GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

This was written by a Bible teaching friend who is now home with the Lord Jesus Christ.

PEACE IN THE EYE OF THE STORM
by Dale E. Price



The storm is terrible. We have been struggling against the winds and the sea for hours in our small boat. There is no sign of it letting up, and the waves are beginning to crash over our bow. We're losing the battle. I am truly frightened.

How can He sleep through all this? Can't He feel the water sloshing in the bottom of the boat? Doesn't He know how perilous our situation is? Doesn't He care? Finally, I can't stand it, so I tell John to wake Him up. John shakes Him awake and tells Him we're about to die. But the Master is not afraid. Instead, He rebukes us for our lack of faith. He turns His face into the wind and rebukes the wind and the sea. At His command, the storm ceases, and the sea is calm.

We're amazed! Who is this man that can calm the storm?

On September 11, violent aggression crashed against our homeland. Waves of darkness, anger, sorrow, and fear assaulted our sense of safety and security. The winds of hate and violence tear at us, trying to rob us of our peace and joy. As believers in Christ Jesus, what can we learn from the disciples' experience described in Matthew 8:23-27? Three questions come to mind.

*    How could Jesus sleep in the midst of the storm?

Throughout Jesus' life we find Him at peace when circumstances cast others into a sea of doubt and fear. What did He know that they didn't? He knew and believed what He had taught in the Sermon on the Mount, that we are more precious to God than all of the rest of creation. He also knew that His life on earth was truly in the Father's hands. He knew God's prophetic Word that "He will command His angels concerning You to guard You in all Your ways. They will bear You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone" (Psalm 21:11-12). Jesus could rest peacefully because He was resting in the hands of His loving Father, the hands of the God of all creation.

*    Didn't He care about their fears?

I John 4:18 tells us that "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear ... " He cared about their fears, but He cared more about their faith. In this world, we will have trouble. Do we believe that God is in control of every breath, every heartbeat, and every day of our life on earth? Romans 8:37-39 tells us that in the midst of famine, persecution, or the sword, we are more than conquerors. There is nothing in the vast universe that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus!

*    Why did Jesus rebuke them for their lack of faith?

It was evening when they set out in that boat. The disciples had witnessed Jesus' miraculous healing throughout the day. Who did they think was in the boat with them? He rebuked them because their faith in Him did not extend to their immediate perilous circumstance. When we believe in Jesus Christ as God's only begotten Son, the image (exact representation) of the Father, full of grace and truth, we believe that our eternity is in His hands. Is it too much to ask that we trust Him with the troubles of this life? The reason we can walk through this life without fear is that we know the one that is in our boat, and we know the one whose boat it is.

Each of us must face our own doubts, fears, and insecurities in the midst of this storm tearing at our homeland. When we find His peace in the eye of the storm, we must lift our eyes to see those still struggling against the tempest. We must seek the ministry God has for us in our hour of national and international distress. I believe that there are three critical roles for believers and for Christian ministries as we confront this present darkness.

1. We must shine in the midst of the darkness. The greater the darkness, the more brilliant we must shine. If we only shine within the walls of our local assemblies or in our Christian camp facilities nestled in beautiful canyons or perched on lofty mountaintops, who will see? The pain and the loss of September 11 are still rippling through the lives of our friends and neighbors. We must actively demonstrate compassion, gentleness, peace, and love within our communities. Doors of opportunity for hospitality and gracious giving are open to us now. We must actively seek for those doors and then walk through them boldly.

2. We must be places of safety and security. The families of America need to know that there are still places of beauty where they and their children can be out of harm's way. Local assemblies must reach out to individuals and families in their communities to provide the Word of Truth, spoken in love, from hearts filled with God's compassion. In Christian camps, our selection and preparation of staff, our health and safety programs, the security of our grounds and facilities, and our emergency response procedure are all critical to creating and maintaining a safe camp environment for all our guests. We must remember that camp, in order to be camp, will never be totally risk-free. But we must be both diligent and prudent in our efforts to ensure that every child or family who attends our fellowship, every camper, or guest at our camps will be safe while in our care.

