GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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Part 1 of 2
By Charles Mays
Associate Pastor


Free From Righteousness

     For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. (Rom. 6:20)

We don't anticipate free being used in the negative, but here it is. In our natural condition, we are void of righteousness. In Romans 7:18, the Apostle Paul wrote that no good thing dwells in the flesh. Also, consider the fact that God never calls the unbeliever to change his way of life. For the unbeliever, his daily conduct is not the issue. His need is salvation. The unbeliever is free from subjection to the will of God. In his commentary on the book of Romans, Ernest Campbell stated it this way:

The truth revealed for the members of the Body of Christ is never superimposed upon (lost) sinners. God never tells (the lost) sinners how they are to live. They have no obligation to live righteously and holy. Gods sole interest in (them) is their salvation and not their lifestyle.

The lost are free from any responsibility to be conformed to the image of Christ. This is the condition in which we are born. This gives a whole new meaning to free born and not in a good way. Matthew Henry wrote: Freedom from righteousness is the worst kind of slavery. When you are free from righteousness, you are a slave to sin. There is no middle ground.

We live in a culture of self-improvement. In fact, its big business. All types of physical and mental fitness products are peddled to us on a daily basis through every type of advertising possible. Self-improvement is not bad. Its good for us to keep an eye on our physical and mental health, but there is no self-help remedy for sin. Romans 3:9-19 paints a dismal picture of mankind, ending with all the world being guilty before God. This is reinforced by Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. The end result is that we are all condemned to death (physical and spiritual); For the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23a).

The Free Gift

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 6:23)

Death is the sentence. Death is what we deserve. Death is our just reward; Not only physical death but spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God. But God offers us a gift. A gift is something that is free; it cannot be earned by merit. Sinners merit hell, but saints do not merit heaven. Eternal life, therefore, is a gift that cannot be earned. Romans 4:1-5 is just one passage that makes it clear that grace is how we are accepted by God, not by works. Clearly, as Christians, our conduct should demonstrate to others that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives, but God does not save our soul based on our conduct. He does so based on our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Notice this eternal life is through Jesus Christ our Lord. For contemporary Christian music fans, Stephen Curtis Chapman summed it up well when he penned the song Jesus is Life.

Salvation through the cross of Christ is not a popular message in our society today. In fact, it never has been. But that's exactly what the Word of God teaches. Consider the following passages:

     For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power    of God. (1 Cor. 1:18.)

     But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. (1 Cor. 1:23)

     For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (I Cor. 2:2)

These passages, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, and others make it clear that Paul taught salvation through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Paul was not ashamed of this gospel message (Rom. 1:16). And he made it abundantly clear that Gods provision for salvation through the cross of Christ is offered as a gift, meaning FREE. Romans 3:24 says we are justified freely by (Gods) grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. How could it be stated any clearer than Ephesians 2:8,9? For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

When we are born, we are identified with Adam. We inherit death. But when we accept salvation by believing that Jesus Christ died for our sins (faith), we are no longer identified with Adam but with Jesus Christ. These two conditions are contrasted in Romans 5:12-21. In describing our new position in Christ, the word gift is used six times in four verses (15-18, KJV). It is hammered home that God wants nothing, nay, will accept nothing as payment for our salvation. Its all or nothing. Take it or leave it. Its a free gift.

Many have the image in their heads of a repentant sinner reaching toward heaven while God reaches down. Its a beautiful picture, but its poor doctrine. It presents the idea that we somehow meet God halfway in changing our destiny. Romans 5:6 says, For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Without strength means we are totally powerless to change our situation. Picture an athlete as he lifts weights from the floor. The weights do nothing to aid him. They have no power to do so. The athlete does the lifting of this dead weight on his own. In our natural condition, we are dead weight dead in our trespasses and sins. God reaches down, doing all the work, and lifts us to a new position in glory through Jesus Christ our Lord (Eph. 2:1-7). Next time you sing such hymns as He Lifted Me or Love Lifted Me, I hope you remember this illustration and sing it with a new zeal and understanding.

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Part 2 of 2
By Charles Mays
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Free From Sin

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Rom. 6:18.)

