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Divine Sugar Sticks for July 2002Buddy develops these on a daily basis. I'll try to keep up with his creations as often as I can, so check back often for the latest treats of the day.  What's the background behind Sugar Sticks? Click here to find out.
Wednesday, July 31, 2002 “We Walk by Faith,” 2 Corinthians 5:7Abraham’s walk was certainly one of faith, for he went out not knowing where he went. As we walk through the wilderness of this world amid all the clouds and crises, trials and tribulations, we must rest and claim God’s sure Promises, and believe that He is ever near and trust His immutability. We may not know the road ahead, but He does. And if He leads, all will be well.
One Step at a Time!No matter how long a walk we may take, we take it step by step. Some of the original words used of “walk” in the Bible imply
So we have Promises and instructions connected with the steps we take as we seek to walk with the Lord.
Steps and Stops!Both our steps and our stops are ordered of the Lord.
“The Wicked Fall and Are Not Able to Rise,” Psalm 36:12We have to confess, and that with shameAlthough we are the Lord’s, we yet falter and fail. The wicked fall and are not able to rise, but a Christian, however, is upheld by the Lord’s hand and so if he fails, he is not utterly cast down, Psa 37:23, 29.
We are moving along the great highroad of God’s providence and Grace when we keep to the way of His law.
“The Steps of a Good Man,” Psalm 37:23We have here a qualified Promise. We cannot expect our goings to be established of the Lord if our ways are not fully committed to the Lord’s keeping. Suppose we had to travel for one single hour through a region to which the government of our Father did not extend. We could never emerge from the wilderness and we must die in desolation. But it is a baseless fear.
Tuesday, July 30, 2002 “As Ye Have Therefore Received Christ Jesus, the Lord, so Walk Ye in Him,” Colossians 2:6How did we receive Him as our personal Saviour? Was it not by faith? We must therefore continue as we commenced, namely in faith.
Having believed, we keep on believing. Fellowship with the Lord is precious and vital when we have full confidence in Him and our faith centers around all that He has promised.
“They Shall Walk Up and Down in His Name, Saith the Lord,” Zechariah 10:12The prophet here gives not only a Promise as a solace for saints who are physically sick, but one for those whose spiritual walk has been hindered because of frustration. Are there not those who have become faint and fearful that they will never rise from their bed of doubt? The Lord, as the Great Physician, can banish the disease and sin of fear and taking the weak one by the hand say, “Arise and walk.” He can give His people liberty to walk with Him in holy contemplation, and inward leisure to exercise such liberty.
“He That Walketh Uprightly Walketh Surely,” Proverbs 10:9In the above situation of passages there are those suggesting the true walking posture. We are to walk with God – uprightness. The One we walk with was upright in all His ways. No guile was found in His mouth. None could convince Him of sin. We too must be firm in our integrity if our walk with our righteous Lord is to be amiable and profitable. We must walk in the Light as He is in the Light, and is the Light.
“If We Live in the Spirit, Let Us Also Walk in the Spirit,” Galatians 5:25Is not the thought of God the Holy Spirit always at hand as a Personal Companion a cure for all loneliness? Lonely moments will never be ours if we continually think of God the Holy Spirit as our ever-present Friend with Whom we can walk and talk. It is God the Holy Spirit, and Him alone, Who enables us to persevere to the end. In Him and with Him, we walk and we are not faint. He enables us never to turn our back but to march forward. It is a grander thing to walk resolutely and untiringly on than to mount up with wings of an eagle.
“If We Live in the Spirit, Let Us Also Walk in the Spirit,” Galatians 5:25If we endeavor to experience such a privileged walk in God the Holy Spirit, then we will strive to entertain nothing in the life that should grieve God the Holy Spirit, Eph 4:30. If grieved, then the walk is halted and His influence is suspended. But if we sow to the Spirit, the Promise is that we shall reap life everlasting. Walking with Him and in Him, there must be perfect agreement between us. As the Holy One, He must have likeness to Himself in those who seek to walk in Him.