3. We must be places with an answer. Peter tells us in his first epistle that we are always to be ready" ... to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." When we can rest like Jesus in the midst of the storm people will ask why. Doors of ministry opportunity will open for us in the midst of the despair and devastation caused by sinful men. Children and families will come to us whose world has been turned upside down. Lives built on the shifting sands of wealth and false expectations of peace have been shaken. We need to bring them to the Rock, the Chief Cornerstone. They need to find in Him an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast. They need to know that this anchor holds through every storm this life can throw at us. The spontaneous singing of "God Bless America" across our nation has moved many of us with hope for a true revival. I pray that they will all come to know, through Jesus Christ, the God to whom they are appealing.

*   Does the Lord still have power over the storm?

When Jesus calmed the wind and the sea, He demonstrated His authority and power over the storm. Does He have power over the winds of violence and waves of hatred assaulting us now? I believe that this storm, like the storm that terrified the disciples two thousand years ago, will test our faith. We must never forget that as believers in the Lord Jesus we are in His boat. We must rest in His peace. In the end, this storm will prove anew the demonstration of the power and love of God and an opportunity for believers to be God's loving ambassadors sharing the truth of the Gospel of God's Grace.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

Things Hid
Part 1 of 3
By John D. LaVier

The wise man of the Old Testament declared: "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing" (Proverbs 25:2). God seemingly delights to hide something away and then in His own time to bring that thing out of its hiding place, manifesting it to His amazed and wondering creatures, and thus bring glory to Himself.

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing." With the words of this text in mind, let us turn to the book of Colossians and notice in each of the first three chapters some things which have been hid.

The Mystery Hid

In Colossians 1:26 the Apostle Paul refers to the dispensation given to him by God; "even the mystery which hath been hid." What was this mystery which had been hid? It was the dispensation given to Paul, the dispensation of grace, during which God is saving sinners by grace, through faith in the crucified and resurrected Saviour, and making them members of the Church, the Body of Christ.

The word "mystery" is used in the Scriptures in regard to many things. For example, we read of the mystery of Israel's blindness during this age (Romans 11:25); the mystery of the Church as being a joint-body composed of Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 3:6); the mystery of the indwelling Christ (Colossians 1:27); the mystery of the vital union between Christ and the members of His Body (Ephesians 5:32); and the mystery of the translation of living believers at the end of the age (1 Corinthians 15:51). However, we need to take care lest we reduce the mystery to a mere feature of it. The foregoing are but various phases of the mystery. The mystery proper is the dispensation, the dispensation of the mystery.

Some years ago we were in the scenic state of Colorado. As we stood one day on the top of Mount Evans, we could see the mighty snow-capped peaks rearing their heads toward heaven, and we could also see other mountain ranges farther beyond, but we could not see the long valley between. It was hid from our view. So it was with the prophets of old. They saw two great prophetic mountain peaks: the first coming of Christ as the suffering Messiah, and the second coming of Christ as the reigning Messiah, but they did not see the valley in between. That valley was the dispensation of grace. It was hid from their view.

This present dispensation and all of God's purposes in it, having to do with the calling out of the Body of Christ and its glorious character and destiny, is the mystery that was hid. It was hid, not in the Scriptures, but in the mind and heart of God. Israel's prophets knew nothing about it, nor did Christ as the minister of the circumcision make it known when He was here upon earth. It was not until Israel had been set aside that God made the mystery known through the Apostle Paul.

All of God's purposes for the world had been connected with the nation Israel. But Israel rejected Christ in the days of His flesh, then refused the call to repentance, and blasphemed the Holy Ghost. It must then have appeared that the purposes of the Almighty had been defeated, but then it was that the manifold (many-sided) wisdom of God was made known. Then God revealed through Paul the fact that He had a secret purpose. He had foreseen Israel's rejection of the Christ, and had foreordained that Israel likewise should be rejected, and that during their rejection He would dispense grace to all the world, and bring to completion His glorious Church. Now the secret is out; no longer hid. Now we are commanded "to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery" (Ephesians 3:9).

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

Things Hid
Part 2 of 3
By John D. LaVier

God's Treasures Hid

Men who have valuable possessions usually seek a safe place in which to hide them. God has a safe place in which to hide His treasures. That place is in His own dear Son. The Lord Jesus Christ is the jewel box in Whom are hid all the rare treasures of the Godhead, for the Word declares: "In Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).

