COMPASSIONATE

COMMUNICATIONS

Jack Davis

“O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely” - Song of Solomon 2:14.

“O MY DOVE.” The speaker is moved with excitement, and exclaims with deep emotion, using both the personal pronoun and a special term of endearment to express the love of His heart.

SECURE POSITION

Thou “art in the clefts of the rock.” In type the Lord speaks to us assuringly of our solid safe secure position “in Him.” Thus expressing the standing into which we are brought by faith unto salvation. We think of a tender scene when God placed Moses in the cleft of the rock and covered him there with His hand, as He caused His glory to pass by for Moses view – Exodus 33:21-23.

Jesus is indeed the rock of our salvation. His church will be triumphant, for it is established on Him and His foundation work on the  Cross. It certainly is and will continue to be under fierce attack until Jesus’ return. Praise God, Jesus has promised that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it – “ Matthew. 16:18.

God told Abraham, “I am they shield and exceeding great reward” – Genesis 15:1. In Psalm 84 we read, that our God is a sun and a shield, and that He will give grace and glory. Jesus spoke of how doubly secure the believer is, in His God given position, John 10:27-29. Oh, yes, I believe that our life is hid with Christ in God, Colossians 3:3. Don’t you? How could one be safer than in the cleft of the ‘ROCK OF AGES’?

STEADY PROGRESS

“IN THE SECRET PLACES OF THE STAIRS.”

With the solid position of the believer revealed to our hearts, we are prepared to make steady progress. This may be expressed as “growing up into Christ in all things” – Ephesians 4:15. Has not our God provided that our state by brought up to our standing in Him?

Jacob, in his dream saw a ladder extended from earth to heaven, and the angels of God ascending and descending on it. He also saw the Lord standing above it – Genesis 28:12-13. What a wonderful symbol and encouraging sight. Considering this scene should give us some special insight to the believer’s place and privilege. Notice what Jesus said in John 1:51. “Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God (holy messengers, glorious living creatures) ascending and descending upon the  Son of man.”

Thank God for the way, the truth, and the life. Oh how marvelous, that He opened Heaven to us. He did it by descending to earth, partaking of a body by birth, and condescending all the way to the death of the Cross, to bring us to God. GLORY!

We will thank Him forever for coming down to such horrifying depths in order to lift us to celestial heights. He has brought many sons unto glory. Let us go on and grow up in Him. Have we now left the dung hill and are today heading for the throne? I Samuel 2:8. If our affections are set on Him, and are focused by faith in Him, we are making steady upward progress. We are indeed in the secret places of the stairs.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the  Almighty” – Psalm 91:1. As we onward and upward go the exact stage of our progress is a secret know only to Him. We may realize that we’ve come a long way with the Lord, but only He knows what steps remain to be taken. 

In our text He follows with two major request, the Lord willing, we will consider some thoughts on them in the next issue.

 All Things New

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold , I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5

As we come into the new year, it is a time to think about new beginnings. I’m not one to make resolutions, since those will just be forgotten quickly, but we can take time to consider things that God makes new.

Maybe we should start from the beginning. In the first chapter of Genesis, we find God creating. As part of His great creation, He made mankind. It was all new and crisp then. However, man sinned (disobeyed God) and the crisp newness was gone. Along came the curse of sin that makes everything get old and decay.

However, our God is a God of renewal. God was never caught off guard by the sin of man, nor was He concerned about the effects of the curse, because He always had a plan to renew what was broken. Everything that we see around us is essentially broken and growing old, even the very earth. But, God has a plan for renewal.

First things first. To start with, God had to make it exceedingly clear that man is not able to change his lot nor improve anything that is affected by the curse. Man cannot help himself to renew his relationship with God, nor could he fix any of creation that is decaying because of the curse.

God gave the Law to Israel to show that even they, who had been called by God and had seen God’s miraculous works, would not be able to get themselves righteous with God. The purpose of the Law is to show the futility of man trying to fix the decay of sin. The old nature is still the old nature, and cannot be made new by man’s efforts.

