLOSE BY



Secondly, unlike the American dream, God has brought salvation close to each one of us. In Romans 10:6, Paul announces, "say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into heaven? (That is to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ  again from the dead). But what saith it? The word is near thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. "

What Paul is saying, is that now because of the finished work of Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection, He has made salvation, righteousness, justification, redemption, and eternal life as close as believing the words. Now, the operation of God goes like this, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. " (Ephesians 1:13) And again in Ephesians 2:13, Paul declares "But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh (near) by the blood of Christ. "So, much more than a dream, God's calling is a reality and rather than a far off hope, all the spiritual blessings of salvation and sonship are as close to us as believing.

A SURE THING

Thirdly, the American dream holds no promise of being a sure thing, but look at what our Lord Jesus Christ announces thru Paul, "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed." (Romans 4:16) During this present dispensation, believing sets a process in motion. Paul called it conformation predestination. In Romans 8:29-39, he explains "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long: we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

So then, the promise of eternal life, righteousness, salvation, redemption, justification, and glorification are a sure thing for the one who believes. Once we believe, we become a member of the church which is the body of Christ. Each of these members is now predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.

Salvation during this present dispensation of grace is all about the love of Christ for us, not our love for Him. Our love for Him is only a reflection of gratitude for His great love and longsuffering toward us.

These wonderful and sure promises are made possible because of two things. First it's possible because of the all-sufficient sacrifice made to God for our sins (called propitiation) (see Romans 3:25) which was made by our Lord Jesus Christ in Calvary's cross. Secondly, these promises, and this conformation process is possible because of the Holy Spirit's power and work in us after we believe. That's why Paul said, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians1:6) and "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

There is a teaching and a power which comes automatically to us when we believe. That's why Paul could say, "But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus; that ye put off the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:20-24) And again to Titus, Paul wrote "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." (Titus 2:11-12) So we have good news from our Lord Jesus Christ which was announced "afterwards" (Galatians 3:23) thru Paul that is a "sure" thing.

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A HIGHER CALLING
Part 3 of 3
By - Mel Flogel -



THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHALLENGE & REWARD



Paul announced salvation as a sure thing to every one who believes during this present dispensation of grace. He proclaimed that in our Lord Jesus Christ "dwelleth all the fulness of the God head bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power." And that (positionally speaking) God already "hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:5-6). So, positionally speaking, God now sees us as hidden in Christ so that when He looks at us He sees Christ. "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Colossians3:3-4) Yet, the challenge to us is now to live like it. Paul exhorts us to live a life that fits one who possesses such a gift already. To the Corinthians he wrote "And that he (Christ) died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again." (II Corinthians 5:15) And "that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" (Ephesians 4:17-18.)

So the challenge from our Lord Jesus Christ is now to follow Paul in this and "Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children" (Ephesians5:1) And to seek perfection the way Paul did as he states, ''Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14)

Paul said, "I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon." "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, every man's work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide (remain)which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.  (I Corinthians 3:10,12-15)

These are things which God has brought close to us, and within our reach. Eternal life, the reality of relationship with God, salvation as a sure thing to anyone who believes, and in this present life, the challenge to live as a possessor of the inheritance with the promise of reward for doing so.

So why not choose the gospel of the grace of God and believe. Set in motion, in your very being, the power of God's conformation process and become a possessor of the life of God and of the inheritance of eternal life by trusting in the shed blood of Jesus Christ as the only payment for sins, trusting in Him as the only way of salvation. You'll be glad you did!

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FAITH IN THE RIGHT PERSON
By C. R. Stam



Abraham’s faith in God was strong. When God called him to forsake his family, friends and country, he obeyed and "went forth, not knowing whither he went." When God promised to multiply his seed as the stars of heaven, he believed it, though childless. When, in his old age, God  promised that he would still have a son by ninety-year-old Sarah, he believed it even though he had waited so long, seemingly in vain. When God promised to give his seed the land in which he had sojourned, he believed it, though all reason argued against it. When God asked him to offer in sacrifice the son born so late in life, the son upon whom all the promises depended, he obeyed, concluding that it must be God’s plan to raise him from the dead!

Such was Abraham’s faith in God! Three times this is emphasized in Romans 4 alone: He was "not weak in faith" (Ver. 19); he "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief," but was "strong in faith" (Ver. 20). But it was not the strength of Abraham’s faith that saved him; it was the fact that the object of his faith was God (See again Gen. 15:6). He had placed his faith in the right Person. His faith became "strong" only because he had heard and believed God in the first place.

