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December 2024 is now posted.

We will be posting the Glorious Gospel articles individually below. A PDF file (large print) can be downloaded under the Archives tab and printed if desired, as well as past editions.

 God’s Gift

 He did not use a silvery box,

   Or paper green and red,

 God laid His Christmas gift to men

   Within a manger bed.

 No silken cord was used to bind

   The gift sent from above.

 'Twas wrapped in swaddling clothes and bound

   In cords of tender love.

 There was no evergreen to which

   His precious gift was tied:

 Upon a bare tree on a hill

   His precious gift of God.

 With mighty hand He lifted it

   From out the stony grave;

 Forevermore to every man

   A living gift He gave.

– Ruth Prentice

 CHRISTIAN CHEER

Jack Davis

“BE OF GOOD CHEER”

In the gospels, those that hear Jesus speak these words are encouraged to have boldness, take courage and be comforted, by what he has to tell them. This expression is used in the book of Acts to tell the hearers to cheer up, be cheerful, to put in good spirits. In each setting we read, “be of good Cheer” the opposite attitude is more likely to be expected in reaction to the stated conditions. Therefore we realize that which is called for must come from the supernatural. This different reaction does not come of a frivolous, foolish, fickle attitude, but from faith firmly fixed on scriptural fact.

HIS PEACE AND PROMISE TO PREVAIL

“Behold, the hour cometh, yea is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” – Jn. 16:32-33. 

“These things:” Seven times in this chapter Jesus uses this expression to foretell things of tribulation, trouble, turmoil, trying times to deep distress and great frustration. He told of coming sorrow, suffering, and separation. “But” in spite of these things in the face of them all, He did say, “in me…have peace.” He has wonderfully prevailed, Let Him cheer your heart. He is not telling them to pretend it won’t happen, nor that it doesn’t hurt. He is net telling them to keep a stiff upper lip. He understood how confused and disturbed they would be, (V.30). Yet based on His word, encouraged by His victory, and comforted by His promise they were to go on undaunted with a certainty and confidence in Him.

How about us? He overcame. He has won for us the victory. He has conquered the world’s opposing forces and deprived them of their power to defeat us. Shall we not march on our way rejoicing in Rom. 8:28,37; Eph. 4:8-10; I Cor. 15:57; II Cor. 2:14; Col. 2:14-15; and Rev. 3:19-22. He is winning victories in us. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things” – Rev. 21:7.

HIS POWER

In Mathew nine we read of Jesus coming to His own city and they bring to Him a sick man that is paralyzed, and bedfast. Jesus seems to be impressed with their faith. He said unto him; “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” 

They (the scribes) were critical of Jesus and He answered the evil thoughts of their hearts saying; “Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say. Arise and walk.” Later he said to the man; “Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.” The man did just that. “When the multitudes saw it, they marvelled and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.”

Oh how powerful is His WORD to speak faith to our hearts. He still encourages us to put our faith unto action. We are able to arise and walk spiritually when we know our sins are forgiven. Whether under condemnation for sin, or bedfast, He is able to make us able to do His will. He speaks the word of good cheer to forgive and to free us from whatever is holding us down, or hindering our walk.

HIS PERSON

“But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I be not afraid” – Mt. 14:24-27.

We each, in our days will come to storm tossed times and do face contrary winds. Shall we not be comforted with the presence of His person? I am sure they enjoyed having Him identify Himself at that moment. Oh, how it cheers our heats to hear His Word. But what courage it gives us to see Jesus in the midst of the storm, and especially to know Him in such times. When Jesus and Peter got into the ship, after Jesus had lifted Peter out of the waters, we read, “the wind ceased.” The storm had served its purpose. It had revealed the fact of fear and lack of faith. They also got a real up close, and personal illustration of the power of His presence. They worshiped Him in a greater awareness of who He was.

HIS PROMISE TO PRESERVE

“And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and take Him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, be of good cheer, Paul; for thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness at Rome” – Acts 23:10-11.

Paul being faithful to testify of the hope of the resurrection got himself into  much trouble between some vicious opponents of the truth. They decided to have a tug of war and use Paul for the rope. This was no game with them, they were serious. The captain evidently feared for Paul’ life. It’s possible that Paul despaired of life, at that moment. Paul experiencing bodily, the fury of religious animosity could be expected to be anything but cheerful. He certainly needed this word of comfort.

Have we ever been torn and troubled, and felt as if we were being pulled in pieces? Oh, yes we have and it is not all over yet. Although we know beyond any doubt that our Lord has fully provided that we finish our course with Joy. It won’t be much longer, Just a little while. We, like our brother Paul can assuredly say, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” – II Tim. 4:18.

PAUL’S PERSUASION

In Acts 27 we read of Paul as a prisoner being placed on a ship destined for Rome. While at sea they encountered dangerous sailing conditions, even the tempestuous wind called Euroclydon. They were exceedingly tossed with the tempest. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on them, all hope that they should be saved was then taken away” – Acts 27:20. Then Paul  stood forth  in the midst of them and said; “Sirs…I exhort you to be of good cheer…for there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve…” Paul was told not to fear for he was to be brought before Caesar, and that God had given to Paul all that sail with him. Then he told them again, “be of good cheer: For I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me” – V.25.

Has the Lord told us anything? Has God’s Word been speaking to our hearts? Are we listening? When we believe what we hear from His Word, our hearts just can’t help[ but be cheered, even in seemingly impossible situations. In the storm, those on the ship had not been eating, but Paul encouraged them to partake of some nourishment. Paul was then an example before them all, and began to ear. “Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat” – V.36. I am impressed that Paul was able to share the Word of the Lord that cheered his heart, effectually. Do we not also have the sweet privilege, and grave responsibility to be mutually comforted and encouraged? Consider Isa. 50:4-5.

 To Give Or To Receive

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

As I write this, I am seeing a lot of pre-black Friday deals being advertised. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, when many will forget about being thankful, and become rude and pushy to get the best deals on things they want for Christmas. It is the official beginning of the Christmas retail period, when most stores make their largest gains of the year. We will buy and gift literally billions of dollars worth of things in the name of Christmas.

Some will be mad because they did not get something they wanted, or because they were overlooked when they felt they should have received something. Most are convinced that Christmas is about getting gifts, or maybe even about giving gifts. It is a shame that even many who call themselves Christians seem to forget that Christmas is about God’s gift, not about people’s gifts.

Maybe the true spirit of the season of getting lost in the hustle and bustle of following the world’s lead and trying to out give someone else, or get more stuff for ourselves. May we stop to consider what Christmas really means. It might be a good time to examine our own attitude. Are we more concerned with what we can get, or are we eager to give and help others. I believe that Jesus taught us to be willing to give. In Acts 20:35, Paul reminds that Jesus taught that it is better to give than to receive. 

God chose to give to us what we do not deserve, as Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” How wonderful it is to get a gift from someone at any time of the year, and to receive it in the spirit of thanksgiving. How much greater to receive God’s gift of His Son in a spirit of thanksgiving. It seems only appropriate that Thanksgiving and Christmas are so close together. 

This was not just a great gift, it is the greatest gift; a gift that no one else could give, and we could never get for ourself. We must then recognize that if God was willing to part with the gift of His Son, what would He withhold from 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?” Romans 8:32. This is incredible, but true. “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Romans 5:18.

