GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

[nChrist]

~Daily Inspirational~ ~THE EFFICACY OF GRACE~ MARCH 15, 2006

EPHESIANS 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast"

~THE EFFICACY OF GRACE~

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

The Lord God Almighty Himself suffered the ignominious experience of crucifixion; for Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God - "Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim 1:9).

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

By R. Hanna, Pastor

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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 ~Daily Inspirational~ ~EVERLASTING LIFE~ MARCH 16, 200

~EVERLASTING LIFE~
by C. R. Stam

Romans 8:2, when correctly read, is a most blessed passage of Scripture. To get the sense we should place a dash between the words "Spirit" and "of." Thus it would read: "For the law of the Spirit - of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

When a sinner places his trust in Christ as Savior he is justified before the bar of God, because Christ’s death and righteousness are imputed to him. This is a judicial matter.

But at the same moment something else happens: the Spirit regenerates and gives new life (Tit. 3:5). This is a law, an inexorable, unchangeable law. The sinner who sincerely places his trust in Christ as Savior is given life by the Holy Spirit. It is always so; it is never otherwise.

I John 5:12 says: "He that hath the Son hath life...." John 3:36 says that "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" and Col. 3:3 declares that the believer’s life is "hid with Christ in God."

Thus the Apostle could say: "The law of the Spirit, [that of] life in Christ, hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Adam forfeited his life by sin, but the believer’s new life can never be forfeited, for this life is nothing less than the life of Christ, in whom the sinner has already died and paid for his sins - and in whom he now stands perfect and complete before God.

It is a law, a fixed unchangeable law, that sin brings forth death (Rom. 5:12; 6:23; et al). This is called "the law of sin and death," but the believer has already died for sin in Christ and has been given new life by the Spirit. Thus "the law of the Spirit," that of "life in Christ," has made the simplest believer "free from the law of sin and death."

Thank God for "the law of the Spirit," everlasting life through the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins.

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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 ~Daily Inspirational~ A DEMONSTRATION OF POWER MARCH 17, 2006

A DEMONSTRATION OF POWER

1 CORINTHIANS 2:4
'And my speech and my preaching
was not with enticing words
of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power"

Even though Paul was a highly educated man and no doubt had an excellent vocabulary he makes it very clear that the power of God rested not in man's persuasive ability but in God's Word. He has declared in verse one, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech (words) or of wisdom declaring unto you the testimony of God." He wanted to be certain that they understood clearly his message unto them with the purpose stated in verse 5. "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in THE POWER OF GOD."

How careful we need to be in presenting God's message of salvation to make it as clear as God has, so those we minister to might have faith in God and His Word and not in what we have said. There are many today who believe they are saved because someone told them to "pray the sinners prayer," or to come to the front, or altar, in order to be saved.

We note the Spirit's ministry in salvation, and in the believers walk as well In 2 Thessalonians 2:13 the apostle writes, "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and believe of the truth." When the Spirit is involved there will be "power" in the believers life. We read it is "in DEMONSTRATION of the Spirit and power." There was the visible evidence of God's work in Paul's own life and his desire was that it might be in theirs as well. It is not in the wisdom of man but IN the wonderful  wisdom of God (verses 6-8 ).

Pastor Floyd Baker

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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 ~Daily Inspirational~ THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR MARCH 18, 2006

THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR

EPHESIANS 2:2
"Wherein in time past ye walked
according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air,
the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience"

"The prince of the power of the air" in Ephesians 2:2 is the devil. As prince, he is the ruler over the "power" (authorities) of the air. Air could mean: the atmosphere around the earth: the realm of demonic spirits, or both. The devil or Satan is the ruler over the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies (Eph 6:12). As "the god of this age" (2 Cor 4:4), his rulership is limited to a period of time. We are also told "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19).

