GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE
by C.R. Stam



"And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love" (I Corinthians 13:13).

St. Paul had been discussing, in I Corinthians 13, some of the miraculous signs that were to vanish away as God’s revelation became complete. But faith, hope and love, he declared, would abide as a triune evidence of true Christianity.

These three are all we need in the present "dispensation of the grace of God." Any church where faith, hope and love are found in abundant measure is a "full" church. It may have but a few members, but what greater blessing could it wish for than faith, hope and love in its fellowship?

Faith, hope and love are a trinity often referred to in St. Paul’s epistles. Each is of basic importance in its way, and none can exist without the other two.

Faith is of primary importance. "Without faith it is impossible to please [God]" (Hebrews 11:6), and how can there be hope and love without faith?

Hope holds the central place among the three. Hope in the Bible is more than a wish; it is the opposite of despair, an eager anticipation of blessings to come. Hope is the Christian’s experience, his living with eternity’s glory in view.

Love is the crowning virtue of the three; it is the fruit of faith and hope, and is greatest in the sense that it is "the bond of perfectness." Moreover, love is eternal. Some day, for every true believer, "faith will vanish into sight; hope be emptied in delight" and love will reign supreme.

May God help us, in our fellowship with each other, to evidence a full measure of faith, hope and love.

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KNOWING CHRIST AS HE SHOULD BE KNOWN
By Pastor C.R. Stam




John the Baptist introduced our Lord with the proclamation: "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). Throughout His earthly ministry Christ was known as the "Son of David," the King with whom God made a covenant to establish His kingdom forever.

The Old Testament prophets predicted that Christ would (and He will) reign on earth upon the throne of His father David. While His kingdom was being proclaimed "at hand" He walked and talked and ate with men as "the Son of Man". Wearied with travelling He sat at Jacob's well and asked for a drink of water. Pressed by the throng, He got into a fishing boat and addressed the multitude from the sea. Hated by His adversaries, He was tied, scourged, spit upon and nailed to a tree. This was indeed "Christ manifest in the flesh."

With regard to His humiliation, however, the Apostle Paul says by divine inspiration that "God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9).

Again, the Apostle declares that God's mighty power was "wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenlies, far above all (Ephesians 1:20). He is no longer to be known as "the lowly Jesus" but as the exalted Lord in Heaven. And this has its bearing on us too: "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: Yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now, henceforth, know we Him no more" (II Corinthians 5:16). Our blessed Lord is now to be known as the glorified Son of God, the great Dispenser of Grace to a lost humanity; the One who in love and mercy "tasted death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9).

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“God is for me”



“God is for me.” Can you make that statement with a deep sense of certainty? He is, you know. When things are going the way you want, God is for you. When life seems to be falling apart, God is for you. When the Philistines chased David down in Gath, he wrote, “This I know, that God is for me” (Psalm 56:9). What a time to make a declaration like that!

Many of us have found ourselves in a place similar to David’s situation at times. Life is closing in . . . the enemy seems to have us cornered and there appears to be no way out. Pleasant circumstances disappear before our eyes and the world turns dark.

At times like that, we may be tempted to cry out, “Why is God against me?” Not David. He assured himself with the truth, “God is for me.” He didn't say, “This I feel, that God is for me.” There are many times in life that we don’t feel like God is for us. No, he said, “This I know, that God is for me.

Will you affirm this truth in your own life? God really is for you. Nothing can ever change His mind or heart toward you. If you are His child, His lovingkindness toward you will last forever. (Read Psalm 136 sometime!)

Circumstances may be suffocating you at times, but God is for you! Negative feelings may seem to be strangling you, but God is for you! Life may not make sense at a given moment, but God is for you! Trust Him. When you feel like you’re drowning in an ocean of problems, cling to your Heavenly Father. He will prove Himself strong in your life by assuring you of His love.

