Tag Archives: christianity

Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Refrain

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Refrain

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

Refrain

If $100,000 was your whole life savings, would you give every penny of it to someone in need? William O. Cushing did something like that. In the nineteenth century, when $1,000 was a lot of money, he gave his entire life savings to pay for the education of a blind girl.

That is not what he is remembered for, however. His fame is as a hymnwriter. One of his earliest hymns was the song, “When He Cometh,” which compared Christians to jewels whom Christ would gather when he came. Other notable hymns were written after he had experienced great grief and loss. But that is getting ahead of the story.

William Orcutt Cushing was born in Hingham, Massachusetts on this date, December 31, 1823. His parents raised him as a Universalist, but by reading the Bible for himself as a teenager, he became an orthodox believer. At eighteen he was convinced the Lord wanted him to become a minister and he trained for it.

His first pastorate was at Searsburg, New York. There he met and married Rena Proper in 1854 (which was also the year he wrote “When He Cometh”). After that he served in Auburn, Brooklyn, Buffalo and Sparta, New York. With the decline of his wife’s health, William returned with her to Searsburg where she died in 1870.

After that, “creeping paralysis” stole his voice and prevented him from preaching any longer. He pleaded with the Lord to allow him to continue to serve in some capacity.

His prayer was granted. He wrote over 300 hymns. Some of these are still beloved by the church. “Follow on” was written in 1878 to a tune by Robert Lowry. “Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus; anywhere, everywhere…” it promises. “Under His Wings,” printed and sung by Ira Sankey, sprang out of Cushing’s personal suffering and was suggested by Psalm 17:8, “Hide me under the shadow of your wings.” Another of his famous hymns “Ring the Bells of Heaven” was written before his deep troubles had descended upon him. Composer George F. Root had sent him the tune. Cushing felt it needed joyful words and mused on it all day before the words came to him.

Cushing died in 1902 but his songs live on.

http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/william-o-cushing-sought-to-follow-christ-11630395.html

Psalm 91:4

He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust:

His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

For the Lord’s Day – I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go

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In keeping with the theme of service and stewardship from the Friday Proverb and Bible Study, this hymn is dedicated to surrendering our wills to the service and glory of our Savior.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=XS17lrLxxrg%3Fsi%3DfZW4lVLixWOa0h3S

It may not be on the mountain’s height, or over the stormy sea;
It may not be at the battle’s front my Lord will have need of me;
But if by a still, small voice He calls to paths I do not know,
I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Yours,
I’ll go where You want me to go.

Refrain

I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord,
O’er mountain, or plain, or sea;
I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,
I’ll be what You want me to be.

Perhaps today there are loving words which Jesus would have me speak;
There may be now, in the paths of sin, some wand’rer whom I should seek.
O Savior, if You will be my Guide, though dark and rugged the way,
My voice shall echo the message sweet,
I’ll say what You want me to say.

Refrain

There’s surely somewhere a lowly place in earth’s harvest fields so wide,
Where I may labor through life’s short day for Jesus, the Crucified.
So, trusting my all unto Your care, I know You always love me!
I’ll do Your will with a heart sincere,
I’ll be what You want me to be.

Refrain

Words: Mary Brown, in Our Best Endeavor (Silver Burdett & Company: 1892) (verse 1), and Charles E. Prior (verses 2-3). The original title was “Go Stand and Speak,” with music by Prior.

This well-known missionary and consecration hymn was adopted by a class of over a hundred missionary nurses at the Battle Creek (Michigan) Sanitarium as their class hymn. Every Sunday afternoon they would gather for a social meeting and always sing [it]…In this class were students from nearly every State of the Union, from Australia, South Africa, South America, Bulgaria, Armenia, and nearly all the European countries. At the close of the course they agreed that after they had parted and gone to their different fields, they would sing this hymn every Sunday as they had done during their happy class-days.

Sankey, pp. 163-4

Music: Carrie E. Rounsefell, 1894 (MIDI, score). She wrote the tune for these words, for use in a revival meeting at the Baptist church in Lynn, Massachusetts. http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/g/igowhere.htm

Romans 12:10-11

¹⁰Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

¹¹Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Friday Proverb – Sluggish Workers

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I’m sure we’ve all seen it – one or two people actually working – while the vast majority are standing or sitting around doing nothing. While it has always been sinful human nature to be lazy – certainly the death of the famous Protestant Work Ethic has elevated sluggishness to a lifestyle – perhaps even an art form.

Proverbs 10:26

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,

Bitter and burning – that is what the sluggard is to employers and those in authority. And the taste of vinegar is long lasting and memorable – as is smoke in the eyes. Never will the sluggard be looked on in any other way, than as a sluggard or potential sluggard.

So is the sluggard to them that send him.

Do we really want the world to see believers that way? Think about that word – sluggard. Not at all a pleasant image to think about. And it is also unpleasant to recognize, that the sluggard does not only hurt himself and the image of the church – he leaves a slime trail.

Which means that though the sluggard is being self indulgent, he really is leaving a sticky trap behind him for others to see where he’s been, where he is going, and where to follow. . .

There are so many behaviors that qualify as sluggish, in the church, it would be impossible to list them all here. We could fully embrace the Lord’s perfection, and even recognize such sins as adultery and gluttony as sluggishness. For example, the lazy spouse will seek outside relationships, or even internet pornography, rather than working on their marriage. A sluggish body will eat copious amounts of easily obtained foods, rather than prepare healthy foods to eat – because the preparation (planning, shopping, cooking) requires effort and – work.

We are to blame for the situations we find ourselves in. Bad decisions are one thing – and sluggishness is its evil twin. Let us strive to put our best foot forward – and show to the sinful, fallen world, the radiance of a Holy Spirit filled life, and reflect outwards – the Light of the Son.

Friday Proverb – Warning Against Falsehood

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Last week the lesson from the Word was a cautionary against idleness. Today, another warning – against falsehood – which is the sin most Christians overlook within themselves, while being quick to point it out in others.

Proverbs 6:12-13

King James Version (KJV)

¹²A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

froward = habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition

¹³He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;

A direct gaze, without averting the eyes has long been considered a way of detecting honesty in a person. The Proverb is saying here that darting eyes, excessive blinking, and rapid hand gestures are all indicative of a dishonest person.

¹⁴Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

Truly – this must be the greatest trouble in the Body of Christ. It is tragic that so many false converts are within the fold – but it is a fact that must be faced. How could anyone professing the Name of Christ be “devising mischief continually?” The LORD sees everything – and those that do these things will not go unpunished.

¹⁵Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

While we may sometimes wonder how evil people seem to prosper – (how do they get away with it?) we can see from this Proverb that the judgement for these offenses will come as a shock to the unrepentant – and without a cure.

2 Chronicles 36:16

King James Version (KJV)

But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

Messages from Heaven – “Virgin Mary” or Deception?

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Friday Proverb – Warning Against Immorality

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Last Friday, the wise counsel was to walk in wisdom – that walking with the LORD and feeding on His Word is life and health – both physical and spiritual. Today, the enticements of the flesh are shown for what they are – death.

1My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:

2That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

3For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

4But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.

As the young man in the illustration demonstrates – nothing is hidden. The person he is deceiving is unaware, but the LORD sees everything. He may think he’s not hurting anyone – but the Proverb goes on to explain that the hurt is endless.

5Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

6Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

7Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.

Here Solomon is saying – why risk it? Why throw caution to the wind for something that is so unstable? Adultery and fornication are not part of God’s plan for us – and every sexual disease known to man is certainly not the result of stable, Godly marriages.

8Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:

9Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:

10Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;

11And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

12And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

13And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

Giving your honor, wealth, and labors to others??? How about everyone (including your boss, pastor, and parents) knowing about what you’ve done? How about losing everything in a divorce settlement? How about another man living in your home, with your ex-wife, and raising your children?

Flesh and body consumed? Well, that could happen in a variety of ways. Financial ruin and divorce take a tremendous toll on one’s health. Then there is the more direct type of flesh consumption- http://realtruth.org/articles/090303-005-health.html

14I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

Proverbs 5:1-14

If you think I’m just directing this at men – I’m not. Thanks to the satanic women’s movement – the “ladies” are now making significant advancement into adultery and fornication – an area that was formerly dominated by men. And the results are just what the evil one intended: the breakdown of the family, less personal wealth for all income levels, abortion, declining birth rates, women’s bodies being prostituted in every form of media, and general moral decay.

We can make up all kinds of excuses for the things we do. My parents neglected/abused me. My marriage is lousy. I’m under a lot of pressure. I never really wanted to be married in the first place. This marriage isn’t what I wanted. My wife/husband doesn’t understand me. I’m lonely. . . .

My, me, my, I, I, I, my, I . . . . the Word says there simply is no excuse. Sin, is sin, is sin.

James 4:4

King James Version (KJV)

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God.

Friday Proverb – Wisdom is Life and Health

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In our last Friday Proverb, we learned that the best way to avoid wickedness is to flee from it. As the old saying goes – “Run like the very devil is after you!” (Because he is) It was also stressed that the wicked cannot rest or even sleep until they cause others to fall. That is a very important fact to remember when the sinful temptations are being sold to you.

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Again, the Proverbs are stressing that God’s Words must be kept deep within our hearts, providing life and health to our bodies. Understand that this is more than prose. Ample (if resentful) secular evidence exists to support what is written in this Proverb. It stymies the “scientific” community as to why church goers, and those who regularly pray and study the Bible, live longer. They continuously try to explain it away with brain scans and Freudian analysis. Aren’t we blessed not to have to worry about the why? And just addressing the logical side of the question – it stands to reason that the truly faithful Christians avoid much of the behavior that makes people sick, as well as dangerous situations and lifestyles.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

From the Hebrew “keep” =

natsar: to watch, guard, keep

Original Word: נָצַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: natsar
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-tsar’)

Guarding your heart is not the same thing as “hardening” your heart. Keeping it with “all diligence,” protects your heart from being damaged by sin. Leaving it exposed like a target is considered foolishness in the Proverbs. If left exposed, sin does its damage, so that even if sins are repented of, the sins that were swept away still leaves scars. And like all scar tissue – it is hard – and can even be seen in the eyes of the repentant sinner. How much better it is to guard your heart to begin with, and not have to suffer and bear the scars for the rest of your earthly walk.

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Hmmm, let’s think about wisely holding our tongues and thinking it through before we speak in anger, spite, or in a gossiping manner. “Perverse lips” means that the speaker gets pleasure from evil dialogue, such as locker room talk, or “talking dirty.” Not only should we not do these things – but we are instructed to put the people that do them far away from us. If we participate in the gossip, or in the locker room talk, we become as they are.

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Further admonishment to keep our eyes where they should be – focused on heaven – not the world and its trappings.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Look where you are going, think about where you are going, determine where you are going.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Proverbs 4: 20-27

Do not veer from the path of righteousness. If we are like Lot’s wife, and are constantly looking longingly back, or to the side – we do not belong to the Lord! In the words of John Bunyan –

Beware of this By-path Meadow; it is on the left-hand. O! how many are walking securely, confidently, and comfortably, in it; while every step they take endangers their destruction. The transition into it is easy; for it lies close to the right way; only you must go over a stile: that is, you must quit Christ’s imputed righteousness, and trust in your inherent righteousness; and you are in By Path Meadow directly.

Pilgrim’s Progress, p. 129, John Bunyan

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Hebrews 12: 13

For the Lord’s Day – Beyond the Sunset

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=KE5A7HcnLII%3Fsi%3DDy33AH8SOHZmNCSR

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,
When with our Savior, heaven is begun;
Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning,
Beyond the sunset when day is done.

Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather,
No storms will threaten, no fears annoy;
O day of gladness, O day unending,
Beyond the sunset eternal joy!

Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me
To God the Father whom I adore;
His glorious presence, His words of welcome,
Will be my portion on that fair shore.

Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion,
With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before;
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting,
Beyond the sunset forever more!

Virgil Prentiss Brock – Lyrics 1887-1978

Born: January 6, 1887, Mercer County, Ohio.
Buried: Warsaw, Indiana.

Blanche Kerr Brock – Composer 1888-1958

Born: February 3, 1888, Greens Fork, Indiana.
Died: January 3, 1958, Winona Lake, Indiana.
Buried: Warsaw, Indiana.

One of the best-known and widely-used songs in the entire field of gospel hymnody is “Beyond the Sunset.” Mr. Brock has left the following account of its writing:

This song was born during a conversation at the dinner table, one evening in 1936, after watching a very unusual sunset at Winona Lake Indiana, with a blind guest—my cousin Horace Burr—and his wife Grace. A large area of the water appeared ablaze with the glory of God, yet there were threatening storm clouds gathering overhead. Returning to our home, we went to the dinner table still talking about the impressive spectacle we had witnessed. Our blind guest excitedly remarked the he had never seen a more beautiful sunset.

“People are always amazed when you talk about seeing,” I told him, “I can see,” Horace replied. “I see through other peoples eyes, and think I often see more; I see beyond the sunset.”

The phrase “beyond the sunset” and the striking inflection of his voice struck me so forcibly, I began singing the first few measures. “That’s beautiful!” his wife interrupted, “Please go to the piano and sing it.

We went to the piano nearby and completed the first verse. “You should have a verse about the storm clouds,” our guest urged, and the words for this verse came quickly as well. Recalling how closely our guest had walked hand in hand together for so many years due to his blindness, the third verse was soon added. Before the evening meal was finished, all four stanzas had been written and we sang the entire song together.

http://www.hymnalaccompanist.com/Story/story-c865.html

Revelation 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

sage

p.s. This post is dedicated to my husband for our 33rd anniversary.

More Mealy Mouthed Pastoring

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Billy Graham’s grandson – Tullian Tchividjian – holds forth on what is wrong with America’s pulpits. My summation of his cotton candy opinion? Pastors are not being nurturing enough, and are too bogged down with politics! All blue highlighting is mine . . .

Tullian Tchividjian Says Christian Brand Has Been Damaged by Evangelicals’ Association With Religious Right

By Michael Gryboski , Christian Post Reporter
December 30, 2014|2:48 pm
Tullian Tchividjian (Courtesy of Tullian Tchividjian)

The grandson of the Rev. Billy Graham commented Tuesday that he believes Evangelicals’ involvement in the conservative political movement “has done more damage to the brand of Christianity than just about anything else.”

Tullian Tchividjian, senior pastor at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, explained to co-hosts of the MSNBC program “Morning Joe” that American evangelicalism has been harmed by its association with conservative politics.

“Over the course of the last 20 or 30 years, evangelicalism, specifically their association with the religious right and conservative politics, has done more damage to the brand of Christianity than just about anything else,” Tchividjian asserted.

