Simply Said: Jan. 7, 2019

The call to Christ is a call of discipleship, and inherent within that call is an assumed obedience to the whole counsel of God. I remember getting saved and coming to an understanding , that the way toward knowledge of the holiness of God and the responsibility of His call in our lives could only be by ascertainment in the study of said Word of God. We cannot limit the work of the Holy Spirit and He prompting, according to the will of God. We must remember that everyone that comes to Christ has a prominent place in the body of Christ that will carry out a vital portion in God’s ultimate plan on this face of the earth. Some may seen by sight to be insignificant, but in reality those you don’t see may be doing more eternal work than the one’s you actually see. So I imply here, that coming to Christ is the beginning of new things for each and every believer. Old things pass away and all things become new. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 So often today, everything is about activity, and yet the greatest accommodation we can make is to make ourselves available to God’s Word and also as Paul implied to Timothy, “Study to show yourselves approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”2nd Timothy 2:15 Our call is to God, who sent His son, and in obedience to the call of God, the Holy Ghost conforms us to the image of Christ, and that can begin very early in a believers life. But I have noticed also, that the fowls of the air, and the devil himself, likes to snatch those away who do not begin to eat the Word of God as their daily bread. So many spend so much time learning the verses that are in their case important to their faith, and yet the whole counsel of God is often overlooked as people for some reason seem to stay often in immature aspects of the Christian faith. I ask the question this morning. What happened to these words that were so important a few years ago. Luke 9:23 “For whosoever will save his life, will loose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged; if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s and of the holy angels. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.” How is your spiritual perception this morning. Are you seeing what God sees and have you learned of Him who called you, that you are motivated deep in your soul, to be a vessel fit for the master’s use, holding fast to truth and not letting go of the eternal value’s inherent in those glorious epistle’s of the whole counsel of God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2nd Timothy 3:16-17

Whether we are seen as someone important (man’s view) is not essential to the reality of who we are in Him who called us. I have met some who looked has humble as a crumble pie, and yet, they were so indwelt with the presence of God, you just wanted to listen to them share their thoughts on what God was doing in their lives and it was amazing to hear. No wonder the Kingdom of God does not come by observation. It is not by sight, but by faith. There was no beauty that would make you want Jesus and yet, he impacted the lives of people in such unique ways, that they followed him and didn’t ever look back. In verse 26 of Luke 9 we read these powerful words. “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall com in his own glory, “ I have shortened it here a bit, for my observation is that many have a good beginning, but quickly grow weary, due to a lack of knowledge, because they don’t continue in the Word as a disciple. What is a disciple. One who is disciplined with those disciplines bringing forth the truths that have been ascertained through the wisdom of those words God reveals unto those who are in the scriptures. We do not teach the way Jesus did often. Jesus is healing a child brought to him, right after He and the disciples had been on the mountain and Moses and Elias had appeared and talked with Jesus. Peter, John and James were all heavy with sleep, and when they awoke they spoke with Jesus. In verse 33, Peter says to Jesus: “Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias, not knowing what he said.” While they yet spoke, there came a cloud and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, hear ye him.” God certainly did have a way of getting the disciples attention! One of the biggest aspects of discipleship is learning of Him who called us. So often we see the men of the Old Testament who God used in miraculous ways as almost supernatural. They seemed to produce miracles at times, and their survival surpasses understanding, and yet the number of years of intimate relationship is often forgotten when we measure these men. Yet think of it with me this morning. Unlearned men can have their lives transformed by God in a moment in time and a short time later, just a few years, questioning and misunderstanding, and then understanding and going forward, they were powerful men and women in the world, because of whom they knew. They knew what life was and what the source of life was. If we understood the power of God working in us we would be amazed. If it is just us working for Jesus, it is a little thing. But if Jesus is working in us it is life and love and compassion and grace and mercy and truth that is eternal, enabling us to bring others into the Kingdom of God. There are far too many Christian hiding their light under a bushel. Luke 11:33 says it well. “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, puts it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye, therefore when the eye is single, the whole body also is full of light. But when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.” Who are we reflecting today in our life. No matter what circumstances are going on. Jesus then says: “Take heed therefore, that the light which is in thee is not darkness.” You should read verse 36 also. There is one way for this to begin. Get into the Word of God and study to show yourselves approved. It is a discipline that will spare you much grief, and you will also learn that there are consequences that come with being a spiritually led man or woman of God. But do not let that hinder you, for God called you unto Himself, that ye might have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God, and that the righteousness of Christ might shine through your vessel unto others.

