GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

[nChrist]

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

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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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[nChrist]

~THE BLESSED HOPE~
 By Pastor Dick Ware




"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age. LOOKING FOR the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14 NKJ)."

"The Blessed Hope" which is the revelation of the Lord Jesus is Christ in His coming for His Church, "The Body of Christ," is found here in a context that is dealing with the Christian's conduct In Romans 4:25 we see Jesus Christ "was delivered for our offenses and raised for our justification." Here in verse 14, we see the cross of Christ was for our sanctification. Christ "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works," in this context Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, so we would "walk in the newness of life!"

"LOOKING FOR the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ," deals with obedience. It's a hopeful anticipation of an obedient child. In Luke 12:46, the master of a disobedient servant is coming "when he is NOT LOOKING for him" When a child has been disobedient, he doesn't look forward to his father coming home. The Apostle Paul mentioned he would receive "a crown (reward) of righteousness" be-cause of his obedience (2 Timothy 2:7,8 ). He also mentioned, so would all those who "LOVE HIS (Christ) APPEARING!" He had obedient Christians in mind who were "zealous for good works." Are you one of them?

___________________________________
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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[nChrist]

THE GIFTS OF THE SOVEREIGN GOD
By Pastor Paul Hume



Scripture Reading: Eph. 4:7-16; 1 Cor. 12:4-11

Undoubtedly you have stopped to ask yourself, "Why is it that one person is so mechanically inclined and another person--even in the same family--isn't? Why can one person be so musical and able to create music while another person can't carry a tune in a bucket? Why are some naturally diligent and prosperous while others are so lazy and could care less about getting ahead in life? The only answer is that God, the giver of life and being to all men (Acts 17:29) has been pleased to thus distribute His talents in the natural realm--even though sin has ruined and perverted these natural gifts.

Likewise in the realm of those who are saved. All have the same salvation. All are indwelt equally with the same Holy Spirit. All have a new nature. All are loved by the Father. But His gifts have not been bestowed equally. These two passages ought to make this clear. Now, lest someone reasons, "I don't have any gift from God other than eternal life," let us note what Ephesians 4:7 states: "But in accordance with the measure of Christ's gift, His favor has been bestowed upon each of us." (Williams Trans.) The grace mentioned in this verse does not refer to saving grace. Nor does it even refer to sanctifying grace. It clearly refers to serving grace! Not all the members of the body of Christ have the same office or function, but all members of Christ have a function! I do not believe there is such a thing as a true believer who does not have some spiritual gift by which he can serve the Lord! True, only a few are called to be "evangelists, and pastor-teachers," but all have been gifted sufficiently to engage in "the work of ministering"  (Eph. 4:12, lit.)!

Has God given you a spiritual gift? Yes indeed He has! Do you know what it is? See also Romans 12:1-8 and 1 Peter 4:7-11 on this theme. True, the sign gifts such as healings, tongues, the working of miracles, and prophesying have passed away (1 Cor. 13:1-13). But other gifts remain, and it is your privilege and responsibility to find out what your gift' is. Then ask the Lord for the grace to so use that gift that He might be glorified and believers might be edified and sinners saved.

___________________________________
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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[nChrist]

~THE TRIUMPH OF THE FAITH~
By HAROLD STEINBRON

Scripture Reading: I John 5:4

"Whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world; even our faith." Our faith is born of God and therefore enables us to overcome this world system. Notice the threat is not from the devil, formidable as he is; the threat is not from Hell, or where-ever Satan has his stronghold and supply base, BUT, the most dire threat to our faith today is this world system.... Society in general!

Why does God permit Satan to carry on and work his wiles as he does? One reason is shown in the story of Job. If there were no real challenge to our faith, it would wither and die! When we are challenged, we are driven to the Word, and our faith is strengthened and grows. Why did God allow Job to be tested as He did? So that we in the 2000's could read the moving story of Job's reaction to terrible tragedy, and learn that Satan had a big hand in Job's nightmare. Did you know that Job is probably the first book to be written, timewise, in the canon of Scripture? Isn't that just like our great Heavenly Father? If we see all sin as sad and tragic realities in the light of what the story of Job tells us, we will see all of life in proper focus. God is not weak nor is He uncaring. God has a plan and He is right on schedule, just as He outlines it in the Bible. Job did not know about the Grace of God in Christ as revealed at Calvary, yet his faith in God saw him through the harsh circumstances he had to face, with no Bible! Shame on us for even being down in the mouth when the bottom falls out! We have THE BOOK with the details right down to the wire! HAVE FAITH!