"All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!" Who can declare their value? The hymn writer put it:

Precious, more precious;
Wealth that can never be told;
O, the unsearchable riches of Christ!
Precious, more precious than gold.

In his epistle to the Romans the inspired apostle wonderingly cries out: "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" And these riches are all in Christ. All the treasures, all the riches, all the "pleroma" (fullness) of the Godhead resided "in Him."

How blessed the two little words "in Him," which occur so often. Everything of any value is "in Him." We read in Colossians 1:19, "For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell." The words "the Father" are in italics, and have been supplied. If any words should be added it should be the words "the Godhead," or as the marginal reading puts it, "For in Him all the fullness of the Godhead was pleased to dwell."

In Colossians 2:9 a similar expression is found: "For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Then follows a tremendous statement: "And ye are complete in Him." There are two great teachings presented in Colossians: (a) All the fullness of the Godhead is "in Him." (b) The saints are made full "in Him." There is nothing we need which is not to be found in Him, for in Him are hid all the Divine treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Christ is heaven's treasure chest. All is hidden away in Him, and there is a sense in which He also is hidden. He is the hidden Christ. All during Old Testament times He was hidden. Then He was hidden in the womb of the virgin. After His birth He was hidden in Egypt. Returning to the land He was hidden in Nazareth, with one brief glimpse of Him as a boy of twelve. Then He was crucified, and for three days and three nights He was hid in the heart of the earth. But God raised Him from the dead, and He went back into heaven. Now for almost two thousand years He has been hidden beyond the blue, discernible only to faith's eye.

Some day Christ will be hid no longer. He will be revealed from heaven: The Revelation of Jesus Christ! That is the title of the last book in the Bible. First, though, he will reveal Himself to His own, as He calls them home to be forever with Himself. Then He shall be revealed to all the world. Every eye shall see Him. All shall perceive and know that He is the Incarnate Wisdom of God, that all the treasures of the Godhead, all the deep and precious treasures of wisdom and knowledge, are hid in Him. Then every knee shall bow before Him; His name shall be exalted; His praise shall be on every lip. Then shall be days of heaven upon earth. Lord Jesus, haste the day!

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

Things Hid
Part 3 of 3
By John D. LaVier

The Saints Hid

In the opening verses of Colossians 3 the apostle reminds the saints of their exalted position in Christ. Having died with Him, and been raised with Him, and seated with Him, they are now to be done with the things of earth and to set their affection on things above. We read: "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." The believer is to reckon himself as dead to sin, but alive unto God; as dead to self, but alive to Christ; as dead to the world, but alive to the things of heaven.

A most blessed statement is found in this verse: "Hid with Christ in God." Christ is hid, and the saints are hid with Him. Hid in God; what a safe hiding place. The storms of life may buffet us, but we will not fear, for we are hid with Christ in God. The enemy of our soul may threaten us, but he will not prevail, for we are hid with Christ in God. In all these things we are more than conquerors, for we are hid with Christ in God. What a place of blissful nearness; hid with Christ in the heart of the Eternal One, the object of His love, the child of His care.

The saints are hid with Christ. It is not surprising then if they go unrecognized by the world. John wrote: "The world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be." The pilgrims of faith wear but humble garb, and veiled is their high degree. We are hid with Christ, be we are waiting. We are waiting for God's Son from heaven, and for the manifestation of the sons of God. "When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then shall we also with Him be manifested in glory." Our bodies of humiliation will be exchanged for bodies of glory. As we have borne the image of the earthy so shall we then bear the image of the heavenly. We shall be conformed to the image of Christ. We shall be like Him, in His likeness. Then it will be seen by all that we are indeed the sons of God, and heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.

We went into a friend's home one wintry day to observe a miracle of nature. On one of his walks through the woods this friend had picked up a cocoon, and had hung it up on a kitchen wall. That cold morning he called us in to see what had happened. The cocoon had opened up, and from out of it had come a beautiful moth. As we looked at the ugly cocoon, and than at the beautiful thing which had emerged from it, the thought came, we Christians are now in the cocoon stage, but some day we are coming out. We will be manifested to a wondering world. How that fragile creature got out of that tough cocoon, I do not know, but at God's time it came out. The time is coming when the graves will be opened, when the power of death will be broken, when every redeemed child of God will soar away yonder to appear with Christ the Head in matchless, marvelous, fadeless glory.

