GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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STAND WHERE YOU ARE!    SEPTEMBER  2, 2007


STAND WHERE YOU ARE!
By Miles Stanford




"God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us ... hath made us alive together with Christ ... and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:4-6).

Believers are not occupying their position! At best, most are trying to attain a victorious position by means of prayer, Bible study, commitment, reconsecration, surrender, and so forth. But the answer is simply to abide where we have already been placed --- in our risen Lord Jesus Christ. Abide above, and keep looking down!

"Our Father has taken us over Jordan and placed us in Canaan, but the reality of it is never known until by faith we accept the fact on the basis of having died with Christ, and that therefore heaven is our place, and we know it to be our place now; and that this side is not our place, and we know that it is not.

"The more we abide in the Lord on the other side, the less disappointed we will be here, for when we are there we import new joys and new hopes into this old world, from an entirely new one, and we therefore in every way surpass the inhabitants of this lost world." --- J.B.S.

"You must abide in Christ in heaven before you can descend with heavenly ability to act for Him down here. The great secret of all blessing is to come from the Lord. Most Christians go to Him."

"Christian experience is our measure of apprehension of that which is already true of us in the Lord Jesus Christ." - A.J.

"Stand fast in the Lord" (Phil. 4:1).

___________________________________
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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GRACE CROWN     SEPTEMBER  3, 2007


GRACE CROWN
By Miles Stanford




"The God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect (mature), establish, strengthen, settle you" (1 Pet. 5:10).

At first, the old nature hides from us. Then, we try to hide from it. But when we begin to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, we are able to face up to the awful facts concerning the old man and his condemnation at the Cross. As the Holy Spirit reveals the old man (Col. 3:9), we count upon death; as He reveals the new man (Col. 3:10), we count upon life (Rom. 6:11).

"The believer, at the opening of his course, never knows his own heart; indeed, he could not bear the full knowledge of it; he would be overwhelmed thereby. 'The Lord leads us not by the way of the Philistines lest we should see war,' and so be plunged into despair. But He graciously leads us by a circuitous route, in order that our apprehension of His grace may keep pace with our growing self-knowledge." - C.H.M.

"It was not for nothing that God let Satan loose upon His dear servant, Job. God loved Job with a perfect love; a love that could take account of everything, and, looking below the surface, could see the deep moral roots in the heart of His servant - roots which Job had never seen, and, therefore, never judged. What a mercy to have to do with such a God! to be in the hands of One who will spare no pains in order to subdue everything in us which is contrary to Himself, and to bring out in us His own blessed image!"

"Humble yourselves. therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you" (1 Pet. 5:6, 7).

___________________________________
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.

Click Below For FREE Email Subscription:
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/pop_up.htm
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THE GRACE MOUNTAINS  Part 1      SEPTEMBER 4, 2007


THE GRACE MOUNTAINS
Ephesians 1
Part 1 of 3
by Evangelist S. Lee Homoki





The Book of Ephesians is one of three great doctrinal epistles written by the Apostle Paul. In Romans believers are taught that we are justified in Christ, seeing we have been crucified, buried and resurrected with Christ. In Ephesians believers are taught that we are sanctified in Christ, seeing we are now seated with Christ in the Heavenlies. And in 1 Thessalonians believers are taught that we are glorified, seeing that we shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. All of the other Pauline Epistles, though they contain much doctrine, seem to have been written to remedy either doctrinal or practical failure.

As an aid to our study, it is helpful to recognize that the Book of Ephesians is divided into two parts. The first three chapters have to do with the believer’s prosperity as found in the grace of God, and the last three chapters have to do with the believer’s performance in the grace of God.

Since this series of studies will deal only with the first three chapters of the Book of Ephesians, we will need only to title the first three chapters:

1.   “The Grace of God Planned” (Chapter one);
2.   “The Grace of God Applied” (Chapter two);
3.   “The Grace of God Revealed” (Chapter three).

