Divine Sugar Sticks for July 2001

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Sunday, July 1, 2001

Is the Spiritual Life Necessary?

There are three things that will prevent us from being disciples of the Lord.

1. Devotion to self.
2. Ambition for self.
3. Desire of possession of this world’s goods.

Our devotion, loyalty to Christ, must come ahead of devotion to our family. Our ambition for Christ must supercede ambition for self.

We should not lay up treasures for ourselves on Earth. Rather, let us lay up treasures for ourselves in Heaven. That is the sensible thing to do because we are going to spend more time in Heaven than we will be able to spend on Earth.

God said if we do not do these things we cannot be His disciples.

We cannot have the spiritual life and that is the cost.

Is the Spiritual Life Necessary?

Our Lord tells us in Luke 12:22-31, we are to take no thought, or not to be anxious, or worry, about our lives, that is, what we eat or put on our bodies, because He will provide all these things when we seek first the kingdom of God, or put Him first.

There is nothing wrong with money or possessions, but these possessions and money should be used to glorify the Lord. If we are using money to lay up treasures for ourselves, we are putting money first, and we cannot serve God and mammon – the God of abundance.

Paul instructing the Church tells us in Phil 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

So, our primary goal in life should be to seek things of Christ first, and if we do, God will supply our needs. This is not saying that we shouldn’t protect our loved ones if we can. Everyone who can should protect his loved ones. Of course, there are those who don’t. But the Lord tells us if we don’t provide for our loved ones, we are worse than infidels, unbelievers. We should provide for the necessities of life.

But accumulating abundance for ourselves and neglecting to use our money to glorify the Lord is wrong, We cannot have the spiritual life as long as we covet possessions for ourselves.

”In the latter days perilous times shall come. Men shall be lovers of pleasure, lovers of money, lovers of self, more than lovers of God.”

Is the Spiritual Life Necessary?

“So likewise, whomsoever be he of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.”

Here we find that we must be willing to forsake all that we have, speaking of possessing this world’s goods. If we put possession of this world’s goods first, we cannot be His disciples. We cannot walk the spiritual life, a life motivated by God the Holy Spirit, if we are selfish. We covet possessions for ourselves rather than desiring to help others.

Our Lord reveals very plainly our attitude toward the world’s goods in Matt 6:19-21, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon Earth where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.”

Verse 24, “No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” – meaning gods of abundance, a pagan god.

This is not criticizing abundance, It is just to point out that man’s life does not consist of the abundance of things which he possesses.

Is the Spiritual Life Necessary?

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.”

Our ambition for self has to be second to our ambition for the Lord.

The phrase “bear his cross” has to do with ambition for self. As long as I am seeking to make a place for myself in this world, as long as I am seeking power for myself, I cannot be my Lord’s disciple. Because I am putting myself first, not the Lord.

Ambition for self must come second. I cannot walk the spiritual life, I cannot live the life motivated and energized by God the Holy Spirit as long as I am seeking a place of power and prominence in this world for myself.

My life is a life motivated by selfishness, by the flesh, instead of a life motivated by God the Holy Spirit. A lot of people fulfill the letter of the law, but remember we find that ”the letter of the law killeth” and “it is the Spirit that quickeneth.”

My devotion to Christ must come first, and my ambition must be taken off of self and placed on the Lord. Our drive must not be to seek a place of prominence or power for ourselves, but rather should desire to seek a place of prominence for the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Cost and the Value

When we ask ourselves the question, “Is spiritual life necessary?” we must be able to estimate the cost of spiritual life and the value of spiritual life.

Let us consider the true meaning of these words of our Lord. Luke 14:25-33. In the 26th verse we find that our devotion to the Lord must come first. ”If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.”

If a man allows love for his loved ones, or love for his own life, to conflict with his loyalty to Christ, he cannot be our Lord’s disciple.

God doesn’t tell you not to love your family because he says just the opposite. This is not a contradiction. The word “hate” used here does not mean what we use the same word today to imply. It means to disregard as far as loyalty to Christ is concerned.

Our devotion to Christ must come first. If our love for loved ones supercedes our loyalty to Christ, we cannot be Christ’s disciple. We cannot have the spiritual life. To have a life dominated and influenced entirely by God the Holy Spirit is to lead the spiritual life.

There are many people today trying to obey God’s Word and live the spiritual life. They are trying to force themselves to be spiritual. But spiritual life must begin in the soul. It must begin with devotion to Christ. Man looks from without, but God looks within the soul of man. Decisions begin in the mentality of the soul and in the volition of the soul.

The spiritual life is the life that is energized by God the Holy Spirit, not the life motivated by what we think we should do or what we think other people expect of us.

“JEHOVAH NISSI” – The Lord is My Banner – July 4th Special – Part One

1. Israel’s enemy. Who are the Amalekites?
   
   The Amalekites are the descendants of Amalek, a grandson of Esau. We are told it in Genesis 36:12. Then they were direct descendants of Isaac. Yet they became the persistent and hereditary enemies of Israel, “a thorn in the flesh,” and a constant menace to their spiritual and natural life.
   
   Balaam calls them the first of the nations, Num 24:20, that is to oppose Israel. They were a numerous and powerful people. It might have been expected that, as closely related to Israel as they were, they would have afforded help instead of opposition. Yet they opposed Israel in a most mean and cowardly way.
   
   Years later Moses called upon Israel to “Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way as ye came forth out of Egypt, how he met thee by the way, and smote the hindermost of thee, all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary, and he feared not God,” Deut 25:17-18.
   
   God had bidden him write in a book the words, “For I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under Heaven.” And “JEHOVAH hath sworn that Jehovah will have war with Amalek from generation to generation,” Exodus 17:14-16.
   
   For “the face of JEHOVAH is against them that do evil, to cut off their memory from the Earth.”
   

   

   “Jehovah Nissi” – The Lord is My Banner – The Amalekites – Part Two

2. Centuries later the Samuel came to king Saul with a commission from JEHOVAH “to utterly destroy the Amalekities with all their possessions so that not a trace of them or theirs should be remain,” 1 Sam 15:3.
   
   The failure of king Saul to carry out to destroy the Amalekites, 1 Sam 15:2, 3, led to his own rejection and death, 1 Sam 15:26-28. When he lay mortally wounded on the battle field of Mount Gilboa, a young man, a stranger, came to him. Saul urgently requested this young man to put an end to him for he knew he could not live, and did not wish to fall into the hands of his conquerors while yet alive. 2 Sam 1:1-16. By the bitter irony of a just retribution, this young man was “an Amalekite.” The sinful thing which Saul had spared, now returned to slay him.
   
   Not until the days of king Hezekiah was the command finally carried out that “the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped were smitten,” 1 Chr 4:43. This is no doubt one reason why Hezekiah was favored by JEHOVAH.
   
   Yet it is highly probable that Haman, who a thousand years after Moses, almost accomplished the total destruction of all the Jews in Persia. As told in the book of Esther, “Haman the Agagite,” as he is called is a descendant of king Agag of the Amalekites, whom Ssaul in his foolish disobedience sought to spare alive.
   
   The Amalekites were at that time living with their flocks and herds in the vicinity of Rephidim. Moved by suspicion, jealousy, and fear, they resented the presence of such a multitude of strange people in the wilderness and were determined to prevent their passage through it. Thus they opposed the purpose and plan of God. They had first carried on a sort of harassing, guerilla campaign against Israel. Then apparently they came out against them in pitched battle.
   
   Next time: Israel’s triumph and JEHOVAH NISSI, the Lord is my Banner.
   

The Value of the Spiritual Life!

What will we gain?

First of all, we will have peace, and what a blessing that is! Remember the legacy our Lord left to His disciples, to you and to me, as He was leaving this world to be with His Father. ”Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” John 14:27.

There is the legacy our Lord left to His children, to you and to me. We will have that peace if we will live the spiritual life.

Second, we find the joy of answered prayer. Certainly we need that! “And in that day ye shall ask of Me nothing. Verily, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full,” John 16:23-24.

Third, we find assurance. How we need that! God’s children today are in great need of assurance. Paul had assurance. “For the which cause I also suffer these things, nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against the day,” 2 Tim 1:12.

Paul didn’t worry about anything and the reason why Paul didn’t worry was that he had nothing to worry about because he knew Whom he believed.

The Value of the Spiritual Life!

Forth we have satisfaction. We will have a satisfied life, and what a blessing that is!

Psa 36:7-8, “How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God, therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.”

