GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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Led  by the Spirit   Part 3    SEPTEMBER 16, 2007


Led  by the Spirit
Part 3 of 4
by Dennis Kiszonas





Walking by the Spirit

The Holy Spirit came to live in us when we believed, and He came to lead us in our life for the Lord, not to drag us or force us--Paul writes to the Galatians:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

The leading of the Holy Spirit is not a leading that drags us on the end of a chain, it is freedom and not bondage.

On the other hand, His leading is not "carrying us" or ''bearing us." He leads us, but we need to follow Him, or as Paul writes to "walk by the Spirit" since we are now ''living by the Spirit." Though the Spirit is leading, He is not living the life in us all by Himself. As Paul wrote to the Philippians:

Work out (note carefully: not work for) your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13

He is at work in us to will and to perform, but we are the one who must work out what He is working in. How do we do that? Paul wrote to the Galatians:

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? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:2-3

They received the Spirit by hearing the message of grace, the message of the cross, with faith, that's how they "began in the Spirit." Now Paul says, continue as you began. We go on believing in the message of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), we go on focusing on the cross. We are motivated under grace not by the offer of blessings ---  we have already been totally blessed, and not by the fear of cursings ---  He became a curse for us, but we are motivated by gratitude, by thanksgiving for what the Lord did for us on the cross.

The first ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives revealed to us in Paul's letters is found in Romans 5:5-6:

... the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

The Holy Spirit comes into the believer's heart under grace with the primary ministry of pouring out the love of God in our hearts, that's His love for us demonstrated at the cross where the Lord Jesus died for us. And as we focus on that love, Paul describes the proper response:

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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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 4    SEPTEMBER 17, 2007


Led  by the Spirit
Part 4 of 4
by Dennis Kiszonas




Paul's heart had been gripped by the love of Christ for Him, that 'He loved me and gave Himself for me!' (Galatians 2:20). This love compelled Paul, it gripped his heart and life so that from now on he would no longer live for himself but for the Lord who died and rose for him.

The life led by the Spirit is a life motivated not by fear or the desire to add more blessing, but by love and gratitude. What more could the Lord have done for us? If the cross does not grip our hearts, what will?

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Whatever you do, Paul writes, let it all be done as a prayer of thanksgiving. Everything in life done to say 'Thank you, Lord' for dying for me.

The Spirit and All-Sufficient Grace

In a number of places in his letters Paul writes of the amazing power of God at work in his life. He wrote to the Philippians:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

And to the Corinthians, he wrote about the time he prayed for relief from a problem and received an unexpected answer:

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. " Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9.

This grace that is sufficient for every situation in life is nothing less, no one less, than the Spirit Himself. He points us constantly back to the cross and to the resurrection of the Lord.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me,' and the life which I now live in the flesh I live  by faith in the Son if God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Here is God's provision for us to be "led by the Spirit" and living in "newness of life."

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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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 Is Bigger Than Your Sins    SEPTEMBER 18, 2007


Grace Is Bigger Than Your Sins
by Steve McVey



One of the most amazing aspects of God's grace is the way it blows sin right off the map of our lives. Make no mistake about it - sin lost the battle with God and is now a non-entity as far as its ability to stop His purposes for the life of the Christian. Are there consequences for our sins? We have all seen that often to be the case. Do our sins disqualify us from being used by God? Not at all.

David committed a horrible sin when he slept with Bathsheba, but after they were married and God wanted the temple to be rebuilt it was her son, Solomon, that He used to accomplish that project.

Peter flatly denied that he even knew Jesus, but when it came time for the sermon to be preached on the day of Pentecost, he was the man who God used that day.

Abraham had his wife Sarah tell a king that she was his sister so that the king wouldn't kill him to have a chance to take her. Despite his horrible and cowardly sin, God reaffirmed His intention to make him the father of a great nation many times afterwards.

The list could go on and on. It's a strange thing to hear debate in the church today about who God can and can't use. The fact is that God can use anybody He wants to use. I learned this truth even before I understood the grace walk. Years ago someone asked me about a certain, flamboyant TV evangelist. "What do you think of him?" I was asked. "He's an idiot," I responded in my "I-haven't-learned-a-thing-about-grace" way that was all too common back then. The woman then went on to tell me how God had used that man's ministry to transform her life. "What do you think now?" she asked. Without hesitation, I answered, "I guess God uses idiots!"