The Book of Ephesians may be likened to a beautiful, snow-capped mountain range. As such, it is the highest mountain range found in the Bible, since it reaches into “the heavenlies.”  In my opinion, the very highest peak of this beautiful mountain is Ephesians 2:8-10:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Any traveler, who moves across “America the Beautiful,” will be impressed and awe-struck the very first time his eyes fall upon the beautiful, breathtaking, snow-capped Rocky Mountains of Colorado! It is a refreshing and never-to-be-forgotten sight! In like manner, the sensibilities of our soul and spirit are touched, as we travel over the terrain of Scripture, the first time our attention is arrested by the mountain peaks of grace! We find it to be breath-taking and refreshing and our hearts are compelled to applaud and sing, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.”

Oh, what a wonderful thought that a member of Adam’s fallen race - one that deserves nothing but the wrath and condemnation of God, one “dead in trespasses and sins” - should be offered the gift of forgiveness and eternal life without any respect to human worthiness - a gift conferred entirely by the empty hand of faith (Rom. 1:18; 3:18; Eph. 2:1). “…Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling” (“Rock of Ages”).

Oh, what joy and gladness come from the gift of salvation and eternal life! I think Abraham demonstrated this ecstasy when he, though he was beyond “hope” and as good as “dead,” received the promise of justification from God Who was able to “quicken the dead” - he “laughed” and gave “glory to God” (Gen. 17:17; Rom. 4:17-23).



WHY? WHY? WHY?

When first we beheld the beauty of this Grace Mountain, and every time we have passed by since, our hearts were filled with wonder! Oh, may we never lose the wonder of it all!
 
At the same time, a great rush of questions passes through our mind. These are questions like: Why? Why, dear God, did you ever make such a beautiful plan as grace to deal with Your creation? Why this plan and not some other plan? Or, why any plan at all? I think the song writer asked it best:

Who am I that a King would bleed and die for?

Who am I that He should pray “Not My will - Thine” for? The answer I may never know, why He should ever love me so, That to an old rugged cross - He’d go.

For who am I?

___________________________________
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.

Click Below For FREE Email Subscription:
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/pop_up.htm
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THE GRACE MOUNTAINS  Part 2     SEPTEMBER  5, 2007


THE GRACE MOUNTAINS
Ephesians 1
Part 2 of 3
by Evangelist S. Lee Homoki






It may be that we will never fully know the answer to that question this side of Heaven; however, the answer seems to lie in the essence or nature of God. One of God’s major attributes is love (1 Jn. 4:8,16). It would be hard to imagine a God of love with no one to love and no way to love sinners. According to Ephesians 2:4 it seems clear that it is the love of God that gave birth to the plan of grace:

But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved); And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:4-6).

How do you explain the love of God? How do you plumb its depths? I believe God did what He did simply because of Who and What He is. He did what He did just because He wanted to! God is the greatest lover in the universe. In the language of our text we are told that God’s work of grace was:

1.   “according to the good pleasure of His will” (Eph. 1:5);
2.   “according to His good pleasure” (Eph. 1:9);
3.   “according to the purpose of His will” (Eph. 1:11; 3:11).

HOW? HOW? HOW?

God’s plan of grace was such a gigantic undertaking that it seems to dwarf all of the other creative acts of God. In fact, Ephesians 2:10 says that grace and its accomplishments are a “masterpiece” (POY-AY-MAH-Gk.), created in Christ Jesus. So we quite naturally question: How? How could God accomplish this? What were His resources?

The answer is found both in God’s omnipotence and His riches. In Ephesians 1:19 and 3:20, we are told that it was “according to the working of His mighty power.” Elsewhere, we are told that it was accomplished:

1.   “according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7; 2:7);
2.   “according to the riches of His mercy” (Eph. 2:4);
3.   “according to the riches of His glory” (Eph. 3:16).

How rich is God? He is very rich! Thankfully, God does not give out of His riches but rather “according to His riches.” God told the Apostle Paul His “grace was sufficient” to supply his need (2 Cor. 12:9).

Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, spoke of the little mouse living in the granaries of Egypt who, after seven years of plenty, feared he might die of famine. Joseph, the ruler, might have said, “Cheer up, little mouse, my granaries are sufficient for thee.” The “grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant” (1 Tim. 1:14) to develop the plan and workings of grace with plenty left over!

WHO? WHO? WHO?

Now, we ask, “For whom then was this great plan of grace designed?” Is it really possible that we, as members of Adam’s fallen race, are the objects of such grace? In amazement, we lift up our voice with the psalmist who asked, “What is man, that Thou art mindful of him and the Son of Man that Thou visitest him?” The answering echo from this great Mountain of Grace is, “Yes! Yes! It is for you dear sinner” (1 Tim. 1:15), and especially for you who are in Christ.

