GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

[nChrist]

FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST,  AND TO DIE IS GAIN
By Dale E. Price


I eased myself down on the couch in our living room to prepare for my upcoming Sunday school class. Matt, our seven year old, curled up next to me as Joshua, our ten year old practiced at the piano. The crackling fire, the cat perched atop his climbing tree, and the dog at my feet completed the picture of a perfect family evening. I opened my Bible to the first chapter of Philippians anticipating Paul's refreshing perspective on life.
 
Matt became increasingly interested in my study and began to peer over my arm at the passage. I asked him to read verses twelve through eighteen. We talked about Paul's imprisonment and how God was in control of every circumstance. It was exciting to share how Paul had used the opportunity to minister to the palace guards and how his example stirred up the courage of the brethren. Josh, jealous for equal attention, migrated from the piano to the couch to be with us. I asked him to read verses nineteen through twenty-seven. We talked about Paul's perspective on life and death; his desire to be with the Lord and yet his desire to be of service to the Philippians. We saw how Paul saw death and the avenue into the presence of the Lord, a gain of incalculable value.
 
Little eyes were heavy now. The boys were tucked in and kissed good night after we closed our day in prayer. I returned to the living room to complete my study. My wife, weary from her heavy load as a student, had gone to bed early. Our home was comfortable, warm, and quiet on this wintry evening. As I sat down, Paul's words in verse twenty-one kept ringing in my mind. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." I meditated on the passage and evaluated my own mind and heart.
 
What is it for me to live? For Paul his life was inseparable from the life of Christ. His will was to do Christ's will. What Christ valued, Paul valued. The members of his body were the members of Christ's. I recalled Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians and his words that we who live should no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again on our behalf (2 Cor. 5:15). Then my mind turned to Romans 12:1-2 and I found that because of God's manifold grace and mercy I am to present my body, my mind, my life as a living and holy sacrifice to God. This is how I am to worship Him. I am not to be conformed to this world but I am to be transformed by the renewing of my mind in order that I might prove that perfect will of God (Rom. 12:1-2). Was I truly yielded to His will?
 
I prayed, "Lord, transform and renew my mind. Cause me to yield to your perfect will and to allow you to possess all that I have, all that I am."

I now considered the second half of that twenty-first verse, Philippians chapter one, "and to die is gain." Did I really desire heaven over this life? Did I see death as gain? I remembered a recent episode with Joshua. Josh suffers from allergy-induced asthma. As he struggled for breath late one evening, he gasped, "I wish I was dead." I was shocked and hurt. How could my son, surrounded by a loving family, experiencing a happy childhood, wish to be dead. Then I thought of what I teach week in and week out; heaven is a wonderful place; this life is full of trouble; when we are absent from this body we will be at home with the Lord and be physically seated with Him in the heavenlies. My son saw death as I taught it, as the door into the presence of the living God. What I thought was his death wish was really a wish for a release from the sufferings of this life and a longing for the inexpressible joy of life eternal. I should have rejoiced at the faith of this child.

I prayed, "Lord, transform and renew my mind. Give me the faith of a child to see beyond the temporary securities of this life. Let me seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Cause me to set my mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Lord, give me your perspective on life that my hope might not rest on the things which are seen but on the things which are not seen.
 
The house was quiet as I moved off toward bed. I realized that God's Spirit must continually wage war with my flesh for control of my mind. Yet my spirit was at peace as I claimed His promise that He who had begun this good work in me would perfect it until the day of Christ (Phil. 1:6).

___________________________________
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]

THE KNOWLEDGE AND JOY OF SALVATION
Pastor J. C. O’Hair


If righteousness could be gained by works or religion, then Christ died in vain. Galatians 2:21. For many centuries man, under the law, was a miserable failure. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:4. Last night I heard a very interesting conversation between two well-dressed, intelligent-looking men. Among other remarks, one said to the other, “I really believe religion is a good thing for a man, if he doesn’t get too much of it.” The other replied, “Not for me. Morality is a splendid thing; but I balk when it comes to religion.” Of course, the question that came to my mind was, “just how much religion is too much, or how much is too little, or how much is just right?” Then of course, my heart went out in sympathy and pity to both of them, a little bit more for the man who was satisfied with his own morality. He should read Isaiah 64:6 and Ezekiel 33:13 and Romans 3:19 and Romans 8:8 and Romans 4:4 and Romans 7:18 to 24. In these Scriptures we learn how utterly futile are man’s best endeavors and religious labors to even help to save him. When a lost sinner turns to religion, instead of to Christ, for pardon and salvation, he is twice dead, plucked up by the roots, and then he needs to be saved from religion as well as from sin. In Romans 3:24 to 26 we read that because of the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who was both God and man, God can be both just and merciful in His dealings with the believing sinner. He can be just and the justifier of the believer, and can declare him righteous without a cause, by His grace. God is a great Giver. Man is a poor receiver. Man is incurably religious, and Satan is accused of the crime of deceiving the whole world. He deceives the religious, unsaved man, causing him to believe that if he needs Christ at all, it is as a helper and a teacher, but not as the Saviour. Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross is man’s one and only hope. If we are to reach God’s heaven, we must come to God in God’s way, by Christ and Calvary.

