H9. MAIN-God’s GRACE - Receive what we Don't Deserve

H9. GOD’S GRACE - RECEIVE WHAT WE DON’T DESERVE

CONSIDER

• Grace = receiving God's unasked-for blessings even though we are undeserving of them

• Cheap grace = the grace we bestow on ourselves...grace without discipleship

• Costly grace = the gospel which must be sought again and again <B308>

• Grace without responsibility, like love without discipline, doesn’t promote holiness

• The purpose of Grace and Mercy is to bring us to repentance! <J1093>

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

• Grace has been God’s beacon to this lost planet for two thousand years via the Church <B315>

• When God dispenses His grace, nothing stands in His way

• Everything from God is either grace-based or justice-based; we serve a loving God who is good ALL the time and acts rightly in each situation as is best <D40>

• Looking at God’s law -- we see what we should be, and feel ashamed

• Looking at Jesus -- we realize God loves us despite our sins, and rejoice <R1795>

OUR PART

• With that said, God's grace does not mean we continue living in sin but encourages us to follow Him as He desires <M1501>

• Every believer must make sure they are not a deluded grace abuser who is a type of false Christian who misunderstands and misuses the very grace that is meant to save and transform

• This individual believes that because Christ has paid the price for their sin that they are free to continue living in their old ways

• They confuse God's mercy with permission to indulge in worldly pleasures, thinking that because grace is abundant, sin can be freely indulged in without consequence <S185>

• Yes, God's grace covers our sin but don't live with a false assurance that repentance is not needed!

• There is a cost for our salvation and we demonstrate our love for Christ by continually repenting of our sin

• The deluded grace abuser substitutes cheap grace for the costly redemption found only in a true relationship with Christ

• God's grace does not simply pardon sin but empowers the believer in Christ to overcome it! <S185>

BEYOND MEASURE

Christians know that we don’t deserve:

• To be loved by God

• To hear the Word of God

• To have our sins forgiven and go to heaven

• To be saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit

• To approach God in prayer and to have our prayers answered

• To get a new body that will never get sick or die again

• To see our deceased saved loved ones again

• To have freedom of worship

• To be rewarded in heaven for serving God

• And the blessings continue... <D41>

RELATED COMMENTS

Note: each ** comment in this APPLICATION doc comes from CHAPTER doc(s), where the comments are in numerical order according to verse(s) from the chapter

** How many of us would like a fresh start at life?

• Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it <C410>

• Many of us can see the truth of those famous words when we look back at our lives

• We see destructive patterns and decisions repeated again and again

• But as Paul pointed out, Jesus frees us from those destructive cycles when we give our lives to Him

• A fresh start doesn’t mean a trouble-free life, but we’re no longer slaves to our old sinful urges and impulses <L120>

• If you’re struggling in your season of life right now, don’t give up

• That's why the Gospel is called the good news because you can be saved and have a fresh start

• No matter who you are or what you've done, if you would just call upon the name of Jesus Christ

• Ask Him to forgive you of all your sins and trust that His death on the cross is the full payment needed <C36>

• Then draw close to God, pray, and study His Word on a daily basis

• A new season is on its way; a fresh start is just around the corner!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

[18] “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. [19] See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

** God justifies us at the moment of our regeneration <B26>

• Beware: Catholic theologians decided that God’s justification of the sinner happens at the end of one’s life

• This teaching provided the church with the means to control the lives of its members from birth to the grave

• As a result, Catholics can never be sure of their salvation since their final destination depends upon their obedience as well as adherence to the church’s sacraments up to the time of last rites

Titus 3:4-7 NIV

[4] But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

• The belief that one can lose their salvation, or walk away from their faith, reflects the Roman Catholic understanding of justification, which regards it as a process that’s not fully settled until death

• Scripture tells us a much different story

• When God justifies the sinner the moment they repent and believe in Him, He declares that person not guilty of all his or her sins, past present, and future

• God, who is not bound by time, looked at our entire life and declared us not guilty of all our sins

• For all of us in Christ Jesus, our justification is a done deal

Romans 5:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

** When we come to Christ, He not only forgives us of our sin, but He also justifies us; the apostle Paul explained justification in his letter to the Romans <L120>

• Salvation has to do with what takes place in believers’ hearts, but justification has to do with our standing before God

• In salvation, God gives us new life, but justification goes beyond that

• When God justifies us, He declares us righteous in His sight

• God not only forgives us, but He sees us as if we had never sinned

• He removes our sin, and in its position, He places the perfect righteousness of Christ

• When God looks at believers, He doesn’t see people who have failed Him time and time again. Instead, He sees His Son

Romans 5:1-2 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Romans 4:6-8 NIV

[6] David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: [7] “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

** Some people wrongly believe the Holy Spirit will not be active during the Tribulation, after the Restrainer is removed with His saints in the Rapture <D497>

Granted, His work will not be identical to that in the Church Age, but there is sufficient Scriptural evidence to confirm He will continue His work in the Tribulation in two crucial ways:

1. It is clear there will be a multitude of people who come to a saving knowledge of Jesus in the Tribulation

• It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict people of sin and therefore we know He will continue to be active, pointing people to their need for the Savior (John 16:7-11)

Revelation 7:9 NIV

[9] After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

2. He will empower His witnesses as they face arrest and persecution

Mark 13:11 NIV

[11] Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

** Acknowledge God who will provide for you

Exodus 16:10-12 NIV

[10] While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud. [11] The Lord said to Moses, [12] “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.' ”

Philippians 4:19 NIV

[19] And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

[3] 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

Psalm 91:14-15 NIV

[14] “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. [15] He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

** It's amazing to find an earthly treasure at low cost, but that can’t compare with the eternal treasure Christ offers at no cost <D502>

• The treasure offered to everyone is theirs if they choose to accept it

• A person simply needs to believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

1 John 5:11 NIV

[11] And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

** Jesus never said that if you live a good life, you’ll go to Heaven <L120>

• He doesn’t want us to work ourselves to exhaustion, trying to be good enough to earn salvation

• He wants to give us rest and assurance

• He wants us to accept the gift of eternal life He offers

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

[28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

** Everyone has sin in their life -- thoughts and actions that go against God's will in some way -- but there is a way out from the bondage of sin through the power of Christ

• Paul recognized he was once operating against God as a blasphemer, persecutor and violent

• Thanks be to God that He gave Paul the strength and ability to overcome this sin, transforming his life and ministry

• Christians still have to deal with their sin nature while in our sin-cursed bodies

• All Christians have feet of clay; no matter how dedicated to the Lord and His Word, we are all susceptible to being drawn into error because of our sin nature <H82>

• There is some sin and it's temptation we struggle with more than others, and we will struggle as long as we live in this world

• Not everyone struggles with the same sin, but everyone is in need of Christ's redemption

1 Timothy 1:9-11 NIV

[9] We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, [10] for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers---and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine [11] that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

1 Timothy 1:12-15 NIV

[12] I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. [13] Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. [14] The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [15] Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst.

Romans 3:23-24 NIV

[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV

[11] And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

** God used 'divorce' to symbolize His thoughts and the punishment He would issue to Israel for her unfaithfulness <G72>

• Israel often proved to be an unfaithful spouse committing spiritual adultery by worshiping false gods and forsaking her Husband, the Lord

• God used Israel to warn Judah against making the same mistakes that Israel (their neighbors to the north) had made

• Even given the example of Israel’s divorce, Judah remained unfaithful as if daring God to mete out a similar punishment on them

• Israel was in a hopeless situation, for she had been divorced by God

• According to Mosaic law, those who were the cause of divorce could never be accepted back

Jeremiah 3:8 NIV

[8] I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery.

Hosea 1:2-4 NIV

[2] When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” [3] So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. [4] Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.

• But in great mercy, God was willing to forgive Israel and take her back!

• It was unthinkable that a human husband would take back his unfaithful wife, but God is greater than that

• In the same passage in which God sets up a scenario of hopelessness for Israel, He invites His people to return to Him and He promises that His anger will end

• God can and (still) will forgive His wayward people when they repent of their sin and seek Him again

• How can a divorced wife return and be restored?

• The law forbade it, but 'mercy triumphs over judgment' and God still has a plan for Israel and His wayward Christian followers (James 2:13)

Jeremiah 3:12 NIV

Hosea 3:1 NIV

[1] The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes. ”

James 2:12-13 NIV

[12] Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, [13] because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

** Anyone thinking there is a different God in the Old Testament than the New Testament, needs to review the account of Anania and Sapphira when God put them to death because of their idolatry and sin of deceit <M132>

• God could have chosen a different method of discipline, but He decided to lay down this marker instead

• God wanted to let everyone know how much He hates sin and that it will not be tolerated

• Don’t buy into the thinking there is a God of the New Testament that is only about grace and the Old Testament God is only about wrath

• God is both love AND justice and has been from the beginning, as is demonstrated in both Old and New Testaments

• God is God, so stop sinning!

Acts 5:3-10 NIV

[3] Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? [4] Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” [5] When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. [6] Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. [7] About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. [8] Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” [9] Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” [10] At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

Psalm 33:5 NIV

[5] The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Hebrews 13:8 NIV

[8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

** The Christian is freed from the Law in order to become righteous through Christ <R1795>

• Judaizers argued that removing the Law would unleash the beast in man, for it is the Law that helps keep him under control

• Paul’s response was that grace allows the change in man so he does not desire to sin

• Removing the bars is safe if the man’s nature can be transformed

• Christ can give us a new nature that can be controlled by the Spirit of God

• As we yield to the Holy Spirit, we live righteous lives and experience a gradual transformation

• Through grace, God has done what the Law was never able to do – change us from within to live good and holy lives!

Galatians 5:1 NIV

[1] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

** Salvation is a radical transformation for an individual, requiring a radical shift in focus to fear and serve God above all else <M130>

• Paul used the concept of ‘death’ to convey a spirit that cannot sense or respond to God; a spiritual death

• But spiritual death goes beyond the neglect to align with God to imply corruption

• As the physical body decays, so the spiritually dead become infested with all sorts of corruption

• Spiritually dead follow the ways of the world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Satan)

• The rotten flesh of the spiritually dead gasps and heaves in the grip of the cravings of our sinful nature

• Paul wanted us to understand that this is the raw material from which God constructs is His church

• This mass of corruption is what God intends to use to display His glory and the beauty of His holiness!

• Thank God this is what believers in Christ were, not what we are <R1795>

Ephesians 2:1-2,4-5,10 NIV

[1] As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, [2] in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. [4] But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, [5] made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions---it is by grace you have been saved. [10] For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Philippians 3:21 NIV

[21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Malachi 3:16 NIV

** Locusts ate the fruit of the harvest and there was no way of gaining back those wasted blessings, unless God provided them <S185>

• It is a pity the life should have been locust-eaten by folly and negligence

• If it has, be not hopeless because of it because all things are possible to those who believe

• No man can restore what has been destroyed but God alone can do what seems impossible

• Therefore, turn to God for restoration and He will provide EVEN MORE than what the locusts devoured

• We can receive larger grace to make our lives useful again

• To God be the glory!

Joel 2:25-26 NIV

[25] “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten---the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm---my great army that I sent among you. [26] You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.

** Of all the misconceptions about God, one of the most unfair is that He’s a cosmic killjoy. That He regulates the fun out of everything. That we have a choice between following Him or enjoying life. But that’s just not the truth—and never has been.

