Daily Inspirational

[Brother Love]

GOD: A JUST JUDGE

How just are the judgments of God! In Rom. 2:16 St. Paul says: "God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Notice carefully what this in-
volves:

1.  He will judge "the secrets of men." In human courts there are often miscarriages of justice because all the facts are not brought to light. But at the "Great White Throne" there will be a Judge with "eyes... as a flame of fire" (Rev. 19:12), before whom no secret can remain hidden. (See also
Heb. 4:13).

2.  He will judge the secrets of men "by Jesus Christ." Not the Father, but the Son will preside at the judgment of the unsaved. John 5:22 declares that "the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son" and Verse 27 adds that the Father has given the Son this authority "because He is the Son of man." This insures just judgment, for, men will be judged in that day by the One who loved them enough to become a man that He might understand and help men, and even die for their sins.

3.  He will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ "acccording to my gospel," says Paul. How eminently fair and just this is. If He judged men according to the law of Moses no one ever would be saved, for all of us have broken the Law. Moreover the children of fallen Adam, because of their depraved nature, cannot consistently keep the Law.  
Thus they will not be judged on the basis of that which they were unable to live up to. This is why He will judge men according to the good news proclaimed by Paul, which is the  great truth that salvation is denied to no one who takes God at His Word and ap-proaches Him in His way. His way for today?  "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."
     
"To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:5).

By C. R. Stam

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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.

[Brother Love]

THE GIFT OF GOD




Men have given many gifts to each other down through the ages, but in James 1:17 we read that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above," and comes to us from
God. The greatest of these gifts is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the redemption He has purchased for us. In speaking to the sinner-woman at Sychar’s well, our Lord
drew a picture, contrasting the barrenness of her own life with the refreshing joy of salvation, saying:

"If thou knewest THE GIFT OF GOD, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water... Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst..." (John 4:10-14).

By nature we are all sinners, but by the grace of God we all may be saved.

"For the wages of sin is death, but THE GIFT OF GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).

"For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of your- selves; it is THE GIFT OF GOD: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9).

Thus St. Paul speaks of "the gift of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:7) and constantly emphasizes the fact that salvation is a free gift.

But a gift is not possessed until it is accept-ed. Thus the Apostle, in Rom. 5:17, refers to those who "RECEIVE abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness."

Those who receive Christ and the salvation He has wrought for them, find it natural to exclaim with Paul- "THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!" (II Cor. 9:15).


By Cornelius R. Stam

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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.

[Brother Love]

A FAMOUS YOUNG MAN




Has it ever occurred to you how Timothy became so famous a young man?

H. L. Hastings tells of a group of British archeologists who, years ago, came upon a huge marble slab, evidently very ancient, high atop a mountain where no one would be
apt to find it -- or remove it.

Experts were called upon to decipher the hieroglyphics which covered the marble monument. They found them to be a de-claration by an ancient ruler of his great exploits, and an explanation that he had  used this means of recording his deeds so as to secure to himself everlasting fame.

The trouble was that no one could find any historical account of a king who bore this name or who had accomplished the glorious exploits recorded on the marble slab! Thus the archeologists had found, engraved in marble, a glowing self-tribute to -- whom? It might as well have been to nobody!

By striking contrast, young Timothy has been well known by Christian people all over the world for nearly two thousand years! During all this time, without interruption, he has been read about, written about, preached about and used as an example of consistent Christian conduct.

Yet, have you ever read one great deed done by Timothy? Have you ever read of one great sermon from his lips, one brilliant book or letter from his pen, one great exploit of any kind? No, you hardly know more than that he was a young preacher, a friend of Paul, and that he had been taught the Scriptures in early life by his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice (II Tim. 1:5), so that Paul could now write to him:

"...FROM A CHILD THOU HAST KNOWN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, WHICH ARE ABLE TO MAKE THEE WISE UNTO SALVATION, THROUGH FAITH WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS" (II Tim. 3:15).