It is well for every saved person to become identified with some group of believers and assemble regularly for worship and hear the Word of God expounded, but no one is saved by “joining the church.” Salvation is of the Lord; and by grace; the gift of God. Before God will accept a person’s work, that person must first be the workmanship of God. Ephesians 2:10.

Hear these two wonderful verses of Scripture:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life.” I John 5:13.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13.

How sad to know that many conscientious, sincere religious people feel satisfied and secure, although they are headed for a Christless and hopeless eternity, because they have never been regenerated by faith in the crucified and resurrected Christ. Christ, by His own blood, entered once into heaven, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12. It was this Christ Who said, “marvel not that I said unto you, ye must be born again.” John 3:3 to 7.

It is likewise sad to know that there are many fearful saved people, who have not the assurance of their salvation. They are trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, but they doubt and fear because of the wrong interpretation of some Scripture or because they think they have to supplement the perfect work of Christ, or because they are depending upon their feelings. No person and no thing can ever separate the believer from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:38 and 39. Every believer should be careful to maintain good works and should know that Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 3:14 and 2:14. But no believer should trust in himself for salvation, but in the glorified Christ, Who is able to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God, through Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25.

God cannot lie. God will have all men to be saved. God’s Word says, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” “These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW.” God wants every believer to KNOW. “KNOW that he has eternal life.” That is why it is so important to know that we are living in God’s “grace” dispensation; that believers are saved by grace, and not by religion, nor by any mixture of religion with Christ and grace. If you are a believer, do not discredit or dishonor God by doubting. Endeavor each day, by God’s grace and power, to walk worthy of the calling wherewith you are called, and thus be, have as becometh saints. But keep in mind the truth that you are not saved by behaving. You are saved by believing. Then you are to behave, because you believe. So far as the adults on this earth are concerned, there are just two classes, “dead sinners” and “living saints.” When the dead sinner believes the gospel of grace he passes out of death into life and becomes a living saint.

If your trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ and you are relying upon Him and His redemptive work, say from your heart, with the lad, “God said it: Christ did it: I believe it: that settles it.”

Now, concerning the joy of salvation, let us think of the five F’s of salvation; The Fact; the Faith; the Fruit; the Feeling; the Future. The great fact is, that Jesus Christ, the God-man, obtained eternal redemption for us. This salvation is appropriated by faith. “By grace are ye saved, through faith.” The end of your faith is the salvation. of your soul. I Peter 1:9 to 12. Christ said, “herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit.” John 15:8. Christians or saints are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus, unto good works which God before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10. Believers are told to rejoice because their names are written in heaven. They are to be filled with all joy and peace in believing. Then think of the glorious future, when Christ shall appear, we are going to appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:3 and 4. So shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:17 and 18. Surely believers have a glorious future; eternal bliss and eternal glory, with the eternal Lord. Believers are to be rewarded for their labor of love. Believers are to receive crowns. Their labor in the Lord is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58 and I Corinthians 3:11 to 16. Surely we have a wonderful and glorious future. Note Ephesians 2:7; “That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.”

While we are waiting for God’s Son to come for us we are told to “rejoice in the Lord always . . . and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4 to 7.

So we are to be filled with all joy and peace. How? In believing. Who is to fill us? The God of hope. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who is given unto us. Romans 5:1 to 5. By this indwelling Holy Spirit we are to abound in hope. We have a hope laid up in heaven. We are looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13. He is our hope. He is our peace. We are to experience eternal joy, because we are in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

Surely you have decided that you will receive God’s free gift, eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

___________________________________
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]

WHOSE FAITH?
by Pastor Kerry Kinman

 
Does the faith which we exercise in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation come from us, or does it come from God? In our unsaved state, upon hearing the gospel, do we generate the faith to believe from within ourselves, or does God give us that faith?
 
As I recently studied through and taught the Book of Ephesians, the answer to these questions became very clear to me and I want to share it with you.
 
The correct answer is that God gives us the faith to believe the gospel. One proof for this is in correctly translating and understanding what is being said in Ephesians 2:8. With this in mind let us examine this verse in the light of the Greek text. The following would be a very literal translation of that text. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not out of you: the gift is of God."

The thing we want to look at for a clearer understanding of the verse is the word we have translated this. Let us ask ourselves what is the this that is the gift of God?

It is translated from the Greek word "rovro," which is a nominative or accusative, singular, neuter, demonstrative pronoun. As many have presupposed "rovro" does not have reference to the aspect of salvation alone in this verse, but clearly refers to the entire concept of the grace, the being saved, and the faith, all being the gift of God. We can know this by understanding how Paul uses this word "rovro" throughout all his writings.
 
He uses it most often to refer back to a grouping of nouns and verbs; i.e., to an entire concept. Occasionally he uses it to refer ahead to what he is going to say, as in the beginning of Ephesians 4:17. He rarely uses it to refer to a single word, but when he does, it will refer to a word of like case, number, and gender (i.e., nominative or accusative, singular, neuter).
 
