GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATIONAL 1

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~Daily Inspirational ~ "How to Have Boldness" FEB. 21, 2005



"How to Have Boldness"

Scripture Reading:

"And [pray] for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." -- Ephesians 6:19,20

In our modern day there is a great demand for instant success.  We read frequently of how many have risen to fame and fortune practically overnight.  Seldom, however, do we hear of the hours of labor, practice, sacrifice and discipline it took to build that career.  Most times we only hear and see the end result.  Many have been deceived and disillusioned to think that they can have fame and fortune with little or no effort.

In these days in which we live, the world seems to have a powerful influence over the lives of many believers.  For this reason many members of the Body of Christ are looking for that book, conference or seminar that will be a shortcut to spiritual maturity.   When it comes to our spiritual lives and having boldness of faith we want instant results with little or no effort put into it.   As a Pastor, I would have to say that to have boldness in the faith as the Apostle says, there must be three key ingredients.

Time: Just as physical growth takes years, spiritual growth also takes time.  As we come to spiritual maturity we become more and more confident to speak out for the Lord.  It takes time to learn that we have to take our eyes off of ourselves which causes us to be reluctant to speak because of the fear of men.

Discipline: It takes discipline to sit down with the Word of God and study to acquire a knowledge of the Scriptures.  We don't mean just reading the Bible devotionally.  It is said that we retain only about 20 percent of what we read.  But, if we read and study, we retain about 60 percent when comparing Scripture with Scripture.  The better equipped you are in the Word of God the more comfortable you will be to share the truth, rightly divided.

Consistency: If we are to gain the respect of others in order to more effectively minister the gospel, we must be consistent with the truth. Don't sound an uncertain trumpet, be able to substantiate what you teach with the Blessed Book.  Not only should we speak the truth in love consistently, we must also live the truth.  Our lives are the only Bibles some men see.  That's why the Apostle Paul warns us to put "away lying, [and] speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another" (Eph. 4:25).  True boldness in the faith does not come naturally, it is  something we grow into as we increase in the knowledge of Him Who has called us into the glorious light.

By Pastor Paul M. Sadler,

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

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

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

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~Daily Inspirational ~ "PAST HISTORY" FEB. 22, 2005



PAST HISTORY

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21).

The Lord Jesus was in our place of death and judgment; we are in His place of life and glory.

Romans Seven describes the experience of the believer who has been shown by the law principle the terrible consequences of his position in Adam.  Romans Eight describes the experience of the believer who knows what it is to be "in Christ," and who is being made free experientially from "the law of sin and death" by "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus."

"It is of immense importance for every Christian to know that 'our old man' has been fully judged and ended before God.  Not changed or forgiven, but utterly condemned in the death of the Lord Jesus.  'God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin and in the flesh' (Romans 8:3).  Where sin brought us, love brought the Lord Jesus -- even to death; and His death is the end before God of all that we were as children of Adam -- men in the flesh.

"On the other hand, we have life in One who is risen from the dead.  We did belong to the race of which Adam was head; but the death of Christ is, in God's reckoning, the termination of our history in Adam.  A new Head has been provided for us, and we have been transferred by divine grace from Adam to Christ." -- C. A. C.

"He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves; but unto Him" (2 Cor. 5:15)

By M. Stanford

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

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

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

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~Daily Inspirational ~ "COST OF LEADERSHIP" FEB. 23, 2005


"COST OF LEADERSHIP"

"Love suffereth long, and is kind" (1 Cor. 13:4)

The price of leadership remains high and hard; it may be cheap and easy for the dictator, for the hireling, but never for the shepherd.  The dictator dominates; the hireling flee; but the good shepherd loves his sheep ad is loved by them.  He lays down his life for the sheep.  True spiritual leadership  involves this principal: "Deaths working in me works life in you" (2 Cor.4:12, Cony.).

"It is the quality of leaders that they can bear to be sat on, absorb shocks, act as a buffer,  bear being much plagued.  Moses put up with the complaints and the waywardness and revolt of the people.  He pursued a steady course, enduring as seeing Him who is invisible.  The wear and the tear and the continual friction and trials which come to the servants of God are a great test of character."-- F. M.