“That’s not to say that Christian people don’t have opinions on social issues and we shouldn’t speak those opinions, but Sunday morning from behind the pulpit is not the place,” he added.

Tchividjian also told those on the “Morning Joe” program that he feels his job, as a pastor, is to go beyond social issues and social solutions when preaching.

“It’s not so much religion in the public sphere as much as religion in the pulpit, behind the pulpit, that’s my primary concern,” Tchividjian continued. “As a preacher, my job when I stand up on Sunday mornings to preach, is not first and foremost to address social ills or social problems or try to find social solutions. My job is to diagnose people’s problems and then announce God’s solution to their problems.”

Tchividjian was on the program to talk about his soon-to-be released devotional, It Is Finished: 365 Days of Good News.

Slated for purchase on New Year’s Day and published by David C. Cook, the book is a daily devotional centered on the Good News of God’s love.

“God’s radical grace is unbelievable, unexplainable, and definitely undeserved. But it’s the foundation of our faith. In this new 365-day devotional, Tchividjian reminds you every day that the Gospel is good news,” noted its Amazon description.

“It’s God’s message that He loves us even when we don’t deserve it. These short readings each contain a truth from God’s Word that will set you on a solid foundation for the day — a foundation of God’s grace, goodness, and unconditional love.”

In discussing the devotional with the “Morning Joe” co-hosts, Tchividjian said the book, It Is Finished, is comprised of “365 days of short readings.”

“I am really trying to help people know that all of the meaning, all of the worth, all of the value, all of the significance that we long for and that we look for, we already have because of what God has done for us,” Tchividjian explained in response to a question posed to him about New Year’s resolutions.

Well, he’s trying to sell a book of “short readings” here. Too bad he not once mentioned getting his sheeple back to the Word of God! Must be all that hair gel addling his brains. . . almost seems like the goo has seeped in. . .

Yet another winning entry into the Halls of Cotton Candy Christianity!

Rick Warren – Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

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Rick Warren on Roman Catholicism: “We have more in common than what divides us”

TBC Staff – EN

Dec 17 2014

RICK WARREN ON ROMAN CATHOLICISM: “WE HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN WHAT DIVIDES US”

Warren, whose Purpose Driven Life and Purpose Driven Church books have sold millions of copies around the world, recorded a video interview for the Catholic News Service in which he said: “We have far more in common than what divides us.”

He continued: “When you talk about Pentecostals, charismatics, evangelicals, fundamentalists, Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians … Well, they would all say we believe in the trinity, we believe in the Bible, we believe in the resurrection, we believe salvation is through Jesus Christ. These are the big issues.

“Sometimes Protestants think that Catholics worship Mary like she’s another god. But that’s not exactly Catholic doctrine.”

He also referred to the Roman Catholic practice of prayer to the saints, which Protestants reject, saying: “When you understand what they mean by what they’re saying, there’s a whole lot more commonality.

“Now there’s still real differences, no doubt about that. But the most important thing is if you love Jesus, we’re on the same team.”

He said that Church unity would realistically be “not a structural unity but a unity of mission. And so, when it comes to the family we are co-workers in the field on this for the protection of what we call the sanctity of life, the sanctity of sex, and the sanctity of marriage. So there’s a great commonality and there’s no division on any of those three.”

Warren recently took part in a Vatican conference on the Complementarity of Man and Woman alongside conservative stalwart Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. His remarks are in tune with the tone of Pope Francis, who has spoken warmly of evangelicals and brought a different emphasis to inter-Church engagement.

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/rick.warren.on.roman.catholicism.w…

[TBC: Commonality is not established by the lowest common denominator. To say someone loves Jesus means nothing if it’s “another Jesus” or if the “gospel” they present is not the biblical gospel (2 Corinthians:11:4, Galatians:1:8). The works salvation gospel of Rome is contrary to the biblical gospel, and the Jesus of Roman Catholicism did not pay the full penalty for sin. Our Lord declared, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew:7:21).]

http://www.thebereancall.org/content/rick-warren-roman-catholicism-we-have-more-common-what-divides-us

Over a decade ago I was chased out of my church, because of my tooth and nail resistance to going “purpose driven.” Now, Rick Warren is boldly going where he always intended to go – the one world religion.

2 Peter 2:1-3

2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Dear Mr. Rick Warren – you make me sick. May God have mercy, and cause you to repent.

Ecumenism – Hollywood Style

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Lots of excitement over the fact that pop-Christian films are being produced with a fervor lately. Of special note, was the Easter weekend release of “Heaven is for Real.”

This story is about a 4 year old boy who had a near death experience which has been made into a movie. Christian media is giddy with excitement over the fact that it made more money than pagan Johnny Depp’s latest sci-fi flick.

Should we be excited over this?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=lawiKeRUiK8%3Fsi%3DFFsbx_ARToaa-31T

Let me just state that the father is a fool if he truly does not believe that a 4 year old can pick up enough information to provide the kind of testimony he did. But all that aside – the really important part begins at around the 6:00 mark – where the young man states positively that you only need to love Jesus and follow Him to go to heaven. No repentance required. Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses – and even some Muslims love Jesus. This is a classic example of the ecumenism that has overrun the church. This is the church Jesus Christ will spew out of His mouth. This is another Jesus.

Revelation 3:14-16

¹⁴And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

¹⁵I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

¹⁶So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.

Response to a Bible Critic

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This comment was posted to the old blog – Thoughts of an Old Man. In the interest of letting this person be heard and responded to by as many people as I think she would like – I’m posting the comment here.

I know this was written ages ago, but the bible has God all wrong. The bibles God doesnt exist. Mainly because too many human faults are put upon him and glorified as something powerful. What need would an omnipotent being have for hate, judgement and anger? Its such a waste to US as a species, why would he lower himself to our level? Many people turn to the books written by man to place their entire faith on but his truth is in no book. It’s inside us. We are born with it. I know this will sound stupid and naive to you, but the Bible never spoke to me. God did. Not conversationally, of course, but with every sunrise, every hug, every smile of my daughters face, THAT is the word of God. Not some letters spewed onto a page and translated as rule. Living by that book has destroyed civilizations, eras, and us as a humanity. It is the false prophet. And generations have died from it. [dawna reisner]

Let us address the commenter’s main premise – that one can self determine the nature of the Godhead.

Immediately – we can observe that the writer has done two things:

Committed idolatry by creating her own god
Blasphemed the Word of God by saying that Jesus Christ, the Word of God, lies about Himself.

We may condense her opinion into one statement.

I don’t like what the Bible says – therefore it is untrue.

If the Bible does not “speak to you,” that means you are not born of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

By saying that the Bible is the false prophet – that is committing the unforgivable sin, by blaspheming the Holy Spirit, Who is the Author of the Bible.

2 Peter 1:21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

In saying that the Bible has been the cause of the world’s woes, more blasphemy is committed.

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.

Blaming the Bible, rather than man’s exceeding sinfulness, is the same sin committed by Adam in the Garden of Eden when he blamed God. This is also blasphemy.

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Denying your own complicity in the cumulative sins of mankind, is proof that you are outside the faith.

1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.

When I first read this comment, I could not believe it was genuine, and likely the antics of a troll because of the provocative nature and specious quality of it. But, as I thought on it, The LORD convicted me that whether genuine or not – it could still be examined and a Scriptural argument developed for it, because even internet trolls need to be witnessed to, and we all encounter people who posit the same belief system.