In our context, the devil is part of the "unholy trinity": "the world", "the flesh", and "the devil". He is now operating on the sons of disobedience by using the world system and the desires of the flesh to keep them in bondage to himself. He also majors in the disguise of religion (2 Cor 11:13-15). Satan uses "seducing spirits" and "doctrines of demos": (1 Timothy 4:1), and every influence he can to keep lost souls blinded from "the light of the Gospel of the Glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4)!

When as a Christian you walk in the flesh, you are a good advertisement for the devil He will never oppose that. But he will oppose you walking in the Spirit, and receiving your inheritance in the heavenlies; the position the devil and his hosts are now holding. That is why Galatians 5 (our battle with the flesh), comes before Ephesians 6 (our spiritual battle). Don't be surprised when you as a member of the Body of Christ experience Satanic opposition as a result of having victory over the flesh. However, something is wrong if you are not experiencing a battle with "the prince of the power of the air"!
Pastor D. Ware

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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 ~Daily Inspirational~ THE WORD OF HIS POWER MARCH 20, 2006

~THE WORD OF HIS POWER~

HEBREWS 1 :3
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the tight hand of the Majesty on high"

Our text verse is a marvelous one upon which to meditate. There are many faces of God's power. One of these is "the Word of His power." This means we should stand more in awe at (God's written Word, the Holy Bible. Modern day "translators" and others who tamper with what God has written, through His Holy Spirit, could do nothing more heinous! Christ is so powerful that "all things" are literally held together "by the Word of His (inherent, self-contained and originated) power." Imagine the absolute harmony in all the universe. Everything operating with absolute precision that can barely be contemplated by humans. Hebrews 1:3 begins by stating that Christ is the brightness of God's glory and then confirms that Christ is very God of very God - "the express Image of His Person." Use this verse on those who would make the Lord Jesus Christ less than God. The verse continues: "He upholds all things by the Word of His power." Of course! Who would dare to doubt that a Creator Who "made the worlds out of nothing" could not keep them by that same power?

And then this great God purged our sins by the sacrifice of Himself. It was so great a sacrifice that Christ cried to His Father; My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:46).

Salvation is the free gift of God, but at what a price it was obtained. Then the Son of God sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high. His sacrifice accepted by the Father so that we, who believe He died for us, can be "accepted in the beloved Son of God" and be seated with Him in the heavenlies forever more. Praise God!

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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~Daily Inspirational~ MY FATHER CARES! MARCH 22, 2006

MY FATHER CARES!
By M. Stanford


"I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear" (Job 42:5)

The heart that is hungry to have God's purpose worked out in his life is going to be neither disappointed, nor pampered. When it comes to seeing self for what it is, there can be no pampering; when it comes to seeing the Lord Jesus Christ for who He is, there can be no disappointment.

"Why are the people of God suffering? - that they may be conformed to the image of His Son. Of course, we may not need a world upheaval to do this, but God is going to use all conditions to that end, and, tragically enough, there are multitudes of the Lord's people who do need a world shaking.

"They are so bound up with the externalities of Christianity, with its whole structure and system, that nothing but that which will overthrow, disintegrate, destroy, and raise tremendous questions about the whole business, will bring them to the place where the Spirit of God can begin really to do the work He has come to do in them."
- T.A-S.

"Job was a true servant of God; but he needed to learn himself, as we all do He needed to have the roots of his moral being laid bare in his own sight so that he might really abhor himself, and repent in dust and ashes. And furthermore, he needed a truer and deeper sense of what God was, so that he might trust Him and justify Him under all circumstances." - C.H.M.

"But now mine eye seeth Thee" (Job 42:5).

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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~Daily Inspirational~ ~A TOTALLY DEPRAVED HEART~ MARCH 23, 2006

~A TOTALLY DEPRAVED HEART~
By Jon Bekemeyer, Pastor

JEREMIAH 17:9
"The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately wicked: who can know it"?

