GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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~FREEDOM FROM WORRY AND ANXIETY~ JULY 1, 2007


~FREEDOM FROM WORRY AND ANXIETY~



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. It 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?

by Steve McVey

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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"The Fruit of the Spirit"   Part 1        JULY 2, 2007


"The Fruit of the Spirit"
Part 1 of 4
by Darlene Homoki
Galatians 5:22-23


"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. "



A tree is known by its fruit. We recognize an apple tree because it bears apples. A cherry tree bears cherries, and so on (Ps. 1:3; Mt. 12:33). Wouldn't it be wonderful if we, as Christians, would be recognized by others because of the fruit we bear?

Please note that in Galatians 5:22 the word "fruit" is singular. When we think of a basket of fruit, we picture in our minds a basket filled with various kinds of fruit - not just one kind of fruit (for example: apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, etc.). Yet, we call it a basket of fruit, not fruits. We can say the same is true of the "Fruit of the Spirit." Though there are several kinds of fruit mentioned, they are all considered one; that is the "Fruit of the Spirit." These fruit are all consistent and connected together. They are one!

This fruit presents a portrait of Christ. It suggests the character of Jesus in contrast with the "works of the flesh." The Spirit seeks to produce these by reproducing Christ in the believers (Gal. 4:19). John Gill puts it this way: "It is also the same as to be conformed to the image of Christ, which in regeneration is stamped upon the saints, and is gradually increased, and will be perfected in Heaven; and that this might more manifestly appear, over which a veil was drawn, by their departure in any degree from the truths of the Gospel, was what he earnestly sought after: once more, it is the same as to have the form of Christ; that is, of the Gospel of Christ upon them, or to be cast into the form of doctrine, and mold of the Gospel, and to receive a Gospel impression and spirit from it; which is to have a spirit of liberty, in opposition to legal bondage; to live by faith on Christ, and not on the works of the law; to derive comfort alone from him, and not from any services and duties whatever; to have repentance, and the whole course of obedience, influenced by the grace of God, and love of Christ; and to be zealous of good works, and yet have no dependence on them for justification and salvation. This is what the apostle so earnestly desired, when, instead of it, these Galatians seemed to have the form of Moses, and of the law."

In other words, the Christian life is the out-living of the in-living Christ. "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20).

We must recognize that living like Jesus would have us live and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit does not include adding any rituals, ceremonies or works to our salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith alone. Living like Jesus would have us live is walking "worthy of the vocation to which we have been called" (Eph. 5:1; cf Gal. 5:16). Walking in or by the Spirit means living each moment in submission to God - walking to please Him in thought, word and deed. It means letting Him guide us each step of the way bringing glory to God.

The Fruit Defined

The fruit of the Spirit has been described as "those gracious habits which the Holy Spirit produces in the Christian." A habit is that which becomes so routine in our lives we don't even realize we are doing it. We do it without thinking. It takes time, practice and work to develop a habit whether good or bad. It doesn't happen overnight. For example, let's say personal devotions ... Good intentions don't get the job done.

The fruit of the Spirit is Christian character as shown in the possession of these nine graces. These nine fruit stand together and make up our walk with God and our testimony to others. They work together to make a whole.

These nine character traits are one and the same fruit, i.e., "the fruit of the Spirit." We might give the example of a watch - it needs all the little pieces in their right and proper place to keep good time. If one little piece is out of place, the watch does not function properly. The same is true of the Christian. We need to have a balanced life displaying all the character traits mentioned here. In other words, to function as a whole we can't pick and choose those character traits that we like and not work on developing the others.

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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"The Fruit of the Spirit"   Part 2      JULY 3, 2007


"The Fruit of the Spirit"
Part 2 of 4
by Darlene Homoki
Galatians 5:22-23


How Do We Obtain the Fruit?

It is given by the Holy Spirit. When an individual is presented with the Gospel of Christ and responds positively putting his/her faith in the finished work of Christ, he/she becomes a member of the Body of Christ. At that very moment, the time of salvation, the believer is:

I.baptized by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13);
2.sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14); and
3. indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16).

I believe these nine graces (nine fruit) are at that time placed in our lives in seed form. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance are the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our lives. They are there waiting to grow.