When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we do not become immediately sinless. The old sin nature is part of our flesh and can only be eradicated by the death of this body that is corrupted by it. For he that is dead is freed from sin (Rom. 6:7). Even a casual reading of Romans, chapter seven, demonstrates the struggle the saved Apostle Paul had with the sin nature that dwelled in his body of flesh (7:22-23). The struggle with the flesh is something we all endure. Paul states it directly, or alludes to it, no less than seventy times in his epistles. The conclusion is that in this earthly existence of ours, we will never be totally free from sin. That is, in our daily experience.

Positionally, we are free from sin. In Colossians 3:3, our flesh is viewed as dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God. We are in Christ, and in Him is no sin. Ephesians 1:3 says we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Paul continues to elaborate on some of those blessings, including our complete forgiveness of sins (1:7). Colossians 2:13 states: And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. The effect is that we are given a new position. Ephesians 2:6 says that God has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This is known as Positional Truth. The struggle that we face is making it a reality in our daily walk; this is Practical Truth. But this has no effect on our position in Christ.

Free From the Law

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

Most people think of the Ten Commandments when they think of the law. But it was much more than that. In fact, there were over 600 individual laws contained in the Mosaic Law. These laws governed every aspect of daily life for the Hebrew. It was Gods holy, righteous standard. This might initially be thought of as a blessing, but instead it was a curse. Not that the law was wrong. It was holy, just and good (Rom. 7:12). The problem came in the weakness of the flesh. Read again Paul's struggle in Romans 7:7-25. Man is simply not able to keep Gods righteous standard under the power of his flesh. So we read:

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Rom. 3:20)

The law could not save. It could only condemn. It pointed out the weakness of man's flesh and magnified his need for a Savior. What we could not do by the power of our flesh under the law, Christ did for us (Rom. 8:1-4). We also read, in Colossians 2:14, that Christ blotted out the law, took it away and nailed it to His cross. Yet many, even in our present day, fail to recognize this fact. I can only echo the words of Galatians 5:1:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Consider the words of Philip Bliss in the well-known hymn Once For All:

Free from the law, O happy condition.
Jesus hath bled, and there is remission.
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace hath redeemed us, once for all.

Free To Choose

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:20)

The word beseech is not one we use in our vocabulary on a regular basis. It means to beg or plead with someone. If we are begged and/or pleaded with to be reconciled to God, then there is more than mere implication that man has a choice in the matter. Man is free to choose whether or not to accept Gods offer of eternal life.

The same holds true of our Christian walk. We do not save ourselves. It is God who saves us through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary; by faith in His death for our sins (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Again, our conduct has no bearing on the matter. The only issue in salvation is faith. But true faith should stir a desire in us to live a life that is consistent with our profession of faith. That is the thrust of Romans 12:1-2:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

(See also Romans 6:12-13.)

God desires all men to accept His free gift of salvation and to live a life that is free from the slavery of sin and free from the bondage of the law. But clearly, we are free to choose.

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THE KINGDOM REIGN OF CHRIST
by C.R. Stam

    The Kingdom Reign of Christ, often called the Millennium, is, of course, still future, but even this dispensation will commence with a clear indication that our Lord's beneficent reign will not change the unregenerate heart. Man is still a failure.

This will be evident from the fact that to put the rebellion down our Lord will have to "break" the nations "with a rod of iron" and "dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel" (Psa. 2:9). Indeed, He will have to "rule them with a rod of iron" (Rev. 2:27). It is not strange, then, that we read in Revelation 20:7-9:

"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

"And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."

This final rebellion is followed by the casting of Satan and all unbelievers into the lake of fire and the bringing in of the new heavens and the new earth in which all the reconciled find their all in Christ (Rev. 20:10-21:1; Eph. 1:9,10; Col. 1:19,20). It is interesting and instructive to see in the book of Revelation how the Lamb slain occupies the center of the glory of the universe. Not one saint from any age will ever boast of his own righteousness in that day. All will acknowledge their own unworthiness and proclaim the praises of the One who died that they might live and be justified and gloried. And even the unsaved and all demons and angels will acknowledge Jesus as Lord in that day. Because He humbled Himself and submitted Himself to "even the death of the cross... God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:

"THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, OF THINGS IN HEAVEN, AND THINGS IN EARTH, AND THINGS UNDER THE EARTH; (Phil. 2:10)

"AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER" (Phil. 2:11)

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

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

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

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

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

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

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, The Man Christ Jesus Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. I Timothy 2:3 to 6.