There we find a satisfied life.

Is there anything else you need? Well, the Lord will supply that, too. “Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light,” Matt 11:28-29.

All of us need rest and we have it when we live the spiritual life.

Wise Men Still Seek Him!

From the eastern mountains
Pressing on they come,
Wise men in their wisdom
To His humble home.
Stirred by deep devotion
Hasting from afar,
Ever journeying onward
Guided by a star.
Light of light that shineth
Before the world began,
Draw thou near, and lighten
Every soul of man.

There their Lord and Saviour
Meek and lowly lay,
Wondrous light that led them
Onward on their way.
Ever now to lighten
Nations from afar,
As they journey homeward
By that guiding star.
Light of light that shineth
Before the world began,
Draw thou near, and lighten
Every soul of man.

Thou who in a manger
Once hast lowly lain,
Who dost now in glory
Over all kingdoms reign,
Gather in the heathen
Who in lands afar,
Never have seen the brightness
Of Thy guiding star.
Light of light that shineth
Before the world began,
Draw Thou near, and lighten
Every soul of man.

Gather in the outcasts
And whoever has gone astray,
Throw Thy radiance over them
Guide them on their way.
Those who never knew Thee
Those who have wandered far,
Lead them by the brightness
Of Thy guiding star.
Light of light that shineth
Before the world began,
Draw Thou near, and lighten
Every soul of man.

Onward through the darkness
Of the lonely night,
Shining still before them
With Thy kindly light.
Guide them Jew and Gentile
Homeward from afar,
Young and old together
By Thy guiding star.
Light of light that shineth
Before the world began,
Draw Thou near, and lighten
Every soul of man.

Until every nation
Whether bond or free,
Neath Thy starlight banner
Lord, follows Thee.
Over the distant mountains
To the heavenly home,
Where no sin or sorrow
Evermore shall come.
Light of light that shineth
Before the world began,
Draw Thou near, and lighten
Every soul of man.

Monday, July 2, 2001

“TETELESTAI” – “It is Finished,” John 19:30

”It is finished!” Christ hath known,
All the life of men wayfaring,
Human joys and sorrows sharing,
Making human needs His own.
Lord, to us Thy life renewing
Lead us where Thy feet have trod,
Till, the way of Truth pursuing,
Human souls find rest in God.

”It is finished!” Christ is slain,
On the altar of creation,
Offering for a world’s salvation,
Sacrifice of love and pain.
Lord, Thy love through pain revealing,
Purge our passions, scourge our vice,
Till upon the tree of healing,
Self is slain in sacrifice.

”It is finished!” Christ our King
Wins the victor’s crown of glory,
Sun and stars recite His story,
Floods and fields His triumph sing.
Lord, whose praise this world is telling,
Lord, to whom all power is given,
By Thy death, hell’s armies quelling,
Bring Thy saints to reign in Heaven.

“JEHOVAH NISSI” – The Lord is My Banner! – July 4th Special – Part Three

Israel’s triumph

Strange to say, there appears to be have been no fear or confusion among Israel in such a crisis. Perhaps the recent miracle of the water from the rock had overawed them and inspired them with confidence and trust. Perhaps it was easier to fight a tangible foe of flesh and blood after the terrors of the wilderness with its hunger and thirst and weariness. At any rate, no hint is given of alarm or confusion.

Moses calmly orders Joshua to chose men and go out and fight Amalek. These enemies of God’s people, the masters of this peninsula of Sinai, thought, no doubt, to prevail easily over this newly-freed slave rabble without supplies, without arms, without knowledge of the country. For Israel was indeed an ill-equipped, ill-disciplined, inexperienced mob going out against a well-armed and experienced foe. But Amalek little knew the secret source of the calm and courage of God’s people.

Two other factors, at least, must have contributed to this confidence. The first is the man Joshua, whom Moses chose to lead the expedition. A man of inflexible purpose, of indomitable courage, an able leader and soldier. His name had originally been Hoshea, a prince of the tribe of Ephraim, Num 13:8. Hoshea means to give deliverance or help. But in Num 13:16 we read that Moses changed his name from Hoshea to Joshua, which means JEHOVAH is help or salvation.

Whether this change was before or as a result of this event we do not know, but he must have been a man to inspire confidence and courage. We know he was a man of faith, for he with Caleb, were the only two of the 12 spies who brought back an encouraging report of the Promised Land they were sent to spy out.

The second factor was, of course, Moses himself, now vindicated and honored in the eyes of the people after smiting the rock with his rod to bring the waters gushing out of it. In order to encourage Joshua and his men, Moses promises to take his position upon a hill with his rod, the rod of God, in his hand. In the account we are told that as long as Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when his hand was lowered, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were supported and Israel was finally victorious and the defeat of Amalek complete.

That is how the name JEHOVAH NISSI came into being. The Lord is my Banner!

“JEHOVAH NISSI” – The Lord is My Banner! – July 4th Special – Part Four

Israel’s triumph

Moses standing upon a hill with uplifted hands has generally been thought of as interceding with God for the vindication of God’s cause in the victory of His people. This factor of intercession suggested by upraised hands was no doubt present and important in Moses’ attitude. But there was something much more important than that.

For in Moses’ hand was the rod of God, the God-given rod, the wonder-working rod, the rod which brought the terrible plagues upon Egypt, which opened a path through the Red Sea for the deliverance of Israel, and brought the waters closing down in destruction upon God’s enemies.

It was the rod of God’s mighty hand and outstretched arm, the rod of “ELOHIM.” And how significant is this use of the Name denoting His creative glory, indicating His might, sovereignty. This is the general Name of God, the Name especially used in relationship to the nations, represented here by Amalek, as distinguished from “Jehovah” in relationship especially to Israel.

Then it is the “ELOHIM” here, with the definite article, the only ELOHIM, denoting whether Amalek acknowledged it or not, He was God.

”It is the rod, as the banner of God” which brought the victory. What then was the meaning of Amalek’s success when it was lowered and Israel’s success when it was raised?

It was to sharply emphasize and deeply impress upon Israel’s warring soldiers and her watching anxious host, “That upon God alone depended and to Him belonged the victory.” That under His raised banner victory was always assured. No matter what the odds then, for in Moses’ own words, “Five should chase a hundred and a hundred should chase ten thousand,” Lev 26:8. That rod was the symbol and pledge of His presence and power and working.

A banner in ancient times was not necessarily a flag such as we use nowadays. Often it was a bare pole with a bright shining ornament that glittered in the sun. The word here for “banner” means to glisten among other things. It is translated variously, pole, ensign, standard, and among the Jews it is also a word for miracle.

”As an ensign or standard, it was a signal to God’s people to rally to Him.” It stood for “His cause, His battle.” It was a sign of deliverance, of salvation, as we shall see by the use of the word for the pole on which the brazen serpent was raised in the wilderness.

It is the word used by the psalmist as “lift up” in the expression, “Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us,” Psa 4:6.

So, “Joshua,” that is, “Jehovah is salvation,” the rod of ELOHIM held aloft. In Moses’ upraised hand as God’s banner over them, and the light of His countenance upon them, these were Israel’s victory.

Next the welfare of the saints and JEHOVAH NISSI.

Christian Progress!

Phil 3:12-14, “Not as though I already attained, either were already made perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

1. Wherein we make progress.
   A. In our views of the excellence of Christianity.
   B. In our love to God and Christ.
   C. In holiness.
   D. In heavenly mindedness.
   
2. The necessity of this progress is seen.
   A. In the frequency with which the Christian life is compared to a warfare and a race.
   B. In the urgent commands of God.
   C. In the nature of Christianity to which progress is indispensable.
   
3. The means.
   A. A firm belief that Divine influences may be obtained at all times, and to the full extent of our wants, by humble, earnest prayer.
   B. Constant application of the Word of God.
   C. A continual view of the Cross.
   D. A constant vision of the prize.
   E. A study of eminent examples.
   

   

“Not by Works of Righteousness Which We Have Done!”

Notice here the reality of salvation!

We find that salvation is totally unmerited!

All through the ages, man has shown his need and longing for a salvation and his earnest desire to be right with God. But, unfortunately, man ever sought to accomplish this end by his own unaided efforts. It was through the desire to be independent that man fell.

Almost ever since that day, man has tried with the same independence of God to get back to the Divine presence. That is, of course, impossible. We remember that sin affects every part of the moral man, therefore, we know if man is to be saved, it has to be done outside of his works.