As we contemplate the greatness of the gift that God gave, we must certainly recognize that we can never give such a great gift. Because we have received such a great gift, we should have a greater willingness to give unto others, and think less about ourselves. Selflessness is what we learn from our Lord Jesus. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14. However, it is in our old nature to think more about ourselves than others. 

So, what can we give to the Lord? We can give ourselves to the Lord. This is what we see of the saints in Corinth; “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” 2 Corinthians 8:5. By all rights, we are already His, but He wants us to yield our lives willingly to Him. This yielded attitude, will apply to everything in our lives as we truly comprehend His gift of love to us. Everything we have and are is by His grace, and therefore, we should not lay personal claim to any of it.

Let us not be taken in by the attitude of the world whose main determination seems to be to get more and more. Instead, let us have an attitude of letting go of the earthly possessions, in favor of the heavenly treasures. Then, we will have something truly good to give to others. We can tell them of all that Jesus has done for us. We can share God’s love at this time of the year by telling others. What greater gift to give than the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

I hope you have a great CHRISTmas, and a happy new year, but I especially hope that  you are looking eagerly for the coming of our Lord Jesus, and sharing Him with your friends.

 EIGHT STUPENDOUS,

SUPERNATURAL SIGNS

Anita Clark – Pastor, Carbondale, KS

In Matthew we see more details of the death and resurrection of Jesus than in other Gospels, — from crucifixion to resurrection momentous days and mighty happenings. These were the most important of all the ages. Eight miracles with far reaching purposes set forth by God at this time. He marks these days with mighty happenings so that everyone who heard of and witnessed them, could know that these spectacular events were indeed of divine origin. 

Natural creation of Gen. 1 and 2 came on the scene with little fanfare and disturbance. Greatest aspect of creation was when God “breathed in nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” Gen 2:7. However, when God brings the Spiritual Man on the scene, the head of the New Creation, He announced the fact with this emphatic series of events. God declaring “Christ His Son the Redeemer of all mankind.” Matt. 27:33-37; 27:45-46; 27:51(3 events), 27:52-53; 28:1-6.

Great men of the world both good and bad have come and gone. Creation did not respond to any of them as it did to the death of the Son of God. David, Abraham, Daniel, Moses, Elijah, Apostle Paul – Rulers like Julius Caesar, George Washington, Adolph Hitler – Scientists, musicians, sports heros, etc. With none of these were there great convulsions of creation as are described here concerning Christ. Only one Man has died whose death called forth these tremendous upheavals and convulsions of creation – Jesus Christ. All creation owned Him as Lord and Creator. God advertised His death and resurrection. Man has tried to analyze Him with no success. 

EIGHT SUPERNATURAL SIGNS - 

1. Matt. 27:45-46 Dense darkness from noon to 3 p.m. as He hung on the Cross.The Light of the world hung as our sin-offering. In compassion the sun refused to shine. Darkness more than eclipse or even sunset, - dense and black as man’s sin. Represents darkness of separation from God for those who refuse to accept Christ. This darkness was instant darkness and then instant Light! Glory!!!! John 1:9 “That was the true Light” (Christ).

2. Matt. 27:51 “And the veil in the temple was rent in twain from top to the bottom” Access gained for man into the presence of a Holy God! Nothing separates!! Glorious truth. Supreme sacrifice! Once for all! Heb. 10:17—”Sins remembered no more!” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” John 3:16

When Jesus cried “It is finished” God was satisfied.

3. “And the earth did quake” Such supernatural evidence!! This convulsion of nature felt throughout the entire region that day. The day of Jesus’ death! The quake rocked back and forth, and trembled, and vibrated. Nature making open display, advertising death of THE MAN! Whole world will feel this quaking at His second coming with power and great glory. Vs.54 Those watching “feared greatly” Today the world still feels this pain, sorrow, terror and suffering. Woe and wailing are appointed for all who reject this Man. This source of light and life. 1 Cor. 3:11 tells us “For other foundation can no man lay that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

4. “And the rocks rent” The word “rent” means — “split, sever, break open, torn apart!! The ROCK of all ages had died!! Nature shows its disapproval and arouses in sympathy! “Upon this Rock will I build my Church. Christ will stand forever as the Stone, Elect and Precious to God and men who will believe.

5. “And the graves were open” Not all graves. To believers the power of death and the grave was annulled. “Where sin abounded grace did much more abound” Rom. 5:20.

6. “And the bodies of the saints which slept arose (after His resurrection).”  Accuracy of Scripture noted. 1 Cor. 15:20 “Christ the firstfruits of them that slept.” These saints  (holy ones) went into the city and appeared (witnessed) to many!! They who rose were a foretaste or earnest of the resurrection when Jesus comes again!!

7. Matt. 28:2 “Behold, there was a GREAT EARTHQUAKE! for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.”

8. Matt. 28:5-6 “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. HE IS NOT HERE FOR HE IS RISEN, as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.” The Resurrection of Christ was the greatest and most astounding sign of all! A miracle of miracles!! Rom. 8.22-23. “The whole creation groaneth and travileth … waiting for the ... redemption of our body.”

 Mystery of the Bride

Part 5

Vicky Moots

Gen. 2:22 “And the rib which the Lord God had taken from man made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.”

Perhaps by now you are wondering why God would choose such a small and seemingly insignificant part of the human body, such as a rib, to fashion a bride for Adam. Maybe it’s simply because a rib could be removed and not even be missed by the rest of the body.  In order to explore this further, I would like to discuss this from a medical standpoint, since this was a surgical procedure.  Let us examine the various characteristics of the ribs and their purpose and position in the physical body, and then apply that information to the spiritual body, the church.

First of all, ribs are a hidden part of the body. They are covered with fat and muscle and are therefore not noticeable unless a person is malnourished. They don’t even make any noise to attract attention to themselves.  No one ever brags on how beautiful or how big their ribs are. They seem to be less important than the rest of the parts of the body. However, the work that they do continues day and night, and it is necessary for life.  We could not live without our ribs.

Keep in mind, as we study the ribs, that the rib is a spiritual picture of the bride of Christ, and that all of this has a spiritual meaning, which I will discuss as we go along. In the spiritual body, the bride is also unnoticed because she does not brag or boast concerning her beauty or her works. She desires that all the glory be given to Christ, so she quietly and humbly continues to do the work that she was called to do without any fanfare or desire for recognition. She does it as a labor of love for Him.

Our ribs form a cage, called the thoracic cage, around our heart, lungs and major blood vessels to protect them from harm. But that is not all they do. They are necessary in order for us to breathe.

There are twelve pairs of ribs, which vary in size and type of movement in order to allow equal expansion of both lungs at the same time. The number twelve in Scripture is God’s governmental number: there were twelve tribes of Israel and twelve apostles.

All of the ribs are connected to the spine. The upper ten pairs are also connected in some fashion, by bone or cartilage, to the breastbone (sternum). The lower two are only connected to the spine. The number ten in the Bible speaks of responsibility according to ability, as in the Ten Commandments. The spine symbolizes our ability to stand.  We must recognize that our ability to stand before a holy God is only in Christ. The breastbone speaks of affection, for we read that John, the beloved, leaned on Jesus’ breast.

