GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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



THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHALLENGE & REWARD



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus Christ is The Judge of All the Earth!

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THE GUARDIANS OF THE HEAVENLIES
By Russ Schaefer


Guardian - a person invested with accredited power and authority so as to fulfill the duty of taking care of the person and property of another.

Satan's guardianship is depicted in Eze. 28:13-16. Verse 14 identifies him as THE ANOINTED CHERUB THAT COVERETH, i.e., overshadowing and protecting the world then existing, The Garden of God. In contrast to Satan's Trusteeship role Col. 1:16,17 sets forth the prior creatorship/ownership of Christ:

... in Him were created the all things in the heavens and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or lordships, or rulers or authorities - the all things through Him, and unto Him have been created. (vs. 17), and He is before All (things, beings) and The All Things in Him have stood together (and still hold together, cohere), this included the Kingdoms of the inhabited earth that had been entrusted to Satan, Lk. 4:4,6, and the cosmos mentioned in Satan's last testing of Christ, Mt. 4:8,9. Christ did not question Satan's claim. Satan's trusteeship was forfeited by misuse of his office.

The right to REDEEM a creation in ruin belonged to Christ by virtue of His being THE FIRSTBORN OF ALL CREATION, CoI.1:15. The right and responsibility of redeeming a creation beset by death belonged to Christ by virtue of His being THE FIRSTBORN Out From Among The Dead, Col. 1:18,20. Christ, by redemption reclaimed His property and rightful priority. place and position.

Hereafter a JOINT-GUARDIANSHIP was to be established via a JOINT-AROUSEMENT and a JOINT-ENTHRONEMENT, Eph. 2:6. This is the fulfilling of the hope to which we have been called, this is the essence of having been made the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, this is the display of the excelling (super-casting) greatness of the power (ability) of Him in us ... according to the energy (in working) in the Christ, having aroused Him out from dead ones, and seating Him in the Supraheavenlies above [above+high] every beginning and authority and power and lordship ... all things He arranged under [subjected] the feet of Him, and Him He gave [appointed] Head above all things to the Church, which is His Body, the fullness of the One the all things habitually filling for Himself [the Body of Christ, the final complement to complete all that needed completion]. Eph. 1:18-23 (portions).

In His Headship Christ is manifested now in the Supraheavenlies, it follows that whensoever, howsoever, wheresoever Christ is manifested, jointly with Him. complementary with Him, shall be the Church which is His Body.

To be partners with the FIRST-BORN'S GUARDIANSHIP, both must die to fulfill the role of JOINT-REDEMPTION, Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:1,3, as well as the CO-BURIAL, and CO-AROUSING with HIM. Col. 2:12.

In reclaiming His Rightful Heirship position of FIRSTBORN of ALL CREATION, all claims to the contrary were voided. The super-natural as well as human chains of bondage to decrees, ordinances, and laws were cast off. Christ made an open display of them to show they had no claims against us, no power nor dominion over us, all this was broken, cp. Col. 2:14-19. "He led Captivity captive", Eph. 4:8; "ALL was placed under His feet," Eph. 1:22; "FAR ABOVE ALL", Eph.1:21. The measure of our complete identification in and with Him is the degree of His Headship over all Rule and Authority, Col. 2:10. It is complete, thus we are complete in Him now and always.

In Christ's office as FIRSTBORN His first task was to redeem the whole inheritance, then SECURE IT, then to SHARE it. His death provided the REDEMPTION, His RESURRECTION and SEATING in the RIGHTS of the Father provided the SECURITY, and the COMMISSION embodied in Eph. 3:8,9, " ... to make ALL see ... the riches ... the fellowship/dispensation of the sacred SECRET. This includes the SUMMATION of all things in the heavens and on earth IN CHRIST, Eph. 1:10. The UNTRACKABLE WEALTH OF CHRIST is shared. Eph. 3:8.

