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Post by nchrist on Sept 21, 2009 20:14:42 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ GLORIOUS PROSPECT by C. R. Stam To the true Christian one of the most wonderful passages in the Bible is Ephesians 2:7, where we read of God's purpose, "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." This passage appears the more wonderful when viewed in the light of its context. Verses 2-6 tell how we were all once the "children of disobedience," and therefore "by nature the children of wrath, even as others." But then we read those wonderful words of hope, "But God." "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love wherewith He loved us..." And the next verses tell how He has taken believers in Christ from the lowest position of condemnation and wrath and given them the highest place of favor and blessing in Christ at His own right hand in the heavenlies. The simplest, humblest believer in Christ has been given this position in the heavenlies, for God no longer sees him in himself, but in Christ, who died for his sins. This is why St. Paul so often writes about "those who are in Christ Jesus." It is for the believer now to occupy this exalted position, to appropriate by faith the "all spiritual blessings" which are his in Christ (See Ephesians 1:3). Like Paul, he may be lifted by grace, through faith, above the troubles and sorrows of "this present evil age" and enjoy his position and blessings in the heavenlies in Christ. And even this is not all, for looking far ahead to the future the Apostle, by divine revelation, goes on to say (in Ephesians 2:7) that God has done this all for us, "that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
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Post by nchrist on Sept 22, 2009 15:14:16 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ ~INSPIRATION, WHAT IS IT?~by Russel S. Miller When "Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary" as recorded in Luke 1:39-45, and "the babe [John] leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice..." (Vers.41,42), uttering the words of verses 42-45, was she inspired? She was, in fact, inspired. And what she "spake" was inspired because Elisabeth "was filled with the Holy Ghost". Consequently the very words which she "spake out" are the inspiration of God. And if this is not enough to prove that the "holy men of God" were, themselves, inspired, we have the very words that Elisabeth "spake out" recorded for us in the inspired Word of God. Even as Luke was, himself, inspired to write The Gospel According To St. Luke. So, Scripture confirms that Elisabeth, herself, was inspired. And not only was Elisabeth inspired of God to speak, but her husband, Zacharias, was also "filled with the Holy Ghost" and what he "prophesied" was the inspiration of God, recorded for our reading in Luke 1:68-79. Just as God "breathed into [man] the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen.2:7) so the Lord inspires "holy men of God" to speak and write as they are moved by the Holy Spirit. Would you not agree that to be "filled with the Holy Ghost" is to be, as Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words puts it, "inspired by God". "ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS" (II Tim. 3:16).Thus the Apostle Paul was not only, himself, inspired in the writings of his epistles but he also wrote by the revelation of Jesus Christ. And those who insist that only the words on the page are inspired, do greatly err "not [rightly dividing] the Scriptures"! Therefore, "the holy men [and women] of God [who] spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Pet.1:21) were themselves inspired, and not merely their words on the page. When the prophets uttered, "Thus saith the Lord," some 300 times, they themselves were inspired of Almighty God. Since the days of the Apostles and Prophets, however, there has been no such inspiration for with the Pauline revelation came the completion of the Word of God (Col.1:25,26). Once again we see that Scripture is a commentary upon itself.
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Post by nchrist on Sept 24, 2009 0:30:40 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ THE TRUTH OF CHRISTby C. R. Stam "As the truth of Christ is in me..." (2 Corinthians 11:10)." How often St. Paul, in his letters, speaks with an oath! "God is my witness" (Rom. 1:9), "As God is true" (2 Corinthians 1:18 ), "Behold, before God, I lie not" (Galatians 1:20), "God is my record" (Philippians 1:8 ), "I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not" (1 Timothy 2:7), etc., etc. As Dean Howson has said: "When Paul makes a solemn statement under the sense of God's presence, he does not hesitate to express this." But had not others spoken under the sense of God's presence? Of course they had, yet Paul calls God to witness far more often than any other Bible writer. Why is this? The answer is found in the distinctive character of Paul's ministry as the apostle of "the mystery." John the Baptist, the four evangelists and the twelve apostles did not need to speak with oaths since they proclaimed that which had already been prophesied. But with Paul it was different. Separate from the twelve, who were widely known as the apostles of Christ, Paul had been raised up to make known a wonderful secret which God had kept hidden from all who had gone before. While not a contradiction of prophecy, this secret had nevertheless not been prophesied; it was a new revelation. Hence it was appropriate that the Apostle should insist again and again that he wrote as in the presence of God. As we consider Paul's oaths, however, we must ask ourselves whether anyone ever used the oath with more solemn sincerity. Did anyone ever suffer so intensely for the truths he proclaimed, or pay so dearly to convince others of them? Could anyone say with such simplicity to those who knew him best: "Ye know... after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations [testings]... and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you..." (Acts 20:18-20)."
