GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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REJOICING IN GOD'S WORD
By ROBERT E. HANNA, Pastor


Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 15: 16

The true believer receives God's Word with joy and thanksgiving, knowing full well that his faithful dedication to the ministry will bring pain and suffering, ridicule and persecution, Separation from our tormentors is part and parcel of our walk of faith as we rely upon God to avenge, Recognition, reception and retention of God's Holy Word brings us comfort, confidence and conformation, enabling us to constantly function according to His declared will and purpose.

The Psalmist declared, "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee" (Psalm 119:11). Rejoicing in God's Word is an experience that knows no dispensational boundaries. However, the circumstances under which Jeremiah expressed his delight were unlike those in which we find ourselves today. Our apostle enjoins us to "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom ... " (Colossians 3:15,16a). Our rejoicing is even more full than that of Jeremiah for we have knowledge of greater truths from God than had the prophets. Our spiritual blessings transcend those of any prior saints. To us have been revealed secrets never before made known.

The Apostle Paul has revealed to us "even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:26,27). We have the knowledge of God's holy decrees in our hearts, as well as "Christ in us"!

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Capitalizing on Confusion
by Pastor Ricky Kurth



      Depending on when your monthly Searchlight arrives, the Mayan calendar deadline for the end of the world has either come and gone,or else it is looming in the imminent future.  All the hoopla that surrounded this gloomy prediction got me to wondering if there might not be some way that Christians could capitalize on yet another failed non-Biblical prophetic expectation.  After all, last year when the Rapture failed to take place on the date designated by a popular radio Bible teacher, God’s people were able to take advantage of this by pointing out that, when it comes to the Second Coming of Christ, the Bible says that“of that day and hour knoweth no man” (Matt. 24:36).  Those that knew the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming were also able to point out that the date of the former is just as unsearchable in Scripture as that of the latter.  Surely there has to be a way to similarly benefit from the failure of the Mayan calendar disaster as well.

I wonder if what we are looking for might be found in Isaiah 41:21-24. There, God Almighty thunders forth a challenge to all the false gods of the nations, daring them to “produce your cause,” that is, to produce“strong reasons” why anyone should believe they are God.  If you are wondering what kind of reasons He had in mind, the Lord went on to say,“let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen…

“Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods….”

This challenge went unanswered in Isaiah’s day, of course, for only the God of the Bible knows the future, something He has proved over and over again in Scripture, and something that the failed predictions of others serve to magnify.

With all this in mind, why not put together a short mental list of fulfilled Bible prophecies, and mark Isaiah 41 in your Bible?  That way when the subject of the Mayan calendar comes up the day after the December 21st deadline (as you know it will!), you can capitalize on the biggest non-story of the year by reminding people that the challenge of Isaiah 41 has still gone unanswered, and that the God of the Bible is still the only God worthy of worship.  Let’s determine to be ready to offer “a word in season” (Isa. 50:4) to all who are disillusioned by the gods of the nations, and are in desperate need of the God who sent His Son to die for their sins.

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THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S WORD TO THE BELIEVER
by C. R. Stam



The Bible will always have first place in the life of the spiritual Christian.

It is of utmost importance that we understand this, for some who feel themselves quite spiritual give much time to prayer, but little, if any, to the study of the Word. Such have actually fallen for the subtle trick of the adversary to play upon their natural human pride and cause them to exalt self and push God into the back ground.

In saying this we do not for one moment minimize the importance of prayer; we only stress the supreme importance of the holy Word of God. In this we are surely Scriptural, for David says, by inspiration:

"For Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name" (Psa. 138:2).

Of those who would still object and place first emphasis upon prayer rather than upon the Word, we would ask one simple question: Which is the more important, what we have to say to God or what He has to say to us? There can be but one answer to this question, for obviously what God has to say to us is infinitely more important than anything we might have to say to Him. Our prayers are as fraught with failure as we are, but the Word of God is infallible, immutable and eternal.

Yet some, having fallen for one of Satan's "devices" and feeling quite spiritual about it, are like the talkative person to whom one listens and listens, occasionally nodding his head, but receiving little or no opportunity to "get a word in edgewise." They do all the talking, but give little time listening to what God has to say to them.

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Walking in Him
By Pastor  L. Peterson
Ephesians 1:18


It should be the heartfelt desire of all believers to know the will of God. While volumes have been written and spoken on this subject, it seems to me that most have missed telling us that we are God's will. Let's look at Ephesians 1:18.