The ribs are also connected to each other by muscles so that they will all move together in harmony when we take a breath. Underneath each rib there is a groove which contains a nerve, artery and vein (a trinity). In order to breathe, the brain signals the rib muscles to cause the chest wall to expand as the ribs move outward.  At the same time, the diaphragm muscle, which is attached to the inside of the lower ribs, pushes downward. This creates a negative chest pressure which causes air to flow into the lungs.

This whole process is called “inspiration.”  In II Tim. 3:16 we read that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God…” This means literally that it is “God breathed.”  God breathes life into us through His Word as we read it, in the same manner in which He breathed life into Adam.

During inspiration, all of the ribs must move out at the same time, in one accord, together as a group.  Spiritually that would speak of the Holy Spirit who gave the breath of life to the church on the Day of Pentecost, when they were all in one accord in the upper room.

Inspiration in the physical body is an active process that requires muscle contraction, or work.  But then the brain sends a second signal which causes all those muscles to relax, and the air flows out of the lungs carrying the waste products with it. This is called expiration, or exhalation. It is a time of rest, because it does not require any muscular contraction.

This cycle of work and rest, inspiration and expiration, continues until we take our final breath, which ends in expiration. The ribs work together, consistently, persistently, always yielding, never tiring, even when the rest of the body is asleep, but they must also do an equal amount of rest.

What does this mean to us spiritually? I mentioned previously that the bride performs a labor of love for her Bridegroom.  However, she also takes time to sit and rest at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word, as did Mary in the story of Mary and Martha, in Luke 10:38-42.  Jesus performed many good works, but even He took time out to rest and commune with His Father in order to be strengthened.  The bride also is strengthened for her labor as she sits at His feet and studies His Word.

 CONSIDER JESUS                            

 

Gary Giddings, Sand Springs, OK

Hebrews 3:1-2, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him …” As Christians, we are to consider Jesus, that is, “to perceive clearly, to understand fully” (Vine) the unique Son of God. This is no mere reasoning of the human intellect, but it is to yield ourselves to God who reveals Himself and opens our understanding to His reality.

Consider that Jesus was faithful, that is, “trustworthy” and “true” (Strong). Jesus completed the Father’s will by going to Calvary’s Cross and dying for our sins. Jesus could have called 12 legions of angels to rescue Him, but He didn’t. Jesus was faithful to the plan that the Triune God made to save us from our sins (Acts 2:22-24, 36-38). After receiving Jesus into our heart as Savior, He comes to stay. We, too, can learn to be faithful to the Father because of the Spirit of Christ within us. As we allow Jesus to live through us, we can be faithful. Phil. 2:5-8, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of 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.” 

Before there was the earth and the universe, God existed in eternity past. But God wasn’t lonely or needy: God is perfect and complete. God is a Trinity – The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. God is a Relational Being. When Jesus came to earth, His relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit didn’t stop or end. As a man, Jesus DEPENDED on His relationship with the Father and Holy Spirit. Think of what Jesus did to take this humble place: He gave up His “rights” as God. He gave up being Omnipotent (All-Powerful), Omniscient (All-Knowing), and Omnipresent (Present Everywhere). Jesus entered time and space and took on a body of flesh and blood, why? He identified with us so that He could take our place and die for our sins. When we accept this gift of Salvation, we can identify with Jesus! Now, with the Spirit of Christ within, we can follow His example of doing the Father’s will. Jesus IS the great example and pattern for us. 

Mark 10:42-45 “…Jesus called them to Him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Consider Jesus’ example: we must learn to SERVE others. This is not just trying to please everyone, but we learn our role in the Kingdom of God and we use our gifts and talents to point others to Jesus. What is your gift or talent? Use it for Jesus’ sake and for His kingdom.

Peter told those gathered in the house of Cornelius that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). Jesus’ humble obedience to the Father is our example. We also can do good in this world as we yield to God. John 3:34,  “For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.” Jesus didn’t begin His ministry until AFTER He was baptized in water by John the Baptist and filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus wasn’t off trying to accomplish the prophecies of the Old Testament by Himself. He relied upon the Father and the Holy Spirit. John 14:10  “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works.” John 14:24  “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” Jesus said it was the Father speaking through Him! Jesus didn’t rely on Himself, but gave Himself completely over to the Father.

Luke 22:41-44, “And He [Jesus] was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Think of the GREAT stress that was upon Jesus. He was already agonizing over what was before Him, but He poured out His heart to the Father. There He gained the strength He needed to keep going with the PLAN to save us.

Heb. 5:7-9, “[Jesus] Who in the days of his flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though He were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which He suffered; And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him; The word feared means that Jesus showed “reverence” (Strong). From the Webster Dictionary, reverence is a “feeling or attitude of deep respect, love, and awe.”

How was Jesus heard? Did He get to bypass the Cross? No. God the Father gave Him the power that He needed TO STAY ON TASK. Jesus could have called 12 legions of angels to rescue Him, but He didn’t. It was His Love for us that propelled Him on to do the difficult thing. Jesus was obedient, even through the suffering. God doesn’t obey or need to obey anyone, because God is God. But when Jesus stepped down from heaven and took on a body of flesh and blood, HE LEARNED TO OBEY THE FATHER.

John 10:17-18, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. Jesus was given power, that is, “authority, strength” (Strong) from the Father to be the Lamb of God to take away our sins! Jesus didn’t rely on Himself but His relationship with the Father. When Jesus laid down His life, it could LOOK like failure and defeat. It could LOOK like God lost and the Devil won. But Jesus relied on the power that the Father gave Him to complete the plan of Redemption. We know by the Scriptures that Jesus won because He came out of the grave. He arose victorious over death and hell. We read that Jesus “spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15). “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:” Phil. 2:9.

Jesus FIRST took the downward steps to identify with us and to redeem us. THEN God the Father highly exalted Him. Jesus humbled Himself and waited for the Father to exalt Him. Jesus didn’t exalt Himself but pointed to the Father who does the exalting. God set us free to SERVE and to WORSHIP Him through Jesus our Savior. But what will we do with the freedom, the liberty that He gives us? We are tempted to live for “The Kingdom of Me.” It is so easy to get caught up with what we want and what we like to do, because we are human. But it is our joy, our privilege to SERVE JESUS and to PLEASE Him. CONSIDER JESUS who laid down His life to save us from our own destructive ways. We were saved to KNOW and to ENJOY His presence. Psa. 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Jesus went through the pain and suffering of doing the Father’s will and came out the other side victorious! Jesus is now experiencing fulness of joy and pleasures forever more because of His relationship with the Father. These promises are for us, too, who submit our will to God. May we let Jesus RULE & REIGN on the throne of our hearts so that we may RULE & REIGN with Him in His Millennial Reign on earth. This highest place is being offered to you today: will you accept it or reject it? It is up to you. Why do we settle for less when God offers us His best?

 FULL ASSURANCE

ON THREE SHIPS 

Part 3

Jack Davis

HOPE’S HEIRSHIP

“We desire that every one of you do show 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. 6:11-12. 

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory Divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.”

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward” Heb. 10:35. Oh, “the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him!” Thank God for His Holy Spirit who makes us KNOW what things are freely given to us of God. We, like Abraham, can be “strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform” – Rom. 4:20-21. We can KNOW that God is making all things work together for our good. “For we KNOW that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an House not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” – II Cor. 5:1. “We KNOW  … we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” I John 3:2.