While my response was far from graceful, it's true. God uses idiots. I should know. He used me despite my years of legalistic idiocy. God can use you too. Don't make the mistake of thinking that you might have done something that is so terrible that your Father can't redeem your past and use your life for His glory. He can use you and He will use you.

Jesus came to put away your sin and He fully succeeded at that. (See Hebrews 9:26) We need to stop worshipping our sins by focusing on them and glory in the finished work of the cross. God's grace is bigger than our sins and He will use our lives for His glory. Let's just trust Him to do it!

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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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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Paul's Two Roman Imprisonments    SEPTEMBER 19, 2007


Paul's Two Roman Imprisonments
by Paul M. Sadler,


Scripture Reading:

"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: Henceforth 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 also that love His appearing." -- II Timothy 4:6-8

Approximately two years after being delivered into the hands of Roman authorities things had apparently gone well for the apostle, therefore he anticipated his soon release from prison. Thus he writes to the church at Philippi: "For I know that this [their prayer for his release] shall turn to my salvation [deliverance from prison]" (Phil. 1:9).

We believe that Paul did in fact enjoy a short period of freedom which enabled him to continue his apostolic journeys. We know, for example, that according to the Acts record the apostle never visited Crete on any of his previous apostolic journeys. Paul did sail around the island on his way to Rome as a prisoner, but it was not until his release from his first Roman imprisonment that he actually visited Crete. The apostle's brief stay on the island was long enough to see that the churches there were in a state of chaos (Titus 1:10-16). Consequently, Paul leaves Titus behind, his companion in travel, "to set in order the things that were wanting" (Titus 1:5).

Probably from Crete Paul made his way to Corinth where he writes to Titus to inform him that he planned to winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). It could well be that the apostle was apprehended at Nicopolis and taken again to Rome for preaching Christ. This time however, the sentence would go against him. So without hesitation he writes to Timothy, since it was nearing winter, to bring his cloak and also the Parchments (II Tim. 4:13).

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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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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"SEARCH ME, O GOD"     SEPTEMBER 20, 2007


"SEARCH ME, O GOD"
By Miles Stanford





"I, the Lord, search the heart" (Jeremiah 17:10 ).

During the early, carnal years we are afraid to face up to the sinful nature within, not fully realizing that it was dealt with in condemnation to God's full satisfaction at Calvary. When we come to see that all the old nature was taken down into the death of the Cross, and in Christ Jesus we are completely clear of its penalty and power, then it is that we begin to welcome the work of the Cross upon all that of which the Holy Spirit convicts us.

"The natural man cannot bear the thought of being searched by God; he cannot stand to think of being found out in his true condition and character. But to the truly hungry believer it is a positive comfort to be assured that God knows everything about us; He knows the very worst that can be discovered. He has searched out all that we are, and in spite of all He has thoughts of blessing concerning us. There is, therefore, no fear of anything coming to light that might cause Him to change or reverse His thought of blessing and acceptance." - C.A.C.

"Our acceptance with God in Christ is perfect, and therefore unimprovable. It never alters; never varies. And it is very important for us not to mix the acceptance itself with our enjoyment of it. Our acceptance is 'in Christ,' and therefore eternal; the enjoyment is 'by the Spirit,' and therefore (because of the working of the flesh) often hindered." - J.B.S.

"The sense of His goodness removes the guile of heart that seeks to conceal its sin." - ].N.D.


"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11).

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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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 FIRST CAUSE      SEPTEMBER 21, 2007


THE FIRST CAUSE
By Miles Stanford



"A man's goings are established of Jehovah; and he delighteth in His way" (Ps. 37:23, ASV).

Throughout time and eternity the God of circumstances has every situation planned for our good, and for His glory (Rom. 8 :28, 29). That is all that should matter to us. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee." "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God" (Ps. 76:10; II Cor. 4:15).

"What the other person said or did to you was undoubtedly wrong and cannot be justified. Nor did he do it at God's direction; but God permitted him to do it for some wise reason which will yet prove to have been abundantly worthwhile for you. By the time that action reached you it had become the will of God for you, since to a yielded believer there are no second causes.

"He believes the Psalmist's declaration that every step of his life's pathway has been ordered by the Lord. No trial or affliction can reach you who are abiding in Him, without His permission. You can, therefore, be confident in every circumstance of life, however baffling, that it has been permitted in your own best interest by the wisest and most loving of fathers, who knows our 'load-limit' (I Cor. 1O:13)."-0.S.