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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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[nChrist]

POWER AT HIS COMING
By Don  Weffald,

Read Mark 13:24-26

"And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory" (Mark 13:26)


In this passage Christ is speaking of His return in glory to set up His kingdom on the earth. This is the coming that the Hebrew prophets spoke of (Isaiah 11; Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 37). From our standpoint it is the "second coming" for the prophets in their prophecies included the Lord's coming as a babe (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:22-23; 2:5-6). He will be coming as the "Son of Man." That is His title of heavenly glory(Daniel 7:13; John 3:13). This coming must  not be confused with the coming of Christ for His Church which is His Body. That coming was not spoken of by the Hebrew prophets and is part of the "mystery" revealed to and through Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (1 Cor. 15:51; Eph.3:1-9).

Christ's coming to earth to set up His kingdom will be with a demonstration of "great power."  here is the Greek dunamis, which indicates God's inherent power. It will be that power that will regather Israel (Deu. 30:3; Jer 23:3) and judge the nations (Psalms 96:13; Matthew 4:29-25:46). And it is His power that will subdue His enemies (Psalms 110:1; 1 Cor. 15:25). In addition there will be events in nature that will herald His appearing, such as the darkening of the sun and moon, the falling of stars and the shaking of the powers of heaven (Mark 13:24-25).

Meanwhile the Body of Christ His Church, awaits "our gathering together unto Him," i.e. the Rapture ( 2 Thess. 2:1; 1 Thess 4:13-18 ).

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

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

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

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[nChrist]

~NOW NO CONDEMNATION~
By M. Stanford


"Ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ, that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God" (Rom. 7:4).

Romans Six reveals our position as having died unto the principle of sin; Romans Seven teaches us our position as having died unto the principle of law. Both must be counted upon if we are to abide in Christ, and walk in the Spirit, as set forth in Romans Eight.

"We have to look at ourselves and see how far we are devotedly following the Lord Jesus, with full purpose of heart - how we can say, 'This one thing I do'; but we must take care at the same time not to get into legal bondage by this standard. If I say, 'Here is a rule of conduct: follow it,' this cannot reach the heart, the affections. The ministration of the letter brings only failure, and condemnation; for it prescribes a rule which man, being a sinner, can never follow. It does not change a man; it proves him 'ungodly and without strength.'

"We may turn even Christ into that letter of condemnation; we may take His life, for instance. and make it our law. Nay, we may turn even the love of Christ into our law; we may say, 'He has loved me, and done all this for me, and I ought to love Him, and do so much for Him, in return for this love,' etc. Thus if we turn His love into a rule of life, it becomes the ministration of condemnation."

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1).

___________________________________
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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[nChrist]

CHILDREN, GROW UP!



"That: We may  be no longer children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto Him in all things, Who is the Head, even Christ: from Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies..." (Ephesians 4:14.16.)

There is both a risk and a tendency for those young in the faith, here called children (really babies), to come short of the spiritual growth God intends. To accomplish this growth the glorified Lord has given gifts "for the perfecting of the saints to the work of the ministry and the building up of the body of Christ." These provisions are "until we all come in the unity of the faith...the full knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (mature) man...." This is the goal for every member of the body of Christ and for the body as a whole.

The Corinthians had not grown, for Paul had to write, "I...could not speak to you as to spiritual (people), but as to carnal, even as to babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with solid food, for until now you were not able, neither now are you able" (1 Cor. 3:1-2). Of the Hebrew believers we read "when...you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again...the first principles of the oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk and not of solid food, for everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe" (Heb. 5:12-13). In all cases, God has made abundant provision for spiritual growth, but neglect seems to get the upper hand!