All one has to do to go to Hell is be natural. The Lord looks on the heart. When He see the heart of the unregenerate, our text verse describes His evaluation: "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?" The problem with religion is its effort to make man feel good about himself, to lift himself up. But even when one reforms outwardly, Jeremiah 17:9 still describes his heart. The depth of wickedness of the heart cannot be fully comprehended.

Unbelievers do not realize the awful state they are in. In Psalm 7:11 we read, "God is angry with the wicked every day" Romans 1:18 says, "The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness." At any given moment the lost are only one breath away from an eternity of agonizing torment. But God is rich in mercy and He continues to offer to His enemies peace through the blood of the cross.

The totally depraved heart makes it impossible to do anything pleasing to God. Those outside the Body are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). The only hope is the Gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes (Romans 1:16). Let's preach the Gospel to the world avoiding man-made phrases (such as "give your heart to Jesus," "ask Jesus into your heart," etc...) which contradict the truth of the total depravity of the heart.

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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~Daily Inspirational~ THE PROPHETIC WRITINGS Part One MARCH 24, 2006

THE PROPHETIC WRITINGS
Part One
By James Krieg
Romans 16:25

We get many letters at Canyonview Bible Seminary from Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders concerning the differences in translations. The teacher frustration comes when the class is content to amalgamate the various translations and pronounce the majority opinion as correct. But the majority opinion is not always correct. And especially when you mix in the paraphrased versions it can be quite misleading.

Romans 16:25-26 is one passage that falls into this category; the majority opinion of translations can lead to a poor interpretation.

Rom 16:25 (KJV) Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Rom 16:26 (KJV) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

A better translation from the Greek would read thus:

16:25 "And to the one being able  to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery having been kept silent in times eternal,  BUT NOW having been manifested and made known to all the gentiles through the prophetic writings according to the arrangement of the eternal God for the obedience of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to him is glory forever, amen."

The phrase "prophetic writings" is what we will examine in detail here.

Dropping back to verse 25 to pick up the context, Paul states that the tenants of this gospel and the preaching of Christ through him established believers today. He says this gospel is in accordance with revealed mystery truth. It is a mystery because it was kept silent in all past ages.

The great Pauline phrase "but now" begins verse 26. BUT NOW it is not kept silent any longer. His gospel has been manifested and made known through the agency of the prophetic writings.

Most of the nine translations I have before me, not all, translate the Greek phrase as writings of the prophets. With this translation the reader would normally think of the writings of the Old Testament prophets (cf. Acts 28:23; Rom. 1:2). But by a quick recall we see this totally contradicts verse 25 God kept silent concerning the revelation of the mystery when He communicated with the Old Testament prophets.

The problem is that "writings of the prophets" is an incorrect translation. Looking closely we first of all see the word "graphe."  We get our English word "graphics" from this and it is translated writings in scriptures.

The next word, "Prophertikos" is the one that seems to give us problems. First of all, we need to see what part of speech this is. It is an adjective. The English word "prophet" is a noun, not an adjective. To translate the adjective form we use the word "prophetic." Plain and simple, if we translate this "prophet " we use the wrong part of speech.

We can see from verse 25 that it could not be the Old Testament prophets through whom the new revelation of the mystery was made known. Therefore, who did write the "prophetic writings"?

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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~Daily Inspirational~ THE PROPHETIC WRITINGS Part Two MARCH 26, 2006

THE PROPHETIC WRITINGS
Part Two
By James Krieg
Romans 16:25

This needs to be our first question. What is a prophet? It is a two part Greek word meaning before and meaning to speak or tell. A prophet is one who speaks before a group of listeners.

In our modem day minds we think of a prophet as one who tells the future. This is not the primary emphasis of a New Testament times prophet. We see in John chapter 4 that the woman at the well knew Jesus was a prophet because He knew something about her past. Paul tells Titus about one of the Creten's prophets (Titus 1:12), that is, one of the Creten's public speakers. This prophet spoke concerning the present condition of the people.