In Ephesians 2:8, there is no word of like case, number, and gender. In fact, the noun forms of the three words preceding in the verse are all feminine in gender; namely, the grace, the salvation, and the faith. Is there a problem? No, not when we see "rovro" commonly used in this way throughout the New Testament.
 
For some examples of its predominate usage let us look at Ephesians 5:17. In verse 16, we are told that we should be "redeeming the time because the days are evil." Then beginning in verse 17, Paul says, "because of this [rovro], do not be unwise ones, but know what the will of the Lord is." Here "rovro" refers to the entire concept of verse 16.
 
Another instance is in Ephesians 6:1; "Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this [rovro] is right." Again, "rovro" is referring to the entire concept of children obeying their parents.
 
Lastly, let us examine its usage in Ephesians 6:13. In verse 12, Paul says, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against world rulers of this darkness, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies." Then beginning in verse 13, we read, "Because of this [rovro; i.e., all these things] take up the whole armour of God."

There are many more examples which we could look at, but from those already cited we can see that the word "rovro" is commonly used to refer back to a grouping of things or thoughts being spoken about. This is the way Paul has used it in Ephesians 2:8. In this verse, the grace, the salvation, and the faith, this (rovro) is the gift of God.
 
As we are told in Ephesians 2:1, we were dead in our trespasses and our sins. Dead persons can do nothing. They can make no responses and no decisions. As those being spiritually dead, God had to reach in to us to give us life. We could not reach out to Him (cf. John 6:44; Eph. 2:5). As those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4) our salvation is totally the work of God. Even to the point of giving us the faith to believe (cf. Phil. 1:29). May the understanding of this truth give each of us great joy in our God, thanking Him only for the provisions He has made in effecting our eternal salvation.

___________________________________
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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mailto:GRACENTHETRUTH@COX.NET
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[nChrist]

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Part 1 of 3
by Darlene Homoki Galatians 5:22-23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. "
 
LOVE, JOY, PEACE
 Our Attitude or Inward  State

Editor's Note: This the second in a series of studies on the "Fruit of the Spirit-it." The first installment appeared July 2007.

LOVE: Love is a word that is hard to define. It is a word we grow up with, but we never really stop to think of all that it entails. One definition is that love is the high esteem which God has for His human children and the high regard which they, in turn, should have for Him and other people.
 
There are many different kinds of love - natural love (children, parents, family); the love between husband and wife; love of friends, etc.; and then the love we have for God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
 
There are many references to love in the Bible and it is certainly the most remarkable Book of love in the world. It records the greatest love story ever written of God's unconditional love for us that sent His Son to die on the cross (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn.4:10).
 
Love also expresses the essential nature of God. Love can be known only from the actions it prompts, as seen in God's love in the gift of His Son (1 Jn. 4:9-10). Love found its perfect expression in the Lord Jesus. Christian love is the fruit of the Spirit of Jesus in the believer.
 
Love is like oil to the wheels of obedience. It enables us to walk in the way of God's commandments (Ps. 119:32). Without such love, we are as nothing (1 Cor. 13:3). Such Spirit-inspired love never fails (1 Cor. 13:8 ) but always flourishes.
 
Do we need love? Yes! We all have a need to be nurtured and respected.
The need for love is created further by ill treatment, hostility, abuse and the hatred all around us.

Remember love is important to God:
    1) God is love (1 Jn. 4:8 ). 
    2) Love like this is everlasting ("The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, 1 have loved thee with an everlasting love ... " Jer. 31:3), given freely (" ... I will love them freely ... " Hos. 14:4; cf. Eph. 2:4), sacrificial (Jn. 3:16), and enduring to the end (Jn. 13:1; Rom. 8:38-39).
    3) God loves (John 3:16). What greater love than this (Rom.5:8 )?
    4) Jesus loves. He willingly gave Himself for us - He was not a martyr (Mt. 20:28 ). "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour" (Eph. 5:2).
    5) As Christians "the love of Christ constrains us" (2 Cor. 5:14).
    6) We are to walk in love (Eph. 5:2).
    7) We are to love one another (Jn. 15:12). "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you" (1 Thess.3:12).
    8 ) Wives are to love their husbands and children (Titus 2:4).
    9) The older women are told to teach the younger ones how to love (Titus 2:4).
    10) We are to love our enemies (Lk. 6:27; Rom. 12:17-21).
 
To love is a decision. It is hard to love under difficult circumstances. There are times when we feel we need love and we don't feel like giving it. The love of Jesus is what enables us to give that love even when we don't feel like it. It is His love in us that helps us to reach out in love to others even when we don't want to.
 
Love is action - not just words. It is often much easier to say "I love you" than it is to put it into practice. Love has work to do and love does that work. Our actions back up our words and are proof of our love. Every family member provides you with an opportunity to love and do acts of love. Your work at home, at church, and at your job provides you with many opportunities to perform acts of love.
 