The Guardians are told: ... keep the UNITY OF THE SPIRIT, Eph.4:3, "Keep", watch over, preserve, guard. The UNITY of Eph.4:4-5 is to be "guarded" by the Guardians.

The EMPOWERING, Eph.6:10, KEEP BEING EMPOWERED, it is His might and His strength.

Eph.6:11 PUT ON, pick up the whole armor of God, God's PANOPLY, God's ARMOR. Stand=HOLD THE FIELD, not go to war, hold the field, not march, not fight, but stand, STAND FOR THE TRUTH. 6:13. The battle has been won, it remains for the GUARDIANS to hold on to that which has been given them.

1.    The Armor: 6:14 Truth and Righteousness.
2.    The Armor: 6:15 The Gospel Of Peace.
3.    The Armor: 6:16 The FAITH, cp.4:13, Unity of THE FAITH.
4.    The Armor: 6:17 SALVATION, i.e. deliverance.
5.    The Armor: 6:17b THE WORD OF GOD, cp Col. 1:25
The Mystery Ministry of Paul completes the Word of God, GRACE, not judgement, is GOD'S FINAL WORD.
6.    THE ARMOR: 6:18 EVER PRAYING. For other Guardians.
Saints=Shining Ones. All in union with their Lord.
And for Paul, 6:19; to make known the Secret of the Good News. I.e .... by Him to more than reconcile the
all things unto Himself ...in earth ... in heaven, Col. 1:20.

Fill up with Paul and other guardians the special bond between those standing and guarding. HOLD THE FIELD, THE BATTLE HAS BEEN WON. HOLD ON TO THE TRUTHS GIVEN YOU.

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STANDING, WALKING AND RUNNING FOR GOD
by C. R. Stam



In a way the Christian life is a stand; in another it is a walk, and in still another a race.

In I Cor. 15:1 the Apostle Paul writes of "the gospel... wherein ye stand" and in Rom. 5:2 of "this grace wherein we stand," while in Gal. 5:1 he bids us: "Stand fast... in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." Perhaps all this is well summed up in his appeal to his beloved Philippians:

"Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown... stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved" (Phil. 4:1).

But the Christian life is more than a stand -- it is a walk (which in Scripture refers to conduct). Once, says Paul, we walked "in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1,2) but having been saved by grace, through faith in Christ, we are now to "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). Thus the Apostle bids us to "walk worthy of the Lord" (Col. 1:10), to "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15-16).

But the Christian life is even more than a walk; it is a race. Sad to say, many Christians whose "walk" is consistent and commendable, have never come to look upon the Christian life as a race. These never put enough into it so that it might be said of them that they are running. Yet the same great Apostle wrote, by divine inspiration:

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1).

The word "patience" in this passage points up the fact that the Christian life is not a short "hundred-yard dash"; it requires much endurance. Thus we should put into it all that we have. "They which run in a race," says the Apostle, "run all," but they do not all receive the prize. Hence the admonition: "So run that ye may obtain" (I Cor. 9:24).

Those who have not trusted Christ as Savior have not even begun to stand, or walk, much less to run a race for Him. These might as well forget rewards until they first accept "the gift of God... eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).

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Your Greatest Need
by Pastor Ricky Kurth



      Even in these challenging financial times, the greatest need of a Christian is not monetary. It is rather found in Colossians 1:11, where Paul prays that we might be

"Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all…"

Unto all what? Whatever it is, Paul is convinced we are going to have to be "strengthened" with "all might" according to "His glorious power to obtain it. As we read on,Paul tells us the goal of all this empowerment:

"…unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness."

Patience? The reason we need all this mighty empowering is so we can be patient? While this may seem anticlimactic, we submit that patience is our greatest need. We need patience to put up with the world's wickedness, the abortions, etc.,patience in knowing the Second Coming of Christ will right the world's wrongs. We need patience as televangelists continue to dominate the airwaves with their dilutions and pollutions of the gospel,and patience as Bible teachers muddle the minds of the saints by their failure to rightly divide the Word. And since no man today has the gift of healing, we need patience with our physical infirmities, and longsuffering as we wait for that wonderful change that will come to our bodies at the Rapture (Phil. 3:20,21).

