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Topic: Daily Inspirational (Read 35043 times)
Brother Love
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"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
Daily Inspirational
«
on:
August 12, 2003, 06:36:08 AM »
~Daily Inspirational~
WEB SITE
Grace And The Truth
www.graceandthetruth.com
" 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.
May God grant you a beautiful day with Him as He
works and lives Hs life through you.
In His grace and love, Paristemi
THAT BLESSED HOPE
Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14
In his letter to the church at Colosse, the apostle Paul speaks of "the hope which is laid up for you in heaven" and "Christ in you, the hope of glory". To the world, the word 'hope' means nothing more than a dream or a desire something desirable but unreach-able or, at the least, doubtful of acquisition. And to many Christians it is a yearning only:
"I hope the Lord will save me in the end and take me to heaven."
But the member of the Church the Body of Christ who rightly divides the Word of truth, knows differently. He knows that the be-liever's hope is an accomplished possession a realization. Paul refers to the Body mem- bers as the "purchased possession" (Eph. 1:14) and a "peculiar people" (Titus 2:14), which is literally defined 'God's own possession'.
Our hope is a Person, the embodiment of flawless perfection in whom we are position-ed and with whom we are identified. In his first epistle to Timothy, Paul's salutation reads, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, WHO IS OUR HOPE". And his prayer for the saints at Ephesus was that they might fully comprehend their treasure. "...That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..." (Ephesians 1:17, 18).
As joint-heirs with Christ we have already come into our inheritance. We need not wish or long for some remote and uncertain bequest from a fickle benefactor; "He HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). And now we live in anticipation of final fulfillment as we are "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ!"
PASTOR ROBERT HANNA
If this devotional is a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family member that would like to start receiving this daily word. You can forward this to them, and they can use the following link to subscribe
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
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Brother Love
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"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
Re:Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #1 on:
August 13, 2003, 04:04:28 AM »
~Daily Inspirational~
WEB SITE
Grace And The Truth
www.graceandthetruth.com
E-Mail
GracentheTruth@aol.com
WALKING IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD
Scripture Reading: Acts 9:31
"Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; an walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." This verse is the result of at least four things. (1) Saul (also knows as Paul) was converted by Christ Jesus. (2). Saul preached that Christ is the Son of God in the synagogues. (3). The official Jews attempted to murder Saul. (4). The true brethren sent Saul far away to Tarsus.
Increase is not always associated with rest. The churches of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria were being edified (built up) and were walk-ing in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. While the idea here is that the churches were increasing numerically, it is certainly true that wherever people fear God and have the comfort of the Holy Spirit, some kind of increase will occur. The work-manship of God cannot be hidden. If we have fear in us, as the result of God's work, it will produce something worthwhile.
What is fear? The common meaning is that of an emotion caused by knowing we are in danger. The other meaning is that fear is the emotion caused by reverence or awe for someone who has great authority. Either one may give rise to the desire for flight or fight. Either one may move us to good works.
Consider some rewards that are produced by fear. It can give us a higher conformity to God's Word. Fear can urge better use of material possessions. It can refine our influence on other people and our attempt to do good to all men. What you sow, you will reap. Let's walk in the fear of the Lord
all of our days!
JOHN MCKAY, Pastor
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aw
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I'm a llama!
Re:Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #2 on:
August 13, 2003, 11:41:56 AM »
May I add Romans 15:13, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit."
In the name of and on the merits of Jesus, the Christ,
aw
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Ambassador4Christ
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Posts: 2873
Are You GOING TO HEAVEN?
Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #3 on:
August 13, 2003, 01:02:06 PM »
Quote from: aw on August 13, 2003, 11:41:56 AM
May I add Romans 15:13, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit."
In the name of and on the merits of Jesus, the Christ,
aw
Yes you may
Amen
Grace & Peace
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Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Brother Love
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"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
LAST DAY INSTRUCTIONS
«
Reply #4 on:
August 14, 2003, 05:16:30 AM »
GraceNtheTruth
Email Ministry
and
The Grace Prayer Group
We are Registered Mailers with AOL
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PRAYER REQUEST
Please Remove Me
CLICK HERE; PLEASE ADD ME TO EMAIL
I Would Like to Be A Prayer Partner
WEB SITE
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E-Mail
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If able to read the following it is quite
easy to remove same. Click on right side of
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" 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.
May God grant you a beautiful day with Him as He
works and lives His life through you.