This article was written by Pastor John LaVier back in January of 1955. We are thankful for the faithful ministry of this dear saint of God who went home to be with the Lord in September, 2005.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

Know ye not that we shall judge Angels
By Mike  Szafranski


Something had changed for the Apostle Paul to be able to make this statement. Normally, when we see angels interact with mankind in the Scriptures prior to Paul, angels not only outrank men, but also instructed them as to the Scripture and indeed gave them Scripture. So what happened?

The Greek word for angel is aggelos (ang'-el-os). It is translated in the AV-"angel" 179 times, "messenger" 7 times; 186 in all. Strongs' rightly defines it as "a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God." Some commentators think Paul is here referring to fallen angels, but this is not the case since elect or non-elect angels are not specified in the context like they are in other places. For example I Timothy 5:21, " I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. "

The Body of Christ now has a position above the elect angels. Colossians 3:1: " If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" Also, Ephesians 1:20-22 says: "Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And hath put all things under His feet."

No other economy has been so lifted up as the Body of Christ when it comes to eternal destiny. This will be one of our main occupations in eternity, to co-judge the angels with Christ from His throne. Praise God!

The English word "angel" is used 175 times in the entire New Testament but only 13 times in the Pauline Epistles. This is huge and not merely an argument from silence. Angels in the Kingdom Dispensation normally deliver saints and instruct them in Bible studies, like Daniel, for example, or the Apostle John with the Revelation. But Paul's Epistles do not mention anything about these types of angelic activities as in the Old Testament or even the times after Matthew to the present Age of Grace. Indeed, Paul's only mention of the assistance of an elect angel is Acts 27:23 and there is no deliverance here or sense of hierarchy, but of encouragement and what God will do in His time of need.

All of Paul's revelations, regarding Scripture and the Body of Christ, were received without angelic assistance, directly from the Lord Himself. Galatians 1:11-12: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. " This is quite different from the norm in the past, as angels were instrumental in the dispensing of Scripture, as well as the understanding of them. Angels were also used of God to protect Israel in many physical battles of even sustenance by eating angel's food. Psalm 28:25: "Man did eat angel's food" This verse does not mean that manna was what the angels were used to eating, but those angels delivered this food to the nation Israel. This kind of intervention is not even mentioned in Paul's instruction for the Body saints for today. This information would surely have been mentioned in Paul's Epistles for us today.

It may even be pointed out that part of the angelic ministry to Israel was to assist the Jews in their worship of God (1 Kgs. 19:5; Ps. 34:7; 91:11; Dan. 6:22; Mt. 2:13,19; 4:11; 18:10; Lk. 22:43; Acts 5:19; 12:7-10; Heb. 1:14).

The angels observe us (Ecc. 5:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Eph. 3:1), a fact which should influence conduct. They receive departing saints (Lk. 16:22). Man is made "a little lower than the angels." Ecclesiastes 5:6 says: "Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?"

In the Kingdom program, the angels instructed Old Testament saints; today we are instructing them, a direct reversal of ministry.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

JOY IN BELIEVING
By JOHN FREDERICKSEN, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Romans I5:13

Believers in the age of grace have perhaps more reason to rejoice in their salvation than believers of any previous time.

Very early in man's history, God revealed His plan to bring spiritual blessing to the entire world through Abraham. God promised him, "In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed," (Genesis 12:3). Progressive revelation unfolded the details of Abraham's seed providing a specific Saviour as a sacrifice for sin. Then the remainder of the nation was to become a kingdom of priests ministering to the world. When Christ came the first time, it was "to confirm the promises made unto the fathers," (vs. 8 ). Had Israel responded in belief, the millennial kingdom would have been established and Gentiles would have at last enjoyed blessing. They would have glorified "God for His mercy," (vs. 9), rejoiced" (vs. 10), and praised the Lord because they too would trust in Him (vs. 11-12).