God always had a plan, and His plan was to bring about, by Himself, a new covenant (testament) that would be based on a new creation. Hebrews 8:7-8. It starts with Jesus who would have to come to dwell among us (Emmanuel), and give Himself a sacrifice for our sins. This would provide man with a new fellowship with God. Hebrews 10:19-20. 

Jesus’ sacrifice provided for us a new nature. It wasn’t enough to try to fix up the old nature, it must be replaced with a new one. This is what we find in 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24, and Colossians 3:10. We find in Romans 6:6, “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.” So, provisionally, the “old” nature is crucified with Jesus, and this is necessary in order for there to be a “new” nature that enables us to live for God.

Providing a new creation life for us is the greatest renewal ever. But, it doesn’t end there. If we have agreed with God that our old creation is crucified with Christ, there is a continual renewal of our mind that must take place daily. “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.” Romans 12:1-2.

The renewing of the mind is accomplished by studying God’s Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the truths that we need daily in our lives. The world is continually assaulting our mind with things that are of the old nature, and we need to have a continual renewal of our minds.

The next thing that will be renewed, is this world. Looking around, it appears that there is no way to save this earth and it is clearly decaying. However, God has a plan. He will create a new earth and new heavens. We find this mentioned in 2 Peter 3: 10-13 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteous- ness.”

While this is in a future time (might not be very far in the future), this is a promise that we look forward to. God will make all things new. What a glorious day that will be, as we join our Lord in the heavenly city which will also be new. 

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:1-2

And there, we will sing a new song of praise to Him. Revelation 5:9. We have good reason to sing praises to Him then. However, we have good reason to sing praises to Him now, because He has made us a new creation in Christ Jesus.

If you are looking for a new start in the new year, do not look to yourself and some resolution, but look to Jesus Christ who offers a new creation, a new life, a new outlook on life, as all things are made new for those that are in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17. Remember that God is in the business of renewal, and He alone can change your life today.

If Jesus tarries, we will continue to live our lives to His glory by yielding to the new life of Christ that dwells in us. And we will continue to look and long for His coming.

Gordon Crook

 OUR GOD IS WATCHING

Anita Clark – Pastor, Carbondale, KS

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”  Genesis 6:5, 8.

Throughout the Bible, at various times, we see that God is always looking down to earth watching the situations of mankind.  But especially, at the time of Noah, God looked down and saw the corruption of mankind on the earth. In verse 3, it says, “My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh; yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.” Noah and his family were saved in the ark that God instructed Noah to build. The rest of the people perished in the flood.

Later, God had a great plan for the children of Israel, who were captive in Egypt.  In Exodus 2:24-25, the Scripture speaks, “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and Jacob.  And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” The word “respect” has a meaning of “recognition, care or understanding.” God cared and immediately moved to deliver them from Egypt. 

Moses speaks of this in Deuteronomy 11:11-12, how that God spoke to him about entering the promised land.  “But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven. A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.” God’s Promises were always true to Israel, though they were not always faithful to God.  One day they will receive all the promises of the land God had ordained to give them.

There are many Scriptures mentioning that God looked down, or God was watching, or that God’s eyes saw what the evil people were doing.  In Amos 9:8 the prophet says, “Behold the eyes of the LORD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth, saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob.” 

In Zechariah 4: 10 it says, “...the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” Proverbs 5:21 says “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He pondereth all his goings.” In Proverbs 15:3 it says, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Yes, the Lord does see all the evil of this world.  However, He constantly is watching over His beloved people, who love Him and follow Him.  

In Psalms 34:15-17 He says, “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.  The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” This verse is repeated by Peter in I Peter 3:11-12, where Peter quotes, “Let him eschew (shun, avoid) evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue (persue, or go after) it.  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against them that do evil.” Psalms 11:4 says, “The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in the heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men.”