In His work of creation, God filled the heavens and earth with awe-inspiring beauty and wonders. He created oceans, lakes, and rivers to sail, swim, ski, scuba—and fish. He wired us with imagination so that we can create and enjoy music, literature, cinema, and more.

For those who argue that the Lord’s instructions for godly living get in the way of “real” enjoyment, consider this: God knows the outcome of every life choice we make before we even make it. He sees clearly the paths that lead to guilt, shame, and addiction—things that eventually will make it impossible to enjoy life fully. Directing us away from those paths doesn’t make God the enemy of our enjoyment. It makes Him the perfect adviser for enjoying life to the fullest. <L120>

Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV

[15] So I commend the enjoyment of life , because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.

** Remember that biblical peace is not merely the absence of war -- it is the presence of truth, righteousness, and the Messiah Himself <P1701>

• We are warned in Scripture that even good beginnings that seem like peace in this world can be used for evil ends

• Align yourself with the God of Peace to carry His peace with you in any circumstance

John 14:26-27 NIV

[26] But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Romans 15:13 NIV

[13] May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

** There is a perfect one-world government coming, as opposed to man's greed-inspired attempts at globalism

• None of mankind’s attempts to bring peace and prosperity has ever worked or will work -- from the Tower of Babel, to world empires of history, the League of Nations, Council on Foreign Relations, United Nations, to current attempts at a New World Order or Human 2.0

• That’s because all attempts have been and continue to be godless; you cannot succeed when God is ignored

• Only Christ’s earthly kingdom will bring what people have longed for <M131>

• Bottom line: God's plan includes Christ ruling as king (Isa 9:3–7; 11:1–10) while nobles and governors also rule (Isa 32:1; Matt 19:28), and Jerusalem is the political center of the world (Zech 8:3) <G72>

• After the Tribulation, Christ will return and set up His kingdom here on earth, reigning for 1,000 years and establishing His perfect global government in Jerusalem from which He will rule all nations

• Our dwelling place in the New Jerusalem will far exceed our expectations and be the most beautiful place imaginable <B26> <J100>

• At last, a perfect utopia that only the Lord Himself can bring is on the horizon!

John 16:33 NIV

[33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Revelation 11:15 NIV

[15] The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

** Even if God delays His judgment of the world for a while, every individual life has an expiration date <L124>

• God's arms are open wide, but at death that opportunity ends

• No one knows how many days he or she has left so it's crucial every individual turn to Him seeking salvation while they can

2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV

[2] For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Acts 3:19 NIV

[19] Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord

** God calls us to a holy life, only made possible by His grace

2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

[9] He has saved us and called us to a holy life---not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time

** The Lord was to write on two new stone tablets to replace those Moses destroyed in anger, then Moses was to place them in the ark which was carried by the tribe of Levi

• God’s matchless grace is displayed when He forgave the Israelites sin and provided new tablets

• God continues to forgive our sin and asks us to ‘circumcise our hearts’ (demonstrate inner commitment to God) by loving others and by worshiping and praising the Lord <R1795>

Deuteronomy 10:3-5 NIV

[3] So I made the ark out of acacia wood and chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I went up on the mountain with the two tablets in my hands. [4] The Lord wrote on these tablets what he had written before, the Ten Commandments he had proclaimed to you on the mountain, out of the fire, on the day of the assembly. And the Lord gave them to me. [5] Then I came back down the mountain and put the tablets in the ark I had made, as the Lord commanded me, and they are there now.

Deuteronomy 10:8 NIV

[8] At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name, as they still do today.

Deuteronomy 10:12 NIV

[12] And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

** God's deep love relentlessly breaks through anew each day to those who have placed their trust in Him

Psalm 71:15 NIV

[15] My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long---though I know not how to relate them all.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

[22] Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. [23] They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

** Martin Luther pointed to Romans 1:17 as the 'epiphany moment' that sparked the Protestant Reformation <D40>

• Paul quotes an Old Testament prophet Habakkuk before the Israelites were sent to Babylon <E58>

• Christians can practice faith because they have access to Christ's righteousness, a righteousness He graciously gives to all who believe <S193>

• Paul understood how Christ liberated him from having to achieve righteousness on his own, for Christ gave him His righteousness

• Righteousness can be attained by believing and not by working; a follower's faith will be evident because of his works

• This is the sum and substance of the gospel: we don't live by the law but the just live by faith <S185>

Romans 1:17 NIV

[17] For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed---a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Habakkuk 2:4 NIV

[4] “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright---but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness---

** Those who say they’ve been a good person and believe in Jesus but never asked Him for forgiveness and to be their eternal Savior will not be saved.

No human is sin-free, no matter how pious they try to appear. The good news -- when, not if, we sin, God will forgive us if we call out and ask His forgiveness. <H91>

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 1:8-10 NIV

[8] If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

** The world pushes the message that “we need to be rescued from ourselves” because we are doomed to destroy ourselves unless there is outside intervention <S199>

• Christians say, “This is true. We need Jesus Christ who came to die for sinners (Rom 5:8) and to deliver people from the righteous wrath of God.”

• How awesome that Jesus gives us eternal hope outside the bounds of this fallen world and beyond a creation that groans under the effects of sin (Rom 8:22)

Romans 5:8 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:22 NIV

[22] We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

** Jesus visually demonstrated to His followers they should go to Him when in need of anything

Mark 8:19-21 NIV

[19] When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. [20] “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” [21] He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

John 6:35 NIV

[35] Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

** The account of Jesus walking on water is a typology of the rapturing of God's children before the coming end times storm (of God's wrath) on earth <B23>

• The disciples were in a boat in the midst of a storm when the Lord instantly rescued them safely to the shore

• They were instantly relieved from the surrounding storm

John 6:19-21 NIV

[19] When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. [20] But he said to them, “It is I; don't be afraid.” [21] Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Colossians 1:13 NIV

[13] For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

** God is a Father and He counts His kids; He rejoices that some are safely in Christ, prepared for eternity and nestled near His heart, but His heart aches for those not yet in the fold <G72>

• God does not abandon the 99 because they are already safely in His kingdom, attended by His angels, and guided by His Holy Spirit

• So, when our Good Shepherd wants to pursue another lost lamb, the 99 who are in the fold can joyfully support the rescue

• We were all lost at one time, and the Lord came after us. If He had not taken the initiative, no one could be saved (John 6:44)

Matthew 18:12-14 NIV

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? [13] And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. [14] In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

John 6:44 NIV

[44] “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.

Luke 19:10 NIV

[10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

** The Lord will help us accomplish the task He has for us; God is the creator of everything and is limited by nothing

• God’s aim is not to make our lives easy but to help us when the obstacles are the greatest

• It is only in facing and living through pain and tragedy, that we experience God’s faithfulness <R1795>

Exodus 4:10-12 NIV

[10] Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” [11] The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? [12] Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Exodus 4:17 NIV

[17] But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”

** Whether God calls someone early or late in life to partake of His grace, the glory and praise for our salvation is His and His alone and in no way amounts to unfairness

• Planting, maintaining and harvesting vineyards in first-century Israel was strenuous work requiring hard physical labor in the heat of summer

• In the parable, the landowner hired more workers as the day progressed and the specific wage was not mentioned

• When the time came for the wages to be paid, the first group of workers saw the last group would all be paid the same, even though they got exactly what they had agreed upon when they were hired

• The landowner, whose decision to pay all the workers the same was an act of mercy—not injustice—represents God, whose grace and mercy are shed abundantly upon those of His choosing

• God says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ <G72>

• Relationship with God is based on His generosity; God relates to us in grace, not on the basis of our works

• The person who serves actively because he thinks this is the way to make points with the Lord is doomed

• The person who is so active in church may very well be drying up spiritually, and spending his or her energies in an unproductive way <R1795>

Matthew 20:1-7 (NIV)

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. [2] He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. [3] “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. [4] He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ [5] So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. [6] About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ [7] “ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

Matthew 20:14-16 NIV

[14] Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. [15] Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' [16] “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Romans 9:15-16 NIV

[15] For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” [16] It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

** Once God declares the sinner righteous in His sight, that person will receive a glorious eternity. Nothing whatsoever can stop the completion of our redemption once He declares us forever “not guilty.” It’s a done deal! God has declared you to be forever “not guilty” of all your sins, even those you have yet to commit.

The timing of justification became a fundamental difference between the Reformers and the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic theologians maintained that God’s justification of the sinner didn’t happen until the time of his or her death. This enabled the church to mandate sacraments through which it alone can administer grace and thereby increase the likelihood of one receiving a favorable verdict at life’s end. The Reformers believed what Scripture said and refused to compromise on this matter.

The notion that we can lose our salvation, or walk away from it, aligns with the Roman Catholic understanding of justification rather than what Paul wrote about in Romans 4-8. If we are not eternally secure at the moment of our regeneration, then our final justification depends on our behavior, which is Roman Catholicism 101.

How is it possible for “double jeopardy” to exist in God’s courtroom when He knew everything about us, including everything about our future, at the moment He declared us forever “not guilty?” <B26>

Romans 8:28-29 NIV

** Followers of Christ are commanded to live a life worthy (in balance or perfect harmony) with their position in Christ <M130>

• Christians are given the amazing privilege of being in union with Christ

• All the honors, blessings, promises and power that comes with our unity in Christ (see Eph 1-3) should be matched with how we live our lives

• The process of sanctification, based on a solid understanding of doctrine, was on the heart of the Apostle Paul

• The Christian life should be a true reflection of our condition and union with Jesus Christ, the result of sanctification

• As a "prisoner for the Lord" who is not concerned about this temporal life, the motivation of sacrificial sanctification should be to bring thanks and honor to God

• Walk in a worthy godly way, whatever the cost

Ephesians 4:1 NIV

[1] As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Romans 12:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God---this is your true and proper worship.

Colossians 1:28-29 NIV

[28] He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. [29] To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

** In the midst of lamenting there is hope, for great is God's faithfulness where His compassions are new every morning <M132>

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

[22] Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. [23] They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

** God provided for His children even though they grumbled and tested Him yet again

• When troubles come, it’s natural to wonder where God is

• We must guard against the unbelief displayed by Israel at Massah by making a practice of rehearsing the good things God has done and is doing for us

• Rather than focus on the problem, focus attention on the Lord <R1795>

Exodus 17:1-4 NIV

[1] The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. [2] So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?” [3] But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” [4] Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

Exodus 17:5-7 NIV

[5] The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. [6] I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. [7] And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Psalm 34:19 NIV

[19] The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all

** Just as God supernaturally intervened when He parted the Red Sea during the time of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt, so He did 40 years later when He parted the Jordan River, and Joshua and the Israelites crossed over into the Promised Land. <N154>

Joshua 3:17 NIV

[17] The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

** Belief in Christ is the only way to escape from this doomed planet when Jesus calls believers to Himself in the Rapture. Belief in Jesus as God’s designated route to salvation is the only way to be considered righteous.

Good works will not get anyone to Heaven. Only Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world–the only righteousness God recognizes—will put the believer in the presence of Christ <J100>

John 14:6 NIV

[6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

** When John said, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus,” he was voicing a longing that we all have as believers; we long for Jesus to get the worship He deserves as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords <H993>

Revelation 19:16 NIV

[16] On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

king of kings and lord of lords.