Just as a seed planted in the ground needs to be watered, fed, nurtured, and to have the weeds removed, so does the seed of the "Fruit of the Spirit" need to be watered, fed, nurtured, and to have the weeds removed by the Word. It is growing up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Fruit of the Spirit is not to be confused with the "gifts of the Spirit." The Fruit of the Spirit is the result of believing the Gospel and is given to all that believe.

Let us take a moment to think about that time in our life when we trusted in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and became a believer or a Christian. I trust everyone knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that should they die today, they would spend eternity with Jesus. If perchance there is one who has not trusted Christ as Savior, then I pray that you would do so now.

The Fruit of the Spirit Is:


1.Given to all that are saved;
2.Same fruit given to everyone; and
3.The fruit remains the same - only ripens as we grow.
In contrast, the gifts of the Spirit are given to individuals. Not everyone has the same gifts. (1 Cor. 12:4 reads, "Now, there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.") There are pastors, teachers, evangelists, gift of helps, administration, etc.

These Gifts Work Together to Make up the Body of Christ:

1.Given to all that are saved;
2.Different gifts to different individuals; and
3.Gifts may change as circumstances change.

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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"The Fruit of the Spirit"   Part 3     JULY 4, 2007


"The Fruit of the Spirit"
Part 3 of 4
by Darlene Homoki
Galatians 5:22-23





Fruit of the Spirit Contrasted with the Works of the Flesh.


Galatians 5:22-23 starts out with the word "but." This word points us to the preceding verses where we see the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. This conflict begins the instant we put our faith in Jesus Christ. See Galatians 5:17. The deeds or sins of the flesh are listed in Galatians 5:19-21. These are not good but are weaknesses/sins. These must be guarded against while the Fruit of the Spirit ought to be cherished and brought forth in our daily lives.

We are to "reckon [consider] ourselves dead indeed unto sin ... Let not sin reign in your body .... Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness" (Rom. 6:11-13).

Note the number of sins listed here in verses 19-21. There are seventeen in comparison to the nine fruits! They are called the works of the flesh and are mentioned in the plural because they are distinct from, and often inconsistent with, each other. These can be divided into four groups.


The first group is sensual/sexual sins (sins against the 7th Commandment).

1. Adultery - the unfaithfulness of any married person to the marriage bed.

2. Fornication - sexual sin of the unmarried.

3. Uncleanness - moral impurity, all sexual defilement and unnatural sexual practices - sodomy, etc.

4. Lasciviousness - looseness, indulgence of animal desires, lustfulness. In other words, shameless conduct!


The second group is religious sins (sins against the 1st and 2nd Commandment).

1. Idolatry - the worship of idols, images, or anything made by hands, or which is not God. It is two kinds: the worship of images, statues, pictures; and the worship of the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon and stars. It is also the excessive attachment for anything.

2. Witchcraft - the English term is "pharmacy," and means administering drugs, magical potions. It refers to the practice of magicians, sorcery, witches, enchantments, etc.

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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"The Fruit of the Spirit"   Part 4       JULY 5, 2007


"The Fruit of the Spirit"
Part 4 of 4
by Darlene Homoki
Galatians 5:22-23



The third group are temperamental sins or sins against our neighbor (sin against Galatians 5:14, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself')

l. Hatred - enmity; deep rooted hatred or irreconcilable hostility. Feelings that are contrary to love, to abhor, to loathe, strong antagonism.

2. Variance - a state of dissension or controversy, in a state of enmity. A difference that produces dispute or controversy; disagreement, dissension, discord.

3. Emulations - a contest, contention, strife, competition, rivalry accompanied with a desire to depress another resulting from envy or jealousy.

4. Wrath - violent anger. An anger that is abiding with the purpose of revenge.

5. Strife - contention in anger or hatred. A violent effort to obtain something. Could be by words, debate, quarrel, contest, etc.

6. Seditions - divisions, dissensions causing rebellion. The inciting of rebellion against leadership/government.

7. Heresies - dissensions arising from diversity of opinions causing divisions.

8. Envyings - ill will, malice, spite, jealousy. A malignant passion that sees in another qualities that it covets of resulting in hatred.

9. Murders - to kill a human being with premeditated malice. Often the result of the above list of temperamental sins.

The fourth and final group are sins against ourselves.