The riches mentioned above are unmistakably identified as the “unsearchable [untraceable] riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8 ). These resources are not only inexhaustible but also not to be found in the preaching of the Old Testament prophets. This is not to say that the Old Testament saints did not enjoy or experience God’s grace and glory, but, rather, that they did not know it in all of its fullness as it is now known since the work of Christ on the cross was completed. Nor did they know the far-reaching consequences of that work as revealed to and through the Apostle Paul. The world had never seen such great grace as this! With the revelation of the Mystery, God has now “made known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy which He had afore prepared unto glory - even us [the “Body of Christ” - the “One New Man”] - whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles” (Rom. 9:20-24; Eph. 3:6; Gal. 3:26-29).

 Through God’s grace plan a new ministry of God the Holy Spirit provided a baptizing/identifying work that would position believing Jews and Gentiles “in Christ” (1 Cor. 12:13). This new position is big news! It is mentioned 16 times in Chapter One of Ephesians and 27 times in the Book! Being “in Christ” opens the door to the storehouse of grace blessings.

All of these grace blessings, and much more, are bestowed at the moment of salvation! This seems too good to be true! And, if this were all that came to us through the plan of grace, it would be enough to cause us to rejoice throughout all eternity.

___________________________________
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.

Click Below For FREE Email Subscription:
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/pop_up.htm
___________________________________

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THE GRACE MOUNTAINS  Part 3    SEPTEMBER 6, 2007


THE GRACE MOUNTAINS
Ephesians 1
Part 3 of 3
by Evangelist S. Lee Homoki



WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?

It is hard to imagine that there can be much more. Yet, “in Christ” all of Heaven’s blessings are at our disposal. What? What? What? Might they be? Now, we know only in part. What cannot be known this side of Heaven must await eternity when God will “show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7). Herein is the promise that God will someday give believers a guided tour down the hall of Heaven’s ivory palaces so that we can see all the crown jewels of grace.

In the meantime, what may be known and experienced is already revealed in the infallible Word of God. The Apostle Paul has recorded some of that which was revealed to him (2 Cor. 12:1-7; Gal. 1:12; Eph. 3:3). His first comment about the Grace Mountain is like that of a man who sees something that is beautiful, precious, and indescribably wonderful. He cannot contain his exhilaration! He cannot hold back but joyously shouts:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ! (Eph. 1:3).

Here the Apostle Paul declares that God the Father ought to be blessed because He has blessed us. The Greek word for “blessed” or “blessing” is YOO-LO-GEY-TOS. It is the Greek word from which we get our English word eulogy, and it means to “speak well of something or someone.” In other words, Paul is eulogizing God the Father because He has spoken well of us or rather done well for us by His provision of grace. It is a reciprocal act in keeping with the principle, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19).

The blessings which initiated this response are blessings given and produced by God the Holy Spirit. As such, they are “spiritual blessings.” Furthermore, these blessings are found both “in Christ” and “in heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). (Note also the phrase “in heavenly places” found in 1:20; 2:6; 3:10 and 6:12.)

It is worth pointing out that verses 3 through 14 are all one long sentence. It is as if Paul’s inspiration and excitement had forbidden him to take a breath in his haste to broadcast some of the blessings of grace.  Here, we find that God’s grace:

(1) Elects and Predestinates us (vss. 4a; 5,11). Election and predestination are like two sides of the same coin. What is true of predestination may be applied to the doctrine of election and vice versa. Theologians have argued, without resolve, the mechanics of these marvelous doctrines; nevertheless, all agree they both begin and end with God. On the other hand, it is reasoned that since this was decreed in eternity past, “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:1; 11; 3:10-11), it must refer to the Corporate Choice of “us” - meaning the Body of Christ - even as the Nation of Israel was elected (Rom. 9:1-10). The Body of Christ, too, upon its revelation, was to function as an agent with special privileges, position and function for the execution of the plan of God, both in time and eternity. Greek scholars tell us that God made this choice “for Himself” - for His own satisfaction!