Love reaches beyond family and friends to the unlovely. It is easy to love family, friends and nice people. But we are told to love our enemies - those who are not so nice. God's love calls us to love those who are irritating, a bother to us, unthankful, or even evil. We are to love those who bring us sadness and heartache. That is hard. Jesus tells us in Luke 6:27, "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you."

It is God Who provides the grace we need to extend our love to the unlovely. It is through His Spirit that we are able to love everyone, at any time and without conditions.
 
We need God to help us love. We rely on God for love. We naturally do not love those who do not love us, those who hurt us, bother us, and are different than us. It is God through His Holy Spirit Who gives us this love for others. God's love is there for us to give, and we who follow Christ need to remember that those who are the hardest to love are the ones who need it most. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Real love expects nothing in return. When we are loving toward someone, we expect that person to be loving to us. But when Jesus tells us to love our enemies and do good to them, He tells us to do good expecting nothing in return (Lk. 6:35 - "But love your enemies, and do good and lend, hoping for nothing again ... "). We need to love without any thought of personal reward. This is not natural. This kind of love can only come from God. This is the kind of love God offers us in Jesus (Rom. 5:8-10).
 
Love is not self-seeking. Its only intent is to love as Jesus loved, praying for others to respond to God's message of love through us.
 
The only way we can walk in God's love is to look to Him to fill us with that special kind of love - that love that is a decision to love - that love that takes action - that love that extends itself to the unlovely. You and I need God to help us love.

___________________________________
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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mailto:GRACENTHETRUTH@COX.NET
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[nChrist]

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Part 2 of 3
by Darlene Homoki Galatians 5:22-23



JOY: The joy which the people of God should have is holy and pure. It is real! It is distinct from mere happiness. Happiness is often temporal and dependent upon current circumstances. Joy, however, rises above circumstances and focuses on the very character of God. It looks beyond the present to our future salvation (Rom. 5:2; 8:18 ). Joy like this is possible, even in the midst of sorrow (2 Cor. 6:10; 7:4).
 
The need for this kind of joy springs from sorrow, tribulation, tragedy, affliction and trials. None of us is exempt from experiencing heartache and disappointment, etc., BUT through Christ we can have 'joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet. 1:8 ).
 
Joy was important to Jesus.
 
   1. Jesus wanted His disciples (and wants us) to know the joy of fellowship with Him, joy to the fullest (Jn. l5:11)!
   2. Jesus looked beyond His suffering to the joy that was before Him (Heb. 12:1-2).
 
Joy that is the "fruit of the Spirit" is permanent (Jn. 16:22). It is not dependent upon circumstances and things. The one thing that can rob us of experiencing the joy God provides is our failure to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5: 16). The Holy Spirit causes this fruit to grow in our lives as we abide in Christ.
 
Joy is always available (Phil. 1:4; 4:4). Whatever the circumstances of our lives, we have ready access to the Source of true joy anytime we turn to Him.
 
Real joy is unspeakable (1 Pet. 1:8 ). True spiritual joy is not mere happiness. If everything is going well, we are "happy." If we get what we want, we are "happy." Happiness can be a false joy. God's joy is a gift of grace to us as we encounter hardships, persecution and troubles in this life. It is supernatural and goes beyond all conditions of life.
 
   * This joy is not dependent on circumstances but on spiritual realities:
His unconditional love for us and His victory over sin and darkness.
   * This joy is not based on our efforts but, rather, on the truth of our relationship with God through His Son, the Lord Jesus.
   * This joy is not merely an emotion, but the result of choosing to look beyond the present circumstance to what is true about our life in Christ.
 
The source of real joy is:
 
    * God Himself. God - the only source of joy - wants to give you His JOY·
    * Salvation is a great reason for joy.
    * God's promises are a cause for joy. Simply by opening His Word, and reading and believing His promises, we will find a great source of joy.
    * Our future - our blessed Hope - brings us joy.

___________________________________
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
___________________________________

[nChrist]

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Part 3 of 3
by Darlene Homoki Galatians 5:22-23




PEACE: Peace refers to the inner tranquility and poise of the Christian whose trust is in God through Christ. It is both peace with God and the peace of God.
 
The Apostle Paul tells us that such peace and spiritual blessedness is a direct result of faith in Christ (Rom. 5:1). Peace is having all our spiritual bones set. It gives calmness through the doubts, fears, and alarms in our lives. It is a restful assurance that God is in control. Peace is not the absence of problems, frustrations, or things going wrong but, rather, it is a peace that comes only from God that endures regardless of the circumstances.
 
Do we need peace? The answer is an emphatic yes! The need comes daily as we face events in our life that bring panic, fear, terror, dread and anxiety. Just reading the daily newspaper or listening to the news causes us concern and shows us the need for peace in our lives.
 
Truth about peace comes only from God. Without Him there is no peace.
 