1. Drunkenness - Intoxication is a state in which a person is over-powered with liquor so that his reason is disordered and he reels or staggers in walking.

2. Revelings - Boisterous merrymaking or noisy partying. Lascivious feastings (shameful conduct) with obscene songs and music.

Why does Paul give us the list? He gives us the list to emphasize the conflict between the "flesh" and the Spirit and the results of each. It is given:

l. To show that an individual that is an unbeliever and follows the "flesh" will not inherit eternal life (Gal. 2:20b).

2. To show that a believer may fall into such wrongdoing if he walks after the flesh and not after the Spirit - hence, the inclusion of this list in this letter to the Galatians where the life of the Christian is under review (Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7).

3. To contrast the "works of the flesh" with the "fruit of the Spirit."

Sin is not what keeps an individual from gaining entrance to eternal life. It is not believing that Jesus died, was buried and resurrected for my sins. It is not believing that "God so loved the world that He gave ... " It is not believing that God's wonderful redemption plan for man today is complete. The songwriter has said, "Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe .... "
Just as the "works of the flesh" are categorized, so is the "Fruit of the Spirit." There are three categories with three "fruit" in each one. Dr. Scofield has this to say: "Christian character is not mere moral or legal correctness, but the possession and manifestation of nine graces: love, joy, peace - character as in an inward state: longsuffering, gentleness, goodness - character in expression toward man: faith, meekness, temperance - character in expression toward God ... " (Scofield Bible page 1247) .

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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THE NATURE OF GRACE        JULY 6, 2007


THE NATURE OF GRACE
by C. R. Stam


To a young Christian who kept bemoaning his failures and lack of spiritual growth, and wondering how God could love him, a more mature believer responded substantially as follows:

"When I leave here and return to my home I will pick up my little baby girl and put her on my knee. Tired as I am, I will dandle her on my knee and, somehow, looking into that darling face and those pretty blue eyes, I will soon feel rested and refreshed.

"This is strange, in a way, for she does not love me. She doesn’t even know what love is.

"She doesn’t appreciate my problems and has no sympathy for me. My heart can be burdened with grief or filled with anxiety, and my mind vexed with difficult problems, but she doesn’t even know or care. She just keeps gurgling and giggling at the attention I lavish upon her.

"She doesn’t contribute one cent toward the needs of our family; indeed, she costs me a great deal of money and will for years to come. Yet I love that child more than I can say. There is no sacrifice I would not make for her; no good thing I would not gladly give her."

Such is the grace of God toward us, His children. It does not depend upon our faithfulness to Him or our appreciation of His love to us. He loves us with an unspeakable love and keeps lavishing upon us "the riches of His grace" simply because we are His children in Christ, the Beloved One. And strangely, is it not precisely this fact that proves to be our greatest incentive to give ourselves to Him in loving service and sacrifice as we grow in grace?

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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GOD'S WORD OR MAN'S WORD    Part One      JULY 7, 2007


THE BIBLE

GOD'S WORD OR MAN'S WORD
Part 1 of 3

When reading the Bible, can we be sure that it is accurate? Can we read it with the assurance that it is the truth? Or is there error in it? So, therefore, do we need to interpret some things written in the Bible, simply because there are those that would say the Bible was written by man, therefore there could be error in the Bible?

What is amazing is that people will subscribe to a daily newspaper and read it from one end to the other, and believe every word it says, and not question it, yet it was written by man. People will subscribe to a monthly magazine and read it cover to cover and believe what it says. Yet, it was written by man.

There are those who will go to a library and get a book that is based on a true story, not question it, yet it was written by man. If one purchases a product that needs to be assembled, he is informed to read the instructions thoroughly before beginning to assemble it. Yet the instructions were written by man.

But, when it comes to the Bible (God's Word) some will say, it was written by man therefore there could be error in it and therefore we need to interpret or come to the conclusion that some of it might not even be true. So then, was the Bible written by man? Yes, it was written by man, but not by man's own knowledge or his own ability. Rather, it was written by men through inspiration from God. As Paul the apostle to the Gentiles tells us, "all scripture (the Bible, or God's Word) is given by Inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (II Timothy 3: 16)

The word inspiration is taken from the Greek word (theopneustos) which translated means "divinely breathed in". What God has done was to breathe into the hearts and minds of those men that He had chosen to write down those things concerning Himself that He would have us to know, and that word would be the Bible or God's Word, not man's word.