The problem is, Israel refused to believe and God's plan to bless the Gentiles could have been frustrated. But "the God of hope" found a solution. Romans 11:11-15 explains that God is now blessing Gentiles NOT through Israel's rise to prominence, but through her fall from God's unique favor. Today salvation is offered to all apart from Israel's promises or instrumentality, and solely on the basis of grace. No wonder then that Paul exhorted his readers to be filled with joy and peace in believing. He even exhorted them to abound in the confident expectations of eternal blessings.

Ours is a salvation provided by the determined purpose of a merciful God. Let's truly rejoice in it today!

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

DEATH-THE LAST ENEMY
By Pastor Paul Sadler

Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 15:26

There are many who have the misconception that death means annihilation or cessation of existence. The Spirit of God defines the word as "separation." If we examine physical death we learn that at the moment of death the soul and spirit separates from the body (II Cor. 5:8 ). Medical science has told us for years that death takes place when the heart stops. Recently, however, they claim that death takes place when the brain impulses discontinue. They have finally caught up to what the Bible has taught for centuries, "the body without the spirit is dead" (James 2:26).

The believer has many enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil, also the enemy of death which will overcome these mortal bodies because of sin. But we are not as others who have no hope, but understand from God's Word that the Lord Jesus Christ overcame the power of death. It could not hold Him, He arose victoriously over it. This is why Paul was able to write to Timothy, "our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel," It is good news to the believer that Christ has conquered death for us. Death has no claims on us for we shall be raised from the dead and have life and immortality.

Christ has abolished death and God has rendered it a defeated foe. Practically speaking, death still remains and will remain until the end. God at the White Throne Judgment will cast Death and Hades into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14). Death and Hades here are personified (Rev. 6:8 ). The death angel here being representative of the circumstance of death and the angel hades being representative of the place of torment. After the last enemy is put away, God will sum up all things in Christ and the New Heaven & New Earth will remain forever without the enemy of death.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

"Yet Not I, But ..."
By John LaVier


Twice the Apostle Paul uses this phrase, "Yet not I, but ". In his epistle to the Galatians he wrote:

"I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)

This testimony of the great apostle belongs to all who have been saved and made members of the Body of Christ, and identified with Him "who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification." Each one can say, "I was crucified with Christ." This is clearly brought out in Romans 6:3-4:

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into His death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

This applies to every believer, and the baptism mentioned has not one drop of water connected with it.

When Christ died on the cross He not only died for our sins, but we died with Him. His death was our death. His resurrection our resurrection, and now His life is our life. We reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, and by faith we can say, "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." This great truth is expressed in a separated life, a surrendered life, a life lived in the faith of the Son of God.

Once more Paul used "Yet not I, but ..." when he wrote to the Corinthians:

"But by the grace of God I am what I am; and the grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Cor. 15: 10)

He had mentioned himself as a witness of Christ risen from among the dead. He saw the Lord, and his whole life was changed. He was as one born out of due season, a type of Israel's regeneration yet future, when "They shall look on Him whom they pierced." That great vision on the road to Damascus made of Paul not only a believer in the Deity and Messiahship of the Lord Jesus Christ, but he became the faithful servant of the Lord. It made him humble. Though he was by the will of God the great Apostle to the Gentiles, the one to whom was made known the truth of the mystery and to whom was given an abundance of revelations, yet he called himself "the least of the apostles" and "less that the least of all saints." He boasted that he had labored more abundantly than the other apostles, but he added, "Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." He ascribed it all, not to himself, but to the grace of God.

These two expressions, "yet not I, but Christ" and "yet not I, but the grace of God," describe the entire ministry of Paul. Two things he magnified and glorified, extolled and exalted: Christ, and the grace of God. In all things, in all his messages and personal testimony, an exaltation of Christ and complete effacement of self are the great leading marks. He made his boast in Christ. He magnified Him and the grace of God which had been bestowed upon him.