"Bridge the gaps!  A bridge means something - generally a life laid down.  The very simplest bridge, a plank thrown across a stream, was once part of the tree standing erect, sapping life from the earth, and beautifying all the area around it.  Now it is dead, but perhaps saves other lives; anyway it helps to make others useful, and its content to push others on, unnoticed, unthanked. 'Seekest thou great things for thyself?  seek them not,' just be a bridge.  It is so simple.  See that others are placed on the right track with God through the Lord Jesus.  When they get there, they will not thank you, will never look back probably at the bridge; but the Great Architect will know and love and care."-- E.W.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 2:5).
By M. Stanford

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

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

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

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~Daily Inspirational ~ "THE WORD OF TRUTH" FEBRUARY 25, 2005


THE WORD OF TRUTH

In Eph. 1:13 the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and believing "the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation." This declaration is substantiated by many other passages of Scripture. Our Lord said: "He that heareth... and believeth... hath everlasting life" (John 5:24). This at a time when sacrifices and baptism were still required for the remission of sins. Even then men had to hear and believe to be saved, for "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Now, however, salvation is received by hearing and believing alone. Works for salvation are not merely unnecessary; they are forbidden.

Today salvation is "to him that worketh not, BUT believeth" (Rom. 4:5). "For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST" (Eph.2:8,9).

God has changed His dealings with men from time to time down through the ages, teaching one lesson at a time. This is why it is so important to note the dispensational distinctions in Scripture, "rightly dividing the Word of truth."

Once the works of the Law were required for salvation: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested" (Rom. 3:21) and men are saved solely by faith in Christ, "being justified freely by [God’s] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). We are saved, then, as we hear and believe what Paul calls, "the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation" (Eph. 1:13), and we are established in the faith as we obey II Tim.2:15: "rightly dividing the Word of truth."

By C. R. Stam

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

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

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

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~Daily Inspirational ~ "ABOUNDING GRACE" FEBRUARY 26, 2005


"ABOUNDING GRACE"

In the Word of God following the statement in Romans 5:20, "Where sin abounded grace did much more abound," this question is asked: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

"Christ died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again" (II Cor. 5:15). "For in that Christ died, He died unto sin once; but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God" (Rom. 6:10).

"Christ died for our sins." If Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man, then by that same grace of God every believer is dead unto sin. Very few of God's people have fully appreciated, or even appropriated, the blessed truth of identification that is, the glorious fact that the redeemed sinner is identified with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection.  He has been baptized (identified) into the death of Christ; and by the same Divine baptism he has been raised to walk in newness of life He is also seated with Christ where Christ is, far above principality, power, and dominion (Eph.1:20 and 2:6).

It is very interesting to study the 4 "much more's" in the fifth chapter of Romans, and learn that God's grace is altogether sufficient for every, task, every test, every trial, every temptation, every tribulation, and every thorn of every believer.  What a wonderful statement we have in II Corinthians 9:8, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency, in all things, may abound to every good work."

Surely this super-abounding, inexhaustible grace, this ample provision for all things, leaves all believers without excuse. When the child of God blunders and fails, stumbles and falls, it is not because of any shortage of Divine grace. This marvelous provision for the believer's spiritual life of victory is definitely stated in Titus 2:11 to 13, which we quote: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation  hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this  present world; looking for that blessed hope, and  the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."

And when that blessed hope is realized, believers shall be saved from the very presence of sin. They shall then appear with Christ in glory and come into a new realization of that eternity of  grace expressed in Ephesians 2:7; "In the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

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

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

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

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~Daily Inspirational ~ "EFFORTLESS GRACE" MARCH 2, 2005


"EFFORTLESS GRACE"

"God...  called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me" (GAL. 1:15,16.)

Just think!  Our Father has placed us in eternal and living union with His Son, that He, not we, may "be."  Moreover, He has placed His Holy Spirit eternally within us that He, not we, may "do."  Further, He has given us the necessary faith and Scripture that we may rest in this wonderful reality, trusting Him "to will and  to do of His good pleasure."  This is a far cry from futile struggle and frustrating self-effort!

"Christians in the main groan and strive and struggle largely on the basis of human effort where the grace of God, through acknowledged, is scarcely operative -- only to come to grief.  Even at their best, they find the purpose of the Lord Jesus remains an I ideal infinitely beyond their reach.  The trouble lies in the fact that they are proceeding on the wrong basis."

"God does not expect them, as a result of their only endeavors, to be like the Lord Jesus.  He expects them to realize the utter impossibility of such a thing (as in Romans Seven, where Paul comes to the end of himself).  He expects them to know the Lord Jesus as their very life, disowning any other.  He expects them to realize their position of absolute oneness with Christ, for He 'as blessed them with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places and Christ' ( Eph. 1:3)" -- F.J.H.