Friday Proverb – Avoiding Wickedness

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Last week we enjoyed the wonderful wisdom that King David passed down to his son, Solomon – stressing the pursuit of wisdom above any worldly thing. Today we look at the relentless efforts of the world to corrupt us – and the best way to not fall into its trap.

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

There are many “paths” that could be considered wicked. What is being stressed here is the influence that worldly people have on us. The pressure to conform in appearance and behavior to the world comes at us through many different avenues. Television, internet, magazines, coworkers, “friends,” peers. . . the things we see and hear – lead us to covet – and in coveting we are caught.

15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

The only escape from the myriad temptations in front of our eyes is to flee from it, and completely avoid it – no matter what it is. If you can’t look at a magazine without lusting – either by wanting to look like someone in the magazine, or have someone or something in the magazine – better throw out the magazine! The same goes with alcohol, pornography, gluttony, lechery. . .the list goes on and on. If you can’t sit down at a computer without looking at porn – you have entered the path of the wicked. If you sit lusting after cheerleaders while watching a football game – you are on the same path. If looking at Pinterest causes you to be dissatisfied rather than content – you are in the coveting trap. If your “friend” encourages you to do something wrong – flee – flee – flee!!!

The Proverb goes on to say, that the people that lead us to do wrong, whether it is the corrupt CEO of a gigantic, international company, or your sister-in-law bombarding you with temptation – they all truly desire you to fail.

16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

The above verse is the source of the colloquialism – “No rest for the wicked!” Certainly television commercials and programmers are relentless in their push for immorality – but have you ever encountered someone who pressures you with their own kind of intensity? Trying to get you to do something that you know is wrong? The Word of God clearly says that they cannot rest until they have accomplished their goal! Think of the tireless, driving methods of influential musicians, authors, media, even video game designers! Or the “friend” that pushes you to have another drink, or coworker telling you to help yourself to whatever is in the company storage room – because “everyone does it.” If you get the feeling they are trying to take you down with them – your feeling is correct!

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

Verse 17 is saying that wickedness and violence actually sustains the evil ones, in the same way that pure food sustains us. Their very beings are gladdened by a Christian’s failure in the same way that we are made joyous by a good meal with people we love.

18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

How beautiful. The perfect day will be at the Lord’s return. If we stay on the right path, it will shine brighter and brighter in this dark world, until that glorious day!

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. Proverbs 4: 14-19

At right is what the lost see. Nothing. The Hugh Hefner’s, Richard Dawkins, and the neighborhood philanderer . . . the multitudinous purveyors of corruption do not see where they are going. Even when they trip and fall, they have no idea what they tripped over. They will continue to grope along in the dark.

126 It is time for Thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void Thy law.

127 Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

130 The entrance of Thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalm 119: 126-130

Infiltration vs. Separation

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The Laodicean Church in the last half of the 20th century can be defined in one term – New Evangelicalism (or neo-Evangelicalism.) It began within Fundamentalism itself, in the 1940′s, and has proven to be Satan’s strongest weapon in defiling the church – bringing it from the Philadelphia Church Age, 1700-1900, when this country was founded – to a fully lukewarm, weak and ineffectual body.

The term “New Evangelical” was coined by Harold Ockenga, pastor of The Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts. In a news release, dated Dec. 8, 1957, Ockenga stated:

The New Evangelicalism has changed its strategy from one of separation to one of infiltration.

Ockenga believed that separation was outdated, and no longer useful in Christianity – despite the Biblical mandate for Christians to avoid being unequally yoked. Like a giant snowball – the movement gained momentum – and doctrine after doctrine was cast aside for what was deemed to be appropriate for the times.

Here you see Evangelical John Hagee in the center, with Mormon Glen Beck on the left, and Patriot David Barton on the right. This performance is done under the auspices of patriotism, but anyone who seriously studies the Bible knows what it is. And we can’t exactly give it a pass under the domain of political expediency, as John Hagee is neither a politician nor a news pundit.

Mixing solid Biblical belief, with cults and liberality equals one very lukewarm church. This tepid soup, has given birth to spiritual poverty, apathy, and utter blindness. The old Jesuit philosophy – “The ends justifies the means” – has brought Romanism right-smack-dab into the middle of the church in the form of “Evangelical ecumenism,” a phrase coined by Billy Graham, wherein he became the “spokesman of the convictions and ideals,” of the New Evangelist. Here is Graham in an interview with Larry King regarding the passing of Pope John Paul II:

KING: You said that he was an Evangelist.

GRAHAM: He was, indeed. He traveled throughout the world to bring his Christian message to the world. And we see tonight the outpouring from the world that he touched. And I think he touched almost everybody in the whole world.

Read cbn.com article here.

When I see Glen Beck speaking of Joseph Smith, while on stage with Evangelical Sarah Palin during a rally – I point it out to whomever I can. Would you like to know what response I receive? “That’s not so bad. They’re trying to take back this country! You’re being too judgmental!”

The hallmarks of New Evangelicalism:

Liberals and cultists are included in prayer, crusades, committees, and given equal recognition as Christian leaders.
Believes it is appropriate to join forces to reach souls for Christ – “The ends justifies the means.”
Remains in liberal churches and organizations, like a mega or Purpose Driven Church, or the Masonic Lodge. Infiltration is better than separation.
Conforms to the world’s thoughts and preferences.
Questions the authority of Scripture and accommodates evolutionary theory by co-opting it into the Book of Genesis.

And just as Billy Graham received great “puff” press support from William Randolph Hurst in the 40′s and 50′s, so today, does Rick Warren receive the same support from Rupert Murdoch and his powerful news agencies. Living along side and cozying up to evil has served us the same as it served ancient Israel. When they did not eradicate the Canaanites remaining the land – they became just like the nations that were before them. They intermarried, joined in ventures, and worshiped their gods.

Quote of the Day: “Before we “shake your hand” in responding to your letter, we ask forgiveness of the All-Merciful One and of the Muslim community around the world.” – Rick Warren in a speech to Muslims.

We do not need to be “like” the world to “win” the world! Our greatest and only tool is the Word of God. Period. Just as our Savior responded to the devil – every time – with the Word of God.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15

¹⁴Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

¹⁵And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Touchy Subject

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I am not judging whether anyone in these movements is saved or not – but I am judging whether the movements are Biblical. Recently, John MacArthur held a “Strange Fire” conference, wherein he stated that Pentecostal and Charismatics were offering “strange fire” unto the Lord with their particular kind of worship.

John MacArthur is not my idea of rock solid Bible teacher – as he apparently has taken the plunge into the New Age Bible pushers club. That being said, I do agree with his basic premise about the movements. He is facing a backlash of sorts, being called “unloving,” among other things. The Christian Post has offered up a statement of sorts, with a handy list of things “you may not know about Pentecostals/Charismatics.” I have added commentary in red. Here goes:

1. Islam is not the fastest-growing faith family in the world. Pentecostalism is. While Islam has gone from zero in 610 AD to 1.6 billion today (1,403 years), Pentecostalism went from zero to (about) a billion from 1906 to the present day (107 years).  Indeed – this is true, and while many Christians that I know and love, obsess over Muslims taking over the world – the fact is- the merging of faiths, via “Charism,” will be the true One World Religion.

2. Pentecostalism is quintessentially American. It began (although there were pre-shocks for centuries) in the multi-ethnic Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, Calif. It is arguably our most influential export of any kind.  Even more influential than Hollywood!

3. The churches planted by American mainline denominations (Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, UCC, etc) in the global South are overwhelmingly Pentecostal/Charismatic in their piety. For instance, a Lutheran from Ethiopia (Mekane Yesus) would certainly be considered Pentecostal if visiting here in the U.S.  Ecumenism!