"For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness," and thus  "to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:3,5).

The simplest, humblest believer, who ever so feebly commits himself to God and His Word, is "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).

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"THE JUDGE OF ALL THE EARTH"
by Russell S. Miller

Two Thousand Years ago a certain Man, innocent of all wrong doing, was taken into custody by the authorities, given a trial in which He was charged of crimes He had not committed, and even when "no fault" could be found in Him, He was condemned to the cruelest death that man could invent.

Now it should not be supposed that simply because these Two Thousand Years have passed that this terrible miscarriage of justice will not be avenged in the Highest Court! Nor should it be supposed that everyone who has had a part in this travesty will escape the judgment of this Court!

You may think you know nothing, at all, about this event. But you are still guilty of His blood, and it behooves you, now, to cry unto Him, "the Judge of all the earth", for mercy and grace, in, what cannot be otherwise, your impending and eternal doom!

His name is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, who, in the greatest of love and grace, paid our debt of sin, Himself, on the Cross of Calvary.

Though He was crucified at the hands of wicked men, Jews and Gentiles are guilty of His death. But more, it was your sins, your lifestyle, that nailed Him to the Cross, so you are not innocent in this matter, but guilty as charged. Yet because He not only was innocent of all wrong doing, but righteous in all that He did, the grave could not hold Him. Death had no claim upon Him. Consequently, by His own Almighty power He arose from the dead; and alive forever more, He is seeking for all those who had a part in His crucifixion.

Now it seems to me that the wisest thing that any man could do under such circumstances is to plead for mercy from this Court of Justice. Because this Man, whom you have crucified (your sins also nailed Him to the cross), is alive, and He is coming again to take vengeance upon all mankind.

Jesus Christ is The Judge of All the Earth!

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Walking by Faith, Not by Sight


We walk by faith, not by sight . . . while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  (2Cor. 5:7 and  2Cor 4:18 )

The Christian life is a walk. It is comprised of day by day steps from where we are to where the Lord wants us to go (both spiritually and geographically). This walk is undertaken by faith, not by sight. "We walk by faith, not by sight."

Walking by sight is the natural manner by which human beings walk. This is true both for literal walking, as well as for taking the proverbial journey through life. When engaged in physical walking, people rely upon visual data (along with input from other human senses: like sound, smell, and touch). Likewise, as the unredeemed are engaged in their trek through life, they set their course and proceed by that which their natural abilities provide. We who know the Lord Jesus Christ cannot walk in this manner in His kingdom. We must walk by faith, by depending upon our Lord, His word, and the work of grace by His Holy Spirit. Spiritual progress is made "while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen."

So often, things are not as they appear to be in the natural. Consider Joseph being sold to slave traders by his jealous and deceitful brothers. It did not look like Joseph was being groomed to be Prime Minister in Egypt. Think of Pharaoh and his army closing in on Israel, as they were trapped beside the Red Sea. It did not look like Israel would be delivered, while the Egyptian army would be destroyed. Remember young David standing before gigantic Goliath. It did not look like the giant would be defeated, while David would enjoy a thorough victory. Only eyes of faith could really appreciate what was actually happening.

The cross of our Lord Jesus is undoubtedly the greatest example of things not always being what they appear to be. As Jesus hung upon the cross, it appeared that godless men had defeated the most godly man that ever lived. "Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst . . . Him . . . you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death" (Act. 2:22-23). Yet, in fact, God was at work, preparing a resurrection victory over sin and death for all who would believe. "Whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it" (Act  2:24).

Heavenly Father, I want to walk with You by faith. I desire to respond to the circumstances of life by what You have said in Your word and by what You are able to do. Too many times, I have set my course by sight, relying upon the appearance of things. Teach me to trust in You more and more, in Jesus name, Amen.
-----Hoekstra

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LEARNING THAT LASTS
By Charles W. Wages

"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim. 3:14-15)

It is generally accepted that all of us are products of inheritance and the things we have experienced in our environment. However, if the spiritual relationships are ignored, we are nothing more than natural born sinners. We inherited our natural or sinful nature, and the environment of this world system is certainly not conducive to a life for God. Our Scripture text teaches us that Timothy had heard and known of the Lord through the Scriptures. This is clearly shown in 2 Timothy 1:5,

"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."