"Be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
(2 Timothy to 2:1, ASV.)
By M.Staford

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

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

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

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~Daily Inspirational ~ "RISEN FARE" MARCH 3, 2005


"RISEN FARE"

"He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna" (Deut. 8:3)

The wilderness wanderers were maintained by manna, but those in Canaan flourished on "the old corn of the land."  The carnal Christian exists on the milk of the Word, while the hungry-hearted believer feeds and matures on the meat of the Word.

"The old corn of Canaan typifies what the risen and ascended Lord ministers directly to us now by the Holy Spirit.  Those who appropriate their position in Christ feed no longer merely on the manna, which represents Christ as supporting our life while we yet 'know Him not' as regards any intimate fellowship."

"If positional truth, rather than the duties of the attainment, were taught first to the saints, much more satisfactory results would follow the ministry of many Christian workers. We should note most carefully that Israel was brought into Canaan, all uncircumcised and unworthy as they were, before they were asked to take the circumcision, separated position as the people of God, or enter upon their warfare."

So we, as believers, have been already brought by Jesus Christ our Head, in His death and resurrection, into the 'heavenly places', and to us have been given 'all things that pertain unto life and godliness (2 Peter 13).   And it is always on the ground of where we already are, and what we already are, and what we already have, that the Holy Spirit shows us our blessed privileges and responsibilities of 'the calling wherewith we are called'" --W.R.N.

"And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land."  (Joshua 5:12)
By M. Sanford

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

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

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

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http://www.graceandthetruth.com/pop_up.htm
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~Daily Inspirational ~ "BOLDNESS TODAY" MARCH 4, 2005


"BOLDNESS TODAY"

Some may suppose that it would require little boldness today to proclaim grace in all its purity. Who is ever persecuted now, at least in free, enlightened lands, for preaching Gods grace? Ah, but do not be deceived. Satan was no less active in his opposition to the truth when Constantine exalted the professing Church to prominence than when his predecessors persecuted the Church and sent its members to death by fire and sword. Indeed, the devil was doubtless more successful in Constantine's day than he had been when persecution raged.

Does any believer in the Word of God suppose that Satan has relented in his opposition to the truth today, just because men, at least in this land, are not burned at the stake or thrown to the lions? Do not be misled. Satan's enmity against God and against His Word continues undiminished. His hatred of "the gospel of the grace of God," is as bitter, and his opposition to it as determined as it ever was. But well does he know that the constant discouragements connected with being in the minority often succeed in silencing those who would stand against physical persecution.

Today Satan uses the new evangelicalism with its highly-organized, highly-financed campaigns -- and its woeful lack of doctrinal and dispensational teaching of the Word -- to neutralize the saints. Multitudes are attracted to these neo-evangelical extravaganzas, at which the participants are for the most part performers, and those who stand for the truth often feel very small as compared to the vast unthinking majority. But let us never forget that God uses "things that are not" to accomplish His work (See I Cor. 1:26-29).

Let us, who know and love the truth, then, determine by Gods grace that nothing shall make us unfaithful to our glorious commission; that, whatever the cost, we shall faithfully and boldly proclaim to others the unadulterated gospel of the grace of God, "the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery."

By C.R. Stam

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

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

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

Click Below For FREE Email Subscription:
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/pop_up.htm
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~Daily Inspirational ~ "EVERY-MAN EVANGELISM" MARCH 5, 2005


"EVERY-MAN EVANGELISM"

"Do the work of an evangelist." Paul’s Spirit-inspired injunction in II Tim. 4:5 applies indirectly to every believer in Christ. Are not our pastors simply leaders in the work of the Lord? Shall the congregation sit idly by as the pastor alone does "the work of an evangelist?" God forbid! The pastor is rather to be an example to his flock to go and do likewise.

How well this writer recalls the days of the so-called Darby-Scofield movement when multitudes all over the country thronged to hear Bible teachers like Gaebelein, Gray, Gregg, Ottman, Chafer and Newell. These able men of God expounded the Word as the "blessed hope" of the Lord’s return was being recovered. But these Bible teachers were evangelists too, in the truest sense of the word, and their evangelism was contagious.