Revelation 22:20 NIV

[20] He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

** When they took Jesus down from the cross, He promised, like God had promised to the prophets 1000 years earlier, that His body would not undergo decay; they put Jesus in the tomb and three days later the tomb was empty because He had resurrected from the dead <H90>

Psalm 16:10 NIV

[10] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

Luke 24:44-46 NIV

[44] He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” [45] Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. [46] He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

John 2:22 NIV

[22] After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

• Do you know that Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father?

• He’s saving for Himself a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation

• Those who believe in a resurrected Christ will be with Him one day!

Job 19:25-26 NIV

[25] I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. [26] And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;

** Christian saints are heirs to Christ's kingdom as confirmed throughout New Testament writings <B26>

• The word 'heir' implies relationship and allows allotted possession of something because of sonship to God

• What belongs to Jesus will also belong to those who believe <G72>

• Since we become His children when we accept His offer of salvation and live for Him, we become heirs to His inheritance

• Believers in Christ are promised an inheritance of a heavenly kingdom that will never perish if they share in Christ's sufferings

• We share in the sufferings of Christ now and will share in the glory of Christ later

• We all tend to like the message of sharing in the riches of Christ’s inheritance, but sharing in His sufferings doesn’t have the same appeal

Romans 8:17 NIV

[17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Titus 3:7 NIV

[7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life

James 2:5 NIV

[5] Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

• Christian saints are heirs to something they won’t possess in their earthly life, for the inheritance of the saints involves eternity with the Lord in heaven

• This inheritance will neither fade nor spoil

• Jesus Himself will provide the inheritance at His second coming (Dan 7:13-14, 24; Matt 24:30, 26:64)

• Believers in Christ will rule with Him in the heavenly kingdom when He takes them to glory

John 14:2-3 NIV

[2] My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

Colossians 3:4 NIV

[4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

** King David understood that God is all powerful and owed him nothing; it is only by God's grace and mercy that God decided to bless His people and continues to do so

• The Israelites broke covenant with God which made Him the aggrieved party

• Likewise, "we all, like sheep, have gone astray" and continue breaking covenant with God because of our sin

• God could have walked away from His creation but because of His love for us, He provided a law, a Messiah, a path to salvation, His Word, life itself -- even to those who continue in their sin! <D40>

2 Samuel 7:18,22-24 NIV

[18] Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? [22] “How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. [23] And who is like your people Israel---the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? [24] You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.

Isaiah 53:6 NIV

[6] We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 5:45 NIV

[45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Romans 3:23-26 NIV

[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood---to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--- [26] he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

** Believers in Christ can approach God no matter what they have done <L120>

• Sometimes our consciences condemn us, going into hyperdrive whispering, “You are unworthy. You have done wrong. You can’t approach God.”

• Maybe you’ve thought, “I can’t pray because I lost my temper in this situation,” or “I can’t pray because I just had an impure thought.”

• That kind of thinking is from the devil himself

• The Bible tells us that God’s Spirit can cleanse us of a guilty conscience because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross

• God’s Spirit will make us aware of what we’ve done wrong, but He always will bring us back to the cross

• When we have done something wrong, we need to go to the cross; we always need to go to the cross and to God in prayer!

Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV

[19] Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

** The person who looks to the cross for salvation will find it

• Spiritual transformation happens when a person accepts Christ and His work on the cross

• Salvation is not about whether a person can achieve indicators such as becoming a morally better person or following a list of dos and don'ts, but is God's transforming power that changes a person into a new creation

• Being saved changes a person from the inside out; others hopefully see the change by what are called 'fruits of the Spirit' -- the result of the Holy Spirit in a person's life

• Salvation cannot be undone; a person can't become 'unsaved' <G70>

• We are not saved by good works -- in fact, before we are saved our works are done in the flesh and cannot please God; even our most 'righteous deeds' fall far short of God’s glory (Rom 3:20, Isa 64:6)

• We can be saved only because God is gracious and merciful and has designed a way for us to be declared righteous when we are not <G72>

Isaiah 64:6 NIV

[6] All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

[18] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

John 5:24 NIV

[24] “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

Romans 8:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

Romans 3:20 NIV

[20] Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

** Christ's love for us motivated Him to die for us knowing every sin we would commit against Him -- past, present and future <D40>

Hebrews 9:15 NIV

[15] For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance---now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

** Believers in Christ have immeasurable HOPE when seeing all current signs in the world that point to the end times because that means Jesus Christ is returning to take His children home! <G76>

Luke 21:28 NIV

[28] When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

** There’s a message out there that falls very much under the law of bondage – it declares that if a person is not performing at a high spiritual level, or understanding a perfect eschatology, or actively anticipating the Rapture, then they are not going to be saved as a believer in Christ

• Remember, salvation is not a merit-based event but a belief-based promise in Christ

• God doesn’t set any preconditions or require anyone to clean up their act first or join any particular church or group to gain salvation

• All anyone needs to do to gain salvation is what Abraham did and trust God’s promise!

• For those who find the concept of salvation too crude would typically have a different response if their bank account was credited 100 million dollars <R1795>

• The Rapture is the very same – it is not a merit- or performance-based event but rather a belief-based event that is based on faith in Jesus Christ alone <G71>

Romans 4:5-8 NIV

[5] However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. [6] David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: [7] “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

John 3:16,36 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.

• And if you take the Bride of Christ analogy to its full extent: when I married my wife, I didn’t marry only half of her – only the part that was anticipating our marriage

• The other half was not required to stay behind to endure tribulation until it was purified enough to become righteous

• This is similar to the argument of Partial Rapturists who believe some Christians have to go through the Tribulation to purify themselves

• No! “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” as 1 John 1:7 reveals

• Jesus is going to take the entire Bride – He just doesn’t leave parts behind <J102>

• There's not one verse that suggests the possibility that some New Testament saints will remain on the earth after the Rapture to be tested in the Tribulation <B26>

2 Timothy 4:8 NIV

[8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day---and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

• In the end, the eternal crown is not something any of us deserve in and of ourselves but rather it is credited to us by God

• Even as we receive it, we will cast it back at Jesus’ feet when we reach the new heaven as an act of worship

• So, in all things, our works point back to Jesus Christ! <M139>

• Granted, we can observe the level of sincerity and commitment others have toward Jesus by their fruit or actions

• But remember that we know in part, while God knows in whole (100%) the sincerity of every person's repentant heart and will issue rewards and consequences accordingly

• Bottom line: those who repent of their sins will be saved from God’s judgment

Mark 16:16 NIV

[16] Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Luke 11:32 NIV

[32] The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.

** God's grace extends into the Tribulation with the 144,000 evangelists, 2 witnesses and angel proclaiming the Good News over the entire globe <H90>

• God's grace, however, does not last forever

• There will be a time when it will be too late for people to accept Christ

Revelation 7:4 NIV

[4] Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

Revelation 11:3 NIV

[3] And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

Revelation 14:6 NIV

[6] Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth---to every nation, tribe, language and people.

Isaiah 55:6-7 NIV

[6] Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. [7] Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Genesis 6:3 NIV

[3] Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal ; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”

** It pleased God to convert, consecrate, and crown the apostle Paul with such eminent success

• There was nothing in Paul to deserve it

• Nothing in Paul to move God to do it

• God blessed Paul, just because He wanted to — because it pleased Him to do it

Just so in our case.

• Do we differ from others?

• Do we differ from our former selves?

• Have we spiritual life?

• Have we Christian graces?

• Why were they conferred upon us — and not upon others? <S183>

• God is sovereign, and I am not <D40>

Galatians 1:15-16 NIV

But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased [16] to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.

1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV

[7] For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Romans 9:13-15 NIV

[13] Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” [14] What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! [15] For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

1 Corinthians 15:10a NIV

[10] But by the grace of God I am what I am

** Using the word “were” — were washed, were sanctified, were justified — puts our sins in past tense because they're paid on the cross once and for all; Jesus paid it all 2000 years ago when all our sins were in the future <P168>

• Paul lists behavior that requires punishment, such as adultery, homosexuality, criminal behavior, and alcoholism

• Don’t think these acts cut anyone off from the possibility of God’s grace

• What Christians become, after they have been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of Jesus, are ex-adulterers, ex-homoexuals, ex-criminals and ex-alcoholics

• Don’t let anyone who practices such sins deceive you by claims that he or she is a citizen of God’s kingdom now <R1795>

1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV

[11] And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV

** Thankfully, there’s nothing we can do or not do after becoming a Believer that will change our salvation status <P168>

• Once you become a Believer, that’s the end of it; you’ll always be a Believer, whether you want to be or not

• If you're born again, you can’t be unborn; you can't walk away from God

• Everything you do after you get saved burns up on Judgment Day, the Bible pointedly states you are still saved

• Christians can rely on God in our struggles, who is our Advocate right to the end!

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 NIV

[11] For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, [13] their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. [14] If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. [15] If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved---even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Romans 7:18,24-25 NIV

[18] For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. [24] What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? [25] Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Romans 8:31-37 NIV

[31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all---how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Hebrews 13:5b NIV

[5] God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

** Apostasy in the Church, defined and explained

Apostasy can be defined as the:

• Formal disaffiliation from, abandonment of, or renunciation of a religion by a person

• Embracing an opinion that is contrary to one’s previous religious beliefs

• Apostasy reveals a spiritual sickness spreading through the body of Christ -- where emotion replaces doctrine, and culture replaces conviction

• When the Church begins apologizing for biblical truth, it ceases to be a Church <P1701>

There are three types of influences today that promote apostasy, each with devastating consequences:

1. Theological — advocating statements like “all roads lead to God” while discounting the one way to salvation through Christ

2. Moral decay — evident by harmful practices advocated in society today

3. Methodological — entertaining those in church looking for answers rather than teaching and expounding on God’s word <H86>

It is believed that already-saved believers — those who genuinely accepted Christ’s offer of salvation and sealed with the Holy Spirit — cannot lose their salvation if they turn away from their Christian walk but are considered to be on the wrong path in desperate need of correction

Granted, those who turn apostate will suffer consequences for their decision, such as God’s curse, but will not lose their salvation; this may be difficult to swallow for the faithful remnant who stayed by our Savior’s side but, like the faithful son in the story of the prodigal son, there are blessings enjoyed for doing so

“God is the God of second chances. That is who He is. It’s in His DNA.” Do not give up praying for those who are on a wayward path! <B23>

1 Timothy 4:1 NIV

[1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

Hebrews 3:12 NIV

[12] See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

Galatians 1:8-9 NIV

[8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!

** Jesus is talking to His eleven saved disciples regarding how to remain in Him; this is not a passage about salvation but about discipline and what happens when believers don’t remain in Christ

• When followers of Christ — who accepted His offer of salvation — sin they do not lose their salvation but are out of fellowship with Jesus

• Much like sinning against a spouse does not null and void the marriage; the couple is still married but out of fellowship with each other

• “Our good works are evidence OF our salvation, not FOR our salvation.” <G70>

• Being cut off from Christ can have devastating results with loss of rewards (not eternal punishment) if not corrected

• Followers of Christ can not bear lasting fruit if they are out of fellowship with Him <W213>

John 15:1-2 NIV

[1] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. [2] He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

John 15:6 NIV

[6] If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

** God does not judge us based on our performance; thank goodness because it is impossible to live without sin <F61>

• If God judged us based on performance then He would have been ‘done’ with the Jews back in the time of Genesis when they first rebelled <M135>

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

** The requirement for salvation has always been faith and has never been about fulfilling the law

• Those in the Old Testament before the arrival of Christ still had to place their faith in the Messiah

• God’s requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He gives mankind up to that moment

• This is called progressive revelation <G72>

Romans 4:3 NIV

[3] What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Genesis 15:6 NIV

[6] Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

** The Bible references the Son of God who came into our world to SERVE us, not rule over us; this must prove the Bible is inspired by God, for what human could comprehend such an occurrence <W213>

Mark 10:45 NIV

[45] For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Acts 3:13a NIV

[13] The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.