One thing we can be assured of, salvation does not come by acquired inherited factors from our parents, neither do we come into this world knowing the Scriptures. We learn the Scriptures after salvation by hearing, reading, and studying them diligently. If we reside in the right atmosphere, have the right attitude, and give proper attention to all that God says, we can grow in grace and knowledge of Him and His Word. Paul admonished Timothy to,

Continue in Things Learned

Learning that lasts is enhanced by a real perseverance or steadfastness in things already known. Many have the mistaken notion that if they have heard a truth one time, they know it forever. Truth, to really be known, must be thought about intensely and lived or practiced seriously. This principle is clearly stated in James 1:22-25.

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

We learn from Paul's statement to Timothy that we should,

Continue to Learn Thing

The Word surely informs and encourages believers to grow. 1 Peter 1:2 admonishes,

        "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."

In Ephesians 4:12, we are instructed that God has given dedicated men (4:11) for,

"The perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

There are always things to be learned. Old dogs can be taught new tricks. The Word of God is inexhaustible. When a person sees that we are to rightly divide the word of truth, and their eyes are opened to dispensational study, new vistas of learning arise on their horizons, and they really take off in mature growth.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15)

There is a great impetus to learning when a believing person is sure, not only of their salvation, but of the Scripture knowledge they have attained. It should be noted that 2 Timothy 2:14 says,

"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of ..."

Secure people tend to secure more and more truth. It has often been noted that children who are continually upset and confused at home, learn far less than children coming from a stable home. There is so much religious confusion in the world, so much false teaching, that it is absolutely imperative that we be assured of our salvation, assured of the infallibility of the Scriptures and that they are real and relevant for our lives.

Finally, we should see the importance of knowing

Of Whom Thou Hast Learned Them

Reference has already been made in this article to Timothy's mother and grandmother. No doubt, others were instrumental in helping Timothy. However, the person most responsible for teaching him the truth for us today was the Apostle Paul. In 2 Timothy 1:13-14, Timothy is told to,

"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us."

The fair and honorable trust (that good thing) was the mystery revealed to Paul by special revelation. He was passing this great truth for our age on to Timothy to be committed to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2). We should know that the Apostle Paul was the divinely chosen and appointed servant of God of whom we learn our position and walk for today. No doubt Timothy acknowledged this, do we?

Learning that lasts depends on a lot of yielding to and wielding of the Word of God. If we heed the instructions of the Word, we will learn at last the learning that lasts.

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FREEDOM FROM WORRY AND ANXIETY
By Steve McCoy

The world seems to be going crazy. Gasoline prices are higher than we have ever seen in our lifetime. Nuclear capability is being grasped by volatile leaders like North Korea's Kim Jong II and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. Outlandish remarks about wiping Israel off the face of the earth have been made by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran. A war continues in Iraq. Experts tell us that a real estate bubble is about to pop. Economists are nervous. There's no doubt about it, if we judge by the things we can see, the world has become a scary place.

How are Christians to navigate through these trying times? While the answer doesn't always seem easy, it is simple. We trust our Father. The answer may seem trite, but it is true. We trust. That's it. What else can we do?

Our Father is the great I Am. Do we really need more than that? The One who loves you spoke all things into existence and it is by Him that all things consist. That's enough to give us peace.

The Sovereign LORD is your Father. The One who neither slumbers, nor sleeps. The One who has the very hairs of your head numbered. The One who rules the smallest details of the universe. The great I Am is the One who cares for you.

Worry is what happens when we imagine a future without God. lt is the ugly stepchild of faithlessness. It is the dull, nagging sense that God will abandon us in our time of need.

I think of the God of my own journey. He has never done anything but assure me of His love and good intentions. I have never known Him to be anything other than loving and gracious and compassionate and faithful. Any doubts I ever have don't come to me because of His track record, because His record is perfect.

There have been times when I haven't understood Him. I still don't. Life hasn't been a Disney World at every moment. But I've learned that I can trust Him, even when He makes no sense to me.

In the shaky world of today, let us choose to trust Him. To rest in Him and to yield everything to Him. The road we travel may seem bumpy at times, but He will see to it that we arrive safely home.