Look also at the first two words of this verse, "all scripture" and especially the word "ALL". Notice it does not say "some scripture" but rather ALL SCRIPTURE. This means that every word in the Bible was given by inspiration of God.

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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GOD'S WORD OR MAN'S WORD    Part Two     JULY 8, 2007


THE BIBLE

GOD'S WORD OR MAN'S WORD
Part  2 of 3
By Jack Trumm


Luke tells us (concerning Israel, God's covenant people) what God's plan was for them: "But those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your (Israel's) sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, and he shall send Jesus Christ, which was before preached unto you, whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, WHICH GOD HATH SPOKEN BY THE MOUTH OF ALL HIS HOLY PROPHETS SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people (Israel). Yea, AND ALL THE PROPHETS FROM SAMUEL AND THOSE THAT FOLLOW AFTER, AS MANY AS HAVE SPOKEN, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you (Israel) first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." (Acts 3:18-26)

What these verses tell us is that God inspired (or told man by revelation) to write down things concerning Israel and concerning our Lord Jesus Christ's coming to cleanse them and then reign over them, making Israel the instrument of blessing to the rest of the nations. This process of revelation began at the beginning of the world "since the world began" (verse 21). What was prophesied concerning Israel? Verses 19 and 20 tell us that if Israel as a nation would have been obedient to God by repenting of the murder of Jesus Christ, God would have at that time forgiven the nation and sent His son back to them. Jesus Christ would have immediately returned to reign over them as their King. God would have used the nation Israel as a blessing to all other nations of the earth. " ... and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" (verse 25) "unto you first ... " (verse 26).

This does not sound like something that man could come up with by his own knowledge, and even if he could, how would he carry it out?

We also know that Israel as a nation failed to adhere to the word of God.

So what God has done is to set that program with Israel aside for the time being. Since they (as a nation) would not believe the claims of Jesus Christ, nor the witness of God the Father, nor the witness of the Holy Spirit in His coming at Pentecost, they have been temporarily broken off and set aside in unbelief.

" ... because of unbelief they were broken off'. (Romans 11:20)

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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GOD'S WORD OR MAN'S WORD    Part Three   JULY 9, 2007


THE BIBLE

GOD'S WORD OR MAN'S WORD
Part  3 of 3
By Jack Trumm

Because of Israel's unbelief, God has revealed a new program to Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles (or nations). "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward. How that BY REVELATION he made known unto me the mystery, (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not  made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who as less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ". (Ephesians 3: 1-9)


Notice Paul says it was REVEALED to him from God concerning the mystery of Christ. It was not by his own knowledge or ability that he wrote these things.

This brings up the question, What was revealed to Paul? "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ BY THE GOSPEL" (Verse 6). What gospel? The gospel which was not made known in ages past, "which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men" (verse 5). What was the message of this gospel? "Moreover, brethren I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand, by which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4).


What is so beautiful about this revealed message is that we can be saved by just believing it. "By which also ye are saved" (verse 2).

Paul speaks of himself in this way, "And I brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified (or what He accomplished in the cross). And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (I Corinthians 2: 1-5) We are also told, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. BUT GOD HATH REVEALED THEM UNTO US BY HIS SPIRIT, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that  WE MIGHT KNOW THE THINGS THAT ARE FREELY GIVEN TO US OF GOD. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. " (I Corinthians 2:9-13)

So I would conclude by asking again, is the Bible man's word or is it God's Word? Yes, the Bible was penned by man, but it was not man's word, it is GOD'S WORD. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD." (Romans 1 0: 17)

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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~STEPPING UP TO STEPPING DOWN~  JULY 10, 2007


~STEPPING UP TO STEPPING DOWN~
By Charles W. Wages,




Taking on new responsibilities is always an adventure and challenge. However, the laying down of those responsibilities is possibly a more difficult task. There will always be beginnings and endings in a lifetime. That is the reason for this editorial.

There is no higher calling in anyone's life than being a minister (servant) of God's Word. The ministering of the Word is as broad as humanity itself and isn't the personal domain of any individual or group. It ranges from the home to the heavens.