Finally, we need patience with one another, as we learn to not just put up with other believers, but to actually give them the same unconditional love and acceptance God extends to us. Moses was patient with unbelieving Pharaoh, but lost his patience with his brethren. How like us!But ask yourself, when did David show greater spiritual strength, when he slew Goliath, or when he refused to slay Saul?

Paul says we are to be strengthened to all patience "according to His glorious power," but what is God's glorious power? The destructive power He exhibited at the Red Sea is called "glorious" (Ex.15:6), but we suggest that God's glorious power today is seen in His patience. The fact that God could put an end to the abortions and religious confusion, but doesn't, is His most glorious power in the dispensation of grace.

The apostle concludes by praying that we might be patient  "with joyfulness," perhaps the hardest part of long suffering. God doesn't chafe under the vexations He receives from the world, religion,and the Body of Christ, and neither should we!

If this kind of power were not available to us, Paul would not be praying that we might have it. And so may his prayer also be the prayer of our hearts, as we enthusiastically study the only source of spiritual strength, God's Word rightly divided.

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FREEDOM FROM WORRY AND ANXIETY
By Steve McVey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Enemies Reconciled To God
by Pastor C. R. Stam




“When we were enemies”(Rom.5:10).



Think of it! God has good news for us even in our willfulness, our enmity against Him! “When we were enemies”, says Paul,“We were reconciled to God by the death of His Son”.

Here we can almost hear some reader object: “Of all things,don’t charge me with being an enemy of God. I’m a religious person, I go to church regularly, I even give to the church”. Ah, but God does not say that the unsaved are not religious. Perhaps 999 out of 1,000 are religious. The point is that by your ungodly, sinful life, and certainly by rejecting God’s gift of salvation, you have made yourself an enemy of God. You may not be an enemy against the“God” you have conjured up in your won mind, but you are certainly an enemy against God, the God of the Bible.

But despite all this God still sends His ambassadors out to offer reconciliation to all His enemies everywhere — “by the death of His Son”. Think of it! We who believe are reconciled to God, not by some effort or payment offered by us to placate God, but “by the death of HIS Son”. He bore the enmity as His own creatures mocked Him, spat in His face and nailed Him to a tree. This is grace indeed! And this is not all, for the whole passage reads:

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

“And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement [Lit.,reconciliation]” (Rom. 5: 10,11).

The argument of this passage is that if, as His enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more “being reconciled”, we may be assured that our living Savior will keep us safe. And not only are believers safe in Christ, but all the while we“joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received”, not only help in our helplessness, or the forgiveness of our sins, but “the reconciliation”, by which we are brought nigh to God and experience His love toward us.

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The Kaiser's Surprise
by Pastor Ricky Kurth



In his comments on Isaiah 57, Dr. Harry Ironside shares this story:

Years ago, before the First World War, Professor Stroeter, a well-known prophetic teacher in Germany, used to go through the country giving lectures, and using charts to unfold the dispensations. His lectures attracted the attention of the German Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm, who in spite of his many idiosyncrasies, was quite a Bible student, and used to preach in the palace chapel on many occasions.

The Kaiser invited Professor Stroeter to his palace to give him an idea of what he was lecturing upon. The professor was taken into the library and spread a roll of his charts out on the table. The Kaiser followed him as he pointed out various thing sin the dispensations until the Second Coming of the Lord. After a lengthy conversation the Kaiser said, "Do I understand you aright"? Do you mean to say that Jesus Christ is coming back literally, and that when He returns all the kingdoms of the world are going to be destroyed and He will set up His kingdom on the ruins of them all?

And Professor Stroeter said, "Exactly, your Majesty...."

"Oh, no," said the Kaiser, "I can?t have that! Why that would interfere with all my plans!"