If the application, as here in Ephesians, is primarily to Corporate Election, then where does Personal Election fit in? In my opinion, Personal Election is the intimate - the up-close part of God’s grace. It is the small picture, while Corporate Election is the distant part of God’s grace - the big picture. Personal Election is warm, emotional and experiential; it is a part of the whole (Body). Corporate Election is doctrinal, theological and non-experiential; it is the whole (Body) and requires no decision or faith to receive, whereas, Personal Election is never independent of personal choice and faith in Christ. We reason then, since Christ is the KHRIS-TOS (gk) - the Anointed, the Elected One (Isa. 42:1-7) - and we are united to Him by the baptism with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-13), then the moment we believe we share His election blessings as “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:17).

Whatever else may be said or however else election may be explained, there is great comfort in knowing that the elections and callings of God have made us secure in Christ (Rom. 11:29). If God said it, no matter what, God cannot go back on His Word (Num. 23:19; Heb. 6:18 ). Praise God and give Him Glory!

 (2) Sanctifies us (vs. 4b). The same grace that called us and guaranteed our security is the same that has put the Body of Christ and the individual believer on display as a trophy of grace. God said, “That we should be holy [sanctified] and without blame before Him in love” (Eph. 1:4; 3:10-11). Sanctification, like our election, is the result of being united with Christ. At the point of faith in Christ the very righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer’s account (2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 3:21-22). It is for this reason alone that we are called “saints” - as in verse one. Even the worst of believers is now made positionally “holy and without blame before Him.” It was for this reason that we were chosen (cf. Rom. 8:29) and put on public display “to be to the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph. 1:6). Further, it was God’s pleasure to allow the Holy Angels to see “the manifold wisdom of God” exhibited “by the Church” (Eph. 3:10). Oh, such wonderful grace!

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(3) Adopts us (vs. 5). God has no children that are not born to Him (Jn. 3:3,6-7; 1:12-13 and Titus 3:5-6). Our appreciation for this adoption comes from understanding that the Greek word HWEE-OTH-ES-EE-AH  is a compound word meaning, “to place as an adult son.” The meaning of this word was born out of the ancient cultures, where, during a private or religious festival, a son was publicly declared to be an adult son and given all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that go with adulthood. By way of application, we rejoice to know that at the moment of our spiritual regeneration, we are placed into the family of God with all of the rights, responsibilities and privileges of an adult son. We are privileged to not only be saved by grace, but now to serve Him, worship Him, walk before Him, and to witness about Him.

(4) Accepts us (vs. 6). The believer is embraced in grace. Once we are saved, our reception into the family of God is not some cold, formal, legal recognition, but, rather, a warm, loving, comfortable embrace “in the beloved.” So closely are we held in His arms that we, as His children, may embrace God the Father with the personal greeting ABBA-PATER (gk) - Papa Father. We will never be more accepted by God than we are right now. I believe this is reminiscent of and illustrated by the Father’s embrace of the prodigal son upon his return home.

When I think of our world and its sad and sinful condition and how much the children of Adam so desperately need God’s healing and comforting embrace, I am truly heartbroken. However, most in our modern day will, like the Jews of Christ’s day, refuse His embrace to their own hurt. Christ lamented this, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not” (Mt. 23:37)!

(5) Redeems us (vs. 7a). The drama of the ancient slave market is our wonderful experience. As slaves to sin, we were in hopeless bondage unless the “bill of debt” could somehow be removed (Rom. 6:23; Col. 2:14). The transaction by which this was possible is called redemption. Redemption is from the Greek word APO-LOO-TRO-SIS  and means, “to be set free from the slave market as the result of a price paid.” Jesus Christ removed that bill of debt that was against us, not by paying silver or gold, but payment was made through “His blood” (Eph. 1:7,14; Col. 1:14; 2:14; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).  Now thank God, we are free from the slavery of sin, and free to serve God - never to go back into slavery again (Rom. 6:18; 7:6).

(6) Forgives us (vs. 7b). The immediate result of our redemption is our complete forgiveness (Rom. 8:1), the idea being that the consequences of our sin have been “carried away.” In the Old Testament this was symbolically pictured by the scape-goat, who carried away sin with him into the wilderness (Lev. 16:10). John the Baptist recognized the reality of this symbolism in Jesus Christ and declared Him to be “the Lamb from God which bears away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29). The debt against us is not viewed as simply canceled, but is fully paid as announced from the cross. Christ declared, “It is finished – paid in full” (Ps. 103:12; Heb. 10:17)! All of this is “according to the riches of His grace.”