 

I will close with these thoughts today. In Acts 8:1 we read these powerful words. How many words must be spoken to change a man’s heart? This is exactly where Saul (Paul later) was at. “And Saul was consenting unto his death.” (whose?) Steven was preaching to the whole counsel that was examining him, and in the end he was condemned to die, and Paul was there watching.) “and at that time there was a great persecution and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” He was in pursuit of Christians that he might destroy their faith. On the way he encounters Christ, and you can read of that in Chapter 9, and being called of God, in a few moments in time on that road to Damascus, Saul’s life was changed. How does your life change. Many of you are in bondage to a number of things and it keeps you from coming or committing yourself to Christ. What in the world are you waiting for. Was Saul chasing Christ? No, but he was after the disciples of Christ. Listen to Christ’s words to Saul. “Saul, Saul, Why are you persecuting me? Saul replies: “Who are you?” Christ said: “I am Jesus, whom thou persecutes: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Is Christ prodding you this morning. Even if you said a pray, are you still resisting God. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall loose it, and whosoever shall loose his life shall preserve it.” Paul’s life was transformed by an encounter with Christ, and he became one of the chief apostles of Jesus Christ. An enemy one moment and a short time later a disciple of Christ. Have you come to Christ yet? If you have are you a disciple, one that is learning and growing up in him, or did you say a prayer and then just continue your life as it always has been. Let God finish the work He started by teaching you those things that belong to life and godliness and let go of those things that are of the flesh and that are unprofitable. God has better things for you today. Christ calls individuals unto himself. He doesn’t call us unto gifts, though some might come, but unto Himself, the living Word of God, and it is He that works in you to transform you by the renewing of mind and the cleansing of your heart and setting you apart from the works of the flesh that you might glorify Him here on this earth.



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Verse of the Day

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33) #HCCverseoftheday



Simply Said: September 27th, 2018

It is the glory of God this morning, that the results of the fall of man was met by the goodness of God, who leads man into the valley of decision, where he meets God, after being separated from God, by sin. Scripture tells us, and these are very powerful words this morning, “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them, that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Yesterday we spoke about the reality of whom the one who would come in the likeness of Melchisedec, as it is written in Hebrews 7:16: “Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.” In verse 22 we read these powerful words this morning. “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” Then in verse 24&25 these powerful words are recorded. “But thisman, because he continues ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” In eternity past God saw the result of sin in the world, was moved with compassion and sent his Son into the world, that we might be reconciled to God by the divine intervention of God on our behalf. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for a friends.” John 15:13 We also see in Romans 5:6-10 these very powerful words. “For when ye were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet preadventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commanded his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

Through the sin of one, all die, but by the righteousness of Christ who was without sin, as many as come to Him will be reconciled to God and have eternal life together with Him and all who believe on Him. Listen to these powerful words this morning in Romans 5:12-17: “Wherefore, 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.” Think of this: Adam had one prohibition; he was not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For in the day he would eat of that tree, he would die and so death came upon all because Adam sinned. “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more,(notice that) the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification. FOR MY ONE MAN’S OFFENSE DEATH REIGNED BY ONE; MUCH MORE THEY WHICH RECEIVE ABUNDANCE OF GRACE AND THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL REIGN IN LIFE BY ONE, JESUS CHRIST.)