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

Hear these two wonderful verses of Scripture:

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

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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His Plans are Good
by Anabel Gillham


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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PERSONAL SAFETY IN AN ATOMIC AGE
by C. R. Stam


The neutron bomb, they tell us, will not wreck buildings, but will destroy all life, easily penetrating concrete walls three feet thick. Yet we are also being advised to build fall-out shelters for the safety of ourselves and our families! These can be erected for only a few hundred dollars -- obviously not with walls three feet thick!

As General MacArthur once rightly said: "There is no security on this earth." No man can count on physical safety, for the simple reason that, apart from bombs and death rays, "it is appointed unto men once to die" (Heb. 9:27). The moment we are born we begin the race with death, and death always finally wins.

But physical safety is not most important anyway. It is not so much death that men fear as the thought that death might usher them into the presence of God (Heb. 9:27; Rom. 14:12).

But even this need not be feared if we have "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). The Apostle Paul, once a self-righteous Pharisee, came to trust the Christ he had persecuted and now proclaimed:

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief" (I Tim. 1:15).

Having thus been saved from sin by faith in Christ, he had no fear of death. Indeed, he could say: "For, to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" and "to depart and be with Christ... is far better" (Phil. 1:21,23).

Why then, should we Christians shudder with fear at those things which are so frightening to others? Our Lord said to His disciples: "I say unto you, My friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do" (Luke 12:4). No, the true believer need not fear, for he is safe in Christ, not only in this life, but forever. "He that believeth on the Son [of God] hath EVERLASTING LIFE" (John 3:36).

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The Christian's Prayer Life
by Pastor C. R. Stam




 Prayer to God manifestly must hold great importance to those who would be truly spiritual. While God’s Word to us is always to have first place in our lives, prayer must certainly have second place; indeed, we must even study God’s Word with prayer for understanding and willingness to obey.

 The Scriptures everywhere exhort God’s people to pray, and in the Epistles of Paul we find greater cause, greater reason and greater incentive than ever to pray — to pray “always,” “in everything,” “without ceasing.” The example of our Lord and of His apostles — particularly Paul — is a call to prayer.Every need, every anxiety, every heartache is a call to prayer. Every temptation, every defeat — yes, and every victory is a call to prayer.

 Yet, merely praying, or even spending much time in prayer, is not in itself evidence of true spirituality. Many carnal Christians, still“babes in Christ,” and even many unsaved people, spend much time in prayer. But the truly spiritual believer will join the Apostle Paul in saying:  “I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also” (I Cor. 14:15). “With the spirit”:earnestly, fervently, pouring out to God my adoration, my supplications and my thanks. And “with the understanding also”: intelligently,with a clear grasp of what the Scriptures, rightly divided, say about God’s will and His provisions for my prayer life in this present dispensation of grace.

Rom 8:26-27  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

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Anger Management
by Paul M. Sadler,


 Scripture Reading:

 "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." -- Ephesians 4:26,27

 Around the turn of the century, the Church was graced with an array of great preachers, but none were more tenacious and outspoken than Billy Sunday.  He seemed to have a way of driving home a point.  It is said that a woman once approached him after one of his meetings who was well known for her bad temper.  She sought to defend her actions by saying: "But Mr. Sunday, although I blow up over the least little thing, it's all over in a minute."

 The evangelist looked her straight in the eye and said, "So is a shotgun blast!!  It's over in seconds, too, but look at the terrible damage it can do."

 God created us with a wide range of emotions, each of which serves a purpose.  Yes, even anger can be good.  Contrary to popular opinion, anger itself is not sinful.  Notice how the apostle words his above statement, "Be ye angry, and sin not."  In essence, Paul is saying that we are well within our rights to be angry over an injustice or unrighteous circumstances.

 The recent debate over "partial birth abortion" is a good example.  We should be incensed by "abortion" in general and horrified by "partial birth abortions" in particular.  Any procedure (usually performed at 7 or 8 months gestation) that allows the infant's head to remain in the birth canal while the abortionist forces a surgical instrument into the base of the skull to suction out the little one's brains is nothing short of first degree murder.  Here a righteous anger is perfectly justified.  In fact, there are scores of times in the Old Testament where the anger of the Lord is said to be kindled against His enemies (Num. 25:1-9; Jer. 12:13).