How shall such growth be accomplished? By "speaking the truth in love...." Here Paul coined a new word, one we do not have in English. He said simply, "truthing in love," that is, by living every act, motion, and motive in love according to and in clear expression of the truth. Elsewhere he wrote, "having renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Cor. 4:2). That's it!

Ivan Burgener

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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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[nChrist]

~FROM MILK TO MEAT~
By M.Stanford




"By people who live on milk I mean those who are imperfectly acquainted with the teaching concerning righteousness. Such persons are mere babes" (Heb. 5:13, Wey.).

Promises and blessings have mainly to do with the milk of the Word. In order for a believer to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, he must fellowship with Him in the Word. There is general Bible study, and there is feeding upon the Lord Jesus in the Word of life. The former serves for foundation, the latter is needed for growth.

"People may receive 'blessings' and temporary 'deliverances' in answer to prayer, for God is merciful to His children and His Spirit refreshes and blesses us even apart from the real walk of faith. But it is of greater benefit finally to us, and much greater glory to God, if we simply accept His Word and learn to walk in the power of it by naked faith; which asks no longer certain ecstasies, but being sure of God's truth because it is His truth, maintains an attitude of faith therein; attitude --- a fixed heart.

"Faith, when once we see the truth, consists of a believing attitude of the will toward God. This involves a negative attitude toward all doubt of His promises or anything that would raise a doubt; and it also involves a continued refusal to rest upon appearances or feelings, even though these may come in great abundance. It is God's written Word that supplies strength to the heart of faith." - W.R.N.

"It is an easy thing to set sail and get fairly out into the ocean; but when many days have passed and no land is in sight, one is apt to weary. If the heart is not fully occupied with the Lord in the Word, something is taken on board to fill up the void."

"Nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine" (1 Tim. 4:6).

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

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

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

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[nChrist]

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 your-selves: it is the gift of God!"

By R. Hanna, Pastor

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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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[nChrist]

THE RESURRECTION DAY
by C. R. Stam


In Psalm 2:7 we find the prophetic words: "I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son: THIS DAY have I begotten Thee."

Should we ask: "What day?" or "When was Christ officially declared to be the Son of God?" We will find the answer in Acts 13:33:

"God hath fulfilled the same [promises] unto us... in that He hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second Psalm: Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee."

So it was at Christ’s resurrection that the "decree" was made and He was "declared" to be the Son of God -- "begotten" in the larger sense of the word.

This agrees with what we find in the first chapter of Romans, where St. Paul speaks of God’s good news,

"Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power... by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom. 1:3,4).

This is a wonderful truth. It was Christ’s resurrection from the dead in power that proved that He was indeed God the Son. And more wonderful still: it was our death He died at Calvary, so that He might impart to us this everlasting resurrection life. In Eph. 2:2,3, we are all declared to have been "the children of disobedience" and therefore "by nature the children of wrath," but see how this passage continues:

"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).

Thus, because of Christ’s finished work of salvation, those who place their trust in Him are given His resurrection life and "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). This is their RESURRECTION DAY!

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

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

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

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[nChrist]

FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST OR
THE FAITH (OR FAITHFULNESS) OF JESUS CHRIST - Page 1 of 2
By Jack Trumm

It is amazing how a little two letter word can change the meaning of a statement and yet this is exactly what happens when we use the phrase (faith IN Jesus Christ) or (the faith OF Jesus Christ.)
 
It is also amazing that so few of God's people understand the simple significance of one of the most precious phrases in the Pauline epistles, "the faith of Jesus Christ". (Romans 3:22; Galatians 2:16, 20; and Philippians 3:9) A King James version of the Bible will help tremendously in seeing both the distinction and significance.
 
First let us look at what it means to have "faith in Jesus Christ". Whether we realize it or not, we all put our faith in a person or thing every day of our lives. For example, everyone of us at some time during the day sit down in a chair and do we ever question whether the chair will hold us up? For the most part, the answer to that question is No, we just sit down. We believe that the chair will do what it is meant to do, hold us up. That is a demonstration of objective faith. Another example of objective faith is: everyone of us put our faith in people or a person every day of our lives. If we are told something by someone and we believe what they say is true, we exercise objective faith (or in the Greek "pistis").