** The only way God can ‘justify the ungodly’ is to punish His Son in place of believing sinners <M130>

Romans 4:5-8 NIV

** The man that possesses the true grace of God and is living under its sacred influence:

• Mourns over his state as a sinner

• Longs for perfection as a believer, and

• Cannot be perfectly happy until purged from all pollution <S183>

2 Corinthians 1:12 NIV

[12] Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God's grace.

** Meditation upon the Word of God is one of the most important of all the means of grace and growth in spirituality, yes there can be no true progress in vital and practical godliness without it. Meditation on Divine things is not optional but obligatory, for it is something which God has commanded us to attend unto. <P161>

Psalm 143:5 NIV

[5] I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

** Jehovah is emphatically called the…

• God of all grace

• Father of mercies

• God of all comfort

• God of peace

• God of hope

• God of salvation

All of these titles are full of comfort, and are calculated to inspire our souls with love, gratitude, and pleasure as we abound in every good work <S183>

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

[8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

** God brought the animals to Noah so he didn’t have to try to coral them himself; the significance of this part of the story is that God never taxes us with more than we are capable of enduring or doing <J106>

Genesis 6:20 NIV

[20] Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.

** God’s plan of salvation was not His ‘Plan B’ concocted to deal with a creation gone awry. He did not wring His hands and exclaim, “Well, this isn’t working out the way I’d hoped. I’d better come up with something to set it right, or at least save some.”

No, the good news of God’s provision for salvation was preordained before He even said, “Let there be light.” He knew that His Son would have to suffer and die for the sins of many before He said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). He knew your name, your heart, and the number of hairs on your head before He set the first star in the sky. <M139>

Psalm 139:16 NIV

[16] Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

John 3:16-17 NIV

Luke 12:7 NIV

[7] Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Revelation 3:5 NIV

[5] The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

** Isaiah’s mention of the poor in Isa 61 is in reference to ‘spiritual poverty’, those who are spiritually broken and blind in this fallen world will experience victory from their ailments in the new world <H86>

Isaiah 61:1 NIV

[1] The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

** Sovereign grace, rightly viewed — embodies everything that is sweet, pleasant, charming, and delightful. It is

• As free as the summer breeze

• As pure as the sun's bright ray, and

• As pleasant as the morning light!

All who know it, love it; all who have seen it, admire it; and all who enjoy it, adore it! <S183>

** "His Greatness is unsearchable!" There is more in the works of His hands, than even the angels have ever discovered! There is more in the words of His mouth, than mortals ever conceived. His glory is great unto and above the heavens.

Look at His GRACE

• Saving innumerable multitudes from Hell;

saving them at the greatest expense, in the freest possible way; saving them to the highest honor and greatest glory! O the exceeding riches of His grace! <S183>

Isaiah 40:9 NIV

[9] You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

** The criminal on the cross who believed Jesus as the Messiah asked to be remembered in the afterlife; Jesus promised him he would be with Him in paradise that day — the criminal was saved without being baptized, going on mission trips, counting rosary beads, or any of the things religion requires of a person to be saved <G71>

Luke 23:39-43 NIV

[39] One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” [40] But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don't you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? [41] We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” [42] Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” [43] Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

** Believers in Christ do not need to entertain any fear regarding what is happening in the world today because we know our final destination <S187>

2 Corinthians 5:8 NIV

[8] We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

** Earlier this week, Jews around Israel read the book of Esther in every synagogue. This came at the end of a day of fasting known as the Fast of Esther. This queen fasted and God intervened. The secret to Israel’s salvation was in an intimate plea for God to act!

The more I see the political chaos in Israel today, the more I can see why God will have to win the Ezekiel war for us. We won’t be able to fight. I’m lamenting the loss of common sense and national unity that was our strength and power against all of our enemies. However, I rejoice in knowing that, “He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep”. It’s good to know that when we can't act as a nation, He can intervene! <T203> (Mar 2023)

Psalm 121:3-4 NIV

[3] He will not let your foot slip---he who watches over you will not slumber; [4] indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

** If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature…

• He is convinced of sin, and mourns over it

• He hates sin, and departs from it

• He reads the Word of God, and loves it

• He hears the gospel of Christ, and believes it

He becomes a disciple of Christ…

• Learning His doctrines

• Trusting His promises, and

• Doing His will

He receives the Spirit of Christ, which is a spirit of meekness, love and holiness. He would rather suffer for Christ, than sin against Christ! He loves the person of Christ, imitates the example of Christ, and observes the ordinances of Christ.

He commits his soul into the hands of Jesus…

• To be pardoned through His blood

• To be justified by His righteousness

• To be sanctified by His Spirit

• To be preserved by His power

• To be used for His glory, and

• To be presented faultless by Him to the Father at last

He looks for the second coming of Christ with joy, because then he will be like Him, for he will see Him as He is! <S183>

1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV

[23] May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

** Sin takes our attention off God, and places it on ourselves and things around us.

Grace calls our attention off of everything else to fix it upon God, for grace directs us to:

• Look to the Lord

• Come to the Lord

• Trust in the Lord

• Wait on the Lord

• Hope in the Lord, and even

• Delight in the Lord

"Delight yourself in the Lord." Take delight, not in health, or wealth, or position, or friends, or in anything that is changeable — but in the unchangeable Lord.

Delight yourself in Him, as the:

• Father of the fatherless

• Friend of the friendless

• Hope of the wretched, and

• Savior of the lost

Delight yourself in His glorious character — as gracious, merciful, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. <S183>

Psalm 130:5-8 NIV

[5] I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. [6] I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. [7] Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. [8] He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Psalm 37:4 NIV

[4] Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 33:20-22 NIV

[20] We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. [21] In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. [22] May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

** Mortal persons with bodies of corruption will be changed from mortal to immortality, passing over death <L127>

The body of every living Christian and deceased believer will be changed into an incorruptible, immortal body like Jesus had when He was raised from the dead <D41>

1 Corinthians 15:47-49 NIV

[47] The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. [48] As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. [49] And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 NIV

[53] For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. [54] When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

John 11:25-26 NIV

[25] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; [26] and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

1 Thessalonians 4:16 NIV

[16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Romans 8:11 NIV

[11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

** I have just heard that an old friend, far advanced in life, has fallen into sin! May the Lord pardon and restore him.

In looking back, I wonder that I have not publicly fallen; for I have been powerfully tempted to other sins, equally as bad. I have regularly observed, that in my experience the Lord has not often allowed the temptation and the opportunity, to meet! And when they have, fear has worked powerfully and kept me back.

Psalm 73:2 NIV

[2] But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

Ah, how frequently have I been almost gone! I can call to mind places and times, when I have been in the very mouth of danger, on the brink of a fearful fall — and yet the Lord has held me up! But for special keeping, where would I have been this morning? And what would I be? Blessed be God, though it was almost, it was not fully. This word, almost, has been sweet to my soul. <S183>

Almost gone, but altogether saved — through God's most free and all-glorious grace!

But I would not merely be kept from open sin, I desire to be so deeply sanctified, that my soul may…

• Hate, abhor, and detest sin in every form

• Tremble at its approach, and

• Flee from the very appearance of evil, to Jesus!

I find that my nature is still corrupt, depraved, and polluted; and that…

• The blood of Jesus

• The restraining power of the Holy Spirit, and

• The forgiving grace of God

are as necessary as ever!

Psalm 119:117 NIV

[117] Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

Jude 1:24-25 NIV

[24] To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy--- [25] to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

** Blood is needed in order to sustain life, which is why God required the innocent blood of animals as a sufficient sacrifice offering to atone for sin in the Old Testament

Later, Christ in the New Testament shed His own innocent blood (sacrificed His life) as the only sin offering needed for those who would place their faith in Him

Deuteronomy 12:27 NIV

[27] Present your burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord your God, both the meat and the blood. The blood of your sacrifices must be poured beside the altar of the Lord your God, but you may eat the meat.

Romans 3:25a NIV

[25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood---to be received by faith.

** We live in the day of grace and a call to action, knowing our future

John provides a vision of Christ, the Lamb on the throne, lamp stands, three waves of judgment, destruction of Babylon, gathering of believers, etc <S190>

1. Revelation's BLESSING (6-11)

• God's word is true

• Prophesy is from God and we know He is trustworthy

• God has proven His trustworthiness; if we trust Him in the past, we can trust Him in the future

• His word is united even though there are 44 different authors from different generations in the Bible

• One story from start to end — creation of earth in Genesis to new creation in Revelation; there is the tree of life in both beginning and end, representing separation from God in Genesis to living with God in Revelation

• God confirms that He is coming even though His timing is different than ours; God has His reasons for not coming till He decides

• We remain blessed in the meantime, having His word and living life to the max when we follow it

• Remember to accept these truths and share them to remain blessed

• There are those who are determined to accept His invitation and move toward Him or away from Him

• Our life in Christ involves walking with Him in faith and living His words out

Revelation 22:6 NIV

[6] The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

2. Revelation's INVITATION (12-17)

• Christ says He is coming 3 times; He will come with a reward, judging to each according to what He has done

• We are to share God's invitation with others; to "give this testimony to the churches" or believers to share

• We are not to seal up His words but to teach them and let others know of God's plan for us

• Non-believers who remain unrepentant will receive eternal punishment, while believers will receive eternal blessing upon entering the new heaven

• Christ is the first and last, not only in time but in stature, in accomplishments (such as death and resurrection), in creation, etc

• God's plan starts in Genesis — is fulfilled through Abraham, Isaac, David to Christ, His death, resurrection — and on to events in Revelation; God is the One who is present in all time and events

Revelation 22:12 NIV

[12] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

3. Revelation's WARNING (18-21)

• The warning is not to change the Book by adding or subtracting from it; accept the totality of His word!

• If we do not accept His word in completion we will not receive His reward

• We are also warned to tell others that Jesus is coming again

• People need to know they can be saved from His judgment, for not all understand their current condition in sin

• Our time on earth is unknown; therefore we should experience a sense of urgency

• Our aim should be to live out His word

• This revelation also gives us hope for we have the opportunity to live with God for eternity!

• Are we thirsty for this Water of Life?

• Where is our focus with this as the reality?

Revelation 22:18 NIV

[18] I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.

** We shall be forever with Christ! Now, we have to mourn His absence. Now we exclaim, "O that I knew where I could find Him!" But He has provided something better for us — even to dwell forever in His presence, which will constitute our Heaven, our glory, and our portion!

O with what rapture shall we fix and feast our eyes upon Him, and how will the thought that we are to be forever with Him, thrill through our souls, and open ten thousand gushing streams of unutterable delight and joy! O with what joy shall we hear Him say, "Come, you who are blessed of my Father!"

Here on earth, we may be cast down, for the way is rough and our trials are many. Here we may mourn the absence of our God, but the love of Jesus will soon rescue us, and we shall be received into His presence to abide forever! <S183>

John 14:3 NIV

[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 NIV

[17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Philippians 1:23 NIV

[23] I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

** While we’re going through a testing period, remember to place our primary focus on our Lifeline, not on the issues in front of us

• For instance, how do we respond to those who unjustly criticize us? Do we perpetuate the distraction Satan puts in front of us and take our focus off God?