How little of this self-effacement we see today. How many exalt themselves, boast of their attainments, their service, their ministry, their converts, instead of glorying in an all-sufficient Savior and the all-sufficient grace of God. The "Soli Deo Gloria," to God alone be the glory, is often forgotten. May the Lord help all of us in all our service for Him, of whatever nature it may be, to magnify Christ and the grace of God and to seek His glory only.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

A PRAYER FROM PRISON
Part One of Five
by James R. Gray


Philippians 1:3-11


I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,  For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;  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:  Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.  For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of  Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Adversity does not control one's destiny; it is the door to fulfilling one's destiny. The Apostle Paul believed strongly in the providence of God. He knew whatever happened to him did not hinder the plans of God. The winds of personal adversity only fan the flames of God's grace. That is exactly what happened. Paul's two year imprisonment produced a fire, fueled by the pen, prayers, and passion. From this internment came the four epistles that are the heart of God's message for the Church, the Body of Christ: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

As he prayed, he knew that others might not see or understand his attitude. Others would be apprehensive about his welfare, condition, and future. He wanted them to know that He was not discouraged, or apprehensive over his imprisonment. His concern was with the readers. Notice how many times Paul refers to his readers in verses 3-11: ye (3 times), you (6 times), and your (twice). The emphasis of Paul's prayer is not self, nor even his circumstance, it is his gratitude for his readers. The prayer from prison had two very important elements: Thanksgiving (1:3-6) and Intercession (1:7-11). It is not a simple "God bless the Philippians" prayer.

WHY PAUL PRAYS (1:3-6)

Paul opens his prayer with gratitude to God. Notice this gratitude is personal.  The greeting included Timothy, but in this prayer Paul prays "I give thanks to my God." Paul is expressing his own personal gratitude to God. This is not simply a one-time expression, but Paul continually or repeatedly gives thanks to God (indicated by the present active indicative tense) for the Philippians. Note the characteristics of prayer: it is personal, constant, and directed to God the Father.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

A PRAYER FROM PRISON
Part Two of Five
By James Gray


Three factors ignited this out-pouring of thanksgiving:

*Great personal memories of the people (1:3).

Paul here uses the singular, not the plural. He says "I," not "we." Paul's personal memories lead Him to give thanks for the saints at Philippi. It reveals his personal attitude toward the church. It is one of gratitude. He expresses thanksgiving to God for them in his prayers. Remember, it was no picnic in Philippi. Paul and Silas had experienced hardship and pain there. They were jailed, and had their backs laid open by the beating they received. Yet, it was a place of joy and victory for Paul. The first conversion in Europe took place in the city. He won a moral victory over the officials of the city, when he forced the magistrates to come and publicly release them from prison, admitting they had wrongfully beaten and imprisoned them. Paul remembers the people's love and concern, and thanks God for them. Do our former pastors think the same of us? Do we entertain good memories of others, and thank God for them? One aspect of our prayers should center on thanking God for other members of the Body of Christ which come across our paths.

* Fellowship in the Gospel (1:5)

Paul was thankful because of their "fellowship in the gospel" The word fellowship is the Greek word koinonia, with the basic meaning of sharing together, to have in common. This word certainly indicates the sharing together of a common faith, but it is much more. This sharing together is more than just a common relationship in the faith; it is much more; it results in tangible results. He uses the word to describe the "collection" (Rom. 15:26; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:13). It indicates active participation in every way possible with Paul. They shared not only in the gospel (1:5), grace (1:7), and in the Holy Spirit (2:1); but also in the sufferings of Christ (3:10), as well as a gift of support (4:14 - 15 ) . They had participated in the proclamation of the gospel (1:27, 28 ), of acutely suffering along with Paul (1:30; 4:14-15), and in prayer on his behalf (1:19). They shared in common on every level of fellowship.

Their fellowship centered on the gospel. They followed and participated with Paul in the gospel. This participation advanced the gospel of Grace. This participation was constant, "from the first day until now."

*God's faithfulness (1:6).

Paul was thankful for God's faithfulness unto them. He was confident that God's work cannot be derailed. God is faithful.

God began the work. The Greek word oti (that) introduces the object of Paul's confidence - it is God. He is the author of the work. The work was not started by Paul, nor the Philippians, it was God. God began the good work by giving them birth from above at the moment they believed (Titus 3:5; John 3:16). Notice it is a good work, not because he is doing good works for God (Eph. 2:8-10). This occurred in them, not simply among them. It was the internal work of God in and upon them which was begun at the moment of their salvation. It is still in progress as Paul writes to them, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).