4. Pentecostals/Charismatics are diverse. They run the spectrum range from Oxford/Cambridge blue bloods in the Kensington neighborhood of London to snake handlers in Appalachia. The current Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is a product of the largest congregation in the Church of England, Holy Trinity Brompton, which is one of the most influential charismatic congregations in the world. And not just economically diverse. If you find yourself in a multi-cultural congregation in the U.S.A. on a Sunday morning, the overwhelming probability is that you are sitting in a Pentecostal worship service.  You do not need to be saved to speak in tongues. Everyone is comfortable.

5. Pentecostals are not anti-intellectual. The unofficial “Pentecostal Pope,” Jack Hayford of Los Angeles, is a Bible-scholar’s Bible scholar. Oral Roberts University, Regent Seminary (Virginia Beach) and Southeastern University (Lakeland, Florida) are some of the key centers of higher learning for the movement. The largest seminary in the Church of England (and perhaps the entire Anglican communion) is St. Mellitus Colleg/St. Paul’s Theological Center in London, spiritually godfathered by (Charismatic) Holy Trinity Brompton Church. They are now opening branches throughout the world.  The “spiritual experiences” bind all these various denominations together – giving common ground, where before there was none.

6. Pentecostals were the leaders in the ordination of women. Because they are less bureaucratic and more “gifting driven,” Pentecostals were the first (not liberal Protestants) to ordain women. Aimee Semple Macpherson was one of the first American mega-church senior pastors (Angelus Temple in L.A. seated 5,000 a service in its prime). What can I say? Ordaining women is against Scripture, and on top of that – homosexual activists always piggyback on “women’s progress.”

7. Most all U.S. mainline denominations and also Roman Catholics have large Charismatic minorities. In fact, there are more Charismatic Roman Catholics than there are total members in most all other denominations. Lutherans and Episcopalians were pioneers in the Charismatic movement (Larry Christenson and Dennis Bennet).  Interesting, that being saved by being Born again under the Blood of Christ is not what is being “pioneered.”

8. The Jesus Movement (“Jesus Freaks”) led by Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, Calif., more or less invented CCM (Christian Contemporary Music). As Calvary Chapel was (and is) a “small c” charismatic congregation, Pentecostal piety has been carried into virtually every congregation in the country that has ever sung a praise song or had someone raise a hand in worship.  As a professional musician, I could write pages and pages on the dangers of back-beats in Christian music. Contemporary Christian Music is the first foot of the devil into your church. Soon after that – the Bible used will be “updated” as well.

9. Latinos are not overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. A very large minority is Pentecostal. When Latinos leave the Roman Catholic church, which they do in large numbers, the two directions are secular or Pentecostal. There are almost certainly Pentecostal Latinos in your zip code.  Yes, and what will happen to the culture in America with the unlimited immigration unfolding as I write this.

10. A word about the “Word of Faith” (also Word Faith, or just Faith) movement. This is the segment of Pentecostalism which is most prone to excesses (name it/claim it). However, this movement is also quite diverse and driven by the central concept of “faith makes a difference.” Thus, they tend to take biblical promises about prayers of faith literally. This drives a rather sophisticated systematic theology first exposited in depth by Kenneth Hagin (the elder one) and continuing to be unfolded by Joseph Prince (Singapore) and others.  “Sophisticated systemic theology,” is code for obfuscation. The Word of God is simple and pure enough for a child to understand.

I have attended several charismatic prayer meetings for the purposes of research. What I heard, could not be identified as a language – angelic or otherwise. Repeating of particular non-words was disconcerting, as it bore a strong resemblance to Tantric chanting and other eastern worship methods. Very, very dangerous. http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/spiritual-discussions/31858-mechanical-chanting-amp-speaking-tongues.html

A form of demonic speaking-in-tongues is experienced by witch doctors, pagan religions and occultists…

“So writes Missionary Alex R. Hay in his excellent book, What Is Wrong in the Church? This discerning writer continues:

‘There is a Mohammedan sect that speaks in tongues. It is simply the result of an emotional state that is not normal and not difficult to induce. The fact is that “The gift of tongues,” as it is known today, is still a common characteristic of primitive religions. (We refer to speaking in an unknown or “heavenly” language unintelligible to the hearers, not the speaking of living languages that appeared at Pentecost.)

As a child of missionary parents in an Indian tribe in Paraguay, we were accustomed to hear the witch doctors chanting in an unknown spirit language at their religious ceremonies or when treating someone was ill.”

SOURCE: The TRUTH about TONGUES and the CHARISMATIC movement, by Hugh F. Pyle, Sword of the Lord Publishers, Murfreesboro, TN 37133; 1989; ISBN: 0-87398–846-9; pg. 59

Matthew 16:4

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And He left them, and departed.

Bible Study – Esau Sells His Birthright

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Our last devotional, covered the birth of Jacob and Esau. We can not underestimate the value of this lesson from Old Testament history. The twins “struggled together within her” (Gen. 25:22) in the same fashion that our new natures (received at the new birth) struggle with our old natures (received at the natural birth) once we are born again. Like Rebekah, we have the two personalities struggling within us. It is the struggle for mastery in the inner soul of every single, truly born again believer.

God ordained for the “younger new nature” (Jacob) to have dominion over the “older sin nature.” (Esau)

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you

Genesis 25:29-34

²⁹And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

³⁰And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

³¹And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

³²And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

³³And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

³⁴Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

Two wrongs occur here. Firstly, Esau in lust of flesh, sells what is not his to sell. Secondly, Jacob takes advantage of his brother’s weakness, and “deals” for something that also was not his. The blessing was from God, through Abraham and Issac. Esau demonstrated that he had a very low regard for the birthright blessing. Like fleshly Issac, who loved Esau more than Jacob because “he did eat of his venison,” Esau was given to fleshly appetites and and placed ALL of his value on “savory meat.”

Like the carnal Christian, Esau chose fleeting, temporal satisfaction. Jacob highly regarded the eternal. Those believers who walk closely with the Lord, seek the long ranging spiritual promise of the birthright.

2 Peter 1:3-4

³According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The Abundant Life – #4 – The Spirit Filled Life

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John 3:3-7

³Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

⁴Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

⁵Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

⁷Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

It is a fact, that the Holy Spirit indwells every truly born again believer. Though we may be weak, immature, and imperfect – if we have been “born again” of the Spirit – He dwells in us. 1 Cor. 6:19- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? Rom. 8:9 – But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.

It is one thing to have the Holy Spirit indwell us – but does He have us in such a way that He may fill us with the “Abundant Life?” Contrary to the teachings of prosperity preachers – the abundant life can not be found in our environments or circumstances, or in the many material things that we may possess. It is only found in the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit

EPHESIANS 5:18 IS A COMMAND! TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO BE SPIRIT-POSSESSED, SPIRIT- EMPOWERED, AND SPIRIT-CONTROLLED.

1. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we might have joy. Eph. 5:19-20 –¹⁹Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

2. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for service. Acts 6:3 – Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

3. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for power to be a witness. Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

4. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for the hour of persecution. Acts 7: 54-60 –

⁵⁴When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. ⁵⁵But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, ⁵⁶And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. ⁵⁷Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, ⁵⁸And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. ⁵⁹And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. ⁶⁰And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

5. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we may “walk in the Spirit.” Gal. 5:16-26 – ¹⁶This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. ¹⁸But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. ¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ²⁴And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. ²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

6. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we may be led by the Holy Spirit. Rom. 8:14 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

WE CAN ONLY BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IF WE DESIRE HIM TO FILL US. THEN WE MUST ASK HIM TO FILL US. AND FINALLY, WE MUST BELIEVE THAT HE FILLS US.