By C.R. Stam

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Daily Inspirational

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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.

[Brother Love]

Daily Inspirational


MORTIFY THOSE EARTHLY MEMBERS



"MORTIFY THEREFORE YOUR MEMBERS WHICH ARE UPON THE EARTH...." Paul lists such sins as "..fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Col.3:5), and he says concerning these sins:

"For which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience" (Ver.6).

How beautiful is the grace of God! The wrath of God does not come upon us, but His GRACE is showered upon us. Therefore DO NOT repay such love with ingratitude.

Rather, as he says in Romans 6:11-13, "reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin" and "alive unto God...", or as here in Colossians:

"PUT TO DEATH" those very sins for which God’s wrath does come upon the children of disobedience.

And he adds, "PUT OFF" these sins also: "...anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication..." (Col.3:8,9). "...PUT OFF the old man with his deeds", and...

"AND PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH IS RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE AFTER THE IMAGE OF HIM THAT CREATED HIM" (Col.3:10).

"PUT ON therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, [inner feelings] of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."

"AND ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS PUT ON CHARITY, WHICH IS THE BOND OF PERFECTION" (Col.3:12-14).

"AND LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful" (Col.3:15).

"LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonish-ing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col.3:16).

There is no other avenue of wisdom today whereby the Spirit of God works in the hearts and lives of men and women, boys and girls, than THE WORD OF GOD. And especially the Word of God, "rightly divided", as we find it today in the Epistles of St. Paul. No other source can "renew our minds" today except "the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery" (Rom.16:25). So "LET THIS WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM..." (Col.3:16).

"AND WHATSOEVER YE DO in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (Col.3:17).

By Russell S. Miller

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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.

[Brother Love]

Daily Inspirational

The Exceeding Greatness of God's Power



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

What can be accomplished in the believer by that power?

How can the believer appropriate and apply that power?

THE MEASURE OF GOD'S POWER TO US-WARD

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

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

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

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

The Lord of Glory was crucified; put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.  Christ died for our sins: He was buried and was raised again on the third day.  He dealt with sin, which He put away by the sacrifice of Himself.  Then He abolished death and hath brought life and incorruptibility to light in the gospel.  In this redemp-tive work Christ proved His Deity, vindicated and satis-fied Divine righteousness and justice; and fulfilled His word:  "l lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.  I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again" (John 10:17-18).  It must be admitted that such power is Divine power.

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

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

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

By J.C.O.


                    Look for part 2 tomorrow

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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.

[Brother Love]

Daily Inspirational


The exceeding greatness of God's Power

Part Two



ACCOMPLISHED BY
GOD'S POWER

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

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


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

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

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



APPROPIATION AND APPLICATION

Believers are exhorted to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:7).  Quite a big order for one who has many other duties. But it is God's order.  And the principal is always, "Be it unto you according to your faith."

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

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

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

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

Thanks to be to God, who in CHRIST always leads us in triumphant procession. 2 Corinthians 2:14.
J.C.O.


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Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

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Daily Inspirational

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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.

[Brother Love]

Two Minutes With The Bible

THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST


by K. R. Blades



PART 1

The apostle Paul uses the above expression at least 7 times in his epistles to us, and with it speaks of something that often times is not fully appreciated by Christians as it ought to be. The expression strikes many as a peculiar one. “Faith” is something that we think of with respect to ourselves. We place OUR faith IN Christ. Therefore, to find Paul talking about “the faith OF Jesus Christ,” or CHRIST'S faith, seems puzzling. Because of this, unfortunately, many times the expression is treated as if it were a misstatement. Christians are told, or led to think, that the expression really does refer to our faith IN Christ, but it has just been mistranslated. The impression is given that the expression is just a funny wording in the original Greek. It really does say “the faith OF Jesus Christ,” but it's to be looked upon as just a funny way of referring to our faith IN Him. And with this, many English translations make the expression refer to our faith IN Christ, though some do at least acknowledge in a foot note that literally the expression is “the faith OF Jesus Christ.” However, unfortunately, by doing this a wonderful truth is largely obscured, if not completely obliterated. A wonderful God be thanked truth which is marvelously conveyed in the expression “the faith OF Jesus Christ.”