This work will be perfected or completed in them because God is faithful (I Thess. 5:24). The verse denotes certainty of completion. God will bring His good work to completion that we can be assured. He will perfect this "new creation" through His Word, his servants, and Spirit. Our assurance is built upon nothing less than the character and faithfulness of God Himself. God never starts a work without finishing it.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

A PRAYER FROM PRISON
Part Three of  Five
By James Gray



CONTENT OF PAUL'S PRAYER (Phil. 1:9)

Paul's special prayer and request for the saints at Philippi is short and sweet. However, the request should not be taken lightly. As D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones observes; "Anyone who is at all familiar with his epistles will realize that Paul's prayers are always worthy of very careful consideration. They are not something added in a perfunctory manner; he does not merely mention them as a matter of course, or as a kind of aside... these prayers are some of the most significant statements in Paul's writings" This is certainly true of this prayer.

The heart of Paul's request is precise, yet profound: "that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment." He does not simply pray for an increase of their love, and stop at that. No, he wants their love to be balanced with knowledge and discernment.

Paul portrays love like a river. The word abound is a favorite word of Paul. It is the Greek word perisseuo, meaning to exceed a number or measure; to be over; an overabundance of something; to be in excess; to superabound; to excel. Paul uses the word to express an abundant overflow of Christian living: he used the verb in reference to thanksgiving (2 Cor. 4:15), excelling in spiritual gifts that build up the church (1 Cor. 14:12), and abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58 ) to name a few. He wants the believers to "abound" in love. Not only to abound, but to increase that abundance "yet more and more." He wants the river of love to grow deeper as more and more love flows into its system.

Paul does not want an uncontrolled flood of love. An uncontrolled river does more harm than good. Swindoll observes that "when love floods indiscriminately, we love everything, even the wrong things." Paul wants the raging river to move in the designated bounds. The two banks of love are now named. The first is "knowledge" (epignosei). The word refers to a thorough, mental grasp of spiritual truth in its fullest sense. To keep the river within bounds we must "be filled with the knowledge of His will and all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col. 1:9.) This knowledge comes through the work of the Holy Spirit in cooperation with the Word of God. For "we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God" (I Cor. 2:12). To keep the river of love from overflowing and undirected, we must increase in knowledge of God and His will.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

A PRAYER FROM PRISON
Part Four  of Five
By James Gray


The second is judgment. The Greek word, aisthesei, has the idea of being judicious in discernment, denoting moral discernment and understanding. It is a recognition from the Word and the Spirit of what God can and does love, and what a holy God cannot love. True love must discriminate between good and evil (Heb. 5:14). There is a difference between knowledge and being able to apply that knowledge. Paul is anxious that love, although constantly expanding, be controlled by growing in knowledge and discernment.

These guard us against two dangers in the Christian life. First, the danger of living merely on feelings or emotion. Too many today are feeding the emotions, not the soul. This is shallow Christian living. Second is the danger of being academic, abstract, and theoretical in Christian living. This leads to unpractical Christian living. The banks of knowledge and discernment allow the full force of the river of love to flow in our lives; abundantly, purposefully, and forcefully. They keep us out of the fields of mere emotionalism and mere intellectualism.

PURPOSE OF THE PRAYER
Phil (1:10-11)

Paul makes clear the purpose of this prayer. Paul wants their love channeled by knowledge and discernment for a purpose. The word "that" denotes purpose or desired outcome. Love bounded by knowledge and discernment will lead us: To test the things that differ.

Paul wants us to "approve things that are excellent." The word for approve is the Greek word dokimazo, meaning test, to try, approve. It was a word used in assaying metals to prove that the metal was genuine. It is a recognition as genuine after examination. The word excellent is the Greek word diaphero, meaning to differ. Thus, the phrase literally can be translated "test the things that differ."

Interestingly, this almost exact same phrase is found in Romans 2:18. The context is that of the advantage that the Jews had under the Law. They knew the Law, and therefore "able to test the things that differ." This ability is clearly connected with the Word of God. They were to be able to test the things that differ because they were instructed out of the law. While they were able to do so, does not mean that they did. The context indicates they failed to use the advantages that they were given. Paul does not want us to fail this test. He wants us to know the Word and discern its truth, so we will be able to test the things that differ. This ability is important to guard the believer from heresy, as well as the differing philosophies of the world.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

A PRAYER FROM PRISON
Conclusion
By James Gray




*To be sincere and without offense.