John 4:14

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The Abundant Life – #3 – The Separated Life

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The separated life is simultaneously positive and negative. The old adage – “be in the world, but not of the world,” was derived from the topic of this article.

Romans 1:1

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. . .

Read that carefully! We are to be “separated unto the gospel of God”! This is POSITIVE SEPARATION.

2 Corinthians 6:17

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

We must come out of ANYTHING that is contrary to the perfect will of God. This is NEGATIVE SEPARATION.

FOR THE BELIEVER – TO BE SEPARATED – MEANS TO BE SANCTIFIED (SET APART) FOR SALVATION AND SERVICE

1. The Word of God has the power to separate the believer from sin. John 17:17 – Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth. Ps. 119:11 – Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

2. God the Father has the power to separate the believer unto the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 5:23 – And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. God the Son has the power to separate the believer unto righteousness, “not having spot, or wrinkle.” Eph. 5: 24,27 –

²⁴Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

²⁵Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;

²⁶That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,

²⁷That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

4. God the Holy Spirit has the power to separate the believer unto salvation and service. 2 Thess. 2:13 – But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

If we are not separated, we can still have a relationship with God, but we can not have fellowship with Him. This is the problem of the dominant church spirit at this time – Laodicea. The majority of churches are now so closely allied with the world, there is no fellowship with God. They may be united with Him at Calvary, but separated from Him in sin.

Isaiah 59:1-2

59 Behold, the Lord‘s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

²But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.

Without separation we can have:

Influence without power
Movement without achievement
Trying without trusting
Serving without success
Spiritual battle without victory

WITHOUT SEPARATION UNTO GOD – OUR ENTIRE CHRISTIAN WALK WILL BE “WOOD, HAY, AND STUBBLE.”

THE TRULY ABUNDANT LIFE IS ONLY MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – MADE REALITY BY SEPARATION UNTO HIM.

The Abundant Life – #2 – The Service Life

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The only way for believers to live abundantly, is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, Who Himself became our example. He served from the beginning, all the way to Calvary; and there became the obedient servant. . .”obedient unto death.” Phil. 2

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

²And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

In the above verses from Romans, believers are urged to take the necessary steps for abundant living. Please note the highlighted words in red.

1. We are to “present.” Of our own volition, we are to surrender to the perfect will of God – even though we may not know God’s will for our lives – it is on our own part – AN ACT OF FAITH. John 7:17 If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself.

2. We are to “present your bodies,” because God must control and use the WHOLE man. Your whole man was redeemed on the cross and sanctified! (set apart for service) 1 Thess. 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. We are to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice.” No where is this better demonstrated than in the life of Paul – who was a “living sacrifice.” In life he was a servant of Jesus Christ – Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. . .

In spiritual battle, he was a warrior – Eph. 6:10-18

¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:

¹⁸Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

He lived as a “prisoner of Christ,” in the will of God – Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles These words were spoken from a Roman prison – yet he never stated that he was a prisoner of Rome. To the Apostle Paul, prison was a part of the perfect will of God. Full of this conviction – he lived abundantly. Phil. 1:12 – But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. . .

In death, Paul was victorious – 2 Tim. 4:7-8

⁷I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

ONLY THOSE WHO ARE TRULY BORN AGAIN, CAN EXPERIENCE THE ABUNDANT LIFE. BY CHOOSING THE ABUNDANT LIFE – THE BELIEVER IS “TRANSFORMED,” BY THE POWER OF GOD – AND NO LONGER “CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD.” NOW WE CAN BE CONFORMED TO THE “PERFECT WILL OF GOD.”

The Abundant Life – #1 – The Yielded Life

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There is no secret formula or ritual to living the abundant life; it is revealed, as are all great truths – in the Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:10

For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.

Faith that saves, identifies us with Christ in His resurrection. This IS the abundant life!

Colossians 3:1-4

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

²Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

³For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

⁴When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

1. It is one thing to have eternal life by faith. It is another thing entirely to have abundant life by faith.

2. It is one thing to “be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21 – 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. It is quite another thing to realize His righteous life is in us. 1 John 3:7 – Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.

3. It is one thing to live in Christ. 2 Cor. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. It is another thing for Christ to live HIS life through us. Col. 1:7 – To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. . .

Romans 6:13

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Romans 6:13, shows us that every believer has a choice. We may yield unto God by faith, and enjoy abundant life, or the believer may yield unto sin and endure a defeated life. Rev. 3:1 – And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. God wants ALL believers to know the power of a yielded life – for it will lift us above circumstances that circumvent abundant living. The abundant life begins the instant we yield to Him as Lord and Master (Not Lordship salvation!!) allowing Him to live His life through us by faith.

Next up in the series – the service life!

The Abundant Life – Introduction

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John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The only way into eternal life is through faith in Christ as personal savior.

Once you are saved – do not stop there! Having eternal life is the most important, but there is so much more. Christ said that He came that we might have life more abundantly. ALL believers have life, but not all believers have abundant life.

In order to have abundant life, we need abundant resources. The only unlimited resource is the Person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

In order to possess this abundant life – we MUST abide IN HIM!

John 15:1-5

15 I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman.

²Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

³Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.

⁴Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.

⁵I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.

This kind of vibrant, abundant living is not for just a select few, it is what God wants for ALL believers. It is a deep spiritual life, and without it, the Christian life is meaningless.

If you do not have abundant life within you – you will soon yield to carnality. The fleshly life around you will overcome your puny resistance, and and you will be surrounded.

1 Corinthians 3:1-4

3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

²I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

³For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

⁴For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The carnal Christian life is circumstance controlled – the abundant life is Holy Spirit- controlled. The carnal Christian life leads to one defeat after another – the abundant life leads to victory in Christ.

Man seems to know everything about life except how to live it abundantly.

Please continue on with this series, and determine that from now on – not to be satisfied with anything less than God’s best – life abundantly.

Study on Faith – #5 – The Hall of Faith

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Hebrews 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith.” This is a chapter we need to visit often, and linger at. If we desire our faith to become strong in the Lord, there is no better place than this Scripture to see what strong faith is. Here we get a view of the history of Israel and the Church, written by faith, in the blood of the saints.

Hebrews 11:32-40

³²And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

³³Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

³⁴Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

³⁵Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

³⁶And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

³⁷They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

³⁸(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

³⁹And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

⁴⁰God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

They worshiped by faith as Abel, and walked by faith as Enoch. They worked by faith like Noah, and lived by faith as Abraham. They governed by faith as Moses, and they followed by faith as Israel. They fought by faith as Joshua, and conquered by faith as Gideon. They subdued kingdoms as David, and they stopped the mouths of lions as Daniel. They walked through fire by faith as the Three Hebrew Children, the suffered by faith as Paul.

They died by faith as stephen – the first christian martyr

Acts 7:54-60

⁵⁴When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

⁵⁵But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

⁵⁶And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

⁵⁷Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

⁵⁸And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

⁵⁹And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

⁶⁰And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

By faith they were patient in suffering, courageous in battle, made strong out of weakness, and were victorious in defeat. They were more than conquerors by faith. It is only by faith in the all-powerful Christ that we can be superior to circumstances, and victorious over all the evil forces that would destroy us and our testimonies.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The faith of the saints inspires us – but we must look to Jesus as our example of faith.