Eph. 1:18 (KJV) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

Looking at the word enlightened, we find that this may be fully rendered having had light thrown upon, or having had illuminated to the eyes of your heart. The construction of this is as such that prior to giving to them a spirit of wisdom and revelation, they had their eyes of their hearts enlightened. This can be interpreted to include their initial salvation when the Lord transferred them from darkness to light. Furthermore, it implies that the results continued.

Since the passive voice used indicates that one other than themselves, namely, God the Holy Spirit, had enlightened them. There is no way for those who are in the sphere of darkness to be launched into the sphere of light apart from God Himself doing the launching. The eyes of a depraved heart are blind, totally incapable. God the Holy Spirit, according to sovereign election, had and continued to enlighten their hearts. (Eph. 4:18.)

Paul says that the object of enlightenment is "that ye may know" better rendered "unto the end that you may know" that you may know three key things? We need to recognize that God's sovereign enlightening, this was not an end in itself, but was unto the end that they might be knowledgeable regarding their spiritual eyes. God will give via the Spirit, minds of wisdom and insight into the Truth for the Church.

The first specific aspect of the Mystery which Paul wants them to know is "what is the hope of his calling," This means the expectation, anticipation and that which is looked forward to. The word "calling" as used here, means a summons, an irresistible invitation, and a non-disobeyable order to come. Now lets put this in an amplified translation, God has given to believers spiritual enlightenment to know the hope, expectation and anticipation that belongs to His sovereign calling, summons and irresistible invitation.

The calling is Gods sovereign purpose of making man alive in Christ and members of His Body, the Church. (Romans 8:30; Phil. 3:14; Phil 1:21)

The second specific aspect which Paul desires them to know is "what is the richness of the glory of his inheritance in the saints." Since the word for "richness" is in the singular, speaking of only one things that belongs to the glory of His inheritance, it should be translated rich, opulent, and profuse the glory is which belongs to God's inheritance. This word defines the quality of the "glory" which in turn, describes God's inheritance.

Now let us look a the statement "his inheritance in the saints." The possessive pronoun "his" clearly indicates that this inheritance belongs to God. It is an inheritance which God has in the sphere of the saints, i.e. the saints themselves are the inheritance. Rich, opulent, and profuse glory surrounds and circumscribes God's inheritance, the saints. Apart from what God has done for us saints, "having blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ...Eph. 1:3 having foreordained us unto a position of sons.. and having made us heirs" with Christ, we would not be a rich and glorious inheritance (vs 3,5,11). Paul wants all the saints to know that God has sovereignly made them a rich-in-glory "inheritance" or possession for Himself. We are God's will.

PRAISE THE LORD

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

*    Didn't He care about their fears?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*   Does the Lord still have power over the storm?

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

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Important Contrasts in the Bible
by Pastor John Fredericksen


      When parents are blessed with both a daughter and a son, there are obvious differences. Each has his or her own distinct looks, clothing, goals, and requirements. Both are recognized for their God-given differences, and loved separately, yet equally. Even after they have children of their own, this continues to be true. In a similar way, God established two distinctly different programs and peoples in the Bible. One is the children of Israel, who were given the Mosaic Law as their instructions and to whom nearly two thirds of the Bible was written, and the other is the sons and daughters of God in the Body of Christ, who are under Grace.



The Nation of Israel

There are several specific reasons why God made the nation of Israel His“special people” (Deut. 7:6). It begins with the persistent rebellion of man very early in history. We learn from Romans 1:21-32 that even “when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God.” Mankind plunged so deeply into idolatry and immorality that they sank to the level where “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” Since man was created as a free moral agent with choice, God did not force man to have a relationship with Him. However, He was not willing to stand idly by and allow the entire human race to foolishly run down a course leading to the eternal Lake of Fire, so He intervened by establishing the nation of Israel.

When Abram was called to become the father of Israel, God promised him three things: “I will make of thee a great nation… and make thy name great… and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:2-3). The first two promises amount to using the nation of Israel as an undeniable witness of God to an unbelieving world. Repeatedly, the Scripture tell us this was one of the primary purposes for Israel as a nation and all she encountered in history. Solomon’s prayer was “that all people of the earth may know thy name…” (I Kings 8:43). Hezekiah prayed that the Lord would deliver them from enemies “that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only” (II Kings 19:19). Ezekiel was told to predict a future when enemies will “come up against my people of Israel…that the heathen may know me” (Ezek. 38:16). Likewise, Isaiah predicts a day when “all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob” (Isa.49:26). Even those who do not want to retain the knowledge of God have heard of the Lord parting the Red Sea and providing a host of miracles for Israel. Israel has been God’s witness to the world.