In His grace and love, Paristemi
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
If this devotional is a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family member that would like to start receiving the daily word. You can forward this one to them, and they can use the above link to subscribe.
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.
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Brother Love
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 4224
"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
Re:Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #5 on:
August 14, 2003, 05:18:16 AM »
Quote from: Ambassador4Christ on August 13, 2003, 01:02:06 PM
Quote from: aw on August 13, 2003, 11:41:56 AM
May I add Romans 15:13, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit."
In the name of and on the merits of Jesus, the Christ,
aw
Yes you may
Amen
Grace & Peace
You Get One A4C DITTO
Brother Love
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Ambassador4Christ
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Are You GOING TO HEAVEN?
Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #6 on:
August 14, 2003, 01:55:51 PM »
Brother Love I love each message
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
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN!!!!!
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Brother Love
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"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
THE APOSTLES GO TO COURT
«
Reply #7 on:
August 15, 2003, 04:24:36 AM »
~Daily Inspirational~
WEB SITE
Grace And The Truth
www.graceandthetruth.com
E-Mail
GracentheTruth@aol.com
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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Brother Love
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Posts: 4224
"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
Re:Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #8 on:
August 18, 2003, 04:38:37 AM »
~Daily Inspirational~
WEB SITE
Grace And The Truth
www.graceandthetruth.com
E-Mail
GracentheTruth@aol.com
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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Brother Love
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 4224
"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
Re:Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #9 on:
August 19, 2003, 04:30:18 AM »
God's plan for your life is one of
Freedom, Hope and Peace.
He doesn't want you struggling
with burdens you were never meant
to bear.
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Brother Love
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 4224
"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
Re:Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #10 on:
August 20, 2003, 03:40:04 AM »
~Daily Inspirational~
A PRAYER FOR POWER
Scripture Reading: Acts 4:23-31
As the twelve Apostles began to carry out the Great Commission given to them by Christ before His ascension, the leaders in Jerusa-lem rejected their ministry --- even having them arrested to try to stop their preaching. As we consider our text verses (Acts 4:23-31), the Twelve had just been released from being arrested and had rejoined their followers.
Together they were praying for power to speak boldly of Jesus as the Christ whom God had raised from the dead after the nation of Israel had murdered Him (Acts 2:23; 7:52). Not only did these Apostles desire boldness to speak forth the Word of Truth, but they also desired to show "signs and wonders" to this rebellious nation. The signs were a
necessary part of their ministry at that time for Israel required a sign (1 Corinthians 1:22) to prove that the one associated with the sign or wonder was God's Apostle. These Twelve wanted all Israel to know they were speaking the Truth of God and the signs would show that they were God's Apostles.
The filling with the Holy Spirit was consistent with this type of ministry, for God had prom-ised that He would carry out a NEW COVE-NANT with His chosen people (Jeremiah 31:31) after the Old Covenant had been fulfill-ed. (Christ fulfilled the Old Covenant at the Cross--Colossians 2:14--and the New Cove-nant began at the Cross---Luke 22:20). Under the New Covenant God would put His Spirit within His people and WOULD CAUSE THEM TO DO HIS WILL (Ezekiel 36:27). They need-ed this direction of the Holy Spirit for their ministry at that time.
This is NOT the ministry of the Holy Spirit today, but it was the special ministry of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and it was this special empowering ministry that caused the believers of that day to all be of one accord.
MARVIN DUNCAN, Pastor
WEB SITE
Grace And The Truth
www.graceandthetruth.com
E-Mail
GracentheTruth@aol.com
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Brother Love
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"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #11 on:
August 21, 2003, 03:58:30 AM »
THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor 1:18)
We have often heard it said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The statement usu-ally means that our opinion of something depends on our perspective. Our text, 1 Corinthians 1:18, tells us that "the preaching of the cross" will produce two different react-ions in people. Perhaps it is best to first de-fine what is meant by the "preaching of the cross." The preaching of the cross meant telling the Biblical message that everyone is a sinner by nature and a sinner by choice; it means that man is doomed to a literal hell because the wages of sin is eternal death; it means that God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ, entered time and space and came to earth to die for our sins; it means that by placing faith and trust in Jesus Christ'swork on ourbehalf, we are forever saved from the penalty of sin and are inheritors of eternal life. The preach-ing of the cross leaves no room for religion or good works. The Biblical gospel leaves no other way to heaven. It is the only way:
Humanism, Taoism, Buddhism, Mormonism, Catholicism, or any other ism will not provide salvation. This is the preaching of the cross. What we think of this message depends on whether or not we believe it. 1 Corinthians 1:18 tells us that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. On the other hand, to those who have believed, it is the experienced power of God at work in their life. Notice that believers are already in the completed state of salvation, once for all saved. What is your opinion of the preaching of the cross for salvation? The choice is yours, and you must make it.