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Post by nchrist on Sept 24, 2009 0:32:04 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ TRUE LIBERTYby C. R. Stam As true Americans celebrate their liberty, true Christians should rejoice in the even greater liberty which they have in Christ. Our Lord said: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" and "If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:32,36). Likewise St. Paul declares that believers in Christ have been made "free from sin" and have become "servants to God," who deals with us in grace (Romans 6:22). It is strange that so many sincere religious people actually wish to be in bondage to the Mosaic Law, which can only judge and condemn them for their sins. Peter called the law: "a yoke... which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear" (Acts 15:10). Paul called it "the handwriting of decrees, that was against us, which was contrary to us" (Colossians 2:14). He called it "the ministration of death" and "the ministration of condemnation" (2 Corinthians 3:7,9). He challenged those who "desired" to be under the law: "Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?" (Galatians 4:21)."For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them" (Galatians 3:10).Thank God, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13). Man always responds better to grace than to law. The law was "added because of transgressions" (Galatians 3:19). "By the law is the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20). But Christ died for our sins and now true believers serve God from gratitude and love. Hence Romans 6:14 says: "Sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace." Since Christ has redeemed us from the law (Galatians 4:5) God says to every true believer: "Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Galatians 5:1).
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Post by nchrist on Sept 28, 2009 23:13:16 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ NOT DYING FOR LACK OF LOVEby C. R. Stam It has been said that "the world is dying for the lack of a little bit of love." When this statement is examined in the light of Scripture, however, it is found to be the exact opposite of the truth. Listen to what God’s Word says about this: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
"God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8 ).
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (I John 4:9,10).Many about us are dying in their sins, but not "for the lack of a little bit of love." It is rather because they reject the great love that God has manifested to us in His Son. We are told in John 1:10,11 that "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." This is the problem: men are rejecting His love. "And this is the condemnation," says John, "that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light" (John 3:19).But while others reject Him, you may accept Him as your Savior and know the joy of sins forgiven and of everlasting life, for "as many as received Him, to them gave He the power [Lit., right] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12).
"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on Him" (John 3:35,36)."Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).
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Post by nchrist on Sept 30, 2009 15:46:37 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ GRACE CROWNBy Miles Stanford "The God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect (mature), establish, strengthen, settle you" (1 Peter 5:10).At first, the old nature hides from us. Then, we try to hide from it. But when we begin to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, we are able to face up to the awful facts concerning the old man and his condemnation at the Cross. As the Holy Spirit reveals the old man (Colossians 3:9), we count upon death; as He reveals the new man (Colossians 3:10), we count upon life (Romans 6:11). "The believer, at the opening of his course, never knows his own heart; indeed, he could not bear the full knowledge of it; he would be over-whelmed thereby. 'The Lord leads us not by the way of the Philistines lest we should see war,' and so be plunged into despair. But He graciously leads us by a circuitous route, in order that our apprehension of His grace may keep pace with our growing self-knowledge." - C.H.M. "It was not for nothing that God let Satan loose upon His dear servant, Job. God loved Job with a perfect love; a love that could take account of everything, and, looking below the surface, could see the deep moral roots in the heart of His servant - roots which Job had never seen, and, therefore, never judged. What a mercy to have to do with such a God! to be in the hands of One who will spare no pains in order to subdue everything in us which is contrary to Himself, and to bring out in us His own blessed image!" "Humble yourselves. therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you" (1 Peter 5:6, 7).