All mankind is divided into two classes – those who try to win God’s favor by merit, or work, and those who are utterly distrustful of self and human merit, who say, “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the Cross I cling.”

There are two classes that began right outside of the Garden of Eden with Cain and Abel.

“According to His Mercy He Saved Us”

We find also that salvation is Divinely merciful

Salvation, if it is to be effectual, must of necessity be Divine. It must be the work of God and no one else. This is the burden of Christianity.

”Salvation is of the Lord”

God our Saviour is one of the most remarkable titles of the Divine Being. It is of His mercy alone that salvation has been brought to man.

There is nothing in man to merit it or deserve it. But God, in His own mercy, came to our rescue and saved us in Christ with an everlasting salvation. That is a Truth that we must ever be conscious of. There is nothing in man to merit salvation. There is nothing in man that deserves salvation.

But God, in His own mercy, came to our rescue and saved us in Christ with an everlasting salvation. Man didn’t cry out to God to send His Son. Mankind was against God when He sent His Son.

It was the need of man that touched the heart of God. God in His Divine mercy sent His Son that we might have everlasting salvation.

“By the Washing of Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Spirit”

Another thing we find in Titus 3:5 is that salvation is absolutely complete. He saved us by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. In these words we are told very plainly of the perfection of God’s salvation.

It starts with regeneration, which is the gift of God’s new life, which accomplishes the washing and cleansing of forgiveness. We are a new creation. We are now “born of God.” We are of His household. The whole picture has changed.

”Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” That has to do with relationship.

We are a new creation. We are no longer in the old creation. The old man that was born of earthly parents died with Christ. We become a new creation in Christ. We are an entirely new creation. Certainly we can see here that it is complete.

He saved us by the washing of regeneration.

July 4^th – Independence Day!

Breathes there the man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!
Whose heart hath ever within him burned,
As home his footsteps he hath turned,
From wandering on a foreign stand?
If so there breathe, go, mark him well,
For him no minstrel raptures swell,
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim.
Despite those titles, power and pelf,
The wretched, concentrated all in self.
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust from whence he sprang
Unwept, unhonored, and unsung.

Titus 3:6, “Which He Shed on us Abundantly Through Jesus Christ our Saviour.”

We find in this verse that salvation is gloriously “abundant.” How we need to be ever conscious of that blessed Truth.

God’s gifts are always in abundance. God’s salvation is poured on us in wealth and abundance to meet every need. Yet many of us, I am afraid, have lost sight of that blessed Truth. That His salvation for you and me meets abundantly ever need that might come into our lives.

”And we have received Grace upon Grace,” literally, “Grace heaped upon Grace.”

In the life to come, salvation from the very presence of sin is the crown and culmination of God’s marvelous provision.

Tuesday, July 3, 2001

Titus 3:7, “That Being Justified by Faith …”

Notice the experience of salvation. What does it do for us in our personal experience? That is important. We have seen that God is the Author of our salvation. Now notice what it does for us in our personal experience.

First it gives us a new position. – ”Being justified by faith.”

Justification means the restoring of the position that man lost through sin. It is the reinstatement of man to the position that man held before the fall. But even more than that, it implies the removal of the guilt of sin.

It implies the removal of the condemnation of sin. It is the Divine righteousness covering the sinner and the Divine Grace regarding that sinner as righteous in the eyes of God’s Holy Law.

God declares us righteous. When He declares us righteous, we know then that the guilt of sin has been removed, the condemnation of sin has been removed, separation caused by sin has been removed. We have been restored in right relationship with God. The new position is the position we stand before God, without sin or guilt, because God has declared us righteous.

It is wonderful to recognize the Truth that we can go straight into the presence of God without fear of condemnation because He has justified us by His Grace.

And now we stand righteous in the eyes of God and in the eyes of God’s Holy Law.

“That Being Justified by His Grace, We Should be Made Heirs,” Titus 3:7

Secondly, salvation not only give us a new position, but it also gives us a new privilege.

What a glorious privilege is this to be heirs already enjoying in part the wealth of God’s Grace and the heritage of His mercy and faith.

Too few of us, I am afraid, recognize that Truth. Too many of God’s children today feel that it is only when they get to Heaven that they can enjoy the privilege of this position of being in the family of God. Consequently, they lose the sense of the value of their salvation today. They lose the blessedness that God wants them to have. We have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. But how many of us recognize that Truth?

The privilege of prayer, the privilege of knowing that we are under His eye at all times, under His protection, the privilege of knowing that we are His sheep and He is our Good Shepherd ever watching to guide us and supply our needs. To watch over us, help us, guard us, and protect us are spiritual blessings we can enjoy now. Few are conscious of the blessedness of knowing He is our High Priest interceding for us.

We don’t have to die before we enjoy the privilege of our new position in Christ. We should enjoy it today. And the thing that makes it possible is faith.

Faith is essential to enjoy the salvation we have, just as faith is essential to mankind in this world today. Every human being has faith in something. If we are going to enjoy the Christian life as God wants us to, we must have faith.

”The just,” those that have been justified, “shall walk” and live “by faith.”

“That Being Justified by His Grace, We Should be Made Heirs According to the Hope of Eternal Life,” Titus 3:7

Salvation not only gives us a new position and a new privilege, but it also gives us a new possession. It is eternal life. Eternal life in connection with Christianity means the personal experience with God.

John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they might know Thee, the only True God and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent.”

The greatest possession of Divine life takes place not when we die, but now.

John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”

We find the words is past from death unto life. We already have that new life.

So, you see the salvation of God, which is merciful, which is complete, which is abundant, gives us a new position which automatically gives us a new possession.

“Made Heirs According to the Hope of Eternal Life,” Titus 3:7

Here we find hope. It gives us a new prospect of life. It gives us hope. Here is one thing that a lot of us lose sight of. Hope in the New Testament is always associated with the Lord’s coming, “the Blessed Hope.”

That is one of the reasons I feel there are so many Christians today that do not have hope of eternal life. There has been removed from the teaching and preaching that they hear Sunday after Sunday, the coming of our Lord. Any one who truly has faith in the coming of the Lord has that hope.

So, as we look over these verses, we think of the Author of salvation. We see His Divine Grace, His Divine philanthropy, His Divine mercy. Then we can certainly place Him as the Foundation of our trust and the assurance of our faith.

When we recognize the reality of salvation, we realize it is entirely unmerited. It is Divinely merciful. It is abundantly complete and gloriously abundant.

When we meditate and realize it gives us a new position, which gives us a new privilege, which gives us a new possession, which results in a new prospect of life, we have the hope of eternal life.

And all of this is yours, if you will just believe.

“Let Everyone Purpose in His Own Mind What He Should Give”

Here we come with gladness
Gifts of love to bring,
Praising Him who loves us,
Christ our Saviour-King.

Small may be the offering,
But the Lord will use
Every gift we bring Him,
None will He refuse.

More and more for Christ
May we gladly give.
Giving, giving, giving,
Is the only way to live.

July 4th and Christian Soldiers!

Oft in danger, oft in woe,
Onward, Christian, onward go.
Bear the toil, maintain the strife,
Strengthened with the Bread of life.

Onward, Christian, onward go,
Join the army, and fight the foe.
Will ye flee in danger’s hour?
Know ye not your Captain’s power?

Let your drooping hearts be glad,
March in heavenly armor clad.
Fight, not think the battle long
Victory soon shall tune your song.

Let not sorrow dim your eye
Soon shall every tear be dry.
Let not fears your courage impede
Great your strength, if great your need.

Onward then in battle move,
More than conquerors ye shall prove.
Though opposed by many a foe,
Christian soldiers, onward go.

“They have taken away my Lord and I know not where they laid Him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?”

Her sorrow was so tremendous that it blinded her to her Lord. She was right with Him, looking at Him, yet her sorrow blinded her to the glory of God which was in our Lord.

And Jesus saith unto her, “Why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She supposed Him to be the gardener.”

She didn’t even recognize Him because her sorrow blinded her to the point, “She said unto Him, Sir, if Thou hast borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him and I will take Him away.”

Here is the answer! Jesus said unto her, “Mary.” What happened then? “She turned herself and said unto Him, Rabboni, which is to say 'Master'.”

She was so blinded by fear, by sorrow, because she loved the Lord that she didn’t even recognize her Lord when she saw Him face to face.

What had to happen? She had to hear the Lord speak to her personally, “Mary.”

We are the same. “Lazarus, come forth.”