• Be willing to let go of all infractions by others; not forgiving affects us at so many levels

• Carve room to develop a relationship with God over everything else; make Him priority number one!

Romans 12:12 NIV

[12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

1 Peter 3:12 NIV

[12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Romans 8:6 NIV

[6] The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

** Who is it that will come one day, and whom every eye shall see? The Lord Jesus, the Savior of sinners; the Judge of all men! Every eye shall see Him. My eye shall see Him too! Will it be with fear and terror that I shall behold the King of kings coming to judgment? Or will my gaze be that of admiration and love for my adorable Redeemer?

All Christians rejoice in the expectation of His second coming, when faith shall be turned to sight. How can we fear the realization of our fondest hopes, the accomplishment of our best desires? The more we look to Jesus now, by faith — the less shall we fear death and judgment. For how, indeed, can we fear to meet our best and dearest Friend?

Paul assures us that there is a crown which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give at His coming to all who love His appearing. Let us not shrink, then, from meditation on the glorious coming of Christ, but rather look for and expect it as the end of all our sins, sufferings and trials — and the beginning of perfect and eternal happiness!

Let us ask ourselves, "Are we willing this very night to leave all on earth, and go to Jesus?" If we could really see Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and saying to us this very night, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world!" I am quite sure that nothing on earth could detain us! <S191>

Revelation 1:7 NIV

[7] “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.

Revelation 22:20 NIV

[20] He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

John 17:24a NIV

[24] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory…”

** The Lord loves us! Yes, and with a love that is eternal, immutable, sovereign, infinite, and free! All the love of God is lavished upon us as His special people in Christ. <S183>

John 17:23b NIV

[23] [you] have loved them even as you have loved me.

** The parable of the Prodigal Son is a typology of Christ’s forgiveness when we mess up and ask forgiveness <A10>

• When we experience God’s salvation, we are privileged with an elevated stature in His kingdom

• Our status changes because of the righteousness we receive from Him

Luke 15:20-22 NIV

[20] So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. [21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV

[30] It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God---that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Philippians 3:8-9 NIV

[8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

** God values humans so much that ‘relationship with humanity’ is at the heart of His plan of salvation — not only offering Jesus in human form to sacrifice Himself for us on the cross but with plans to come again to abolish evil and have humanity rule with Him in eternity!

Psalm 8:4-6 NIV

[4] what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? [5] You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. [6] You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet

** Son of God will come again and reward each believer according to what they have done

Matthew 16:27 NIV

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

** Who can prevail against us? Who can really injure us? Let us daily think of God's glorious perfections, and view them as engaged for us at all times.

• His power is engaged to support, defend, and strengthen us

• His omniscient eye is constantly upon us, watching over us for good

• His omnipresence is our safeguard from all our foes, for no one can come and find our God absent from us

• His justice and righteousness shine in all His dealings with us, and are like lofty mountains round about us

• His holiness shines in all His purposes and plans, and forbids the thought that He will act unsuitably towards us

• His mercy is ever great towards us, and by it He sympathizes with us in all our sorrows, griefs, and woes

• His goodness will constantly supply us, and is sufficient to fill us with admiration and astonishment

• His truth renders certain, every promise He has given and recorded in His Word

• His immutability bears us up and bears us on, confirming our faith and hope in His Word.

• His wisdom frustrates the designs of our foes, and arranges and manages all for our welfare

• His eternity is the date of our happiness, and the duration of our unspeakable blessedness!

How cheering this fact, and what sweet support it yields to the mind--to meditate on God's perfections and glorious attributes, seeing them all in Jesus--and in Him, engaged for our present and everlasting welfare!

What could shake our minds, if we did but firmly believe that God's omnipotence is engaged to defend us to the uttermost?

What could tempt us to commit any known sin, if we were realizing that God Is omniscient eye is ever upon us; yes, that God is present with us, and that He is our sin-hating Father?

What could lead us into murmuring and rebellion, if we were fully persuaded that God's holiness and justice are for us, and will shine resplendent in all His dealings with us?

What could lead us to think that our prayers would not be answered, nor our petitions be regarded--if our minds were influenced by the assurance that God is truth?

How could we believe that He would ever turn against us, if we rightly viewed His immutability?

Or, how could we think that our affairs could be disordered, if we felt satisfied that His wisdom was working for us at all times! <S183>

Psalm 46:7 NIV

[7] The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Romans 8:31 NIV

[31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

** God will acknowledge and reward those who are victorious, remaining true to Him; He will also ensure others recognize those who are faithful to Him as well

Revelation 3:4-5 NIV

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. [5] The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

** Israel was not chosen because it was special, it is special because it was chosen by God; likewise, we are special because God chooses us! <D40>

1 Peter 2:9 NIV

[9] But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

** When we are born again in the Spirit, we desire what is good because we are resurrected from spiritual death

John 3:3-6 NIV

[3] Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ” [4] “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!” [5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

• Our new spiritual life comes about by our being justified before God the Father as Holy, not because of our effort to do good — as if God needed our works — but through the shed blood of His Son

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

Colossians 1:13-14 NIV

[13] For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

• At the moment of belief, we are indwelt and sealed by God the Holy Spirit, who not only transformatively gives us a new nature but we become a new creation altogether

Ephesians 1:11-14 NIV

[11] In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, [12] in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. [13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession---to the praise of his glory.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 NIV

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! [18] All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: [19] that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

• This is why in the Old Testament, only Adam and the angels could be called "sons of God," — as they were direct creations of God — but in the New Testament, all born-again believers can also claim this title

• True born-again believers are direct creations of God <G70>

Romans 8:14 NIV

[14] For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

** Be thankful for what we HAVE and not what we DO NOT HAVE — recognize God’s goodness and blessings in everyday routines

Romans 8:28 NIV

[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

** God is omnipresent which means He is always by your side and never leaves you; even though you may not 'feel' His presence, that doesn't mean he isn't there!

Philippians 4:5-6 NIV

[5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

[5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

** There is a reason Paul uses the word ‘slave’ when referring to sin — people who are bound to sin cannot free themselves from it except through the power of the Holy Spirit, at which point our allegiance changes to being slaves to righteousness

Romans 6:18 NIV

[18] You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

We see cult-like enslavement to evil around us today where no logic, statistics, reason, moral obligation, science, inconvenience, etc can convince people to change their allegiance; people cannot give up their sin regardless of the cost! <M132> (Nov 2022)

** God will reward those who do not follow false teaching yet follow the morning star, or Jesus Christ

Revelation 2:24-25 NIV

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, [25] except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

Revelation 2:26-28 NIV

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations--- [27] that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’ ---just as I have received authority from my Father. [28] I will also give that one the morning star.

** No more tribulation, pain or sorrow when we meet our Maker!

Revelation 7:14-17 NIV

I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. [16] ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. [17] For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ”

** The Tribulation and the punishment of Hell may seem cruel and unreasonable in our way of thinking, but always remember:

• We always experience consequence for the choices we make

• The most important choice we make will produce or result in either eternal pleasure or eternal suffering

• God loves us beyond measure and longs that we choose relationship with Him

• Christ left His majesty to come to earth to eventually suffer and die as punishment for OUR sin; the ultimate sacrifice for us while we were still sinners

• All God asks in return for His sacrifice is that we accept His offer of salvation and, as a result, follow His commands via a relationship with Him

• Christ gives us every opportunity to choose whom we will serve — either God or Satan

• Unbelievers will be given a last chance to choose God through the Tribulation period

Hebrews 11:24-25 NIV

[24] By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. [25] He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

John 15:13-14 NIV

[13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command.

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

** We have pierced Him often and pierced Him through and through!

• Our unbelief pierces Him

• Our ingratitude pierces Him

• The coldness of our love pierces Him

• Our forgetfulness pierces Him

• Our preferring the world to Him pierces Him

• Our disobedience to His Word pierces Him, and

• Our doubting of His love pierces Him

Look, and be sorry that you have ever sinned, and so caused Jesus to suffer!

Look, and rejoice that you shall live forever to glorify and praise His name!

O my soul, Jesus was wounded for your transgressions, and bruised for your iniquities!

His blood has made your peace with God,

His righteousness gives you a title to eternal life,

and His death delivers you from dying!

I fix my eye intently on Jesus on the Hill Calvary and marking all His tears, wounds, and agonies--I feel that I was the cause of all. I myself did it! Yet, O wonder of wonders! I derive pardon, holiness, and eternal life from it! <S183>

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

[5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

** The question isn’t “why would a loving God send someone to Hell?” but “why would someone choose Hell instead of accepting God’s free gift that saves him from such a place?”

** Katergadzomai is the Greek term for ‘working out’ which entails the object of the thing that will produce something else

• In this way, we don’t work for salvation and avoid legalism of thinking we need to produce works

• There is no such thing as receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and not doing anything with it

• Some will go further than others but everyone who decides to follow Christ is saved

• Some will THINK they made the commitment but they are living a lie <B23>

All believers will show some evidence of salvation, such as:

• Love for the word of God

• Personal prayer and worship

• Fellowship with other believers

• Sitting under the instruction of God’s word

Philippians 2:12 NIV

[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed---not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence---continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling

Romans 4:15 NIV [law produces wrath]

[15] because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

Romans 5:3 NIV [tribulation produces patience]

[3] Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance

1 Corinthians 7:10 NIV [godly sorrow produces repentance]

[10] To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.

** The baptism of the Holy Spirit was predicted by John the Baptist and Jesus before He ascended to heaven: “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5). This promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost; for the first time people were permanently in dwelt (sealed) by the Holy Spirit and the church began. <G72>

Acts 2:1-4 NIV

[1] When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NIV

[12] Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body---whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free---and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

** Only God can work a complete change in a person's life; AA meetings, for example, may help us in certain moments but it's the transforming power of Christ that can change us completely from the inside out — including our motives, desires and habits

• We wear glasses to see better visually; as followers of Christ, our goal should be 20/20 spiritual vision that is possible through prayer and knowing God’s word

• God wants us to have spiritual vision that is clear and focused

• If we don't put the energy into living spiritually then we won't grow spiritually and we will become spiritually blind <C31>

2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV

[5] For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; [6] and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; [7] and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

Romans 12:2 NIV

[2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

[18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

** All religions except Christianity require people to attain what is needed for salvation, but God reaches down to OFFER us salvation if we simply accept His terms as outlined in His Word; followers of Christ don’t need to earn merit <J102>

Religion = man’s attempt to reach God

Bible = God’s attempt to reach man

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

[16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

** Recognize there is only one way out of the pit, first recognize God and ask Him to forgive your sin before asking for His help <C31>

• David was in the pit; his sin and failures were overwhelming him

• He could not see any hope but looked to God; the only light he saw was God

• David recognized his sin and asked for God's love and mercy, knowing He alone could help in his time of need

Psalm 40:1-2 NIV

[1] I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. [2] He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

• Likewise, we are all in the pit like David because our sin has separated everyone from God

• We need forgiveness of sin

• God already started to provide this 'relief' for us by coming to earth in the eventual plan of dying to meet our need for salvation

** God may still answer our need even though we drop the ball and do not give Him glory in return; we often seek God's blessing but not God Himself <C31>

Luke 17:17-19 NIV

[17] Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? [18] Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” [19] Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

** God is good and provides us with good gifts but He does not tempt us with sin; our human desire tempts us to do what we don't want to do

• Are we being lured as a fish with bait? are we being dragged to the slaughter? are we being led by our emotion? are we playing with temptation, trying to hide and make excuses?