“Walk Circumspectly,” Ephesians 5:15The Christian must be careful where he treads. His own heart (mind) is deceitful and desperately wicked, literally, incurably sick. He lives in an enemy’s land surrounded by temptations which the god of this world seeks in the diversion of the saints into by-pass meadows. Thus as a loving child, he must keep near to his Father’s side, walking in the midst of unsuspecting snares, watchfully, prayerfully, cultivating a more precious fellowship with his Guide and his Companion. His constant aim should be to honor the Lord in all things. There must be the avoidance of the very appearance of evil. So in our lips and lives express,
“Walk Humbly With Thy God,” Micah 6:8Because God hates pride, how can He walk with one who emulates what He abhors? A vision of His august holiness produces self-abasement.
If we walk as the Lord Jesus Christ walked, it must be in all humility of mind. It is only thus that we can possess the utmost God has promised.
Sunday, July 28, 2002 The Way to Walk“The walk of the believer” means his whole manner of life before the Lord and before men. The Bible also stresses the importance of talk as well as walk. Several Promises are related to our lips as well as our life. Any student of the Bible will find it profitable to go over the verses in the Bible dealing with speech. The first reference among the almost 400 verses dealing with walk or walking as related to man is found in Genesis where twice we are told:
“Enoch Walked With God”This beautiful cameo sets the pattern for the further revelation of the believer’s privilege of having the Lord as his walking Companion. In spite of his family responsibilities and the degenerate age in which he lived, Enoch maintained unbroken fellowship with his Heavenly Companion.
“Enoch Walked With God”In the second occurrence of this phrase, it says that “God took him.” They were in the habit of having a daily walk together and that at the end of one day, the Lord said, “Enoch, why should we part now? Come home with Me.” And so he walked all the way to Heaven with his Friend.
The Way to WalkVarious aspects of our walk should be clearly studied by the Bible student. The Bible indicates how we are to walk.
The Way to Walk
An examination of the setting of the above exhortations will reveal a variety of Promises for the Christian whose walk is well pleasing to the Lord.
How to Walk and How Not to Walk
Full fellowship with God is impossible if there are those things in our life contrary to the Lord’s will. We cannot walk in step with Him unless there is perfect agreement between us. Harmony of thought, desire, and action make for a most pleasant walk together. Shakespeare wrote:
As Enoch walked, so let my step
He Who Hath a Merry Heart Hath a Continual FeastWhat kind of a car did the prophets drive?
Saturday, July 27, 2002 “The Lord Knoweth How to Deliver the Godly,” 2 Peter 2:9, Jeremiah 39:18If only we could experience more fully the Lord’s promised deliverance in the hour of conflict. How magnificently would our lives glorify Him! We may not know how to overcome our enemies, but He does. True faith is bound to be tested, but in the trial, the Lord is present personally undertaking the victory of the tried one. Have we learned to leave the “how” with Him? With no desire to pry the Lord’s secrets, we leave the crushing of the tempter to Him. James 1:12.
“Sin Shall Not Have Dominion Over You,” Romans 6:14There is no reason why a Christian should not be constantly victorious over sin. The Lord has made infinite provision for him. Has He not promised that sin shall not reign in this mortal body? Is not God the Holy Spirit within us to keep us from sin? If the Lord, Who is stronger than Satan and sin, is enthroned within the life, then all our foes feel the power of His mastery. Nothing and no one can triumph over Him.
“Resist the Devil and he Shall Flee From You,” James 4:7The secret of successful resistance is clearly defined by James. As the text as a whole implies, it is by submission to God. Thus yielded to Him, we have Him to deal with our antagonist, who has no fear of us but who greatly fears our victorious Lord. Divinely-inspired resistance spells the retreat of the devil. Defeated, he returns with greater fury to overcome us. But clad in the whole armor of God, we are able to withstand all satanic assaults.
“The Victory That Overcometh the World, Even Our Faith,” 1 John 5:4, 5John informs us that there are three pronounced characteristics of the victory in the battle against all principalities and powers arrayed against Christians.
Truly such a three-fold cord makes us invincible. The three-fold repetition of “overcoming the world” indicates certainty of perfect victory. If we would be found among the valiant overcomers, we must be assured of our regeneration. We must be “strong in faith.” And, we must have a firm grasp of “all the Lord is in Himself.”
“The Son of God Was Manifested That He Might Destroy the Works of the Devil,” 1 John 3:8
This combination of passages proves that Christ’s victory by His death and resurrection were secured for us. So a perfect deliverance can be ours through Him who laid hold of the cruel forces of darkness and stripped them of their vaunted authority. His victory was a bare one. He triumphed gloriously. He was more than a conqueror. Is it not comforting to know that His triumph can be ours? The question is, have we appropriated faith which makes actual in our lives all that our glorious Victor, Prince Divine, made possible by His death?