"All that we pass through is that we may get a fresh view of the Lord Jesus, or a deepening of a former one; but often we are so occupied with ourselves and the circumstances, that we fail to 'behold the glory of the Lord.' " - C.T.

"If the external plannings of men or Satan further God's plans, they succeed; if not, they come to nothing." - J.N.D.

"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand" (Ps. 37:24).

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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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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FULL PROVISION      SEPTEMBER 22, 2007


FULL PROVISION
By Miles Stanford



"Let him ask in faith and have no doubts; for he who has doubts is like the surge of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed into spray. A person of that sort must not expect to receive anything from the Lord - such a one is a man of two minds, undecided in every step he takes" (James 1:6-8, Wey.).


First, we are to rest in the fact that our Father has made full provision for all our needs; positionally, we are complete in the Lord Jesus Christ. Then it is that we can trust Him daily for His "exceeding abundantly above." "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).

"It is true that all God requires of us we lack; but it is also true that all we need He supplies. The believer can give thanks that God has supplied all his need as to standing, and He engages to supply all his need as to walk. But while we see our Father's requirement, and recognize His provision, let us not overlook our responsibility.

"When we fail it is to this our failure may be traced. It is not because the provision has been insufficient, or unavailable, or afar off - but because the channel has been obstructed, the avenues of the soul have been closed, so that the need has remained unsupplied. Our responsibility lies in the exercise of faith." - E.H.

"I will not think of the infinities of my need, except to lead me to the divine simplicity of the infinity of His supply." - H.C.G.M.

"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us; and if we know that He hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him" (1 John 5:14,15).

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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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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~GOOD HOPE THROUGH GRACE~    SEPTEMBER 23, 2007


~GOOD HOPE THROUGH GRACE~
JOHN McKAY, Pastor



Scripture Reading: n Thessalonians 2:16

Are you sorry that you came to know the GRACE OF GOD? The word grace usually means unmerited favor or showing kindness. Everybody wants favor and kindness. It carries the idea of producing joy in both the giver and receiver.

Someone may complain that since the grace of God has come to them, they don't have as much fun as they had before they became a Christian. This is of course, extreme foolishness. God does not take away from the Christian any GOOD thing! "God... giveth us richly ALL THINGS to enjoy." If what we were doing before we were saved was sin, then it could not be fun in an absolute sense. Sin might have seemed fun because of a certain pleasure in it, but the consequences bring trouble and grief. Judgment (in one way or another) always follows sin, and God is always the determiner of what sin is.

Instead of complaining that you don't have as much "fun" as you previously had, you should consider that "...your Father...maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Also we should dwell on what we are and what we will be in the Lord Jesus. Our POSITION IN CHRIST will take away complaints and grumbling to be replaced with joy and singing. After all things considered, we not only have Heaven and glorification coming in the future, but we have forgiveness, justification, fellowship with God, and numberless blessings right now! Although we are not called to fun, there is plenty of fun and true joy just living for the Lord Jesus!! "...our Lord Jesus...hath given us everlasting consolation and GOOD HOPE THROUGH GRACE..." Do you have this favor and kindness?

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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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 AND THE BODY OF CHRIST     SEPTEMBER 24, 2007

EPHESIANS 5:30
"For we are members of his body,
of his flesh, and of his bones."

~GRACE AND THE BODY OF CHRIST~



Having accepted the free gift of eternal life by grace through faith, we become members of the Body of Christ. The significance of this distinctive position is clearly defined in God's Word but seldom recognized or appreciated by the reader. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "Ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. For as many of you as have been baptized (Not by water, but by the Spirit - into His death) into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female for YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS" (Galatians 3:26-28 ).


"And He (Christ) is the Head of the Body, the Church; who (Christ) is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18 ).

"For as the body is one and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many... Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular (1 Corinthians 12:12-14,27).

To fail to realize our position as members of the Body of Christ, is to miss much of the joy of our salvation. "Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Eph. 4:7). "Rejoice evermore! For we are members of His Body of His flesh, and of His bones!"

Pastor Robert Hanna

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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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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~HIS HUNGER~   SEPTEMBER 25, 2007


HIS HUNGER
By M. Stanford


"Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" (Ps. 107:8 ).

Our Father gave us the hunger to be justified (John 6 :44), and He gave us the hunger to be sanctified (Phil. 3:10). This same principle applies to our service, our sharing. He never pushed us, but drew us in loving kindness - and He would treat others likewise, through us.

