Surrounding Sounds

Jack Davis

“And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? … There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.” I Cor. 14:7-10

Our Apostle Paul speaks of so many kinds of voices in the world, and that each are to give a distinction in sound, or signify something. He also speaks of uncertain sounds, and things without life giving sound.

CREATION’S SOUNDS

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” Ps. 19:1-6

Is our God able to use inanimate things? Oh yes, He can and does. Consider Rom. 1:18-20. Why not, it is His creation. He is not hindered by, nor limited to human language to make His voice heard. All creation is at His disposal. Yet He has wonderfully used the tongues of men, David said my tongue is as a pen of a ready writer – Ps. 45:1, and check out Isa. 28:9-14.

Paul here in I Cor. 14: is teaching about the proper and profitable exercise of the spiritual gifts to the edification of the body of Christ. He speaks of the predominance and importance of prophesy for the edification of the church. Also, we are taught that he would that we all spake with tongues, and He was thankful to God for speaking in tongues more than all, and that speaking in tongues was not to be forbidden. He strongly indicates in this chapter that such is personally spiritually constructive. Such action was also inclusive of praying, singing, blessing and giving of thanks. Then he also says that he would rather speak five words with his own understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

In Acts 19: we read that when Paul prayed for these twelve men at Ephesus, who were believers, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied. In Acts 10: we read that while Peter preached in the house of Cornelius the Gentile centurion, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the Word. Then the believing Jewish men that came with Peter were astonished, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. “For they heard then speak with other tongues, and magnify God.” Vs. 44-46. By the sound they heard they knew these men were filled.

On the day of Pentecost in the upper room, there came suddenly a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind. Sudden sounds startle us especially when they are sounds that we are not familiar with or if we were asleep – these people also heard some familiar sounds. Then they began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. The multitude that heard were impressed because they heard them speak every man in his own language. These men of  Galilee were not be-lingual nor multilingual, they didn’t even speak well in their own language heard them speak in about sixteen different dialects, of the wonderful works of God. Acts 2:2,4,6,8,11. When we read of these we also think of the things with life and of sounds of certainty.

The sound of the trumpet was used to guide Israel’s activities. The movement of their camps, travel, and going to battle was done on trumpet signal, so it was very important that the trumpeter get it right. It is very important today that our lives not give uncertain sounds. Our life here and now is a time to prepare for eternity. As we prepare for our Lord’s return our lives should be signal trumpets of the nearness of His coming. Consider II Pet. 3:10-14, and I Pet. 3:13-16.

When Lot had become so settled and satisfied in Sodom and tried to signal impending judgment to his sons in law, the scripture say that he seemed to them as one that mocked – Gen. 19:14. When those women returned from the empty tomb and told Jesus’ disciples about it, their words seemed to them like idle tales – Lk. 24:11. Of course the problem here was their unbelief. This shows us what a lack of faith will do with God’s Good News.

Whatever we hear, are aware of, or attending to, seems to have great bearing on the sounds we make. There are times that we would do well to stop talking long enough to consider what we have been saying, how it sounds to others. Lord help us, that our lives not give uncertain sounds to our families and acquaintance, for the time is short. The apostle Paul said repeatedly “for we know,” often in his letters, “I would not have you to be ignorant.” I like the way the young man that was born blind, and healed by Jesus answered those questioning him. “One thing I know…I was blind, now I see” – Jn. 9:25. Actions often speak louder than words. If you stand for nothing, you will likely fall for anything.

SOUNDS OF SALVATION

(SOULS SET FREE)

“Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.” Ps. 89:15-16.

Oh, how blessed we are to have ears to hear and hearts to understand our spiritual blessings – Mt. 13:16. How privileged we are to have the opportunity to express our appreciation with sounds of joy and rejoicing. Jesus admonished, “Let these things sink down into your ears.” It is wonderful to allow that which He speaks take lodging in our hearts. Truly wonderful to allow such to take control of our feet, so that we not only know, but walk in the light of His favor.

 Who is Like Him?

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

We have a tendency to want to compare things and people to other things and other people. He’s just like so and so. She reminds me so much of such and such. However, there is no one and nothing to which we can compare our God. There is none like Him.

