WISE UNTO SALVATION

Jack Davis

Part 3

WISE IN POSSESSING

“There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.” Proverbs 30:24,28

God’s marvelous Word is filled with wise instruction in progressing toward possessing. Let us appropriate by faith all the best, made available by grace. Jesus Christ is made unto us wisdom, therefore we are wise to lay hold and hold fast to Him, and all that is promised in Him.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee” Proverbs 4:7-9.

These verses impress upon me the importance of putting first things first, as does Proverbs 2:11. The strong words of expression here would speak forcefully of the earnestness, and urgency with which we should be wise unto salvation: receive, incline thine ear, apply thine heart, cry after, lift up thy voice for, seek as silver, search for as for hid treasures.

“She taketh hold with her hands.” We are soundly admonished to lay hold, hold fast, fighting the good fight of faith.

Many “church members” feel they are doing well to be just sitting on the premises, others claim to be standing on the promises, but, praise God, some full overcomers are seizing upon the privileges, and urging others to do the same. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” Heb. 6:10-12.

The house of Jacob is told that they are to possess their possessions Obadiah 17. Jesus said, “In your patience possess ye your souls” – Luke 21:19. Paul wrote, “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour” I Thess. 4:4. The saints of the Philadelphian assembly are told “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” Rev. 3:11.

Paul wrote, “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust…That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us” I Tim. 6:20; II Tim.. 1:14. Therefore we are faced more with a matter of the Spirit’s control instead of self-control. Yet, we daily, moment by moment, decide who runs or controls our lives.

We are taught in I Cor. 6:11 of some of the things that have been done that we may inherit the kingdom of God. The Spirit makes us to know through the Word the things that are, and are not expedient, or profitable for us on the course to eternal wealth. V. 12 – “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” We each have the same privilege of bringing our bodies into subjection to the life of Christ, presenting it a living sacrifice, as Paul did.

I Cor. 9:26 - “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.” Rom. 12:1-3 - “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

We each are equipped to bring our thoughts into the captivity to the obedience of Christ. II Cor. 10:3-6 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations (reasonings), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

Thus shall we appropriate an abundant entrance into the palace of the King of kings, and enjoy forever the ultimate blessings of being wise unto salvation.

WE SEE JESUS

Anita Clark – Pastor 

Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas

“But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”  Hebrews 2:9

The word “see” in the Greek language means, “to look at or behold, regard or take heed.”  This means more than just seeing with our eyes.  The Apostle Paul is saying that he saw who Jesus Christ was, and what He accomplished, and he took heed to believe and obey and receive the Lord Jesus as his Savior.

Note that this Verse from Hebrews says, “Who (Jesus) was made a little lower than the angels.’  The Amplified Version of the Bible says, “...Who was made lower than the angels for a little while.” Remember He created the angels, but came down to humanities’ level by becoming a human being, yet He was the Son of God with power. Hebrews 7:26, states “For such a high priest became us, [i.e made flesh like us] Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens.” He came down “...to taste death for every man.”  But, remember that Christ did not stay in the grave.  He arose.  Hallelujah!

Right now, He is sitting in the heavens interceding for us.  He is waiting to be “crowned with glory and honour.” He is sitting at the Father’s right hand waiting until His enemies are made His footstool (Psa. 8:6; 110:1).  With eyes of faith we see it all now. It is real to us by faith.

In I Timothy 6:15-16 Apostle Paul says, “Which in His times He shall show who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.  Who only has immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; Whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to Whom be honour and power everlasting.”

God gave us GRACE through Jesus Christ’ death.  GRACE means “unmerited favor, or something for nothing to the undeserving, etc.”  None of us can be good enough to first accept Christ as our Savor or to stay saved, as some believe.  To teach that we are saved by the grace of God, but maintain our salvation by our good works is absolutely incorrect.  None of us can measure up. Titus 3:4-6 tells us, “But after that the kingdom of God our Saviour appeared.  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.” Roman 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  Ephesians 2:8-9 is another place where Apostle Paul tells us this truth. It says, “For by grace are ye saved, and that not of yourselves, not of works lest any man should boast.” No glory goes to any of us.  Our salvation was purchased by the Lord’s death, and is secure once we receive Christ as our personal Savior.

Verse 10, 14 says, “For it became Him (or was fitting) for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 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 deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”  As God He did not suffer anything.  When He became a human being He learned through suffering how it feels to be tired, degraded by others, and physically hurt.  He truly knows how we feel in our trials and tests.  He in compassion lifts us out of sorrows and trials, because He went through so much more than we have ever endured. Verse 13-14 sums it up.  Why did He suffer such terrible things?  “Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour [aid, or relieve or help] them that are tempted.” 