There are two things that ought to make it apparent that Paul's reference to “the faith of Jesus Christ” is referring to something special with respect to Christ, and that it is not just a funny wording for the issue of our faith in Him. First of all, when our faith is the issue, the wording that conveys that is plain. Consider, for example, the following....




“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through FAITH IN HIS BLOOD,...” (Romans 3:25)


“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified BY FAITH without the deeds of the

law.” (Romans 3:28)


“But to him that worketh not, but BELIEVETH ON HIM that justifieth the ungodly,

HIS FAITH is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5)


“For ye are all the children of God BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.” (Gal. 3:26)

“Since we heard of YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS,...” (Col. 1:4)





There's no funny wording in these verses, nor in dozens of others like them in which the issue of our faith in Christ is set forth. This should tell us that the expression “the faith OF Jesus Christ” must be referring to something else. The second thing that makes this apparent is the fact that in the passages where Paul refers to “the faith OF Jesus Christ,” he refers to the issue of our faith IN Christ by a separate expression of its own. Notice this in the following....




“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon ALL THEM THAT BELIEVE:...” (Romans 3:21 22)










“We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a


man is not justified by the works of the law, but by THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST, even we HAVE BELIEVED IN JESUS CHRIST, that we might be justified by THE FAITH OF CHRIST, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Gal. 2:15 16)



“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by FAITH OF

JESUS CHRIST might be given to THEM THAT BELIEVE.” (Gal. 3:22)




“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,

but that which is through THE FAITH OF CHRIST, the righteousness which is of God BY FAITH:” (Phil. 3:9)




Paul is not being redundant in these verses. He's not simple stating the issue of our faith in Christ twice. Instead, “the faith OF Jesus Christ” is one thing, and our faith in Him is something else. In fact, placing our faith in Christ is something we do because of “the faith OF Him.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

“The faith OF Jesus Christ” is referring to His faithful performance as our substitute redeemer. It refers to Christ's FIDELITY. His faithful performance in our place doing that which we needed done for us. The word “faith” is being used in its quality sense. In this sense it denotes the quality of faithfulness; fidelity; or loyalty. An example of this use of the word “faith” is found in Romans 3:3 4, where the apostle Paul asks the question....



“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make THE FAITH OF GOD without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;...” (Romans 3:3-4a)




Obviously, “THE FAITH OF GOD” here is not God's faith in anyone, nor is it anyone's personal faith in God. Rather, it is the issue of God's faithfulness. His faithfulness to His word and to do what He says He will do. This is why Paul responds to the question by saying, “Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar.” God is true and faithful to His word. The “FAITH OF GOD” is His faithfulness to do what He says He will do. Another example where "faith" has this sense can be seen in Titus 2:10, where Paul exhorts servants to be “obedient unto their own masters,” and to be ones who are “not purloining, but shewing all good FIDELITY.” The word “faith” is rendered here with its sense of quality. Paul is exhorting the servants to be faithful in the performance of their duties to their masters. To show fidelity and loyalty to them.

It is with this same sense of quality that the word “faith” is used in the expression “the faith OF Jesus Christ.” The issue is His faithfulness. Jesus Christ's faithful performance as our substitute redeemer.

[Brother Love]

Daily Inspirational


THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST


by K. R. Blades



PART 2

OUR SUBSTITUTE REDEEMER

The Lord Jesus Christ faithfully and perfectly performed for us the work necessary to deliver us from the debt and penalty of our sins. What we could not do for ourselves by any of our works, He did for us as our substitute redeemer. He took our place, as our redeemer, and suffered the wages of our sins for us. He propitiated God's justice in connection with the penalty of our sins, and perfectly provided for the forgiveness of our sins and our justification by God.