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Post by nchrist on Oct 2, 2009 2:42:56 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ INEXPRESSIBLE JOYby C. R. Stam Have you ever noticed that the Apostle Paul never speaks of his love for Christ? Rather he keeps talking about Christ's wonderful love to him. Neither does he exhort us to love Christ, but keeps telling us how Christ loved -- and loves, us. This is consistent with the message specially committed to him: "The Gospel of the Grace of God" (Acts 20:24). The Law said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God" (Matt.22:37). This is the very essence of the law. And we should love God, but the law cannot produce love, so God comes to us in grace and say: "I love you". This is why Paul's epistles are so filled with "the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus" (Rom.8:29). The fact that God deals with us in grace does not mean that believers should not, or do not, love Him. The very opposite is true, for love begets love. It is when men come to know the love of Christ that their hearts respond to him in love. Peter, like Paul, had once been a strict observer of the Law, but had since come to know the love of Christ in growing measure. The result: A deep love for Christ and the overflowing joy that accompanies such love. This is why we find in I Peter 1:8 those touching words that naturally overflow from the heart and lips of one who has come to know the love of Christ: "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory". Yes, knowing and loving Christ does indeed bring inexpressible joy, but we cannot love him by trying. We must accept His love for us in faith so that our hearts may naturally respond.
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Post by nchrist on Oct 3, 2009 15:57:44 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ ENCOURAGEMENT TO A WEARY SOLDIERby C. R. Stam During his ministry at Corinth, the strain of battle began telling on the Apostle Paul. He found himself haunted by fear and depression. Later he wrote of it. "I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling" (I Cor. 2:3).It must not be supposed that fearlessness was characteristic of a nature so sensitive as Paul's. On the contrary, he was often afraid. His, by the grace of God, was rather the courage that went on braving dangers in spite of his fears. After having left the synagogue at Corinth, the strain of meeting, week after week, right next door, with all the embarrassing situations inevitably involved, may well have caused some of his followers, and possible himself, to question the wisdom and propriety of the step he had taken, adding to his mental depression (though this step, moving into the home of Justus, next door, was most appropriate under the circumstances). But the Lord was to endorse the act again in an unmistakable way. It would appear from several passages in the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians (especially II Thessalonians 3:1,2), that this letter was written while Paul was becoming apprehensive about the work at Corinth and that it was after this that the Lord appeared to him in a vision to encourage him. Let the reader try to place himself in Paul's position while reading Verses 9,10 of Acts 18 so as to appreciate its force more fully: "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, BE NOT AFRAID,--BUT SPEAK,--AND HOLD NOT THY PEACE:--FOR I AM WITH THEE,--AND NO MAN SHALL SET ON THEE TO HURT THEE;--FOR I HAVE MUCH PEOPLE IN THIS CITY."Ah, tomorrow he could begin the work anew, assured in advance of the outcome! Whether he "continued" in Corinth (Verse 11) a year and six months longer or all together is perhaps impossible to ascertain, but we know that his ministry there was exceedingly fruitful.
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Post by nchrist on Oct 4, 2009 22:56:19 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESSby C.R. Stam St. Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, refers to those who receive "the abundance of grace" and "the gift of righteousness" (Romans 5:17) which God in love bestows upon all who trust in His Son for salvation. The Bible declares that no man can ever stand uncondemned in the sight of God, the Judge of all, unless he receives righteousness as the gift of God's grace. Quoting from the Psalms, the Apostle says in Romans 3:10; "It is written, there is none righteous, no, not one". This is why Paul pitied those who continued to go about "to establish their own righteousness" (Romans 10:3). He knew that their struggle was utterly futile, that they needed to be saved (See Verse One). Let us thank God that the Lord Jesus Christ took the condemnation and judgment of our sins upon Himself at Calvary so that His righteousness might be imputed to us by grace through faith. Regarding Abraham's justification before God, the Apostle says: "What saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4:3). Abraham's justification, of course, was based on the fact that Christ was to die for sin, but Christ's death is now past; it is an historical fact. Thus righteousness is now proclaimed through Christ and offered to all as a gift. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 ). "God hath made Him to be sin for us...that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). But we must receive this righteousness as a gift, for "to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5).