In those days almost all premillenarians, including the young people, carried New Testaments in their pockets wherever they went. Why? They hoped and prayed for opportunities to testify to others about God’s plan of salvation through Christ and they wanted to show them the way from Scripture. In those days if a Christian failed to have a New Testament with him he was apt to be reproved with the words: "What! a soldier without a sword?" By contrast few believers carry New Testaments about with them today, and they certainly don’t carry Bibles!

Some are telling us today that this brand of fundamentalism is out of date and ineffective in these fast-changing times. We reply that all of us ought to get back to this brand of fundamentalism, this earnest effort to personally win souls to Christ by showing them God’s plan of salvation from the Scriptures.

God help his people in general and each spiritual leader in particular, to "do the work of an evangelist."

By C.R. Stam

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

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

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

Click Below For FREE Email Subscription:
http://www.graceandthetruth.com/pop_up.htm
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~Daily Inspirational ~ "That Precious Deposit" MARCH 10, 2005


That Precious Deposit - Page 1

Scripture


"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7

The story is told of how a wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.  They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.  They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.  When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war.  He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.  The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.  About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door.  A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.  He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life.  He saved many lives that day, and he  was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly.  He often talked about you, and your love for art."

The young man held out his package.  "I know this isn't very much, I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."  The father opened the package.  It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man.  He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting.  The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.  He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.  "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."  The father hung the portrait over his mantle.  Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the great works of art he had collected.

The man died a few months later.  Shortly thereafter, there was to be a great auction of his paintings.  Many influential people gathered,  excited over seeing the great paintings and having the opportunity to purchase one for their collection.  On the platform sat the painting of the son.  The auctioneer pounded his gavel.  "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son.  Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence.  Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings.  Skip this one."  But the auctioneer persisted.  "Will someone bid for this painting?  Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"  Another voice shouted angrily.  "We didn't come to see this painting.  We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts.  Get on with the real bids!"  But still the auctioneer continued.  "The son!  The son!  Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room.  It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son.  "I'll give $10 for the painting."  Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.  "We have $10, who will bid $20?"  "Give it to him for $10.  Let's see the masters."  The crowd was becoming angry.  They didn't want the picture of the son.  They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.  The auctioneer pounded the gavel.  "Going once, going twice, SOLD for $10!"  A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection."

The auctioneer laid down his gavel.  "I'm sorry, the auction is over."   "What about the paintings?"  "I am sorry.  When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time.  Only the painting of the son would be auctioned.  Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.  The man who took the son gets every thing!"

God gave His Son 2000 years ago to die on a cruel Cross.  Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?"  Because, you see, whoever takes the Son inherits everything!

=================See Page 2

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~Daily Inspirational ~ " That Precious Deposit" MARCH 10, 2005


That Precious Deposit - Page 2

EARTHEN VESSELS

In biblical times earthen vessels were clay pots that had been thoroughly baked in an oven.  They were fraught with imperfections, which meant that no two were exactly alike.  Archaeologists have discovered that those who lived during that period secretly buried their treasures in clay pots for safekeeping.  As we shall see, the master illustrator uses this facet of everyday life to illustrate a grand spiritual truth.

Those who have taken the Son are heirs, joint-heirs with Him.  As members of the Body of Christ, we are partakers of His glory, His  power, and His reign.  In short, we are the recipients of the wealth of heaven!  While the believing Gentiles will partake of the blessings of the kingdom, they were never promised to be heirs.  In the kingdom, heirship is a question of nationality.  In the present dispensation of Grace, heirship is based upon relationship.  We are one in Him.  Therefore, we have come into possession of what rightfully belongs to Him, and will share it mutually with Him for eternity (Rom. 8:17 cf. Eph. 3:6).

Today when men want to safeguard their riches they place them in vaults made of steel and concrete.  But God's ways are not man's ways. God has deposited the riches of His grace in earthen vessels.  We need not wait until we arrive in heaven to learn what we presently possess in Christ.  We have this treasure, that is, the gospel of the grace of God in earthen vessels.  Those who have been saved by grace are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies.  But what we positionally enjoy in Christ must become a practical reality in the Christian experience if we ever hope to maintain a godly testimony among men.  For example, we are forgiven in Christ, but grace teaches us that we are to forgive others even as Christ has forgiven us.