“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy.” Micah 7:18

This is a great passage about our God. We are reminded that there is none like Him, no one we can compare Him to. God reminds us of this many times in Scripture. I think we often forget and try to compare God to something we think He might be like. 

“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11

“And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:” 1 Kings 8:23

I am especially impressed concerning His willingness to pardon us. There are really so many aspects of God that we could consider, and He is unique in every one of them, but I am especially impressed with this characteristic. 

Imagine that God, the creator of everything that exists, including us (“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:3), would be willing to pardon us. We were His enemies (“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled” Colossians 1:21.) We transgressed against Him, and, being a righteous God, He must judge that transgression. We deserve His wrath, not mercy.

However, God chose to find a way to judge the transgression without requiring it at our hand. There really is no god like our God. Who is there that is willing to pardon at their own expense?

There are certainly many god’s in this world that of man’s own making. They worship all sorts of things and persons, but none is like unto our God. Without exception, man must find a way to appease their god’s. They must do something, and come up with the required payment. Their god’s are angry, and vengeful. It even shows in their own actions of anger and vengefulness. 

In Psalm 103, we see a description of God, and His mercy. Many think that the Old Testament is a record of an angry and vengeful God. Maybe even a different God than the New Testament. However, as we really study the Old Testament, we truly see a great God of mercy and compassion. He certainly is a just and righteous God, but what great mercy He displays. What great love. What great compassion. 

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; … The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” Psalms 103:2-3, 8-11

There definitely is no god like our God, who delights in mercy. This fact should be of great comfort to us, as we rest on God’s mercy. It is a fearful thing to think about where we would be without God’s mercy.

Why is that some of God’s own people want to make Him into an angry and vengeful God? It just isn’t who He is. It doesn’t fit Him. The Word of God is so clear on this part of God’s character. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” Ephesians 2:4 “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” Exodus 34:6 “Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3

We would do better to rejoice in His mercy and love, knowing that there is no God like our God. “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;” Psalms 31:7. “O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Psalms 90:14

 Love One Another & Jesus Christ

Anita Clark – Pastor

Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas

“This is My commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12

What more can be said about “LOVE.” It would seem that this topic would be exhausted by now, but it isn’t. As the song says, “If we with ink the ocean fill and were the sky of parchment made, and every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade; to write the love of God above, would drain the ocean dry; nor would the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky” (The Love of God). God’s love for us is so immense because He is so immense. His love fills the universe. “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool...” (Isa. 66:1). How can He truly care for me or you, little pusillanimous mankind?

John 3:16, says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Almost every Sunday School child can quote this familiar verse. I’m so glad I learned it when I was a child. It tells us how much God, the Father loves us - “He gave His only begotten Son.” This is the greatest gift ever given. This is a living gift that goes on and on, never wearing out. It reaches down through the centuries from that old rugged cross on the hill to the lowest sinner even in our day. What a gift! What a love! Although mankind has often rejected Him, yet He still loves them.

Jesus gave this new commandment (Jn. 15:12), not like the old commandments of the law. We cannot fulfill this new commandment in our own strength or determination, but only by having Christ in our hearts. When we were saved, Christ’s life entered ours, and as we yield to God, that life manifests characteristics that are like the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the greatest attributes is “love.” Jesus loved so much that He willingly went to the cross for us (Eph. 5:25). And now, He asks that we love others in the same way. If we say that we love others, but we never manifest it, then, it is doubtful that we really love as Christ wants from our lives.

I Corinthians 13 gives us examples of what “love” does. In short, love never does anything that harms or hurts another individual. Love never by it’s own actions deliberately stumbles another person. Love always thinks through a situation, “Will this thing I am doing edify another or tear down another’s faith.” My actions may not be to deliberately hurt someone, but if I knowingly do something that will hurt someone else, then I have failed to really love as God wants from me.