We don't know if Professor Stroeter understood the dispensations well enough to have expressed to the Kaiser that the coming of our Lord to rapture His church must come before the wrath of the Tribulation and the Second Coming of Christ (I Thes. 1:10; 5:9). Regardless, what a frank admission from a man who professed to be a student and teacher of the Word of God!

How about you, dear reader? If you are not saved, you will be left behind when the Body of Christ is "caught up" to meet the Lord in the air? (I Thes. 4:17). While we believers will ever be with the Lord in heaven, the seven years of Great Tribulation that will follow on earth will surely interfere with all that you have planned. Why not trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior by believing that His death, burial and resurrection paid for all of your sins. Then you too can look forward to being a part of all that the Lord has planned for His saints.

 But we close by asking Christians if the Rapture will interfere with your plans, or be the triumph of His grace in your life? When John Wesley was asked what he would do the following day if he knew the Lord were coming, he replied that he would rise at his usual hour, spend time in his regularly scheduled morning devotions, and arrive promptly at his first speaking engagement of the day. In other words, he would not have to change a thing in his life to prepare for the coming of the Lord. May this be true of us too!

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THE FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST
By Gregg Bing


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[nChrist]

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The Spirit Of Faith
by Pastor C. R. Stam



       It is thrilling to hear the Psalmist, though“greatly afflicted”, say: “I believed, therefore have I spoken”(Psa. 116:10).

It is thrilling too, to see the Apostle Paul, though“troubled… perplexed… persecuted… cast down…alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake” — it is thrilling to see him take his stand with David and to hear him speak of having “THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH”, adding: “WE ALSO BELIEVE AND THEREFORE SPEAK” (II Cor. 4:8-13).

If only all who believe the glorious message of God’s grace: that believers in Christ are accepted in Him, pronounced “complete”and baptized into one body by one divine baptism — if all who believed these truths would speak out today, there would be a sweeping revival tomorrow in the Church, the Body of Christ. If, putting all other considerations aside, they would openly and honestly say: “WE ALSO BELIEVE AND THEREFORE SPEAK”, the results would be as refreshing as far reaching. And they should speak, for this is“the spirit of faith”.

But, alas, there are few who possess “the spirit of faith”;few who will stand, regardless of consequences, for the light God has given them. Some maintain a discreet silence because of the “fear of man”; others because they love “the praise of man”. Both say: “One must be careful what one says, for these truths are not popular”, but both alike are guilty of unfaithfulness to God and the truth.

With God’s help, let us not be among them. Let us, where the truth is concerned, stand with David and Paul and say: “WE ALSO BELIEVE AND THEREFORE SPEAK!” Let us be among those who truly possess “the spirit of faith”, who are determined to“stand fast in the faith” and ready to“fight the good fight of faith” (I Cor. 16:13;I Tim. 6:12).

[nChrist]

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CHRIST - ITS LIVING HEAD
By  DAVlD HAVARD, Pastor



Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1: 19-23;
Colossians 1: 18

Paul often used the analogy of the physical body to illustrate the truth of our relationship to Christ spiritually (Romans 12:4-5; I Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 5:29-30). Just as the physical body must be linked to its head, so we must be linked to our Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. We realize how silly it would be to expect a physical body to function without its head, yet we often forget that the same truth applies spiritually as well. In Colossians 2:19 Paul warns of the results of becoming disconnected from our Head. In similar terms, John 15:5 records Jesus' words about the necessity of being linked to Him. "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." It is still true that without Him, we can do nothing! (No growth without being connected to Him, Ephesians 4:16.)

The titles King (over all the earth during the millennial kingdom) and Head of all things, Colossians 1:18.) are similar in that both speak of His authority and position. However, there is an added dimension when Christ is spoken of as the Head of His Body, the Church. A king conveys a certain formality; the king and his subjects are separated by both space and standing. But Jesus Christ as my Head is another matter altogether! Rather than speaking of distance and formality, headship speaks of intimacy and nearness! I am inseparably linked to my Living Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is mystery truth, revealed to us by God through the Apostle Paul. Because it is a mystery, I do not fully understand or comprehend all that the Headship of Christ implies - but I certainly do rejoice in it!