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Post by nchrist on Oct 5, 2009 14:12:42 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ "Gentiles and the Law" Part 1 of 2by Dr. Roland Icke Romans 2:14-15 "For when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things contained in the law ... these are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts ... accusing or else excusing one another." Though the conscience may be a guide, it can be deceived and become insensitive (seared) by sin (1 Timothy 4:2). From the creation of the world, God clearly revealed His eternal power and Godhead, so that those who violated their own consciences were without excuse when they vainly imagined their own wisdom, worshipped creatures instead of the Creator, and were given up to their own vile affections (Psalms 19:1; Romans 1:20-32). God remembers that we are but dust (Psalms 103:14). He promised a Redeemer and desires that no one should perish, but that all should come to repentance (Genesis 3:15; 2 Peter 3:9). Ephesians 2:11-12 "In time past, Gentiles ... were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world"Redemption for Gentiles apart from the Law, was revealed later in due time (1 Corinthians 2:7-8; 15:8). Romans 5:12-14 "As by one man, sin entered into the world and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law, nevertheless sin reigned from Adam to Moses."See also Genesis 2: 17; 3 :6-19, and Acts 17:30. Galatians 3:8 "And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen [Gentiles] by faith, preached the gospel before to Abraham, saying, 'in thee shall all nations be blessed."The law was added because of transgression, in the hands of a mediator (Galatians 3:19). God gave Moses the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, with details of more than 600 civil, ceremonial, and health laws in their other chapters and in Leviticus, for "the children of Israel." "Because God loved them," He sovereignly chose Israel to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, and gave them the Sabbath as a perpetual covenant, a sign between God and the children of Israel, not Gentiles (Exodus 31:14-18; Romans 2:14-15). All but the Fourth of the Ten Commandments continue as God's righteous standards for man's behavior, but impossible for sinful man to fulfill (Romans 6:14; 7: 12-24; 1 Corinthians 9:21). Jesus said that total love for God with heart, soul, and mind "is the first and great commandment." Love for neighbor as one's self is second and like unto it: "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 5:48; 22:36-40). James 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."In mercy, God gave Israel "carnal ordinances" to be observed sincerely as a temporary atonement (covering) for man's failures (Leviticus 17:11; Acts 22:17; Hebrews 9:9-10). Instead of being the God-ordained witness to the Gentiles, observance of these ordinances became Israel's showpiece of "religious piety" (Romans 9:31-33). Peter called the Law "an unbearable yoke" (Acts 15:1 0).
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Post by nchrist on Oct 6, 2009 18:00:09 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ "Gentiles and the Law" Part 2 of 2by Dr. Roland Icke Paul called it "the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2). Galatians 4:4-5 "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law."Jesus said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). He lived under the Mosaic Law and commanded His apostles to "obey the scribes and Pharisees, for they sit in Moses' seat" (Matthew 23:1-3). John 1:17 "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
Romans 11:32 "For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all."God determined "that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:13-14). This is accomplished without the deeds of the Law (Romans 3:28; 1 Corinthians 1:17; Galatians 3:2-3). Romans 3:20 "For by the deeds of the law there shall be no flesh justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.""But now in Christ Jesus, you [Gentiles] who were formerly far off are made near by the blood of Christ ... having abolished ... the law of commandments contained in ordinances," all of which were "nailed to His cross" in triumph (Ephesians 2:8-10,13-19; Colossians 2:14-15, 20). The Law served its purpose, revealed our inability to meet God's perfect standard of righteousness, and acted as our schoolmaster to lead us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24). "God shall justify the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision by faith," no one by the Law. "He is the God of the Jews and also of the Gentiles (Romans 3 :28-31; 4:6). Ephesians 1:22-23 "That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body [the Church], and partakers of His promises in Christ by the gospel." 2 Corinthians 5:19 "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them ... " The everlasting God commanded the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the previously secret (mystery) gospel for the salvation of all nations (Gentiles), for the obedience of faith (Romans 16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 2:7-8; 15:1-4). For God has "made Him [Christ] to be sin for us ... that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21 ). Romans 10:4 "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes."He is "the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). We are to reckon that we died to sin, in Christ, when His blood paid our death penalty in full at Calvary (Romans 6:1-14). The mighty power of God was wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead (1 Corinthians 2:7-8; Ephesians 1:19-20). Galatians 2:20 "The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death," and given me a new life (Romans 6:3-4, 11; 8:2-4).