Think about this. An example is a weak brother or sister, who may not see the Word of God as deeply as we do.” Apostle Paul said, “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no meat while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend” I Cor. 8:13. Can you imagine doing that? What love this act shows. It would be hard to give up meat entirely for the sake of another. In speaking of the “meat issue” – Paul said in I Cor. 8:9, “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.” Would we be willing to do this in order to not be offensive? Apostle Paul was a great example to all believers. Let us think about this and see what God can do through us in winning someone to faith in Christ, and to walk with the Lord. 

The most important work of Love in our hearts and lives is to love Jesus supremely - above all else. When this is true in a believer’s life, love is distributed to the members of our families and to all the believers we know or come in contact with, and even the people that are not Christians.

In Revelation 2:4, we read that the Church of Ephesus had “left their first love.” After a list of achievements credited to this church group, such as “works, labor and patience, and had not fainted, and recognized those that were false,” but verse four says, “Nevertheless I have some-what against you because you have left your first love.” 

Some interpret this to mean, the love you had right after you were born again. Think about it! At that point in our relationship with Jesus Christ we loved Him with a very immature love. As we go on with the Lord we come to a deeper place of love with Him. The word “first” in the Greek means “foremost, (in time, order or importance), best, or chiefest.” This is the kind of love the Lord wants reserved for Himself. Christ alone. Our relationship with Jesus should be a deep love. He should be number one in our lives and hearts, the most important person in our lives, the chiefest one. Song of Solomon 5:10, “My Beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.

 Mystery of the Bride

Part 1

Vicky Moots

The mystery of the church, the body of Christ, composed of all believers, both Jew and Gentile, is hidden in the Old Testament and revealed to us in the New Testament.  Inside this mystery, there is a second mystery: the mystery of the bride of Christ. Israel is mentioned several times as the wife of Jehovah, but that refers to Israel as a nation. These are two separate subjects and two separate groups. This study only concerns the bride of Christ, which includes both Jew and Gentile believers.

Paul first speaks of the bride of Christ in II Cor. 11:2, when he says, “For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” It is as though Paul were acting as the father of the bride, who looked forward to the privilege of giving his daughter away at the marriage of the Lamb. He desired that they would give up their childish ways and let the Word of God purify their hearts, so that they could truly become a chaste, pure virgin, perfect and spotless just like the Lamb, and be presented to Christ as His bride.  However, this letter to the Corinthians is also applicable to us today, as are all of Paul’s inspired letters.

The espousal invitation has been offered to the whole church, not just the Corinthian saints, but sadly, not all believers are willing to accept it. Many lukewarm Christians only desire a friendship relationship with Christ, or only wish to be a good servant. As we study this subject, allow the Holy Spirit to woo you into a deeper, more intimate, place of fellowship with Christ and give you the desire to lean upon His breast, as did John, the beloved disciple.

The marriage relationship was first instituted by God shortly after He created man. In Gen. 2:18, we read, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should dwell alone; I will make a help meet for him.”

This was not just an after-thought of God simply because poor Adam looked lonely. God had already created the animal kingdom, male and female, to have mates. Why didn’t He just create both Adam and Eve at the same time out of the dust of earth? Wouldn’t that make more sense? Instead, He created Adam and then formed Eve out of one of Adam’s ribs. The reason for this unusual surgical procedure is a great mystery that we would not be able to understand if it hadn’t been revealed to the apostle Paul, who then revealed it to us.

Everything that God did was done for a specific purpose, according to God’s plan. When God created the heaven and the earth, He intended for it to be a forerunner, or type, of the new creation, He had already planned that Jesus would later become the “last Adam,” the head of the new creation, as we read in I Cor. 15:45-47: “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening [life-giving] spirit.  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”

So, we see that God intended the natural to be a picture of the spiritual.  The first man, Adam, was given life (God breathed life into him), but the last Adam, Jesus, gave life to us (His life is breathed into us by the Holy Spirit when we are born again).

Now, we are going to see that when God formed Eve, the first Adam’s wife, from his rib, He intended for her to be a spiritual picture of the bride of Christ (the last Adam).  Paul unfolds this mystery to us in Eph. 5:25-27.  He first gives us the natural order of the husband and wife relationship, and then he reveals to us that it is a spiritual picture of the relationship of Christ and His bride: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church [assembly glorious] not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

Notice that it is Christ who is doing the work in us to sanctify and cleanse us by washing us with the Word, which not only removes every spot and blemish, but irons out all of the wrinkles, to make us pure and holy.  The word “sanctify” means “to separate” or “to set apart.” Our part is to submit. He then presents the “glorious assembly,” the ones who have submitted to His Word in order to be made pure, to Himself as His wife.