    * It has nothing to do with our circumstances but everything to do with knowing we have a right relationship with God.
    * It has nothing to do with daily challenges or crises but everything to do with knowing that our times are in God's hands.
    * It has nothing to do with the present conditions of our life but everything to do with knowing that God is all-sufficient.
    * It is an inward serenity of the soul that indicates a life at rest as we
place our complete confidence in God moment by moment.
    * It is knowing God is there! (See Ps. 139:7-12.)
    * The key to peace is not the absence of problems and conflicts but the presence of God. To enjoy peace we have to actively trust Him. Peace also requires a decision.
    * When we walk and are led by the Spirit, our life is characterized not by fretting, panic and anxiety but, rather, by the peace that comes from trusting God.
    * Philippians 4:7: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
    * When the circumstances of life tempt us to panic, or feel terrified, we. can choose either to give in to those feelings or to trust in God.
    * Choosing to trust God causes us to experience His peace even in the midst of the uproar.
 
God's peace comes to us from four sources.
    1) God, the Father. Isaiah 26:3 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." We cannot avoid strife, conflict and/or problems, but we can know perfect peace in the midst of this as we focus on God rather than on our difficulties.
 
    2) God, the Son. The prophet Isaiah tells us one of His names is the "Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6). That names reflects His mission. Jesus' death on Calvary gave us the gift of peace with God that comes only with forgiveness of our sins (Rom. 5:1). Our personal peace comes through the work of God's Son on the Cross.
 
    3) God, the Spirit. He is our personal Helper, Teacher and Comforter (Jn. 14:26). The instruction, guidance and comfort we receive from Him are indeed gifts of peace.
 
    4) God's Word. The Word helps us know God by revealing Himself, His ways and His purposes. The Psalmist declares in Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have they which love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them." When we embrace God's standards for living, we experience the peace which comes from maintaining a right relationship with God.
 
We choose to apply peace in times of crisis. The choice is ours. Do we panic? We should pray first, pray often and pray continually. We can place our fears and doubts into His hands. When we pause to acknowledge God, His presence, His power and His love, He will make our paths straight. Then once we've turned to Him, we will again be in touch with His peace that passes all understanding.
 
Jesus is our example and displayed these attitudes in the Garden of Gethsemane. This was a dark night in human history as the sinless Son of God faced death for your sins and mine in order to accomplish our salvation.
 
Throughout His three years of ministry, Jesus often referred to God's plan for His death. As He prepared for the Passover (Mt. 26) He said, "My time is at hand." It was now time for Him to die and to fulfill the Father's plan.
 
Jesus willingly obeyed. Jesus, acting in love, gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. He knew He would be betrayed by His own disciples. He would be misunderstood by His family and friends. He would be rejected by mankind. He knew there would be verbal and physical abuse. He knew there would be an unjust sentence. And, worst of all, He knew there would be momentary separation from God, His heavenly Father. In other words, from the human perspective, Jesus was losing all He had. Yet, in love, He willingly went through with it all - "He first loved us."

Facing the crisis of the cross, Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray. He prayed fervently - "His sweat became like drops of blood" (Lk. 22:44). On the physical level Jesus wanted it to pass - He did not desire to taste death and carry the burden of our sins to the cross. Yet He prayed, "Not as I will, but as Thou wilt." With this submission to God's will, we see Jesus emerge triumphant from His time in the Garden.
 
Love is the sacrifice of self. Jesus was determined to do the Father's will. Jesus' love looked to the Father and to us and the Spirit enabled Him to submit to death on the cross (Heb. 9:14; Eph. 5:2). The flesh wanted the cup to pass but love looked to God the Father and said, "Thy will be done."
 
Jesus experienced joy. Hebrews 12:2 says, "For the joy that was set before Him .... " What was that joy? It was the joy of fulfilling the will of the Father (Ps. 40:8; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 10:7).
 
He got up from His agonizing time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane with peace, knowing that His times were in God's hands, saying, "Let us be going" (Mt. 26:46). He was now rid of His fears, and free from those agonies and dreadful apprehensions of the events to come. He signifies His willingness to be apprehended, and to suffer and die bearing the sins of mankind.
 
It is good to note that the circumstances did not change! After agonizing prayer, Jesus was still going to be crucified; He was going to die but He went sustained by God's love, joy and peace.
 
It was not easy for Jesus.
    * He knew what suffering He was facing.
    * He prayed, not once, but three times.
    * When our Savior finally rose to go forward, He did so with love, joy and peace saying "Let us be going."
    * He went to the cross by His own choice; He did it willingly. "He could
have called ten thousand angels, but He died alone for you and me."

What a challenge! Do those around us see love, joy and peace? What do our attitudes show to the Christian community? To the non-Christian community? What a difference we could make in this world if in our daily lives these three graces were exemplified!

___________________________________
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]

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
by Pastor Robert N. Renberg Jr.

In this day and age of grace, God has given to His Church, the body of Christ, gifted leaders. Their primary aim is to teach sound doctrine and to preach Christ as contained in the Mystery, the revelation given to and through the Apostle Paul.

However, God's purpose for these men, who are referred to as "pastor-teachers" in Ephesians 4:11, is not just for them to be cold, didactic expounders of the Scriptures alone. His purpose is for the pastor-teacher to be equipping the saints for ministry (diakonia). The Word of God is alive and powerful (Heb. 4:12), and, taught correctly, it has the ability to produce in its hearers an echo that reverberates to those around (1 Thess. 1:8 ).