Several songs come to my mind which I have heard and sung in my lifetime i.e. “My Saviour knows just what I need.” and “He Knows, He knows.” In order for Him to be a compassionate, and faithful High Priest, He had to suffer so that He could know how to deal with us. This is what Verse 17 is saying. To have understanding to really feel our sorrow and pain, He had to experience as a man these situations of this earthly life. Other wise, we could accuse Him, “You don’t really understand what I’m going through.”  But, because He understands our human state, He is a “merciful and faithful high priest.” This is how we should see Jesus.  Do you see Him this way? Do you see Him with His eyes of love, and heart of compassion lifting your burden from you?  What joy to know Christ in this way.  To see Him with Spiritual eyes.  It is the only way to have the kind of love, He wants us to have for Him.  Recognize Who He is, Let your Spiritual sight enlarge and SEE Him in His fulness.

Trust?

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

Our money claims: “In God we trust.” You will also find that written on many police cars, license plates, and some government buildings. We often like to see words and phrases that we think are good. Do we really trust in God?

What do you trust? Who do you trust? Does it matter? Everyone trusts in something or someone. Maybe you trust in yourself. Maybe you trust in your wealth or your intelligence.

The meaning of “trust” from the dictionary: firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. “Firm belief” or faith. To be able to trust, there must be an ability or strength. If I believe that I have the needed ability or strength, what else do I need?

When I read the Psalms, I think about David and what he writes. David was a mighty man of valor and very successful in battle, but he never takes the credit for his success. He always gives God the credit and the glory. He always knew where to place his trust. Even with all of his strength and that of his mighty men, he still placed his trust in God where he found the source of his strength.

We must come to the point where we realize that there is only one place for us to put our trust. We must be careful to not allow Satan to convince us that we can just trust in ourself or in our ability. This is a distraction and gets our focus off of the One that we can trust.

Our trust in God is not just for the things that we think we cannot control or accomplish on our own. Our trust needs to be for every aspect of our lives at all times. “Trust  in him at all times; ye people, pour out  your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Psalm 62:8. If we know that God is trustworthy, then why do we fail to trust Him?

Sometimes, we get impatient because something is not going as we planned or wanted. That leads to our determination that we need to get in there and do something ourselves. Maybe God is too busy or just doesn’t understand how urgent our need is. That is how our enemy works on our minds.

Trusting God also means trusting His time and His method. I know that many times God has provided for my need or circumstance in ways that I had not expected, nor would I have chosen. It seems to me that sometimes God simply chooses a method that leaves no doubt it was His doing so that we might be clear in our choice of trusting Him.

What we can certainly know is that God sees far ahead of what we can see. Therefore, His ability to work out the best solution is far greater than ours. If we trust Him for our eternal salvation, why would minor issues of this world not deserve His trust as well?

Gordon Crook

WHAT’S IN A NAME

Part 2

Kathryn Devers

The ancestry of Abraham is recorded in Gen. 11:10-26 through the line of Shem. The Lord Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah and Redeemer of Israel, was born of the seed of Abraham. In this section of scripture, from the meaning of at least eight of these names, the character and mission of Christ are foretold. Last issue we covered four of these names: Shem (a name); Arphazad (one that heals or releases); Salah (mission, sent forth); Peleg (a channel, passage way); Let us consider the concluding four.

REU: “Friend, Shepherd.” Jesus was a “friend” of publicans (tax collectors) and sinners. Luke 7:34. The self-righteous Pharisees had a dislike for this class of people, and criticized Jesus for associating with them. They represent the sinful world, including the Pharisees, for “…the scripture hath concluded all under sin” Gal. 3:22. Jesus loves the sinner, and is the only One that can deliver them from their plight. He proved His friendship to Matthew and Zaccheus, publicans, who received His salvation and became His followers. He forgave the woman who had many sins, and in reciprocation of His love, who washed His feet with tears and wiped them with her hair; ceased not to kiss His feet and anointed His head with oil Luke 7:44-48. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” Luke 19:10. He came as a friend to His own people Israel, but was wounded in “the house of my friends: Zech. 13:6. He was willing, and did give His life in their behalf, that they might be saved from their sins. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for His friends” John 15:13. Peter said, “…ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” Acts 2:23. One day, after a night of great sorrow, they are going to receive the love of this dear “friend” and be saved” Zech. 13:6-9. What a wonderful Friend and Savior, a constant companion, “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” There’s no friend to me like Jesus. 

