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February 2025 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.

 Chariot of the Cherubim

Jack Davis

When king David was told that Solomon his son would be the one to build the house for the name of the Lord, David in turn gave his son Solomon counsel. He gave Solomon the pattern of all that he had by the spirit as well as the materials including the silver and gold for this magnificent temple. David said that the Lord had made him to understand in writing by His hand upon him. I Chron. 28:11-21.

Thank God, He is till writing today by His Spirit, on the tables of our hearts to enable us to understand the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God our Father. David was given the privilege to gather the materials for the construction, even gold “for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord.” I Chron. 28:18.

Solomon followed the plans that God had given his father, and when the temple was built, Solomon in his prayer of dedication said, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of the heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house  that I have builded?” I Kings 8:27. See Acts 7:44– 50 and 17:24-28.

“Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye will build unto me? And where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isa. 66:1-2. It is to us a marvelous thing that our God determined to dwell and walk in human vessels. See II Cor. 6:16 – 7:1. A heart revelation of God and His Word truly humbles us in order to lift us up and make something special of our lives.

It seems that before this first creation God had in  mind a temple that would be made up of living stones, and a transport made up of living creatures. He could  use His channels as vessels and vehicles any way He saw fit. Our part was to be available and let Him determine our use and usefulness.

VESSELS and VEHICLES

Jeremiah was sent to the potter’s house to see how he worked on the wheels. Jer. 18:1-6. The vessel  that the potter made of clay was marred, so he made another vessel as it seemed good unto him. God then asked Israel, “cannot I do with you as this potter…Behold as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in my hand…” God made the first Adam a natural man, and the first creation was marred by the fall. The second creation He placed in Christ, and Christ in us. II Cor. 5:17: II Cor. 13:5, Col. 1:27. He placed in earthen vessels a life that cannot fail. II Cor. 4:4-11. God intended that the life of His Son be manifested, and magnified in our mortal bodies. Phil. 2:19-21.

God, the great and original potter has the power to make vessels unto honour and to dishonour. Whether He is dealing with Israel or with us as in individual, He has endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. See Eph. 2:1-10. He has been willing to show His wrath and make His power known in some measure, and will demonstrate more later. Yet it seems that He is far more willing to make known the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy prepared unto glory. Rom. 9:20-23.

Our Father in His great house has all creation at His disposal to make of it whatever He will, but has determined to wash us in His Word and by the power of His Holy Spirit, set up apart unto Himself, and make us fit for His use, prepared unto every good work. Oh how wise we are to be available to His Hand. II Tim. 2:19-21.

We do thank God for Paul, who was faithful as a chosen vessel, and as a vehicle to bear the name of Jesus and His good news unto  many. Praise God for those that went before Paul (Acts 8:3-4) as well as those that followed in the same steps as containers of His life and conveyors of His light, even unto this end of the age. Some are still showing forth His light, and holding fast (and forth) the Word of life. Phil. 2:15-16. That chosen vessel that was told what great things he must suffer for the name of Christ, wrote, “Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.” Heb. 13:13. 

CHARIOTS

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” I Kings 2:11.

What an exciting exit! For both Elijah to experience, and Elisha to behold it happening. Later Elisha’s young servant saw Elisha surrounded with chariots of fire. I Kings 6:17. I am sure that His disciples were excited to watch Jesus lift off the earth and ascend into heaven. Lk. 24:50-52; Acts 1:9-11, as a cloud received Him out of their sight. In today’s language, I suppose someone would say that they were abducted by extraterrestrials, but soon and very soon we expect to be transported quickly into realms of celestial glory. OH Hallelujah!!

The Ark Represented the Presence and Favor of God. King David felt the urge to bring the ark of the covenant home to Jerusalem and he consulted with the leaders of the people about it and the people agreed. So David led the people to bring the ark, and they set it on a new cart. On the way toward home the oxen stumbled, and Uzza one of the men driving the oxen put forth his hand to steady the ark of God, and was smitten to death.