• We consciously make a decision to act on a desire that leads to disobedience and death; some consequences for sin involve a physical condition and death

James 1:13-14 NIV

[13] When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; [14] but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

Consider the fact that God gives good gifts despite our sinful nature:

• Doing good deeds, as is prevalent in most religions, does not deal with our sin condition

• We have a tendency to blame God but He is not to be blamed

• No one is exempt from being a sinful being which brings death, but we have been gloriously saved

• We must accept responsibility for our own sin and value God’s offer and hope of salvation

• We have hope and can be freed from our sin if we deal with the sin in our lives; are we taking responsibility for our actions or are we living a defeated life by repeating the same sin?

• Rely on the forgiveness, power and protection of God who will provide a way so we are not tempted beyond our capability <C31>

Romans 5:12,19 NIV

[12] Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned--- [19] For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Romans 7:15-25 NIV

[15] I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. [16] And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. [17] As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. [18] For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. [19] For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do---this I keep on doing. [20] Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. [21] So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. [22] For in my inner being I delight in God's law; [23] but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. [24] What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? [25] Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

** Renewed man will be like Jesus! Man will be with God. Man will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of his heavenly Father. Man will see and hear and know, and possess, and enjoy — all that he can possibly desire, all that his glorified nature is capable of. He will be more than unfallen Adam was, more than angels are — for he will be as nearly like God as perfected human nature can be made like the Divine! <S183>

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

[9] However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”---the things God has prepared for those who love him---

** Paul had seen glorious effects produced, by preaching “Christ crucified” elsewhere. He knew that if this doctrine would not win the Corinthians, and bring them back to God — nothing could.

Paul witnessed the glorious effects produced by it:

• The hardened, melted down into penitence and love

• The miserable, made happy

• The sorrowful, filled with comfort

• The guilty, put in possession of pardon

• The filthy, made pure and holy

• The troubled, made calm and peaceful, and

• The cruel, made kind and gentle! <S183>

1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV

[2] For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

** In Christ, we are given a new birth, promise and hope

New Birth (vs 3)

• God promises us that we will be born again into a completely new life; the effects are seen on a consistent basis through all moments of our life in all circumstances

• Being born again means Christ lives within us to work with us against sin; this changes our perspective on life and, hence, our actions

• Remember the story of Nicodemus (John 3) where Jesus told Him about a spiritual change

New Promise (vs 4)

• A gift of eternal life and all its benefits

• Imperishable (cannot be destroyed or damaged, like fruit that goes bad), undefined (cannot be stained with evil, like polluting our environment), unfading (never losing value, like flowers that fade)

New Hope (vs 5)

• New birth brings with it a new hope everyday of our life; we have a freedom from our past sin and failures

• New hope gives us strength to live God's way

• Our relationship with Christ is eternally guaranteed; it is accomplished by God's grace and protected by His all-consuming power

• We are not talking about those who don't live out according to God's ways; these people were not saved in the first place

• Believers in Christ have a hope that we will never be separated from God! <C31>

1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV

[3] 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, [4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, [5] who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

** God designed us for heaven and the world is waiting to be resurrected

• Let this reflect in our words and actions on a daily basis

• Compare the picture of heaven with God's original creation — Genesis 1-3 with second coming/heaven Revelation 21-22

This means followers of Christ can live in hope because sin and suffering will come to an end when He sets things right

• Jesus will not lose anyone who belongs to Him; this should give us peace

• Let’s be encouraged to live for Him and trust Him every day

• Like trusting instruments when flying a plane and experiencing disorientation, so we need to trust God with our future <C31>

2 Peter 3:13-15 NIV

[13] But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. [14] So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. [15] Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

Romans 8:18-25 NIV

[18] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. [19] For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. [20] For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. [22] We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. [23] Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? [25] But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

** The New Jerusalem after the Millennium will be 1500 square miles in all dimensions <S198>

• The New Jerusalem is estimated to be either a perfect cube or pyramid

• Its size equal to 2/3 land mass of the US; a footprint from St Louis to the Pacific Ocean

• This is not the restored version in the Millennium but the eternal new heaven and earth because God the Father and Jesus Christ will reside there

• All remnant of sin must be erased, therefore the Millennial kingdom will not suffice

• This will be the eternal order where followers of Christ eternally become His heir

Revelation 21:1-3 NIV

[1] Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. [2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

** Christ's sheep hear His voice. Christ speaks to us in His Word as truly as ever He spoke to His disciples in the days of His flesh — and it is the delight of all His people to hear and obey His Word.

The inspired volume is to them an inexhaustible source of comfort. They

• Read it

• Meditate upon it

• Pray over it, and

• Esteem it more than their necessary food

When they open it, they look up to their Divine Master and say, "Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening. Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of Your law."

Directions, warnings, precepts, promises — are all acceptable to them. Everything that conveys to them the mind and will of their Good Shepherd, is received with implicit faith and unreserved obedience. Christ's sheep follow His steps. <S179>

John 10:27 NIV

[27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

** God prepares us as long as we invest in the process; how do we know the will of God?

a) Develop a relationship and learn to listen so we can learn His voice

b) Focus on God, not yourself

c) Look for God working around you and allow Him to involve and stretch you

Matthew 16:19 NIV

[19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

** The Lord's care of His people is ceaseless...

• No parent was ever so vigilant over a precious and only child

• No gardener was ever so attentive to a delicate and favorite plant

• God visits, He watches, He supplies

• He studies our needs, and provides for each of them

• God's SUPPLY will be constant, in every season

• It will be suitable, like refreshing moisture to a thirsty plant

• It will be in small portions, as the gently falling rain

• It will be imperceptible, like the morning dews

If the Lord would cease to water, we would soon wither and die!

• It is by these divine 'supplies' that our graces are kept alive

• Our dependence on Him is absolute!

• Our obligations to His love are infinite!

Let us not imagine that we are not watered, because we do not sensibly feel it. The constancy, and the gentle gradual manner in which we are supplied, render His loving care virtually imperceptible. <S183>

Hosea 6:3 NIV

[3] Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. ”

Isaiah 27:3 NIV

[3] I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it.

** All that Jesus does for lost sinners — He does freely, out of pure pity, kindness and love

• Yet we are always looking for something in ourselves, to encourage us

• Fix the eye of your mind on what Jesus does for sinners — how He acts toward them at the present day

• Jesus CALLS the sinner. He says, "Come unto Me. Come, just as you are. Come, this moment. Come, for all that you need. Come, for all that you desire. Come, and be saved. Come, and I will satisfy you. Come, and commit all your concerns to Me, and I will make all things that occur, work together for your good."

Matthew 11:28 NIV

[28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

• Jesus RECEIVES the sinner when he comes. He receives every sinner--however base, vile, or unworthy he may be! He receives the sinner graciously — pardoning every sin, forgiving and forgetting all that he has done amiss, and treating him with the utmost kindness.

• Jesus CLEANSES the sinner. In the fountain of His precious blood, and in the laver of His holy Word, He cleanses him from guilt and pollution, fitting him for holy service on earth, and for holier service in heaven. Nor is there any getting rid of guilt, but by His blood; nor of impurity, but by His Spirit working with His Word!

Hebrews 10:22-23 NIV

[22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

• Jesus CLOTHES the sinner. Cleansed from guilt and filth — we are clothed in His garments of salvation, and are covered with His robe of righteousness. All that is necessary for our honorable appearance in Heaven among the glorified, He undertakes to provide.

Romans 13:14 NIV

[14] Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

• Those who trust in Him, are completely NOURISHED by Him

• Jesus feeds the sinner; His flesh and blood becomes our daily food

• We can no more live and be healthy, without nourishing food for the body than we can live and be happy, without sweet and frequent nourishment from Christ

• There is in the renewed soul, a craving for Christ and it is never satisfied but as it realizes His presence, meditates on His Word, or is solaced with His love!

• Jesus EMPLOYS the sinner. Having called, received, cleansed, clothed, and nourished him — He sets him to WORK. He gives him a cross to carry, and a plot in his vineyard to cultivate. He sends him to speak to others of His grace, and to manifest to others His temper and disposition. He sends him to the poor widow's cottage, to the sick man's chamber, and to the ignorant soul's home, and says: "Feed them for Me; comfort them for Me; and teach them for Me!"

• Jesus COMFORTS the sinner. Yes, when he is depressed and discouraged, when he is low and cast down. He consoles by some special providence, by some seasonable portion of His Word, by the counsel of some friend, or by the sweet whispers of His Spirit.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

• Jesus ASSURES the sinner. Assures him of His love to him, of a saving interest in His finished work, and of a title to heavenly mansions! When Jesus assures us — our doubts and fears depart, our unbelief is destroyed, and our souls are filled with peace and joy.

• Jesus VISITS the sinner. He says, "I will come unto him." And He does come, and brings with Him pleasant light, precious fruits, and joy and peace. He says, "I will come and sup with him, and he with Me." And He draws him out into such sweet, near and dear communion with Himself, that no costly meal, no delightful company, can be compared to it.

• Jesus RESTORES the sinner. For as astonishing as it may appear, it is nevertheless true that we are prone to wander!

• We leave light, for darkness!

• We leave plenty, for poverty!

• We leave joy, for sorrow!

• We leave a paradise, for a desert!

And having wandered we would never find our way back, if He did not come after us! But, blessed be His holy name, He does! And then He restores our souls, and again feeds us in green pastures, causing us to lie down beside the still waters!

• Jesus REPROVES the sinner. However He may spare our persons, He never spares our sins! He visits our transgressions with the rod, and our iniquities with stripes! His reproofs are often sharp. Cutting convictions, heavy losses, severe trials, perplexing troubles, bodily sickness, and painful bereavements, are some of the RODS which He employs. But however numerous and heavy His strokes, they are lighter than our guilt, and fewer than our sins! He deals with us as with sons. He chastens us for our profit, and to make us partakers of His holiness!

• Jesus GLORIFIES the sinner. Glorifies him with Himself, and confers on him an eternal weight of glory! What it is to be glorified, we do not fully know. At the least, it is to be freed from all that is sinful, painful, and degrading, and to be invested with all that is bright, beautiful, and blessed. It is to be made as like Jesus as possible, and to be with Him where He is forever!

• Will you not bear witness to the power and sweetness of His love, to the joy and happiness that are found in His ways?

• Will you not observe His statutes and keep His laws?

• Will you not come out of the world which is peopled by His enemies, and be separated to Him?

• Can you mingle with the carnal and frequent places of worldly amusement?

• Must you go to the world to be gratified and amused?

Beware how you wound your precious Savior's loving heart! <S183>

** People desire unfailing love; if they also pursue righteousness, they can find prosperity and honor

Proverbs 19:22 NIV

[22] What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.

Proverbs 20:6 NIV

[6] Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?

Proverbs 21:21 NIV

[21] Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

** How happy should we be who are loved by the Lord Jesus!

Especially when we consider on the one hand:

• Despicable

• Poor

• Worthless, and

• Unlovely

And on the other hand:

• Glorious

• Wealthy

• Worthy

• Lovely in JESUS

To be loved by Jesus, is to be preferred before the possession of a world!

Think of the:

• Glory of His person

• Vastness of His possessions

• Number of His angelic attendants

• Unlimited sovereignty He exercises, and

• Excellent character He bears

Also bear in mind that He knew what loving us would COST Him, how He would be treated by us and by others for our sakes! Yet He fixed His love upon US! He loved US just because He would!