He is also known as the Shepherd. These terms are closely connected. He was to be “the shepherd, the stone of Israel” Gen. 49:24. Some, in this nation, claimed Him as such. David said, “The LORD is my shepherd.” Jesus claimed this title in John 10:11. “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” To fill this office meant death, entailed by suffering, of which Psalm 22 is prophetic. He was the sufficient, as well as efficient sacrifice. His resurrection declared Him to be “the great Shepherd” Heb. 13:20. Psalm 23 prophesied of this office. He cares for His sheep today, is touched with the feeling of their infirmities, able to supply every need, comfort, strengthen and make intercession as the great high priest. He is coming again a “chief shepherd” to receive His own unto Himself and reward them for their labor. “…God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shown toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” Heb. 6:10. Read I Pet. 5:4 and Psalm 24. What a privilege and blessing to know Him, as a personal Friend and Shepherd?

SERUG: “Branch.” This is a symbol of kings descending from a royal line. “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, aned a Branch shall grow out of his roots” Isa. 11:1. Jesus Christ our Lord was made of the seed of David according to the flesh Rom. 1:3. The angel told Mary, even before conception, the greatness of Him. “He shall be great, and shall be called the  Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” Luke 1:32-33. Jesus was “born King of the Jews.” Pilate questioned Him before His crucifixion, “Art thou a king?” He acknowledged His God-given office by saying. “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world…” John 18:37. The Jews rejected Him and an inscription of mockery was placed on the cross. “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Man’s unbelief does not annul God’s promises. Jesus is still “King of the Jews” and “…in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” I Tim. 6:15. Read Rev. 19:16; Zech. 14:9; Psa. 89:18; 149:2. He desires to be king on the throne of our hearts now, and will be, as we submit to His rule.

TERAH: “Breathe, Blow.” Jesus comforted the hearts of the disciples in John 14-16 with truth concerning the Holy Ghost and His work. He was going away and He said, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” This Comforter was to go alongside to help, console, guide and teach them in Jesus’ absence. After His resurrection, He appeared unto the disciples in a closed room, (they feared the Jews) and announced “Peace be unto you…he breathed on them, and saith unto them. Receive ye the Holy Ghost” John 20:21,22. O, how this must have thrilled their hearts, in stiring faith and courage to receive this promised Comforter! This divine, holy breathe of inspiration was a preparation for the Holy Ghost, whom they were to receive about ten days later.

Just before His ascension, He led them out as far as Bethany and instructed them to return to Jerusalem and wait for this promise Luke 24:49-53. Exactly ten days after His ascension, the Holy Ghost came on the day of Pentecost and filled those waiting ones with mighty power. The evidence; “they…began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” Acts 2:1-4. O Hallelujah! This power is just the same today and available to all who will believe and receive Acts 2:39.

ABRAM: “Exalted Father.” Humiliation comes before exaltation. Abram experienced this while waiting for a “promised son.” Out of death come life. “Who against hope believed in hope…being not weak in faith he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb…staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to  God…being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, he was able to perform” Rom. 4:18-21. Praise God, Isaac was born! Isaac was a wonderful type of Christ. “And the Word (Christ) was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” Which was indeed a supernatural act of God. Before God could exalt Him, he had to experience humiliation. Jesus said, “Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” John 12:24. He was that “grain of wheat.” “…he humbled himself, and become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” Phil. 2:8. By this act, He is bringing many sons unto glory, being the captain of their salvation. O, how the Father has exalted His dear Son! He has “given him a name (Jesus) which is above every name, set him at his own right hand,” angels, authorities, and powers being made subject unto him; hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church” Phil. 2;9-11; I Pet. 3:22; Eph. 1:20-22. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” Rev. 4:11. HALLELUJAH! “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Satisfied

Gladys Crook

A few thoughts on the word “Satisfy” found in the Psalms:

In the 90th Psalm, verse 3, we find that the Lord turned man to destruction and then commanded, “Return, ye children of men,” and how it seemed to be a continual dwelling in the fear and wrath of the Lord. They realized how short their life really was, and finally, in verse 13 cried out, “Return, O LORD, how long? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants.” In verse 14, they cried out, “O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Surely, it is only the mercies of the Lord that can satisfy the soul. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning” Lam. 3:22,23.

Then in Psalm 107, verse 9: “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Only the Lord can fill that longing down deep within us, and also the hunger for Him. In this Psalm, we see how the children of Israel and we are much alike, left to ourselves. They were constantly moving away from the Lord, and when they got into deep trouble, they cried unto the Lord. God is always faithful to hear the cry of His own, and He delivered them out of their distresses. Four times in this Psalm we read, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness and his wonderful works to the children of men!” They seemingly forget so quickly.