"If we are not living near the Lord Jesus and are not where we should be, we neither have an appetite for spiritual things, nor can we feed upon Him who is the living Bread. When God pours into you a hunger for your Beloved and begins to reveal your privileges in Him, rejoice with great joy and gratitude toward God. If He did not put into our hearts the longing to know Him better and to have His very best, we would be satisfied with the least we could have and be saved." - C.H.MacI.

"How wondrous are the working and drawings of God upon a human heart! How little do we behold Him or know that which He is doing, as day by day He works down in the depths of our beings. The most favored place a child of God can be in, is to continually feel the drawing of God urging and constraining him to a greater hunger for Him."

"God never gives anything till the soul is ready to receive it. When you are ready you will long and hunger for it."

"For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness" (Ps. 107:9).

___________________________________
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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~INSPIRATION, WHAT IS IT?~  SEPTEMBER 26, 2007


~INSPIRATION, WHAT IS IT?~
by Russel S. Miller





When "Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary" as recorded in Luke 1:39-45, and "the babe [John] leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice..." (Vers.41,42), uttering the words of verses 42-45, was she inspired?

She was, in fact, inspired. And what she "spake" was inspired because Elisabeth "was filled with the Holy Ghost". Consequently the very words which she "spake out" are the inspiration of God. And if this is not enough to prove that the "holy men of God" were, themselves, inspired, we have the very words that Elisabeth "spake out" recorded for us in the inspired Word of God. Even as Luke was, himself, inspired to write The Gospel According To St. Luke. So, Scripture confirms that Elisabeth, herself, was inspired.

And not only was Elisabeth inspired of God to speak, but her husband, Zacharias, was also "filled with the Holy Ghost" and what he "prophesied" was the inspiration of God, recorded for our reading in Luke 1:68-79.

Just as God "breathed into [man] the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen.2:7) so the Lord inspires "holy men of God" to speak and write as they are moved by the Holy Spirit. Would you not agree that to be "filled with the Holy Ghost" is to be, as Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words puts it, "inspired by God".

"ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS" (II Tim. 3:16).

Thus the Apostle Paul was not only, himself, inspired in the writings of his epistles but he also wrote by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

And those who insist that only the words on the page are inspired, do greatly err "not [rightly dividing] the Scriptures"!

Therefore, "the holy men [and women] of God [who] spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (IIPet.1:21) were themselves inspired, and not merely their words on the page. When the prophets uttered, "Thus saith the Lord," some 300 times, they themselves were inspired of Almighty God. Since the days of the Apostles and Prophets, however, there has been no such inspiration for with the Pauline revelation came the completion of the Word of God (Col.1:25,26). Once again we see that Scripture is a commentary upon itself.

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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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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DISCERNMENT   Part One   SEPTEMBER 27, 2007


DISCERNMENT IN THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY
Part One
By Elizabeth Spaulding Scharff, M.D.


IT'S PLACE IN SCRIPTURE.....

"The meek will he guide in discernment: and the meek will he teach his way." (Ps 25:9)

"I lead in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of discernment (judgement)." (Prov. 8:20).

The Lord Christ, Head of His Body, The Church, is not only Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Deliverer, Enricher, Encourager, Strengthener, Giver, Enlightener, Sanctifier; He Who is the All Things is also the Righteous Judge - The Discerner.

We, as members of His Body, are His discerners and continuators here and now, that we might walk worthy to please God --- to will and to do His good pleasure and be His good pleasure.

Discernment is the foundation, if you will, the very exercise of Right Division, approved of God.

It's a warfare, a constant vigil, the mind of the Spirit, that is the mind of Christ against the mind of the flesh. (Phil. 2:5).

For we have reckoned ourselves dead; we have put on Christ. (Eph. 4:24). We who are on resurrection ground have the mind of Christ to stand against all the wiles of the devil who would by subtilty and wiles bring us into the bondage of the mind of the flesh, thereby energized by the enemy, the god of this world (Eph. 2:2). So it is almost a constant battle, discerning between the mind of the flesh and the mind of the Spirit to make the right choices to please Him our God and our Life. Remember the serpent through subtilty beguiles, "So your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2Cor.11:3).

David walked wisely before his enemy, with discernment; he behaved himself wisely, he went in and came out very wisely. (I Sam. 18:5,14,15). As I John 4:1 puts it believers are charged to try the spirits, and as David did, discerning the spirits against our walk of life.