The third promise to Abram was to bless all the families of the earth through him and his seed. Ultimately, this was fulfilled in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, coming as the Son of Man and Son of God to pay the ransom for the sins of all mankind. Salvation is now available to all because God used Israel to produce a needed Savior.



The Mosaic Law of Israel

It is imperative that we understand to whom the Law of Moses was given,what it involved, and why it was given. The Lord told Moses, “I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments…that thou mayest teach them [to Israel]” (Ex. 24:12). These laws were given only to the nation of Israel. They were not given to, nor intended for, Gentiles of the past or present. Moreover, many further misunderstand the scope of the Law of Moses. It was far more than the Ten Commandments; it included volumes of strict requirements governing the social, civil, dietary, and worship life of Israel. It was an entire package to be obeyed. No one was allowed to pick and choose certain requirements and ignore others.

God had several important purposes for giving these laws. They were to be a testimony to all who “hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people…who hath God so nigh unto them” (Deut. 4:5-8.). It was intended to draw lost souls back to God, but it was never intended as a way to merit eternal life. Paul taught, “Ye could not be justified [from sin] by the law of Moses” because it was given that “all the world may become guilty before God… for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom.3:19,20). The law was a beautiful system for Israel, but even Peter acknowledged that it was a heavy “yoke…which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear” (Acts 15:10). God’s ultimate purpose for the law was to prove man’s guilt, to prove his inability to be righteous through good works, and to become “our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24). It is absolutely not intended for the practice of believers today.



How Long Did the Mosaic Law Last?

The Lord Jesus clearly said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24). He told His disciples, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles…but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:5-6). In the early chapters of Acts, it is clear that Israel was still the exclusive focus of ministry (Acts 2:5,22,36; 3:12,25; 7:2,51,52; 11:19,20). Moreover, these Jewish believers were still operating under the law. The Lord Jesus taught, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do” (Matt. 23:1,2). They were still to keep the law because Christ said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law… but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17).


For many present-day Christians, much confusion exists because they incorrectly attempt to apply instructions or promises that were given exclusively to Israel under the law. Only Israel was to “take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat…or drink…but seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:25-33). Only Israel was promised, “And these signs shall follow them that believe… In my name shall they cast out devils… speak with new tongues… they shall lay hands on the sick” (Mark 16:17,18.). Only Israel was promised, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13,14; 16:23; Matt. 18:19). When we read the Old Testament, the Gospel accounts, and the early chapters of Acts, we are not to claim promises or instruction intended exclusively for Israel. These books were included as part of our present-day Bible because God intended them “for our learning” (Rom. 15:4). Let’s learn the lessons God intended without claiming Israel’s promises.


The Body of Christ

Believers today are not part of the nation of Israel. In the early part of the Book of Acts, God set Israel aside from her favored and exalted position due to repeated waywardness (Rom. 11:11,12). Today, “There is neither Jew nor Greek…for ye are all one in Christ” (Gal. 3:28.).Those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ today are placed into a new group of believers called “the church, which is His Body” or the Body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23). This is a brand new group of believers that began with the Apostle Paul. Dr. C. I. Scofield said it well in his reference Bible when he wrote: “In his [Paul’s] writings alone we find the doctrine, position, walk, and destiny of the Church.” 1

The Apostle Paul teaches us, “Ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:14). God saves us by His grace (Eph. 2:8,9), keeps us Growing in God’s Grace secure because grace “reigns” (Rom. 5:21), and grace provides a lasting daily peace “wherein we stand” (Rom. 5:1,2). Finally, “…the grace of God [is]… teaching us that,denying ungodliness… we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,in this present world” (Titus 2:11-13). As we live in this current Age of Grace, we are to depend on grace in every area of our lives, and look consistently for our promises and instructions in the letters of the Apostle Paul.

Israel (under the law), and the Body of Christ (under grace), are like a brother and sister. God is the Father of both, yet each is distinctly different. These differences are not intended to be diluted until they are indistinguishable. We are to recognize, respect, and maintain these distinctions. This is a key to understanding our Bible.