In First Corinthians 14:1-5 , Paul speaks of prophets edifying the people. They were not proclaiming eschatology, but, as laying a foundation of new truth for the church (Eph. 1:22), they spoke the things that would establish the believers' lives in the dispensation of Grace.

We conclude that a scriptural prophet is one who is gifted (Eph. 4:11) with the ability to interpret and proclaim God's message for the people of his time. If this man writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he would produce prophetic writings.

Was Paul a Prophet?

Paul never makes a direct claim to being a prophet. However, he does claim to be a preacher, an apostle and a teacher (2 Tim. 1:11). Acts 13:1 talks about many prophets and teachers in Antioch, Paul was there. In First Corinthians 13:9, he uses the first person pronoun "we"; we prophesy.

We Can say with confidence that Paul qualifies as at least a prophet, an interpreter or proclaimer of God's Word. And his writings should be regarded as prophetic writings.

1n Conclusion, who wrote the prophetic writings in Roman 16:25? From our study we must conclude that Paul is talking about his own writings. First, he qualifies as at least a prophet, second, at the time Romans was written (56-58 AD) his writings were the only ones through which the "having been kept silent" mystery was manifested and made known.

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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~Daily Inspirational~ ~THE DANGERS OF OUR DAY~ MARCH 27, 2006

~THE DANGERS OF OUR DAY~
By Charles Wages

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5)

Surely there would be an agreement or consensus of opinion that we live in dangerous or perilous times. However, why they are dangerous is not always agreed upon. The “last days” of the “church age” in which we live (not the “end of the world”) are dangerous for many reasons and in many areas.

These dangers can be classified in many areas. Warfare between the nations and people of these nations is affecting every nation on earth. There seems to be no answer to avoiding or preventing it.. Our Lord said that there would be “wars and rumors of wars;” that “nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom” (Matt. 24:5-6). Though this refers to the future tribulation period described in the book of Revelation, yet the very language is typical of our times. Will wars ever end?

There are a myriad of physical illnesses which constitute a real danger to us all. The AIDS epidemic is capable of killing literally millions of people on every continent. The number of things that affect the body and mind are overwhelming and costs billions of dollars annually.

Then there are the natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, floods, fires, and weather related dangers all over the universe.

However, after all is considered concerning the “dangers” that affect mankind, the one that is the greatest danger and least considered is the very “heart and soul” of all humankind.

This prominent and preeminent danger is the “spiritual warfare” being waged against every individual on earth. Some nineteen things are mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, but the last one could be the root cause of all the others: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” This sort of spiritual corruption is invading and affecting every household and every person, young and old. This is the real danger!

While on earth our Lord used his harshest words in speaking to or referring to the “religious” leaders of His day. Some fifteen times in the book of Matthew, Jesus called the Pharisees “hypocrites.” This word, only used by our Lord, refers to one acting on a stage or just “play acting.” The word to describe this “play acting” is “hypocrisy” or “putting on” a front. At first glance, this may appear harmless, but when packaged as true faith, it is very dangerous.

Most of the things that we consider “dangerous” are things that harm or destroy the body. As important as this may be, it is vastly more important that spiritual dangers be our concern. Why? This involves our eternal life! Much of the “health, wealth” religious preaching that we hear is for entertainment or personal gain. The propagating and proclaiming of this dangerous medicine is far more dangerous than W.M.D.

The two leading apostles, Peter and Paul, warn over and over of these “false teachers” and their “pernicious preaching.”

We read in 2 Peter 2,

“But there were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you; whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (vs. 1-3)

Remember the apostle Paul told us that we are living in “perilous” or dangerous times (2 Tim. 3:1) and then warned “from such turn away.” He especially characterized them by saying, they “have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.” He then concludes by saying, “from such turn away.” In conclusion, the wonderful truth of Ephesians 6:10-18 is always so appropriate. It stands, not only as informing truth, but as warning truth of the “danger of our days.”