This concludes our Study on Faith – next up – The Abundant Life!

Study on Faith – #4 – Three Kinds of Faith

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There is one passage in the Bible that perfectly portrays the three kinds of faith. It is well known – having entire books written to explore it. We will go a little deeper, using only Scripture – and not needing a whole book to understand the deep things of God!

In John 11, we see the faith of Martha in connection with the resurrection of her brother Lazarus. It begins when Lazarus fell ill, and his sisters Mary and Martha sent for Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus delayed His coming until Lazarus was dead and in the grave for four days. Then He arrived and found the limited, fundamental faith of Martha His only obstacle.

1. Martha’s faith was limited.

John 11:21

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

The death of Lazarus meant the end of Martha’s faith. She believed that Jesus had the power to raise her brother up from the sick bed, but not from the dead. Her limited faith restricted the power of Christ (not that He is not all-powerful – but in that He only worked miracles where they would be received and He would be believed on)

Matthew 13:58

And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Limited faith is controlled by circumstances, and motivated by fear of failure

2. Martha’s faith was fundamental. In John 11:23, Jesus said – “Thy brother shall rise again.” These words were spoken to kindle hope in Martha, but she still prevaricated.

John 11:24-27

²⁴Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. [Here she declares her fundamental faith in a Great Truth, but that is not enough!]

²⁵Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [Jesus is saying that He has all power over life and death]

²⁶And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?

²⁷She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. [She evades His question and states her creed. Stating one’s creed to the living, all-powerful Christ is shallow indeed – faith must go beyond creeds.]

John 11:35

Jesus wept.

It wasn’t only Martha’s faith that was limited – it was many of the Jew’s who were doubting and decrying Him for delaying His arrival.

3. At last, unlimited faith came to Martha when she agreed to have the stone moved from Lazarus’ grave. Martha first objected in unbelief.

John 11:39

Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

Then Jesus challenges her to believe.

John 11:40

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Martha demonstrated her new-found, unlimited faith, by allowing the stone to be moved, and then she waited in faith – and was rewarded!

John 11:43

And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

Seeing is NOT believing.

You must believe first, and then you will see.

Faith comes before sight. Don’t be satisfied with limited, fundamental faith only, when you can have unlimited faith that pleases God – because it reveals His glory!

As you can see – a 300 page book is not required! You only need The Book!

Study on Faith – #3 – Little Faith

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Every believer can fall into the “little faith” category – at least at some point in their walk. The LORD so perfectly illustrated this for us, and its remedy, in Matthew 14, which relates the incident of Peter walking on water to meet the LORD. We will examine this episode, and see ourselves as Peter, and what we can do to grow our faith.

Matthew 14:28-31

²⁸And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.

²⁹And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

³⁰But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

³¹And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

At this stage in Peter’s spiritual growth, he is a man of “little faith.” We know that after Pentecost, he became a spiritual giant. The important passage above, detailing Peter’s little faith – is something we can learn from – and it was designed for our learning. Think of the significance of Jesus coming to His disciples during a terrible storm, walking calmly on the water while they were in great distress. Peter asks if he can come to Him on the water – and the LORD said COME!

Before we begin – please reread the above scripture carefully!

Peter did the impossible thing – he walked on water by faith.
Next, Peter did the conceivable thing – he took his eyes off Christ – and looked at the water – he had second thoughts – and he doubted.
Then Peter did the expected thing – he began to sink – he failed.
Now Peter did the right thing – he prayed – “Lord, save me.” Peter reconnected to the Lord in faith.
Then Peter did the impossible thing again – with an extra – he walked on water back to the ship – with the Lord.

The order of events is extremely important!!

The steps: Peter began in faith, and walked on water. Then he saw the storm, and had second thoughts which led to doubt. The doubt produced fear, that caused him to turn away, and brought on the failure.

In this lesson we see the success and failure of “little faith”

We need faith that is bigger than the elements that seek to destroy us. We can have this kind of faith by prayer and fasting –

Matthew 17:20-21

²⁰And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

²¹Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

and by feeding our faith on the Word of God.

Romans 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

We can have mountain-moving faith!

Study on Faith – #2 – The Importance of Faith

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Ephesians 6:16

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

The shield of faith is a very important component of the Christian’s armor. We are to put on the “whole armor of God,” (Eph. 6:10-18) because our Christian life is a life of warfare – a spiritual conflict. As Paul names the different parts of the Christian’s armor – when coming to the shield – he emphasizes its importance by saying “Above all, taking the shield of faith.”

With the shield of faith we are – “more than conquerors though Him that loved us.” Rom. 8:37

The importance of faith is seen in that:

1. We can NOT be saved without faith.

John 3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

2. We can NOT live victoriously over the world without faith.

1 John 5:4

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

3. We can NOT please God without faith.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

4. We can NOT pray without faith!

James 1:6

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

5. We can NOT have peace with God without faith.

Romans 5:1

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

6. We can NOT have joy without faith.

1 Peter 1:8

Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

7. We are justified by faith and NOT by works.

Galatians 2:16

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.

8. We are to live by faith.

Galatians 2:20

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.

9. We are made righteous by faith.

Romans 10:1-4

10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

²For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

³For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

⁴For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

10. Christ dwells in our hearts by faith.

Ephesians 3:17

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. . .

11. The Holy Spirit is received by faith.

Galatians 3:2

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

12. Faith is important because it honors God – and God always honors faith.

Romans 14:23

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Study on Faith – #1 – What is Faith?

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HEBREWS 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Our faith is the title deed to eternal life. Just as a paper title gives evidence of car and real estate ownership – so our faith is evidence of our eternal estate in God.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:18

WHILE WE LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN, BUT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN: FOR THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN ARE TEMPORAL; BUT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL.

1. Faith is taking God at His Word without question.

HEBREWS 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

2. Faith is knowing that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” Faith does not believe that all things are good – or that all things work out well. Faith believes that all things – both good and bad – work together for good to them that love God.

ROMANS 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

3. Faith is two-sided. The first side deals with our intellects, wherein we have intellectual conviction that Jesus Christ is God. The second side deals with our wills. It is a conscious choice to surrender our wills to the will of Jesus Christ as Lord and Master.

This is displayed in Thomas’ declaration – “My Lord and my God.” John 20:28

JOHN 20:28-31

²⁸And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord {volitional or conscious surrender} and my God. {intellectual conviction}

²⁹Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

³⁰And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:

³¹But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name. {saving faith!}

Saving faith is an intellectual conviction that Jesus is God, and a volitional surrender to Him as Lord (Master) of our lives. By faith, the mind trusts in God; the heart responds to the love of God; the will submits to the commands of God; and the life obeys in the service of God.

4. Genuine faith is paradoxical. It surpasses all human reasoning and logic. The truly faithful believes without understanding why.

It sings in prison.

ACTS 16:25

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

It glories in tribulations.

ROMANS 5:3

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

It chooses to suffer.

HEBREWS 11:25

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season

It accepts all things as a part of God’s will.

PHILIPPIANS 1:12

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel

WE ARE NOT BORN WITH THIS FAITH. IT COMES BY THE HEARING OF GOD’S WORD –

ROMANS 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

This is why we are commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature, that by hearing, they may believe.

ROMANS 10:13-14

¹³For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

¹⁴How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Study on Faith – Introduction

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The just shall live by faith.

This declaration of the Christian’s principle of life is found in four places in Scripture.

