Daily Inspirational II

[nChrist]

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

The Daily Inspirational was also a very popular devotional posted by Brother Love. Again, I liked it so much that I subscribed to it. I got permission to post the Daily Inspirational here and will do so in Brother Love's absence.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

In Christ,
Tom

[nChrist]

SEPT.21, 2003 - GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY AND TEMPTATION

Scripture Reading:  Jas 1:12-17; I Cor 10:12-13

Why are we tempted?  Why doesn't God so arrange things so that there will be no temptation, or, few at least, to do wrong.  James tells us clearly all through the first chapter of his brief Epistle.  We learn from James 1:2-4 that God orders certain trials to come into our lives to the end that we may be "fully developed and perfectly equipped, without any defects"  (Williams Trans)  But then in verses 13-15, James speaks of that inward enticement to do evil.  This "temptation" comes not from God--though it operates under His Sovereign good pleasure even as does Satan and all evil.  This "temptation" comes from within.  It is the Evil One--the tempter--drawing us, through our evil nature, to do those things which are contrary to the revealed will of God.

Dr. Charles Ryrie in his excellent book, "Balancing the Christian Life" (by all means obtain a copy:  published by Moody Press,) states several things about why God allows us to be harassed by various temptations during life.  He states:  "But as with all temptations, a test which God designed to teach us something may be failed and the lesson lost.  In that case, the only solution is to confess the sin, pick oneself up again, learn the lesson of the weakness of the flesh, and lean harder on the power of God.  But, you say, are not the risks so great that God would do better to eliminate temptations from our lives?  The answer is no, for testing is the route to approval and growth in our Christian lives.  Proving requires testing; growth is faster in the face of opposition; great results involve great risks.  Testings are God's way of offering us opportunities for approval and growth; they are the way of Satan's defeat.  Which way we go depends largely on us" (Page 138 in Ryrie's book).

So when you are tested by the Lord through various persons who cross your path or various circumstances you pass through, or whether you're tempted by Satan through your fallen nature to think or do some evil, remember this.  It is a test God has meant for you to pass.  He has given us His Word that He will not "allow you to be tempted above that you are able."  He has also given His Son as our Helper.  (Heb 2:18).

Pastor Paul Hume

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him  who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

SEPT.22, 2003 - GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY AND PRAYER


Scripture Reading:  Rom 8: 26-27; Phil. 4:6-7; 1 Jn. 5:14-15


"Prayer changes things."  You have heard this motto all your life perhaps.  Does it?  You reply,  "Why, of course, I've seen prayer change things."  Indeed, prayer does change things, but it doesn't always--even when asked according to the Word of God and in much earnest sincerity.  Why?  Because God is sovereign, and He answers prayer  "according to His will."

"The possibilities and necessity of prayer, its power and results, are manifested in arresting and changing the purposes of God and in relieving the stroke of His power."  This statement was made years ago in a periodical called "The Christian Worker."  Do you think that your prayers and mine, or even all the prayers of all the true saints the world over together can change the purposes of God?  Nay! Nay!  What God has purposed, that He will perform!  Yet God has purposed that His saints pray not to change His purposes but to bring His purposes about!  In other words, God moves on His people to pray to the end that certain things may take place: e.g., the out-break of genuine spiritual revival.  History records several such.  Saints prayed and prayed.  Finally God sent the long-awaited  "showers of blessing."  Saints were refreshed and sinners were added to Christ by the hundreds.  How did it come about?  Through prayer.  Yes,  but behind  that was  the sovereign pleasure of God to send such reviving at that time.

Why pray?  We should do so regularly and constantly ("Pray without ceasing--I Thes 5:17) in order to be totally dependent upon the Lord instead of upon ourselves and our maneuverings.  We should pray so that we might be brought to the position of worship  (an almost unheard of thing except for our so-called Sunday morning "Worship Services" which are really preaching service) and honoring Him who is  "God over  all,  blessed for-ever."  Again, we should pray because it has been ordained as one of the means of our growth in   God's grace.   Prayer is  also a means for the exercising of our faith.  Further-more, prayer has been given so that we may share with our Father in Heaven those things we  have  need of  as well  as the  needs of others. Therefore, pray, pray, and pray!