“Faith, the Victory That Overcometh the World”Too many of us are frustrated and defeated. We seem to have no might against the enemy. At times we try to struggle against those things alien to God’s will. But all too easily we yield. If Grace would only be ours to “possess our possessions.”
The Importance of the Original Languages of Scripture
This phrase “God forbid” occurs over and over again both in the Old and the New Testaments. But the word “God” in every case does not appear in the original language. The Greek word for God is “THEOS,” but the word that is here is “ME GENITO,” which means, may it never happen. It is found Rom 3:4, 6, 31, 6:2, 7:1, 9:14, 11:1, and many other passages.
Friday, July 26, 2002 The Pathway to VictoryGod not only expects His people to live, but to live victoriously. Has He not made full provision for conquest as well as conversation? A defeated Christian gives the lie to the Divine Promise of becoming more than conqueror.
Promised dominion over sin and Satan can be found not only in specific Promises themselves, but also in all that the Lord is in Himself.
Victory!The Lord Jesus Christ is All-VictoriousHe waits to make us sharers of His victory. Almighty, He seeks to clothe us with His invincible might. Which such an omnipotent One to gird us, there is no reason for weakness, defeat, and spiritual impoverishment. As He is, so should we be. Promises concerning the overcoming life are found in Rev 2:5, 11, 12, 21, 12:11, 21:7.
Victory!Encouragements for Christians to live triumphantly
With All These Glorious Promises Before Us, What Else Can We Do but Claim
Victory!An impressive fact that looms largely in all that the Bible has to say about personal dominion is that it is all of Him who went forth “conquering and to conquer.” Apart from Christ we are nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing. As of old the people were reminded that victory over their enemies “came not by sword, by battle, by bow, by horsemen,” Hosea 1:7. God delivered His people, and that not by ordinary means. Thus all the honor was His, for He was able to give victory without battle. It is for this reason that God often determines to deliver us without second means, that the glory of conquest might be His alone.
Thought for Today“The God of peace shall bruise Satan.” Peace bruises. “The wrath of the Lamb.” A lamb, wrathful?
Thursday, July 25, 2002 Certain, Strong, Unmistakable Characteristics of Trust Appear as We Compare Scripture with Scripture...Enabling us to test the reality and quality of our personal reliance upon the Lord
Trust is Only in Divine Resources
Such a wonderful array of Promises and prayers assure us that we shall never be confounded nor disappointed if we are found hiding under His soft feathers. So, as we rest in the Divine Promises, we are secure while the Lord covers and protects. We trust and are safe.
Not only is it necessary for us to trust in the Lord at all times, the witness of the Scripture is that He graciously responds to, and rewards, our reliance upon Him. He is the Rewarder of all those whose confidence reposes in Him. Think of these Promises of blessing accruing from a personal trust.
“He that Putteth His Trust in the Lord Shall be Made Fat,” Proverbs 28:25, Psalm 44:4The fat to which Solomon refers as one result of trust represents prosperity, spiritual or material. But, as we are thus blessed, we must guard ourselves against trusting in our increase. Psa 62:10. Our trust must ever be in God and not in any uncertain riches He may permit us to have. Gifts must never take the place of the Giver.
“Trust in the Lord and do Good,” Psalm 37:3, 34:8, 2:12The psalmist’s exhortation to “trust and do” is the Divine order. Faith then works salvation, then service. We do not sit still because we trust, but arouse ourselves and expect the Lord to work through us and by us. We neither trust without doing, nor do without trusting. “Verily” in the Promise is the assurance that God will supply our every need as we trust and do. We trust God for good, and then we do good.
The Bible is Not Silent Regarding the False Objects in Which the Wicked Trust, Which is Evident From Many ScripturesCheck these out!
Our souls come not nigh their dwelling!
Thought for the DayThe first Adam was rich and became poor because of “sin.” The Second Adam was rich and became poor because of “sinners.”
What Does Trust Protect Us From?