And so it is, if we put our faith (belief) in what God tells us from His word (the Bible) concerning His Son Jesus Christ. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand: By which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." (I Corinthians 15:1-4)
 
Do you believe this truth? If you do, then you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, and what he has accomplished for you. Then, you are saved. Sad to say, there are those who have perverted this truth, by saying the way to be saved is to say:
 
1. I make Jesus my Lord and my Savior.
2. I make Jesus Lord of my life.
3. I ask Jesus to come into my heart.
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[nChrist]

FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST OR
THE FAITH (OR FAITHFULNESS) OF JESUS CHRIST - Page 1 of 2
By Jack Trumm

How far from the truth can these statements be in light of what was said above. No place in the Bible are these statements made, much less a requirement for salvation. We don't make Him Lord and Savior -- He already is. We don't make Him Lord of our lives -- He already is. We don't have to ask Him into our hearts -- He does that the very moment we believe (FAITH).
 
God's Word tells us in 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." According to the dictionary in Strong's Concordance, the word grace means "divine influence upon the heart" and the word faith means "reliance upon Christ for salvation". This salvation that we have is a gift from God and when he convicts our hearts of this gift (grace), then we have a choice to make. We can either reject it or accept it by FAITH, and it is only by faith because there is nothing we can do in and of ourselves to earn it. (NOT OF WORKS)

It also says in Romans 4:5, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Here we are told again that it is not by our own self-righteousness (not of works) that one is justified, but rather it is his faith (belief) in what Jesus Christ has accomplished for us that we are justified and only then does God count it to us for righteousness. This is the objective aspect of faith, (believe) or trust in another or in what another has said or done. This is what is meant when Paul writes of faith IN Christ.
 
Now let's consider what is meant when God's word speaks of the faith or faithfulness  OF Jesus Christ. Here,the word translated "faith" comes from the Greek word, "pistos" and is defined in the Strong's Concordance as follows: "Trustworthy, trustful, faithful, sure, true", An example of this would be when a man and a woman get married, they make their marriage vows and one of them is that they be faithful to one another. In other words, each one of them can believe what their spouse has just said concerning their marriage vows is "trustworthy' or what they just said was "true".
 
And so it is with the faith OF Jesus Christ. We can rest assured in what God tells us in His word concerning what it is that Jesus Christ has accomplished for us by his death, burial and resurrection. It is trustworthy and it is sure. This is the faith OF Jesus Christ. This is what is called, subjectives faith.

Another example of the FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST is found in Galatians 2:20. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

How believers need to learn this blessed truth! We are kept, while in the flesh, not by "our faith" but by His faithfulness. Our God given faith is but a channel through which we appreciate and enjoy His never-failing faithfulness. Our "faith" would be vain (or useless) were it not for "the faith (fidelity) of the Son of God". The best of us would utterly fail were it not that "he ever liveth to make intercession for us" (Hebrews 7:25) and "now appears in the presence of God for us". (Hebrews 9:24)

___________________________________
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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[nChrist]

GOOD NEWS!

1:  Romans 3:10 NASB  as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."

2:  Romans 3:23  NASB  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

3:  Romans 5:12  NASB  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--

4:  Romans 6:23  NASB  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

5:  Romans 1:18  NASB  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

6:  Romans 3:20  NASB  because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

7:  Romans 3:27  NASB  Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

8:  Romans 5:8-9  NASB  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

9:  Romans 2:4  NASB  Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

10:  Romans 3:22  NASB  even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

11:  Romans 3:28  NASB  For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

12:  Romans 10:9  NASB  that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

13:  Romans 4:21  NASB  and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

14:  Romans 4:24 NASB  but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

15:  Romans 5:1  NASB  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

16:  Romans 10:10  NASB  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

17:  Romans 10:13  NASB  for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

Thanks be unto GOD for HIS unspeakable GIFT!, JESUS CHRIST, our Lord and Saviour forever!