Pastor Paul Hume

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him  who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

SEPT.23, 2003 - GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY & SOUL WINNING

Scripture Reading:  1 Cor. 9:16-23;  2 Cor . 5:14-6:2

Much of the time, sad to say, when a person treats the subject of the sovereignty of God, the truth concerning genuine soul winning is either left out or ruled out. On the other hand, oftentimes those who major on soul winning almost totally circumvent or rule out the sovereignty of God.  Again, as in any Divine truth, there needs to be balance and proportion. The Old Testament declares--long before this present Dispensation of the preaching of the Grace of God--"He that winneth souls is wise"  (Prov 11:30).  The word "winneth" is actually a military word denoting taking captive the enemy.  In the Gospels, we hear our Lord telling His disciples:  "Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men" (Mark 1:17). His intent was that as these disciples had been used to catching fish,now they were to learn to "catch men alive" for Christ.  Paul brings out the same truth when he states:  "that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life."  (Phil. 2:15-16).  The idea here is that just as the blackness of the night is punctuated by the shining forth of the heavenly luminaries, so the darkness of this present evil age under the power of darkness is to be punctuated by believers holding out to the members of their generation the Life-giving light of the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God  (see 2 Cor 4:4-6 and I Tim 1:11).

Where does soul winning, then, fit in the plan of God?  If God sovereignly has elected a certain number unto Life in Christ, and if God is the One who must woo them, draw them, convict them, and then regenerate them, where does witnessing and leading people to Christ fit in?  God has ordained that through "the foolishness of preaching (lit. the thing preached--that is, the preaching of the word of the cross) to saved them that believe."  This "preaching" is not only that which the God-called Pastor or Evangelist or Missionary does.  It is the giving forth by word of mouth the truth of the Gospel so that those who hunger after salvation might be saved.

Pastor Paul Hume

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him  who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

SEPT.24, 2003 GOD'S PLAN AND SOUL WINNING

Scripture Reading:  Eph. 2:1-3,12

The truth which God desires for "all" to see today is "what is the  dispensation (or economy) of the mystery (secret)" (Eph 3:9).  The heart of this mystery is stated in Ephesians 3:6:  "That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs and of the same body (joint-body), and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel."  Did you notice that last phrase?  It is by means of the gospel  (Paul's  Gospel:   "my gospel") that sinners are to share in the promise of God in Christ!  What is this "promise?"  It is "the promise of Life which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:1).  The earnest of this promise is the impartation of the New Man and the indwelling Holy Spirit (see Eph 1:13-14).  We see then, that the present purpose of God in forming the "one new man," and   building  "an  holy temple (sanctuary) in the Lord,"  and bringing about the completion of "the church, which is His body" all hinges upon "the gospel."

Our "great commission"--binding upon preachers and people alike--is to proclaim  "Jesus  Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery."  This is to be done on a public preaching basis, but especially is it to be done on a person-to-person basis.  In other words, you as well as I are responsible to deliberately, under the leadership of  the blessed "Lord  of the harvest"----the Holy Spirit--seek to win precious children, young people, and adults to the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Not called!" did you say?  'Not heard the call,' I think you should say.  God has been calling loudly ever since He spoke your sins forgiven--if you are forgiven at all--entreating and beseeching you to be His ambassador.  Put your ear down to the bible and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin.  Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help.  Go and stand by the gates of Hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go the their father's house and bid their brother and sisters and servants and masters not to come there.  And then look Christ in the face,  Whose mercy you have professed to have received...and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstance in this march to publish His mercy to the world."  (Gen. William Booth)

Pastor Paul Hume

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him  who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

SEPT.25, 2003 - GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY AND THE MYSTERY

Scripture Reading:  Col 1:24-2:3;  Rom 11:32-36


Nowhere does the sovereign will and purpose of God stand out as brightly as it does in relation to the fall of Israel and the unveiling of the hidden Secret of God!  No wonder, that this blessed Secret is the display of the "manifold (many sided) wisdom of God"  (Eph 3:10)!

Think with me for a few moments.  God's beloved Son came to this earth to do the work which His Father had given Him to do.  He did it (John 17:4)).  He died--not by accident or because He was ahead of His times--but according to "the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God' (Acts 2:23).  He rose again from among the dead the third day as the Scripture declared.  He ascended on high.  He sent forth the Holy Spirit with His gifts and power upon His chosen ambassadors.  They preach with great grace and power  "the resurrection of the Lord Jesus."  They are stoned.  They are imprisoned.   Some of  them  are martyred.  The the "chief of sinners"--Saul of Tarsus--is powerfully converted to  Christ.  He immediately proclaims "Jesus as the Son of God."  The majority of Israelites in Jerusalem and then on through the Land continue to reject Jesus as their Messiah-Savior.  Only a  remnant are "obedient to the faith"  (Acts 6:7).