(7) Informs us (vss. 8-10). Here is information about the overall purpose of God. This is inside information that has been hidden from the saints in the past concerning what God is doing in this present day and how it relates to a yet future dispensation: the “Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.” Here, God takes us into His intimate confidence. This is an amazing privilege. We are not left in the dark but enlightened concerning His eternal purpose and our future role in it. Paul refers to this verse in Ephesians Chapter 3:2-6 where he gives more details concerning this mysterious purpose of God:

If ye 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 ye read, ye 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 fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel (Eph. 3:2-6).

It is this information and other areas of “wisdom” (Bible doctrine) that keep us from thinking and acting like a slave now that we are free. How wonderful it is to be both free and informed.

(8 ) Enriches us (vss. 11-12). The key word here is “inheritance.” This is not surprising since much has already been said about God’s riches and His desire to share that with those who are believers (Eph. 1:7,18; 2:4,7). We can only speculate as to what this future inheritance really is. We do know that we shall inherit jointly with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17; Eph. 3:6) and that it will take God the Father all of eternity to show us “the exceeding riches of His grace” toward us (Eph. 2:7). Verse 12 implies that this inheritance will be so great in us and toward us that believers will live to the “praise of His glory” throughout all eternity. Just think of it! Here we were nothing and nobodies, outcasts, ungodly and enemies of God; yet, He blesses us with a great inheritance! Grace greater than all our sins! 

(9) Seals us (vss. 13-14): It is often said that something is “signed, sealed and delivered.” The “sealing” of God the Holy Spirit closely parallels what we mean by this expression. A seal confirms ownership and authenticates the object to which it is attached as being genuine. Furthermore, it is a guarantee of safe arrival. How wonderful that all believers are given this pledge from God that we belong to Him and that both we and our inheritance are destined to safely arrive in eternity.

CONCLUSION

We have been privileged to look upon our wonderful “Grace Mountain.” God’s bright light of inspiration and revelation has been focused upon this mountain. We have been fortunate to gaze upon it, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to see it with both our head and heart!! How very rich we as believers are!

___________________________________
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.

Click Below For FREE Email Subscription:
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/pop_up.htm
___________________________________

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Recognizing The Sacred Nature Of Your Profession  SEPT 7


Recognizing The Sacred Nature Of Your Profession
by Steve McVey





"I'm thinking of entering professional ministry," a young man said to me. "What do you want to do?" I asked him. ''I'm not sure," he replied, "but I want to do something in ministry full-time. I want God to use my life and don't see much opportunity for that in my work."

I didn't get into a lengthy discussion with him since his remark was casually made in passing. It did remind me again, though, of the deception that so many Christians have fallen for in regard to their work. Like this young man, they think that the routine work on their job isn't that spiritual, compared to those who are pastors, missionaries, etc.

This common viewpoint is a ploy of the enemy to dilute the effect of Christ expressing His life through the lives of believers. The truth is that your profession, no matter what it may be, it is holy. Whether you are a teacher, a doctor, a clerk, a salesman - it makes no difference. Your work is holy because of who you are.

The word holy means "set apart." One of the greatest deceptions that has ever slipped into the minds of Christians is the idea that there is a difference between secular and sacred. Everything is sacred to the believer. The word "sacred" comes from the Latin, sacrum, which denotes something which is uncommon because of its intimate association with the Divine.

Christians are those who have become one with God through Jesus Christ. Everything in our lives is intimately associated with Him through our relationship to Him, thus making it sacred. Because Christ lives through you, all that you do becomes sanctified (made holy) because He is the One doing the work through you. Nothing is secular (common) to you because you are uncommon yourself.

The ground where Moses stood beside the burning bush was holy ground because God was there. The utensils used in the temple were holy because they were set apart to be used in service to Him. Your professional career is the context within which you have been placed to express Christ's life for at least one third of your time each day. Consequently, your work is a holy endeavor.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ servants doing what God wants you to do" (Ephesians 6:6, The Message). When a pastor preaches or a missionary evangelizes or a seminary professor teaches, each is holy work. However, it is equally as holy when a Christian lawyer tries a case, or a salesman makes a sale or an OTR driver drives his truck. It's all holy because it has been sanctified by the Christ who indwells you.