How was the Ark to be Moved? David asked, “How shall I bring the ark home to me?” sometimes the best way to miss the perfect will of God is to consult with man. Often wisdom of man can lead us to do the right thing in the wrong way. If David didn’t remember the Word of the Lord on this matter, he would have been wise to ask God in the fist place. The next attempt David made to bring up the ark, they did it according to the  word of the Lord. This time David said, “None ought carry the ark of God but the Levities: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God.” Num. 7. Their first attempt was exactly the way the Philistines tried to do it. It is a shame that God’s people today still try to do things of God according to the ways of the world.

Some years ago a man, a successful evangelist said, I don’t care what kind of cart you have to use to get them in, just so you get the Word out. This statement was made in relation to bringing Grace meetings into a man made cart. God in some undeniable way manifested His displeasure with it. Those like the Philistines that are ignorant of God’s way, are not judged severely as those with more light.. The Philistines had taken the ark in battle, but in a little while they were glad to get rid of  it.

 I Surrender All

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

There is an old hymn, written by Judson W. Van DeVenter titled, “I Surrender All.” The second verse is as follows:

All to Jesus I surrender; Humbly at His feet I bow,

Worldly pleasures all forsaken; Take me, Jesus, take me now

Thinking about these words makes me wonder what would possess a person to write such a thing. Why would someone want to surrender their entire life to Jesus? This is very contrary to the general goal of society today which is to take control of your own life, and not let anyone tell you what to do.

There are only a few reasons one might consider surrendering their lives to someone else. It might be by force. This has been the case many times throughout history. One person or group of persons forcing another to surrender themselves. It might be out of necessity. This also has happened to many through the years.

However, the best reason to surrender your life to someone is out of love. “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:” 2 Corinthians 5:14 There is no doubt in my mind that God could have forced us to surrender our lives to Him. He is, after all, the creator of all things, the Almighty God. He can do anything He wants. But He does not force us to surrender our lives to Him. He invites us lovingly to do so. The offer is without equal.

The invitation God sends us is His only begotten Son to die on the cross for us. I am not sure all of God’s people understand exactly what Jesus has done for us. I am not sure we always think about what we would be without Jesus and His saving blood. “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.” John 12:26. “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.” John 3:16. The word “believeth” means “to put trust in.” Complete surrender is complete trust.

Our pride will cause us to believe that we are doing fine on our own; that we can take care of our own lives. The pace of our lives today many times does not leave us time to contemplate where we would be without Jesus, and where we would end up without Jesus. The love that God showed towards us is so great it should cause a response from us.

So, what value can there possibly be from surrendering my life to Jesus? Is there anything in it for me? This is the way we tend to think. Well, even if there is nothing in it for me, Jesus deserves my surrendered life, because he gave up His life to save mine. However, God is so loving, that He actually has everything in it for me.

God loves me, and you, so much that as we surrender our lives to Him, He offers us all that He has. “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. It is sad to see so many of God’s children, who have experienced His saving grace, continue on their own way when they could have so much more by simply surrendering their lives to Jesus.

The Apostle Paul realized that he needed to surrender to Jesus. He often refers to himself as the servant of Jesus. “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,” Acts 27:23. “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” Romans 1:1. A true servant is surrendered to their master. 

We are not talking about surrendering to an evil despotic master, but rather surrendering to a loving God who only wants and provides the very best for us. Jesus told us that He went to prepare a place for us to be with Him for eternity. 

I should point out that there is coming a day when everyone will acknowledge that He is Lord, but those that do so today, in this life will be partakers of the devine nature and spend eternity with Him. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” Philippians 2:10

So, what is your response to Jesus today? Are you still trying to control your own life? Are you still hanging on to things that you know He wants to remove from your life? What if you surrender to Jesus, and then you miss out on something that you were just sure you had to have? Will it be worth it?

You have to make your own decision, but I want to encourage you that it will be more than worth it. Nothing you give up for Jesus will even start to compare with what you will gain from surrendering to Jesus.

 Seeing by Faith

Pastor Rajat Kumar Pani, Uppahar, India

BY faith he (Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the King’s anger; he endured because he saw him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27

In the 11th chapter of the letter to the Hebrews, we find a number of Old Testament characters who are presented to us as examples of faith. 

What will be said about us and our faith once we have left this transitory world and passed into eternity? Will there be anything worth mentioning about our faith and our relationship with God? Or do we just end up, like so many, with countless regrets: “Oh, if only I had...!”