[nChrist]

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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]

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THE EFFICACY OF GRACE
By R. Hanna, Pastor


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"

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11 ). "We see Jesus, Who was made (for a little time) lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man"(Hebrews 2:9). "(Christ), being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:6-8.).

The Lord God Almighty Himself suffered the ignominious experience of crucifixion; for Jesus Christ is the incarnation of 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" (2 Tim. 1:9).

Efficacious grace! The Person in who we are quickened and sustained, is very God! Note our final expectation: "(We are) looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity (Titus 2:13-14). We look to no one else, neither to ritual or ceremony for our salvation--nor to any future redemptive work. "For BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God!"

[nChrist]

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OUR BLESSED HOPE - PART 1 OF 2
By Gregg Bing

Early this year, while driving down the highway, I noticed a billboard with this message: Jesus is coming (Matthew 24). The statement is certainly true; the Lord Jesus Christ will one day come back to this earth to establish His kingdom, and He will rule and reign for a thousand years. However, the message conveyed by this billboard seems to indicate a misunderstanding of what we, as believers today, should be looking forward to. The hope, or expectation, of an earthly kingdom belongs to the people of Israel, just as God promised them in the Old Testament Scriptures (Exo. 19:5-6, 2 Sam. 7:8-16, Ezek. 37, etc.). When Christ returns, they will rule and reign with Him on the earth (Rev. 1:5-7, 20:4-6).

During this present dispensation of grace, God is no longer dealing with Israel as a nation, but with the Church, the body of Christ. The hope of believers today cannot be found in the Old Testament Scriptures, or even in the teachings of Jesus, such as is found in Matthew 24. Our hope is found only in the writings of the Apostle Paul, Gods spokesman for this present age. In Titus 2:13, Paul refers to our hope as a blessed hope ... the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. This appearing does not refer to His coming back to the earth to establish His kingdom, but to His appearing in the air, to catch His church up into glory (1 Thess. 4:17-18.). Paul makes mention of this blessed hope in writing to the saints at Philippi as he describes what believers should be eagerly waiting for.

    For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (Phil. 3:20-21)

In these verses we find four important aspects of our blessed hope, a hope that is distinct from that of Gods earthly people, Israel.

Our Hope is Laid Up in
A PLACE

For our citizenship is in heaven.

To begin with, the place of our hope is heaven. We are not looking forward to Christs return to earth to establish His kingdom and rule and reign. This is Israels hope; a hope that will one day be realized just as Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 24. The Apostle Paul plainly declares our citizenship is in heaven. God the Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3). We have been identified with Christ in His death, His burial, His resurrection, and even more, in His ascension, for God has raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6). Our hope is not an earthly hope or an earthly kingdom, as so many Christians seem to be focusing on today, but a hope which is laid up for you in heaven (Col. 1:5). We are not to be waiting for Jesus return to the earth, but for His return in the air to catch us up to be with Him in heaven, our eternal home.

Our Hope Looks to
A PERSON

... from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we tend to focus too much on the place of our hope, and forget that our hope is actually a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. The word hope means our expectation, that which we confidently wait for. We are to eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our confidence is in Him because of who He is, our great God and Savior (Tit. 2:13), and because of what He has done for us, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works (Tit. 2:14).

Currently the Lord Jesus Christ is seated in the heavenlies (Col. 3:1-2). As far as His relationship to Israel is concerned, He is waiting for His kingdom, the time when all things will be subjected to Him (Heb. 2:5-9) and all His enemies will be made His footstool (Heb. 10:12-13). This wait, this delay, is the result of Israels rejection of Him (John 1:11). When Christ came and was presented to Israel as their King, they crucified Him, declaring, we will not have this Man to reign over us (Luke 9:14). Following His ascension, they also rejected the ministry of the Holy Spirit during the Acts period, in a sense crucifying the Son of God all over again (Heb. 6:6). As a result of all this, the nation of Israel was temporarily blinded, and their kingdom hope and promises were postponed.