And we are admonished by Paul, in the dispensation of the Mystery to walk circumspectly, as wise, or to walk exactly before God, redeemers of His time for we are bought with a price, as with insight perceiving that which pleases God, Christ our Life, having the mind of Christ (Eph. 5:15, Phil 2:5). We must therefore know our weapons in this warfare of the mind (Eph 6:10-18 ). Our weapons are the Living Word and the Written Word, "put On" (Col. 3:10), we "reckoned dead" (Rom. 6:11).

Paul could say at the end of his course, "I have kept, treasured, the truth (interchangeable with faith) of the dispensation of the Mystery" (2 Tim. 4:7). He had used his gift of discernment fully and all along the way in the warfare he warred, the race, the fight, in other words his Agon, in the Greek.

Philippians gives our walk - life before God, it's our map, our charge, our commandment, to walk worthy. The Epistle shows forth our state, (our standing of course is assured in Christ) in other words our service or practice, which can be won or lost. The Epistle encourages us to press on toward the gibbet (mark), the conformity to His death, making decisions using our gift of discernment in the mind of Christ to please God (Phil. 3:10 b). Discernment is the key while in this body of humiliation, it's a continual process of choosing that which pleases our Lord and Head with His gift of discernment.

___________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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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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DISCERNMENT   Part Two   SEPTEMBER 28, 2007


DISCERNMENT IN THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY
Part Two
By Elizabeth Spaulding Scharff, M.D.



Three Epistles of Paul encourage us with unusual emphasis to show forth discernment in this walk-life enabling us to be fruit-bearers for His glory, pleasing Him. These are:

(1) The book of Hebrews: for the overcomers of another calling than our own, that they might realize a better resurrection;

(2) 2Timothy: which maps the course in unashamedness before God, rightly dividing  His precious Word by  discernment, with the Crown as our walk-life  goal; and

(3) Philippians: with the prize of the high calling in view. 2Timothy and Philippians both are for this present dispensation of the Mystery, for those elect or chosen before the overthrow of Genesis 1:2, or as the A.V. presents them "before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:3,4).

In a word to the wise, Job 34:3 states, "For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat". Without discernment we sit in confusion. Now, definitions of discernment embrace perception, penetration of thought, insight, acumen, discrimination and keen practical judgement; the power to distinguish and select that which is true, appropriate, or that which is genuinely excellent, while at the same time making decisions that please God, knowing His best choice for us. This all is involved in discernment. As Mr. C.H. Welch puts it, discernment "is the act or process of mind which ascertains the truth by comparison of ideas, facts, or propositions". In other words, to put on the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5).

Psalms 1:1 says:

"Walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, stand not in the way of sinners, sit not in the seat of the scornful."

The book of Ephesians has the positive order: sit, walk, and stand. Proverbs 1:7, in the Septuagint (LXX) Version states: "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and there is good understanding to all that practice it: and piety toward God is the beginning of discernment ... "

Now perception is closely involved with discernment, for how often He was in their midst, as it states in the gospels, and they, the religious leaders, perceived Him not - (Matt. 13:14; Mk. 4:12; Lk 9:43,47). In Matt. 16:3 our Lord said, "0 ye hypocrites ye can discern the face of the sky but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" They, the leaders, were wise in the realm of the earthly, but blind as to the spiritual. The quickening of the senses involves insight in the spiritual realm to detect His presence. How often is He in our midst, nigh, and we perceive Him not to discern His will and approval. The provision is to put on the mind of Christ, the new man. Perception or spiritual insight provides depth of discernment (lCor. 2:12-14). "Man's wisdom teaches the spirit of the world, the things of the Spirit of God are foolishness unto him, he cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned". The energizer of evil promotes unlove, darkness of heart; but God is love and light (l John 1:5;4:8 ). Unlove blinds the understanding, as stated in 2Cor. 4:4. We are to walk in love (Eph. 5:2).

___________________________________
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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DISCERNMENT   Part Three   SEPTEMBER 29, 2007


DISCERNMENT IN THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY
Part Three
By Elizabeth Spaulding Scharff, M.D.



DISCERNMENT - ITS PLACE IN THE WALK-LIFE ....

Read Philippians 1:8-11. This small prayer of Paul's, as the others that begin his Prison Epistles, is the meat of the letter, its aim and goal in a condensed form. It pertains to our walk-life, one that pleases God, for it shows forth the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5): that walk before God in the mind of Christ that pleases Him, the Almighty God.