These examples of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 accomplished the impossible with God. Because they recognized that it is not about them, but about obedience to do God’s will when HE calls.

Moses clung to the one he did not see as if he saw him! That is exactly what faith is. Recognizing that it is not the visible that is the real world, but the invisible, THE INVISIBLE - and yet omnipresent.

Let us be inspired by Moses and the many others who have gone before us. That we do not simply live our lives according to our lusts and pleasures. But that we strive daily to please HIM. A life that is connected to Christ like the branch to the vine. To bear much fruit. Lord grant grace for this.

 THE POWER OF GOD

Anita Clark – Pastor, Carbondale, KS

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD?  What is the factor that causes the earth to stay in orbit?  What holds the planets and stars in their places in the sky? We find out from the Word of God exactly how all this happens.

THE ABILITY OF GOD?  He made the earth and all creation by His power.  Jeremiah 10:10, 12-13 tells us, “But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God, and an everlasting King: at His wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide His indignation.” “He hath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by His discretion. When He uttereth His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causeth the vapors to ascend from the end of the earth: He maketh lightenings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of His treasures.”    

In John 1:3 we read, “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.”  In Colossians 1:12-17, Apostle Paul proclaimed, “Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet (able) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Who hath delivered us from, the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in the heavens, and the earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things were created by Him, and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.”  

Before Jesus’ birth, Mary, mother of Jesus, was told by the angel Gabriel before the conception how it would be possible. In Luke 1:34-35, Mary asked, “How shall this thing be, seeing I know not a man?”  Verse 35 tells us, “And the angel answered and  said unto her, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Jesus as Son of God, then became the Son of Man, a title He openly called Himself.  The Prophet Daniel speaks in Daniel 7:13-14, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.  And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” The Creator reduced Himself into a tiny speck.  Jesus, as Son of God, then became the Son of man, a title. Jesus had power in His crucifixion.  John 10:18, Jesus says. No man taketh it (my life) from me, but I lay it down of myself. I  have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again.”

In Philippians 2:5-9, Apostle Paul says, “Let this mind be in you, which is 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 the fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God hath highly exalted Him, and gives Him a name which is above every name.” Here in this portion is “Seven Downward Steps,” Jesus went through.  II Corinthians 13:4 says, “For though He was crucified through weakness, yet He liveth through the power of God.”    

Ephesians 1:8, Apostle Paul speaks about Jesus, “Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence (means “wisdom applied”). Ch. 1:19-20, states “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power. Which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead. And set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places.”  

God has power for us to become sons, this is provided.  In John 1:11 it tells us, “He (Christ) came unto His own, and his own received Him not” (Speaking of the Jews). Vs. 12 says, “But as many as received Him to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His name.” Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Also in I Corinthians 1:18, Paul tells, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.”

POWER MANIFESTED WHEN GOD SENT THE HOLY SPIRIT - Acts 1:6-8 -”When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, will thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus answered and said, “...It is not for you to know the times and the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.” The “times and seasons” are revealed after we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Vs.8 says, “But ye will receive power after that the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”

Apostle Paul suffered terrible trials.  In II Corinthians 6:3-10, He lists many hard times. In verses 3-10, Paul details His experiences as he moved in the will of God, “ Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed. But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions in necessities, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings and fastings, By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned” - on and on until vs. 10. In verse 7 particularly it uses the words “By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness.”  We don’t have power in ourselves, but Ephesians 6:10 gives us the answer, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”  

In II Peter 1:2-3, the Word speaks to us, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ our Lord. According to His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” The Amplified Text says, “For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for a dynamic spiritual life and godliness through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

 Mystery of the Bride

Part 7

Vicky Moots

If you were to have chest surgery similar to what Adam had, which required the removal of a portion of a rib (most likely the fifth rib), you would experience a very painful post-op recovery period. Why is that? What would make it so painful? Do you recall that I stated previously that there is a nerve that runs in a groove underneath each rib? Well, to remove a portion of a rib would require cutting through that nerve twice, leaving raw nerve fibers on each end. There is, of course, no pain during the surgery because the body is asleep, but when you wake up, you are in extreme pain each time you move or take a breath.

  

Adam would also have experienced severe pain as a result of the surgery which God used to prepare him a bride. This has important spiritual significance, for Christ, the last Adam, likewise experienced severe pain in order to have a bride.  He had to endure the suffering of the cross.