“THE FULL ASSURANCE OF HOPE” is a full conviction that our hope will be realized, a certainty that we will secure full possession of what God’s Word has caused us to expect. In Acts 27:20-25,29-36 we see that “all hope … was taken away.” Oh, how Paul’s writings prepare us for the storms and preserve us from many a storm. “Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me,” Paul could say, “I am acquainted with the Author, and ought to KNOW.” When we are not eating as we should, the assurance of our hope cannot be very full – Acts 20:32. Here he spoke assurance of the Word of God’s grace that is powerful to do an effectual work, building and enriching.

 Amazing Love, Grace & Hope

by

Vicky Moots

Amazing love, how can it be?

That He would die for you and me.

He suffered pain and agony

To set the vilest sinner free.

Amazing grace He gave to me;

My sins He cast into the sea,

Remembered never more to be,

That I may live eternally.

He rose triumphant from the grave;

Amazing hope to us He gave.

He raised us up to bear His name,

A spotless bride with Him to reign.

 The Encouraging Word

“The LORD is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens.” Psalm 113:4

“My soul, wait in silence for God only. For my hope is from Him.” Psalm 62:5

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD and to sing praises to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 92:1

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 136:1

“He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless.” Isaiah 40:29

“Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning; for on you do I lean and in you do I trust. Cause me to  know the way wherein I should walk. Unto you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8

“Casting the whole of your care – all your anxieties, all your worries all your concerns once and for all – on Him; For He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 Amp

“What, then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

Martha Wainright

 One thing

Jack Davis

Joshua 23:14, “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.”

Joshua 23:8. “cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.”

Joshua 24:14-15, “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: … choose you this day whom ye will serve; … as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua having reminded his people of the good things that God had done for them, also calls them into account for their attitude for the future. He calls them to consecration, separation, single-hearted devotion to the one true God. We remember the tender words of our beloved Lord when He was coming to the close of His earthly journey. “When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked you any thing? And they said, Nothing (not one thing).” Lk. 22:35. Remember Acts 4:34-35.

We may hear Joshua say, Behold this day, 

I am going the way of all earth born clay. 

As he was about to depart,

He spoke from deep within

Of the contents of their soul and heart.

Surely I am going, and you are certainly knowing ,

That all the good things promised of God,

He has been faithfully bestowing.

Not ONE THING the Lord your God spake 

   concerning you has failed,

Although your enemies have fiercely assailed

For by His hand you have prevailed.

Choose you this day whom you will serve,

Don’t take off and foolishly swerve,

For your whole heart He will always deserve.

SINGULAR DEVOTION 

In the epistles of our apostle Paul we are taught of focused living in our Father’s will. He would have our heart’s centered upon Jesus Christ. For He, as bridegroom is the promised Prize of the high calling. Along the course of our Christian race our adversary will throw many distractions in the way. He would corrupt our minds from single-hearted devotion to Jesus Christ. II Cor. 11:1-3. Believers are warned against leaving off loving Him preminately and becoming cold and indifferent toward Him. We are encouraged to run our race with patience looking unto Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith – Heb. 12:1-3. We must learn not to run aimlessly, but to keep our affections set on Him – I Cor. 9:24-27. 

DIVINELY FOCUSED DESIRE

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple” – Psa. 27:4. With our Father’s purposes in proper focus, we find a singular drive aflame in our hearts. This burning has us yearning, seeking, and dwelling to behold His radiant beauty. We thus wholeheartedly “enquiring” are being transformed into His likeness. Nothing else can quite satisfy this desire.

SPIRITUALLY ENERGIZED CONDUCT

“…This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of god in Christ Jesus,” “let us mind the same thing” – Phil. 3:13-14. Let Paul remind us also to put all our provisions toward the same goal. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” James 1:8. Consider what that means. We are wonderfully blessed in enjoying closer fellowship with our God. “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.”

FOCUSED FOR ETERNAL GAIN 

“What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest” Mark 10:17,21. This wealthy man approaching Jesus was wearing a heavy chain, for what he had, held him, and was the area wherein he lacked. Jesus touched on that which would divide his loyalties, and would rob him of true wealth, even eternal riches. It doesn’t have to be material wealth that would keep us from single-hearted devotion to our Lord, but what ever we allow to come between us and God’s best. It seems that there are less and less all the time that are out and out, or sold out for the Lord. Yet, just because indifference is the brominate attitude of our day, we dare not get caught up in it, and suffer spiritual loss.

A SINGLE EYE TO THE GLORY OF THE LORD

“…One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see” John 9:25. Then said they (the Pharisees) unto him again, What did he unto thee? How opened he thine eyes? Later they said concerning Jesus, as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. The man answered and said unto the, why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from hence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes” John 9:26,29-30.

There are times that we allow what we think we know to blind us from further truth. At times we let that which we think we see keep us from deeper revelations (I Cor. 8:2-3). The way humanity was to come to know  god, was in their midst in the person of Jesus Christ. He was to reveal the Father to them. What this man knew was real, personal and powerful. It was of more value than all that those Pharisees pretended to know. We believe that one truth, one fact, one scripture made a living reality in the heart, is worth far more than being able to quote the whole Bible, if it just remains theory. When a single scripture is held in a working knowledge it is invaluable. As one truth is made real, we are to allow the Spirit to take us on “line upon line and precept upon precept Isa. 28:10. We will not know it all here but folding will be enjoyed in the eternal state.

CHOOSE THE NECESSARY

“One thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her…Mary, which also sat at Jesus feet, and heard his word’ Luke 10:42&39. Of all our devotion, desire, deeds, and of discerning of true wealth, will find perfect focus, and will reach its ultimate fulfillment in relation to how we have sit at Jesus feet (DESIGNED DINNING) and hear His precious Word.

 Gratitude Expressions

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: Psalm 92:1. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” 

Psa. 100:4.

We have all been taught that we should say “please” and “thank you,” and it is surely good to do this. Really, though, it is more important to actually be thankful than to just say it. A true attitude of gratitude is what brings out a sincere expression of gratefulness.

Public Expression of Gratitude

We express our gratitude to our Lord in the congregation (public), as we worship. David wrote psalms to give thanks, and appointed certain of the Levites to express that gratitude in 1 Chronicles 16:4-7. You may not know how to write a song or psalm of thankfulness, but you can certainly express your gratitude in the form of a testimony, or simply praising God, in the assembly, for His goodness. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15.

True worship comes from the heart, and a heart that is truly grateful will bring forth worship that is beautiful to our Lord. We know that God sees our heart, and is not fooled by our words if they are not sincere. 1 Chronicles 28:9. Sincere gratefulness will come from a realization of what God has done for us, versus what we really deserved. God does not demand our gratitude, but desires that it be sincere. It is given of a willing heart. “And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.” Leviticus 22:29.

Gratitude Lived

True gratefulness is not just expressed with words, but should also be expressed with our lives. You may have heard the saying, “words are cheap” or, “actions speak louder than words.” It really is true. If we are truly grateful to God, our lives will show it. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17.