Habakkuk 2: 1-5
Romans 2:17
Galatians 3:10
Hebrews 10:38

In the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk, we see the difference between the lives of the just and the unjust. The unjust are puffed up – and live according to their own wills and self-sufficiency. But the just on the other hand – live by faith. Their confidence is only in God, not themselves. To the just, faith is more than a world view or philosophy of life. It is the very principle of life.

HABAKKUK 2:4

⁴Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

The righteous shall live his entire life by faith.

He is saved by faith.

Acts 16:31 – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

He is kept by faith.

1 Peter 1:5 – Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

He lives by faith.

Gal. 2:20 – 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.

The faith of the just shall be tried many times and in many ways – but will always be vindicated, because through Christ, faith is more than equal to any occasion.

1 Peter 1:7 – That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. . .

Faith knows how to wait on the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31 – But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Faith is always victorious.

1 John 5:4 – For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Faith defies logic, and can move mountains.

Matt. 17: 14 – 21

¹⁴And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,¹⁵Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.¹⁶And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.¹⁷Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.¹⁸And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.¹⁹Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?²⁰And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.²¹Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Faith never gives up.

Hebrews 11:32-39

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
³³Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
³⁴Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
³⁵Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
³⁶And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
³⁷They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
³⁸(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
³⁹And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

WITH FAITH – WE CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY, THAT “GOD IS WORKING OUT HIS PERFECT WILL IN MY LIFE, AND I CAN WAIT – ENDURE – AND SUFFER!” FAITH DOES NOT MAKE ANYTHING EASY – BUT IT DOES MAKE ALL THINGS POSSIBLE.

Repentance – Introduction

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Proverbs 28:13

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

What mankind expresses outwardly only fools other people. God desires truth in the inward parts. Baby kissing politicians are an excellent allegory of this concept. The same politician publicly kissing the cheek of a six month old infant, thinks nothing of voting for a six month pre-born infant to be killed in the womb.

Psalm 51:6

Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

God commands ALL men everywhere to repent.

Acts 17:30

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Sinners must repent before we can become the recipients of salvation by grace through faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9

⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Once saved, we must practice repentance so that we may enjoy unbroken fellowship with God. Someone once said – “I repented before I understood the meaning of the word, but since then as a Christian I have repented many times.”

Job 42:1-6

42 Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

²I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from Thee.

³Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

⁴Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak: I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me.

⁵I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee.

⁶Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Repentance itself, is a gift from God!

Acts 5:31

Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 11:18

When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

The goodness of God is not merited – therefore – the results of His goodness (which is repentance) is a gift.

Romans 2:4

Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

This gift of repentance is an inward change produced by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God is proclaimed.

Acts 2:37-38

³⁷Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

³⁸Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The result of preaching the Word of God is “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith that Christ died for our sins, and that He was buried and that He rose from the dead.

Acts 20:21

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

²By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

³For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;

⁴And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:

Repentance qualifies us for salvation – but it takes faith in christ to acquire it. countless very religious people are aware of their sinfulness – but since they do not fully trust christ for their salvation – they never acquire it. true repentance is always coupled with faith. it is impossible to have saving faith and not repent! “repentance toward god and faith toward our lord Jesus Christ” are essential and inseparable in salvation.

Faith without repentance is the ultimate hypocrisy – and repentance without faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is folly and futility.

Repentance – #4 – Does God Repent?

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I could hardly wait to cover this aspect of repentance, as it also covers one of the so-called “contradictions,” in the Bible. If, after this study, any readers still insist this is a contradiction, we will assume that person is not saved, and does not want to know or understand the Word.

OK – DEEP BREATH – HERE WE GO!

Numbers 23:19

God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?

Genesis 6:5-7

⁵And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

⁶And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.

⁷ And the Lord said,
I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them.

OK – Bible critics – Ahah! There it is, right there. A HUGE contradiction. Only – sorry – it’s not a contradiction. It is a PARADOX!

THAT’S RIGHT – IT IS NOT CONTRADICTORY – IT IS PARADOXICAL!!!!

God makes TWO covenants with mankind.

1. The first is UNCONDITIONAL.

When He makes an UNCONDITIONAL covenant – HE NEVER REPENTS! Israel haters take note – He made such a covenant with Abraham.

Gen. 12:1-3 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee ²And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing ³And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. It will stand FOREVER because – “The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent.” Ps. 110:4. He made an UNCONDITIONAL covenant with Israel.

Romans 11:23-35

²³And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

²⁴For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

²⁵For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

²⁶And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

²⁷For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

²⁸As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes.

²⁹For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

³⁰For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

³¹Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

³²For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.

³³O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

³⁴For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor?

³⁵Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

2. The second is CONDITIONAL.

“The Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. “

Gen. 6:3 In the days of Noah, God gave the human race 120 years to repent. Only Noah and his family repented and “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

Gen. 6:8 Noah and his family met God on His terms and conditions – and so – were not judged with the unrepentant. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering to us,“

NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.” 2 PETER 3:9

It is abundantly clear, my Calvinist friends, that God wills to save all lost souls! He is “not willing that any should perish.” To be saved, one must meet His terms and conditions, which are – “repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21 IF a sinner does NOT repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, THEN God will repent, CHANGE, and judge the sinner.

In His love, He bestows Grace – BUT – if salvation by Grace is rejected – In His justice – He terminates Grace.

THIS IS THE WAY THAT GOD REPENTS

Next up – Impossible to renew unto repentance! If you find Bible doctrine fascinating and irresistible – then you are in good company.

1 Peter 1:12-13

¹²Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

¹³Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

Psalm 91:4

He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust:

His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

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Romans 12:10-11

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

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Proverbs 10:26

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,

So is the sluggard to them that send him.

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Proverbs 6:12-13

12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;

14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

2 Chronicles 36:16

But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

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James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

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20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

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Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,When with our Savior, heaven is begun;Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning,Beyond the sunset when day is done.

Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather,No storms will threaten, no fears annoy;O day of gladness, O day unending,Beyond the sunset eternal joy!

Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide meTo God the Father whom I adore;His glorious presence, His words of welcome,Will be my portion on that fair shore.

Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion,With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before;In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting,Beyond the sunset forever more!

Revelation 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

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2 Peter 2:1-3

2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

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Revelation 3:14-16

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.

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126 It is time for Thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void Thy law.

127 Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

130 The entrance of Thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalm 119: 126-130

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2 Corinthians 6:14-15

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

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A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And He left them, and departed.

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Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you

Genesis 25:29-34

29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

2 Peter 1:3-4

3 According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

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John 3:3-7

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

¹⁰Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

¹¹Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

¹²A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

¹³He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;

¹⁴Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

¹⁵Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God.

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,
When with our Savior, heaven is begun;
Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning,
Beyond the sunset when day is done.

Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather,
No storms will threaten, no fears annoy;
O day of gladness, O day unending,
Beyond the sunset eternal joy!

Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me
To God the Father whom I adore;
His glorious presence, His words of welcome,
Will be my portion on that fair shore.

Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion,
With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before;
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting,
Beyond the sunset forever more!

¹⁴And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

¹⁵I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

¹⁶So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.

¹⁴Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

¹⁵And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

²⁹And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

³⁰And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

³¹And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

³²And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

³³And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

³⁴Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

³According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

³Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

⁴Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

⁵Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

⁷Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

²⁴Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

²⁵Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;

²⁶That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,

²⁷That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

²But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.

²And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:

¹⁸Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

⁷I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

²Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

³For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

⁴When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.