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are you saved through faith and that ... is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast."
Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."He asks that we believe the Gospel. Because of His great love, we should be motivated to serve Him even more diligently than we would merely by trying to obey His rigid laws (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Ephesians 2:4-10). Romans 11:33 "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out."
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Post by nchrist on Oct 7, 2009 18:56:20 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ EPHESIANS 5:30 "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones."~GRACE AND THE BODY OF CHRIST~Having accepted the free gift of eternal life by grace through faith, we become members of the Body of Christ. The significance of this distinctive position is clearly defined in God's Word but seldom recognized or appreciated by the reader. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "Ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. For as many of you as have been baptized (Not by water, but by the Spirit-into His death) into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female for YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS" (Galatians 3:26-28 ).
"And He (Christ) is the Head of the Body, the Church; who (Christ) is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18 ).
"For as the body is one and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many...Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular (1 Corinthians 12:12-14,27).To fail to realize our position as members of the Body of Christ, is to miss much of the joy of our salvation. "Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Eph. 4:7). "Rejoice evermore! For we are members of His Body of His flesh, and of His bones!"Pastor Robert Hanna
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Post by nchrist on Oct 8, 2009 4:07:55 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ WHERE ARE YOU LIVING? Part 1by Evangelist S. Lee Homoki Introduction I often ask people, "Where are you living? Is your life characterized by Romans Chapter Seven or by Romans Chapter Eight?" Now, let me tell you how important I think that question is. I believe that if anybody wants to get a handle on how to grow and be strong and victorious in the Christian way of life, they must understand the distinction between these two chapters. I do not know of any more important passage of Scripture for the Christian. Romans Seven and Eight illustrate the two operating principles that battle for control of the believer's life. The man of Romans Seven demonstrates the pathway of defeat. He is a sincere person, a person who is anxious to know God, to please God and to serve God. He is trying to do what is right, but something is missing. Oh, he knows he's saved but it seems like the harder he tries the more he fails until finally - in abject failure - he comes to the place where he says, "I give up." I know that there are a lot of people like that. Perhaps you are like that or know someone like that. You're not alone! I can recall in years past, and occasionally from time to time, my life gets out of joint; something isn't quite right in my life. Thankfully, I have discovered that usually the problem is right here in Romans Chapter Seven! Romans Seven shows the life of the believer that has not yet discovered the truth of Romans Eight. Romans Seven shows the work and the energy of the flesh which is not capable of pleasing God. Oh, fleshly energy can try hard. The flesh does its very best, but the flesh can never satisfy what is needed (Rom. 8:7-8 ). If you have a longing to serve God, if you are sick and tired of defeat, if you are tired of just coming up short, if you recognize that you are missing the victory and joy of the Lord in your life, then you need to come over to Romans Eight. The answer is found there. Romans Eight tells us that the Holy Spirit is available to fit your needs. The Holy Spirit is working and has a ministry today that He never had in the Old Testament. Now, the Holy Spirit was in the Old Testament but not everybody was influenced or controlled by the Holy Spirit. In fact, in the Old Testament there was a different kind of a control. It was the external control of the Mosaic Law. The Law, the Bible says, was "holy, just and good" There was nothing wrong with the Law except it was weak. The Law could only say "do this," "do that," "don't do this," "don't do that," but it never told anyone how! It never empowered anyone. It only demanded. It never gave any Old Testament saint any power to execute the demands of the Law. That's why Romans Eight tells us the Law "was weak through the flesh." It is only on this side of the Cross, and with the coming of the Dispensation of Grace, that we learn of the expansion of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Yet, the Holy Spirit remains the most neglected person in the Godhead! I have observed in the Christian community (I think I am qualified to say this as I have traveled all over the country and been in over a thousand churches) that there is a great neglect today· and gross ignorance of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Romans Eight is where you and I need to go! This is where we need to live! This is where the joy and victory is found! This is the normal Christian life! And yet, I tell you that many Christian people have not yet discovered this truth. Oh, there are sincere Christians who are happy to hear about the Holy Spirit as long as the Holy Spirit is working "out there" safely at arm's length. But the idea of surrendering to the Holy Spirit, up close and personal, to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" - that is a little scary. The word filling means to be controlled: "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. " You see the application here, don't you? The wine controls a person who is drunk. You have perhaps rubbed shoulders with or bumped into somebody who is inebriated and you say, "The wine has loosened up his tongue." He says some funny things. He says some sad things. He says some bad things. We say, "That was the whiskey talking." In like manner, a believer is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit in such a way that we are guided in what we say, where we go, and what we do to the glory of God.