The writer of this "departure" note came to know the Lord as Saviour as a young man and immediately entered the ministry of teaching and preaching to young people and then further as responsibilities grew. By the grace of God, and the help of a faithful pastor, Brother Ike T. Sidebottom, I have had the privilege and blessings of being His servant for 64 years, in giving out the message of the Gospel of Grace and the giving forth of the teaching of the dispensation of the mystery, by spoken word and the printed page.

In all these years I have also had the privilege of serving as pastor. Forty-four of those years were spent with this congregation of saints here in Fort Worth; twenty years were spent in Denton County as pastor, radio minister, and evangelistic Bible teacher.

There have been other ministry related opportunities across these years. The educational opportunities have afforded a springboard of living and learning to give out the Word. Serving as teacher, counselor, principal, and superintendent of a growing suburban school district afforded many opportunities of "defending the faith" and giving the gospel. These opportunities opened doors to be a witness and testimony to the wonderful grace of God.

A ministry of 64 years involved all the ups and downs, the highlights and heartaches, the suffering and the glory that accompanies living and trying, by God's grace to serve Him. The results are all to the praise and glory of our wonderful Lord Jesus
Christ.

As to the ministry of the Timely Messenger, and related books and pamphlets, there are many faithful saints who will be rewarded for their faithful continued work and support. It was my privilege to be serving as Associate Pastor with Brother Sidebottom when he began the Timely Messenger. My wife and I helped with the first printings, and have had the privilege of contributing lessons in the Timely Messenger all these years. There are many who have served to help in the giving out of the Word through the Timely Messenger. Quenton Goyne has given his time and talent in printing the Timely Messenger all these years. He was a professional printer, but gave his time on the side to be our printer, serving without any financial pay - just the blessing of giving out the Word for His glory. Even in his retirement years, he continues to do the printing. Through many years my wife, Beverly, did the typing and preparing for the printer; before the days of computers. Now much work is saved through the computer. Others have joined to help with the mailing out. Many have contributed articles and Bible study lessons through these years. Many of you readers have helped support this printing ministry with your offerings and prayers, and helping to distribute to others. Your letters and words of encouragement have meant much to us through the years. To all of you, I give my heartfelt thanks for your labor of love.

Having said all that is needed to be said, your long-time editor and friend, is stepping down after having the privilege of "stepping up" to the most wonderful and rewarding work of using this as one means of giving out the Word. This issue will be my last issue as editor of the Timely Messenger. It is left in capable and faithful hands and will continue, by God's grace. Brother Gregg Bing will be the editor beginning in January.

We ask you to continue to pray for this printing ministry and, pray for Brother Gregg. We also ask that you continue to remember Beverly and I as we carry, out what the Lord has for us to do.

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."  (Acts 20:24)

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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(Personal Note: I'm almost positive that GOD will say, "Well done good and faithful servant." Pastor Charles Wages has been a close friend of my family for my entire life, and I have been blessed many times by his ministry. Pastor Wages spoke about serving as an Associate Pastor with his mentor, Brother Ike T. Sidebottom. His mentor was my grandfather and also the mentor of my own father and other young men who spent their lives in the ministry. The Timely Messenger and many other labors of love by Pastor Wages and his wife have been a blessing to countless people, including my entire family. GOD has been given all the Glory, and I give thanks.

[nChrist]

"THE CHURCH WHICH IS HIS BODY"    JULY 11, 2007


"THE CHURCH WHICH IS HIS BODY"


In this day and time, God manifests much grace in His dealings with His creatures. While He saves them upon the same basis as always He has and always will, that. is, upon the basis of the sacrifice and shed blood of our loving Lord on Calvary's cross, yet He makes this salvation available in a much more gracious manner than He did aforetime. Then one had to come under a rigid routine of sacrifice and service to be accepted of God, now we are "accepted in the Beloved," which means that by His grace through faith salvation is ours, without any conditions. Then, in order to have the continued blessings unto full development in the life He gives, ceremonies and ordinances had to be carefully observed; now, we are "complete in Him," being "His body" of which He is the "Head," and from Him comes the nourishment needed apart from any and all ritualistic rites, whether public or private. By the grace of God all believers are saved and made new creations in Christ Jesus, and by His grace, as a unit, constitute the "Church, which is His body," sustained by the sustenance which the "Head" supplies and rejoicing in an all-sufficient Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Before this "dispensation of the grace of God," in which we are now living, believers were promised a hopeful future, and, likewise, the people of God comprising the "body" have also been promised a hopeful future. However, these promises appertain to different callings and destinies, so that while others have their future hope located on earth or in heaven, we have our hope located far above all heavens. That is what the phrase "heavenly places" literally expresses, and we are told that we have been "made alive together with Christ," and also "raised up together and made sit together in the heavenly places." Christ has "passed through the heavens" and ascended up "far above all heavens," to that sphere where our hope is located, and where the Church is now "blessed with all spiritual blessings," and where we shall be some day, for God is going to display there "the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