Paul wants these believers to be fit and prepared for the day of Christ. This entails two qualities: First, to be sincere. It is the Greek word eilikrineis, meaning literally to be judged by the sun. In the ancient world, jars and vases were examined for cracks and blemishes by holding them up to sunlight. The sunlight would reveal faults that could not be seen otherwise. In the New Testament the word always denotes moral purity. Second, Paul wants believers to be without offense. The Greek word is aproskopos meaning "not causing someone to stumble." It pictures a person who carefully avoids putting anything in the way of another that would cause them to fall or trip. Thus, love bounded by knowledge and discernment is for the purpose of being pure and blameless in the day of Christ. The day of Christ clearly refers to the day when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

*To be filled with practical righteousness.

Paul knew that they were righteous, for they had the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Now Paul prays for love, knowledge and discernment in order that they may be filled with the fruits of righteousness. The phrase "fruits of righteousness" is found in the Old Testament for conduct pleasing to God (Prov. 11:30; Amos 6:12). It is a phrase indicating practical righteousness that is seen in the life of a believer. It is used of righteousness in the ethical sense, thus, it refers to our sanctification flowing out of our justification. These fruits doubtless are the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), soul-winning (Rom. 1:13), holiness (Rom. 6:22), good works (Col. 1:10), and thanksgiving (Heb. 13:15). Paul realizes that this type off fruit cannot be produce by and in one's self. The source is "by Jesus Christ." Such a crop can only be produced through Christ. It is Christ's life lived through us that produces such fruit. This results in glory to God, magnifying Him, and not self.

Paul's desire and prayer for the Philippians is not outdated. Paul's recipe for them is good for us. If our love abounds in knowledge and discernment, we will be able to know what is correct, be sincere and blameless, and bear the glorious fruits of righteousness to the glory of God.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

A Source of True Joy

One of the first results of active participation in the work of the Lord is joy! When the people of Israel accepted David's challenge and gave generously toward the building of the Temple, the very first details the Scripture record are:

"Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy" (I Chron. 29:9).

And observe that the children of Israel rejoiced before they could possibly see any results. Their hearts were filled with rejoicing as soon as they had personally participated in the offering being gathered. It was the same with Philippian believers. It was in giving that they rejoiced, before seeing any of the fruits of their generosity.

This is a wonderful thing to know in "this present evil world," when often we must sow faithfully without reaping the fruit. The joy comes with the giving, with the knowledge that we are "workers together" with Him who gave His all.

Soon enough we shall see that our labors and sacrifices were "not in vain in the Lord. " What a day of rejoicing that will be! What joy to see others there with Christ because He used us to reach them with the wonderful message of His matchless grace! I Thessalonians 2:19,20 are verses we can-and should--take to heart!

"Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account."
--Phillipians 4:17

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

SONSHIP
By M. Stanford


"You really need some one to teach you over again the very rudiments of the truths of God.......Such persons are mere babes" (Heb.5:12,13, Wey.).

When it comes to spiritual growth, sooner or later the thought arises, "Surely the work of the Cross produced more than this!" It surely did! Now you are on the march for the Father's very best as it is in Christ Jesus.

"Sonship represents growth unto fullness and maturity. It is quite a good thing to be a babe while babyhood lasts, but it is a very bad thing to be a babe when that period is past. This is the condition of many Christians. While sonship is inherent in birth, in the New Testament sense sonship is growth to maturity. With this growth comes the greater fullness of the Lord Jesus and the abundant spiritual wealth unto which we were saved. It is a matter not so much of that from which we were saved, as of that unto which we were saved. The grand climax of the new creation is 'the revealing of the sons of God (Rom. 8:19)."-T.A-S.

"It is one thing to drop off or renounce certain things, and quite another to be engrossed with the right thing. Monks renounce much, but they are not occupied with the glorified Lord Jesus Christ. It must be not only 'forgetting those things which are behind,' but also reaching out unto the things that are before. It is that which you give yourself to, not what you have abandoned, that colors you and which imparts character to you." --J.B.S.

"Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).