So, whatever you do, see it as a ministry to your heavenly Father! In The Practice of the Presence of God, the monk, Brother Lawrence wrote: "The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament." Whether it is washing dishes or taking communion, it is all holy to the one whose life is Jesus Christ.

Don't view your work as secular. See it for what it is - a holy expression of Christ's life within you in the marketplace. To understand your responsibilities this way will elevate them to their rightful place as a vehicle through which you may glorify 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.

Click Below For FREE Email Subscription:
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/pop_up.htm
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REPENTANCE AND GRACE   SEPTEMBER 8, 2007


REPENTANCE AND GRACE
by C. R. Stam



When the sinner is convicted by the Holy Spirit of the seriousness of sin and of judgment to come, and cries to the Lord to save him, he has, of course, repented, or changed his mind, as the Greek word signifies. Many of God’s servants, however, considering only the fact that sinners need such a change of mind, conclude that the way to produce the greatest results in their ministry is to stress repentance.

Such should take note of the response to the three great calls to repentance by which the dispensation of the Law was brought to a close: John the Baptist called Israel to repentance but was beheaded as a result (Matt.3:1-12; 14:3-10). The Lord Jesus took up the cry where John had left off (4:17), but was crucified for it. After the resurrection He sent His disciples to preach “repentance and remission of sin…in His name” (Luke 24:47) but Jerusalem refused to repent and it was not long before blood again flowed, as Stephen was stoned to death and a great persecution followed (Acts 8:3).

The guilt of Israel’s impenitence increased too, as the call to repentance was intensified, for while John’s murder was permitted by the people, Christ’s was demanded by them, and Stephen’s was actually committed by them. Thus the so-called “Great Commission” was bogged down at the very start, for if Jerusalem and the covenant people refused to repent, what hope was there that the “nations” (Luke 24:47) would do so?

“But where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might GRACE reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom.5:20,21).

After calls to repentance had failed, the ascended Lord stooped down to save Saul, the chief of sinners, on the road to Damascus, in anything but a repentant mood. Not by threatening or dealing with him in judgment, but by speaking to him in the tenderest tones He showed him the glory of His grace. This “trophy of grace” was then sent forth to proclaim “the gospel of grace”, and the merits of his crucified, glorified Lord.

This is why repentance was emphasized, indeed was the theme of God’s message, from John until Paul, while grace, proclaimed through the cross and received by faith, gradually displaced it as the theme of God’s message for “this present evil age” (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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AFTER WE LEAVE THIS WORLD -  PART 1   SEPTEMBER 9, 2007


AFTER WE LEAVE THIS WORLD
PART 1 OF 4
Pastor J. C. O’Hair


A well known author once wrote these words: “the path of glory leads but to the grave.” Then a more famous author once wrote a letter in which he stated that the path of special suffering leads to glory beyond the grave. They call him Saint Peter.

The path of most of the people who have gone on to the grave was anything but a path of glory. Only God knows how many people have left this world and have gone to the grave. But men have guessed the number to be over twenty billion. Of this number more that ten billion have been uncivilized, unevangelized and uneducated heathen. Most of them have died in poverty, and misery and degradation.

Perhaps you have read the first Book in the Bible, the Book of Genesis. In the first chapters of that first Book we read of a wonderful man, a man made in the image and likeness of God. That wonderful man was in a wonderful Paradise, communing with Almighty God. Then something happened. What was that something? Three letters tell us. S - I - N. Sin has played havoc with the human race. “The wages of sin is death.” As we come to the last chapter of that first Book we read the biography of another wonderful man. His name was Joseph. This is the way the chapter ends—“So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.”

What a contrast! Adam in the image of God in Paradise. Joseph in a coffin in Egypt. If Adam had not sinned, Joseph would not have been in Egypt or in a coffin. Yes, Joseph was about as fine and noble as any man who ever lived on this earth. But he went to the grave. “To the grave.” Not a very happy thought, but the funeral cars are constantly passing us on the way to the cemetery to keep us reminded that we, too, are on the way to the cemetery, whether we are numbered among the noble or just the ordinary.