Heb. 12:2 reveals to us the reason that Jesus was able to endure such agony: “Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” What was the joy which He looked forward to? What could possibly bring Him so much joy that it would enable Him to look beyond His sufferings? I believe it was more than just knowing that the work of redemption would be accomplished. I believe that He, like the first Adam, looked forward to the joy of having a bride.

So, we see that both Adam and Christ had to endure suffering and bear scars in their bodies in order to have a bride. What about the bride of Christ? Will she suffer also? The apostle Paul had a desire to know Christ more intimately and was willing to suffer for Him and with Him.  He stated in Phil. 3:10, “That I may know him…and the fellowship of his sufferings…”

He wanted to actually enter into the emotional sufferings that Jesus experienced, which included the pain of being hated and rejected, as well as being betrayed, denied and deserted by His friends when He needed them the most. Jesus also experienced the frailty and pain of a human body that was beaten beyond all recognition and the emotional pain of bearing the weight of all our sins.

It wasn’t because Paul wanted to suffer. He simply wanted to know Jesus so intimately that he could understand and share His pain with Him.  When you love someone deeply, you are able to experience the pain that they experience.  When they hurt, you hurt, for you have become one with them. This is the true heart of a bride who is united with her Bridegroom.

But after the cross, comes the crown. Paul warned Timothy that he would have to suffer many things, just as he did for peaching the gospel, but also told him that there would one day be a reward.  He stated in II Tim. 2:12, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us [the right to reign].” This is not referring to salvation, only to reigning with Christ.

In Eph. 5:31, Paul states, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh.” This is quoted from Gen. 2:24 regarding Adam and Eve becoming one. In Genesis we see that Adam was not joined unto his whole body, for Eve was only a small part of him, a rib, which was separated out from the rest of his body and then specially prepared by God’s hand and presented back to him, to be joined again to his side, and once again become a part of him.

And so, it is with Christ and His body, the church. Christ was willing to leave His Father and His home in heaven in order to become a man and to be joined to His bride; but he will be joined only to those believers who have yielded to the cutting, the separation and the preparation to become a bride. The espousal and the opportunity to become the bride of Christ is open to all who will respond to the wooing of the Holy Spirit as He calls us to live a life that is separated unto Christ alone.

 Three Sentences In Revelation

Earlene Davis

We are going to consider three sentences or phrases recorded in the book of revelation.

#1 – The first phrase is repeated seven times in chapters 2 and 3. That phrase is: “to him that overcometh” – said to the church of Ephesus (2:7); said to Smyrna (2:11); to Pergamos (2:17); said to Thyatira (2:26-29); to Sardis (3:5-6); to Philadelphia (3:12-13); said to the church of Laodicea (3:21-22). These statements are made by our Lord Jesus Christ to the seven church which are a picture of this whole Church Age.

We obviously see that there is a difference in rewards to saints. Overcoming is emphasized by being repeated seven times – “to him that overcometh.” Also each statement is accompanied with this reminder – “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” This tells us that the Holy Spirit is very much  involved in our overcoming. He is not only teacher and guide (Jn. 16:13-15 ), but as we yield to God and take in His Word, His Spirit works that Word in our lives. For He is God’s agent working in us “both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure.”

We see a type of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament in the eldest servant sent by  Abraham to bring a wife to his son Isaac. So God the Father has sent the Holy Spirit to prepare a fit wife for His Son, Jesus Christ. God’s Holy  Spirit is our Comforter as we journey on in this life. All the time He is revealing to our hearts more and more about our heavenly lover. Jesus said in Jn. 14:26, “the Comforter which is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Jesus also said, “in the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” As we yield and let the life of Christ have preeminence in all things – we are enabled to overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit. That we may be able to say as Job did “though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

#2 – Lets move on to the second phrase: Rev. 3:10, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee” from the judgment coming on all the world, the tribulation period. V. 11 – there is patience both with Jesus Christ and with us James 5:7-8. Jesus Christ is waiting the signal from His Father to gather His redeemed people unto Himself. We need to be patient as we endure trials and afflictions waiting in faith for that glorious hour when Jesus Christ Himself calls us up.