He did not, could not, NEED us — for He was infinitely happy and glorious without us! Yet He loved us and He still loves us! <S183>

Romans 8:37 NIV

[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

** God created human beings and desires to spend eternity with them!

Revelation 21:3 NIV

[3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

** Followers of Christ should not fear death, for God will not abandon them when they breathe their last; Christ conquered death when He rose from the grave so we can live eternally with Him!

Psalm 16:10 NIV

[10] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

** To those who believe we serve a New Testament God who only cares about grace and the God of the Old Testament is not around anymore: understand that God still deals with sin and those who reject Him will suffer His wrath <R173>

John 3:36 NIV

[36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.

Hebrews 13:8 NIV

[8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Malachi 3:16-18 NIV

[16] Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. [17] “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. [18] And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

** Israel is chained with a spiritual bondage when they rebelled against God, that can only be broken when they repent and rely on the Lord as their Redeemer

Psalm 107:13-14 NIV

[13] Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. [14] He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.

Isaiah 52:2-3 NIV

[2] Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive. [3] For this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed. ”

And HOW was Israel to be saved? Isaiah prophesied it would be through One man!

Isaiah 53:1-5 NIV

[1] Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? [2] He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. [3] He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. [4] Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

** We are conceived and born in sin; and sin is most hideous wherever it appears. The Spirit has revealed this truth to each enlightened convert. He sees it, feels it, owns it, bewails it. It is his constant misery.

When he would do good, evil is present with him. He hates and loathes and abhors himself in dust and ashes. Surveying the innate corruption, which is his, he mournfully confesses, "I am black! I am vile!"

But he looks off to Christ. He sees the precious blood washing out every stain and obliterating the crimson dye. The blackness disappears. In Christ he is whiter than the whitest snow.

He puts on Christ, and adores Him as made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. He sees His pure and perfect obedience wrought out as a robe to hide his every defect, so bright, so lovely, and so glorious, that it exceeds all admiration.

He feels that this righteousness is through grace imputed to him. He knows that he is lovely through divine loveliness. <L121>

Song of Songs 1:5 NIV

[5] Dark am I, yet lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon.

** Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land because of his actions at the waters of Meribah, specifically striking a rock twice to get water instead of speaking to it as God had instructed; yet, in grace, God allowed him to see it from Mount Nebo

Deuteronomy 32:49-52 NIV

[49] “Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. [50] There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. [51] This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. [52] Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.”

** The longer the Christian lives, the more he learns. And the more the Spirit teaches him, the more he loathes himself and renounces his own righteousness as filthy rags.

He hoped sensibly…

• to grow in holiness

• to feel his corruptions subdued, and

• to enjoy the presence of his God without interruption

But instead of this…

• he seemed to grow more like Satan

• his corruption appeared to get stronger and stronger, and

• the depravity of his nature appeared more and more dreadful!

He thinks himself to be a monster of iniquity, and wonders how God can possibly love him or show any favor unto him. How can such a man be just before God? Where is his righteousness to come from?

Jehovah answers, "His righteousness is from Me!" Jesus wrought it…

• the Father imputes it to us

• the gospel reveals it, and

• faith receives it, puts it on and pleads it before God

Precious Jesus! In You alone, I have righteousness and strength! <S183>

Isaiah 54:17 NIV

[17] no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

** We can experience true joy and peace when we trust in God, for the Holy Spirit will then fill us with hope!

Romans 15:13 NIV

[13] May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

** When we behold the glory of God, we will not want Him to look at us because we are unclean

Song of Songs 1:6 NIV

[6] Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother's sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I had to neglect.

** A perfect reuniting can result when you repent and return to Christ, as happened with the couple when they finally reunited <F60>

Song of Songs 6:13 NIV

[13] Come back, come back, O Shulammite; come back, come back, that we may gaze on you! Why would you gaze on the Shulammite as on the dance of Mahanaim?

• Sometimes we venture ‘off track’ and distance ourselves from God

• Sometimes our distancing is because of sin we commit

• For instance, Revelation’s letter to the church in Ephesus was written 35 years after the letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians

• It appeared the church had done well, except for what the Lord had to say about leaving their first love for Him

Revelation 2:2-4 NIV

[2] I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. [3] You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. [4] Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

• God beckoned the church’s return to Him and was willing to wait for His children with open loving arms

• Yes, there are consequences when we turn from Christ and when sin is involved, but the Father is overjoyed to receive us back when we repent and return to Him

Luke 15:20-24 NIV

** I see many wonders in God's salvation [and that He would lavish it on those who choose to follow Him]. It is as many-sided as the ocean with its moods and waves.

There is the wonder of its ORIGIN. From HIM it takes its rise and source!

• From the King against whom I have revolted

• From the Friend whose wishes I have opposed

• From the thrice-holy One, to whom the smallest of my sins is absolutely hateful

• From the Father on whom I have turned my back

• It is He who approaches me with the white flag of peace

• It is He who sacrifices Himself to accomplish my deliverance!

And there is the wonder of its CONTINUOUSNESS. Salvation keeps coming. It does not cease. It flows and deepens and broadens. God does not weary, though there are ten thousand reasons why He should. The Savior does not lose His sympathy and grace. The Holy Spirit goes on performing His good work. It is an "eternal salvation".

Hebrews 5:9 NIV

[9] and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

And there is the wonder of its OBJECT. It is MY salvation, incredible as that may seem. It is a miracle to me that my past guilt should be pardoned — such a terrible criminality there was in my heart. It is a miracle to me that my present imperfections should be borne with and overcome. Such a forbearing, conquering patience I need, for I am the chief of sinners!

And there is the wonder of its ABUNDANCE. It is SALVATION which comes to me. Salvation is a palace with many rooms in it. It is a landscape in which many different elements of beauty are found — mountain, river, lush pasture-ground, darker forest, and the silver streak of the sea.

I think of salvation from the DIVINE side and how much it cost God! I think of salvation from the HUMAN side and how much it brings to me! <S182>

Psalm 62:1 NIV

[1] Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV

[15] Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

** Trust God who will provide for us; Jesus proved He is able to provide for the need of those around Him by not only supplying their need for food but building the faith of disciples by having them pick up the leftovers <R1795>

• At times even Christians who are most familiar with Christ forget just how great His power is, only for Him to act and remind us

• When this happens, let’s not be simply satisfied as the crowds were when He met their need, but share the wonder the disciples must have felt as they gathered seven baskets of leftovers

• Testify to the overflowing abundance of His grace and power!

Mark 8:7-8 NIV

They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. [8] The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

** Am I one of His saints? Do I understand that, as a believer in Christ, I am an adopted son and heir of God?

It often seems too high a title to claim, so let me remember that everything depends on what my heart is fixed upon.

• The poet dreams about a masterpiece of music he is yet to write

• The artist dreams about a surpassing picture he will paint one day

• The sculptor dreams about a statue whose grandeur will draw all eyes

What then, are my dreams? Are they about one day being:

• Completely liberated from sin?

• Changed into the image of Christ?

• Perfected in holiness?

If so, then I am among the saints as a child of God and heir apparent! <S182>

Galatians 4:4-7 NIV

[4] But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. [6] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Romans 8:17 NIV

[17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Titus 3:4-7 NIV

** The 8th vision of Zechariah was to confirm to the Jews that, even though they were weak they remained strong when relying on God, thus encouraging them in their faith and dependence on God

Zechariah 6:1,5 NIV

[1] I looked up again, and there before me were four chariots coming out from between two mountains---mountains of bronze. [5] The angel answered me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world.

** We can avoid God’s wrath by repenting and seeking righteousness in humility — turning from our sinful ways and asking His forgiveness

Zephaniah 2:1-3 NIV

[1] Gather together, gather yourselves together,

you shameful nation, [2] before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the Lord's fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord's wrath comes upon you. [3] Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.

** No word of the Gospel sounds more gladsomely in my ears than this. For the unclean spirits have invaded the citadel of my soul, and asserted their hateful domination over me. I have no strength to drive them out — but, my Lord, You can rescue me from their hideous craft and polluting bondage! Every deadly sin may be defeated by the virtue of Your Cross, and the omnipotence of Your Spirit. <S182>

Mark 1:27 NIV

[27] The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching---and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”

** Doesn’t Christ’s wondrous love deserve all that I have and all that I am? <S182>

No love STOOPS like Christ's love.

• It abandoned the place and prospects and power to save me!

• It traveled from the heights of Heaven, to the depths of sinful earth

• God, pure and holy, chose voluntarily to make His home with me a sinner!

• The sole qualification I need to commend myself to Him is not my conviction of worth but my conviction of worthlessness — my knowledge that I am devoid of goodness and holiness!

• Then, when I confess myself penniless, He will invest me with His treasures

• He banishes no self-destroyed and forlorn and penitent man outside the pale of His grace

No love SUFFERS like Christ's love

• The test of affection is its willingness to suffer sacrifice and pain for another

• Never has any affection stood the test like the love of Jesus

• "It is certain," one writes, "that not for one hour on earth, was our Lord without the anguish of His passion"

• And at last He made the supreme offering of His life, for me

• Such bitterness, such dereliction, such unspeakable sorrow was there in my Savior's death

• For me He bore the hiding of His Father's face on Calvary

• It is an unfathomable pre-eminence of grief

• It is a horror of great darkness which I may not pierce

No love GIVES like Christ's love

• Love is always giving, but when was there human love with such wealth to bestow and such willingness to communicate it as the love of Christ?

• In simple fact, He imparts nothing less than Himself to me!

• The most unholy, the most tempted, the most despairing cannot desire anything more sufficient

And no love LASTS like Christ's love

• The truest and tenderest earthly love says farewell to its beloved in death

• And too often, even on this side of the grave, doubts insinuate themselves, and suspicions arise, and covenants are snapped and broken

• It is not so with the love of Christ, for neither things present nor things to come, the demands of today and the contingencies of tomorrow can chill that great heart of love!

• Christ's love is like Himself — eternal and unchangeable

Ephesians 3:19a NIV

[19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge

2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV

[9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

** The Lord's provision is not only sufficient to meet our need but is priceless, comforting and overwhelmingly abundant

Psalm 147:8-9 NIV

[8] He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. [9] He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.

Psalm 36:7-9 NIV

[7] How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. [8] They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. [9] For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Psalm 104:27-28 NIV

[27] All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. [28] When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.

** Romans 11:25 says that when the “fullness of the Gentiles” (a term for the Rapture) has come in, then Israel’s blindness will be removed. What is the number of this fullness? No human knows, but the number is huge. Consider that the world’s population is currently at approximately 7.8 billion people. It is estimated that there are 2.5 billion Christians in the world. That is 32-33% of the population. I personally believe this percentage is greatly exaggerated as many of these so-called “Christians” are Christians in name only.

Let’s be a little more realistic in our estimation and drop the percentage by 13% (number for rebellion and apostasy). That would place the percentage at 19-20% of the world population or approximately 1,530,000,000. If you break it down, it looks like this: 153 x 10 to the 7th power (seven 0’s- zeros). Peter just thought he made a great catch of 3000! It is minuscule when you look at Jesus’ (and the Holy Spirit) catch. If you believe this number of Christians to be raptured is still too high, you need to remember that all the young babies/children and those who don’t have the mental capacity to make a qualified decision for Christ will also be included in the Rapture.