When we look back to Abraham, in the Old Testament, we see that he was asked by God in Genesis 22:2-3 to do what would actually happen in eternity future. “Take now thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah: and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and calve the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.” It is interesting that on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.” As Isaac and Abraham went forward alone, with the wood, fire, and the knife Isaac asked the question, “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham’s reply is amazing, and listen to the words. “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” Isaac was laid upon the altar of rocks there where he laid the wood on the alter, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. Abraham stretched forth his hand, took the knife to slay his son, and the Angel of the Lord called out unto him. “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him, for now I know that thou fearest God: seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only begottenson from me.” I ask you a question this morning. Have you gone into the valley of decision, knowing now that God sent His Son into the world, the just willingly going to the cross to die for all who sinned, the ungodly, and to save them to the uttermost as they come to Him by faith. What did God do? He offered up his only begotten Son for you, that you should not be eternally separated from God because of your sin, but paid for your sin with the sacrifice not of a sinner, but with Jesus, his own Son, who was offered, and did die, but sin could not hold him, and he rose again making a way for you and me to come to him by faith. Have you come to the cross yet, or even more important, have you asked Christ to come into your heart, the just dying for the unjust, bringing justification with the forgiveness of sin? Today is as good a day as any to do that. Lord Jesus, Come into my heart and save me, not only that you would give me forgiveness, but that my life would be reconciled to God by faith in the work of atonement, (sins payment) would be accomplished, so that I know that I am accepted in Christ. I realized when I got saved, came to Christ, that the joy of redemption is real and the gift of grace transforms a life, and the longer I have been saved, the more I understand what the mercy of God is all about. Our life is made new each day, and old things pass away. If I fail, I repent. But there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, and the Lord is faithful to open our eyes to the scripture wherein we discover the life we have been ordained to live, with Christ leading us in the way we should go, and He also sends the Spirit into our hearts, who opens our eyes to those things that belong to God. The law included the offering of sacrifices unto God, until the Son came into the world and was offered upon the cross. There is no other way for a man to come to God but by Jesus Christ and Him crucified on your behalf. Receive grace, not the law, for by the law comes the knowledge of sin, but by the grace of God, righteousness is imputed to us and we are set free from the bondage that sin had upon us. God bless you today, and if you ask Christ into your heart, write me or tell someone that you have made that decision. Maybe even they then will also decide to come to Christ. I will pray for you also.



Simply Said Sept. 23 2018

Father, it is another glorious day that you have given us. I pray this morning that you would open the eyes of our understanding, and let the glorious light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shine in unto us and make us alive to truth and also to sharing this same glorious Gospel.Amen! In Isaiah 59 starting in verse one we have these powerful words. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but our iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity: your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calls for justice, nor any pleads for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.” Quite a heavy indictment! And yet we read Hebrews 2:14 where we discover that Christ was unique! Why? “For as much then as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil.” Now listen carefully. “And deliver them who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” I am so glad that Christ became as one of us and we see that in this next verse. He identified with us! “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” What a powerful verse this morning! God put on flesh and blood, becoming as us, yet without sin, so he could purchase us out of the slave market of sin, setting us who were captives free, delivering us from bondage that leads to eternal separation from God and others. Not only did he do that, but listen to these powerful words. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” In other words he affords help in the time of needs!

Back in Isaiah 59 starting in verse 9, this is what we read: “Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men. (Remember, the wage of sin is death.) We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.”

Hebrews 3 is glorious this morning. “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest our our profession, Christ Jesus.” If you have never invited Christ into your heart today, maybe this will help, if you receive the reality of who Christ was! “Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was, faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house. For every house is built by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things where were to be spoken after.” Listen carefully now! “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. Wherein (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of the temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, and saw my works forty years.” How long do you linger in bondage, a servant of sin without hope, strangers from the covenants of promise, lost and dying without hope in this world? Are you tempting God with your lack of faith, and your resisting of the counsel of God? Many offer you that which they claim will make you free, but it puts you in even deeper bondage and in many cases takes peoples lives. Interesting, the wage of sin is death, and many died in the wilderness because of sin.

Are you listening this morning as the Holy Spirit speaks to you face to face? “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Such a powerful admonition and he is not done yet. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day: lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Sin does not stand still. It is the mystery of iniquity! It expands it’s grip and holds people in bondage. Sexual perversion, drugs, lying hypocrisies, bondage and destitution. The list goes on and on, but there is one Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen to just these verses and consider. Hebrews 4:2 “For unto us was this gospel preached, as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he hath said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world, For he said in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise. And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.” Then he said, “If they shall enter into my rest, Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:” How does faith come and how do people find a place of rest? Here is the answer: “Seeing then we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest, which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need.” God himself made a way for any of us to be delivered from sin and He died in your place that you might live in this world free from condemnation and it also affords you eternal life which is found in Jesus Christ. If you have not asked Him into your heart, do it today, and just by faith, invite Him into your heart and ask Him to transform your life, by making you a new creature in Christ Jesus! Simple prayer Jesus, come into my heart and save me, and allow your Holy Spirit to lead me in life that I might be redeemed and delivered, being given the gift of grace and the power of an endless life in Christ Jesus. If you do that you can write me and tell me. I will pray for you, that God would open your eyes to truth and lead you each day in this new life!