Don't become distracted by the scenery along the way in your journey. Trust Him. Look to Him and He will give you miraculous peace so that you can enjoy the journey. What He has said, He will do. It is already established in heaven. So, relax.

Worry and anxiety are exercises in futility. I Am is our Abba. Is there anything more we need to know?

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"THE LORD KNOWETH"
PART ONE OF TWO
by Charles Wages

In a time when we are told that the "body of knowledge" is increasing with every giant step forward, we must be brought back to our senses and recognize that only God is omniscient. We must remember and acknowledge Romans 11 :33-36,

"O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory forever. Amen"

One of the ways man has tried to extend his natural knowledge is to delve into the human mind. Things psychological have taken on added interest and popularity. Something for all of us to keep in mind is that,

The Lord Knoweth the Thoughts of Man

Psalms 94: 11 reads, "The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity." It is interesting and enlightening to see this Scripture given prominence by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 3 :20, where it reads, "The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain." It has just been stated previously that, "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." We ask ourselves the penetrating question, What will we learn if we can read the mind and thoughts of mortal man? No doubt, a lot of foolish and vain information. People today speak of "brain-washing," "programming and deprogramming the mind," "blowing the mind" and "psychological readings" through dream or ink blot interpretation. Even if this became a "science," what would we learn? That man's thoughts are vain, that they are foolish, that they are deceitful, and that they are confused.

Yet, through it all, the gracious Lord, knowing our thoughts, can straighten and stretch our minds with the wonderful wisdom of the Word. If we would earnestly heed Philippians 4:5-9, we would have a first class spiritual lesson on how to think. In any event, we should guard our thinking habits carefully, knowing that the Lord knoweth our thoughts.

We should also be consciously aware of the truth that,

The Lord Knoweth the Ways of Man

It was Job of old who said inspiringly, "But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). In fact, in 34:21, it is stated, "For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings." If one would attempt to trace and study all the references to this tremendous truth found in Job and Psalms, it would take a lifetime.

We should all be familiar with the statement in Proverbs 14:12, ''There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." An example of this is called in Jude 11, "the way of Cain." God looked upon the offering of Cain and rejected it. Why? Because it was the work or effort of sinful man to try to gain God's favor. This erroneous effort by Cain has become the basis for most of the religious dogma that has arisen through the centuries to the present. Man has tried in every age to work for his salvation, but God knowing man's thoughts and man's ways, has rejected them. We must ever keep in front of our minds and hearts. that our Lord Jesus said,

 "I am the way, the truth, and the life; No man cometh unto the Father, but by me. " (John 14:6)

We know also that

The Lord Knoweth Our Days

We need to cast our eyes upon His Word, and what He says about situations which try to beat us down.   We don't have to carry burdens, but only release them to the One Who can handle them all. What  joy is there in  the Christian life  knowing that God can handle anything we hand over to Him.

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The Lord Knoweth Our Days
Part 2 of 2
By Charles Wages



The Lord Knoweth Our Days



In Psalms 37:18, David was led to say,

  "The Lord knoweth the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall be forever."

Yes, it must be true that the Lord knows how long we will live here on this present planet. But of more importance is how we live while here. In other words, the quality of our days is more important than the quantity of our days.

The days of our life are described in many vivid and interesting ways in Scripture. For instance in Psalms 90:9, it remorsefully remarks, "For all our days are passed away in thy wrath; we spend our years as a tale that is told." And another that is even more representative of our lesson is found in Psalms 144:4, "Man is like to vanity; his days are as a shadow that passeth away."

Yet, though all this seeming gloom and despair, God, who knoweth our days, can take the days of our lives and make them meaningful and useful for His glory! Every day can be a day of gladness and glory if we let Him have his way in our day!

Then, to the believing sinner, there is no more comforting and heartwarming truth than that.

The Lord Knoweth Them That are His

In II Timothy 2: 19, we read,

  "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His, and let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

The Lord doesn't just "know" us as so many names in a book, or numbers in a computer. No, he knows us in a personal, loving way. No man will ever really know how God knows! However, we can appreciate a few of these ways. For instance, Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 12:29-30, "And seek ye not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of a doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." 0f course, He went on to say, "But rather seek ye first the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." The gracious Lord knows that we need first spiritual things and then material things. Paul said, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).