God is not the God of Nahor, Ishmael, and Esau, Who Were the Brothers of Abraham, Isaac, and JacobSame home, same environment. What made the difference? Regeneration! God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Tuesday, July 23, 2002 “Call Upon Me in the Day of Trouble; I Will Deliver Thee,” Psalm 50:15Multitudes of troubled minds have found consolation in this most blessed Promise. An exposition of the Psalmist’s words: One: An urgent occasion. “The day of trouble.” Two: Condescending advice. “Call upon Me.” Three: Reassuring encouragement. “I will deliver
thee.” Fourth: An ultimate result. “Thou shalt glorify Me.”
Trust“Trust” occurs around 200 times in the Bible and it is easy to see its importance and the value the Lord places upon it. Blessed Promises shining like a galaxy of stars are also offered to those who trust in the Lord. While there is a similarity between faith and trust, several interesting meanings are attached to trust.
“Trust in Him at All Times,” Psalm 62:8Here we are given the True Object of our trust, “Him,” and also when trust in Him proves to be all sufficient and satisfying, “at all times,” not sometimes. When the sun is shining, and all is well, and our lives are so radiant with the favor of Heaven. But “all times,” includes even those times when trials, disappointment, and adversity, fill our lives.
Some Encouragements for Those Who Trust“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,” Prov 3:4. God’s everlasting strength. God’s beautiful goodness. God’s excellent lovingkindness. God’s gracious liberality. God’s former deliverances. God never fails to honor the trust and confidence of those believe and appropriate His Promises. No matter how turbulent the waters, He is with us as our Confidence and Deliverer. Isa 43:2, Psa 65:5.
“He That Hath a Merry Heart Hath a Continual Feast”Who was the most flagrant lawbreaker of all the servants of the Lord in the Bible.
Monday, July 22, 2002 What Are Some of the Rewards to be Earned?
Glory is the portion of all believers in Christ, but the crown of glory is for those who “lay down their lives for their brethren,” or who are “ensamples to the flock,” “who feed the flock,” and share the Chief Shepherd’s loving interest in each and all who compose “the little flock,” Heb 6:10, Mark 9:41, Jer 31:16.
Crowns!
The crown presented to a successful runner was a garland of palm leaves, which after a few days would change color and become dry. For such a valueless and temporary reward an athlete was willing to endure weeks of self-denial and arduous training. The apostle looks upon himself as a runner in a more glorious race. In order not to win a few leaves, but a reward eternal in value and nature, and he was willing to “buffet his body” and “lead it captive.”
“An Incorruptible Crown”Paul expressed the fear that unless he observed all the rules of the race, he would be utterly disapproved, lose his reward, which is the meaning of “becoming a castaway.” A teacher asked the boys in Sunday School class how one could keep the body under. A bright-eyed boy immediately replied, “by keeping the soul on top.” It was thus that Paul fought not as one “beating the air,” but as one who was victorious over all the passions and lusts of the flesh.
“A Crown of Righteousness”This particular crown Paul expected for loving Christ’s appearing is so named because it is based upon the merit of Christ, “the Righteous One.” It is only given to those He makes righteous, and who consequently live and long for His return. All the judgments of the bema will bear the character of the Judge. No saint need stand in fear of favor or partiality. As the Righteous Judge, He will do and bestow that which is right.
“A Crown of Righteousness”It is interesting to observe that the word “love” occurs in verses 8 and 10 in different connections. We have a study in contrasts. “Love His appearing,” “loved this present world,” and the one “love” blasts the other. If we truly love Christ’s appearing, the love of the world is not in us. But, if like Demas, we allow the world to capture our affections, then we have little desire for the coming of the Lord. Are we determined to earn the reward the Lord has for those who long for His appearing?
“He That Hath a Merry Heart Hath a Continual Feast”What kind of automobiles are in the Bible?
Sunday, July 21, 2002 The Promise of RewardsWhat holy ecstasy will be ours when we see Him whom we love and serve. This will be our gathering together unto Him. Reasons for all the body of Christ being caught up are:
How elated we will be when the Promise of our future meeting with the Lord Jesus Christ is realized. What a joyous return His will prove to be. We know that in Grace and Truth He comes to us again and again. But these spiritual comings of His will be eclipsed by His personal return when He comes the next time to claim His own. Once He and we meet, what can we expect to take place?
What Can We Expect to Take Place When the Lord Jesus Christ Comes to Take Us Home?It would seem that first of all there would be the bema, or Christ’s judgment seat, with its promised rewards as predicted by the apostle Paul.