Contentment is Gratitude

One of the ways our lives show true gratefulness, is in contentment. If we truly recognize that God supplies all our needs, then we must learn to be content in whatever state we are. Paul came to understand this in his life. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:11-12. We are encouraged to have this same attitude in Hebrews 13:5; “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” An attitude of discontentment is an attitude of ungratefulness. 

Gratitude in Adversity

So, what if things are not going our way? What if we are having problems? Maybe we should hold the gratefulness for later. After all, we are really only grateful for the “good” things God does for us, right? This would be the attitude that the world would encourage us to have. 

However, this is not the attitude we find in Scripture. Job is probably the best example of this. After terribly tragic occurrences in his life, we find this attitude; “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:20-21. It is of course true that all that we have is a result of God’s mercy and grace, which are attributes of our God. Sometimes God may allow things in our lives for our good, but we may perceive them as “bad” or “tragic.” But we know that “all things work together for good for God’s chosen” Romans 8:28. And so, we can do as encouraged in I Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Ephesians 5:20,  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Reasons to be thankful:

I Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14 – victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Colossians 1:12 – made fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 

1 Timothy 1:12 – enabled for ministry; 

1 Timothy 4:3-4 – food provided by God

Psalm 106:1 – His mercy endureth for ever. 

Psalm 30:4 – His holiness. 

2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 

If there were never anything else that God did for us, the gift of His Son is enough to elicit our gratitude for all of eternity. 

 TEN POINTS ABOUT ENDURANCE

Anita Clark – Pastor, Carbondale, KS

Endurance is not gritting our teeth and bearing up in the flesh, but in God’s strength.

I. THE GROWTH OF ENDURANCE - II Thess. 1:3-4 – “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet (proper), because that your faith growth exceedingly, and the charity (love) of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulation that ye endure.”  Note verse 4, “patience increases.” I Thessalonians 1:3 says, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father.”

II. ENDURANCE OF CHASTENING - Hebrews 12:5&7 – “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son despise not now the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons.” The word “endurance” speaks of “to stay under, to remain, undergo, bear trials, have fortitude, take patiently, tarry behind.”

III. ENDURANCE OF LOVE - I Corinthians 13:4-7 – These Scriptures tells us, “Love endureth all things.” (Vs.7) It takes the grace of God working in our lives for us to really show love to others as the Scripture tells us to do. The word endurance here means the same as it does in Heb. 12:5-7 where the Scripture says, “If you endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the Father chastening not.”

IV. ENDURANCE OF THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER- II TIMOTHY 2:3-4 – “Thou therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

V. THE ENDURANCE OF SOUND DOCTRINE - II TIMOTHY 4:3-4 – “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 their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “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, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

VI. EXAMPLES OF ENDURANCE - II TIMOTHY 2:10 – “Therefore I endure all things for the elects sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” II Timothy 3:10-11 Apostle Paul speaks of his trials, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” The word “endured” means “to bear with, to acknowledge, take patiently, and accept.”

VII. THE COMFORT OF ENDURANCE OF SUFFERING - I CORINTHIANS 1:3-6 – “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings...”

VIII. THE REWARD OF ENDURANCE - James 1:12 – “Blessed is he man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” The word endureth means to stay under, remain, to undergo, bear trials, have fortitude, to take patiently, tarry behind, perseverance. II Timothy 4:6-8 speaks of Paul’s departure from this earth. “For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”

IX. ENDURANCE OF THE SAINTS OF GOD – Apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrew saints, “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions. Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions, and partly, while ye became companions of them that were so used.”

X. MOSES ENDURED –  “By faith Moses, when he was come to years... Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:22-27.

“Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1-3.

 Mystery of the Bride

Part 4

Vicky Moots

Gen. 2:21b: “…and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof.”  I suppose you could call this surgery a “ribectomy.”  A surgical procedure not only requires anesthesia, but it also requires the right instruments and a skilled surgeon.  God, the Great Physician, certainly qualifies to be the surgeon.

  

The instrument that is needed to remove a rib must be sharp enough to cut through bone.  Heb. 4:12 describes an instrument which is capable of doing that: “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow…”  Marrow is in the center of bone, so this instrument is certainly sharp enough to cut through a rib and to dissect away the flesh and muscle around it in order to remove it.

The work of surgery is not done by the body or by the rib, but by the surgeon.  God desires to do a work in us, to separate whosoever is willing, out from among the sleeping church, the body of Christ, just as He did to Adam’s rib while he slept.  This is not by our own works.  God will use the sharp two-edged scalpel of His Word to cut away our fleshly desires, and to prepare us to be a bride for Christ, if we are willing to let Him do it.  Paul declares in Eph. 2:10 that “…we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”  “Unto good works,” not “by good works.”  It is God working in us and through us that enables us to do good works which bring glory to His name.  We are a “work in progress,” but we must yield to the cutting of His Word if we want the work to progress.

The rib that was removed was still a part of the body of Adam, but God separated it out from the body for a specific purpose.  Paul said in Eph. 5:25-26 that Christ “…loved the church [His body], and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”  The word “sanctify” means “to separate out or to set apart for a specific purpose.”  Along with the sanctification, or separation, comes the cleansing.  Note that Christ, Himself, does the work of separation and cleansing by using the Word of God.  We cannot sanctify ourselves.

In the same manner in which God separated out the rib from Adam’s body, He is separating out a spiritual rib from the sleeping church, using the instrument of the Word, and cleansing it, also with the Word, to prepare a bride for Christ.

When a surgery is performed, it is usually done for a reason, to fulfill a certain need in the body.  However, sometimes an organ, such as a kidney, is removed not because it is diseased, but because it is being donated to give life to another person.  That organ then becomes a living part of another living person.

In this case, God removed a living, healthy rib from Adam, in order to give life to Eve.  Part of Adam’s bone marrow, containing his own stem cells, was inside that rib.  As a result, when God formed Eve to be his bride from that rib, she actually had Adam’s very life inside of her, not just one of his bones.

If we desire to be a part of that separated group of believers who are being prepared by God to make up the bride of Christ, we must come to the place spiritually that we lay hold of the fact that we have the very life of Christ inside of us, which gives us new life and gives us hope.  In Col. 1:27, Paul refers to this as “…Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  What is our “hope of glory”? That we may one day reign with Christ as His bride! That is also God’s purpose and plan for our lives, so let us yield to the scalpel of God’s Word and to the hands of the Great Surgeon.

 Ten Good Things

Earlene Davis

I remember not liking a certain food when I was a child and I did not want to eat it. My mother would say, but it is good for you. Well God tells us of some things in His Word that are good for us. We will read a few admonitions He gives us that encourage spiritual growth as we go along on the path of life.

Psalm 73:28, “… it is good for me to draw near to God…” The word “draw” use here is not one single act, but a drawing on and on as we walk on earth. Then the Psalmist gives testimony, “I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.” Ones translation says, “and I keep on declaring all His mighty works.” The results of trusting God is being able to tell what wonderful things the Lord has done. We may not all be preachers or teachers, but we all have the privilege of testifying of His goodness. James 4:8 gives promise – “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” Praise the Lord!