Verse of the Day

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him,And the son of man that You visit him? (Psalm 8:3-4)


Simply Said: September 20th, 2018

Hebrews is a great book to study, for it identifies for us not only the superiority of the Son, Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our eternal redemption, but also in Hebrews 1 we find these powerful truths. “God the writer starts our with who spoke to us in the past, and we find out it was by the father’s and the prophets. Then he says a very powerful thing. “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom he also made the worlds.” John 1:1-3 teaches us the same thing. And in this portion the writer says: “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things, by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right and of the Majesty on high;” The definition comes quickly. God is no longer speaking to us through the various methods of progressive revelation. That is what diverse manners in verse 1 is talking about. In the past God spoke by the prophets, but the shift is permanent, Because as we read in verse 2, He now speaks to us by he Son. The prophets were speaking expressly that which they heard, with clear definition and even in the New Testament we find one called John, a voice in the wilderness heralding the coming of the Messiah. John 1:23 The Son speaks the Word of God, with his authority of being the heir and creator of all things. Speaking of Jesus Christ, we read these powerful words. “There was a man come from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” The Son of God is now defined in verse 9, “That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” We are looking at a few verses this morning and as it is defined, it becomes more glorious each step of the way. Prophetic utterance speaks often of things to come, or defines what actually is, both in condition and revelation of the truth of who God is, and where the hearts of men are. But in this book the very creator of all things came into the world as light and much more then a prophet or angel He, Jesus, would be the express image of his person, and would uphold all things by the word of His power. And right away in verse 3 we read these powerful words. “When he had by himself, (notice that this morning because it is very relevant for you), purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:” Oh my, what a glorious revelation putting him higher then the  Fathers, higher than the Prophets, and angels, but the Son of God, the creator of all things. I love it this morning, when we read verse 4. “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they.” And then he defines it clearly. “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.” Jesus Christ was a distinctive. Vincent said, “Here the essential being of God is conceived as setting its distinctive stamp on Christ, coming into definite and characteristic expression of His Person so that the Son bears the exact impress of the divine nature and character.” That is what is called the express image of God.

I love the fact that the writer at the outset defines Christ as the one who by Himself, purged our sins and that naturally would entail all those who come to Him by faith. Wuest tells us that the act of redemption is not only brought into being by the work of Christ but by the very power inherit in Him, He is able to sustain the redemptive work of Christ by putting away that which had been established called sin, and when we read Romans 6 we see that reality. Romans 6 asks the question. “What shall we say then?” (Romans 5:20),  “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ.” Listen to part B of 6:1. “Shall we continue in sin, that grace might abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein.” These are the steps: We were baptized into Jesus Christ and His death. Verse 3 In verse 4, “Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Do you know that the moment you believed in Christ, we read in verse 5-9 what happened. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” Hallelujah!

In Hebrews 2:3 we read, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation:” I pause here because this often is the place where people enter into a fruitless life, for they cease to continue in the Word of God. “Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” Then he says in verse 9 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor: that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Wow! The Son of God was made lower than the angels that he could taste death for us. Now death, the wage of sin, was laid upon Him, on the cross bringing about death for you and me! Listen to me for one moment this morning. “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Even in the fall of man in the beginning there was the requirement of a sacrifice, but the sacrifice of animals could not bring eternal redemption, so the Son had to come. And when we read verse 11 of Chapter 2 we rejoice. “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.” I close this morning with this verse. Hebrews 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same: that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” and we read in verse 17, we read, “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” What a glorious gospel we have, and when we put our trust in Him, and we receive Him as Savior, God takes abode in our earthen vessel, having given us eternal redemption. Are you saved, having received Christ as your Savior. Ask Him into your heart today, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ if you have not done that!