Redemption, as described in the Law and illustrated in the Book of Ruth, sets forth two essential requirements on the part of the redeemer. First, the redeemer had to be capable of functioning as such, and second, he had to be FAITHFUL in the performance of his duty. Faithfulness of performance was an essential issue. If their was no faithfulness on the part of the redeemer, there was no redemption. The one needing redemption was completely dependent upon the faithfulness of the redeemer for deliverance from his predicament. The declaration of the "FAITH," or FAITHFULNESS, of the one redeeming summed up the fact that all the work necessary for redemption had been done and the one needing redemption could trust in and relax in the work of his redeemer.

And so it was with us! The predicament of the debt and penalty of our sins was one from which we could not escape. None of our works, no matter how good or well intended, could propitiate God's justice and justify us in His sight. We desperately needed a redeemer. One who was capable of functioning in our place, and one who would faithfully perform our complete redemption. Thanks be to God for the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Thanks be to God for “THE FAITH(FULNESS) OF JESUS CHRIST.” He did the work we could not do and the declaration of His "FAITH," or FAITHFULNESS, means that can completely trust in Him and relax in what He has done for us.

THE VERSES

Consider now the verses where the apostle Paul uses this magnificent expression. Consider how precious in meaning this wonderful expression is as it conveys the truth of Christ's faithful performance as our substitute redeemer.



“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe:...” (Romans 3:21 22)



“We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a

man is not justified by the works of the law, but by THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by THE FAITH OF CHRIST, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:15 16)



“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by FAITH OF

JESUS CHRIST might be given to them that believe.” (Gal. 3:22)




“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through THE FAITH OF CHRIST, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3:9)




The “righteousness of God”; justification; the promise of justification unto eternal life which men so desperately need, doesn't come through our own performance of works and deeds. Instead, justification is by “THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST.” It's provided for through the faithful performance of Jesus Christ as our substitute redeemer. His faithful performance as our redeemer has provided justification for us, and God justifies all who believe in Jesus Christ; that is, all who trust in Him, relying upon His faithful performance as their redeemer.


“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by THE FAITH OF HIM.” (Ephesians 3:11 12)

Here, in Ephesians chapter 3, the apostle Paul utilizes the expression again as he deals with the grandeur and glory of the eternal purpose of God now made known through the revelation of “the mystery of Christ.” And we, who have trusted Christ as our Savior, are not only justified unto eternal life, but we have been made fit by God to be utilized by Him in His “eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We have been made fit to be utilized by Him in His plan for the reconciliation of the principalities and powers in heavenly places. However, fitness has not come of our own doing, but once again we have been made fit “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (See, for example, Eph. 1:3 7; 2:1-22; Col. 1:12 13) Christ's faithful redemptive work in our place has made us completely fit to be utilized by God in His plan and purpose. Therefore, “we have boldness and access with confidence by THE FAITH OF HIM.”



“For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:19 20)




Likewise also is this expression used regarding `living unto God' in our daily lives. We can't and won't live unto God and bring forth fruit unto Him by our own energy and performance under the law. Rather, we live unto God as we walk motivated by the justified and sanctified position we have in Christ, all through “THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD,” who loved us and gave Himself for us.

What a wonderful truth is conveyed in this expression - “the faith OF Jesus Christ.” If it wasn't for His faithful performance as our substitute redeemer there would be for us no redemption; no forgiveness; no justification; no reconciliation; no sanctification; no nothing.. There would only be wrath in “the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” Thanks be to God for “THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST".

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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.

[Brother Love]

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LAST DAY INSTRUCTIONS




Scripture Reading:  11 Timothy 2:1-16


As members of the Church which is the Body of Christ, we are uniquely qualified and equip-ped for our responsibilities as proclaimers of the gospel of the grace of God. "(Christ) gave  Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (Titus 2:14).  But we are not left to our own devices as to how we are to perform good works.  We are instructed to"speak the things which become sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1).