There was another very noble man, a great king, in whose life there was much glory. But the time of his departure arrived. He said, “I go the way of all the earth.” “So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David. (I Kings 2:10). Let’s read the account in I Kings 2:1 to 3—“Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself.”

More than one thousand years after that great king died another great and noble man died; perhaps, with one exception, measured by true values, the greatest man who ever lived on this earth. Note his farewell message: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Hence-forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them that love His appearing.” (II Timothy 4:6 to 8 ).

___________________________________
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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AFTER WE LEAVE THIS WORLD -  PART 2   SEPTEMBER 10, 2007


AFTER WE LEAVE THIS WORLD
PART 2 OF 4
Pastor J. C. O’Hair


Where is this great man now? Is Paul forever dead? It was Paul who wrote--
—“Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (I Timothy 4:8 ).

But note again his words in I Corinthians 15:19—“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

As we think of David, and Paul, and our loved ones, who have gone to their graves, the old questions of Job are ever new: “Man giveth up the ghost and where is he?” “If a man die, shall he live again?” Who has the answer?

The first question, “Where are the dead?” causes us to think of these strange words, recorded in Ecclesiastes 12:3 to 7—“In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, And the door shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets; Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit return unto God Who gave it. Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.”

Let us read with these words the story of a great Christian hero, Stephen. “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge, And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:59 and 60).

Paul might well have thought of Stephen when he wrote II Corinthians 5:8 and 9—“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him.”

There were times when Paul wanted to depart to be with Christ (Philippians 1:22 and 23). That meant that his path led to glory beyond the grave. Therefore he said: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18 ). “When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4).

___________________________________
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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AFTER WE LEAVE THIS WORLD -  PART 3   SEPTEMBER 11, 2007


AFTER WE LEAVE THIS WORLD
PART 3 OF 4
Pastor J. C. O’Hair



Now let us compare the words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ, when He was here on earth, with that wonderful truth He later revealed to Paul.

“ Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28 and 29.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” I Corinthians 15:51 and 52.

The grave is simply a stop on the way. We are all either on the way to eternal glory or to eternal perdition. The wonderful, startling news is, that some are going to eternal glory without going to the grave. Think of the joy of the redeemed ones who will be raptured in the twinkling of an eye. No funeral. No grave. But glory eternal.

Did Moses make a mistake in his choice? “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward” Hebrews 11:25 and 26.

Moses was not near-sighted. He looked far beyond the pleasures of sins and the treasures of earth. He believed the truth of I John 2:16 and 17 — “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Every life is a sacrifice. The sinner sacrifices heaven and eternal glory for fun, fortune or fame. The Christian sacrifices the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life for an eternity with Christ in glory.

___________________________________
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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AFTER WE LEAVE THIS WORLD -  PART 4   SEPTEMBER 12, 2007


AFTER WE LEAVE THIS WORLD
PART 4 OF 4
Pastor J. C. O’Hair




Yes, the Christian is going to heaven to share the glory of Christ, because of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.

I Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

Romans 5:8 and 9 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Can you imagine that any person living in the United States does not know what is beyond the grave; or that any one in this country does not know how to escape eternal perdition?

Hear these solemn words in John 3:36 — “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on Him.”

Hear again Hebrews 10:39 — “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

The time we spend this side of the grave is a nothing compared with the unending eternity after we leave this world. But we must decide on our eternal destiny and destination before we die of before Christ comes. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

After death and the grave, what? Judgment — the wrath of God. Not probation or another chance. You can settle the matter of your eternal destiny right now. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8 to 10.

Be wise and receive Christ right here and now.

___________________________________
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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TRUE PRAYER     SEPTEMBER 13, 2007


TRUE PRAYER
by C. R. Stam



Let us suppose that I have just had the joy of leading a soul to Christ. He was a godless, wicked creature until lately, but now, suddenly, a great transformation has taken place in his life. He is overwhelmed with the joy of sins forgiven. Nevertheless a few things still trouble him.

As he stands there, touched by the love of Christ, he says: "I don’t look very much like a Christian. Look at my clothes. And I ought to get a job and work like other people do. Then too, I’ve been a wicked blasphemer. Swearing seems to be part of my nature. I don’t know how I’ll ever stop it."

I suggest that we pray about it, but he says he has never prayed in his life and doesn’t know how, so I teach him. I tell him how simple prayer is -- that he should simply talk to God and say, "Lord, I need a decent suit of clothes and a job, and oh, please help me to stop swearing. I ask it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."