“We Must All Appear Before the Judgment Seat of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 5:10When Paul used the pronoun “we,” he was referring to those who “are the Lord’s,” Rom 14:8. That is, to all those saved by Grace. This particular judgment seat must not be confused with that of the Great White Throne, Rev 20:11-15, which is for the wicked dead. The Bible does not teach a general judgment when saints and sinners will be arraigned before the august Judge and then parted left and right. No born again believer will be found at the Great White Throne judgment seat of Christ.
The Bema SeatThe bema seat was a raised up place where the judge sat as he witnessed the Grecian games and then distributed the prizes won. It is in this capacity that the Lord Jesus Christ will act after the body of Christ meets Him. Why is such a judgment necessary? And what is to be judged? It is necessary to determine our place and our position in our Lord’s coming kingdom, since the saints are to assist Him in the governmental control of all things. What will not be judged is our past sin, which God has promised to “remember no more,” Heb 10:17.
What Will be Manifested at the Bema Seat?
There Are Rewards For Us in This Present Life
Our Lord tells us that “even a cup of water” given in His Name earns a reward, Matt 10:42.
Rewards at the Bema SeatRewards obtained at the bema seat are those we earn here on earth for faithfulness. We dare not do anything merely for the sake of a reward. Such an attitude earns the rebuke of our Lord’s displeasure. Micah 3:11, Isa 45:13.
Rewards as CrownsIt is because He has redeemed us and made us His own that we serve Him. The rewards promised us are spoken of as crowns.
We bear in mind that each soul’s biography is being written in Heaven, and will be revealed in “that day.” Will ours be a “full reward” or are we to stand before the Judge with saved soul but a lost life? Nothing to our credit, no stars in our crown because there is no crown for us. Saved, yes, but only as by fire.
Saturday, July 20, 2002 Reunion!
Together! Now we are not together, for death results in painful and sorrowful separations. Life may be lonely because half of your soul is in Heaven. The dear dust of your loved one rests in God’s green acre, but here is a comforting Promise. When the Lord Jesus Christ appears, the dead raised and the living changed are to meet and rise together as a complete body to greet the Saviour.
“The Glory Which Shall be Revealed in Us,” Romans 8:18.How Paul love the Truth of our Lord’s appearing. It is from his letters that we have the fuller revelation of “the Blessed Hope,” which Truth came to him “as the Word of the Lord,” 1 Tim 4:15. The apostle lived with eternity’s values and realities in view. He hoped for that which he was not privileged to see. Rom 8:15.
“The Glory Which Shall be Revealed in Us,” Romans 8:18What amazed Paul was not so much the fact that he was bound for Heaven, as the thought that all of God’s children, once together would function as reflectors of Heaven’s glory. Presently we reflect sorrows and trials of earth. Our bodies are mirrors, reflecting pain, anguish, and sin. But when the redemption of the body is experienced, then our glorified bodies will become glory reflectors. At the glorious meeting in the air there will be realized “the general assembly and the church of the firstborn which are written in Heaven,” Heb 12:23.
RaptureWhat a marvelous event and experience this will prove to be. No wonder it is referred to as “the Rapture,” which word represents a Biblical Truth. The original word “RAPIO,” means to snatch or remove away suddenly. As used of the union and removal of the body of Christ, the word “Rapture” means to carry away to sublime happiness. And that was doubtless what Paul had in mind when he wrote it as the Blessed Hope, the happiness hope.
“We Together”Further, when Paul said, “we together,” he referred to all Christians who died and all Christians alive at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ will not leave behind one hoof in the egypt of this world. “All who are Christ’s at His coming,” 1 Cor 15:23. Such is the blessed Promise.
Christ’s ReturnAnother aspect of Christ’s promised return is the thought of all God’s children being brought together as one family.
Positionally, we are now one family. But when the Lord Jesus Christ comes to take us home, then all Christians will be together in a family forever. We could not be members of the same glorified family around His royal table and yet not recognize each other. The question is sometimes asked, “Shall we know one another in Heaven?” Well, if Heaven represents perfect bliss, how could we be happy in such a place if everyone and everything were strange to us? Even now we are not happy if we are out of tune with those among whom our lot is cast.
We Shall Know as We Are Known!In Heaven there are no social distinctions and no restraints. Thus, when we see Moses, we will be able to speak to him as well as to all other Bible and church saints. The Promise is that we will know the Lord Jesus Christ “as a Lamb freshly slain,” by the nail prints in His hands. Yes, we will know each other better when the mists have rolled away.