The Lord knows that our lives are full of trials and testings. Surely, we have all felt sometimes, as if there was no way out of difficulties that beset us. But, we can take courage in the truth that,

The Lord Knoweth How to Deliver

I Corinthians 10:13, reads,

  "There hath no temptation (trial) taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

Deliverance is a continuous process with God. Paul in writing to Corinthian believers, shows the three-fold tense of God's deliverance. He wrote,

  "Who delivered (past) us from so great a death, and doth deliver (present); in whom we trust that he will yet deliver (future) us."

Yes, the Lord knows everything about everything. He also knows everything about everyone! But how ignorant man is in all his natural knowledge. The following dialogue will humorously illustrate.

A preacher, while driving through the country stopped and said to a farmer by the road, "Are you a Christian?" The farmer said "No, I am a Jones, Christian lives down the road about a mile and to the left about a quarter mile." "No, you don't understand," said the preacher. "Are you lost?" "Nope," replied the farmer, "I've lived here going on 43 years, and know every nook and cranny hereabouts." The preacher scratching his head, said, "Are you ready for the judgment?" Jones answered, "No, when is it?" Disgusted, the preacher finally said, "For you, it may be Tuesday or Wednesday. "Good," said the farmer Jones, "I'll tell my wife, she will want to go both days !"

Ignorance is not always bliss, as some say, but is serious business in regards to one's destiny. Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour? He knows your heart, He knows your thoughts, He knows your ways.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. Lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." (Prov. 3:5-6)

[nChrist]

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THE REAL ENEMY
By Miles Stanford



"For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Rom. 6:14).

Hatred for others comes easy for some; but to fully hate one's old man comes hard for all. The Lord Jesus loves us too much to allow us to go on loving ourselves.

"The Christian's victory is not over others, but over himself. His sword is drawn, not to slay his fellowman, but to slay himself. He wins by losing. He triumphs by being defeated. He lives by dying. His crown is a crown of thorns. His throne is a Cross. His weapon is not strength but weakness.

"His victory is not found in establishing his own cause but in establishing that of his fellowmen; the poor, the sick, the disinherited, the brokenhearted, the wayward, the lost. This may be foolishness to men. But we must not forget that 'the foolishness of God is stronger than men' (1 Cor. 1:25).-F.J.H.

"How blessed it is to know, and at the same time how solemn to realize, that the sin of the child of God is against his Father, and that it is the love of relationship that is called into exercise about it---love which acts towards us 'for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness" (Heb. 12:10).

"It is impossible that He should treat it lightly; and it will be impossible in the end for any one of His own to treat it lightly either. Grace abides towards us; and because grace abides, sin cannot be permitted to have sway over the objects of it." - W.K.

"Let not sin, therefore, reign ... " (Rom. 6:12).

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THE MINISTRY OF YIELDING
PART 1 OF 2
By Pastor Lloyd Peterson


Romans 6:13 and Romans 1:1-2

Lately I have had several discussions relative to the age in which we are living. The consensus seems to be that we are living in strange times to say the least. It was generally agreed that we could be living in the sunset or eventide of the age of grace. The church is not prophesied as to its time and it appears that these 'coming events' are casting their shadows before them. If the hour of Christian history is rapidly coming to a close, it is possible to remain spiritual and loyal to our blessed Redeemer as night shadows lengthen? It would do all of us good to study the Gospels and learn well the attitude of Israel as they lived before God had cast them away. (Romans 11:15) The experiences of their being set aside will be those of the Gentiles. These experiences will, and must, affect the church. Some believe the spiritual paralysis has already begun. Jesus cried to Israel in their hour, 'Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you! The response to this cry was negative, for the Scripture declares: 'But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him: that the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report?..... Therefore they could not believe.' John 12:35,37-39.

God sent blindness to Israel. He will do so to the Gentiles. Will this spirit be experienced in our age? If so, can the Christian today avoid being anesthetized by the spirit of the age? Must my life be affected regardless what I might do about it? This is a good question and every believer should give very serious thought to it. We believe (many of us) that the tide of the age not only will affect many but already has put some asleep spiritually. Some will read this article and smile....but the smile is evidence of spiritual indifference. No serious child of the living God today laughs off our times. But it does not have to be that we become spiritually indifferent. We can be true; found at our post with lamps burning brightly until the curtain falls on this age. But how many will do so? Paul gives the remedy in Romans 12:1-2. At first thought we may think we know these verses; but do we? Paul request two things in view of God's mercy. (His mercy was that by faith He has incorporated us into His Body.)

