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