In Philippians 1:8, Paul calls God witness to his record --- In this mind of Christ --- for the original text reads, "Let this mind be you --- Christ Jesus", emphasizing that we have put on Christ our life (Phil. 2:5). Bowels here in this verse is mind. Paul by Christ's mind and Headship longs for His own. In Job 14:15, this longing, desiring of God, is declared clearly, for the original of this verse in Job is, "Thou hast a desire" or God becomes "pale in His desire for us". In other words, God turns pale with the intensity of His feeling for us. God in the flesh was impaled on that tree for us --- He went all the way, paled with His desire for His own unto the rupturing of His Heart, for He died of a broken heart: "Reproach hath broken my heart, floods overflow me" (Ps. 69:20). Pilate marveled that He was already dead (Mk. 15:44). He had power to lay down His life and He had power to take it again (In. 10:18 ). But why did He die before those crucified on either side of Him? When blood stands in a vessel it separates into its two components. The life of the flesh is in the blood (Lev. 17:11, 14). The two components are the serum and heavy particles, when the heart ruptures and is still, the blood goes into the pericardium (the heart container) and stands contained so that when the soldier pierced His side out came water (serum) and blood (heavy particles). "Three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, the water (the Word) and the blood" (1John 5:8; In. 19:34; Zech. 12:10). They pierced Him, He God Almighty whose heart ruptured, He paled in His longing for us. He who is Holy bore the penalty and pain of our sins. God's longing in the mind of Christ is toward us.

Philippians 1:9, "And this I pray" --- ceaseless (Paul was ever in prayer) prayer day and night, all of this, his Epistles do testify. This is our privilege also, following our Lord Who spent all night in prayer, (Lk 6:12) that , in order that, always a purpose, God's purpose for prayer for the goal, was for fruit in their walk which was for fruit to the glory and praise of God. Love abounding love, God is love, the goal is love. How often is Paul using this word abounding --- abounding grace, abounding in truth, thanksgiving, joy, this word always used by the overcomers of adversity and gloom. We are to be rooted and grounded in love (Eph. 3:17). That, or in order that, we come to know the impossible, the exceeding above all that we could ask or think which is the love of Christ that passeth knowledge, "For he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God" (l John 4:16). We are to press on as channels one to the other that we be edified, built up in love for those necessary fruits of love (Eph. 4:16). Love abounds more and more unto knowledge, the word here in the Greek is epignosis or acknowledgment. Ephesians 1:17, reveals that acknowledgment gives illumination, wisdom, revelation, "that the eyes of their mind, or heart (these are interchangeable spiritually) be enlightened that you may know or perceive (discern) the hope of His, which is our calling. Colossians 1:10 again, gives epignosis, or acknowledgment of God, which gives the increase, not only of every good work but the maturity of the Body member to please Him, be approved of God. Thirdly, in this passage, Philippians 1:9, abounding love yields acknowledgment unto the discernment of that which is perceived. Acknowledgment and discernment go hand in hand. Perception is the enhancer of discernment and acknowledgment the forerunner.

Without discernment: (1) We fall into the class of those Christians who seek their own things in the mind of the flesh. "For all seek their own not the things which are Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:21). Their senses are dull, vision darkened, and their hearts hardened. They do not sense the warfare (2 Cor. 10:4,5). They do not bring "every imagination or reasoning and every thought that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God into captivity to the mind of Christ". These are self pleasers forgetting that God, Christ, pleased not Himself (Rom. 15:3). (2) Others go a step further, they seek out their own gain (Phil. 3:7). Their gain at the expense of Christ's gain. But Paul could say, giving us an example in Philippians 2:21, "For to me to live is Christ's gain and to die is Christ's gain". These that seek their own gain are not found in Him with the mind of Christ. (3) Lastly, this progression without discernment ends in these that are disapproved --- for their life's end is a waste for God. Scripture speaks of these as enemies of the conformity unto His death for they have not put on the mind of Christ, they have dismissed the charge or commandment to put on the mind of Christ these are they whose "God is their belly", "they mind earthly things" (Phil. 3:18,19).

Look at Malachi 3:18. We must "discern between the righteous and the wicked, between he that serveth God and he that serveth Him not". "In a great house there are vessels unto honor and vessels unto no honor" (2 Tim. 2:20).