For many years, the basic layman had the attitude, Let those who are trained do the work of ministering, and he came to church only on Sunday mornings to get a weekly "fill-up." As we come to God's Word, however, this reasoning does not hold up under the light of the gospel. In writing to the "saints and faithful ones in Christ Jesus" in the Book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul sets forth the type of men that have been given to the Body as gifts. In Ephesians 4:11, this list of gifted men is given. We want to further develop the thought and intent of the Holy Spirit in verse 12 concerning the "work of ministry."

The goal of the pastor-teacher is to equip the saints for a specific purpose. This purpose is the "work of the ministry" or "work of ministering." It was never our heavenly Father's intent to have only certain ones in the body of Christ do all the work. In fact, we find in First Corinthians 12 that, just as in our physical body, every member has a vital role to play. Much more in the Body of Christ every member is a necessary part to a smooth functioning organism.

On what then is the focus of the pastor-teacher to be centered? Is he to be running all the various departments and all programs of the local assembly, plus do all the visitation, organize all special events, do all the emergency counseling, and all the other administrative functions? When does he make time for his real focus, the study of God's Word, which is a prerequisite for teaching the Scriptures?

The pastor-teacher must be a trainer and example to his people through teaching the Word and personal discipleship. Then as the various ministries are established, leaders are established also. Being confident with this leadership, the pastor can move on to spearhead the other needed ministries, still having time to do those pastoral functions and study God's Word. Therefore, he is still able to bring out the truth of the Scripture in a clear, concise and applicable way so that the Holy Spirit can motivate others to "the work of ministry. "

While it might not be the flashiest and quickest way to motivate the hearers, teaching the literal intended meaning of the New Testament writers in a verse by verse method is by far the best way to produce grounded and foundationed saints. These believers are then motivated by the Holy Spirit, not the flesh, to do the work of ministering.
 
As a pastor-teacher, I am constantly looking at how I can involve the other members to do these very things, and it has been my privilege to see others picking up in areas that need special attention, but that are often overlooked because they are considered of lesser importance by some. God simply needs saints who are available and willing. Be assured that when you desire to be used, He will give you a "work of ministry" that will bring glory and honor to His name!
 
"And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ." (Col. 3:23,24) 

___________________________________
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 EXCEEDING GREATNESS of GOD'S POWER
PART ONE OF  THREE


    * What is the measure of God's power toward believers?

    * What can be accomplished in the believer by that power?

    * How can the believer appropriate and apply that power?



THE MEASURE OF GOD'S POWER TO US-WARD



"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church" (Eph 1:18-22).

Such is the measure of God's power to the believer in the matter of salvation; salvation from sin. Something more than human power is needed to save the sinner from sin. Divine power is needed. And the very best news that any human being ever heard is, that Divine power is available. The news that there is power that will save from the power of sin is good news, or "the gospel." Every human being is utterly helpless to deal with sin. But the majority of sinners are more interested in being delivered from some of their sinful habits than they are in being saved from the penalty of sin. To be saved from the penalty of sin means to be saved from the wages of sin; which is death (Rom. 6:23).

God demands death for sin. Unless the sinner finds and appropriates the Divine remedy for sin, the death penalty is certain; it is fixed by the and holy Judge. Apart from Divine merciful intervention, the sinner's doom is inevitable; Divine judgment is inescapable. So far as man is concerned he can do nothing to deliver himself from the presence of sin, from the power of sin, or from the penalty of sin. So far as God is concerned His very character demands justice. The question is, how can the helpless, powerless sinner escape justice at the hands of the God against whom he has sinned? There must be death for sin. Must each sinner die for himself? Is it justice for the innocent to suffer for the guilty? The world says, "No."

God's Word declares that "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God" (1 Pet 3:18 ). Then this question, "has the Holy Judge the right to be the sinner's Saviour?" Can He act as Judge and Saviour and be both just and merciful? The world says, "true justice knows no mercy." But the Just One, who has accomplished the redemption whereby man can be brought to God, was both God and man. The Offended One was delivered for our offenses. He satisfied His own justice by becoming the God-man and receiving the wages of sin; death.

The Lord of Glory was crucified; put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit. Christ died for our sins: He was buried and was raised again on the third day. He dealt with sin, which He put away by the sacrifice of Himself.  Then He abolished death and hath brought life and incorruptibility to light in the gospel.  In this redemptive work Christ proved His Deity, vindicated and satisfied Divine righteousness and justice; and fulfilled His word: "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" John 10:17-18 ). It must be admitted that such power is Divine power.

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

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

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

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[nChrist]

The EXCEEDING GREATNESS of GOD'S POWER
PART TWO OF  THREE


God was ever well pleased with His Son; when He was Jesus of Nazareth in the midst of His people, and since He has raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the super-heavenlies. God manifested His great power in the act of the resurrection and exaltation of His Son. God manifests that same great power, to save from the penalty of sin, any and every sinner who believes this Divine gospel.