God sometimes gave reports of certain of His followers, as He did of King Jehoshaphat in I Kings 22:41-43.  In verse 43, it tells us, “And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father, he turned not aside from doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, nevertheless the high places were not taken away, for the people offered and burned incense yet in the high places (to false gods.).”

Previous scripture tells about Jehoshaphat ‘s great victory found in II Chronicles 20:14-24 which shows that the eyes of the LORD were certainly upon Jehoshaphat.  In verse 3 it tells of how he prayed to the LORD for help and the LORD heard.They did not have to fight, after Jehoshaphat appointed singers unto the LORD that they should praise the LORD and sing as they went out to battle, the LORD fought for them, and “the enemies dead bodies were fallen to the earth.”  Later it says in Vs. 27 that “They returned to Jerusalem with joy.” This should speak to us. 

One way to gain victory over the enemy (Satan) is to sing praises to the LORD our God.  Satan has to flee for we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!  Praise the Lord our God!.

 Prophecy

Earlene Davis

THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES - DANIEL 2 

Because of Israel’s disobedience to God, He took away their national liberty and made them subject to the Gentile nations. God had warned His people against departing from Him. Lev. 23:17, “They that hate you shall reign over you.” Nebuchadnezzar who became king of the Babylonian Empire; had laid siege against Jerusalem and carried away the best of the people including Daniel to Babylon.  

God counted Nebuchadnezzar the first world ruler and caused him to dream a complete prophetic picture of the rise and fall of Gentile world powers. He was troubled by the dream, yet he could not remember it. God led in all this, for He wanted Daniel to be brought to the attention of the king. It is so amazing how God does things, working in an unbeliever to bring about His will.

When the wise men of Babylon could not tell Him the dream, nor give the interpretation, Nebuchadnezzar ordered all the wise men to be slain and that included Daniel. In faith, Daniel stepped forward requesting the opportunity to prove the faithfulness of his God. Daniel sought God in prayer and asked his companions from Judah to pray also. God answered and revealed the secret to Daniel in a night vision. Daniel immediately gave praise and glory to God - Read Daniel 2:19-23. It is God that “removeth kings and setteth up kings.” Daniel introduces his God to Nebuchadnezzar, “there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets,” and hath made it known to you what shall come to pass in the latter days (Vs. 28-30). Daniel then rehearses the dream and the interpretation given to him by God.

THE DREAM: Vs. 31-35, “Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,  His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.  Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”

THE INTERPRETATION: Vs. 37-38, “Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.” Gentile Times began with the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar about 606 B.C. Overcome he acknowledges Daniel’s God, he knows the interpretation is true, for he heard his dream (V. 47). He does not yet know the living God of heaven. The image of four kinds of metal (gold, silver, brass, iron) and the feet of mixed iron and clay is a deterioration in value, but not strength for iron is the strongest metal here. They illustrate the four world empires of Gentile Times. Almost all of this is history to us, but future to Daniel. We are still living in Gentile times.

The next kingdom to rule the world is represented by the silver. This part of the image has two arms, because it was a duel kingdom, the Medes and the Persians (east and west divisions). They invaded and conquered Babylon. They reigned until they were overthrown by the Greeks under Alexander the great, the brass empire, which was divided among four generals at the death of Alexander, making it weaker. It wasn’t long after that, the Roman Empire gained control about 63 B.C. It is figured by the iron. It was very powerful, the strongest empire that has ever been. They crushed everyone under them (Vs. 39-40). They were ruling when Christ was born and crucified. It fell (about 325 A.D.) not by and an invading army, but by corruption and immorality within.