Your circumstances may or may not turn out like you want, but He will hold you in His loving and sovereign arms and gently whisper His love to you again and again. Sit in quietness for a moment and listen to his loving voice assure you of that fact until, like the Psalmist, you may say, “This I know, God is for me!”

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Christmas "What Does It Mean?"
By Nancy Faries
Evansville, Indiana



Our pastor is very fond of acrostics. So, I'm going to use one of his teaching techniques to talk about the special time of year called Christmas. Of course, the word "Christmas" means different things to different people. For example, it would mean something entirely different to the secular world than it would to spiritual believers.

C Let's consider the letter "C" to begin our illustration. This could stand for "commercial," which is the aspect the secular world emphasizes. For those in retail sales, this season is the biggest money maker of the year. Many merchants receive over 50% of their annual income during these days. At this time, too, gift giving usually becomes such an obsession for many that they end up displaying some very un-Christian attitudes at the stores. But for those of us who have believed on Him, the "C," of course, refers to "Christ," Whose birth we are commemorating. The ancient prophets amazingly predicted His unique arrival hundreds of years before it happened. Isaiah says, "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel (meaning, "God with us" - cf. Matt. 1:22-23) " .. .For unto us a child is given ... and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" (Isa. 7:14; 9:6). We now look back on this event in wonder and awe.

H is for the "Hurry, Hurry, Hurry of the Season." People go here, go there, do this, do that. It can become madness for those who miss the true point of it all. However, the "H" should be a reminder of "Heaven" that awaits those who are saved in this dispensation (Eph. 2:4-10; Phil. 3:20-21). It is a place of such utter peace and tranquility, that the earthly ills and frustrations caused by the frantic pace of this life will all be forgotten. This is why the Apostle Paul referred to it as "paradise" (II Cor. 12:2-4).

R stands for the "right" gift -- sometimes given for a wrong reason. In other words, some give gifts to win favor or to impress someone. Others simply give gifts mechanically, because it is the "thing" to do. Maybe that "R" should depict the only lasting "right" gift, which is the one that God gave in the Person of His Son. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. "

I The "I" could be the "icicles" of the winter season. This time of year marks the beginning of cold weather, which I personally dread. But to the spiritual person, the "I" might portray the fact that God the Son became an "infant" in order to qualify as man's Savior. Luke 2:11-12 declares: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. " But in truth, it's not the "babe" we should remember so much as the life of the man He became - the One Who suffered and died for us (Rom. 5:6-8,15-19). That's why Paul calls Him, " ... the man Christ Jesus" (I Tim. 2:5).

S The "s" is one I have to admit that I, myself, enjoy. It is "Shop, Shop, Shop 'till you drop!" But actually, I enjoy that in March, May, August, September. But seriously, The "s" should symbolize "Salvation." That is why the Apostle Paul could proclaim without reservation, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1:16). He had experienced God's saving power first-hand, and knew that it would work for all who desired to be saved.

T For the secular world, the "T" might depict the "tree" to trim. ~Though representing no small effort, it seems that just about everyone perpetuates the age-old tradition of placing lights and ornaments on this annual fixture. But the word, "tree" can also bring to mind the tree that grew hundreds of years ago that made the Cross on which our Savior was crucified. I Peter 2:24 reveals that "[Christ] His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree. " He made this tree despite knowing the agony it would bring Him as He was judged on our behalf (Jn. 1: 1-3, 14).

M The "M" could picture, "Man." Too often the world sees man's desires as paramount, giving itself over to the fleshly indulgences of the occasion. But our "M" should be for the "Message" of God's Word announced for all to hear (Lk. 2:10, 13-14). That is, if we would only proclaim it, and if they would only listen. Romans 10:15-17 declares, "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things ... So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Christmas is really about having people place their absolute trust in Jesus Christ to save their souls forever.