Notes:
1 Taken from notes on Ephesians 3:6

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The Spirit Which is of God
By John LaVier

Several years ago we heard one of the Lord's servants make a rather remarkable statement. He said, "I would not give you my spirit, even if I could. Because if I did you would know too much about me."

We can all appreciate the above statement, for each of us would undoubtedly shrink from having our fellow man know us as we really are. And yet God has given us His Spirit. Why? Because He wants us to know Him fully. He will hide nothing from us, for our greatest blessing is the knowledge of Himself. So we read:

"But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God." (1 Cor. 2:9-11)

Verse 9 does not refer, as some suppose, to the wonders awaiting us in heaven, for that is not the subject. The subject is the deep and precious truths which God has for his full-grown children. Also, verse 9 should never be separated from verse 10. Many quote verse 9 alone and then conclude that we must remain in ignorance, but verse 10 says that the Spirit knows "the deep things of God" and He reveals them to those who are willing to be taught. These deep things are found in the Word of God, and we must study the Word in dependence upon the Holy Spirit and then He will make them known. Yet many of God's people are like the Corinthians and lack the knowledge. Therefore, they must be dealt with as carnal instead of spiritual. They must be fed with milk instead of meat. Instead of the "deep things" their knowledge of God and His Word is very shallow. Surely this is inexcusable when God has given us of His Spirit in order that we might be illumined and instructed.

"Now we have received, not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (1 Cor. 2:12)

We have received ... the Spirit which is of God. What a surprising and wonderful thing that God should have given to us His Spirit to bring us into communion with Himself and to open up to us His deep things. He could not have given us a greater gift. How much do we appreciate it? And do we indeed recognize the presence within us of the Spirit which is of God?

What moved Thee to impart
Thy Spirit from above,
Therewith to fill our heart
With heavenly peace and love?
'Twas love, unbounded love to us
Moved Thee to give Thy Spirit thus.

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UNFEIGNED FAITH
By MARVIN DUNCAN, Pastor

Scripture Reading: I Timothy 1:5; II Timothy 1:5

Much of what men believe today is what they want to believe instead of what God's Word teaches. Faith is somehow taken to mean just being sincere in what you want to happen, or being sincere in what you think God would have you do and if your faith (your belief in your own idea) is strong enough, it will come to pass. This is far from what God's Word teaches about faith. Romans 10:17 tells us that the faith that pleases God comes from hearing, that is believing, the Word of God. God will only do that which He has said He will do and God will accept a person only on the basis He has proclaimed. Anything beyond what God has said is not faith--- it is wishful-thinking.

It is this taking God at His Word that Paul speaks of as "UNFEIGNED FAITH" in our text verses. This word, unfeigned, means genuine or sincere. It is the sincere trust in what God has said about Himself and about how a man can be justified in His sight that Paul was speaking about when he wrote Timothy that "the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith that is genuine and sincere" (I Timothy 1:5). This genuine faith does not go beyond what God has said, but takes every word God has spoken and sincerely believes God will do exactly as He has promised.

Paul was confident that this was the kind of faith Timothy had and his sincere faith had been encouraged in him by his mother and his grand-mother who both had this same genuine faith in what God had said (II Timothy 1:5).

Is your faith based solely upon what God has said, or do you have some areas of wishful-thinking involved in your faith? If there is any area of your faith that is not exactly what God has said, you do not have "UNFEIGNED FAITH."

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LIFE'S PURPOSE
By Miles Stanford

"For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9).

Our Lord the Vine provides all that His branches will ever need for fruit-bearing. All provision is according to our Father's riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:19).

"Christian growth is the becoming real in ourselves, of what is already true of us in the Lord Jesus. 'I am the vine, ye are the branches,' He says. But the vine furnishes the branches, not only with the principle of life, but with the type of life. No pressure or molding from without is needed to shape them to the pattern of the parent stock. Every minutest peculiarity of form, and color, and taste, and fragrance is determined by the root, and developed from it. A true believer, therefore, will ask no better thing of the Lord than that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in his body (II Cor. 4:11). For such a manifestation will, by a necessary principle, be the unfolding within him of every needed element of joy and sorrow, of suffering and triumph." - A.J.G .

"Straining, driving effort does not accomplish the work God gives a man to do; we must partake of Christ so fully that He more than fills the life. It will then be not overwork but overflow."

"And ye are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power" (Col. 2:10).