Personal Relationship/Personal Study

When we study the Word of God, we must remember the Lord is speaking to us personally. Look at it personally. Don’t look at it in the abstract.

God is speaking to you. It is directed to you. These promises are written for you.

When you hear the Lord’s voice speaking to you personally, in His Word, you are going to find, like Mary, sorrow is going to leave. And you are going to see the glory of the Lord.

There is going to be an understanding, because He is the Light of this world. Your Bible is God’s Word to you. When you read it, do you hear His voice speaking to you? Instructing you? Giving you light of understanding?

”The entrance of Thy Word giveth light.”

Well, you should, for the entrance of His Word gives us light as we find in Psalm 119:130.

Psalm 112:4-8, “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is Gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man showth favour, and lendeth: He will guide his affairs with discretion (that is, with judgment). Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.”

There is one other thing we find Christians being blinded to, and unable to see the glory of the Lord. And that is self. Have you ever stopped to realize that an unselfish man, an unselfish Christian, is a Christian who always has understanding? Now what kind of man is that here spoken of in Psa 112:4?

That is the man, the upright man, in “whom there ariseth light in darkness.” An unselfish man is a man with understanding.

”The Lord God is a Sun and a Shield, and He gives Grace and glory, and there is no good thing He will withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

”Those that sat in darkness have seen a great Light.”

”I am the Light of the world.”

“I Am the Light of the World”

Christ came that we might have the abundant life, a life free from distress and anxiety. But to have that, we must have understanding. What is understanding?

Jesus Christ said, “I am the Light of the world.” We are the children of Light. The world, the darkness, rejected the Light. But we are children of Light. Therefore, we have the capacity to understand.

But there are three things that blind us to the Light of the glory of the Lord.

1. First – fear. We see that in Peter, and the servant of Elisha.
   
2. Second – sorrow. No one can question that Mary loved the Lord, but her sorrow in not finding the Lord blinded her to her Lord when she saw Him face to face. She had to hear the Lord speak to her directly. Peter had to see Him resurrected before he could believe.
   
3. Third – selfishness will blind us to the glory of the Lord. We need to see our Lord risen, seated at the right hand of the Father and hear His voice in His Word speaking directly to us.

”Thy word is a Light unto my path.”

”Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.”

“Meditate in the Word Day and Night, Neither Turning to the Left or the Right, and Thou Shall Prosper Withersoever Thou Goest”

It is so important for you to read the Word of God and meditate on It, and hear God’s Word spoken to you by a Pastor-Teacher.

When you hear or read the Word of God, if you are a child of God, God’s sheep, you can hear and recognize the voice of our Lord in His spoken Word or when you read His Word. When the Word of God enters into your mind, it gives light and understanding. It dispels darkness.

So, the answer for today’s darkness is to hear the voice of our Lord in the Word of God and let the Word of God dwell in us richly, as we are told in Col 3:16, so it can dispel the darkness and give us understanding.

It is only through the entrance of God’s Word in our minds that we can have this Light for today’s darkness. The only way God’s Word to enter is for us to read and hear the Word of God.

We must recognize His voice in His Word, whether it is spoken to us, or we read it. When we do this, we will have Light for today’s darkness. Because the Light dispels the darkness, we won’t fear because the love of God will be perfected, or made perfect, in us because we believe and trust His Word. ”Perfect love casteth out fear.”

When we do these things, we will surely be able to face each day of the coming year saying, “Yes, it is wonderful to be a Christian.”

Wednesday, July 4, 2001

“Learn of Me and Ye Shall Find Rest for Your Souls”

The big question!

How can we find satisfaction with Christ and have this “perfect peace of mind in Christ?” Isa 26:3.

The answer is found in our Lord’s first invitation to the individual man which is found in Matt 11:28-29 where he says, “Learn of Me and ye shall find rest for your souls.”

Now everyone knows that you can’t completely trust someone whom you know nothing at all about. Consequently, the great need for the Christian is to learn more of the Lord Jesus Christ as He promised in the 11th chapter of Matthew.

It is through our learning of Christ in His present relationship with us who are born-again believers that we can have peace of mind and rest for our souls and to be perfectly satisfied with Him.

“Then Spake Jesus Again Unto Them, Saying, I Am the Light of the World. He That Followeth Me Shall Not Walk in Darkness, But Shall Have the Light of Life,” John 8:12

For the person who is really interested in knowing the Truth – what is the right thing? what is the right interpretation? Is there any way in which he can find out?

Is there any standard? Yes, there is and we find it in John 8:12. The word “Light” refers to that which reveals, that which gives understanding and knowledge. ”You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free.” Light is that which reveals.

Darkness in Scripture refers to lack of understanding, confusion, and bewilderment.

”I am the Light of the world.”

There is a prophecy regarding our Lord in Isa 42:5, “Thus saith the Lord, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the Earth, and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and Spirit to them that walk therein: I the Lord hath called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light to the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the Lord: that is My Name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.”

That was prophesied that when the Lord would come, He would be that which would reveal to the Gentiles and all the nations. “I am the Light of the world.”

”He lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” “The entrance of Thy Word giveth light.”

Luke 2:25, “For Mine Eyes Have Seen Thy Salvation Which Thou Hast Prepared Before the Face of All People, a Light to Lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of Thy People Israel.”

So we find Simeon, a devout Jew, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognized when he saw this Child, Jesus Christ, that He was the One who would give understanding to the nations. Jesus Christ Himself said, “He said, I am the Light of the world.” John 8:12.

He said, “I Am” – absolute status quo. The understanding that God gives to man if he is willing to follow the Lord.

Remember this – any interpretation of any Scripture that contradicts the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is false. The Holy Spirit does not contradict the life of the Son of God.

In other words, the Word of God never contradicts the life of the Son of God.

If any one has an interpretation, even though he may have an arrangement of words that seem to substantiate his opinion, if it contradicts the life of Christ, it is wrong.

Jesus Christ said, “I am the Light of the world. He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life.” Or the Light of My life, the Light of eternal life.

”I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand,” John 10:28.

1 Peter 2:25, “For Ye Were Sheep Going Astray, But Are Now Returned Unto the Shepherd and Bishop of Your Souls.”

Heb 13:21, “Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, from the blood of the everlasting covenant.”

Notice, “that Great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ.” Now can’t you say with David, “The Lord is my Shepherd?” Won’t you make Him your Shepherd? He is and He wants to be. By authority He is your Shepherd. Why shouldn’t you?

Every thing a shepherd should be toward his own sheep, our Lord is to us, if we will let Him. He is kind. He is affectionate. He is concerned about you. He is interested in you.

He has the authority to help you, the ability to feed you, and to supply your needs. He can guide you. He is devoted to you. And He is gentle. Now why don’t you try it?

”All we like sheep have gone astray, and we have turned each one to our own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

“I Am Come That They Have Life, and They May Have it More Abundantly”

You know you became a child of God through trusting the death of Christ on the Cross for your sins. And He gave you everlasting life then and there.

Christ didn’t just come to give you life without end. He came to give you abundant life. He tells us so Himself in John 10:10.

This abundant life is eternal life and it embodies so much more than just life after death. That is great and wonderful in itself, but God has so more for you and He has it for you right now while you are here on this Earth.

He has abundant life for you and He wants you to be enjoying it now. But you “must” apprehend this life abundant through believing, having faith in His blessed Word to you, just as you apprehend life after death through believing, having faith in the Promise He gave you in John 3:16, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Remember, When You Were Born of God, You Became a Spiritual Being, Capable of Understanding the Spirit of the Word of God

Because you are indwelt with God the Holy Spirit, you must partake of God’s Word to grow and mature into a spiritually healthy child of God. You must feed on His Word by reading it, by meditating on it, believing it, trusting it, partaking of it by faith, and be exercised by it. The Word of God is God’s letter to you. It is God speaking to you. Obey it, be exercised by it.

Another thing you must do is to commune with God and that is pray. Talk to your heavenly Father. Just as God’s Word is food for your soul, so is prayer in the very atmosphere of the soul, the breath of the soul. So the child of God should live in prayer. Pray without ceasing, we are told.

You must partake of the spiritual food of God’s Word and breath the proper air.

Another thing that is most important to your spiritual health is fellowship with God’s people around the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. God tells His people, “Do not forsake the gathering together of yourselves like those without hope,” Heb 10:25.

This pertains to fellowship as well as worship. We need to have fellowship with other Christians around the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ if we are to have a healthy Christian life, the abundant life that Christ came to give us.