A The "A" has to stand for "abundance." Yes, at this time, everyone seems to want more and more. Here, people never seem to be satisfied or content. Children are usually disappointed with what they've received and appear to be unthankful despite a multitude of presents. Often, dissatisfaction is register-ed with parents because others received more than they did. Nevertheless, the believer's "A" should denote "appreciation." II Corinthians 9:15 reflects heartfelt gratitude by Paul for what God gave us in Christ. He says, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. " How different is the attitude of some, who "When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful ... " (Rom. 1:21). Gratitude should truly be the order of the day for everyone at this time of the year.

S The "s" identifies the "Sin" of greed that is rampant in the world during Christmas because everyone wants the many "gifts" that God bestows, but very few want the "Giver." It is a constant battle even for believers to fight against the temptation to covet what others have (Rom. 7:7; Eph. 5:3). Be that as it may, our "s" recognizes Christ's foremost title - "Savior." The angel made reference to this regarding the name of Christ prior to His conception. He said, " ... thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).

We've gone through every letter which makes up the word "Christmas." By so doing, we've come to one outstanding conclusion: that is, Christmas is really about receiving the gift of salvation that is offered by God to all who will simply receive it by faith (Eph. 2:8-9). If you haven't already, won't you do so right now? If you will, I guarantee that then you will have a truly Merry Christ-mas. Again, the Bible tells us the real meaning of Christmas. It says, "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" Jn. 3:16). Won't you open this beautifully wrapped package of salvation and receive all the blessings it contains? Go ahead! It has your name on it!

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~PEACE ON EARTH~
Part One
by Gregg Bing




During the Christmas holidays, we often hear the expressions "peace on earth" and "good will toward men." Many think of this holiday season as a time of peace, but there is very little peace on earth. Politically, we see nations, races, even religions at war with one another. Economically, we see turmoil and uncertainty day after day. Even in our personal lives, many have such hectic schedules that peace and rest is only a dream for many. This is especially true during the holidays with family gatherings, school and office parties, and the madness of Christmas shopping at the malls.

When the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, some 2000 years ago, the angels announced His birth to the shepherds. A multitude of the heavenly host praised God saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2: 14).

Jesus' birth was the coming of Israel's long awaited Messiah; the One whom God anointed to be Israel's King; the One whom Isaiah called the "Prince of peace" (Isa. 9:6); the One whose government and peace would be unending (Isa. 9:7).

Peace on earth was certainly what God's chosen people, Israel, longed for. At the time of Jesus' birth, they had been under Gen-tile dominion for over 600 years, beginning with the Babylonians, who destroyed the city of Jerusalem and their temple, and continuing to that present day with the cruel Romans (Luke 2:1). Israel longed to be free from Roman taxes, Roman governors, Roman soldiers, and Roman laws-they longed for peace.

When the angels announced to the shepherds the birth of Israel's Savior and Deliverer, it must have seemed that peace was about to be a reality in their lives. But the birth of Jesus did not bring peace on earth. We read in John 1:11 that, "He came unto His own, but His own did not receive Him." How could this have happened? The many Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah's coming were all fulfilled in the Lord Jesus (Micah 5:2, Isa. 7:14, etc.), and the proofs of His identity and His authority as their King were clearly demonstrated through His teaching (Matt. 5-7) and His miracles (Matt. 8-9), yet the Jewish leaders "plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him" (Matt. 12:14).

Israel's own expectations had blinded their minds to what God's Word taught concerning. the Messiah (Christ). The problem began with Israel's leaders. They had corrupted God's Word by their traditions and interpretations of the law (Matt. 15), and when God spoke to them "in His Son" (Heb. 1:1-2), they did not hear Him (John 8:47). These men honored God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him (Matt. 15:8 ). They were "blind leaders of the blind" (Matt. 15:14), and so Israel rejected the One who was their peace, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, He said of them, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes" (Luke 19:42). The prophet Isaiah said of Israel, "The way of peace they have not known" (Isa. 59:8 ).