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Post by Keith on Oct 8, 2009 8:10:11 GMT -6
Beautiful brother, just beautiful! Thanks for that offering.
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Post by nchrist on Oct 9, 2009 0:03:13 GMT -6
Beautiful brother, just beautiful! Thanks for that offering. Brother, you're most welcome. It's ironic that Grace Ministries sent out a notice today that this was sent in error. I'll just say that it was a welcome error for me because a dose of Romans 8 is exactly what I needed. They didn't say why it was an error, but I suspect that the author hasn't finished part 2 yet. Regardless, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Love, nChrist
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Post by nchrist on Oct 9, 2009 0:06:04 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ THE PINNACLEby Douglas Falk For in Him dwelleth all the Fullness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in Him, which is the Head of all principality and power (Col. 2:9-10, A.V.)
For in Him the entire complement of the Deity is dwelling bodily.
And you are complete in Him, Who is the Head of every sovereignty and authority (Col. 2:9-10, Concordant Version).
Because in Him resides bodily every perfection of the Divinity,
And you are perfected in Him, Who is the Head of every power and authority (Col. 2:9-10, Ferrar Fenton).
Because in Him there is continuously and permanently at home all the Fullness of the Absolute Deity in bodily fashion.
And you are in Him, having been completely filled full with the present result that you are in a state of fullness (Col. 2:9,10, Wuest).Never before has been and never again will be said so much in so few words. The grandness and the implications of these words can be easily missed due to the scarcity and simplicity of the words themselves. These words have given us a vantage point from which to relate all of God's dealings with the human race to the Person of Christ. It is, as it were, a pinnacle from which all else is seen and interpreted. In verse nine (9) we have Christ being the embodiment of all the Fullness of the Godhead, and in verse ten (10) we have Christ being the Fullness (verb built on same root as "fullness") of ourselves. God's dealings with us and our dealings with God are both accomplished through Christ. Not only "through," but also perfect representation and interpretation of ourselves and God. Christ represents God to us and us to God. The interpretation that God has of us is Christ as well. When Christ faces toward us, we see the Fullness of God; when Christ faces toward God, He sees our fullness. The world knows little of verse nine; the religion of Christianity knows little of verse ten. Verse nine:This is the answer of mankind's searching for something beyond himself. It is this "seeking" that makes man, man; which makes him distinct from the rest of creation; that man feels deeply within himself that there is SOMETHING beyond himself. The search may be expressed in literature, myth, drama, art, history, story, or philosophy. The expression of the search may be simple or profound, but the ultimate search for answer has been found: it is given in this verse of Scripture. The fact that Christ is all the Fullness of Deity bridges the gap between the distant heaven and the closeness of earth, between the Creator and the creature, between the outside and the inside, between the Divine and the human, between the spiritual and the material. The gap is not mended gradually, partially, or distributively, but in one sweeping move man's search has ended and has been infinitely satisfied regardless of when, where, or how the search is expressed. Verse ten:Verse nine is the answer to that which is outside of man; verse ten answers that which is inside of man, the conflicts he often experiences within himself - depression, loneliness, fear, weakness, guilt, doubt, shortcomings, separation, divorce, suicide, war, all are ultimately solved by having our fullness in Christ. Though our apprehension and experience of this fact light be gradual and timid, there is no better or other solution. Society desires us to think otherwise. It wants us to view ourselves as a mirror-image of itself, that it might in some manner control us physically and psychologically. We still we as