When Abraham Died, We Read...
As memory is immortal, Luke 16:25, and identity is never destroyed, in our glorified bodies recognition will be intensified. Moses raised from the dead on the Mount of Transfiguration was still recognizable as Moses. When the Lord Jesus Christ came forth with His resurrection body, identity was not destroyed by death.
Friday, July 19, 2002 “Neither Can They Die Any More,” Luke 20:36The Sadducees differed from the Pharisees in that they rejected resurrection. In reply to their catchy question about the woman with the seven husbands, the Lord Jesus Christ had some important things to say.
“Neither Can They Die Any More”Going back to Moses, the Lord Jesus Christ clinches His answer by reminding the Sadducees that Moses called God, “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Because He is the God of the living and not of the dead, the implication was that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were still alive and somewhere, when Moses declared they had his God as their God. Eternal separation from God is called “the second death,” but having died once, the believer dies no more. He ever lives with the Lord Jesus Christ.
“He Which Raised up the Lord Jesus Shall Raise us up also by Jesus,” 2 Corinthians 4:14In John 11:25 we find the Lord Jesus Christ saying, “I am the Resurrection and the Life; he that believeth on Me though he were dead, yet shall he live.” Here Paul is confirming the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and declaring that all believers are to share in it.
Paul makes it likewise clear that God the Holy Spirit was identified with the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“The Spirit of Him That Raised up Jesus From the Dead”The selfsame Spirit will have something to do with our resurrection. In fact, His indwelling is a proof and a pledge of our triumph over death. As the Lord and Life-Giver, the Spirit will operate upon our dust and produce the glorified body. There is, of course, a spiritual union with the Lord Jesus Christ in death and resurrection to be realized here and now.
Is this risen life yours?
“Our Saviour Jesus Christ Who Hath Abolished Death,” 2 Timothy 1:10The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is one of the most important facts recorded in the New Testament. The Truth is indeed that the whole system of Christianity stands or falls by it. 1 Cor 15:14, 15. The resurrection was God’s respect for Calvary. And that no one is truly saved if the resurrection is discredited is clear from Paul’s teaching.
We need more than a dead Christ. If Christ be not raised, we are yet in our sins, and faith is vain, 1 Cor 15:17. Christ is alive forevermore. As the risen, glorified, reigning One, He is well able to resurrect those who have accepted Him as their personal Saviour.
The Instant Transformation of All Living Saints When the Lord Jesus Christ Appears
These precious Promises prove that all saints of God (believers) living on the earth at the time of Christ’s “return to the air” will be transformed immediately.
Does such a Promise thrill your soul? Just think of it! One day as you are busy here and there living and laboring in the Lord. He will suddenly appear and just as suddenly your body will be glorified and you will meet Him in the air.
“He That Hath a Merry Heart Hath a Continual Feast”Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
Thursday, July 18, 2002 “The Dead in Christ Shall Rise First,” 1 Thessalonians 4:16In connection with our Lord’s promised return there are several features in it necessary to distinguish as He descends.
This phase of the resurrection must not be confused with the resurrection of the martyred saints as the Millennium is inaugurated. Rev 20:4. The Bible nowhere teaches a general resurrection, when saints and sinners alike are raised and parted right from left. What is promised at Christ’s coming in the air is a particular resurrection–a resurrection out from among the dead, only the dead in Christ.
“The Dead in Christ Shall Rise First”The wicked dead are left in their graves until later when they will be raised to bear their final doom. When Paul refers to the “dead in Christ,” he was, of course, describing the bodies of believers who had died. The soul never dies, nor sleeps. Believers themselves never die. The real you never dies. The moment we leave the body we are face to face with the Lord. At present all saints in Heaven, whose bodies rest in graves, do not have their eternal, glorified body. Believers who have died will return with Him to meet us in the air, if we are alive at the time of the Rapture.
“The Dead in Christ Shall Rise First”The Promise is that when the Lord Jesus Christ comes, all believers in His presence will descend with Him. And that at that moment, their dust or ashes, no matter where buried or scattered, will be wrought upon by the power of God and body will meet the soul on that wonderful resurrection morn. The further Promise is that it will be a body “like unto His glorious body,” Phil 3:21.