Simply Said: September 11th, 2018

Each morning I awaken and am reminded: “According to his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2nd Peter 1:3-4 So many seek to live godly in their own strength, and yet we are instructed in God’s word by the Holy Spirit. “Let this mind that be in you, that was in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made of himself no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8 We are not God in the flesh, but we have the Spirit of Christ abiding in us, and the Word of God becomes our provision to walk in the Spirit, and not fulfill the desires of the flesh. Think with me this morning. We do not clean up our life, but actually God transforms our mind as we intake these great and exceedingly precious promises. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, (why), and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 I know from experience in Bible School, that everyone hears that verse a multitude of times, but really, how man abide by that reality. No wonder Paul when writing to Timothy in Chapter 4:1 Paul, gives Timothy a charge: and it is before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; (that means even in times when it is not convenient) reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering, and doctrine.” (Why?) : For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: and they shall turn away from the truth, and shall be turned to fables.”

These are very valuable doctrinal truths, and yet it is God who abides faithful to us who believe, as we continue in the Word of God as a disciple. If God saves us and keeps us, which He does, why in this world of sin and death, would we depart from the truth, and even give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Some of you may not like this, but I will speak it anyway, for it is the wisdom that comes from God. “Depart not from faith, which comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. “Continue in the things that thou hast learned and been assured of: knowing of whom thou has learned them.” 2nd Timothy 3:14 In the Greek it means to remain in the Word of God, with that becoming a habit of life, because of conviction established, ye are convinced of it. Is it possible this morning, that man go to church, hear the Word of God, then leave the church and become a forgetful hearer of the Word. Oh my! How do we live this life? “But thanks be to God, who give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brethren,, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1st Cor. 15:57-58 Are you hearing me this morning. John 15 says it well for us this morning. In find in this life, that Christ finished the work of redemption, and it is He that works in us to will and do of His pleasure. Listen to these words and give heed to them. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” There is a process going on in our life that is the work of God, and we are purged by the Holy Ghost, and actually in verse 3 says, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. ( Cleansing comes by the Word of God!} Abide, (Continue by abiding) in me, and I in you, As the branch cannot (notice that) bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” Are you at home in Christ? Do you sit at His feet and hear the Word that He speaks unto you?

I am rejoicing this morning, because if and we will, if we are a hearer of the Word of God, “Abide in me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” We cannot separate Christ, the living Word, from the written Word. It is Christ speaking here to disciples. Not the lost, but the disciple. There is a discipline that comes by hearing, which actually comes by the Word of God. It is not just hearing when you go to church, but it is the continuous abiding in the Word as a disciple that transforms our life. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye may have eternal life.” Abiding in the Word is discovering the provision and the work of the Spirit operating within you to conform you and me to the likeness of Christ, where he is revealed in us by His work and grace. We are transformed by the work of God, as we continue in the Word of God as a disciple. We do not waiver, but abide, staying under the Word of God as a disciple. Will we be perfect? Even if not, God does not stop working in us and through us, and the process is called transformation. He seals us, quickens us to life, and transforms us day by day. The Word of God is the revelation of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Have you taken up your cross yet?



Simply Said September 4th, 2018

Psalm 30 is worthy of your time this morning to read and reflect on the goodness of God toward you and me. “I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.” What a glorious reflection upon the God of all glory. How many like David take the time to deliberate and concentrate upon the goodness of God like David did? We are his children, the offspring of the redemptive work of Christ and we have been lifted far above principalities as it says in Ephesians 1:15-23. David rejoices after deliverance from his enemies and he did not forget the goodness of God. Listen to Paul as I quote, “Wherefore (Paul refers back to the grace wherein he and those he writes to whom have obtained an inheritance,) having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” In verse 15-16 we read: ”Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ: and the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” David was in trouble and had to hide as his adversary pursued him, and now has a house built of cedar and reigns as a king. Oh, Give thanks unto our God when deliverance comes in the darkness of the night, when the body is overtaken with illness. Remember Him who called you and cry out to your God. “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him up from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that fills all in all.” Verse 19-23

 