 Surely our Lord is a prime example that anger itself is not necessarily sinful, for He knew no sin.  Thus the Lord was well within the boundaries of godly behavior when He exhibited a righteous anger toward those who had made His Father's house a den of thieves (John 2:13-17).  In the future Tribulation Period those who reject God's anointed and worship the beast and his image, "the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone" (Rev. 14:10).

 Carefully note, Paul adds to the phrase "be ye angry" a warning, "and sin not."  Unbridled anger can easily turn into a fit of uncontrollable rage which normally leaves a path of destruction in its wake.  Unchecked, anger that overflows into resentment almost always results in some form of retaliation.  This may take the form of verbal attacks, threats, or even physical abuse.

 In a worst case scenario, it is much like a volcano that builds pressure over a period of time and finally erupts.  Whenever you watch a news report of a lone gunman who enters his former place of employment with a semi-automatic weapon and kills his supervisor and three other fellow workers, you are witnessing the eruption of pent-up anger.  Another example is the believer who allowed his anger to get the better of him and shot an abortion doctor outside a clinic down south.  With one pull of the trigger, this young man disgraced the name of Christ, labeled all Christians as radicals in the eyes of the world, destroyed his personal testimony, and ended up with life in prison.  These are both cases where anger spun out of control with tragic results.

How to Deal with Anger

 We are living in a day when philosophy says, "express yourself openly," "tell it like it is," "open up," "let it all hang out."  However, the Scriptures counsel us to exercise restraint.

   The fruit of the spirit is "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22,23).  As we walk by grace through faith, temperance will enable us to keep our anger under control.  But how does this work out in a practical sense?  Those who fly off in a fit of rage permit their anger to take control of them.  Consequently, the energy emitted from this emotion is usually misdirected at someone or something.  Sinful anger tears down.  Thus, in the heat of the moment things are often said and done which cause irreparable damage to relationships.

 Paul adds here in Ephesians, "let not the sun go down upon your wrath."  We should never allow our anger to simmer overnight.  This will only cause it to become more deeply seated.  "Neither give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:27).  You see, if you fail to handle things in the proper manner, you may well be giving Satan an opportunity to drive a deeper wedge in your relationships with others.  Surely, we are not ignorant of his devices.  Always remember, Satan is an opportunist.

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Resting in God's Promises
by Anabel Gillham


God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Though the earth should change,
And though the mountains slip into
the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its
swelling pride. Selah.
Psalm 46:1-3

What does this mean to me--today?
How can I grasp it and say "this is mine?"
Step by step--let’s claim it together.
God is my place of safety, my fortress, my hiding place, my shelter. Therefore, I am safe.

I accept this Truth as mine.

He is the Source of my power, my Enabler, my ability to perform and my ability to persevere. He is my tenacity, my strength. My very Life. I am not to meet any crisis in my own strength.

I accept this Truth as mine.

He is a very present help. He is here. And He isn't so involved with gigantic world problems that He doesn’t have time for mine. He is interested. He is never away from me, especially when I am in need, hurting, weary, perplexed, or in a troublesome setting of any kind. I am never by myself. He is always with me and He understands.

I accept this Truth as mine.

Now, because I have accepted this as Truth, because I believe this, I will not fear. Fear only for myself? No, I will not fear for those who are dear to me, either. So I will not allow anything that might result in my experiencing apprehension, anxiety, or confusion to cause me alarm—because I can depend on Him.

I accept this Truth as mine.

Even if the earth around me (my environment) should be thrown into a state of upheaval, and even if the very mountains quake (those things I presumed to be unshakable), and even if the sea around me (the world and its multitudes) should become hostile and fierce and cause violent unrest, I will not fear.

I WILL NOT FEAR. This does not mean that my emotions won’t go haywire, that my knees will never get weak, that my heart will never beat like a trip-hammer, or that my hands will never tremble. I cannot control my emotions or the effect they have on my body. I control my thoughts and rest in His promises.

I accept this Truth as mine.