“The Dead in Christ Shall Rise First”“In Christ” is a characteristic phrase of Paul’s and it represents all those who are saved by Grace and regenerated by God the Holy Spirit. These are those who “died in the Lord,” Rev 14:15.
“This Corruptible Must Put on Immortality,” 1 Corinthians 15:52, 53In this great resurrection chapter, called “the Magna Charta of Resurrection,” Paul deals with the “marvel of marvels” that the sleeping ashes of the sepulcher will stir at the times of the archangel’s trumpet. Dishonored dust will rise with a glorified body like its risen Lord. Writing to the Thessalonians of their blessed dead, Paul said, “Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.” Or literally, “through Jesus,” who is “the resurrection and the life.”
“I Will Ransom Them From the Power of the Grave,” Hosea 13:14
When we see Him, we shall be as He is...and where He is.
“All That Are in the Grave Will Hear His Voice,” John 5:28Here we have a confirmation and elaboration of Daniel’s contribution to the Doctrine of the resurrection. All are to leave the graves either for a resurrection of life or a resurrection of damnation. What is striking in our Lord’s declaration is the fact that the resurrection will be at the command of Christ and accomplished by His power. Having vanquished death and all its powers, He now carries the keys of death and Hades at His girdle.
“All That Are in the Graves Will Hear His Voice”An illustration of His commanding voice resounds through the graves compelling death to obey. We have only to turn to the record of Lazarus at Bethany. The voice of the Lord Jesus Christ will have a two-fold majestic effect.
The important thing before the grave, is to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ saying, “Believe on Me.” “Lazarus, come forth.”
“He That Hath a Merry Heart Hath a Continual Feast”Who was the greatest baby sitter in the Bible?
Tuesday, July 16, 2002 “Of That Day and That Hour Knoweth No Man,” Mark 13:32How wise it is of the Lord to keep us in ignorance regarding the exact day and hour of His appearing. If we knew for certain that it was far away, we might be tempted to put off our preparation for such a day. Negligent and unwatchful, we would not be found living with “belt, sword, and spur on heel.” If, on the other hand, we knew that the day was very near, there might be the tendency to overlook and neglect all things else. We might become too heavenly minded to be of any earthly use.
“Of That Day and Hour Knoweth No Man,” Mark 13:32The angels had to reprove the disciples for gazing up into Heaven,” Acts 1:11, “Why stand ye here gazing up?” Because we do not know when Christ is to return for us, such ignorance is bliss. Faith is tested and developed. Love for His appearing is intensified. Vigilance is maintained. Daily we live as those who may hear the heavenly voice, at any moment saying, “Come up higher; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
“At Even or at Midnight, or at the Cock Crowing, or in the Morning,” Mark 13:35Because we cannot tell when He will manifest Himself, we must always be watchful spiritually. Whether He comes at evening, when the day’s work is done; or at midnight, when the world slumbers; or at the cock crow, when dawn appears; or in the morning, when the day is bright and strong, may the King find us ready when He summons us home. Meantime, as we rest in our invisible Lord, let us likewise rest in the hope that we shall see Him whom our souls love.
“They All Slumbered and Slept,” Matthew 25:5, Matthew 25:13, Psa 130:6“I say unto all, watch,” Mark 13:34-37, Luke 12:36, Isaiah 21:8-12, 1 Thessalonians 5:6Because of the Promises the Lord Jesus Christ made and the precepts He left us, and the warnings He uttered, we must always be watchful and active. But can we say that we are awake to our responsibilities or privileges or expectations? Are we looking, longing, and praying for the Lord’s coming? Do we love the thought of His appearing? Is it high time to awake out of sleep? Both our departure and the return of the Lord Jesus Christ are uncertain, so we must watch. He has purposely concealed the time of His coming in wisdom, in mercy, and for our good. He commands us to “awake” and keep awake. We are to watch the events of the time, and seeing His nearness, be ready to hail His appearing.
“The End of All Things is at Hand; What Manner of Persons Ought Ye to be in All Holy Manner of Life and Godliness,” 1 Peter 4:7, 2 Peter 3:11, 12We cannot live just any kind of life if we believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. Such a hope is a sanctifying one. 1 John 3:1-3. The end is at hand when labors must cease, commerce terminate, earthly relationships, pleasures, and sorrows end. And the last Bible class will be held. Therefore, let us be temperate in all things, watch unto prayer, and serve the Lord in the limit of our ability and capacity.