Psalm 92:1-5, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing His praises.” This joyful occupation is good for me, it raises my spirits and causes me to triumph in the Lord, in His loving kindness. It also effects those around us to render thanks and praise to God. We thank men when they show us a kindness, how much more we should bless the Lord for all He has done for us. Verse 2 says, “show forth,” give testimony of His loving kindness in the morning and His faithfulness every night. We learn of His goodness in all circumstances, even in the dark night time experiences. Phil. 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice.”

Psalm 119:71, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” God allows afflictions to come to us for our Profit. He makes them work good for us. We learn  Christ better in those times and we are being made more like Him. II Cor. 4:16-17 -”For which cause we faint not, though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

Psalm 133:1, “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” There is real benefit for the saints, for if there is no unity, there is contention. Verse 3 says that therein the Lord commanded a blessing. Praise God! Heb. 12:15 – tells us, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any  toot of bitterness springing up trouble you and there-by many be defiled.”

Psalm 147:1, “…for it is good to sing praises unto our God…” When it comes from the heart – it is beautiful to His ears. Our Creator gave us that ability to sing, just as He gave the birds notes to praise Him. Eph. 5:18-20 -”…be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord. Verse 20 – “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Proverbs 15:23, “How good it is for a wise word to be spoken in due season.” Prov. 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Wise words are, the Word of God. May we feed on His Word and He will reward us with wisdom by His Holy Spirit to speak it at the right time. 

Lamentations 3:26, “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly (or patiently) wait for the salvation of the Lord.” Read Vs. 24-25. We have a blessed hope of the coming of the Lord – Titus 2:13. And we are admonished in James 5:7-8 – Be patient therefore brethren unto the coming of the Lord.”

I Timothy 2:3, “It is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” Vs. 1-4 tells us what is pleasing in God’s sight, it is prayer and thanksgiving for all men, even those in authority that you may not like. For He would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Titus 3:8, “…be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” This is a faithful saying and Paul says, affirm constantly meaning teach the believers and remind them. It is not only good for us, but profitable. II Pet. 1:8, “for if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful…” speaking of this life. And there is reword in the future. Rev. 2:10 – “be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.”

Hebrews 13:9, “For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace…” It is so important to be established, so we are not taken in by false teachings and they abound on every side. We must test everything by the Word of God. – know it, study it, lay hold of it, and yield to it, thus letting it be worked in our life by the Holy Spirit.

 FULL ASSURANCE ON THREE SHIPS

Part 1 & 2

Jack Davis

Three times in Paul’s epistles he would fill all our ships with assurance.

1. Faith’s Fellowship: “Let us draw near” Heb. 10:22

2. Understanding’s Scholarship: “Lest any man should deceive you with enticing words” Col. 2:4.

3. Hope’s Heirship: “We desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end…through faith and patience inherit the promises” Heb. 6:11-12.

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having an High Priest over the house of god; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” – Heb. 10:19-22.

ASSURANCE – The state of being certain or confident, This expression speaks of making full proof of, or having entire confidence, or carrying out fully, or being persuaded or fully know. Do you ever get that sinking feeling? Don’t feel lonesome, many have. Wether it is on water, or in the air, or in a hard-ship, we hope not to sink. Oh, let us allow the full assurance, that comes from God’s Precious Word, to buoy us up.

FAITH’S FELLOWSHIP

“FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH” tells us of the unwavering, unswerving, unfaltering attitude with which we are to draw near. Jesus said, “Come unto Me.” He longs that we come into the full enjoyment of full fellowship – “Having…boldness to enter.” He calls us to a cheerful confidence of free access. He is so very approachable to all who come by faith.

We have an example in Matt. 8:23-27, “And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep. And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, Lord save us: we perish. And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

When Jesus entered this ship, some were with Him. The ship seemed covered with the waves from the great tempest, but He was asleep. In Mark 4:38 we read that He was “asleep on a pillow.” He seems to be assurance Personified! He was resting on His Father’s kind providence. He certainly manifested a full assurance of faith. Remember He is in this world as a Man. They drew nigh, but the assurance of their faith was not yet full. He said, “O ye of little faith.” They asked, “Careth Thou not that we perish?” They certainly lacked understanding. Their situation looked hopeless, as ours often does in trial. Our ships seem covered with destructive waves. They ask, “What manner of Man is this?” This is the Man who can arise to our help, and speak peace to our hearts, and change the great tempest into a great calm. This is the Man who said: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” – John 16:33. What wonderful assuring words!

Tests of faith are to cause us to draw near to Him and grow. Our faith grows as we walk in fellowship Him; and, in an increase of faith, our assurance becomes full or complete. Matthew 9:1-8. Here assurance and deliverance arrived by ship. “Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” Oh, how and assurance of forgiveness sheers our hearts. He knew the evil thought of unbelief in their hearts. Forgiveness received in the assurance of faith brings us into close fellowship. We are only able to arise and walk, when fellowship we realize that our sins are forgiven.

UNDERSTANDING’S SCHOLARSHIP

Colossians 2:1-7. I speak here of more than a grant in aid, thinking more of the character qualities of the scholar. The Apostle Paul in this epistle proclaimed the Truth, which did indeed counteract agnosticism – an intellectual’s religion, supposedly appealing to reason. This teaching promoted higher learning as a means of emancipation from evil. Gnosticism is still around today in its many religions forms. Many of the organizations hold their people in some form of ritualistic mysticism, promoting fear and uncertainty that hold in religious bondage. But, thank  God, for the spiritual understanding that produces full assurance. Praise God, for the wealth of conviction that comes from God-given insight. What a comfort is this firm conviction, this complete certainty, especially to the hearts that are “being knit together in love.” This full assurance results in true knowledge – full, perfect, and personal, of God’s sacred secret – hidden truth being revealed, openly manifested.

In Colossians 2:5 Paul spoke assuring words of “joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” In 1:23 he spoke of their continuing “in the faith grounded and settled, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel.” In 2:6-7 Paul gives them more encouragement and assurance to continue on in the way they had begun. “As ye have therefore received ... so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith.” We generally lack assurance in that which we do not understand.  This need not be true in the  Scriptures. We will put our confidence in the Word because He said it, even before we understand it, because our confidence is in Him.

An assurance of understanding is expressed in Matthew 14:22-33. “Of a truth Thou art the Son of God.” They had just received a real lesson In assurance. We are troubled and afraid when we lack understanding – V. 26. But when He is revealed to our hearts we gain in assurance – V. 27. Many uncertainties arise when we are in hardship; but, when troubles arise and we are on storm-tossed seas, it is so assuring to look up to the Lord and cry, “Pilot me,” and have His sweet answer, “I will still thy Pilot be.” As in verse 32 we learn to take Him into our ship, and let Him fill our capacity for understanding. “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” – Co. 2:3. We are to do this that we be not “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of man, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” – Eph. 4:14.

We can KNOW in whom we believe, and can be persuaded that He “Is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Paul assured Timothy, “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” “Study (be diligent) to show thyself approved unto God, a workmen that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the  Word of Truth – II Tim. 2:7,15. “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them … thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise … All Scriptue … is profitable … that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished” – II Tim. 3:13-17. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” – Rom. 15:4.

Continued – Part 3, HOPE’S HEIRSHIP next issue.