Continued

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PEACE ON EARTH
Part 2  of  2
by Gregg Bing


Jesus' coming into this world did not result in peace, but in division (Luke 12:51-53). The people were divided over Him and who He was. A small remnant, including the apostles, believed He was "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16), but the majority of Israel saw Him only as a teacher or prophet. To those who believed, He was precious, but to the rest, the Lord Jesus was offensive and they stumbled at Him, "being disobedient to the Word" (I Pet. 2:7-8 ). They rejected the "Prince of peace," declaring, "We will not have this Man to reign over us" (Luke 19:14), and they delivered Him to the Romans to be crucified.

While those who put Jesus to death were certainly "wicked" or "lawless," we read in Acts 2:23 that all this was according to God's determined purpose. This was exactly why the Son of God came into this world-to give His life on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world (I Pet. 3:18, I John 2:2). He, "Himself, bore our sins in His own body on the tree" (I Pet. 2:24). Isaiah prophesied of the great sacrifice that He would make for us: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" (Isa. 53:5).

It was through His death that Jesus brought peace. Romans 3:23 tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Our sin separates us from God, for He is holy, and we are under the penalty of death (Rom. 6:23), but even in this terrible condition, God loved us; so much that He was willing to send His only-begotten Son into the world to become the propitiation for our sins (Rom. 3:24-26, I John 2:2). Jesus' death on the cross satisfied God's holy and righteous requirement. This One, who knew no sin, become "sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21). When we simply believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, God justifies us; He declares us to be righteous in His sight. The result of being justified is described in Romans 5:1: ''Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. " We, who once were enemies of God, are reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Rom. 5:10).

Many today are longing for "peace on earth" between men and nations, but, sadly, there is no peace. Wars and threats of wars continue with no peace in sight. The Scriptures teach that there will be peace on earth one day, but only when the Lord Jesus Christ, our risen and ascended Savior, returns to earth to fulfill the promises made to the nation of Israel. The Prince of peace will establish His kingdom on this earth and-His people, Israel, will rule and reign with Him. This is a peace that man can never hope to achieve through his own efforts.

Others are longing for peace in their own hearts and lives. This is a peace that is possible, but, once again, not by our own efforts. This peace only comes when we have "peace with God" through the Lord Jesus Christ. When we trust in Christ as our Savior, not only do we have "peace with God," we are also filled with "joy and peace in believing" "by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 15:13, Gal. 5:22). This wonderful "peace of God," which is beyond our understanding, then keeps or guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).

If you are longing for true peace in your own heart and life, you can have it this very day, even this very moment, by simply believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross of Calvary; that He died for your sins and rose again the third day (Acts 16:31, I Cor. 15:3-4). It's not by any works of righteousness on your part (Tit. 3:5), but all by God's grace---His gift of eternal life (Eph. 2:8-9, Rom. 6:23).

Won't you trust Him today and experience this wonderful peace? You can have "peace with God" and the "peace of God" in your heart and life. This is truly "good will toward men."

The End

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THE SON OF A VIRGIN

by Russell S. Miller

    In the Book of Leviticus God revealed to Moses how that life itself is in the chemistry of the blood; and that only "blood" can atone for sin:

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I [the Lord] have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul" (Lev.17:11).

The blood of Old Testament animal sacrifices, however, could not reconcile God and man, as the Apostle Paul says: "For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" (Hebrews 10:2-4).

This is where the Son of God enters the stream of humanity, and Mary is the real mother of the humanity of Christ, and a true descendant of David, whom God used to bring His Son into the world to save sinners. As Isaiah the prophet predicted: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." This is the quote in Matthew 1:23 concerning "the birth of Jesus Christ." But how can a "virgin" give birth to a child? This is a total impossibility with man, but God is not bound with man's impossibilities:

"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:34,35).

Consequently none of Adam's tainted and sinful blood was coursing through His veins. The blood of Jesus Christ was divine. The Lord Jesus Christ did not inherit that old Adamic nature. There was no sin in Him, not a chance!And what we could not do because of the corruption that Adam's sin brought upon mankind, Christ accomplished through "the blood of His cross" (Col.1:20). Thus the blood of Christ is efficacious to save us from our sins, as the many references in the Epistles of Saint Paul declare:

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph.1:7).