“He That Hath a Merry Heart Hath a Continual Feast”Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
Sunday, July 14, 2002 “Surely I Come Quickly,” Revelation 22:20It is more than 2,000 years since the Lord Jesus Christ left us with this Promise of a speedy return. And sometimes we feel like asking, “Why tarry the wheels of Thy chariot, O Lord?” But “who” is proposing and promising to come quickly? Is it a foe threatening us? No, it is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of our souls. He is coming for the completion of His salvation, and to claim us as His bride. John, elated by the Lord’s Promise, echoed the desire of the true living church of God, down through all the ages, “Even, so, come Lord Jesus.” With such a certain Promise before us may we be found living as children of the dawn with our faces toward the sun rise. Soon, soon, very soon, His redeemed ones will hear His musical voice, saying, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.”
“They Shall be Mine, Saith the Lord of Hosts,” Malachi 3:17When Christ comes for His redeemed, jealous of His honor, and concerned for His glory, He is to trust them as His jewels, prized and acknowledged before the vast angel host as His own precious possession. If we are His, then we can claim His Promise to receive us and preserve us and place us among His jewels forever.
“The Blessed Hope...This Hope...Rejoicing in Hope,” Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:1-3, Romans 12:12, Joel 3:16Such a glorious Hope will be realized to the full some golden daybreak. As we linger amid the shadows, the trials encountered may tend to rob us of our joy, yet we always rejoice in Hope. We know that an eternal inheritance is reserved for us, and this excites desire, produces patience, prevents despondency, and fills us with peace. The Blessed Hope was freely given, plainly promised and is carefully preserved and we are not ashamed of such a Blessed Hope. Let us lift up our heads for sooner than we think ours may be the joy of partaking of this Hope, which is the Anchor of our souls, sure and steadfast.
“We Look for the Saviour,” Philippians 3:20Who are those who eagerly expect the Lord from Heaven? Paul tells us in the narrative where this Promise is found, “all who are found in Him.” The One we look for is the Promiser Himself. Presently He is at the right hand of God, where He waits, expecting to make a footstool of His enemies. But before He comes to earth to punish His foes and silence the groans of creation, He is to appear for His people to deliver them altogether from the bondage of corruption, and to crown them with glorious liberty. Coming as the Saviour, He will save us from sin within and around. Then and not till then, will the church be saved to sin no more. The foundation of such a Hope is a sure one. His oath, His Promises, His covenant character, His finished work, assure us of its fulfillment.
“Ye Know Not on What Day Your Lord Cometh,” Matthew 24:42While the fact of Christ’s coming is certain, the time of His appearing is uncertain. Thus to predict dates is contrary to our Lord’s explicit teaching. Our obligation is to live that if He should appear in the next hour, we would not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
“Ye Know Not on What Day Your Lord Cometh,” Matthew 24:42What day! Life is made up of all kinds of days and our Lord may come on any one of them. Probably in April. Surely this thought should hallow all our days. He may come on a day when we are immersed in our legitimate ordinary business and toil. If we seek to glorify Him in our daily work, then if He should appear while at our usual tasks, His smile of approval will be ours. If He should come on a day of weakness and suffering, when because of pain the day seems long, then what relief will be ours from the burden. If He comes on a day when joy and success are ours and we find ourselves basking in His favor, we shall not be sorry to leave earth’s blessings for greater ones above. This day, let us live as though our Lord were to show Himself to us as it closes.
“They That Wait on the Lord Shall Renew Their Strength,” Isaiah 40:31God the Holy Spirit could have again chosen one of five or six Hebrew words for the word “wait,” but this is the one He chose. “KAVAH,” which is translated “wait.” But this does not convey the whole idea here. The word was originally used for making rope. First there is just a little strand which is easy to break. But as this little strand is woven in with other strands, it becomes a rope which cannot be broken. Therefore, this word meant to be a strand twisted into a great rope and therefore made strong. And it came to mean “trust.” Even though they are weak, those who “wait” on the Lord or keep on trusting in the Lord, become like a powerful rope which nothing can break.
Christian Humor!“A merry heart doeth good like medicine,” Proverbs 17:22What kind of a man was Boaz before he married?
“He That is a Merry Heart Hath a Continual Feast,” Proverbs 15:15What excuse did Adam give to his children of why he no longer lived in Eden?
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