But why would God place these unspeakable riches in such an unsecure place?  We are unworthy sinners, weak and frail, who have the sentence of death within us.  Perhaps the hymn-writer, Robert Robinson, has expressed it best, "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it,  prone to leave the God I love."  The answer to the question is found in the latter part of our passage.  "That the excellency [exceeding greatness] of the power may be of God, and not of us."  While others usually think more highly of us than they should, essentially it is the power of God working through us that produces results in the Lord's work.

Many years ago I was invited to minister the gospel at a Bible camp in the Rocky Mountains.  On the last evening, I spoke on "The Danger of Falling Into the Hands of An Angry God."  Earlier that day I hadn't been feeling well, due to altitude sickness.  In addition to being exhausted that night, I was short of breath.  At ten thousand feet it doesn't take much to get winded.  I now understand why it took Moses so long to return from Mount Sinai with the tablets of stone.  He undoubtedly had to keep stopping on his way down to catch his breath!  As I arose to speak that evening I thought to myself, this is going to be an absolute disaster.  It was, or at least I thought it was, until I learned two months later that an entire family was saved that night. Brethren, the gospel is the "power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom 1:16).

By Paul M. Sadler,

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

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

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

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[nChrist]

~Daily Inspirational ~ SAVED BY LIFE MARCH 11, 2005


“SAVED BY LIFE” - Page 1

  So much talk on "getting" saved..which is good sounding however, the real problem is NOT that we need to be saved, but that we need "LIFE"..Sure it is great to know one day we can be spared from the "wrath" that will be unleashed on this world such has never been and never will be again, or that we won't go to hell. However what the real issue for us is that we need "LIFE" not just to have for eternity, but to have as a source of strength to draw from NOW!

   From the fall of man forward we have desperately seeking ways to establish ways to be saved. From come get our sins forgiven through alter calls, to confessional booths, followed up with so acts or rituals to be cleansed to reassure the saved state. It goes on and on. Why do we do these things? What is it we are trying to save ourselves from? Can we save ourselves? Why is it when you talk with saved people they really seem lost? Perhaps the following can shed some light on some of these questions.

Roman 5:12 "Therefore just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world (we are all born physically alive, but spiritually dead) and death through sin and so death spread to all men because all sinned."

1 Cor 15: 22 " For as in Adam all die (not physically only), so also in Christ all will be made alive."

We all inherited the death sentence. This is what we need to be saved from. This is in not because of what we do, although what we do proves our state of condition. We are all born spiritually dead. Jesus Christ the redeemer continued to hammer to mankind while visiting this earth the state of our condition. He constantly was magnifying the Law to those around to show our condition does not rest in how we behave but it is in us! Looking outwardly at ourselves or others can lead to a false sense of security to this inner state of being. Someone could look really good outside, having developed some commendable habits such as giving a tithe. This however does nothing for the inner state or condition for which we need to be saved from.

Matthew 5: 27-28 "You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery" (This is a behavior we can restrain.) But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (inner condition)." There is something deeper in man that needs to dealt with other then just restraining our behavior. Christ was showing that it is not our behavior that we should rest in, but our heart is where we should focus. We have a spiritual condition the bible calls death. We are all guilty and have this condition, and unless we recognize it and do something about it we will remain that way FOREVER.

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death (spiritual death), but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

God through the person of Jesus Christ wants to offer us as a gift and that is eternal life. That will take care of our current condition of death.

John 5:21 "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them eternal life, even so the Son also gives (a gift can't earn it) to whom He wishes.

All through God's Word our condition of spiritually dead people is revealed, It is hard for us to believe that we are dead, since we are alive physically. But the reality is we are dead in our hearts, they need restoration or life, spirit life injected into them. The real issue is not that I got saved although important, but that I have Life. Look how Nicodemus pondered this in

John 3:9 "Nicodemus said to Him, "How can these things be?" He could not figure out how we could be alive and yet dead. Read the whole account.

John 3:4: Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born can he?" Being alive physically he could not understand the reality that the inner man was in a state of spiritual death.

=========================See Page 2

[nChrist]

~Daily Inspirational ~ SAVED BY LIFE MARCH 11, 2005


“SAVED BY LIFE” - Page 2

John 3: 15-16 "So that whoever believes will in Him have eternal Life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal Life.  We need to come to grips on what we need to be saved from, which is spiritual death. When we come to terms with this reality we are prepared to accept what the Father did through His Son and receive the "LIFE" that is freely given to us. Once we are ready for this we then can receive the resurrected "LIFE" of Our Lord Jesus Christ within us. When we receive Christ there is no more doubts about what we received because we have His resurrected "LIFE" and there is no worry about being lost, or resaved again. It is a done deal.