Today, God is calling out a new body of believers, the Church, the body of Christ, in which there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile (Col. 3:11). As Paul writes of this body, He emphasizes that we have a new relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is not particularly our King, though He is King of kings and Lord of lords; He is our Head, the Head over all things to the church, which is His body (Eph. 1:22-23). What a wonderful relationship we have with Him; a vital relationship, for we, as His body, are dependent on Him for our every need (Eph. 4:15-16). The blessed hope of the Church of this age is that when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:3-4), and thus we shall always be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17).

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OUR BLESSED HOPE - PART 2 OF 2
By Gregg Bing


Our Hope Fulfills
A PURPOSE

who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body.

Before we can be with the Lord, we must be like the Lord. We cannot enter into His holy presence in these lowly bodies, or more literally, these bodies of humiliation. Our bodies, which we have through natural birth, are received from Adam, thus we receive the same nature that he had a sin nature. If we are to be with the Lord, these bodies must be transformed; they must be thoroughly changed. This is the change that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 15, commonly referred to as the resurrection chapter.

    Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:51-57)

Note the use of the word must in verse 53. The Greek word used here is dei, a verb which speaks of that which is a necessity. In order for our blessed hope to be fully realized, it is necessary that our old bodies be changed. Our current bodies, which are sown in corruption, mortality, dishonor, and weakness, will be raised in incorruption, immortality, glory, and power (1 Cor. 15:42-45). They will be conformed to His (Christs) glorious body, or more literally, to the body of His glory. So that when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. For, as we have borne the image of the man of dust (Adam), we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man (the Lord Jesus Christ) (1 Cor. 15:49).

As we consider the nature of our present bodies, we realize that we would not want to live forever in these bodies. This is why Paul refers to them as tents or temporary dwelling places (2 Cor. 5:1). God has prepared new bodies for us, not a temporary dwelling place, but a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Cor. 5:1,5). What a glorious purpose God has for us, to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29).

Our Hope Rests in
A POWER

according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Gods purpose for us, to be conformed to the image of His Son, does not depend upon us, anymore than our salvation depended on us. Our hope rests upon our Lord Jesus Christ, who is able, even to subdue all things to Himself. When Christ was raised from the dead He was also seated at His Fathers 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 age but also in that which is to come (Eph. 1:20-21). God put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Eph. 1:22-23).

When Christ returns to this earth, as described in Matthew 24, He will subdue all things to Himself: all enemies, all kingdoms, all nations, and all people. He will rule and reign over the whole earth with a rod of iron. What is even more important is that He has power to subdue all things to Himself in the spiritual realm as well. On the cross, He subdued sin, by taking it all upon Himself and paying its full penalty (1 Pet. 2:24). He subdued Satan, the one who had the power of death, rendering Him powerless (Heb. 2:14). By His resurrection, He subdued death, securing victory and eternal life (1 Cor. 15:54-57). This One who is able, who has the power to subdue all things to Himself, is the One whose working will transform our bodies of humiliation and conform them to the body of His glory. When this, our blessed hope, is realized, the last enemy, death, will be destroyed (literally: rendered powerless) (1 Cor. 15:26).

While Christs return to this earth is a wonderful event and the very real hope of the nation of Israel, it is not our blessed hope. It is not what we, as members of the Church, the body of Christ, are to look forward to, with eager expectation. It is not what is promised to us. We miss such a blessing when we try to take Israels hope for our own and ignore the wonderful hope that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is so important that we walk worthy of the calling which we have in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:1), and understanding our unique hope is a key element in our walk for the Lord (Eph. 4:3-6).

    "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11-14)