The Apostle Paul defines our spiritual heri-tage of separation unto service by his in-structions to Timothy.  "The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."  To endure hardness as good sol-diers of Jesus Christ we are to follow the Apostle's instruction to "Put on the whole armour of God...Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth...And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD" (Eph. 6:11, 14, 17).

And how are we to wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God?  BY RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH!  We are blessed with possession of the completed Word of God.  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).  But the proper dispensing of scriptural truths depends altogether upon strict adherence to RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.

ROBERT E. HANNA, Pastor

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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.

[Brother Love]

Daily Inspirational


THE APOSTLES GO TO COURT




Scripture Reading:  Acts 4:5-22






Rightly dividing the Word of truth consists of both contrasts and similarities.  Just as God never changes, so do many of the principles of the relationships between God and His own.  God demands different areas and man-ners of service from different generations of believers.  But  one  constant  factor  has always prevailed regarding faithful devotion and commitment on the part of the servants of God.  That factor is the price of faithful-ness.

This is, to the unbeliever, totally incongruous and paradoxical.  And so it might seem to the child of God---if it were not for his complete acceptance of the instructions of God's holy Word.  

The apostles performed God's expressed will as received.  Having done so, they stood firmly against objectors and defectors.  Even when civil and/or religious leadership is the defiant force, the will of God must be upheld above any or all other authority.  Standing before the Sanhedrin, Peter and John were commanded "not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus."  They unhesitatingly answered, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

God has not assigned to you and me as am-bassadors of the ministry of reconciliation the same mission as that of the apostles.  But we are given this parallel declaration:  "Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29).

ROBERT E. HANNA, Pastor

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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.

[Brother Love]

Daily Inspirational

FEAR FELL ON THEM ALL



Scripture Reading:  Acts 19:17



FEAR friend or foe?  Fear can prepare us for flight or fight.  Fear can paralyze us.  Fear can keep us from the thing that would harm us. Fear of God can deliver us from future judgment when we believe His Word.

In this passage, God is working special miracles by the hands of Paul, and diseased and demon-possessed people were delivered.  Some Jews, sons of the High priest there, decided if Paul could exorcise demons, they could too!  They commanded a demon in one of the possessed people to obey them by the power of "Jesus whom Paul preacheth."  The evil spirit made reply by saying, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?"  At that point, one demon possessed man over-powered the seven Jewish preachers, and they fled for their lives, naked and wounded, minus their clothes!!  This passage shows the seven Jewish sons of the High Priest being overpowered by one demon.  Is this a sequel to chapter 13 where the Jew is blinded and the Gentile sees the light?  In chapter 13 the Jew is blinded and in Chapter 19 he is over-powered by a demon.

Well might fear grip the whole area!  This was the hand of God displaying His change in program.  Fear of the unknown is perhaps the most gripping and paralyzing fear.  When the demon was able to overpower the Jews, little wonder that fear was the result.  Those who understood what was happening did not allow fear to paralyze them.  Verses 18 to 20 show the blessed results of this incident.  Many believed and the Word of God grew and multiplied.  This parallels Acts 5:11 to 14.

HAROLD STEINBRON, Bible Teacher

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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.

[Brother Love]

Daily Inspirational


WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT GOD?  