a fact our fullness in Christ and in Christ alone. In this fullness we are indeed free from all bondage, in Christ we are accepted by God under all conditions, and in Christ we are fulfilled perfectly and completely. Verses nine and ten;All of this, either verse nine or ten, is done, solely, completely, and irrevocably through, in and by Christ. We cannot add to it, nor in any manner "help it along," because the solution is a perfect response to the problem; we cannot subtract from it or change it because the initial "doing" was not of us; nor can it be improved upon because it cannot be made any better; we cannot "diminish" it by giving it out since it is not ours to give; it cannot be sold regardless of the price we might offer, large or small, because it cannot be owned as chattel; we cannot presume to take any credit for it (not even our faith), nor claim it upon some supposed merit; indeed, aside from being a recipient, we had nothing to do with its proposing or fulfillment. We cannot fully comprehend! apprehend it because it is limitless. We can, however, reflect it because its implications are continually available; we can grow in it since its implications extend beyond our present boundaries; we can apply it to those who are the hardest to apply it to; we can be bold in it regardless of the arguments used against it; we can continually remind ourselves of it, for we certainly need to do so; we must, however, under all conditions and for all time, stand as its champion and defender since all else is against it. Because these things are all of Christ, all the divisions and fences that either we make or have built around us or others of whatever nature, all are utterly demolished (and likely even a cause of humor). We probably do more to hinder than to help spread the very news that we seek to spread. If we would see that others do not need to look, think, believe, agree, follow, or worship like us - that we in turn do not need to conform to others to be accepted by God and pleasing to God. The facts of Colossians 2:9-10 are true regardless of whether or not we see their import or importance; they are true without taking into account our naive conditions; they are true without distinctions, and they are true without merit on our part, and true because God wishes it to be so on His part.
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Post by nchrist on Oct 10, 2009 12:55:37 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ GRACE AND PEACEby C. R. Stam For many years this writer, along with the mass of religious people, supposed that the Bible phrase "grace and peace be unto you" was simply a beautiful, spiritual salutation. Thank God we have come to learn that it is much more than a salutation. It is an official proclamation. Every single one of the epistles signed by St. Paul opens with the declaration: "Grace be unto you and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." This was the theme of the message which he, as a duly appointed ambassador, had been sent to proclaim. To appreciate this fully we must remember that God had declared in prophecy that He would reply to the world's rejection of Christ with judgment. Psalms 110:1 pictures the Father saying to the Son: "Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." Psalms 2:5 declares: "Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure." After the crucifixion and ascension of Christ it seemed that all was ready for the judgment to fall. As the signs of Pentecost appeared Peter declared: "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16) and it did indeed look as if the rejected Lord was about to return to "judge and make war," as Revelation 19:11 puts it. But now, instead of judgment and war, St. Paul proclaims grace and peace. Does this not indicate that in grace God interrupted the prophetic program to bring in the present dispensation under which God's ambassadors proclaim with Paul: "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound; that as sin hath reigned... so might grace reign" (Romans 5:20,21). Indeed, Paul the former persecutor was himself the living demonstration of God's grace to a Christ-rejecting world. In I Tim. 1:15,16 he declares:
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."
"Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting."