Some 9 years after his conversion, Paul is sent forth by the Holy Spirit into Gentile territory to be His "minister"  and "witness"  of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 26:16).  From city to city he and his co-laborers move.  They preach to "the Jew first,"  and then they turn to the Gentiles  (see Acts 13:46; 18:6; and 28:28).  Many Jews and Gentiles are saved and churches are established.  But Israel as a nation, along with her leaders continue to harden their hearts until the sentence of judgment falls upon them (Acts 28:25-28).

But was God defeated?  Not at all!  He purposed through the "fall" of Israel that blessing should come to the world!  He made known first to Paul his great secret: that out of believing Jews and Gentiles, He would form "one new man" the Church, which is  His (Christ's) Body.  Praise the Lord!  How blessed indeed is this Secret!

Pastor Paul Hume

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him  who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

SEPT.26, 2003 - GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY AND CHRIST'S COMING

Scripture Reading:  John 14:1-3; Phil. 3:20-21; Tit. 2:13

Jesus Christ IS coming again!  This has been heralded during the past sixty to seventy years as it never has been since the first century in the days of the Apostles.  The great recovery of what we sometimes call "pre millennial truth" has brought this about.  This blessed truth of the soon-return of the Lord Jesus has filtered through churches of many denominations including the rise of independent churches.  How we bless God for those who not only are truly saved--regardless of human labels--but who also "love His appearing."

When will Christ come?  No man knows!  Concerning His second coming to the earth, our Lord declared:  "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.  Take ye heed, watch and pray:  for ye know not when the time is" (Mark 13:32-33).  Hence, all of His exhortations concerning His second coming at the close of the Great Tribulation were based on the fact that His coming would be "like a thief in the night" (Matt. 24:35-51).  This will be due to the fact that "those days should be shortened"  (Matt. 24:22,; see Dan. 12:11-13).

When will Christ come for "the church, which is His body?"  Again, no man knows.  For we believe that since this Mystical Body of Christ is a separate and complete program in itself and unrelated to the prophetic program of God (although there is an ultimate inter-relation between the two in the ages to come, I believe), that there will be what some have rightly termed a "secret rapture" for this church.  This rapture ("catching away"--I Thes. 4:17; "calling on high"--Phil 3:14 being "received up into glory"--I Tim 3:16) will take place before the prophetic program is on the stage of world history again.  Just as we begin to see signs of the approaching Christmas season early in the Fall but hear or see nothing about Thanksgiving until November is reached; so we are beholding signs of Christ's second coming to earth now.  How much nearer must the conclusion of this blessed "dispensational of the mystery" be!  The time is His secret!  Being saved and ready is our responsibility!  Are you?

Pastor Paul Hume


Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him  who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

SEPT.27, 2003 - GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY & THE COMING DAYS

Scripture Reading:  2 Thess. 2:1-12; Rev 1:1-8; Rev 9:20-21


Since I love to  dabble with  the weather, I remember several things in the past connected thereunto.  I remember when I still lived in Minneapolis, MN, how I was caught out in the open in the worst windstorm ever to strike that city.  I knew that something radical was approaching that evening.  My barometer was falling rapidly; hot, heavy, humid air was upon us; dark thunderheads were piling up in the southwest; and the air was still as death.  After several sharp thundershowers, a "burst" came from the Northwest.  Winds of above 100 miles per hour hit, blowing from between 80 and 110 miles per hour for almost a half an hour.  Rains slashed the city, and great bolts of lightning struck here and there.  Wires were down all over; storefronts were sucked out (an evidence of tornadic condition); hugh trees were uprooted in every block; and streets were washed out in places.  What a mess the city was in!  Yet, there had been ample warnings!

The "barometer" of time is telling us that terrible, unprecedented days lie ahead.  The Word of God amply warns us, and even the secular leaders of our society are warning that civilization is on the brink of a world-wide catastrophe.  The "barometer" is drop-ping.  The hugh storm clouds are gathering; and thunder is rumbling; and the air is deathly still (with not only its "air pollution;" but its antichrist poisons and lawlessness of every shade and hue).  The "things which must speedily come to pass" (Rev 1:1, (lit. are about to take place).  The "consummation of the age" is upon us!  Great & terrible days are at hand!  What days are these in which to be living--days of great opportunities for the Gospel of the Grace of God!

What should we do?  Be terrified?  That would be human!  But no, for us, we should "take courage and redeem the time, for the days are evil."  We should "be looking (with expectancy) for that blessed hope," and bless the One Who is still on the throne, and Who is very much in control of things--even the Devil and evil men!

Great days are these, we say again; but greater is our Savior-God who is able "to guard you from stumbling" until "that day!"