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Eph.2:13).

And in Hebrews, Chapter Ten, Paul writes these words concerning the perfect humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His deity, and virgin birth:

"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD....For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Heb.10:12,14).

And the Apostle Peter also makes this same declaration:

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot" (I Peter 1:18,19).

God simply wants us to believe the Truth of His Word, placing our faith and confidence in what God has said about His Son, and upon believing, God's Word declares that He will save us for time and eternity. It's simply a matter of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

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A MESSAGE OF JOY


As Christmas draws near, our focus is on two very important truths: First, the fact that the eternal Son of God became incarnate in a human body; Second, what He accomplished in His sinless body.

The fact that the Son of God was destined to become incarnate in human flesh was prophesied in the Old Testament. The Spirit of God says in Isaiah 7: 14: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." In Matthew 1:23, the Holy Spirit applies this statement to Mary, adding that the name Immanuel means "God with us."

The Holy Spirit also applies what He said through the prophet Micah, hundreds of years earlier, to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, that "out of you One shall come forth to be a ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2).

The incarnation of the Son of God in a human body is also affirmed in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit says in Matthew 1:18, prior to a conjugal relation between Joseph and Mary, "she was found with child out of the Holy Spirit."

This was a great shock to Joseph, a Jew imbued with the high moral standards of the Law! As he reflected on the counsel given to him, that he should secretly separate from Mary, the Lord said to him through an angel, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your woman, for the one conceived in her is out of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 1:20). This verse certainly affirms that the Holy Spirit produced in Mary's womb the body which the Son of God was to occupy!

The Holy Spirit via Luke gives us a very graphic picture of how God produced the physical body for His Son to inhabit on earth. The angel of the Lord told Mary: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the one who is born will be called Holy, the Son of God" (Luke 1:35). How could language more explicitly declare that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Son of God?

Now let us consider the second important truth, which is based on the fact that the conception and birth of Jesus were produced by God via the Holy Spirit. As the Mediator between the holy God and sinful men, the Person of Jesus Christ had to be both True God and True Man. As the eternal Son of God, He is True God, and, as a result of the Holy Spirit producing Mary's conception, He is True Man, void of Adam's sin.

In the book of Hebrews, this same truth is confirmed regarding Jesus Christ's relation to God and to men. First, the Spirit says that He is a "Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God ... who has been tried as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:14-15).

Second, since He came to rescue flesh and blood sinners, "He Himself also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb. 1:14). Furthermore, "He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people" (Heb. 2:17).

Grateful to Him for the sacrifice of His perfect, sinless Body for our sin,

May we all renew our purpose to make the Gospel of His Grace known to all!

by Ernest R. Campbell

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Christ Is All
By John Nelson Darby


Christ is the key to the puzzle of this world. May God give us to be anything or nothing, so that the Lord Jesus may be everything. The magnet always turns towards the pole; the needle always trembles a little when the storm and tempest roar, but its direction changes not; the needle of the Christian heart always points toward Christ.  The only thing which can be truly blessing to our brethren, so precious because they belong to Him, is that which we reproduce of Him. . . .  If He is the life, all which that life does has Him for its end and object..

Everything relates to Him: we do not eat without Him (how can we when He is our very life?), we do not drink without Him; what we say, what we do, is said and done in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The most eminent Christian is one of whom no one has ever heard speak, some poor labourer or servant, whose all is Christ, and who does all for HIS eye, and His alone. Jesus is the fountain of all blessedness, sent to poor, weak, wretched sinners, that they may have abundance of comfort, of peace and of enjoyment.

We must find everything but Christ nothing.