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Eph. 6:10-18 ) “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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~Daily Inspirational~ ~FIT FIRST~ MARCH 29, 2006

~FIT FIRST~
By M. Stanford

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive" (II Tim. 2:24).

Our one responsibility, that of concentrating upon the Lord Jesus, has a three-fold result: (1 ) fellowship with Him; (2) growth in His image; (3) ministry of life to others.

"The love of the Lord culminates in this, that we should be with Him. He died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him (I Thess. 5 :10). I find the one who is set on usefulness (Martha) does not advance like the one set on personal affection to Him (Mary). The Lord give us to be more personally attached to Himself; then we shall be useful according to His good pleasure."

"There is one thing that all can do - be 'meet for the Master's use' (II Tim. 2:21); and this is the secret of usefulness. Usefulness is not activity; it is not merely being used, but it is fitness, cleanness, preparedness, and separation of heart, singleness of eye, the affections set on things above - all, in fact, that proceeds from the judgment and denial of self, and the manifestation of Christ in the life by faith."

"All my ability to act for the Lord Jesus here depends on my conscious identification with Him where He is, not where He was for me; though as I receive power from Him I walk here even as He walked; His life is manifested in me.---J.B.S.

"But be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient" (II Tim. 2:24).

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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

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[nChrist]

~Daily Inspirational~ ~ LOVING KINDNESS~ MARCH 28, 2006

~ LOVING KINDNESS~

"Now the God of peace. . . make you perfect [complete, mature] in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ" (Heb. 13:20,21).

My life is not only in His hands, but He is my very life. "For by Him were all things created. . . and by Him all things consist" (Col. 1:16,17). He controls and maintains the universe, and we can surely depend upon Him to care for us who share His life.

"We are all of us prone to forget the weighty fact that 'God trieth the righteous.' 'He withdraweth not His eyes from the righteous' (Ps. 11:5; Job 36:7). We are in His hands, and under His eye continually. We are the objects of His deep, tender, and unchanging love; but we are also the subjects of His wise moral government. His dealings with us are varied. They are sometimes preventive; sometimes corrective; always instructive.

"We may be bent on some course of our own, the end of which would be moral ruin. He intervenes and withdraws us from our purpose. He dashes to fragments our air-castles, dissipates our golden dreams, and interrupts many a darling scheme on which our hearts were bent, and which would have proved to be certain destruction. 'Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living' (Job 33 :29, 30)." - C.H.M.

"Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ" (II Cor 2:14).

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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~Daily Inspirational~ "PREDESTINATION" APRIL 5, 2006

"PREDESTINATION"
Eph. 1:3-5

One of the greatest truths in which Christians should rejoice is that of predestination Paul in writing to the church says "having predestinated us." That Christians are often wary of this subject is saddening. The message given here in Ephesians as related to this subject is most glorious. This is the reason for Paul saying what he does in verses 3 and 5, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as He hath chosen us...in love having predestinated us... ."

Here are some items most noteworthy related to predestination:

     One: Predestination here is of a corporate body. It is the Church, the Body of Christ of which the Apostle speaks. It is the "new creation in Christ Jesus," a people whose blessings are heavenly, a people chosen before the foundation of the world. This is in contradistinction to Israel who was chosen 'since the foundation of the world,' the Word of God is always careful to so distinguish Israel and the Church. Hence, the Church is no afterthought of God. It was predestinated. It is because He decreed it so. It is not the first of man's manipulations.

     Two: Predestination is 'after the counsel of His will.' Note verses 5, 9 and 11. He has so willed it and according to verse 8 'He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom.' In other words His counsel was 'in all wisdom.' Who then are we to discredit this action of God?

     Three: Predestination is 'to the praise of his glory.'  Verse 12. In other words, if our finite minds cannot grasp the meaning of it all, that does not alter the fact that it is 'to the praise of His glory.' Note carefully verses 6, 12 and 14. Repeatedly God says 'to the praise of His glory.'  If this act of God, independent of man's actions, is to the praise of His glory, I should for this alone be thankful.