Matthew 4:4, “Man Cannot Live by Bread Alone, But by Every Word That Proceedeth Out of the Mouth of God”

Luke 4:4, “Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Heb 2:3, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation.”

We are instructed in the Word of God what the Lord wants us to do. If we neglect to do these things, we soon will become weak, sickly, anemic, and if we remain in that condition long, we will soon stop breathing (praying) and we will die spiritually. This doesn’t mean that you will be lost and go to hell, but your spiritual life will become such a low ebb that you will not enjoy your Christian life.

You will become completely self-centered. You will be inactive in your church life and all activities will be pushed aside. You will become like unto one dead spiritually, and you will start showing all the symptoms of one suffering from spiritual malnutrition. Some of the symptoms are self pity, fault finding, selfishness, complaining about your lot in life – a life completely void of spiritual vitality. You will have no radiance, no joy of salvation.

How pitiful it is to get into that state, and all because of the lack of feeding daily on the Word of God and communing with Him, not living a prayer life in constant communion with your heavenly Father, and fellowship with God’s people around the Person of our Savior who died for you.

”My people are destroyed because of the lack of knowledge.”

Colossians 3:16, “Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly”

The cure or the answer for those who are suffering spiritual malnutrition is meeting daily with your heavenly Father in Heaven and reading His Word, feeding upon it, partaking of it so that it becomes the very essence of your life.

Let the Word work in your life. Let your life be exercised by it. His Word is life. It is real and it will change your life, change your attitude, change your outlook on life completely.

In short, it will make you become a spiritual, healthy, well-adjusted child of God, full of joy and peace, able to overcome the burdens and trials of life.

Because the Word of God is called “sound Doctrine,” literally, “healthy Doctrine.”

You will enjoy the abundant life that Christ came to give you. It is yours. Why not have it today? Partake of it by faith in the whole Word of God today. To do this you must read the Word of God, feed upon it, and fellowship in prayer with God.

Remember, “man shall not live by bread alone.” That means physical bread only, “But man shall live by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

The problem in our age is spelled out in Scripture, “In the latter days, men will not endure sound Doctrine.”

So, there is a sickness in the land, the sickness of the lack of a healthy Christian life without the Word of God. “There is no balm in Gilead.”

“There is a famine in the land, a famine for the Word of God.”

“Study to Show Thyself Approved, a Workman That Needeth Not to be Ashamed, Rightly Dividing the Word of God.”

If you aren’t feeding your soul on God’s Word, and in communion, in prayer with Him, and fellowship with God’s people around the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, you aren’t exercising your Christian life.

You aren’t actually living a full Christian life. You are just existing in your Christian life. You are missing so much of the beauty and the wonder of the abundant life that Jesus Christ came to give you.

Why don’t you start, start today to really live the abundant life He wants you to have? Start feeding your soul on God’s precious Word and living a life of prayer.

We are told to pray without ceasing. This means to live our lives in a spirit of prayer or communion with our heavenly Father daily and when we feed upon God’s Word and live in communion with Him, we will be in fellowship with Him and also with others of God’s children who are spiritually like-minded as we are.

We will be serving our Lord with joy and gladness of soul instead of being sick from spiritual malnutrition. We will be happy, active, rejoicing people, serving and praising God and singing hymns and making melody in our minds to the Lord.

“Jealousy is as Cruel as the Grave”

Prov 6:34, “For jealousy is the rage of a man, therefore, he will not spare in the day of vengeance, he will not regard any ransom, neither will he rest content though thou givest many gifts.”

You cannot, it is unfortunate, but you cannot reason with a jealous man or woman. It doesn’t make any difference what you give them, they are jealous. Jealousy is “Christian cancer.” It starts out and eats and eats until it destroys a person’s whole joy of salvation.

Jealousy! God deliver us from jealous people!

After all, was that not the basis of the Pharisees antagonism against the Lord Jesus Christ? Did they not want to slay Him? Basically because of religious jealousy? ”For envy they sought to kill Him.” They saw the common people going after Him and therefore they took council together that they might slay Him.

It is hard today to make people understand that the acts of jealousy not only hurt others, but they destroy their own well-being.

If there is one thing we should fear as Christians, if there is one thing we should ask the Lord to deliver us from, it is the taint of jealousy because we know that a jealous person is unhappy.

Yes, Jesus Christ was the mark of those who were jealous of Him.

“Jealousy is as Cruel as the Grave”

Psa 109:4, “For my love they are my adversaries, but I gave myself unto prayer.”

Because of his love for the Lord, maybe David didn’t coincide, or was not in full agreement with the methods of worship that had been laid down by those before him.

He loved the Lord and because of his love for the Lord, then they were his adversaries. He had done nothing but good for them. There are people who have helped other people in trouble, but then they get jealous, and then they turn upon them. That happens to all of us one time or another. What you do is as David did here. You pray for them and you realize that they hurt themselves a lot more than they hurt you.

It was because of David’s love for the Lord. We find Christians, too, we find groups of Christians, and individuals who are continuously hurt and lied about and brought into embarrassing situations for one reason and that is because they love the Lord.

Others feel that they have embarked on a strange course because what they do, they do to the glory of the Lord, and therefore it is bringing conviction on the other soul. But you know the Lord recognized that and if you have been greatly hurt recently or perhaps not so recently, maybe a year ago, the hurt that you have is the hurt that our Lord had. It is a hurt that many of God’s children have had down through the ages. It is one thing that we can expect.

“JEHOVAH NISSI” – The Lord My Banner – July 4th Special – Part Three

The welfare of the saints!

A. Israel – our example.
Israel’s experience of battle is the analogy of our own spiritual warfare.

Amalek represents the forces of this world order which stand opposed to JEHOVAH in all ages, the rulers and the princes of this world who have lifted up their standard against the Lord and against His anointed.

Exodus 17:16, “JEHOVAH hath sworn that JEHOVAH will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” Literally, “For there is a hand upon or against the throne of JEHOVAH, JEHOVAH will have war against Amalek from generation to generation.”

”It represented the world which lieth in the wicked one,” 1 John 5:19.

Its characteristics are “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and pride the pattern of life,” 1 John 2:16.

Amalek was a grandson of Esau, who despised spiritual things and “preferred a mess of pottage” to a spiritual birthright. He was the first enemy to appear to a redeemed people. Israel had just been redeemed and baptized in the cloud and in the sea. They had partaken of that spiritual meat, represented by the manna, and drunk of that spiritual Rock, which was Christ as represented by the waters of Horeb.

The newly-born believer at once finds the old man of the flesh confronting him in sharp contrast and opposition to the new man of the Spirit within him. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary the one to the other,” Gal 5:17.

The apostle Paul declared that in the flesh there is no good thing, Rom 7:18, and regarded it as a law in his members warring against his mind and seeking to bring him into captivity to itself, Rom 7:23.

It is this flesh and its lusts which are to be crucified in those who are Christ’s, His redeemed. Gal 5:24.

Thursday, July 5, 2001

“He That Liveth and Believeth on Me Shall Never Die”

Man’s greatest fear today is death.

The reason death is the greatest fear of man is that in the beginning “man was driven away from God.” Therefore, eternal life has been denied the man of this creation. After Adam and Eve had sinned we find, “So He drove out the man and he planted at the east of the garden of Eden, cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life,” Gen 3:21 ff.

God told Adam the day he ate of the tree he would surely die, here it is. God drove Adam and Eve from Him. He separated man from Himself. There is death. It means “separation from.” The Greek word is THANATOS.”

We find the Greek word “HAGIASMO,” which means sanctification, separated unto. But “THANATOS” means separated apart from, or away from.

So, in the beginning when man sinned, God drove man from Him and man died spiritually. Man comes into this world to die. The end of man is death. Man must die.

”It is appointed man once to die, and then the judgment,” Heb 9:27. Man is appointed once to die.

Now, in Rom 6:3-8 and in 1 Thess 4, we find that some men will die in Christ. Those who have accepted Christ as their personal Saviour have been created a new creation in Christ, and are in the body of Christ, the true Church, the bride of Christ.

Then there are those who reject Christ who will die in their sins. We find that in John 8:1 and 2.

2 Corinthians 5:17, “A New Creation in Christ”

When you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, you are then created a new creation in Jesus Christ. In 2 Cor 5:17 we find that being in Christ is being a new creation. We are now heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. We are of the household of God. We have been born of God.