No trial can touch a person who has Christ for his all. He may have lost this or lost that; but if he has Christ he has that which he cannot lose.  It is not the quantity we do that makes spirituality, but the measure of presenting Christ: that is the value of our service, in a world where there is nothing of God. It is not always in the correction of the failures which come before us that sources of unhappiness are heaped; they disappear when souls are nourished upon the riches which are in Christ. We must think of this; we must, while ourselves feeding upon Christ, and He gives us to feed on Him without stint, cause other to breathe a new atmosphere, where Christ is.  He has purchased a “peculiar people, zealous of good work.” He has brought you to Himself, to have your whole heart wrapped up in His interests, your thoughts, your actions, everything for Him. . . . Are we living enough out of the world (not merely out of its pleasures but its cares) and enough with Christ for Him to have a large place in the daily thoughts of our hearts? . . . Have we the consciousness from the time we get up in the morning till we go to bed at night, that our hearts are with Christ, . . .  a consciousness that He is in us, and we identified with Him?

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Thank you, God, for giving me the victory through Jesus Christ my Lord. I greet the future with anticipation because I know each day brings me closer to you and the glorious future you have planned for all of your saints. Until then, I pray that I may never lose sight of that victory and yearn for the day of its arrival! In the name of Jesus, the triumphant Rapture we have been promised. Oh we do praise you our precious Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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"WISHING YOU A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR"

"Wishing you a year filled with Faithfulness,
Forgiveness, Generosity, Encouragement,
Courage, Confidence, Comfort, and Blessings
that come in all sizes."

"May the Blessings of God be with you this New Year!"
From Paris at:
GRACE AND THE TRUTH MINISTRY

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SAVED TO, SAVED FROM
By Pastor Bob Hanna


A doctrine known as "Annihilation" thrives among the members of a particular persuasion. The essence of this teaching is the claim that the death of an unregenerated individual is simply the end: no eternal punishment or after-life at all. This position acknowledges that the saved pass on to eternal life in heaven when they die, thus having been saved to something, but not from anything. Scripture does not support this conclusion. In the Book of the Revelation, chapter twenty, verse four, the first resurrection is described. This is the resurrection of the righteous dead, who are qualified to enter the kingdom and "reign with Christ a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6). "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished" (Revelation 20:5). The rest of the dead are those with whom we are concerned in considering the doctrine of annihilation.

"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle the number of whom is as the sand of the sea" (Revelation 20:7,8 ). Satan attacks Jerusalem and is defeated. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Revelation 20:10).

"And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them ... and the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works ... and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11,13,15).

Speaking from His throne, the Lord says, "The fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8 ).

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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The Gift
by Steve McVey


When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary 2000 years ago, she was told that God's Spirit was about to come upon her and as a result she would give birth to Divine Life. What a shocking realization for a young Jewish girl. Her world was about to be forever changed. The question of her morality was about to come to the forefront. Her soon-to-be husband would need a visit from no less than an angel in order to believe her story. Her Child that was to be born would turn the religious applecart of His day upside down. Yes, things were about to change --- in a big way. Christmas might seem sentimental to us today but when Jesus Christ was born it was shockingly radical in almost every imaginable way.

Someone has rightly said that grace which isn't disruptive isn't really grace. Deity breaking in on humanity and taking over, forever altering our lives and our circumstances, changing the way we see God, ourselves, and others. It's unsettling, to say the least. It takes control away from us and forces us to live in the place of constant faith, where some days are horribly wonderful and others are wonderfully horrible.

Jesus didn't come to make our lives better. He came so that we might die, right along with Him. In our CO-crucifixion with Christ, He took away the old life we inherited from Adam and gave us another one in its place. The life He has given to us stands in stark contradiction to life as we used to know it. This Life isn't better. It's new.

In "This Life" we don't live for ourselves, but for others. We don't seek to gather but to pour ourselves out for the benefit of those around us. We don't assert our own agendas, but rather lay them down and allow Him to express His agenda through us in whatever way He chooses. We quit trying to be religious in an attempt to impress God, ourselves and others and begin to learn to be real, acting like who we really are in Him. We stop scrambling to carve out an enviable life for ourselves and instead just yield to death --- the one we experienced with Him on His cross.