In vs.30-32 of Eph. 5, Paul refers back to Gen. 2:23-24 to confirm the connection between the physical process which God used to form a wife for the first Adam in the Garden of Eden and the spiritual work which God is doing now to prepare a bride for His Son, the last Adam.  Verses 30-32 state, “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

The word “of,” in v.30, used three times, means “out from among.”  In Gen. 2:23, Adam said concerning Eve, “…This is now bone of [out from among] my bones, and flesh of [out from among] my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” God formed Eve from a rib that He took out of the first Adam’s body.  God is also forming a spiritual bride from a spiritual rib that is being taken out of the body of Christ, the last Adam.

 Walk With The Lord

Earlene Davis

“… let us walk in the light of the LORD.” Isaiah 2:5

Enoch is a wonderful example of walking with God. He was no super being. He was an ordinary man who made a choice and he choose to walk with God. We all have a choice to either walk with God or go our own way, which is the way of the flesh. Enoch choose the high road.

Gen. 5:21-23, “… And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years.” He lived 365 years and of those years (300) he walked with God. He was a family man that had sons and daughters.

V. 24, “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” What a marvelous testimony, and God translated him. For 300 years Enoch enjoyed fellowship with God as he walked in this life. His name means “dedicated” and he certainly was a consecrated man. He represents the full overcomers of this end time. He walked and talked with the Lord, and went to heaven without dying, translated. We have that hope of translation.

Enoch is mentioned in Lk. 3:37 in the genealogy of Christ. He was the 7th generation from Adam. He is also in the roll call of the heroes of faith. Heb. 11:5, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Enoch had faith for translation. He believed he should not see death and God honored his faith. He had the testimony that he pleased God. We all should desire such a testimony. How can we please God?

Heb. 11:6, “… without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” May we seek God as Enoch sought Him. When we seek Him, we are talking to Him. God desires our communication, it pleases Him. “He that cometh to God,” Enoch sought God, he trusted God, he pleased God. He not only talked to God but also listened, for we read in the book of Jude that he prophesied – Jude vs. 14-16. In other words he spoke to others for God. God gave him a message to speak, (Words from God to the people).

Think of it, to walk with God is a high privilege and this privilege is ours. But only a few seize upon the opportunity. Those few esteem such privilege worthy of their time and attention in their lives and seek Him for Himself. Most follow from afar and seek Him only in times of great need. But some want to know Him intimately. He has made Himself readily available to those who hunger and thirst for Him.

Apostle Paul in Philippians told of his desire, “that I may know Him,” I follow after, reaching forth, I press toward the mark for the Prize of the high calling. I count all things lost to win Christ. Oh, may we seek Him for Himself. Ps. 84:2, “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.” Oh, may we seek Him for Himself, to know Him, to win Him. Ps. 84:11, He is our “sun,” our light (delivering us from the power of darkness to life everlasting); and “shield,” our protector. Who can separate, who can pluck us out, who can penetrate, when our life is hid with Christ in God? Col. 3:3. “The Lord will give grace and glory.” He Himself is the rewarder. He has given grace and He wants us to share His glory (I Pet. 1:10-11". The Lord would have us to behold it here and now by faith - II Cor. 3:18.

In Ps. 84:11, “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” There is only one way to truly walk with God. Our God is indeed upright, faith and fellowship with Him makes us likewise upright on the way. The serpent lost his upright physical condition by submitting to Satan, (food for thought).

Some might think, “Oh, poor Enoch, he had to leave.” But what a privilege he had, 300 years walking in fellowship with the Lord. For that, he was highly favored with an unusual trip, a unique route – what a wonderful way to go! Walking with God is to make steady progress. What is the path of the just? It is to walk by faith, walk in the Spirit, walk in love, walk in the light. These are giant steps of a walk that is out of this world (an intended play on words). Heb. 11:6 again, He that comes to God “Must believe that God is (He exist”). Only a fool says there is no God – Ps. 14:1. He must believe God’s worth causing him to diligently search. And he must believe God’s faithfulness to reward.