Now you have eternal life, because you are “in Christ.” According to Romans 6, we have been partakers of His death, burial, and resurrection. When Christ died on the Cross, He was buried, then He rose again, the first of many brethren.

When you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, you become partaker of His death because He died for you. You become partaker of His death because you are buried with Him, Romans 6, and you have been raised with Him.

Now, because He died and was buried and rose again, He is the Resurrection and the Life. There is no separation from God for His children, to those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. There is no separation from God. There is no reason for it.

The barrier was the sin of man. But Christ died for that sin. He died for sin and He died unto sin. Then He was raised to live in unbroken relationship with God.

”Reckon yourselves also dead unto sin and alive unto God,” Rom 6. When our Lord died and was buried and rose again, He rose the first of many brethren. He rose the last Adam, the second man, in a new creation.

Now when we accept Christ as our personal Saviour, His death, burial, and resurrection are credited to us. We are then born a new creation in Christ. That new creation will never be separated from God.

When we close our eyes here, we go straight home to be with the Lord. “He that liveth and believeth on Me shall never be separated from Me.”

“Separation From God”

There is nothing that will separate a child of God from God. Lots of times we feel because we are going through troubles, difficulties, because we have been hurt, we have been weak and are going through a certain amount of chastisement, we feel we are not close to God. That God has forsaken us. No! No!

God has not forsaken us.

Rom 8:35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” “Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword?” Verse 37, ”Nay, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

Verses 38-39, ”For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

There is your answer!

“I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

Don’t look for the day when your loved ones will be resurrected. He or she has already been resurrected.

In Eph 2 we find that our place is in Heaven. There is a day coming when our bodies will be resurrected, and changed, and fashioned like unto His glorious body. That is true.

But we ourselves are not separated from God, the real you, the soul. When our bodies wear out and are put in the grave, we go home to be with the Lord. When we close our eyes, we will open them up there. Why? Because Christ is the Resurrection and the Life.

My Lord died for me. He was buried for me. He was raised for me.

Because I am in Christ, I have been partaker of His death, burial, and resurrection because He is the Resurrection and the Life.

If we are in Him, we have been through the resurrection and we have eternal life. We shall never be separated from Him. Believers need to get this.

“I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

Our great need in times of sorrow, in times of bereavement, in times of that nature is to put our minds on Christ, recognizing that He is the Resurrection and the Life.

Don’t put your mind on what your loved one did or what he didn’t do. Is he a Christian? Has he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour? If he has, then that loved one is home with the Lord right now. When he or she closed their eyes here, they immediately went home to be with the Lord, “which is much better,” as Paul says.

Now, let us ask ourselves a question. You have recently lost a loved one. Would you want to call them back from Heaven down to this old sin-cursed Earth where there is sin, greed, and selfishness? Where the body wears out and becomes painful and hurt? Do you want to call them back from Heaven down here? Do you? Of course not.

Now, to sorrow is natural. You sorrow because you lost a loved one. But they haven’t lost anything. They have gained everything. “For me to die is gain.”

They are home with the Lord. Why? Because Jesus Christ said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He that liveth and believeth on Me shall never be separated from Me.”

What a blessing that is. Aren’t you glad you are a Christian?

”We sorrow not as others which have no hope.”

“For if we believe that Christ died and rose again, then them that sleep in Christ will God bring with Him.”

“The Skillfulness of His Hands” – Pierced Hands

David was called a prince, or shepherd, of Israel. Notice one of the characteristics of a good shepherd.

Psa 78:70-72, “He chose David also His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: From following the ewes great with young He brought him to feed Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. So He fed them according to the integrity of His mind, and guided them by the skillfulness of His hands.”

In other words, here we find the shepherd, “ROHI,” the one who is interested in you, loves you, and who has the authority to help you. He also feeds according to the integrity of His mind.

Our Lord is never unfaithful. He is never partial toward any. Please remember that His mind is right. Therefore, He will supply your needs, because the feeding was according to the integrity of His mind.

Secondly, “He guideth them by the skillfulness of His hands.” He guides us the right way. He is concerned about us. He is interested in us. He has the authority. And with that authority he has ability.

So, therefore, because His mind is right, He supplies our needs, and He guides us in paths of righteousness. He will guide us the right way.

How to Have Fellowship With God

“Lord who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?”

One of the most important Psalms in the Bible is this 15th Psalm, because the question is asked the Lord by David, “Who is it that can have fellowship with God?”

Of course, we all know that we cannot have fellowship with God unless we are born again. But we find here several statements that the Lord gave David. It would be good for all of us to meditate on them.

First, one is to have a right attitude toward God. ”He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the Truth in His mind.”

A man’s mind has to be right. “As a man thinketh in his mind, so is he.” The life of a man reveals the condition of his mind.

If you want to know whether or not a man is true in mind or whether he is dependable, look at his life. If his mind is right, then his life will be right. If his life is not right, his mind cannot be right.

”Guard your mind with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” If his life is not right, his mind cannot be right. You cannot divide the two. A man’s life is a true expression of the true condition of his mind. A man’s actions are motivated by his thoughts.

If we are going to have fellowship with the Lord, the first thing we find here that our minds have to be right with the Lord. If we are born again and make mistakes, which we all do, we should confess our sins to the Lord. He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and restore us to fellowship. This is what is meant by walking uprightly.

Confessing our sins from our mind shows that our minds are right and we are true. Confess is “HOMOLEGEO,” meaning having the same mind.

“JEHOVAH NISSI” – The Lord My Banner

A. Welfare of the saint.

The sphere of conflict is wider than that of the individual. Amalek may also be said to stand for the kingdoms of this world and their enmity to and attacks upon the people of God, against Israel of old and against the Church now. The world is enmity to God. “The kingdoms of the world have not become the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Rev 11:15.

There is a usurper upon the throne of these kingdoms, the same one who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, 1 Thes 2:4, who once tempted the rightful King with the offer of these kingdoms if He would fall down and worship him, Matt 4:8-9.

Amalek is simply the firstfruits of the heathen, the beginning of the Gentile power and hostility to the people of God, representing the kingdom of darkness as against the kingdom of Light, of evil against Good, of a lie against the Truth.

God is represented especially as “JEHOVAH of hosts,” “as lifting up a standard against the nations,” of which Amalek is a type.

”Lift up a banner upon the high mountain ... I have commanded My sanctified ones, even them that rejoice in My highness, the noise of the multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people, a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together, the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle ... I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity,” Isa 13:2-4, 11; Jer 51:12, 27.

But behind every outward manifestation, the conflict is essentially spiritual, for the gates of hell are ever assaulting the Church. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the ruler of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places,” Eph 6:12.

It is interesting even in our day how may wars are attributed to “spiritual wickedness in high places,” i.e., the Mid-East, Ireland, etc.

John 15:17, “These Things I Command You, That Ye Love One Another”

Now love, of course, is evidence of a Divine life. When there is no love, there is no Divine life.

”The love of God is shed abroad in our minds by means of the Holy Spirit.” “The fruit of the Spirit is love.”

Christ said, “If the world hate you, you know that he hated me before it hated you.” “If you were of this world, the world would love its own, but because you are not of this world, therefore the world hateth you.”

Those are the ones who are unregenerate, and, of course, unfortunately, there are many religious people today who have never really put their trust in the Lord and been born again. There is a great deal of antagonism against others who have.

Christ said, “Remember the Words that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”

Now why did they persecute the Lord Jesus Christ? For jealousy. That was all. They were afraid they were going to lose their power. They were afraid of this Man, Jesus Christ, because He was tearing down the structure in which they had built their sense of self-righteousness, self exaltation, and pride.

Friday, July 6, 2001

“Jealousy is as Cruel as the Grave”

“But this cometh to pass, that the Word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, they hated Me without cause,” John 15:25.

It is one thing to know about the Lord and it is another thing to know the Lord. There are a lot of people today who know a great deal about the Lord, but they do not know the Lord.

They can tell you that He died on Calvary’s Cross for the sins of the world. They can tell you that He was crucified, buried, and rose again. They can tell you that He ascended up into Heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and they can tell you that He is coming back to His Church, His bride, one of these days, and that He is coming back with them to reign on the Earth. They can tell you all that. They can tell you that He performed miracles while upon Earth because they know all the stories about the Lord, but they don’t know Him.

They can’t tell you what He is doing in their lives in bringing peace and comfort when they are in sorrow. They have no consciousness of a “living Christ.”