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Post by nchrist on Oct 11, 2009 8:42:30 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ SPIRIT-MOTIVATED SURRENDERBy Miles Stanford "Keep on seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1, Wms.).When the Spirit of Christ has the hungry heart prepared, there will be surrender. No struggle; no questions. "We reason when we ought to repose; we doubt when we ought to depend. Confidence in our Father's love is the true corrective in all things." "For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him" (2 Timothy 1:12)."If a believer surrenders or lays aside anything without an adequate divine motive, he will either secretly hanker after it, and probably long to return to it, or he will take credit to himself for having given it up, and will thus reveal self-righteousness and spiritual pride. "A certain school of religious teachers make much of 'surrender' as the way to attain blessing, but it ends in self-sufficiency, because the only motive that is presented for it is the acquisition of a better spiritual state, or power for service, or something of that kind. A divine motive and attraction is needed if souls are to be drawn into the race and prepared to surrender in a truly spiritual way, and this divine motive and attraction is our risen Lord in Glory." --- C.A.C. "Communion with the Lord Jesus requires our coming to Him in the Word. Meditating upon His person and His work requires the prayerful study of His Word. Many fail to abide in Him because they habitually fast instead of feast." ---J.H.T. "Lord, Thou wilt ordain peace for us: for Thou also hast wrought all our works in us. O Lord our God, other lords beside Thee have had dominion over us; but by Thee only will we make mention of Thy name" (Isaiah 26:12,13).
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Post by nchrist on Oct 12, 2009 9:41:43 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ CHRIST IS RICHColossians 1:13-18 by James R. Gray Paul in Colossians gives a great description of who Jesus Christ is to us as believers. Paul describes Christ as RICH: Redeemer.This describes Christ in relation to us. He is our redeemer. The work of redemption is to buy back that which is lost. Christ redeems us from the market place of sin. This did not come cheap. I Peter 1:18-19 tells us we have been redeemed with the blood of Christ. Silver or gold could not do it. Some has said that, "money is the universal passport for everywhere except Heaven, and the universal provider for everything except happiness." We have been purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28 ). Image of God.This describes Christ in relation to God the Father. He is the image of the invisible God. This reminds us that God is spirit and cannot be seen (John 1:18 ). The word "image" is the Greek word eikon, which means "precise copy, reproduction." Jesus is the image of God. He declared, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the father" (John 14:9).Creator.This speaks of His relation to creation. He is the "firstborn" of creation. This does not mean He was first created being. It has the idea of primacy more than priority. He has the place of prestige and honor. A place of honor deserved because He is the creator. For "by Him" were all things created. He is both the agent of creation and the purpose of creation, for all things were created "for Him." Head.This describes Christ in relationship to the Church, the body of Christ. Christ as head of the body implies two things: (1) Submission. The body is to be submissive to the head. It is the head that controls, rules, and guides the body. (2) Unity. The head and the body are not two, but a unit. The head and the body are one. However, it is the head that is to have the preeminence. (Colossians 1: 18 ). May He have first place in our life.
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Post by nchrist on Oct 13, 2009 19:15:51 GMT -6
______________________________________ From Grace And The Truth Ministries Please share this Inspirational with others. _______________________________________ THE SPIRIT OF TRUTHBy C. R. Stam "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). How blessed to know that the Author of the blessed Book which has changed so many hearts and lives and homes is "the Spirit of truth." The Spirit did not, of course, reveal all truth at one time. "The Law was given by Moses;" later the prophesies were penned by men of God as they were "moved by the Holy Spirit" and still later our Lord uttered truth "kept secret since the world began." But even our blessed Lord, while on earth, did not lead His followers into all the truth which God would have His people know. "I have yet many things to say unto you," He said, "but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16: 12,13). But when the Spirit came at Pentecost, did He immediately lead the disciples into all truth? Not yet. They still proclaimed the prophetic program, the message which our Lord had taught them and committed to them (Luke 24: 45; Acts 1:2,3). It was not until some time later that the glorified Lord revealed "God's purpose and grace" to and through the Apostle Paul, and the Spirit in turn caused others to understand it (Gal.2:2,7,9; Eph.3:1-5; IITim.1:9). The glorious message revealed to Paul is the capstone of divine revelation, thus he says that it was given to him to "fulfil [complete] the Word of God" (Col.1:25). St. Paul wrote more books of the Bible than any other writer and in them we have the fulness of divine truth as God would now have us know and understand it!
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