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul.
Psalm 94:19

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Liberty In Christ

In God Believers have liberty, going beyond what the eye can see,
We get this liberty in Jesus Christ, liberty gained through New Life.
Freedom from sin and The Law, bestowed upon the believing soul,
This freedom we have in God's Son, is available today to everyone.

The liberty that we have from sin, gives Believers peace  within,
As sin's desire died on the cross, God now purges remaining dross,
And God replaces old sinfulness, with Jesus Christ's righteousness.
Even though we are tempted by sin, in Christ we have victory in Him.

As Believers we use our liberty, to point the entire world to Calvary,
Where New Life for all the lost, begins for all at The Savior's Cross.
As God judged sin and shame, on the cross bearing Christs name,
Where we left the bondage of sin, and freedom we received in Him.

This liberty we receive in this life, is used for honoring Jesus Christ,
Not for pursuing our own desires, but His will which is much higher.
We have been freed from religion friend, to point souls to a better end,
With Gods Truth that sets men free, with Gods Promise of Eternity.

My friend, The God of all Eternity, desires to give all men this liberty,
A liberty found only in His Son, who upon the cross said. It is done.
Finished is the work of Gods salvation, by His Son, for every nation.
So all men can receive this liberty, with Gods assurance of Eternity.

(Copyright 11/2006 Bob Gotti)
Used with permission

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EN-GRACED IN THE BELOVED ONE
By Ivan Burgener


Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1: 6

God has chosen us in Christ "before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him." It was "in love," on God's part, that He predestinated us according to His will, placing us as sons (full grown sons) by Jesus Christ. This grand plan was "to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved (One)."

This word "accepted" (khar-ee-to'-o) in our verse is the word "EN-GRACED" in our title because that is exactly what it means. Literally, God en-graced us in His grace! Did He do this apart from the Lord Jesus Christ? By no means! We have been "accepted (or en-graced) in the beloved (One)." But Christ is not merely the agent or instrument whereby God has shown this grace to us. We are en-graced "in the Beloved." It is "in Christ" that we receive this grace as we are placed in Him, baptized into His One Body, vitally identified with our risen Head in heaven! It is "in the Beloved" that we enter into this favor. Apart from Christ, we have nothing of God's grace, or any spiritual blessing!

We were chosen in Christ "before the foundation of the world," but we are "en-graced in the Beloved One, in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace!" And that is just how rich His grace is. Every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies is ours in Christ, and the riches of His grace is not one bit impoverished by such sharing!

The "glory" of this grace might be taken in connection with God's revelation of this grace. One of God's glories is that He can and does reveal Himself. This "grace" was ever in the heart of God. Thus Paul is led into one of the most wondrous doxologies of all his letters as he contemplates the revelation of this grace, by which grace we have been en-graced in the Beloved One.

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WARNING

The tribulation is Coming!
Part 1 of 4
BY S. Lee Homoki


Text: Zephaniah 1:14-17

War! War! And more war! The storm clouds of war hang heavy over many other parts of our world today. The prospect of having "peace on earth" seems to be an impossible dream. Since September 11, 2001, the terrorists continue to lurk in the shadows awaiting another opportunity to strike. Each day's news brings an update of their damnable design to plant the seeds of fear in the hearts of men setting the stage for the time when "the powers of Heaven shall be shaken, "and men's "hearts will fail them for fear. "Warning! The Tribulation is coming!

Regardless of the outcome of this current reign of terror, we know, according to Bible prophecy, war will eventually encompass the entire Middle East and the whole world. I speak, of course, concerning the Tribulation and the great culminating battle of Daniel's "Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27) - the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:16).

If your thinking is along the same lines as mine, then you will be asking, "Why? Why? Why must there be bloodshed and war? Why must there be a Tribulation Period and a Battle of Armageddon? Why is the world in such a mess? How did it get that way?"

It's A Long Story!

It didn't happen overnight. Nor can all the blame or responsibility be placed upon one person or nation. However, if we view the world's history through Bible spectacles with the understanding that a major part of history and the role for world peace lies directly in the hands of God's chosen people Israel, then we know the why of the coming Tribulation Period. The fact is: It is impossible to understand history or where the future will take us by ignoring God's dealings with Israel. Israel was the "apple of God's eye" (Deut. 32:10). They were the "head" nation (Deut. 28:13), and as such, they were God's "witnesses" (Isa. 43:10). They dominated the Gentile world. They were the "kingdom of priests. " We can say with certainty, "The ball is in their court, " concerning the outcome of world history. Israel had a chance to impact the world for God's glory, but little by little they abdicated their responsibility and privileged position in the world because of their sin and unbelief (Rom. 3:1-2; 9:3-4). Gradually the "chosen people" became "not my people" (Hos.1:9).