They know about Him, but they don’t know Him. A person who knows the Lord is never critical of anyone else. “But this cometh to pass that the Word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated Me without cause.” They were just jealous of Him.

Maybe your heart is heavy and your mind is confused. One of the most confusing things that will ever come into your life is when you find out that people in churches are jealous of other people in the church.

You can’t understand it and it racks your brain. Why should that be? After all, we are all sinners saved by Grace. Why should they be jealous of one another? Why should they talk about one another?

They were all sinners saved by Grace. You can’t understand it, and there are many today who feel just the same way.

“They Hated Him Without Cause”

Heb 13:12, “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.”

”Let us go forth, therefore, unto Him without the camp bearing His reproach.”

They hated Him without a cause. But He had to draw away. He was crucified outside the gate. He had to go outside the camp. The camp is the place that bears the name of Christ.

But something has come in between them and Christ. I wonder if there are not many today who have been unkindly discussed and hurt because they have gone without the camp, bearing the reproach of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?

”They hated Him without a cause.”

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy if ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye. For the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.”

So, if you are going through trying times because of unfair criticism or misrepresentation of the facts, or deliberate lies about you, it is from those who are carnal, and the basis cause is because they are jealous.

”Jealousy is as cruel as the grave.” “They hated Him without a cause.”

Jealous, just jealous. That is all.

You have taken your stand for the Lord and you have exhibited love for others. You have helped others and those that don’t are confused, and they become jealous, and then persecution enters in.

Well, rejoice because the Spirit and glory of God rests upon you. They that are doing it are speaking evil of God, but on your part He is being glorified.

”They killed Him because of envy.”

“But Let None of You Suffer as a Murderer, or as a Thief, or as an Evildoer, or as a Busybody, in Other Man’s Matters.”

How we need to emphasize that today!

We don’t have to discuss much about the murderer or thief or evildoer, but there are many people who misunderstand their so-called persecution. They say, “It is my cross to bear.” All it is, is the result of sticking their noses into other people’s business. “Or as a busybody in other man’s matters.”

That is another thing you find today. People wanting to know everything about other Christians. It is none of their business. They like to pry into other peoples lives. Why do they do that? How much money do they make? How much do they give? That is none of their business. That is between them and the Lord.

”Don’t suffer as a busybody.” “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on his behalf.”

If you are going through a trying time, broken hearted because of unfairness on the part of others, don’t worry. What did David do? “I give myself unto prayer,” Psa 109. That is the answer. You don’t retaliate, pray. Don’t talk to others about it. Talk to the Lord about it.

If you have been lied about and if you have been hurt by others, don’t tell others about it. Tell it to the Lord and not to other people, because you are doing identically the same thing as they do.

You are only lowering yourself down, getting on their level. The more you meditate upon it, the more disturbed you get and the first thing you know, you find your whole day ruined.

Talk to someone about it and you have a heartache. Talk to the Lord about it and you will have peace.

”They hated Him without a cause.”

The Joy of Answered Prayer!

John 16:23, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing, Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it to you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name. Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full.”

Through continued prayer we find we have joy – the joy of prayer, the joy of answered prayer.

What a contrast between the joys of answered prayer by talking to our heavenly Father about the things instead of a broken heart by talking to man about things.

Don’t talk to people, talk to the Lord. “Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall guard your minds through Christ Jesus.”

Don’t be anxious about anything, but pray about it. Don’t be disturbed about anything, but pray about it.

If you pray about “everything,” you will not be anxious about “anything.”

So, if you talk to the Lord about it, you will not only have joy, but you will have peace.

Notice here the approach in prayer. You pray to your heavenly Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

”Our Father.”

“He Was Hated Without a Cause”

If you have been hurt, and this has been true in my own life and in thousands of others with whom I have talked in private consultation, when you are hurt by someone, don’t talk to anyone about it, talk to the Lord.

Pray more and the more you pray, the more joy you have. And the more you pray, the more peace you have.

So, the answer to the troubled soul of being persecuted by your friends is prayer.

David said, “But I gave myself to prayer.”

“My own friend has lifted up his heal against Me.” “He was hated without a cause.”

”So Christ went without the camp.”

“You Are His Own!”

John 6:41, “No man cometh to Me except the Father draweth him.”

In the Old Testament, God speaking of drawing men to Himself says in Jer 31:3, “With loving kindness have I drawn thee.” And again in Hosea 11:4, he says that “He draws men with bands of love.”

Now this study is for God’s people alone, those who have been drawn to the Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing here for the unsaved.

If you have been drawn to Christ, as you read this study, please meditate on the blessedness of the work of God, remembering that if you have been drawn to Christ, it is not of yourself. If you have been drawn to Christ, it is by the loving kindness of God.

Psa 36:7, “How excellent is Thy loving kindness, O God, and because of Thy loving kindness, the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.”

As believers, we have nothing to boast about, nothing to be self-righteous about. If we are saved, if we have come to Christ, it is because God the Father has drawn us to Him in His loving kindness.

We have nothing to boast about. We have nothing to become self-righteous about, but of how much we have to be thankful for and when we understand the state and condition we were in before God the Father, in His loving kindness, drew us to Christ, it should surely humble us to the point where we should be forever grateful and thanking God every day that He drew us to Christ. Now we have nothing to boast about.

The work of God to man is all of God’s Grace, His loving kindness.

”By Grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God …”

”Not of works, lest any man should boast,” Eph 2:8-9.

“For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them,” Eph 2:8-10.

Did you know that before God the Father drew you to Christ, you were without hope, separated from God, dead in trespasses and sins and by nature children of wrath? Without hope of ever having anything better than an eternity spent separated from God in everlasting punishment?

Jeremiah had a clear vision of mankind’s state and God’s Grace and mercy to man when he said, “It is of the Lord’s mercy that we are not consumed.”

How thankful we should always be and mindful that our salvation is not of ourselves, but by the Grace of God and that salvation is not of ourselves.

”But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness,” Rom 4:5.

”Abraham believed in God and it was counted unto him for righteousness,” Gen 15:6.

”He made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him,” 2 Cor 5:21.

“All That the Father Giveth to Me Shall Come to Me,” John 6:37

“No man can come to Me except the Father, which sent Me, draw him,” John 6:44.

”You are His own.”

We must be conscious of the fact that in our salvation we have nothing to boast of ourselves. If we are saved, we have been drawn to Christ by God the Father and we have been given to Christ by Him. ”God the Father gives the bride away.”

We can see if we have come to Christ it is because the Father drew us to Him and the Father gave us to Him.

”You are His. You are His very own.”

John 17 is the portion of Scripture that is known by all commentaries as the Holy of Holies of the New Testament because it is “the Lord’s prayer.” It is the prayer of our Lord as High Priest, our Mediator, our Representative before God.

This prayer came from the very depth of the soul of the Son of God. He prayed for you and He prayed for me. When you ask people to pray for you, do you know the Lord Jesus Christ prayed for you? How gracious is that!

Yes, Christ prayed for His own. He prayed for His own who have to live here in the world with the spirit of Satan, the evil one, exhibiting hate and wickedness all around them. He prayed for us and put us in the hands of God the Father for safekeeping.

He prayed that God the Father would keep us from evil. “He prayed for us before we were born,” the beauty and the depth of meaning, the preciousness of this wonderful prayer uttered by the lips of our Lord.

It contains volumes. It is the breadth, the width, the depth, and the height of this prayer that never has been completely taken in by the soul of man.

And it is impossible that this prayer of the Son of God could get unanswered by God the Father.

How unfortunate we call the prayer in Matthew “the Lord’s prayer,” when there the Lord is teaching the disciples how to pray.

“You Are His Own!”

Acts 20:28, “Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God.” The word “feed” is “shepherd.” “Which He hath purchased with His own blood.”

The Church – each as an individual in the true Church belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ, in a peculiar way, a peculiar way in that we belong to Him as His body.

All who believe down through the ages and all in the future ages to come belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. But not in the way the Church belongs to Him.

The Church is His body. The Church belongs to Him in a very precious and different way. The Church are those who came to Him during the Church Age and are His own body, His bride, His love gift from God the Father.

Yes, you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. He has purchased you with His own blood.

“You Are His Own”

Acts 20:28, “You have been bought with His own blood.”

You, as a believer, belong to Him, in a peculiar way, meaning a way that is different. You belong to Him. You are His bride. You will some day be joined or wedded to Him to ever be with Him, and how He loves you!