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THE BOOK OF LIFE
BY PASTOR RICHARD A. MAZEK,

Scripture Reading: Psalm 68:28

This is a subject upon which there has indeed been much discussion, disagreement, and traditional ignorance. Many zealously sing, "There's a new name written down in Glory, and it's mine." They truly believe that their names were written in the Lord's Book of Life the moment they trusted Christ as their Saviour. Yet does this old tradition really stand up to the test of Scripture? The pastors here at the Berean Church do not believe so. The Apostle Paul only uses this term once in his Epistles (Phil. 4:3), and even then it is not in reference to initial salvation. Whose names then are written in the Book of Life, and when are they recorded therein?

Psalm 68:27,28 sets forth the prayer of David concerning his enemies and is also a prophetic reference to the prayer of the believing remnant of Israel in the Great Tribulation. Here we find the statement that both the just and the unjust are recorded in the Book of the Living (Life). For how could they be blotted out if they were not already written therein?

The second half of our question now needs to be posed.
When are these names written in God's Book of Life?

We believe that Psalm 139:15,16 clearly gives us the answer. "Psa 139:15  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psa 139:16  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them."  Verse 16 re-affirms Psalm 68 by telling us that, "in thy Book all men (proper rendering) were written." Yes, but when does this take place? The context clearly points to the conception and pre-natal state of all men. Our conclusion then is that all men are written in the "Book of Life" the moment they are physically conceived.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 20: 11-15

The Scriptures also clearly state that men are blotted or taken out of the Book of Life. Paul and Moses both prayed that their names be blotted out of this great book (Ex. 32:32; Rom. 9: 1-3) for the sake of Israel. Although we know the Lord could not grant these requests, the fact still remains that names are, and will be, blotted out of God's Book.

When, then is a man's name blotted out of the Book of Life? Let us answer this question by first of all citing a Scripture reference that reveals to us how a man may remain in the Book of Life (Rev. 3:5). Of course this portion is here referring to the Dispensation of Judgment, and the overcomers here recorded, will be the elect, the Tribulation Saints (1 John 2:13,14: 5:4, 5). Yet the principle cited here is trans-dispensational. Any saved person from any dispensation will and does remain in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Now, upon this premise, let us answer our question. All men have a chance to be saved up until the moment they die, but after death (physical) there is no second chance (Heb. 9:27). Thus, their names must then be blotted out of the Book of Life for Rev. 20: 11-15 clearly shows that all who have died in their sins are not found in this eternal book. Consequently, if a man dies in his sins (in any dispensation), he is then blotted out of God's Book of Life.

There is however, one exception to this rule, and it is found in Rev. 13:8, and 17:8 (read proper rendering of this verse). Here we find the followers of the Anti-Christ as being blotted out of the Book of Life before their physical death. Why? The Lord, under the regulations of this dispensation (Tribulation), hears Israel's prayer (Ps. 68:27, 28.) and answers it (I John 3:22) by blotting out these names before their decease. May the Lord help us to better comprehend these precious truths!

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But Now
by Pastor C. R. Stam




The words “but now” are found in many places in the Bible, but most often in the Epistles of Paul. These two words are deeply significant, for they indicate a change in program. If my secretary is transcribing some dictation and I say: “But now I would like you to take a letter,” this indicates a change in program.

So it is with this phrase as we find it in Rom. 3:21: “But  now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested.”Prior to this time God’s people were under the Law. There was no other way to approach Him. But though under the Law, they constantly broke the Law, so that those who sought salvation by the Law stood before God condemned rather than justified. Thus the Apostle says in Verse 20:


“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.”

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested”(Ver. 21).


How can this be? How can a man be declared righteous apart from the Law? The answer, the only answer is, by grace through faith in Christ. Though perfect and sinless, Christ died for sin. Whose sin? Yours and mine. Thus as Paul declares in Acts 13:38, 39:

“Through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all who believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:28.).

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The Wisdom Of This World
by Pastor C.  R. Stam




“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (I Cor. 1:20).



This challenge was hurled at the intellectual world of nineteen hundred years ago, so famous for its philosophy, literature and art. Nor are these the words of one who himself lacked the benefits of higher learning.Rather, they flowed from the pen of one of the most learned men, one of the greatest thinkers of all time: the Apostle Paul. More than this, they are found in that Book of books, the Bible, which has withstood, not barely but magnificently, all the attacks of a thousand critics through centuries of time. This Book says:

“The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (I Cor. 3:19).
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10).