Pastor Paul Hume

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him  who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

SEPT.28, 2003 - THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD AND DEATH

Scripture Reading:  James 4:13-17; Psa. 31:15: Job 14:5


"The clock of life is wound but once,
     And no one has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop
     At late or early hour."


When will I die?  When will you die?  No one has an answer to these questions because our blessed, all-wise, sovereign Lord, who is "the God of the spirits of all flesh" (Num. 16:22; Heb 12:9), holds the number of our very months and days, as well as years, in His power.  We are not born out of mere natural accident--even though many are born out of wedlock and the like.  We are born to fit into the purposes of God.  Our time of birth as well as the time of our death is in His counsels.  Little wonder the devout Psalmist could state,  "My times are in thy hand"  (Psa. 31:15).

Therefore, how pointed is the inspired advice of James:  "Come now, you who say,  'Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a city and stay a year, go into business and make money,'  although you do not have the slightest knowledge of tomorrow.  What is the nature of your life?  It is really nothing but a mist which appears for a little while and then disappears.  Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we shall live and do this or that.'  But, as it is, you boast of your proud pretensions.  All such boasting is wicked"  (William Trans.)

"Unto God the Lord," declared the Psalmist, "belong the issues from death" (68:20).  Since HE "giveth and taketh away" (Job 1:21), what can we do but live in holy submission to His will, and live a day at a time, seeking to be wise,  "redeeming the time" for "the time is short" (Eph. 5:15, 16, I Cor 7:29)?  Are YOU ready should the Lord be pleased to remove YOU by way of death TODAY?

Pastor Paul Hume

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him  who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK OF SEPT. 28, .2003

"In your prayers, beware, above everything else, of limiting God.

Not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what HE can do.

Expect unexpected things 'above all that we can ask or think.' "

  ---Andrew Murray

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

SEPT.29, 2003 - THE PRECIOUSNESS OF GOD' S SOVEREIGNTY

Hope on the Horizon

Scripture Reading:  Isa. 40:12-31; Rom 11:33-12:3

Oftentimes we hear people make the remark;  "the first part of such and such an Epistle is the doctrinal section, and the last part is the practical section."  Yes, many of Paul's Epistles are so constructed (take Romans and Ephesians as examples).  But this statement implies that doctrine is not practical!  Such is certainly not the case, at least where the Word of God is concerned!  All Scripture is doctrine in the true sense of the word.  Doctrine means "teaching."  All true doctrine, or teaching from the Scriptures IS practical!

This appertains to this blessed doctrine concerning the Person of God (including each member of the blessed Godhead).  We have sought to lay emphasis on the sovereignty of God.  Indeed it is precious to those who are able to "bear" it (John 16:13).  Why?

"The doctrine of God's sovereignty then is no mere metaphysical dogma which is devoid of practical value, but is one that is calculated to produce a powerful effect upon Christian character and the daily walk.  The doctrine of God's Sovereignty lies at the foundation of Christian theology, and in importance is perhaps second only to the Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures.  It is the center of gravity in the system of Christian truth--the sun around which all the lesser orbs are grouped.  It is the golden milestone to which every highway of knowledge leads and from which they all radiate.  It is the cord upon which all other doctrines are strung like so many pearls holding them in place and giving them unity.  It is the plumb line by which every creed needs to be measured, the balance in which every human dogma must be weighed.  It designed as the sheet-anchor for our souls amid the storms of life."  (A.W. Pink)

Once we come to realize the sovereignty of God, the Holy Spirit will cause us to bow low before our blessed Savior-God and not only confess  "My God, how great thou art!"  but also say,  "Take my life, and let it be, consecrated, LORD TO THEE!"  Amen!

Pastor Paul Hume

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him  who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

SEPT.30, 2003 - GOD-CENTERED OR SELF-CENTERED

Scripture Reading:  Ezek. 44:15-31;  2Cor. 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, evolves 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?

          "O 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."

Pastor Paul Hume

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him  who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

OCT 1,  2003 WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT GOD NOW?

Scripture Reading:  Eph 3:20-21; 4:6;  Rom 9:5

We have spent this beautiful Fall month meditating upon the inexhaustible theme of the sovereignty of God.  We have stated nothing new or radical.  We have simply sought to exalt the God of the Scriptures Who is our God as well as "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.."  We asked the question at the very beginning, "What do you think about God?"  We also asked, "Who rules and regulates the affairs on this earth today..God, the Devil, or man?"