Mary had to die to a lot as the baby Jesus grew inside her. She died to the way she had  anticipated her life would unfold. She died to her reputation. She died to the right to manage or even understand her life's circumstances. She died to her religious check and balance system where good girls have good things happen in life and bad girls get the bad stuff of life. She began to realize early on that God's ways aren't our ways, but they are better. She learned to yield to Him and in her "be it unto me according to thy word," (Luke 1:38 ), the door opened for the rest of the world to see the divine life she had been given by God's Spirit.

So it is to be with us. Let us choose to embrace Christmas in all of its implications. Let's give up our agendas, our reputations, our rights and yield to the growth of Christ, first within us and then through us so that all the world may see His glory. Let us agree with His Spirit that we will gladly embrace every disruptive aspect of grace that shakes us out of our comfort zones, breaking away the things that interfere with living as our authentic selves, and causing us to come to more fully and intimately know Him. To embrace His life and to see it grow in us --- to see His life be produced through us --- that is the greatest gift anyone could know. That is indeed a God-sized gift.

May you and your family be richly blessed during this Christmas season and may you cherish The Gift that exceeds everything this world has to offer.

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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A CHRISTMAS POEM
By Pastor  J. C. O'Hair

Redemption's story, God's own plan,
The Lord Himself in form of man;
Yes, lower than the angels made,
In Bethlehem's manger Christ was laid;
The virgin's Son, the King Divine,
In David's house the royal line;
Conceived as was no other child;
The Seed of Woman, undefiled.

On Calvary's Cross the Saviour died,
By wicked men was crucified;
But God foreknew this awful crime,
It was His own appointed time.
The death of Christ was by God's grace
That He might save the human race;
Save lost sinners, everyone
Who will believe on Christ the Son.

When you know what God has done
Why do you reject His Son,
Despise His grace and spurn His love,
And miss a home in Heaven above?
Believe God's Word, accept God's way;
'Tis worse than folly to delay.
Christ will save you from your sin
And give you joy and peace within.

And then from condemnation free
A Merry Christmas yours will be.
When you yourself have thus been freed,
You will believe man's greatest need,
In this world so filled with strife,
Is God's free gift - eternal life.
And all who take what God will give
Shall with Christ forever live.

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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GOD-CENTERED OR SELF-CENTERED
By Paul Hume



Scripture Reading: Ezek. 44:15-31; 2 Cor. 5:14-17

For centuries men believed that the sun was not the center of our solar system. They thought that the sun revolved about our planet, and the Earth was the center of our universe. Since the 16th century and the discoveries of Copernicus, men have recognized that the sun, not the Earth, is the true center of our solar system. The Earth, as everyone now knows, revolves once a year about the sun. We have a system which is "sun-centered."

By nature we are intensely self-centered. Even after becoming saved, we still tend to be self-centered. Only as we "grow in grace," and experience the working of the Lord in breaking us from our innate selfishness do we gradually move from being self-centered to being Son-centered! This is why the ministry of the sons of Zadok in Ezek. 44:15ff is so unique. Did you notice it? "They shall enter into My sanctuary, and thy shall come near to My table, to minister UNTO ME, and they shall keep My charge."

The Apostle Paul therefore declares that as the result of the "new creation" (2 Cor. 5:17), "they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but UNTO HIM which died for them, and rose again." This is God-centered living: living to please HIM; living to know more of HIM; living to make HIM known to others; living to do HIS will. Is this your heart's desire? Or are you still in "prison"--the prison of self?

"0 the bitter pain and sorrow,
That the time could ever be,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
All of Self and none of Thee.
But He sought me, I beheld Him,
Dying on the accursed tree,
And my feeble heart said faintly,
Some of self and some of Thee.
Higher than the highest mountain,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered,
None of self and ALL OF THEE."