Scripture Reading:  I Chron. 29:10-13;  Rom 9:5b



    What do you think about God?  Is He "the man upstairs?"  Is He "the good Lord?"  Is He the One who is so high and so holy that no one can approach Him except through sev-eral mediators--Mary, the saints, and the priest?  "Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question,'What comes into your mind when you think about God?'  we might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man."  (A.Z. Tozer)

    Who rules and regulates the affairs on this earth today--God, the Devil, or man?  This also is an important question because it re-lates vitally to what we think about God.  If either Satan is in control or man is in control, then it is obvious that God isn't God at all.  The atheist or humanist or agnostic might admit that man as well as the laws of nature are in control.  But what about those who say they are Christians?  Many, many think that while God is God, and that He "sitteth in the heavens" and is basically running things, they also think that He is in a great degree, a frustrated Deity.  So many are rejecting Christ today, so many heathen have never heard the Gospel, wickedness is so rampant, and the forces of Antichrist are more and more mili-tant, and the world is in such a terrible mess--how can it be that God is in complete control, and that He is working all things after the counsel of His own will?  (Eph. 1:11)

    What a problem this is --indeed!  Yet when we peruse the blessed "Word of truth," we are given the proper perspective:  we see all things through the sovereighty of "the living God," Who is "exalted as Head above all"--"God over all, blessed forever."  Yes, every man has a will, and everyone is morally responsible.  no man is a mere puppet.  Yet god is God, and we must reverently bow with the inspired Psalmist and say, "But our God is in the heavens:  He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased" (115:3).  

            "O God, how wonderful Thou art
            Thy majesty how bright!
            How beautiful Thy mercy-seat
            In depths of burning light!"  (Fredrick W. Faber, 1849


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.

[Brother Love]

Daily Inspirational


[size=]WHO'S IN COMMAND HERE?[/size]




Scripture Reading:  Rom 16:25-27; Ps  33:6-9


The story is told about General Wainwright who was taken as a prisoner of war by the Japanese after the famous Bataan March in the Philippines in 1942.  For the remainder of the war he barely existed in a concentration camp in Manchuria.  But one day an Allied airplane flew into the camp, and an American officer delivered something to the Japanese officers  in charged of the camp.  It was the electric news that Japan had surrendered to the Allies.  This news was relayed to the suf-fering General.  By and By came a Japanese prision officer to order the General to his  tasks and to harass him.  But the weakened but victorious man turned to his tormentor and said.  "I am in command here now!"  

So is God!  But God never had to win the right of being "Commander-in-Chief!"  He always was, He always shall be, and He always is in command.  Did you note this in these two passages we suggest you read? "He commanded, and it stood fast"--the material creation.  The blessed "revelation of the mystery" resulted from "the command-ment of the everlasting God."  God is in command--in all things, even though to our limited and sin-stunted considerations it doesn't look like it!

This is where the subject of the Sovereignity of God comes in.  What do we mean by this term, "The sovereignity  of  God?" We reply with Dr. A.W. Tozer in his excellent book, The Knowledge of the Holy, "God's Sovereignity is the attribute by which He rules His entire creation, and to be sovereign, God must be all-knowing, all powerful, and absolutely free."  This is to further admit that God is the Almighty,  the  Possessor  of all  power  in heaven and earth, the "Governor among the nations"  (Psa. 22:28), the "only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Tim 6:15.)  He is in command!

But the question is:  "Is God in command of my life?"  This you must answer soberly for yourself.  He may be, that is, if you're truly saved and yielded to Him up to the light He has given you in His Word.  He may seem not to be if you're not save, or even if you are but out of His will.  Yet He has a way to gently bring you to Himself and to bring your will into harmony with His.

Pastor Paul Hume

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Should this devotional be a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family member that would like to start receiving the daily word. You may forward this to them, by copy and paste method,  and they can use the below link to subscribe. We love to meet new people

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WEB SITE
Grace And The Truth
www.graceandthetruth.com

E-Mail GracentheTruth@aol.com

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.

[Symphony]

Nice points, BL.  Tozer some good things to say about this, bringing out those essential nice themes from Ephesians and Colossians -

I HAVE to go back and look at those, about the power, or "command" we have in Jesus Christ...

but w/o the arrogance or ruthlessness of, say, the Crusaders, or other, current imposters on the faith of beauty we have in Jesus Christ...

So many times we take this mandate we have in Christ Jesus and immediately abuse it...