Satan's delight is to separate the members of His Body if possible --- many times Satan uses murmuring and disputing (Phil. 2:14). We must discern the warfare, stand against his wiles, especially in a marriage where there is a real testimony and witness to the Truth of the dispensation of the Mystery.
 
Satan is the destroyer of fruit, he wants to bring to naught the witness, to grieve the very heart of God, a body divided brings shame. The charge is discernment. Hebrews 5:14 states, "But strong meat (not the milk of the Word) belongeth to them that are of full age (perfect) even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil".

___________________________________
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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DISCERNMENT   Part Four  SEPTEMBER 30, 2007


DISCERNMENT IN THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY
Part Four
By Elizabeth Spaulding Scharff, M.D.



DISCERNMENT - IT'S PLACE IN SPIRITUAL MATURITY .......


"But strong meat (not the milk of the word) belongeth to them that are full age (perfect) even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14). This is the exercise:

(1) to look at ourselves, guard and watch our words and actions by putting off the old man, putting on the new man, the mind of Christ --- watching in His word, for it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart --- who can know the heart but God. "For to sow to the wind is to reap the whirlwind" (Heb. 4:12). Psalm 17:4 says, "Concerning the works of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer". And also the bondage that Satan can bring upon those who slip into the mind of the flesh, the carnal mind.

(2) Look upon the things of others, "esteeming others better than ourselves with lowliness of mind" (Phil. 2:3,4). We need to discern their need and welfare, but not to stumble them with our lack of watchfulness in our own walk life and service and priorities. We need to help others in their stand, watching in prayer at all times upholding, keeping the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:1-6). We are to be channels of blessing to please Him, while holding the Head, Christ, at all times guarding and holding to the mind of Christ, for out of it are the issues of life to press on, to endure. Philippians 1:10, "Try the things that differ" is the Authorized Version margin of: "that ("in order that", is with a purpose in mind) ye may approve things that are excellent" (or of more value). Both versions are necessary in discernment. "Trying the things that differ" corresponds with 2 Timothy 2:15, "Rightly dividing the Word of truth", for if it is wrongly divided, it is no longer the truth. "Trying the things that differ" is making or seeing the distinction between two things. I Thess. 5:21 says, "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good". Out of abounding love the Apostle expected to see acknowledgment, knowledge, judgment, approval, testing, sincerity, discernment --- a "sound mind" as 2 Timothy 1:7 states. Love with the mind of Christ. For the Word tries our hearts and sometimes it is by fire. We may get burned until we choose and learn His perfect and everlasting way. It is a determination to make the right choice to glorify Him, is the meaning of "that we may approve things that are of more value (excellent), a workman unashamed" (2 Tim. 2:15) in order that you may be sincere or as sunlight, remembering that God is light exposing darkness. We are witnesses to light, "walk as sons of light" (Eph. 5:8; Phil. 2:15,16) "that ye may be blameless (without offense means blameless) and harmless, the sons of God, without  rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (which is surely upon us today) among whom ye shine as lights in and amongst mankind: holding forth the Word of life; without light there is no fruit" (PhiI. 1:10).

We are to stand firm in His truth, we who have the revelation of the dispensation of the Mystery as His discerners, abounding in love, rejecting unlove, pleasing Him who elected us, approved of God until the Day of Christ, Who is "The Righteous Judge", the True Discerner for we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ --- vessels of honor not vessels to no honor --- separated (2Cor. 5:10; 2Tim. 2:20,21; 2Tim 4:1).

Philippians 1:11, "Filled up unto all the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19) knowing and abounding in love by acknowledgment and discernment to bear fruit for the Root, Christ, the fruit bearer" (John 15). The mind of Christ has led us unto a right walk before Him through the right choices. The fruit manifesting the root, for we are rooted and built-up in Him (Col. 2:7), established in the truth (faith), yielding thereby praise and glory to God. By their fruits ye shall know them. Paul, above all else, desired fruits to their account (Phil. 4:17): Abounding love bearing abounding fruit.

It's a need to know (or acknowledge), a need to discern, a need to walk worthy, continually putting on the mind of Christ, or to faint not in our minds thereby relapsing into our mind of fleshly reasoning but to think on "these things" (PhiI. 4:8,9), and the God of peace shall be with you as you will to do and to be His good pleasure and treasure.  Joshua of old said Israel at the end of his course: "Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve" (Josh. 24:15). To walk worthy takes discernment.

___________________________________
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
___________________________________