Old Testament writers spoke of the "place above the heavens," also, "the place where thou hast put thy glory," and, so far as Scripture gives us light, it is the most exalted sphere to which God can raise any of His creatures, whom He has redeemed. It would be folly, to say the least, for us to trade any of our peculiar and precious blessings for those of another calling, and entirely outside the will or purpose of God, yet many are unknowingly doing that very thing by attaching teaching to the "body" which really does not belong to it. This is brought to pass by giving the "Church, which is His body" a designation which does not refer to it, and then upon that premise building doctrine that pertains to another calling.

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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[nChrist]

 "IMPUTED" AND "IMPUTED FOR"    JULY 12, 2007


"IMPUTED" AND "IMPUTED FOR"



In Abraham's case, "his faith was counted for righteousness" by God (Rom. 4:5). The word for "count" is used throughout the Bible. Its principle is universal and its usage is both ancient and modern.

The Greek word for "counted" is logizomai. It appears 41 times in the NT. Of these, 35 are from the pen of Paul and 19 are in Romans, 11 of which are found in chapter 4! Yet this word is almost impossible to trace in our English Bible because twelve different English words are used in the KJV translation. Of these twelve our chapter uses three; reckon, impute, and count.

To understand this point, these uses must be put into two groups: "imputing" is charging or putting something upon one's account. Wages are reckoned in 4:4, righteousness in 4:6, 11, 23, 24, and sin in 4:8, and these are all actualities.

Whereas when something is "Imputed for," it is imputed for something which it is not. Faith is not righteousness, but it is reckoned for it by God!

A modern illustration with paper money will serve to explain this difference. Thinking back to days of gold coinage, we realize that the worth of a gold coin is intrinsic, that is, worth is not "Imputed for" gold because gold has the worth in itself. But paper money is another matter, for it is worth nothing more than waste paper unless worth has been imputed for it. A fire will quickly prove that it gives no more heat when burned nor is its ash of any greater value. But If worth "is imputed for that paper, then, and only then might its purchasing power equal that of gold. Yet it would be a mistake to say that a paper note was actually of the same value as gold!

Worth "imputed for" paper money depends solely upon the resources of the backing government. History records the worthlessness of paper money upon the collapse of governments.

So with faith! Faith is not righteousness, but faith is reckoned for (imputed for) righteousness. Righteousness is only in the Lord. True merit is found in "the faith of Christ," and because of His faith (fidelity) my faith may be reckoned by God for righteousness. If Christ's faith and righteousness did not exist, my faith would have no value. There, in the Bank of Heaven, is the gold of perfect righteousness, wrought by Another on our behalf, which alone makes our faith of any value.

"What does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to one who works the reward is not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to one who does not work, but believes on Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness..." (Romans 4:3-5)

"And therefore it was Imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:22-25)

By Ivan Burgener

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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http://www.graceandthetruth.com/pop_up.htm
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[nChrist]

POWERS ORDAINED OF GOD     JULY 13, 2007


POWERS ORDAINED OF GOD
By Ivan Burgener


"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God· (Rom. 13:1). These words are clear and shocking. Their clarity gives no room for misunderstanding, yet some find it. impossible to esteem world leaders as "ordained of God," and "the minister of God ......for good" (v. 4). They feel it must refer to a pastor or spiritual leader. A pastor or shepherd might wield a shepherd's staff, but could he bear "a sword ..." or be "a revenger to execute wrath "on the evil doer" (v. 4)?