In John 17 is His prayer for you and for me. In this wonderful prayer, He commits you and me unto the Father’s hands for safekeeping while we must live here on this Earth as ambassadors for Him.

Our security rests upon the Father’s faithfulness to His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. When we get this Truth into our minds by means of the Holy Spirit, how can we ever doubt our salvation or question our security?

We are safe in the hands of God our Father.

1 Pet 1:5, we are told that “we are kept by the power of God.”

We are kept because our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, Who became our High Priest, and is now our High Priest on the right hand of God the Father, prayed for us and put us in the safekeeping of God, His Father, and Who is our heavenly Father also, and we are kept by His power.

The wonderful security of those who are His very own.

You are His very own. God gave you to Him. You are God the Father’s love gift to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told in Titus 2:14, “He gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquities and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

We are not a queer people, but a peculiar people in that we belong to Him in a very different way. We are His body, His bride, and we are zealous of good works.

That it why it is wonderful to be a Christian. This Truth, you are His own, should make you love the Lord Jesus Christ more and more as you meditate on Him, and the great love He has for you.

You can say hallelujah now!

“Spiritual Infirmities!”

Isa 1:5, “Why should ye be stricken anymore? Ye will revolt more and move, the whole head is sick and the whole mind faint.”

Isa 1:6, “From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it. But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores, they have not been closed up neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.”

“Spiritual Infirmities”

That, no heart transplant or kidney transplant can ever cure.

There are many of God’s children who have “spiritual infirmities” and there is a good understanding in the Word of God as to the cause, which also explains the remedy. People are being taught by many today that the great need of humanity is to learn to know yourselves better. Well, the better I know myself, the less faith I have in myself.

The great need now and always has been is to learn more about the Lord Jesus Christ. But not many people, not even God’s children, are occupied with learning of the Lord.

They try to learn more about themselves. They kid themselves, and they even get to the point where they feel superior or they feel that they are the masters of their destiny. How silly, how futile this is! Yes, even some Christians get to feeling this way. So they go to some “shrink” to learn more about themselves.

Yes, there are many of God’s children who, just like the heathen, do not know the Lord. They are suffering “spiritual infirmities” simply because they do not really know or rightfully understand the blessedness of their estate, their position as one of God’s children.

”Learn of Me and you will find rest for your souls.”

“Spiritual infirmities!”

1 Cor 11:30, “For this cause many are weak and sickly and many sleep.”

2 Chr 39:16, “But they mocked the messengers of God and despised His Word and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against the people till there was no remedy.”

Prov 29:1, “He, that often being rebuked, hardened his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

Eph 1:3, “Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

Notice carefully the wording of this passage. It doesn’t mean He is going to bless us with all spiritual blessings. He says He hath blessed us, meaning He has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings.

It is good to notice also, that He doesn’t say with some spiritual blessings, but it says with all spiritual blessings. Now that is a wonderful Truth. We have all spiritual blessings at our disposal and we have them now. We don’t have to wait till we die to enjoy them.

Then why do Christians suffer spiritual infirmities? Spiritual malnutrition. The reason is simply that they have not partaken of the spiritual food God has prepared for them.

This is exactly why Christians are under nourished, sickly, immature, and not fully developed, because they do not partake of the food that contains the spiritual blessings that God has for them and wants them to have and enjoy to the fullest.

You know your physical body must be nourished. It needs nourishing food, and if you don’t partake of the proper food, you become under nourished. You suffer from physical malnutrition and a person in this condition never enjoys life to the fullest. If they continue on in this unhealthy, weak, sickly condition, they soon stop breathing.

They die physically for lack of proper nourishment and so it is with the child of God. They are God’s children through the new birth. They are Spirit-born children. They have been born into the family of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, and they are spiritual beings, and they need spiritual food for their soul.

The Word of God is the food of the soul. They need to partake of the Word of God and obey it and be exercised by it. This then is a Biblical picture of an under-nourished child of God.

Most Christians are on a diet.

Saturday, July 7, 2001

“Spiritual Infirmities”

Deut 8:3, “Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

An Old Testament passage on the cause of spiritual infirmities. The reason Christians are sick in spirit is because they have not been partaking of spiritual food.

God, our heavenly Father, said in Deut 8:3, “Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God doth man live.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is our Example, quoted this Scripture to Satan when Satan tried to tempt our Lord in the wilderness. He said in Matt 4:4 and Luke 4:4, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Christ, our Representative Man, lived by the Word of God and was exercised by it.

Christians, the Word of God is the only food for the soul of the people of God. Christians can partake of other food, but they will never become spiritual maturity or spiritually self-sustaining, healthy Christians, unless they partake of God’s Word.

Read it. Partake of it. That is, take it into your mind, your innermost being by faith, and be exercised by it. You need to read the Word of God, meditate on it, accept it by faith, and obey.

When you read the Word of God, feed your soul upon it by believing it and trusting the great promises in it, believing them, trusting them, being exercised by them. That is acting upon them, taking them into yourself by faith.

“Spiritual Infirmities”

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

Remember, faith in God’s Word comes by hearing the voice of God in His Word. We read in Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”

Remember, God cannot lie. He is the One who gives you these promises. They are for you, as a child of God. Apprehend them into your own mind through simple child-like faith. To do this, you must read God’s Word, hear His voice speaking to you personally.

”The entrance of God’s Word into our minds gives us light and understanding,” Psa 119:130. This means light and understanding for us to live by.

In God’s Word there is life and help for you. If you will only partake of it, you will be able to say with the psalmist, “My soul is satisfied and my mouth shall praise Him with joyful lips.”

”With the mind man believeth unto salvation and with the mouth confession is made thereunto.”

”Search the Scriptures, for in Them They speak of Me and in Them you have eternal life.”

“A Salvation Tract”

When I first became a believer, there were many “Heaven tracts” passed out which were instrumental in leading people to the Lord. But today I don’t see hardly any of them anymore.

That is why I use a free ticket to Heaven, which has been effective in my personal witness to the unbelievers.

There is a Heaven tract also in Scripture.

Dan 6:25, “Then the king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages that dwell in all the Earth, peace be multiplied unto you.”

Dan 6:26, “I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom, men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is a living God, and steadfast for ever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed and His dominion shall be even unto the end.”

Dan 6:27, “He delivereth and rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonders in Heaven and in Earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Do these verses remind you of a similar proclamation? Nebuchadnezzar was still an unbeliever when he passed legislation demanding loyalty to God. Dan 3:29, Darius just saved made the same mistake. Yet both these rulers had reached the same conclusion about the true and living God. Dan 4:34-37, cf Dan 6:26b, 27.

Daniel’s deliverance led to the removal of those people who had been not only anti-Semitic, but also negative to the Lord. In addition, his own testimony led to the conversion of Darius. After these events had transpired, the king “wrote” (peal, perfect of KETHAB) his brief declaration.

Nebuchadnezzar and Darius both addressed their message to their subjects throughout the confines of their vast empires, in all the Earth. The decree applied to all regardless of race, language, or geography.

More to follow on the Heaven tract!

“The Heaven Tract” – Part Two

The tract opened with the salutation “Peace.” As used here, “peace” is more than a greeting. It connotes the principle of “reconciliation” as it was then revealed in Isa 35:5, 11, and later set down in Eph 2:16.

Had Darius limited himself to a simple statement of the manifestation and greatness of God’s Grace in his own salvation and in Daniel’s deliverance, everyone in the kingdom would have benefited from this declaration of the Gospel. But like so many new believers who possess much zeal but little or no knowledge of the Word of God, Darius interfered with the convicting ministry of God the Holy Spirit, and tampered with the Grace structure of God’s plan of salvation.

The salutation is followed by the preamble. “I make a decree.” The word order in the Chaldean reads, “From before me is appointed a decree.” This new legislation had obviously been designed to rectify the errors of the old, yet both were equally bad, for they violated the concept of “individual volition and free will.”

Darius’ impetuous declaration was the result of subjective rather than objective thinking. Because he had accepted the Lord, he now attempted the forced conversion of his people. By his demand that “men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,” the king amalgamated religion and state in direct contradiction to the Word of God. Prov 24”:21, cf Matt 22:21.

It is true that some believers turn to the Lord when they are frightened half to death. But although it has been tried in various eras, forced conversion can never be accomplished through legislation.

More to follow ...

“Heaven Tract” – Part Three

Salvation is entirely the work of God from its inception to its execution – from the convicting ministry of God the Holy Spirit, John 16:7-11, to regeneration.</