[nChrist]

THE MIRACLE OF LOVE
by Robert Hanna

JESUS Christ, who is very God, thus addressed His disciples: "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12,13). The magnitude of the love of God is beyond the scope of human comprehension. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
 
Obviously, the world is anything but lovable! Ergo, the evident meaning is that God showed forth such great love toward the world, that, despite their unregenerate condition, men might, upon believing, obtain eternal life. "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:7,8 ). How can we possibly conceive of such love! It would be impossible for us to generate equal love. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins .... We love Him, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:10,19).
 
The central figure of the entire Word of God is Jesus Christ. And the total remedy for all of the ills of the world was effected by Him in the offering of Himself at Calvary, to suffer, bleed and die as the spotless lamb of the once-for-all sacrifice required to satisfy the demands of God's standard of justice. All this was accomplished by the exercise of God's love. The supreme teaching of the Scriptures must surely be the doctrine of love.
 
How appropriately does our Apostle so emphasize: "And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE" (1 Cor. 13:13). Our motivation -- our driving force -- as saints of God, is His love. "For the love of Christ constraineth us ... " (2 Cor. 5:14). By the power of His love we are assured of ultimate victory. We are destined to suffer for Him in sundry ways, as members of His body . "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12). There will be losses and defeats and pain and trials. But "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Rom. 8:37).
 
The Apostle's personal testimony should be emulated by every saint of God. He passionately affirms, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith[fulness] of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20).
 
Our Apostle clearly defines the spiritual responsibility of the saint of God in testimony and witness. "Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned" (1 Tim. 1:5) Having enumerated the proper behavioral characteristics of the faithful believer, Paul sums up with these words: "And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness" (Col. 3:14).
 
We must continually reassess our compliance with the stipulations set forth by our Apostle. Are we preoccupied with our intellectual knowledge of Scripture? Do we present ourselves to others as superior and complacent and above reproach? Do we arrogantly contend for our personal opinion and demean those with whom we do not agree? We are admonished to avoid such behavior. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. .. "(2 Tim. 2:24).
 
The Apostle Paul prays for us as members of the body of Christ, "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph. 3:17-19).
 
How very true it is, that the love of Christ "passeth knowledge!" Our reciprocal love toward Him can never compare with His love to us. That kind of love is far beyond our capacity to understand or express. But we can pour out the love of which we are capable of returning from a heart full of the joy and peace bestowed by God's grace.
 
Lest we be tempted to be caught up with the illusion of self-worth, may we be ever mindful of these humble words of Paul: "Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing" (1 Cor. 13:2).
 
"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and WALK IN LOVE, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour" (Eph. 5:1,2).

___________________________________
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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[nChrist]

FACTUAL FREEDOM
By Miles Stanford

"You were set free from the tyranny of Sin" (Rom. 6:18, Wey.)
 
There are two extremes that keep many of us in bondage. The one is ignorance as to the possibility of freedom; the other, ignorance as to the extent of freedom. Careful attendance to the facts of the Word will solve both these crippling conditions.
 
'The New Testament teaches that the flesh is representatively dead in virtue of the Cross, but it nowhere says it will become actually dead by standing on that fact. What it does say is that, when reckoning the fact true, self will lose its governing power over me. In Romans Six we find that through the death of Christ, sin shall not have dominion over you --- the idea is of bondage, ruling, governing, dominating. There is no such view presented as the annihilation of the thing, the exclusion of its presence, but the loss of its governing power. So you see if we are looking for the actual death of the old nature in us, we are looking for something that will never come to pass in this life." --- N.D.
 
"Our Lord has never promised that we shall be able to look within, and say that self is gone. Whilst we really believe God's Word that we have died with Christ unto sin, and count upon Him as the Living One to manifest His life through us, others will see that self is inoperative, whilst we are occupied with Christ."

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" (Gal. 5:1).

___________________________________
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.

Click Below For FREE Email Subscription:
mailto:GRACENTHETRUTH@COX.NET
___________________________________