First: He declares 'present your bodies.' The word present is the same word as yield in 6:13 and assist in 16:2. The original word means 'to set beside' or 'put beside,' that is 'to assist.' The Holy Spirit is called the 'Parakletos'; one called alongside to assist. A parable is a 'parabollo,' something cast alongside to assist in teaching or to assist in making clear some teaching. To present your body is to 'assist' your body in its dedication and service to God. So there is something you and I can do about our times.

Second: Paul declares the means of assisting, helping or presenting your bodies. By (means of) the renewing of your mind. The word 'renew' is interesting. It is made up of two Greek words: 'Ana' and kainos'. 'Ana' means, 'up' and 'kainos' means 'new.' Really it means to 'up the new'; to put the new to the front or show the new. Take down the faded, worn and tattered and put up the new life in Christ. It amounts to what Paul says in Col. 3:1, 'Set your affections on things above.' A most wonderful passage to study with this in mind is Col. 3:5-10. Be sure to consider this as it is so related to the renewing of the mind.

I'm rather sure that all of us as Christians have trouble in certain areas and we do so want to be victorious and glorify our Blessed Lord. The renewing of the mind is the first major step in the direction of success. Daniel, as a believer, is a good example of this lesson. He was only a boy when he was carried into captivity. The world made a bid for his soul. In fact, the head of all Gentile power, King Nebuchadnezzar, demanded that Daniel defile himself with a portion of the king's meat. But the Word of God says 'Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself.' Daniel 1:8. This is the 'renewing of the mind.' Divine enablement follows this, but man's first step is to take a stand against the inroads of evil. 'Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.'  May we as Sons of our Savior do so.

[nChrist]

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THE MINISTRY OF YIELDING
Part  2 of 2
By Pastor Lloyd Peterson




This is a continuation of the article from yesterday, concerns the 'HOW' of yieldedness.

Within the heart of every true child (son) of God there is a desire to live a life commendatory to the risen Saviour. It is unnatural for  a Christian to want to live in sin. 1 John 3:9 says, 'Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin (make life a practice of sin) for His seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.'

This is not teaching sinless perfection; it is simply stating that if you are a saved man or woman God's life abides in you and this life does not permit the enjoyable practice of sin. Romans 8:2 is very much like this. It declares: 'For the law of the Spirit of, life in Christ Jesus hath made me free.' A Christian having a defeated life must bring grief to the heart of the Saviour. Do you recall when David had fallen into sin that Nathan, the prophet, told him, 'Because of this deed, thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.'

As Christians we do, therefore, want to live above reproach. But HOW? In the previous message we sought to show that there must first be 'a renewal of the mind.'  To me this is Romans 7. There is the willingness but........how to perform that which is good I find not,' declares Paul in Romans 7:18. To this point Paul ad not experienced what he wrote in Romans 8. You see my friend, there is not only renewal of the mind but there is the renewing of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5. When a Christian takes the stand Daniel did in Babylon, 'determining not to defile himself,'  there comes the quickening power of the Holy Spirit enabling the believer to carry out holy dedications.  There are two wonderful verses that come to my mind at this point. They are Rom. 8:11 and 1 Corinthians 6:14. Both speak of the same thing. The former often is used as a funeral text but has no relationship to a dead man but rather to the living. God's Spirit that quickened Christ's dead body will quicken our mortal bodies, not after death but NOW. The latter text has the same testimony. Romans 8 is an exposition of the thought brought forth in these texts.

The renewal of the mind and the renewing ministry of the Holy Spirit is well illustrated by an experience related by a veteran missionary from Africa.  He told of the discipline necessary to be a faithful and ambitious servant of the Master in Africa. He said. "I found myself becoming lazy, tempted to sleep late in the mornings when I should be up, alert and active. My nature was to sleep and the climate was such that it was conducive to sleep, especially at the times that I should get up. Late hours of work at night gave me good excuse to sleep, and yet I felt I should be an example to those working with me. I wanted to break that habit that had formed in my life. -- but how? I was now willing to 'assist' (same word as in Rom.  12:1 'present' and  Rom. 6:13,  (' yield') my body so I set my alarm clock. It awakened me out of a dead sleep. But I was still in bed. All forces of nature intrinsic and extrinsic said 'stay in bed,' but I jumped out of bed, raised my hands toward heavens in stretching, took a deep breath of fresh God-given invigorating air and said, 'Thank God for this new day,' ran around my bed three times and by that time I was renewed in mind and renewed in spirit and was ready for the day."