There is absolutely no saving message for anyone in the sinless life and holy example of the Son of God, apart from His death and resurrection. The penalty of sin is death. How could the sinner escape that death penalty by trying to live like Jesus lived? There would be no death penalty in such a struggle; but there would be utter failure; and eternal death after the futile struggle. It is the privilege of redeemed sinners to know Christ in the power of His resurrection; but not until they have escaped the death penalty by identification with Christ, "baptized into His death" (Rom. 6:3).

If the same exceeding great power that God manifested in raising Christ from death to the super-heavenlies is available for the believer to enable him to have power over sin, it would seem that the believer's defeat could only be the result of his failure to appropriate and apply that exceeding great power. If such exceeding great power is available for the believer, then the believer should be delivered from the power of sin.


ACCOMPLISHED BY GOD'S POWER

"How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Rom. 6:2). The believer is baptized into the death of Christ, and having been crucified with Him he is raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). "Sin shall not have dominion over you" (Rom. 6:14). "Let not sin reign in your mortal body" (Rom. 6:12).

From these, and many other verses, it seems that victory is provided for the believer in Christ and that victory is expected of the believer in Christ. The believer is identified with Christ in death. Christ died unto sin.

"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (CoI. 3:3). "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (Col. 3:1). What things are where Christ is? Not a thing that has to do with sin. A very high standard? It couldn't be higher. It is the "super-heavenlies" standard. It is the Christ standard. The things which are where Christ is are the things which are in Christ. And the believer is in Christ. The believer is raised with Christ. The believer is seated with Christ in the heavenlies (Eph. 2:6). Be-cause the exceeding great power God used to accomplish the resurrection of Christ is to us-ward who believe, the believer is exhorted to manifest that resurrection power in his life.

It is one thing to be kept by the power of God through faith unto that glorious salvation at the coming of the Lord; it is another thing to day by day live in resurrection power.

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

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

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

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[nChrist]

The EXCEEDING GREATNESS of GOD'S POWER
PART THREE OF  THREE



As believers we fail to measure up to God's standard, but we have no Divine authority to lower the standard to the level of our failures. When we would do good, evil is present. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit and we may not do the things that we should. But the exceeding great power of God is available.

APPROPRIATION AND APPLICATION

Believers are exhorted to pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:7). Quite a big order for one who has many other duties. But it is God's order. And the principle is always, "Be it unto you according to your faith. "

The believer is exhorted to study, to present, to resist, to let, to hope, to overcome, to live, to watch, to be vigilant and sober, to seek. Then there are many negative exhortations.

He is to put on the whole armour of God. He is to witness and work. He is to walk in the Spirit and make no provisions for the flesh. He is to yield himself to God and his members as instruments of righteousness. He is to put on the new man and to put off the old man. There is to be no let-up and no let-down; no unoccupied moments; no surrender to Satan or self; no compromise; but constant abiding in Christ, in fellowship and communion, yielded every moment to the Holy Spirit, saying with Paul, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).

The believer is instructed to abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thess. 5:22). He is exhorted to keep himself unspotted from the world. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world" (1 John 2:15). In fact, there are several hundred admonitions, injunctions, orders, warnings, beseechings and rules for his Christian conduct.

Such is the price of victory. Paul practiced what he preached. How are we getting along? Our sufficiency is of God!

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

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

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

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[nChrist]

HOPE IN CHRIST
By Pastor D. Bekemeyer


Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 15:19

It has been said, "Even if there was nothing beyond this life, I would have no regrets that I lived for the Lord Jesus." While such a statement may sound noble, it can only be made with disregard for our text which says, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." Please notice two things concerning the truth of this verse.

First, notice that we do have hope in Christ during this life. But on what is our hope based? Evidence that demands a verdict? Archaeological discoveries? Personal experience? No! Our hope is based on what God's Word says about Christ. In this life, we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) and with our eyes of faith, we look on that which is not seen (2 Corinthians 4:17). Because of this, we know that our lives have purpose and meaning. We run with certainty and we fight successfully (I Cor. 9:26).

Second, notice that we do have hope in Christ beyond this life. What if we suddenly realized that there is nothing beyond what we now have? Everything would change. As believers in Christ, our plight would be the most miserable of all who are in the world. Our belief would be in vain, our labor unrewarded and our eternal destiny insecure. After death, anything could happen.

Our hope depends on the Lord Jesus Christ being all that He claims to be. Praise God, we need not doubt that!

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

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

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

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[nChrist]

THE GOD OF PEACE
By John D. LaVier



The name God of Peace is used three times in the New Testament Scriptures: Romans 16:20, Philippians 4:9, and Hebrews 13:20. This name stands in contrast to God as He revealed Himself to Israel in the Old Testament. There He is many times called the Lord of Hosts. This is a warriors name. He is the Lord of the fighting armies and over and over again He fought on behalf of His people.