Actually, the “intellectuals” in any age are those who assent to the theories of those who agree with each other that they are intellectual! Dissent from them and you have automatically branded yourself an illiterate!

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

“And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
“That no flesh should glory in His presence” (I Cor. 1:27-29).

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THE LAW MISUNDERSTOOD
by C. R. Stam



There are three misconceptions that most people entertain about the law of God and its Ten Commandments:

Most people have a vague notion that the law always was in existence and that it must have been given to the first man, Adam, or soon after. Actually, God gave the law to Moses for Israel about 1500 B.C., after about 2500 years of human history had elapsed (John 1:17). So mankind lived on earth for about 2500 years without the law or the Ten Commandments.

Most people suppose that the law and the Ten Commandments were given to mankind in general, while, in fact, it was given to Israel alone (Deuteronomy 5:2,3).

Most people suppose that the law and the Ten Commandments were given to help us to do right. Even some clergymen teach this, although the Bible clearly teaches that they were given to show us that we are guilty sinners. It is true that the law, while given to Israel, also shows the Gentile that he is a sinner. This is why Romans 3:19 says:

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God.”

But most important of all: Few people realize that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins to deliver us from the just condemnation of the law. This is taught in the following Scriptures:

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…” (Gal. 3:13).

“For God hath made Him to be sin for us, [Christ] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (II Cor. 5:21).

“For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE” (Rom. 6:14).

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"THE WORD OF HIS POWER"
by Russel S. Miller


God is so powerful that by simply speaking, He created "Heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is" (Ex. 20:11). Yes, the Universe was brought immediately into being: "by the Word of His power" (Heb. 1:3; II Pet. 3:5)! And neither was His power confined to the animal creation, for He "breathed into the nostrils" of Adam, "the breath of life, and man became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7). He is so powerful that He can "inspire" mere men to write exactly what He wants them to write, in a Book that we call the Bible (I Tim.3:16). So powerful that to enter the stream of humanity and become a man, He was "born of a virgin" (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35), which, with men is a total impossibility. And again, to show His mighty power, after "He [had] by the grace of God, tasted death for every man" (Heb. 2:9) HE AROSE FROM THE DEAD (Rom. 4:25).

God is so powerful that when we believe on Christ, He makes us one with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection; saves us for time and eternity, and nothing can separate us from His love. This is why the Apostle Paul defends the doctrine of eternal security in his Epistle to the Romans:

"FOR I AM PERSUADED, THAT NEITHER DEATH, NOR LIFE, NOR ANGELS, NOR PRINCIPALITIES, NOR POWERS, NOR THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME, NOR HEIGHT, NOR DEPTH, NOR ANY OTHER CREATURE, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD" (Rom. 8:38,39).

Some people don’t believe in the Bible and all it says about Creation, the Inspiration of the Scriptures, the Virgin Birth of Christ, His resurrection from the dead, and the Lord’s Return to catch us away to be with Him for all eternity, but those who do, can say with the Apostle Paul:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16).

By the "word" of His power He shall catch us away to be with Him eternally.

"LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST" (Titus 2:13; I Thes. 4:13-18.).

"In whom WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).

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PEACE - THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
By FLOYD BAKER, Pastor


Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:22

Some years ago as we stood in a funeral home, the daughter of the woman who had passed away, declared, ''I'm amazed at the peace I have at a time like this." I trust that each one of us have experienced such peace in our lives during those times of heartache and difficulty. There are some who may not understand the peace that we have and may look at us with wonder; not knowing the source from which it comes.

Our verse in Galatians 5:22 reveals the very source of this peace as we read, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Though our focus is upon peace we see that it does not stand alone but is part of, and dependent on, love. Without Spirit-produced love we will not enjoy this peace in our lives.

Peace is an inward tranquility but nonetheless is manifested in the outward man as well. What is also important is that this is not simply a resignation to the fact that we can't change the circumstances, but rather to know that God is at work in our lives conforming us more, and more, to His image. Without this realization we will miss out on the opportunity to grow spiritually. As we face each new testing our faith will enable us to look to God and again enjoy His peace. Only the child of God can have this peace because it is the "Fruit of the Spirit," and cannot be generated in the flesh. It begins with faith in the finished work of Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit as we see in Ephesians 1:13, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."