Please note their steady decline:

          (1) Israel's military superiority was lost with the blinding of Samson (Jud. 16:21).

          (2) Israel's political superiority was lost with the blinding of King Zedekiah (Ezek.
          21:25 with Jer. 52:I I).

          (3) Israel's spiritual superiority was lost with the blinding of Barjesus (Acts 13:4-13).
          At that time Paul declared, " ... we turn to the Gentiles" (vs. 46). Gradually,
          the Gentiles' domination over Israel was complete. This "Times of the
          Gentiles" (Lk. 21:24) will continue until the end of the Tribulation and Christ's return
          to establish His Kingdom. Then, regenerate Israel will be restored to a place of power
          and glory (Isa. 2:15; Mic. 4:1-7).

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WARNING

The Tribulation is Coming!
Part 2 of 4
BY S. Lee Homoki




Because They Have Sinned Against The Lord

Our text (Zeph. 1: 14-17) tells us plainly that Israel "sinned against the Lord." It is not that the nations and peoples of the world have not sinned; of course they have and they are accountable to God {Ps. 9:17; Provo 14:34). Sin is man's worst blunder. Sin must be punished no matter where it is found (Gal. 6:7-8.). It is entirely possible that God's judgment of the awful, wicked conditions of today's world will prove to be the final setting of the stage for the Tribulation Period - the "Time of Jacob's trouble." However, the specific, pointed, simple reason for the Tribulation Period is that Israel, as God's chosen vessel for the execution of His plan, had sinned.

The "fire God's  jealousy," spoken of in our text  (vs. 18.), is Israel's "baptism of fire" (Mal. 3:2-1; 4:1; Mt. 3:11- 12). (God uses this fiery baptism to cleanse the land of sinners and to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.

Many people speak about the "baptism of fire" as though it were some spiritual experience to be desired for themselves and others. Well, nothing could be further from the truth! The "baptism of fire" is associated with judgment and is a synonym for the Tribulation Period! It would be foolish for one to pray, "O God! Baptize me with the Holy Ghost and fire" - he had better hope that God doesn't answer that prayer! A little time spent running Bible references to the "Day of the Lord" will manifestly prove just how terrible this "Time of Jacob's Trouble" really is and how desirable it would be to avoid it.

What Was Israel's Sin?

Israel's sin - how sad! Herein, as we have said, lies the reason for the Tribulation. It will not suffice to say simply that Israel sinned. What we need to do is to see and learn what the sins are, for which cause there must be a Tribulation. At the same time, this is no time for us to be pointing an accusing finger at Israel, when many of these same sins have been amplified in the professing church today. As I see it, there are several sins that bring the judgment of God.

Israel had:

(1) Rejected the Word of God (Jer. 13:10; Zech. 7:4-14). One of the most damaging indictments against Israel is that they were "destroyed for  lack of knowledge" (Hos. 4:6). Knowledge must come before application. You can't use what you don't know! This principle is so basic. In fact, I considered it so important that when I began this evangelistic and literature ministry 25 years ago, I named it "Bible Doctrines To Live By. " Knowledge of the Word of God is the foundation upon which we build the structure of our lives and ministry. Israel had rich blessings at their disposal. God had said, "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God" (Rom 3:2). More than anything, Israel's neglect and refusal of Bible doctrine is at the heart of their trials and tribulations. The knowledge and application of the Word of God would have strengthened and stabilized the nation.

(2) Abandoned the Lord (Jer. 35:13-15; 2 Kgs. 17:13-23). If a person rejects the Word of God, as surely as night follows day, rejection of God will follow!