David Havard, Pastor
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Brother Love
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"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #12 on:
August 22, 2003, 04:28:19 AM »
Daily Inspirational
JOY! WHAT IS IT? HOW TO HAVE JOY
by David Blair
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose" Philippians 2:1-2 .
COMPLETE JOY
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians explaining how they could make his joy com-plete. Complete joy is that which cannot be made any greater. But what really is Joy? Paul used lots of words relating to this joy. Words such as encouragement, unity, com-fort, love, fellowship, tenderness, and com-passion giving us many aspects of joy. While feelings were certainly involved, information knowledge, understanding, confidence, security are also here. But, also, I see tremen-dous suffering and struggle at work. Writing from prison, the Apostle was hardly in happy, fun, pleasant circumstances. Yet he talks about the most intense, fulfilling, complete joy possible. So, what really is this Joy? Is it something we can have too?
"I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:20-22(NIV)
STRUGGLE
Joy is learned through struggling with life's pains and troubles. It is accepting the struggles of life while allowing God to work in our hearts and minds. If we let him. God can lead us to full joy and peace. But it seems that these goals are only achieved through life's pain, suffering and struggles. The great truth leading to joy is learning that whatever struggles we are enduring it is far less than the great reward that will be achieved if we persevere. We can learn that "It's all right" regardless of the severity of the struggle.
SAFETY
To be joyful is to know that whatever the circumstances we are safe in Christ Jesus. Happiness is simply an emotional response to a pleasant situation. Joy is knowledge leading to contentment, certainty and security. The opposite of joy is fear and uncertainty. A lack of trust prohibits joy. Those who don't really trust God need to run away from troubles and struggles that are painful. Avoiding unhappiness is the religion of such people. Living through unhappiness and learning to trust God in such time leads to Joy. Paul was in prison, suffering all that involved, suffering those he cared about, yet expressing joy.
PRISONS
We make prisons for ourselves and some-times allow others to build prisons around us. We allow them to steal our joy by taking away our safety in the grace of God. They tell us that we must do this, not do that, and submit to their judgment to please God. Pleasing God is not a matter of earning the praise and acceptance of human leaders. It is learning to trust wholly in God's steadfast love and unmerited favor. How do we break out of these prison cells? We allow God to make our joy complete in the grace of Jesus Christ. Through Divine grace we can escape the prisons that are binding our minds with fear and needless burdens. By learning to trust God alone we can become content and certain in our thinking. That is joy ---which effectively breaks down the prison walls surrounding us.
TRUST
Trust is necessary for joy in a relationship. We can know joy with God when we've struggled through a problem and learned that He hasn't abandoned us. It isn't the removal of the problem that brings joy, rather, it is a steadfast connection with God through any struggle that leads to trust and confidence---faith. Joy develops in a relationship when those involved have struggled through serious problems proving their commitment to each other. There might be happiness and other good emotions in a relationship but if there isn't trust the other person will remain during the hard times, then there can be no joy in the relationship--there will be uncertainty and fear. If there is the underlying fear of separation when the problems become a struggle, joy cannot exist..
CONFIDENCE
When we learn God will never leave us or forsake us, there is no fear in our relationship with Him --only peace and joy. The same is true between people. If we can avoid building prisons of bondage around each other, if we instead submit to the Throne of Grace when trials confront us, then such relationships are joyfully based upon the security we have in God. Being confident together with each believer trusting God is what it means to make our joy complete.
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Brother Love
Gold Member
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"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #13 on:
August 25, 2003, 04:52:50 AM »
Daily Inspirational
LOOK AGAIN AND THINK
"Take no thought for your life." Matt 6:25.
"Be anxious for nothing." Phil. 4:6
A warning which needs to be reiterated is that the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things enter-ing in, will choke all that God puts in. We are never free from the recurring tides of this encroachment. If it does not come on the line of clothes and food, it will come on the line of money or lack of money; of friends or lack of friends, or on the line of difficult circumstances. It is only steady encroach-ment all the time, and unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the standard against it, these things will come in like a flood.