Since that time there has been mighty countries (like Great Britain, Germany, Russia, and the United States), but they never ruled all the world. We live in the last stages of Gentile Times, what is left of the Roman empire, figured by iron (a strong rule) and clay figuring democracy, (a weak rule, because the people rule) Vs. 41-43. We live on the threshold of the 10 toes, when the nations will unite in a confederacy of nations (east and west). It won’t last, because iron and clay don’t mix (democracy and imperialism), it is a weak structure. It will last for a little while. I Thess. 5:3, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” 

This is yet future, a fifth counterfeit world empire. A STONE shall come from heaven and hit the feet of the image (Vs. 44-45). The STONE represents Christ. Mt. 21:42-44 – Those who fall on the STONE, casting themselves on Christ with a broken and contrite spirit will be saved, otherwise the STONE will fall in destruction. In judgment the Stone comes down and hits this false empire of the end time (the confederacy of nations) and they are destroyed. The whole of Gentile rule or Gentile Times is ended. Christ will take His throne on the earth.

 

Gentile Times really ends when Christ is seated on His throne in heaven (Rev. 4:2-3). Their time to rule is over, it is time for Christ to rule. But the nations keep ruling in usurpation and tribulation will happen on the earth, in judgment. Christ will reveal Himself from heaven and come to earth to take control, putting an end to tribulation days (Mt. 24:22). For the Prince of Peace will reign universally and Israel will then enjoy their promised Kingdom Age, the Millennium. 

In closing: The Times of the Gentiles includes the Church  Age, we are living in the later days. Also Gentile Times is not the same as the fullness of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:25). The fulness of the Gentiles ends when the church is in heaven. The Lord has been visiting the Gentiles during this Church Age to take out of them a people for His Name sake (Acts 15:14). Of course believing Jews are also in the Church.  

Next issue – The four beasts of Daniel 7.

 JONAH

Debra Isenbletter, Pastor

Springfield, Missouri

Ch. 1:14: “Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said; We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee.”

“Wherefore they cried unto the Lord.” In this verse we see the supplication of these men to Jonah’s God. They “cried” out in desperation because they saw their need. This is the place all men need to be brought to and sometimes it takes desperate circumstances to bring that cry forth. The word means to “cry out for help” and to “address by name.”  They did both. They cried “unto the Lord,” unto Jehovah, (“self-existent, eternal One, who reveals Himself”). They cried out unto the One that Jonah had revealed. They cried out unto the One Jonah said had power over the storm. This is the name God used when revealed Himself to Moses (Ex.6:2-3). Until that time, He had been known only by the name of “God Almighty.” This is a name that has behind it the idea of revelation. God revealed Himself to Moses, who revealed God to Israel and this revelation concerned a God that delivered. Jonah revealed this same God to these pagan men and they needed deliverance. They cried out but they did this only after they could do nothing else. They finally cried out because all their efforts had failed and they knew they had no strength, they knew they could not save themselves. It does not matter why they cried, it only matters that they did cry to the Lord.

“and said: We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee.” They use the word “beseech” twice, they are begging, they are pleading, there is a great urgency in their cry. They all do this, they are all in agreement, every single man. They all humble themselves before Jonah’s God. The reason for this cry, this petition, this supplication is that they are in a dilemma. 

“let us not perish [die] for [taking] this man’s life.” This is their dilemma. They have been told what to do, had resisted doing it, are now forced to face the fact they must do it. They must throw Jonah overboard and these words reveal the guilt they feel in doing it. They want Jonah’s God to know they are not doing this willingly or maliciously but only to save their lives. They do not want to be held accountable or punished for doing this. They are between a rock and a hard place. They knew they would die if Jonah did not die. They feared they would die if they killed Jonah. They were afraid. Afraid of the storm. Afraid of dying. Afraid of God. Afraid of Jonah. Matthew Henry writes: “We see that we must perish if we spare his life; so, let us not perish for taking his life.”