The words, "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God" might give pause to a Jewish believer, for God had written, "thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, who is not thy brother" (Dt. 17:15). But with the captivity of Judah, God commanded all nations to obey His servant, Nebuchadnezzar! (See Jer. 27:6-8.) Thus the times of the Gentiles began with Israel's captivity and servitude. Now God warns us through Paul that "they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation" (i.e., judgment by the ruler).

"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (v. 3-4). God forbids us to take vengeance because He has established government as His representative, "a revenger to execute [His] wrath" on evildoers.

"Wherefore we must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake," conscience because we know it is the right thing to do. And we should fear the wrath of "the powers that be" as well.

This passage shows the grace of God given us for service; first toward believing brethren, then toward the world, living peaceably as much as possible without being overcome with the evil of taking vengeance, and lastly to be subject to the government which God has placed in all nations throughout the world. If government oversteps its bounds, our path is clear, "We ought to obey God, rather than men" (Acts 5:29), even when there may be dire consequences as in Daniel 3 when Jews were commanded to worship an image of gold.

One observed long ago that the "times of the Gentiles" began with government enforced idolatry, as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar, and that it might very well end the same. May we ever look to God for grace and courage.


"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well.

"For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
"Honor all men.
"Love the brotherhood.
"Fear God.
"Honor the king." (1 Peter 2:13-17)

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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[nChrist]

SALVATION FROM START TO FINISH      JULY 14, 2007


SALVATION FROM START TO FINISH
By HAROLD STEINBRON

Scripture Reading: II Timothy 1:9-12

"Before the World began"; that's how long ago God scheduled my life, salvation, and place in His glorious presence. Sometimes I'd worry and fret about whether I was going to make it through to next weeks pay-day! As I look back now over many years, to that concern about lasting until pay-day, I wonder, did I really believe God had known me before He made the world! I think not! It was a theory with me, I knew the Bible stated it, but it had not been reckoned SO by me. Unbelief must be a very serious insult to the One who planned by existence long before my parents were born! My God was too small! 

The person who truly lays hold of the Eternal God and truly believes what these verses teach will truly thank God even when everything that could go wrong does; and at the worst possible time---and then the bottom falls out! The peace of God that only the God of peace can bestow will bring an inner calm and freedom from turmoil that will be apparent to those about us.

Verse 12 mentions suffering "these things". One would assume that God's choice servant who wrote half our New Testament would live a trouble-free, leisurely life. Not So! "My Grace is sufficient for thee", was God's answer to Paul's request for relief from a grievous thorn in the flesh. God is apparently wanting to inform us that since He has planned our life and eternity from start to finish, we must not shrink from hardship, bodily suffering, or rejection by our fellow man. The holy calling is not unto ease, but unto faithfulness unto Him who called us.

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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[nChrist]

THE PRECIOUS DEPOSIT      JULY 15, 2007


THE PRECIOUS DEPOSIT
By IVAN L. BURGENER


Scripture Reading: II Timothy 1:12-14

"I. .. am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me ... That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us,"

It might not look like it, but "that good thing" Paul wrote about to Timothy was the precious deposit.  This deposit had first been committed to Paul. The sense is somewhat the opposite of what you might think upon reading verse 12. It was not something that Paul had committed to God, but rather what God - the Risen Lord - had from glory committed to Paul. This precious deposit refers to the great truth of the mystery, God's sacred secret which He had kept in silence throughout the ages past. Now, in this due time, God had deposited His secret with Paul. God was the One who would guard it, in the primary sense. It was His. He had kept it for ages. Now He had revealed it to Paul, and God was able to keep or guard it!

Paul had referred to this same precious deposit  in I Timothy 6:20 telling him to  "keep that which is committed to thy trust .. ," Just as these great truths about the mystery, Christ's one Body composed of Himself  as our risen Head  in heaven and ourselves as members, the Rapture of  this Body to glory (1 Tim. 3:16) had been first committed to Paul, they had also been committed to Timothy - thru Paul! Timothy was to keep them or to guard them in the sense of being a trust agent. These truths did not belong to Paul or to Timothy. But both were to act as trustworthy "trust agents" and "make all men see what is the dispensation" of these. What a deposit of precious truth!

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

If this devotion has been a blessing to you, please share it with others. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

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http://www.graceandthetruth.com/pop_up.htm
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