In Psalm 103, verse 5, we read, “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” There are many good things mentioned in the Word. Hebrews 13:9: “…it is good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” Also in Psalm 92:1 we read, ‘It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.” Also Psalm 84:11: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” So we thank the Lord that we can be satisfied with good things, and can be renewed like the eagle.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1. The last verse reads, “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” The Lord gives a long life of satisfaction, and all the while He shows us His salvation, which is Jesus Christ. Simeon, coming into the temple, took up the baby Jesus in his arms and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace…For mine eyes have seen thy salvation…A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” Luke 2:29-32.

The lest verse of Psalm 17: “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake, with thy likeness.” We shall not be fully satisfied until we behold Him and are made like Him, fully conformed to His image.

Enrichment

Jack Davis

“The king will enrich him with great riches…”
I Samuel 17:25.

This interesting statement was made concerning the person that would defeat the man that had defied the armies of the living God.

We read of faithful men like David, Joseph and Daniel that were enriched by kings in Old Testament times. Then we also think of how the god of this world has promised so much, but all that he offers is contaminated, soiled, decaying. Thank God, He that is to reign as King of kings offers us true riches of eternal wealth, an incorruptible inheritance.

Joseph: “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee; and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt” Gen. 41:41-43. Joseph was called a prosperous man. He had gone to the pit, to prison, but praise God, he landed in the palace, because God was with him. Shall we learn from considering what God brought him through?

Daniel: “Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be third ruler in the kingdom” Dan. 5:29. The kingdom of Belshazzar went down, but praise God, Daniel went up, being promoted in the kingdom that succeeded. “So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian” Dan. 6:28.

David: “Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely; and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants” I Sam. 18:4,5. God saw to it that these faithful men prospered. David was aware of the benefit of being in the favor of the king, even Saul. David also learned about enrichment from a higher King, let us learn as well.

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s who will give you that which is your own?” Luke 16:10-12.

The King of our hearts has true riches for the faithful. It is evident that where, and in whom, we put our trust determines how trustworthy we are. When we think of Divine enrichment, we think of the apostle Paul. In Paul’s epistles we learn that we enter into the enjoyment of divine enrichment, by divine enlightenment, enablement and encouragement.

“According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” I Tim. 1:11.12.

Oh, what unsearchable wealth God committed to Paul’s trust, for us Eph. 3:8. God used Paul to let us know that we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. God would make known on vessels of mercy prepared unto glory, the riches of His glory Rom. 9:23. He that is rich in mercy, will show, in the ages to come, the exceeding riches of His grace Eph. 2:4,7. He also would have us to know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints Eph. 1:18. Paul was inspired to pray that God would grant us strengthening in the inner man, according to the riches of His glory Eph. 3:16. He wrote to the Philippians that honored God, that God would supply all their need according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ Phil. 4:19. God would make known (Divine enlightenment) unto us the riches of the glory of the mystery among the gentiles; which is Christ in you the hope of glory Col. 1:27.

The men of Israel spoke to David that staying Goliath would make one rich. It is important when going into battle to know your enemy. David knew the man that he was about to go up against from God’s viewpoint. He spoke of him as this “uncircumcised Philistine” that had defied the armies of the living God.

There is one main man that Satan would use to rob us of our reward, and take our crown Col. 2:18; Rev. 3:11. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the  Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another” Gal. 5:24-26.

We are given in this portion some encouragement toward spiritual enrichment. He urges, “let us.” According to the provisional fact stated in Galatians 2:20, we do well to let Him do the living in us. We are Christ’s, and the full overcomer allows Him to fully posses them, dominate their lives with His love, instead of being ruled by the flesh. Oh yes, there is unsearchable wealth for those finding this true in personal experience. Read also Col. 3:5-17; Rom. 8:12-14; 134:10-14.

Saul had told David, “Thou art not able…” but after hearing David speak faith, he said; “Go, and the LORD be with thee.” We read in Romans 8:31,32, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

We are told that “Godliness with contentment is great gain” I Tim. 6:6. “Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” I Tim. 4:8. We are not to “trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” I Tim. 6:17. Trusting in the living God will bring us into lasting wealth that is durable, and true.

ENLIGHTENMENT toward ENRICHMENT: The Holy Spirit must make us realize our need, or we never even begin to enter into the enjoyment of divine wealth. Jesus said, “When he (the Comforter) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” John 16:8. He makes mankind aware of their bankrupt condition, their total depravity. There is no deeper poverty than to be without Christ, without hope and without God Eph. 2:12. God’s Word spells out these facts so very clearly, Romans, chapters one through three, expresses it in detail., but it is the Holy Spirit that brings it home to the heart of man.