"Take no thought for your life.""Be careful about one thing only, " says our Lord "your relationship to Me." Common sense shouts loud and says -"That is absurd, I must con-sider how I am going to live, I must consider what I am going to eat and drink." Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing the thought that this statement is made by One Who does not understand our particular circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things so as to make them the one concern of our life. Whenever there is competition, be sure that you put your relationship to God first.
"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." How much evil has begun to threaten you to-day? What kind of mean little imps have been looking in and saying-Now what are you go-ing to do next month-this summer? "Be anxious for nothing," Jesus says. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the "much more" of your heavenly Father.
WEB SITE
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www.graceandthetruth.com
E-Mail
GracentheTruth@aol.com
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Brother Love
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"FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"
Daily Inspirational
«
Reply #14 on:
August 25, 2003, 05:09:19 AM »
Daily Inspirational
FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN
By Dale E. Price
I eased myself down on the couch in our living room to prepare for my upcoming Sunday school class. Matt, our seven year old, curled up next to me as Joshua, our ten year old practiced at the piano. The crackling fire, the cat perched atop his climbing tree, and the dog at my feet completed the first chapter of Philippians anticipating Paul's refreshing perspective on life.
Matt became increasingly interested in my study and began to peer over my arm at the passage. I asked him to read verses twelve through eighteen. We talked about Paul's imprisonment and how God was in control of every circumstance. It was exciting to share how Paul had used the opportunity to minister to the palace guards and how his example stirred up the courage of the brethren. Josh, jealous for equal attention, migrated from the piano to the couch to be with us. I asked him to read verses nineteen through twenty-seven. We talked about Paul's perspective on life and death; his desire to be with the Lord and yet his desire to be of service to the Philippians. We saw how Paul saw death and the avenue into the presence of the Lord, a gain of incalculable value.
Little eyes were heavy now. The boys were tucked in and kissed good night after we closed our day in prayer. I returned to the living room to complete my study. My wife, weary from her heavy load as a student, had gone to bed early. Our home was comfortable, warm, and quiet on this wintry evening. As I sat down, Paul's words in verse twenty-one kept ringing in my mind. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” I meditate on the passage and evaluated my own mind and heart.
What is it for me to live? For Paul his life was inseparable from the life of Christ. His will was to do Christ's will. What Christ valued. Paul valued. The members of his body were the members of Christ's. I recalled Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians and his words that we who live should no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again on our behalf (2 Cor. 5:15). Then my mind turned to Romans 12:1-2 and I found that because of Gods manifold grace and mercy I am to present my body, my mind, my life as a living and holy sacrifice to God. This is how I am to worship Him. I am not to be conformed to this world but I am to be transformed by the renewing of my mind in order that I might prove that perfect will of God (Rom. 12:1-2). Was I truly yielded to His will?
I prayed, “Lord, transform and renew my mind. Cause me to yield to your perfect will and to allow you to possess all that I have, all that I am.”
I now considered the second half of that twenty-first verse, Philippians chapter one, “and to die is gain.” Did I really desire heaven over this life? Did I see death as gain? I remembered a recent episode with Joshua. Josh suffers from allergy-induced asthma. As he struggled for breath late one evening, he gasped, “I wish I was dead.” I shocked and hurt. How could my son, surrounded by a loving family, experiencing a happy childhood, wish to be dead. Then I thought of what I teach week in and week out; heaven is a wonderful place; this life is full of trouble; when we are absent from this body we will be home with the Lord and be physically seated with Him in the heavenlies. My son saw death as I taught it, as the door into the presence of the living God. What I thought was his death wish was really a wish for a release from the sufferings of this life and a longing for the inexpressible joy of life eternal. I should have rejoiced at the faith of this child.
I prayed, “Lord, transform and renew my mind. Give me the faith of a child to see beyond the temporary securities of this life. Let me seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Cause me to set my mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Lord, give me your perspective on life that my hope might not rest on the things which are seen but on the things which are not seen.
The house was quiet as I moved off toward bed. I realized that Gods Spirit must continually wage war with my flesh for control of my mind. Yet my spirit was at peace as I claimed His promise that He who had begun this good work in me would perfect it until the day of Christ (Phil. 1:1
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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.
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