(3) Deserted the Sabbath (Ezek. 20:12-24; 22:8,26; 23:38.). The seventh day, like the seventh year, taught a lesson in grace; namely, that God rested from the work of creation on the seventh day, and, thus, hallowed the Sabbath day/year. The intent of the Sabbath is that the believer should rest his soul entirely on the completed work of God. The reason we do not set aside the seventh day or year in this Dispensation of Grace is because God's plan was for man to rest the eternal welfare of his soul entirely in the redemptive work that Christ finished on the cross (Rom. 10:4). For the Grace believer in this dispensation, every day is a Sabbath! The rejection of the Sabbath was tantamount to the Jew's saying, "Please God, we'd rather do it ourselves, " or "We reject Christ!" or "We reject grace!"

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WARNING

The Tribulation is Coming!
Part  3 of 4
BY S. Lee Homoki



(4) Trusted in foreign alliances (Jer. 2:17-19; Hos. 8:8-10).

(5) Depended upon man (Jer. 17:5-9). Reasons 3 & 4 are very similar. They teach that the unregenerate man or carnal man, whether he be Jew or Gentile, will always seek the solution to his problems and the very meaning of life, independent of God. This proves once again that, "There is a way that seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death " (Prov. 16:25). The heart of man is incurably diseased and hopelessly corrupt (Jer. 17:9).

(6) Turned to idolatry (Isa. 2:8,20; Jer. 17:1-4). Israel's gods of stone, wood, precious metals or mammon were a poor substitute for Jehovah God, maker and ruler of Heaven and earth. The Psalmist has rightly said of Israel and their gods, "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths but they speak not: eyes have they but they see not: they have ears, but they hear not: noses have they but they smell not: they have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that made them are like unto them; so is everyone that trusteth in them" (Ps. 115:4-8.).

(7) Relied upon human viewpoint (Jer. 17:9-11). Having, departed from the wisdom and strength of the Word of God, the Israelites, like today's Modernist, were left to stand upon the shifting, sinking sands of emotionalism and subjective thinking. They trusted their "vain imaginations" for direction. The wisdom of this world had turned them into fools!

(8.) Followed a faulty value system (Isa. 2:7-8.) Israel was entrapped by the kind of thinking and living that sacrificed the eternal for the temporal. Their priorities were all wrong. (God's commandment, "Thou shalt love the Lord  thy (God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deut. 6:5) had been set on the back shelf. Israel was content to pay lip service to God, while their hearts were moving farther and farther from Him (Isa. 29:13). The mistake Israel made was to think that they needed something more than the Word of God. It may be their thinking was like that of modern man who believes that his security or success depends on having more money, more possessions, or more government control etc., etc. The Apostle Paul would have reminded them, as he does us, that in all things Christ must have the "preeminence" (Co!. 1:18.).

(9) Hardened their heart (Jer. 19:15; Hos. 5:4; Ezek. 3:7). Like the hands of a working man, the hearts of the rebellious Israelites grew calloused with the passing of time. They hardened their hearts as in the days of the "provocation in the wilderness" (Heb. 3:8.) until they were "past feeling" for God. God gave them up (Acts 13:46; 18:6; 28:8,28.), even as He gave up the Gentiles, because unbelief, too, had hardened their hearts (Rom. 1:24,26, 28.).

(10) Succumbed to drunkenness and drug addiction (Jer. 13:13; Isa. 28:1,7), Drunkenness proved to be the perverter of all moral conduct and character for Israel. Recently, while preaching in a federal prison, the warden told me, in a private conversation, that most of the incarcerated men would not have been there had there not been involvement with either drugs or alcohol.

(11) Apostasy in the pulpit (Jer.23:9-40; 2 Chron. 15:3; Isa. 56:9-12; Lam. 4:13-14). The profane prophets and priests taught what the people wanted to hear, not what the people needed to hear. The people needed truth and compassion to bind up their wounds and make them strong; but the pagan pastors of Israel destroyed and scattered the flock "by their lies and by their lightness. " These ancient theological liberals, like their modern counterparts, taught the lying imaginations of their own heart and not the council "out of the mouth of the Lord" For these, God reserves His worst condemnation (Hos. 4:9).

(12) Corrupt political leadership (Isa. 3:12-15; 9:16; Ezek. 22:67). Israel was dead at the top. If the head is corrupt, then the body becomes corrupt Everything rises or falls on the quality of leadership! A tried and true principle - then and now! It is true in all walks of life - business, home, sports, etc. It is certainly true in politics and government. As goes the national leadership, so goes the nation.