 The Encouraging Word

“None at all is  like you, O Lord. You are great, and your name is great in might” Jeremiah 10:6

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show you great and mighty things, that thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul.” Psalm 54:4

“So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble,”     Matthew 6:34 Amp

“But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry!” Psalm 70:5 Amp

“…Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify me.” Psalm 50:15

“…but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

AMAZING GRACE! 

Martha Wainright

 THE PRAYER LINE

Jack Davis

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

Throughout His Word the true and living God invites our call. Whoever truly calls upon Him by faith is included. “Saved,” what a great inclusive word. It implies total deliverance, body, soul, and spirit, including gracious preservation unto glorious presentation. We are told that His eyes are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers (I Peter 3:12). “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isa. 59:1.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” Rom. 10:9-10.

May we call from our own private phone booth, but He would have us announce before men the answer we received from faith’s call.

CALL TO RECEIVE

When we call upon God in Jesus name (Acts 4:10-12) we receive redemption through faith in His sin atoning blood. We are not only given a right standing with God, but are made partakers of regeneration. By new birth we receive a new heart and a new life.

CALL WITH REPRESENTATION

All God’s children have a strong adversary in Satan, who is the accuser of the brethren. He works at it day and night. First John tells us that we also have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. What a friend we have in high places. Since we have a great High Priest that has passed into the heavens, that was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin, and can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, we are challenged to come boldly in His name. Never let us stop calling! Keep at it to realize a full salvation. Heb. 4:11-16 and 7:25.

Jesus spoke clearly about the attitude in which any that call upon Him may come (Lk. 18:9-14. Who do you trust? It is never on the basis of human merit. Self effort will not earn God’s favour. So we successfully call on the basis of divine mercy.

CALL FOR RELIEF

“Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” Psa. 50:15.

He has wonderfully provided that we enjoy renewal in times of trouble, and the refreshing that comes from experiencing divine intervention.

CALL FOR REJOICING

“Thou shalt glorify me.” Oh what a joy to praise Him and glorify His name, giving Him thanks for His wonderful answers to our calls. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord Psa. 92:1. One of the greatest good it does is to keep the channels open, enjoying closer and constant relations in sweet communications. He says, Let me hear thy voice – Song of Sol. 2:14. Let us draw nigh with a true heart in full assurance of faith.

CALL FOR REVELATIONS

“MOREOVER the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” – Jer. 33:1-3.

Thank the Lord, His shut-ins aren’t shut out from the throne of grace. When He allows us to be brought to confining conditions, limiting situations, who can we talk to, which way shall we look but up. What wonderful things He has to show us.

There are times that we have to be crowded into a corner before we will call. We don’t usually think of being shut up in a prison as an ideal position, or condition for receiving deeper and fuller revelations of our Lord and His purposes. How about John on the Isle of Patmos, Joseph in Egypt or Daniel in Babylon. Do you  think that Jonah realized in a deeper sense, during his submarine ride that salvation is of the Lord?

CALL REMEMBERING OTHERS

What a high and noble privilege, for the Lord’s priestly line. Calling on the Lord on behalf of others, lifting them up and bringing them before the Lord. Jesus told Peter, I have prayed for you. Jesus even prayed for those that took part in crucifying Him, saying, “Father forgive them” Lk. 23:34.

 Hear HIM

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Matthew 17:1-5

I was impressed with the emphasis God puts on this statement. “Hear ye HIM.” Peter was impressed with what he was seeing, and had a great idea that was intended to exalt Jesus and Moses and Elijah. However, God was more concerned with bringing the focus back to Jesus alone. It was His Son, Jesus that mattered here.

I am reminded that often we get in the same mindset as Peter. “Hey, I have a really great idea to exalt Christianity.” “I have a great idea to improve our culture.” And on and on we can go with our ideas or the ideas of others. I believe that Satan distracts us with so many things and so many philosophies and so many “Christian” ideas. Ways to get people to like us and to come into our church. And God reminds us. “Hear ye HIM.” Are you paying attention to what Jesus is saying? 

Some people will get really upset with Peter. “Why can’t he just shut up and pay attention to Jesus?” He was so privileged to spend time with Jesus in the flesh. I would have been always attentive to Jesus and just hung on His every word. But Peter was just like any one of us. We have the privilege of having Jesus in front of us at any time. I actually have a Bible in my cell phone. And still, sometimes I am distracted by my own ideas or by something the world is putting in front of me, or by something the Christian system is putting in front of me.

I need a reminder that I need to hear Jesus. What is He saying to me? Where is He guiding me with His Word? What does it mean to hear Jesus? In John 1:14 we read this, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Jesus is the Word. We find Him speaking to us in the Bible as we read and meditate.

In Hebrews 1:1-2, we read, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” We find that God is making it clear that Jesus is the only one that has been approved to speak to us. Even the Old Testament prophets all spoke to us of Jesus. For God, it has always been about Jesus.

So, if Jesus is the one that we are supposed to listen to, why do we sometimes find ourselves listening to the world? Listening to some person who claims to speak for Jesus, but does not speak according to God’s Word? We have an enemy that knows exactly what to say to us to cause us to listen. He tried to do this also with Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus’ answer to him is exactly the example we need. The answer is to speak the Word of God. 

This is just as important when we are hearing some “Christian” speaker that is using enticing words as it is when the world is trying to entice us. It is necessary when our own mind brings forth ideas that do not line up with God’s Word. God’s statement is not, “listen to this great charismatic preacher,” it is “hear ye HIM,” “my beloved Son.”

Many of God’s precious people today are failing to hear Jesus. They are listening to the call of the world, and sometimes they think it is good because it sounds like something that would be good for Christianity or they believe that they will be able to exalt Jesus with it. But it invariably turns out to be just monument to some human idea. Jesus always was clear about what He was teaching was not like this world and would not be accepted by the world. Don’t get caught up in the ideas that are not according to what Jesus tells us. Study God’s Word to know what He is speaking to you. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what He wants you to know. God is still reminding us today, “Hear ye HIM.”

 God Wants First Place

Anita Clark – Pastor

Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas

The Lord desires to be number one in our lives.  From the very beginning of the Bible we see His desire for this full fellowship with mankind.  Jesus, when tempted of the devil quoted from the Old Testament, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve.”

When God was about to deliver Israel from Egypt, He instructed them concerning the first Passover found in Exodus 12:1-13. God begins to tell them in detail what He wanted of them. Notice Vs. 2, “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months, it shall be the first month of the year to you.” Later He instructs them of what they are to bring as a sacrifice to Him.  Vs. 5, “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year:” No old sheep who was about to die would do. Only the best was acceptable for God. All the Egyptians who did not slay the firstborn lambs, and apply the blood suffered the death of their firstborn son, and the first born of all their cattle also.

 Israel was also to offer to the Lord “the first ripe fruits, ... and the first born sons shalt thou give unto me” (Exodus 22: 29). They had to bring an offering to redeem the first born son.  Chapter 23:19 of Exodus speaks further of the first fruits, “The first of the fruits of the land shalt thou bring into the house of the LORD thy God..” In Exodus 29:38,&39 God tells them concerning the burnt-offering, which was a continual offering, “Now this is that ye shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year...One in the morning and one in the evening.””

And in Exodus 40:2, the LORD spoke to Moses saying,  “On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.”  When the preparation of the tabernacle was finished, God ordered it to be set up at this exact time, no doubt emphasizing that His things were to come first in their thoughts and in all of their lives.