This name stands also in vivid contrast to the worlds past, which has known little of peace. From the very beginning of mans history upon the earth, even until the present moment, it has been a continued story of nation being pitted against nation and kingdom against kingdom. Strong nations and mighty empires have appeared upon the scene, flourished for a season, and then vanished away. They have fallen by two causes: (1) an inner decay of pride, envy, greed and lust, and (2) a strong enemy from without that warred against them and won.

As one reviews the worlds past history, as well as the present, when our armies are at war in Iraq, the Israelis and Palestinians killing each other, and the terrorists doing their dastardly work everywhere, the question arises: Shall this condition continue always, with nations rising, shining, sinning, sinking? It is then the name God of Peace comes to mind as the prophecy of a better day. God wants peace and in His own day and way He shall bring peace to the world.

Back in the days of the now defunct League of Nations, when many were congratulating themselves on the fact they had outlawed war, it was my privilege as a young man to speak in a certain denominational church. The subject assigned was World Peace. I was brash enough to tell them that in spite of mans rosy dreams and schemes, there would be no real peace until the Prince of Peace returned to rule and reign. At the close the pastor publicly took me to task, asserting that it was the duty of Christians to work for peace and brotherhood among men. He said: We pray Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven and when we thus pray we are praying for peace on earth. Later I called his attention to the three words just prior to the words he had just quoted. Those three words are: Thy kingdom come! Thank God, that kingdom is coming! Then Gods will shall be done in earth, and not before. Then the God of Peace shall send the Prince of Peace and He will usher in an era of universal tranquility. Then men shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, and they shall learn war no more.

The blessed name God of Peace stands also in contrast to Satan, who is the real god of war. For six thousand years this arch-criminal has instigated war and strife among the nations. Satan wants war and God wants peace, but the question of who shall win is never in doubt. It may seem that Satan is having his way but he has nigh well run his malevolent course. Listen to what the apostle says in Romans 16:20, And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The God of Peace shall bring war against Satan, and then Satan will be shut up and sealed under lock and key, so that he can no longer deceive and seduce the nations of the world. Israel and the nations will then enjoy peace, when Satan is imprisoned and Christ enthroned.

Meanwhile, the believer may enjoy peace even in a world where there is no peace. The God of Peace sent His Son to die on Calvary and He made peace by the blood of His Cross. Then we read in Hebrews 13:20 that the God of Peace brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus. Christ Himself becomes the believers peace. Then as we entrust our all to Him we have the Peace of God which passeth all understanding garrisoning our hearts and minds. And. too, we have the blessed promise: And the God of Peace shall be with you.

___________________________________
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]

HEART OF ROMANS
By Miles Stanford
 
 
 "Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead" (Rom. 6:13).
   
Deliverance from the reign of sin, and liberty in the life of Christ, are set forth as a doctrinal unit in Romans Six, Seven and Eight. This area of truth has but one key---the Cross. This is the great master key to spiritual life and liberty.
   
When we begin to comprehend Six, we know that our death in Christ unto sin was completed at Calvary. When we have been in Romans Seven for a time, we come to realize that we have been struggling to produce that which God has already accomplished for us in Christ. When we thereby come to Romans Eight, we know at last that the Holy Spirit will produce in our experience what God completed for us on the Cross and in Christ our Life.

"In Romans Six we see the foundation of our deliverance --- the fact that we died with Christ; and also the conditions of our deliverance --- that we reckon ourselves dead unto sin and yield to God as those that are alive from the dead. Romans Eight tells us the means and the method of our deliverance--- that it is through the blessed Holy Spirit alone that we are actually delivered in everyday life, from sin's reign; the moment we cease from all our own efforts and let Him do all the work, He will begin delivering us from the power of sin. How long it takes some of us to come to the end of our own efforts can be seen in Romans Seven!" . W.R.N.
 
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:4).

___________________________________
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]

GROW TO SHARE
By Miles Stanford

"For they disciplined us only a short time, as it seemed proper to them; but He does it for our good, in order that we may share His holy character" (Heb. 12:10, Wms.).
 
It is only natural to feel that our need requires immediate victory, but the truth is that we cannot come to maturity apart from the Holy Spirit's processing and development of our life, day by day. A quick and easy victory would cripple our usefulness in these two ways: we would not understand the all-important principle of processing; we would not appreciate the needs of others.  'If we are unable to share, we abide alone like the grain of wheat that does not die.
 
So often in the battle we go to the Lord, and pray, and plead, and appeal for victory, for ascendancy, for mastery over the forces of evil and death, and our thought is that in some way the Lord is going to come in with a mighty exercise of power and put us into a place of spiritual maturity as in an act. We must have this mentality corrected. What the Lord does is to enlarge us to possess. He takes us through some exercise, through some experience, takes us by some way which means our spiritual expansion, an increase of spirituality so we occupy the larger place spontaneously because of our growth. 'I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased' (Exod. 23:29,30)." -T. A-S.

"Now for the time being no discipline [ child-training] seems to be pleasant; it is painful; later on, however, to those who are trained by it, it yields the fruit of peace which grows from upright character" (Heb. 12:11, Wms.).

___________________________________
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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