Jonah and his “death” at their hands despite all their efforts to resist is a picture of how necessary it was that Jesus die. Man could not stop it because it was necessary. There was no other way to redeem mankind. There was no other way to satisfy God’s justice. There was no other man that could do this. Jesus knew how necessary this was, but knew it was a spiritual necessity. Jesus told His disciples that He “must suffer,” He must “be rejected,” He must “be slain” (Luke 9:20-22). The angle told the women that Jesus “must be delivered,” that He must “be crucified” (Luke 24:5-8). Caiaphas knew how necessary this was but saw it as a political necessity. He said “it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not” (Jn.11:50). He saw it as necessary in the light of Roman occupation and did not see the real spiritual significance. 

This is a picture of those who killed Jesus, but they had a different attitude that these men that were about to throw Jonah overboard. Caiaphas and the religious leaders did not feel the guilt that these men felt. They did not do it reluctantly, they did it willingly, they did it eagerly. They did not seem to fear God as these pagan sailors did. When Pilate asked “What shall I do” their cry was “Let him be crucified” (Mt.27:22-23). When Peter gave his sermon and spoke to the religious leaders, he accused them openly and publicly. He said, “whom ye delivered up and denied” and “killed” (Acts 3:13-15). When Peter said this they could not deny it because it was true. 

“lay not upon us [hold us accountable for] innocent blood.”  This is their discernment. This reveals how they saw God: “lay not upon us [do not hold us accountable]. They are asking God “to (not) put upon them (the guilt);” “to (not) charge them (with a crime);” “to (not) avenge” the death of Jonah. They understood the power of God and the justice of God. They understood right and wrong. It reveals how they saw Jonah: “innocent blood.” He was “innocent, blameless, guiltless.” They were afraid to kill an innocent. They had a conscience. They knew there were consequences. When Cain killed his brother Abel, his innocent blood cried out to God (Gen.4:10). Before Law there was a penalty for shedding innocent blood and man understood that (Gen.9:6). Under Law there was a penalty for shedding innocent blood (Deut.21:8-9). 

Their attitude toward Jonah, the fact that they see him as innocent and not guilty is a picture of the innocent blood of Jesus. The great contrast is that those that condemned Jesus were not afraid to shed “innocent blood.” Pilate saw the “innocent blood” of Jesus, he believed he was innocent. He said “I am innocent of the blood of this just person.” Those that cried “Crucify him” did not believe he was guilty and yet they were willing to shed “innocent blood.” They said “his blood be upon us” (Mt.27:24-25). What a difference in their attitude concerning Jesus and the attitude of these men concerning Jonah.

“for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee.” We see their admission, their capitulation and their submission to God. They cannot resist God. The words “hast done” are past tense, it is already done, it is already finished because it is the Will of God and they understand this. They are saying: For thou “hast done” (this) we have not. For thou “hast done (this), we cannot stop this. The word “pleased” can mean “to delight in” or it can mean “to move or bend.” God did not “delight in” what had to be done but God did “move” and “bend” them to His Will. They understood that because He is God, He can do whatever He wants. He is sovereign. I remember after 9/11 there were many religious leaders that spoke that day at a memorial. One of the last men to speak was Billy Graham and his message was short and simple. He said that God is sovereign. There are times when we cannot explain why or understand why but we cannot question because He is Sovereign. This is what these men were saying. The Psalmist writes: “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” (Psa.115:3). Because He is God “none can stay His hand” (Deut.4:35). These men understood that. 

When we look at Calvary and the shedding of “innocent blood” we must say, “for thou … hast done as it pleased thee.” Isaiah says “it pleased the Lord to bruise him” (Isa.53:10) but it was not the suffering of Jesus the Lord was pleased with, it was the submission of Jesus the Lord was pleased with; it was the sacrifice of Jesus the Lord was pleased with. The Lord was pleased with the results, the outcome. The redemption of mankind. What these men see is a mystery, but it was His will and His purpose. What we see in Jonah is a picture of what we see at Calvary. The shedding of innocent blood that confounds and astounds men “the mystery of his will” (Eph.1:9). Praise the Lord!

To be continued

 THE LORD’S PRAYER

A Pattern Prayer

By Dr. Vicky Moots

(Part 5)

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” Matt. 6:9-13.