We trust that these meditations in His precious Word on this great and glorious theme will have served at least one end, namely that God IS God, and that He is infinitely worthy of all my worship, life, and service!  Once we get such a glimpse of WHO God really is, then it is no problem to gladly yield one's self to this blessed Being, "who loved us, and gave Himself for us."

I close these devotionals citing the great hymn authored by Frederick William Faber in 1849:

     "O God, how wonderful Thou art,
     Thy majesty how bright!
     How beautiful Thy mercy-seat
     In depths of burning light!
     Yet, I may love Thee too, O Lord!
     Almighty as Thou art;
     For Thou has stooped to ask of me
     The love of my poor heart.
     No earthly father loves like Thee,
     No mother e'er so mild
     Bears and forbears as Thou hast done
     With me, Thy sinful child.
     O God, how wonderful Thou art,
     Thou everlasting Friend!
     On Thee I stay my trusting heart
     Till faith and vision end."

"FOR OF HIM, AND THROUGH HIM, AND TO HIM, ARE ALL THINGS:  TO WHOM BE GLORY FOR EVER AMEN."

Pastor Paul Hume

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him  who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

BE WATCHING AND READY HE COULD COME AND CATCH US
UP IN THE CLOUDS AT ANY TIME.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

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[nChrist]

THUR OCT 2,  2003 - TIME TO GROW!

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" (Psalms 37:7).

Lincoln said that "a short speech requires great preparation; a long speech can be given anytime on short notice."  Now, are we going to "spend our years as a tale that is told" (Psalms 90:9); or are we going to settle down and grow in the image of our eternal Lord?

"In our spiritual experience we often find that not least of our trials is the fact that God seems so slow to respond; sometimes it would appear that He is careless or indifferent---and  that just  when  our needs are most acute.  Two of the major elements in the spiritual life and experience of His own are the seemingly slow and hidden ways of God, and the demand for persistent faith in His servants."---T.A-S

"The work of God in the lives of His people is designed to make them 'partakers of His holiness.'  He undertakes their training in His school with the intention that, however difficult in practice the course may be, it will yield 'the peaceable fruit of righteousness' in the lives of those who undergo it.

"This evidently represents His norm--no short-cuts and no exceptions.  At least, He did not make an exception of Abraham, or Joseph, or Moses, or any of the great men and women whose names are listed in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews.  Their training lasted for decades and led them into painful situations and difficult places.  But their lives, as a result, were incomparably fruitful." ---J.P.

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him" (Psalms 62:5).

MILES J. STANFORD

2 Tim 2:15  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a  workman  that needeth  not  to  be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

"FOR OF HIM, AND THROUGH HIM, AND TO HIM, ARE ALL THINGS:  TO WHOM BE GLORY FOR EVER AMEN."

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.

[nChrist]

FRIDAY OCT 3, 2003 - NOTHING BUT A NOTHING

"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" (1 Peter 3:15).

Many sincere believers are apt to put up an insincere front in order to "protect the Gospel." so as not to "let the Lord down."  But He will increase, if we but decrease.  There is nothing like being nothing!

"It is true that there is the hunger to be devoted, and to be like the Lord Jesus, long before one's acts and manner corroborate the hunger, and make it a fact; but the more the hungers which grace has generated  in your heart are given a place, the sooner will they become experiential facts; and the more the Lord Jesus has His throne within you, the more you will 'rejoice in Him and have no confidence in the flesh' " (Philippians 3:3).

" 'I know so little of the Lord Jesus,' one may say, and this may be true; but every grace that is in Him is in every saint, though not developed.  If I am a babe in Christ, where there is true lowliness of heart, I display God, as a babe manifesting Him; but if, as a babe, I am attempting to manifest Him as a man, there will be frustration and failure.

"My wisdom will be, not to set myself up above that which I really am. If walking in true lowliness and manifesting that measure of the Lord Jesus in which we have grown, there will be certain progress." ----W.K.

"Perhaps there is nothing so hard as not to appear anything but what you are. If you do so to your advantage, you will be some day found out, but if to your disadvantage, there is no doubt that He who searcheth the heart and trieth the reins will one day vindicate you."

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

MILES J. STANFORD

2 Tim 2:15  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a  workman  that needeth  not  to  be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

"FOR OF HIM, AND THROUGH HIM, AND TO HIM, ARE ALL THINGS:  TO WHOM BE GLORY FOR EVER AMEN."

Web Site:
Grace And The Truth
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/

Email:
GraceNtheTruth Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
GraceNTheTruth@aol.com

Please forward this to a friend or family member. Click the email link above and request a subscription to the "Daily Inspirational". We will be happy to add you to our email list.