     Four: Predestination is founded on love. "In love" of verse 4 should be associated with verse 5 and read: 'In love having predestinated us.' This is an act of God's love. Moses writing to Israel in Deuteronomy 7:7-8 says,  'The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number" than any people, for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you...'  Whatever God has done in predestination it is because of love. In any sphere of life action taken because of and founded upon love is never to be feared.

Personally I rejoice and triumph in the fact that I have been chosen in Him and predestinated. God only knows the reason and it is not for me to question. This is God's business - my business is to enter into and enjoy my inheritance Him.

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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~Daily Inspirational~ "THE THREE WORDS FOR LOVE IN THE SCRIPTURES" 4/6/06

"THE THREE WORDS FOR LOVE IN THE SCRIPTURES"

Our language is handicapped, for the Word "Love" must cover everything from puppy love and fornication to love of science and love of God. There are four words for it in Greek. Suppose we disentangle the confusion by considering three of the Greek Words.

THE FIRST WORD IS 'EROS' which stands for carnal love. This love is in the glands, rather than in the will, an emotion rather than a responsible dedication. Examples people who use people to further their own career, or helps them climb socially. This 'EROS' is also lustful love, I need you to satisfy my own desires.

THE SECOND WORD IS 'PHILEO' which is also translated love. It begins when there is a communication and respect between two persons. Such love is not just sympathy, but empathy. The difference between the two is that while in sympathy we feel compassion for one another, we always remain outside the one who needs help. Or another example is I love you because you do so many nice things for me. Or because you are so lovely, different from others, popular, wealthy, so famous, etc. This is called friendship love.

THE THIRD WORD IS 'AGAPE' this is reserved for total, sacrificial self-giving. This love is the wonderful message of the Bible that in Jesus Christ this kind of love first became available to man in satisfying fullness. The love that Christ brings to us from God is not the "if" kind of love. God does not say to us, "I will love you if you become a Christian." He loves Christian and non-Christians without any partiality. He does not say "I will love you if you are a good and moral person, if you go to church, if you give contributions to Christian causes, if you read the bible, if you pray, if you become a minister, etc." There are no "ifs" of any kind He loves us exactly as we are. He does not love us for what He can get out of us. There is no requirement we must meet, no condition to fulfill.  How can we prove this? The fact that Jesus died on the cross is the proof. Jesus, the son of God, He paid a high price for serving those who had nothing to return to him; He was criticized over and over. Then in obedience to God, He died on the cross for the SIN of mankind.

Even today the only source of this 'AGAPE' love is Jesus Christ, the Living Lord who died on the cross, and risen, who came to be your LIFE. He is the only one who can love others without seeking anything in return. Since, you are a new creation in Christ it is His life thru you that will love others and shine forth out of you.

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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~Daily Inspirational~ REDEEMED BY THE SON APRIL 17, 2006


REDEEMED BY THE SON

EPHESIANS 1:7


The Bible tells what the Lord Jesus accomplished for us. "We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." We often fail to see the infinite significance of process through which the Lord would offer His own blood for our salvation. We think of what He did as something easy for Him. It was not "easy." We must never take His redemption lightly.

"Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." When He left Heaven, He "made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant...and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death." The Son of God said, "All things must be fulfilled, which were  written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning Me." He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem in order to die exactly in the way that would please His Father. "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again."

The Lord Jesus was always conscious of the specific will of His Father. On earth He was not always aware of the Master plan, but He could assert, "I do always those things that please Him." The Son of God knew that individuals had been chosen by the Father, He said, "I have manifested Thy Name unto the men which Thou gavest Me." Whether referring to the Twelve or to any of us, we may say, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Receive this gift of eternal life if you have never trusted Him as your personal Saviour.

~Pastor John McKay,

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

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

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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