We arise from prayer, and feeling for the man, I myself get him a suit of clothes and a job and he goes on his way rejoicing.

Now let us suppose that I return ten years later to find that he is happily married, has three children and is living a consistent Christian life. Calling at his home, however, I find that one of his children is seriously ill. We get on our knees to pray for the child and he begins: "Lord, I need a decent suit of clothes and a job, and oh, please help me to stop swearing."

Ridiculous! you say. No man would be so foolish. Yes, ridiculous indeed, yet many people simply repeat prayers in the same way. The so-called "Lord’s Prayer" is, of course, a perfect prayer, but it is significant that in giving this very prayer, our Lord cautioned His disciples: "When ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do... Be not... like unto them... After this manner therefore pray ye..." (Matt. 6:7-9). Yet this very prayer is repeated word for word at funerals and weddings, in storms at sea, before meals and at church services -- on practically any occasion, whether it applies or not.

Thank God for those who know God through the Lord Jesus Christ and can truly enter into His presence in prayer "to obtain mercy and to find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).

___________________________________
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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Led  by the Spirit  Part 1  SEPTEMBER 14, 2007


Led  by the Spirit
Part 1 of 4
by Dennis Kiszonas



But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:18

With this simple statement the Apostle Paul taught one of the most important principles for living the new life in Christ. Transformation, a changed life, begins here with the ministry of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. We are changed by a person who has come to live in us permanently.

Receiving the Holy Spirit

Since the Holy Spirit is a "spirit," He cannot be felt, seen, touched. He is spiritual and not able to be sensed by physical senses.

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.  John 3:8

We can see & hear the effects of the wind, but we cannot see the wind itself. So with the Holy Spirit, we can see His effects, but we are not capable of directly sensing Him. For this reason there are many unscriptural ideas about the Holy Spirit. We must walk by faith here and believe what the scriptures teach about the Holy Spirit, rather than trying to actually see or feel his presence.

Paul writes to the Galatians that all believers are led by the Spirit. He came to live in us at the moment that we put our faith in the Lord Jesus as our Savior:

This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3:2

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Galatians 4:6

We received the Spirit by the ''hearing of faith" --- that is, when we believed the gospel, we received the Holy Spirit into our lives. When we became sons of God, He sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. In the dispensation of grace that we read about in Paul's epistles, there is no believer who does not have the Holy Spirit. And we don't have to wait to receive Him, He comes into our hearts as soon as we believe the gospel.

___________________________________
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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Led  by the Spirit   Part 2    SEPTEMBER 15, 2007


Led  by the Spirit
Part 2 of 4
by Dennis Kiszonas



The Spirit's Leading

When the Holy Spirit entered in, He came to ''lead'' us. We often hear people saying things like, "The Spirit led me to do something," or "God led me to go somewhere." But this is not the idea that Paul is writing about in Galatians 5:18 because these experiences are just occasional, sporadic events in the believer's life, but the leading of the Holy Spirit is a constant experience. The Holy Spirit doesn't lead us only in rare occasions, but at all times.

It is helpful to put two verses side by side to see the point that Paul is making here:

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:18

.......for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14

Both verses state that we are "not under law." One says, in contrast to being under law, that we are "led by the Spirit." The other that, in contrast to being under law, that we are "under grace." To be under grace is to be led by the Spirit, and to be led by the Spirit is to be under grace. Not passing, occasional experiences, but comprehensive descriptions of the Christian life today in the dispensation of grace.

We are not under law --- not under a system in which blessings are earned by obedience and curses received for disobedience (this was God's plan for the nation of Israel, see Deuteronomy 28 for a full exposition of the operation of ''law.'') We do not earn our blessings a little at a time by obeying God because under grace we were blessed totally, with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, when we believed the gospel (Ephesians 1:3). And as for curses, the Lord Jesus became a curse for us on the cross (Galatians 3:13). There is no curse for us today.

Under grace we are completely released from the system of earning blessings or fearing curses, we are "loved." Instead of a system of law, we are given the Holy Spirit who leads us under grace. We do not always follow Him, but He is leading us every moment under 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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http://www.graceandthetruth.com/pop_up.htm
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