May our patience be a robust vigorous confidence in God’s love (not just a pathetic sentiment). We do not see or understand all He is doing in us, but we are learning to trust Him in reckless confidence. God has ventured all in Jesus Christ to save us and He wants us to risk our all in Him. There are spots where that faith has not been worked in us as yet. 

There were none of those spots in Jesus Christ’s life and the Holy Spirit is working and developing His life in us. There will be a rib portion that will be a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish – Eph. 5:27, A chaste virgin to Christ – II Cor. 11:2. May we view this life as a glorious opportunity for this marvelous transformation to take place in us.

# 3 – The third phrase is Rev. 4:1, “Come up hither, I and I will show thee things…”. God is continually saying, “Friend go up higher.” Satan uses the strategy of elevation in temptation which appeals to the flesh. But God elevates you by His grace into the heavenly places. Instead of finding a pinnacle to cling to, we find a great tableland where it is easy to move, yet God would have us to keep moving higher. 

God desires us to grow in grace and not to measure by the fact that you have not gone back, but have heard God say, “Come up higher.” He will show you things that will enhance your faith and hope and most of all your love. II Pet. 3:18, “…grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever Amen! 

To him that overecometh…because thou hast kept the word of my patience…I will keep thee from…

COME UP HIGHER.

 Are You Lacking?

Phil Wainright

“Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?” I Thess. 3:10. The word lacking means a deficit, that which is behind, or wanting. Joshua, a godly and honorable man who walked with God and was one of the spies who brought back a good report - “We are well able to take the land.” After forty years he was still ready to take the land. In Joshua 13:1, the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.” There was still more that God wanted to do in the heart of Joshua, there was still yet some “lacking.”

In Daniel 5:27, Belshazzar is described as “Tekel,” meaning weighed and found wanting, deficient. Often we may be tempted to compare our selves with someone else, but the measure is not with one another. In II Cor. 10:12 we read, that is “not wise.” The measure is with someone elsem - Eph. 4:13, the measure is Christ. We realize, “there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.” God has some things to accomplish in our life. 

God desires to make us into the image of His Son, Christ Jesus, Rom. 8:28-29. All that happens in our lives is for this purpose. This work will take all of our life to accomplish. I Thess. 4:12, That we may walk honestly toward them that are without (the unsaved) and that we may have lack of nothing. I think of the prayer of the Psalmist, “Search me, oh God, try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” - Psa. 139:23-24. Paul prayed that God might “perfect.” How can we come to this level of maturity (Perfection) in Christ Jesus? Let us consider five ways in Scripture.

1 – By the Word of God: II Tim. 3:14-17, “Continue thou in…which thou hast heard and been assured of…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, thoroughly furnished unto all good. Works.” We must learn the Word of God, you cannot take this out of the growth process and fully develop. Just as a newborn child does not automatically do what is right: he makes mistakes and needs instruction. Our selfish tendencies also need correction. God uses His Word to do this.

2 – Through Godly ministers: Eph. 4:8-14, God gave gifts unto men. He gave some, apostles, some prophets, and some, evangelists and some pastors the teachers; “For the perfecting of the saints” (V. 12).  These have an important part in the perfecting work that God is doing in our lives.

3 – through prayer: We need to pray if we are to be “perfected.” To pray that God will help us understand His word and to know His will and purpose for our lives. If we do not there will be a lack. We need to pray for other saints also. I am thankful for the prayers of the saints, without their prayers there would be a lack. I am encouraged to pray for God’s people.

4 – Through suffering: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect establish, strengthen, settle you” I Pet. 5:10. A part of what God is doing in our lives is through suffering, but it is necessary to what God is doing in our lives. The all wise God, the creator of heaven and earth, knows what He is doing and troubles and trials come our way. God is always wiser than we are. He knows what is best.

5 – Through patience: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting (lacking) nothing” James 1:2-4. The work God is doing in our lives requires patience. If we are not   patient in suffering, (staying in the trials until God delivers), the work will be lacking.

Where was the lack of which Paul spoke? “In your faith.” The body I dwell in will never be perfect - Sin dwells in its members. So where does God want perfection to come? It is our faith, our trust. He wants that to be fully developed and reach a level of perfection. The life that God has called us to live is to be by faith. Gal. 2:20, “the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who lived me, and gave himself for me.”