The Holy Spirit also makes us to know that God is rich in mercy. “…the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly: Psalm 84:11. When Abram had honored “the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,” Above opportunity for material gain, God said unto him, “…I am thy shield, thy exceeding great reward” Gen. 15:1.

Shall we trust Him to guide us into the enjoyment of our God-given riches? Consider I Cor. 2:9-12. He would make us know the provision, and preparation that has gone into making us rich, as well as teaching us the true value of all things.  How else could we possibly have a hint of what it cost our dear Lord Jesus Christ to enrich us with such great riches? “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” II Cor. 8:9.

The life of Jesus Christ in us would also enrich others and our Father as well. Read II Cor. 6:10 – “…as poor, yet making many rich…”.

DELIVERANCE

Roy Clark

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all” – Psalm 34:19.

This scripture gives us great assurance and confidence that though our trials be many, God is always faithful to deliver and give victory in every situation. Affliction here means adversity, distress, tribulation or trouble.

We are never given the promise that we will have not trouble, when we walk with God. On the contrary, we are told that we will have troubles but God will deliver us “out of them all.” Troubles come in all sizes, shapes and forms. They come at any time of day or night. They come to young and old alike, touching every area of our lives. Troubles come to all men whether they are believers or unbelievers. “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” Job 14:1.

Troubles cause us to seek God. “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock” Psa. 27:5. What a wonderful hiding place, the Rock Christ Jesus! God allows trouble to come our way to teach us how to trust Him more. Through trouble, we can come to know the Lord in a way that might not otherwise have been possible. We get closer to Him when the distress gets great. He hides us, and we come to know “the secret of his tabernacle” – a place of closeness and sweet communion we might not otherwise have known.

Paul says, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” II Cor. 4:8,9. He says these trials come our way” …that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body” vs. 10. Then he follows with this wonderful summation, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” vs. 17,18.

Although the words affliction, trouble, and distress (or variations of these words) are found in the Psalms more than a hundred times, the focus is not on the trial, but on the deliverance we have in the Lord. We find a hiding place; we learn of His grace and His mighty power. Our thoughts are directed in a positive way to evercoming and standing fast. It is a way of progress and growth. We could not learn His greatness without the trial.

God invites us to call upon Him in our time of trouble. “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” Psa. 50:15. Notice that He gets the glory. David says, “Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble” Psa. 143:11. We are quickened, and His name is set forth, and His righteousness magnified. Praise Him!

Team Uppahar, India

Dearly Beloved,

Greetings to you all in the matchless name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let our hearts be filled with gratitude as we enter this new month which our Lord has graciously given us. This month on August 15th we are celebrating the 73rd Independence Day. Let us thank God for our country and never forget to pray for its peace and prosperity and the real independent from the bondage of Satan.

Matthew 9:36-38 says that as Jesus looked upon the multitudes that had gathered around Him - the helpless and hopeless. He was moved with compassion. Why? Because, first, Jesus saw that they had departed from God. They were scattered. They were like sheep outside the fold without company or fellowship. They were away from the Shepherd without guidance or protection. Second, Jesus saw that they were dead in their transgressions and sins. They were lost under a burdensome load of sin. They were ruled by the spirit of disobedience and rebellion. Third, Jesus saw that they were destined to go to hell. He could see their end from the beginning. He knew that apart from Him, they would not be saved. Fourth, Jesus saw their despair without a shepherd. They did not have a right spiritual leader. They knew nothing about the blessings of the Church the joy and peace that comes in the fellowship of believers.
Beloved, the people of our country and the world at large have gone away from God. They do not have a right relationship with Him. They are dead in their sin. They need to be reached by soul winners who have great passion for souls as that of Jesus. Do we have such a compassionate heart? Are our hearts broken because our people do not know the Savior? Jesus calls us to do two things. First, Visualize - See the harvest! Millions of people are rushing to hell everyday to face eternal condemnation. They need Jesus who alone can save their souls. Let us enter the field and harvest the crop - the souls of our dear ones, for Jesus before they perish. Second, we need to agonize in prayer - Jesus said, “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for His harvest field.” We have to constantly pray to the Lord to raise up more men and women to go and work in His field. Our Lord has given us the greatest job the world has ever known! Let us rise up now and do our part cheerfully.

We thank God for our CDO’s, VDW’s and leaders who are in the harvest field. Please uphold them in your prayers. We plan to have more spiritual program from September to February 2020. We would like to count all His blessings since last 20 years he has done we have experienced. Praise the Lord!

Please continue to pray for the ministry, safety of visitors who will be ministering to us and encouraging from the Word of God.

God bless. Yours in His service,
Rajat Kumar Pani
Uppahar.rajat@gmail.com