When the Lord set forth the various Feasts Israel was to celebrate in their year in Numbers 23:4, He set forth Passover to be the first feast each year in the first month.” Then the others were to follow on their exact times. This was to be perpetual before the Lord.,  

In Numbers 15:20-21 He tells Israel they were to “Offer up a cake of the first of your dough...the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD.”  Why did God emphasize their giving first to Him?  Because He was training them to put Him first in everything they did.

In Isaiah 44:6, it says, “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and His redeemer the LORD of Hosts; I am the first, and I am the last and beside Me there is no God.” This was His desire from the creation of the world and of mankind, to have them worship Him and put Him first.  This is foreign from the thoughts of humanity. Throughout the ages God has sought for a people who would put Him first, and love Him supremely.

Let’s look again at Exodus 22:9, God asked for the first born son to be given unto Him, and in answer to that in Luke 2:7, Mary “brought forth her first born son” and in obedience to the Law of God, in Vs. 22 “ they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord. (As it is written in the Law), Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.” Even in His birth all that pertained to the command of the Law by God was fulfilled.  He was truly the first begotten of the Father.

 Mystery of the Bride

Part 3

Vicky Moots

We read in Gen. 2:21 that God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam while He was removing a rib to form Eve.  Does this mean anything to us spiritually? We know that in the natural, in order for a surgery to take place, a patient must be anesthetized, or “put to sleep.”  Adam’s physical body was asleep, and therefore was not aware of the operation that was being performed.  Likewise, the majority of the spiritual body of Christ, the church, is fast asleep today and is unaware of the signs of the end-times and that the marriage of the Lamb is soon to take place.

So, what happened that caused the church to fall asleep? The church began on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out.  About three thousand people were saved on that day, and we read in Acts 2:47 that “…the Lord added to the church daily such as should be [were being] saved.”

The early church was very much awake and full of the Holy Ghost.  But it wasn’t long before we read that they began to murmur among themselves saying that not everyone was being treated equally (Acts 6:1).  Does that sound familiar? Satan was actively sowing disagreement and discontent among the church to try to stop it from growing.

In II Tim. 4:10 Paul speaks sadly regarding one of his previous followers: “…Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…”  He warned Timothy in v.3 concerning the lukewarm, sleepy conditions that would soon invade the church: “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.”  This condition results when the love of the world is greater than our love for the Lord or for His Word.

Many religious organizations today have fallen asleep to the voice of God and no longer heed it or teach sound doctrine from the Bible.  Instead, they have compromised with the world to please the people.  Jesus Himself also warned of such conditions that would prevail in the end-time: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt. 24:12).

God does not cause these things to happen, but He allows them to take place in order to fulfill His purposes, just like He allowed the church to fall asleep so that He may prepare a bride for Christ.  He is calling out from among the sleeping body of Christ a group of people whose love has not grown cold.

In I Thess. 5:1-8, Paul admonishes us to be awake and aware of the times and the seasons, because the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, and many will be asleep and not watching.  In v.4 he says, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”  In v.5 He states, “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”  He then warns us in v.6 to be awake: “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

Paul is speaking of two different groups of believers in the church: those who are asleep and those who are awake.  This was true at that time and is true today.  Which group do you choose to be in? Even three of Jesus’ closest disciples fell asleep instead of watching while He prayed and agonized in Gethsemane, so we must always be on our guard.

Yes, the church is still alive.  It has a pulse, and it is breathing, but the majority of it is in a spiritual deep sleep.  It is time to wake up and listen to the Word of God.  Paul warns the sleeping believers regarding this in Rom. 13:11: “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep…”

Listen closely.  Can you hear the Holy Spirit calling your name? Do you wish to remain a part of the sleeping body of Christ, or do you choose to wake up and be a part of that small rib portion that is being called out and separated out from among them to be fashioned into His bride?

 The Lamb of God

Vicky Moots

The Lamb of God was crucified.

They pierced His hands;

They pierced His side.

For me He suffered, bled and died

To wash me in the crimson tide.

‘Twas love that held Him on the tree.

Oh, such love to die for me

To pay sin’s dreadful penalty.

Now I shall live eternally;

Amazing grace has set me free.

 All Things Working Together

Earlene Davis

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

We love this verse. It is a wonderful comforting promise for the afflicted. May we lay hold of this truth. Yes, we do know this, but we all have to be reminded, again and again that God is causing the things that come our way to work for our good. We  see God’s hand working good for us when we are enjoying His blessings; but often we don’t see God in the troubles and hurts we experience. 

Of course we don’t want to suffer or be hurt in any manner. One of the reasons we fail to see God’s hand in our trials, is because they often come through human instruments. Our focus then is not of faith, because our focus is on somebody’s failure or carelessness or ignorance. We think, why did God allow this to happen to me? We know God is not the author of such things, but He does allow these things, to test our faith. We can’t become an overcomer if we don’t have things to overcome.

I am reminded of that man of the family of Saul that cursed David and threw stones at him and his servants and all the people with him (II Sam. 16). One of David’s men wanted permission from David to take off this man’s head. David said, let him course because the Lord has bidden him to do so. It may be the Lord will look on mine affliction and requite me good for his cursing this day. David and all the people became weary, but they refreshed themselves. We also get weary in our trials, and we need to refresh ourselves in the Lord, seeking His comfort. 

We know God is over everything. He knows what He is doing and it is for our ultimate good. David in his submission trusted God. We also can say, “Thy will be done Lord.” There is a comfort, even sweetness while we are wounded, when we trust God in troubling times. If we only see our trials as inflicted by men, we become bitter. We don’t want to give Satan any credit, but receive everything as from the Lord. I was blessed to learn an important lesson from my Grandmother, for she saw God in Everything. 

I Peter 4:12-19, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings…Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” Everything that comes to God’s children, comes from the Father’s hand; no matter who may have been the apparent agent.

Jesus said in Mt. 10:29-31, Our Father knows when one sparrow falls to the ground…fear not for you are of more value than many sparrows. And in Phil. 4:6 we are admonished not to be anxious about anything, but bring it to God in prayer, accompanied with thanksgiving. How can we do that? I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Also consider Rom. 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves … Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” May we just let the Lord handle the situation. We don’t even have to defend ourselves.

Heb. 13:5, “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Rom. 8:31-39, “…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? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Lord says in Isa. 43:2, When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee…” He was with Joseph when he was sold as a slave. He was with Daniel in the lions den. He was with the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace. He was with Paul and Silas when they were cast in prison. 

We read in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” He knows our hurts, all things are under His control. Nothing can touch us except He allows it and then He is working it all together for our good. Even when God corrects us for yielding to the flesh. He corrects us because He loves us (Heb. 12:6). 

God knows what is best for us. He allowed the sin of Joseph’s brothers to work good for him. Even the sins of others, God will work for our good.

II Cor. 4:17, “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.”

So when the unpleasant comes our way, may we have faith to accept it as from the lord. When we can thank Him for it as His will, then we have overcome and God is glorified. His will is sweet whether in joy or sorrow. We can have rest and joy in our spirit. Our Shepherd leads us to green pastures and refreshing waters.

II Cor. 2:14, “…thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…”