Verse 13b: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”  In the last part of this prayer we are acknowledging three things that belong to God, our Father:  The kingdom, the power and the glory.  We must not try to take these things from Him and claim them for ourselves.  They belong only to God.  First of all, we recognize Him as king, not just our Father, and we are to worship, serve and honor Him as king of His Kingdom.  

Today He has a spiritual kingdom in us as believers, so our hearts become His throne.  We are His possession since the Kingdom belongs to Him.  If His Kingdom is in us, then we need to stop trying to be the ruler and to let Him be in control.  As King, He has power and authority over all things, and we are to bow the knee to Him and yield our lives as His kingdom.  We are to show Him reverential fear and respect as King and say, “Thine is the power.”  We have no power in ourselves to please God or to obey Him, for “there is none that doeth good.” The power and ability to do this comes from Him.  We must acknowledge our weakness and our need of Him.  He wants us to not only “lean on his everlasting arms,” but to tap into Him as our source of power.  

So, how much power does He have? First of all, He had the power to create this universe and everything in it.  How much of that power is available to us as Christians? The answer is in Eph. 1:19-20: “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 from the dead…”.  This is resurrection power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.  We were dead in trespasses and sins but He raised us up and gave us a new life.  The life that we now live, after we are born again, is all through His power, the resurrected life of Christ in us.  

He also promised power to us through the Holy Spirit which was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, and that power is available to all who are willing to receive it.  His super natural power enables us to witness and to understand His Word.  Paul tells us in Phil. 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.”  God has given us His power through Christ.  That means that any good works that we do through His power will bring glory to His name instead of ours.  

God did not choose mighty men to do His mighty works.  He chose weaker vessels, such as David, a young shepherd boy, to kill Goliath, so that he would receive the glory.  “No flesh should glory in his presence…He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (I Cor. 1:29, 31).  We give all the glory to Him when we pray.  “Thine is the glory.”  None of it belongs to us so we should never try to claim it.  Both the power and the glory belong to Him.  That leaves no room for us to brag or boast!  Without Him we can do nothing, but through Christ we can do all things, whatever God calls us to do.

In summary, we are acknowledging that God, our heavenly Father, is also a King, who has the power, as King and the desire, as our Father, to take care of us, to answer our prayers, to guide us, to provide for us and to forgive our sins, and that all the glory and honor belong to Him.  Our job is to yield our lives to Him as His kingdom and to believe and receive what He has provided for us on a daily basis, our daily bread.  For how long? Forever! For He is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting.  Through His Son’s sacrifice on the Cross, God has given to us eternal life so that we may praise Him forever and dwell in His presence forever, starting right now, for the rest of our lives and for eternity.  Amen.

 The Holy Spirit

John 14:16-17, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” V. 26, “…the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” 

John 16:13-15, “…when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

Eph. 1:13-14, “…after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance…”. Eph. 4:30, “whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Eph. 5:18, “…be filled with the Spirit.”

Luke 11:13, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” 

Acts 1:8, “…ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…”

I Corinthians 2:10-16, “…the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

I John 2:27, “…the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

 Letter from Pastor Sharon Townsend

Chesterfield, Michigan

I want to share a poem found in my mother’s papers. 

As I read it, I wondered what storm she was going through at the time. But whatever storm it was, it ended in victory.

I know our storms will have the same ending.

“Tarry not oh God, my Father but stop the storm

Behold, the perishing effects thy children have born

Arise even now with thy mighty love and power

For Jesus sake Father in this trying hour.

The storm has been long and grievous too

Were it not for thy grace, we would surely be thru

But now I remember thy blessed Word

Thy word is Yea and Amen and shall ever Be

The storm over and gone and now more of Jesus I see.”

Luke 6:4-49

There is no title, no date, no signature, but I do believe it is hers. She would on occasion write out her feeling in this manner. I found it encouraging. May it have the same effect on you.