This is crude perhaps as an illustration but it gives a good picture of the two important factors necessary for successful living. And so it is in the spiritual realm. God show us all how to be best for Him.

[nChrist]

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WHY DID GOD CREATE?
By Dr. Wm. Hallman


Scripture Reading: Gen.1:1; Psalms 33:1-22

In Hebrew there are just seven words in this opening sentence. They are composed of 28 letters (4x7). The subject and predicate have 14 letters each (2x7). The objects, "the heavens and the earth," have 7 letters each. Such perfection is outstanding and noteworthy. This verse also contains the five factors which are considered a manifestation of the unknowable. They are: Time - "In the beginning," Force,- "God," Motion, - "created," Space, - "The Heavens," and Matter, - "the earth."

God created, first of all, To Declare His Pleasure. "For thy pleasure they are and were created" (Rev. 4:11). God, not only, has natural and moral attributes, but also social. There are such attributes as concord, unity, fraternity, design and beauty in His nature. So here, in creation, He displays the delights of Deity.

He also created, To Demonstrate His Power. "Great is our God, and of great power" (Ps. 147:4-5). How big is the universe? Astronomers measure distance by "Light Years." Light travels 186,000 miles a second. Multiply this by the number of seconds in a year, and one has a "Light Year." They say the nearest fixed star is some 11 light years away. "By Him all things consist" (Col. 1:17). He is the One Who upholdeth all things by His power.

Creation also Displays His Perfection. "The wondrous works of Him which is perfect in knowledge" (Job 37:16). Any part of God's universe will show forth exquisite beauty, symmetry of design, and absolute perfection. Whether it be the tiny snow flake or the unwanted dandelion flower, they are beyond man's ability to duplicate in perfection.

But, best of all, He created To Determine His Purpose. All things were created by Christ and for Him (Col. 1:16). Here creation is set in the context of redemption. Before each object of this verse (1:1) there is a particle composed of the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. aleph and tau. Meditate on this in the light of Isa. 41:4; 44:6: Rev. 1:8,11. Yes, this verse determines His purpose in Redemption and Reconciliation.

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FREE FROM THE LAW
Living Under Grace
Part 1 of 4
By Richard Jordan



Much of Christianity could be included in Paul's description of the believers at Galatia when he writes:

"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" (Gal. 3:1).

The Galatians had begun with a clear understanding of the issues of grace--of all that Christ had done for them at Calvary and the position God had given them in Christ. But they had become foolish--they allowed their thinking to wander from their completeness in Christ and thus had been bewitched into thinking their adherence to a set of external rules would enable them to please God. Thus Paul seeks to reason with them:

"This only would I learn of you, RECEIVED YE THE SPIRIT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, OR BY THE HEARING OF FAITH?

"Are ye so foolish? HAVING BEGUN IN THE SPIRIT, ARE YE NOW MADE PERFECT BY THE FLESH?" (vs. 2,3).

Is the entrance into salvation by faith but the fullness of the Christian life by the works of the law? Hardly! It is vital to realize that grace is not only the way of salvation but it is also the key to the sustaining and successful Christian life. The alternative is for our lives to be "vain"---empty, fruitless and barren:

"Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain" (v 4).

One of the major roadblocks on the road to spiritual growth is the unrealistic notion that the Christian life consists simply of mastering certain "principles," that if we successfully follow a list of steps and standards we will achieve spirituality.

Many honest souls cannot believe that obedience to God can be secured in any other way than by the law-principle---by adherence to a set of external rules by which to obey and seek to please God.

The truth is, however, that no believer will be effective who sees his life as slavish servitude to a list of rules and regulations. Rather, we will be motivated to godly living and faithful service when we see ourselves not as serving the law but responding to grace.

Rom. 6:14 is an important verse here. Although it is familiar and often quoted, it is amazing how little genuine understanding exists as to its real meaning:

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

The first "for" states the fact that sin's lordship over us is ended. The second reveals the basis on which this release is realized in our lives: We are not under the law---not under a performance system that first demands duty and then offers blessing. Rather we are under grace---which freely bestows the blessing first, knowing that the blessing will cause fruit to follow naturally.

It is important to understand that grace frees us from both sin and the law.