 I Timothy 1:11

Pastor Greg Gilliam

Grace Christian Assembly,

Kansas City, Missouri

“According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” 

By way of introduction to our text, let us consider a couple of statements that the Apostle Paul makes to his, “own son in the faith” Timothy. He greets him with Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. He lays a charge upon Timothy, first to himself to teach no other doctrine, and then as Timothy instructs others he is to emphasize that they teach no other doctrine. 

The Word of God, given under the direction of the Holy Spirit, will edify the saints. Even though at times the Word is sharp and cuts away the flesh. Ultimately it will bring the believer to that place that Paul describes in Ephesians 4:13, “a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”  As we yield ourselves to Him.

Paul wanted Timothy, and us, to stay the course. The Lord spoke to Joshua after Moses’ death. The instruction Joshua was given was, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.”  Joshua 1:7

There are so many pressures for the believer to lean into “another doctrine.”  In Romans 12:2 we are instructed, “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.” The Word of God will never fit in with the world. Believers must conform to the Word of God. There is no need for the Word to be updated or adapted to the times in which we live.  No need for us to defend the Word of God; it stands on a solid foundation. “The grass withers, the flower fades but the word of our God shall stand forever” – Isaiah 40:8. Believer, “study to show thyself approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” - 2 Timothy 2:15.

Now let us consider our text - “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”  We must realize that the original text, the New Testament, was written in Greek and has been translated for us. The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament by Marshall gives us this phrase as, “According to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which I was entrusted (committed to trust) with.”  

We have probably heard the gospel referred to as “good news” or “good message” but do we know the origin?  As we look into the Greek we understand the Greek word used here for gospel is euangelion - pronounced yoo-ang-ghel-ee-on meaning good message. From the same as Greek word euangelizo which is made up of two root words eu pronounced yoo meaning good.  The second word is angelos pronounced ang-el-os meaning to bring tidings, a messenger. It is used concerning angels and men, such as a pastor. This word is used in Matthew 1:20, “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel (messenger) of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”  Also, Revelation 1:20, “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels (messengers) of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”  

What is the glory of God?  The Greek word doxa pronounced dox-ah is used in our text meaning splendour, brightness, good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honor, glory, majesty, dignity, worship. Have you beheld His glory - splendour, brightness?  Has it resulted in praise, honor, glory, majesty, dignity, and worship?  

John 1:14 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.  When we behold the glory of Jesus we are beholding the glory of His Father too. Jesus statement in John 14:9, “...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…”

Jesus speaking to Martha at the tomb of her brother Lazarus in John 11:40, said I not unto thee, that, “if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” How was His glory going to be manifested? In the raising of her brother Lazarus from the grave. We read, “Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”

We stand each day gazing into the glory of the Lord and are changed from one realm of glory to another. Even though we face sufferings let us not be distracted from the glory of the Lord. These things are working in us, “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” -  2 Corinthians 4:17. Let it change us.  

We see in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42 the different glories of the celestial bodies, bodies terrestrial, sun, moon, stars and Paul states, “so also is the resurrection of the dead.” In the resurrection not all will be raised with the same glory. How does this change happen?  By yielding to the Spirit - 2 Corinthians 3:18.  

The god of this world looks to keep mankind blind to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.  BUT God is more powerful than him.  2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”  

In Revelation 21 we read of the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It has the glory of God. We read, “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” - Vs 23. Oh what splendor and brightness!  

Dear one as we behold the glory of God we cannot help but fall down and worship Him. Stand in awe of Him! Thank Him for the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.

 The Encouraging Word

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weights it down, But a good word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:25

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there any thing too heard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

FEAR NOT “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not: I will help thee.” 

Isaiah 41:13

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His Great Mercy He has given us new birth into a Living Hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. From the dead.” I Peter 1:3

“My Sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me.” John 10:27

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, Knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

I Corinthians 15:58

Martha Wainright