Psalm 30:2-4 “O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O Lord, thou hast brought my soul up from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks the  remembrance of his holiness.” Samuel Chandler thought David was delivered from the distress and the deliverance of enemies like Saul and even in distress he was delivered. John Preston wrote, “Weeping may abide for at evening, but joy cometh in the morning.” My heart cannot but rejoice, reading the thoughts of saints from the past, who held fast to faith, and became examples unto us. “Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks the remembrance of his holiness.” Who is God that his is mindful of us. His grace lifts us up and sits us beside Him in heavenly places and restores our soul. We like David have victories, and yes we have trials, but the Lord reigns eternal and our life is hid in Christ. “For his anger endures but a moment; in his favor, is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” How often have we cried out to God asking where he was, and in despair even thought we were alone in our distress, and as the morning comes and the light of day brings hope, our faith is kindled and we see light at the end of what appears to be a tunnel and we rejoice in the Lord God.

 

So many of us are fickle, and we waiver between two opinions. And yet! God abides faithful! “And in my prosperity I said I will never be moved. Lord, by thy favor, (grace abounding in my soul and by thy exceedingly great and precious promises), I shall never be moved. Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled, I cried unto thee, O Lord, I made supplication.” He prayed as we should in the midst of trouble! “What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit. Shall the dust praise thee? Shall it declare thy truth?” So many of us can learn from David and we can even rejoice in His great salvation in the midst of trouble. “Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper.” I laugh at myself this morning when I read this, but I do the same! I am nothing and yet in Christ we are more than conquerors though Him that LOVES us! Do we cry out for mercy and rejoice in His presence, no matter what goes on? Are we ready to give glory to God even in our tribulation as David did? Listen to his heart as he closes this Psalm. “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness: to the end that my glory may sing praise unto thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.” It is a good thing to remember those moments in time, when God delivers you out of trouble and in doing so we build up a memory bank of the mercies of God. They are actually new each morning, and His grace reigns unto righteousness and by the power of God we are kept secure with the promises of God reigning in our heart. Rejoice, Rejoice, and again I say rejoice!



Simply Said: September 3rd, 2018

One of the most glorious things we can hear today, is discovered in John 1: and so often we miss it, because we don’t read every word of God. John is speaking of God, and he says a number of very powerful things in this Chapter. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” Now listen carefully; “All things were made by him, and without him was nothing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Then we read about a man who was sent from God, whose name was John. “The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” A very powerful portion of scripture for us to read this morning. In the past God spoke to men severally as He would. Men like Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and of course Moses and each of these men were used in the will of God to fulfill God’s will on the earth. And in their life there was light, and that light lightened the life of those men, and they were powerful witnesses of the life of God.

I want you to think about the testimony of God in the world. And listen carefully what it says about the Word of God. John now speaks of the testimony of the Word who was with God and was God. Look at verse 9 this morning. We shift to see the true light, as it says: “That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.” The world may lay in darkness, but the revelation of light is revealed to all men everywhere. Then we hear these powerful words. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” Isaiah 53: starting in verse 1 is very powerful this morning. “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness: and when we shall see him, not beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” What an amazing testimony of the heart of men who stood before Him who was sent to seek and to save. In verse 6 of the same chapter we read these powerful words. “All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned every one to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” What a glorious portion and how do so many miss the reality of who this man Jesus was? Weep as you read. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, ye he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth He was taken from prison, and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgressions of my people was he stricken:” Notice that! The purpose of his death was that you and I might have life. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; (The cross was the cruel punishment, and he was laid in the grave of another.) because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, and he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” I love verse 11 “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”

 

Powerful prophesies of the Old Testament were brought to pass in the fullness of time. Galatians 1:4 reveals who Christ was. “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” Paul writes giving his personal testimony starting in verse 13. “For ye have hard of my conversation in time past in the Jews religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.” Then there comes this little three letter word. “But”, But what? “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.” The city was where he headed to before His conversion, to destroy those who belonged to Christ. Where are you headed today. To a place prepared for you, in heaven, or a place where you will be alone, separated from life forever? Christ came so that you might have life and have it abundantly. Not in this life only, but in a place prepared of God, to all and any that come to Christ by faith. Every man or woman, they all make a choice. Choose life and receive the gift of eternal salvation! Ask Christ into your heart today!