John 6: 39-40 "This is the will of Him who sent Me, That of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, (this includes every believer) But raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." Did you every question God's will for you? If you did two times it is stated what it is, and that is that Christ will loose nothing and He wants you to have Eternal Life.

Receiving this gift, "LIFE" Christ's own life does simply believe nothing else. No rituals, no barriers, no behavior modifications. Just simple belief in what God did for us in and through His Son. He died, was buried, and rose again so He could be freely offered in total completeness to those who receive Him. God truly wants to save each and every one of us, He could save me today from a car accident, or financial calamity for example, but this would do no good for my security in my tomorrow's or my eternity. What He really wants to give is "LIFE."

John 3:16 " For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish, but have eternal life." Those who believe and receive the Son never have to worry again what they need to be saved from. "Christ in You" will then be your all and all and will be with you every step of every way of your life until you meet Him face to face. We have an AWESOME GOD!  Enjoy Him today!


By Thomas Nitz

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

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

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

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[nChrist]

~Daily Inspirational ~ "THE CROSS, THEN CONSECRATION" MARCH 12, 2005


"THE CROSS, THEN CONSECRATION"

"The carnal mind is enmity against God: For it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7).

The Cross is the altar upon which God sacrificed His Son.  It is upon this same Cross (take up your Cross "daily"), this same altar (the place of death), that I am to be concentrated to God as "a new creation" (2 Cor. 5:17).  This eventuates in my intelligently yielding myself to Him as one who is "alive from the dead" (Romans 6:13).

"God asks us to present our bodies as living sacrifices to Him (Romans 12:1).  Until we have done this, there is nothing else we can do.  But notice that this exhortation comes after Romans Six.  There is a reason for this order -- crucifixion comes before consecration.  Uncrucified self refuses to be consecrated (to say nothing of God's refusing to accept it).  That is why so many people with all sincerity walk down the aisles again and again, consecrating uncrucified self to God."  -- H.D.

"We must learn to know Him and to love Him.  Then we will not have to struggle to move into consecration.  The heart will lead the into it.  A lover never thinks about giving himself to a loved one.  He cannot do otherwise.  He loves to do it.  Is there not here a key to consecration?  Why do we not yield?  Because we do not love.  Why do we have to fight the battle and vow and groan and struggle?  Because we do not know Him."

"That I may know Him...  and the fellowship of His sufferings" (Phil. 3:10).

By M. Sanford

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

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

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

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[nChrist]

~Daily Inspirational ~ "How To Have A Good Relationship" MARCH 13, 2005


"How To Have A Good Relationship"

Good relationships are built on individual responsibility. We cannot rely on how we are being treated by others, good or bad, as a basis for how we respond to others. What we rely on is our position in Christ. Who we are in him positionally as opposed to where we are in time and space.

Christ was responsible, faithful, to do the will of his father independent of the nature of his relationship with the twelve, the lost, the saved or even his father. Remember he endured the wrath of God against him for sinners who hated him. He endured the emotional travail of his Father turning his back on him. He could do this because he knew some things. He knew who he was. He knew what he was doing. And he had absolute confidence in the Word Of God.

Paul, our pattern, endured the loss of all things including the love and support of those of “the faith” and yet he could say at the end of his life… I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. He could do this because he knew who he was in Christ. He knew what he was doing in Christ and he had absolute confidence in the Word Of God.

Our relationships cannot be built upon the shifting sands of emotion, circumstance, expectation of others or wishful thinking. Our relationships with others, spousal, parental, professional or spiritual will only work properly as we are properly oriented in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is not only the savior of our souls but of our life also. Galatians 2:20-21

Therefore, we must know who we are. We must then respond to the circumstances and relationships of life from that position. It is a learning process but it is more than just a learning process.

There is a warfare going on internally within the believer. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. There is a warfare going on externally around the believer as well. These wars are designed to distract, ensnare, discourage and captivate the believer. If the enemy cannot stop the message then the messenger must be stopped.

We are more than equal to the task at hand as long as we operate from a proper power base. This power base is knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom being the application of knowledge. The knowledge of the Holy, for that is what the saints are, is based in a belief system that simply says “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”  Learn who you are “in Christ. Believe who you are “in Christ”. Be who you are “in Christ.”

By Pastor Doug Dodd

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

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

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

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