Our faith is being tested – Lk. 22:31-34, the Lord said, “Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not…strengthen thy brethren.” Heb. 13:8, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever.” Heb. 7:25, “He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” He is praying that my faith fail not, that I will look to him. All God ever called on us to do is to believe Him. Rom. 10:17, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the  Word of God.” For we walk by faith, not by sight” II Cor. 5:7. Heb. 11:1 “faith if the substance (assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

The flesh was never perfect, but the Old Testament believers of Heb. 11, their faith was made perfect. The Lord Jesus Christ is on one side of the balances, my life is  on the other side of the balances, and there is a lack. Through the Word of God, changes are taking place. Faith in God is being developed and that faith is counted to us for righteousness by trusting God (as Abraham did), the balances level because God sees Jesus in us. That alone is His will and purpose for us. The work is complete. He is satisfied. He is glorified.

 God of a Small Nation

Part 2

Suresh Manoharan – Hyderabad, India

Fulfilling the Promise

About 300 years ago, the King of Sweden was having personal doubts about God’s existence and the Bible divine nature. He call for Count Von Zinzendorf, who was the bishop of the Moravian Church, to provide evidence about God’s existence and Divine authorship of the Bible. The King told him he had set aside 10 hours to be enlightened on these matters. Zinsendorf said, that much time would not be necessary because all he needed to do was to say two words. The King, skeptical asked, “What words might those be?” Count Von Zinzendorf replied, “The Jews.”

How true! One look at the history of the nation of Israel would convince even a hard core atheist/agnostic about the existence of the Almighty and authenticity of the Bible. Is not the entire history of this Chosen Nation an outworking of (Deut. 28)? Have not all the blessings so graphically described “chased” the people of Israel whenever they have sincerely obeyed their Master. By the same token have not the curses sent by the chastening God “chased” them whenever, they have gone astray?

Not only the Book of Judges where the cyclical “boom” and “doom” periods of Israel’s faith is portrayed, but in fact the entire Old Testament history stands witness to the solemn fact the Jews’ success or failure in any sphere has been directly proportional to their obedience or lack of it to their Good Shepherd. History of one Nation in public domain can be checked and cross-checked umpteen times and the unanimous verdict would be “God of Abraham exists and His words enshrined in scripture are true! Think of it, a normal story teller would gloss over a hero’s sins of commission or omission all with the aim of making the main character appear as a paragon of all virtues’ in the public eye, but the Divine-inspired writers’ of Scriptures – themselves Jews – have never shied away from neither laying bare the serious shortcomings of all Jewish heroes’ of faith nor that of their Nation as a whole. If this is not truthfulness with a capital “T” - then what is it?

Scripture: By no stretch of imagination, would it be an understatement to say that the Christian world owes most of its Cannon to the Jews, barring the good doctor Luke, all other 38 authors of the Bible are of the Jewish origin. For apart from tracing the root cause of ALL the problems’ of this world to the fall of man into sin (Gen. 3:1-7), it also foretells the advent of the Savior right from that very chapter (Gen. 3:15). From one man Adam came sin, from one man Jesus comes salvation (Rom. 5:12-15). 

Scripture is God-inspired (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21) to tell us what to believe (Doctrine), also what not to believe in (Correction). How to behave (instruction in righteousness) and not to behave (reproof) (Rom. 6). It’s quite scary right, to think of  the Scripture minus all the writings’ of the inspired Jewish authors’. Talk of an average Joe trekking through the Amazon rain forest without a map and a guide in tow…

Part 3 next issue – The Savior

 The Encouraging Word

“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” 

Psalm 73:28

“For you are my Rock and my fortress. For your Name’s sake you will lead me and guide me.” Psalm 31:3

“The Lord has made every thing to its own purpose; even the wicked (are fitted for their role) for the day of calamity and evil.” Proverbs 16:4

“You will guard him and keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he commits himself to you, leans on you and hopes confidently in you. So trust in the Lord – commit yourself to Him – for ever; for the Lord God is an everlasting rock – the Rock of ages.” Isaiah 26:3-4

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Colossians 3:12-13

Praying one for another. We all need prayer. The Lord is Faithful.

Martha Wainright