This great number of souls only accounts for the living believers being taken up but doesn’t take into consideration the dead souls/spirits in Christ (coming down from heaven). They will be resurrected with a new heavenly body and will meet the living believers (who are translated also) in the air where Jesus will be. The dead in Christ consists of all those believers who have died since Sivan 7/May 22, AD 33 (proleptic Gregorian calendar) on the day of Pentecost, and up to the moment of the Rapture.

The living and dead in Christ, who will meet the Lord in the air at the Rapture, will be an astronomical multitude of souls. They will come from every nation, race, color, age, Christian denomination, and ethnicity. This multitude will include males and females, rich and poor, young and old, free and slaves from every age (1st century to 21st century) and background you can imagine. The one thing every one of them has in common is: “they obeyed the Lord their God and believed in the One He sent.” All of the redeemed will have new spiritual bodies made for eternity. Jesus Christ will then take his betrothed bride, the Church, to their new home in heaven, the New Jerusalem, and we will be with the Lord forever. <N154>

Romans 11:25 NIV

** Make sure you recognize God’s blessings and promises in these days of confusion and dilution, so others will desire the same hope that you have in Christ

2 Peter 1:19 NIV

[19] We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

2 Peter 3:13-14 NIV

** While in this world, our weary bodies require the refreshment of sleep; and our merciful God has graciously given to us this sweet restorer of strength. Often we have retired to rest, overcome with fatigue and anxiety, perhaps distressed with pain — but sleep has taken away these feelings, and we have risen the next day in health and peace, to serve our God with joyfulness.

On a bed of sickness, this text has often been a source of comfort to the believer: "There shall be no night there!" But there will be no night in Heaven, because there will be no need of rest from labor, relief from pain or need of solace and refreshment under fatigue.

The former state of things will have fully passed away, and one eternal unclouded day will have dawned upon us! Our spirits will then be made perfect — and at the resurrection our glorified bodies will rise, no more to be a clog upon our soul's enjoyment.

Revelation 22:5 NIV

[5] There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

A night of pain and wakefulness is often a time in which God teaches His people. In the midst of active employment, the soul is not at leisure for reflection. And in the short periods devoted to retirement for prayer and meditation — the thoughts are often strangely distracted by what has gone before, or by the anticipation of coming events.

But in a night of weariness and pain, there seems to be a rest from outward things; the soul is brought to a stand before God — it must think, it must reflect, it must examine itself, and ask if all is safe for eternity — if it is in Christ, if it is prepared to die.

• Blessed result of pain, if led thereby to seek the Lord Jesus, and find rest in Him!

• Blessed result of pain, if led thereby to meditate on Heaven's eternal day of rest!

The retrospect will be clear; we will see that our path has been a safe and right one, and we will glorify our gracious God! <S191>

Psalm 107:7 NIV

[7] He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.

** Saint, three questions call for your answer:

1. What were you?

2. What are you?

3. What shall you be?

1. What were you?

• Dead in your transgressions and sins

• A rebel to your God

• A prodigal to your Father

• A slave to your lust

• The devil's captive

• Headed for hell

2. What are you?

• Redeemed by Christ

• A royal child of God

• The spouse of Christ

• The temple of the Holy Spirit

• The heir of a priceless eternal inheritance!

3. What shall you be?

• A glorious saint

• A companion of angels

• A triumphant victor

• A crowned king

• An attendant on the Lamb

• A participant in those soul-ravishing, and

• Ineffable excellencies that are in God!

You shall behold the King of Glory face to face, and enjoy immediate communion with Jesus Christ, and you shall be made one with Him:

• Clothed with His excellencies

• Enthroned with His glories, and

• Crowned with His eternity! <S181>

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

[9] However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”---the things God has prepared for those who love him

** The vessel of our soul is too capacious (roomy) to be filled with all the pleasures and delights the world put together. Our glory shall be so great, that power as well as goodness, shall be given by God Himself to renew and enlarge these vessels, that they may be capable of receiving and retaining that glory. Strength and love shall go forth together, to prepare and elevate our dispositions, that they may be suitable for such a transcendent and exalted state!

At present, we are too weak to bear such a weight of glory; therefore God will immortalize us, that we may be able to sustain it! And because our eternal joys cannot fully enter into us while in this world, we shall fully enter into them in heaven.

What fool would place only a few drops of carnal pleasures into so large a vessel as the soul; and neglect the spring, or rather the ocean of unspeakable bliss and everlasting glory!

O my soul, what a glorious day is coming! The joy of His glorious presence, the fullness of His joy, the sweetness of this fullness, the eternity of this sweetness — the heart of man can never adequately comprehend. Lord, let the glory which you have prepared for me, turn my soul from the vanities of earth. <S181>

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

[9] However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”---the things God has prepared for those who love him

Psalm 16:11 NIV

[11] You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

** Our God is a God of discipline and grace; both part of who God is, for His ultimate desire is that everyone turn to Him for forgiveness

God provided:

• A storm to stop Jonah (discipline), and

• A whale that saved him (grace) <C31>

Jonah 3:10 NIV

[10] When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

** Grace is favor shown to the undeserving and has been defined as the unmerited favor of God.

• If unmerited, then none can claim it as their inalienable right

• If grace is unearned and undeserved, then none are entitled to it

• If grace is a gift, then none can demand it

Grace is the sinner's last and only hope; if he is not saved by grace, he will never be saved at all. <P161>

1 Corinthians 15:10a NIV

[10] But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.

** What tragic spiritual losses are suffered when we follow the errant teaching that God will cast off or replace Israel <T203>

• We miss the majesty of God protecting His chosen people and their eternally covenanted homeland in our day

• We miss the mercy and grace of God towards even the most rebellious of people by recognizing it is He who has regathered His people as promised

• We miss the closeness of the Day of the Lord and do not have a reference point from which to see the day approaching

Romans 11:1-2 NIV

[1] I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah---how he appealed to God against Israel:

Romans 11:25-29 NIV

[25] I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, [26] and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. [27] And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” [28] As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, [29] for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.

** In the end, God will show compassion and stand up for Israel even though they abandoned Him over and over

Zechariah 10:6 NIV

[6] “I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.

** Even though God scattered His people throughout the world, He will bring them back to His land where they will live securely in His name

Zechariah 10:9-10,12 NIV

[9] Though I scatter them among the peoples, yet in distant lands they will remember me. They and their children will survive, and they will return. [10] I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon, and there will not be room enough for them. [12] I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will live securely, ” declares the Lord.

** To think that we can invoke the name of Jesus simply to fulfill our own passions, is to cheapen and abuse the grace of God <C397>

James 4:3 NIV

[3] When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

** The only ‘way out’ was for Jonah to PRAY and repent of his sin, allowing God to set Him on the right path

Contrary to popular opinion, it is good to hit rock bottom because it can point us to God; imagine staying in the digestive system of a fish — God had Jonah's full attention which was in a good place for him to pray and Jonah finally realized that God is in control

How awesome that God is OMNIPRESENT, always available when we need Him, so we know we can pray at any time; may prayer be our FIRST RESPONSE when we are in trouble <C31>

Jonah 2:1-4 NIV

[1] 2 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. [2] He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. [3] You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. [4] I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.'

Psalm 139:7-8 NIV

[7] Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? [8] If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

Psalm 116:2-6 NIV

[2] Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. [3] The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. [4] Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me! ” [5] The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. [6] The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.

** God’s love is ‘agape love’ which is a non-feeling self-sacrificing love for people who don’t deserve it — anything but ‘subjective love’ based on feelings <H86>

Jude 1:21 NIV

[21] keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

** Some believe there are different types of believers who will experience the Rapture and life with Christ regardless of how they live their life here on earth

For instance, apostate believers will lose all rewards, possibly lose their life early and be disciplined by God — but will not suffer God’s ultimate wrath because they MAY return to Him <H86>

I rest in the fact that God is sovereign and knows the sincerely of these early ‘believers’ and whether they will return to Him

** God exalts beggars to the status of "beloved children." He takes them into the place of nearness unto Himself. He brings them into union with His dear Son, making them "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ!" (Rom 8:17). He takes them out of the miry clay of an unregenerate state, and sets them upon the rock.

Marvelous transition and exaltation is that! Translated from the most abject condition, to the highest possible dignity!

• Shame is replaced by the highest honor;

• filthy rags are replaced by the spotless robe of righteousness,

• poverty is replaced by the unsearchable riches of Christ!

The abasement of the Son of God was necessary, in order for the advancement of vile worms of the earth.

• He who was rich had to seek out the lowest level of poverty, before we could be made rich.

• The Beloved of the Father had to be made an object of shame, before we could be raised.

• The Lord of glory must die, in order for Hell-deserving sinners to be made alive!

1 Samuel 2:8 NIV

[8] He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord's; on them he has set the world.

** The future of Jerusalem is secure

Joel 3:17,20 NIV

[17] “Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her. [20] Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations.

** Why did God permit David to fall so fearfully, and sin so grievously?

One reason may be that we might have set before our eyes the more clearly, the solemn fact that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." (Jeremiah 17:9). Unmistakably plain as the meaning of those words is, uttered by Him who cannot lie — yet how very slow we all are to really receive them at their face value, and acknowledge that they accurately describe the natural state of every human heart! But God has done more than make this bare statement: He has placed on record in His Word — illustrations, exemplifications, demonstrations of its verity--notably so in allowing us to see the unspeakable wickedness that still remained in the heart of David!

Also, the fearful fall of David made way for a display of the amazing grace of God, in recovering His fallen people. If we are slow to receive what Scripture teaches concerning the depravity of the human heart and the exceeding sinfulness of sin — we are equally slow to really believe what it reveals about the covenant-faithfulness of God, the efficacy of Christ's blood to cleanse the foulest stain from those for whom it was shed, and the super-abounding grace of Him who is "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." Had David never sinned so grievously and sunken so low — he would have never known those infinite depths of mercy which are in the heart of God!

Also, had his terrible sin, his subsequent broken-hearted confession, and his pardon by God, never been placed in the Divine record — many of God's people throughout the centuries would have sunk in abject despair.

Also, by means of David's fall, they have been preserved from falling! Thousands, from age to age by this solemn example of David's terrible sin, have been rendered more:

• Suspicious of themselves

• Watchful

• Afraid of temptation

• Dependent on the Lord

• Fervent in prayer <P161>

Psalm 51:1-2 NIV

[1] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 119:117 NIV

[117] Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

** God has to protect the perfection of Heaven and that is why WE need to be absolved from our sin in order to be with Him eternally

• This is why God cast 1/3 of the angels from heaven at creation

• This is also why He chose to send His Son to die on the cross to pave the way for us; as sinners, we would have no hope if we could not accept God’s offer of salvation

• How incredibly loving on His part and humbling on ours for the sinless God to take our punishment

• As if we are in court ready to be sentenced, God comes in to accept the sentence so we can walk free! Unbelievable!

1 Peter 2:24 NIV

[24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV

[2] For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Titus 2:11 NIV

[11] For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV

[9] For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 19:1 NIV

[1] After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God

** God cares about the poor and those in need

Psalm 140:12 NIV

[12] I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

** When we are on the Lord’s side, then He pours on us ‘grace upon grace’ <S185>

Hosea 6:3 NIV

Psalm 128:1-2 NIV

[1] Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. [2] You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

** Paul wants the best for everyone -- God's grace and peace through Jesus Christ <S185>

Romans 1:5-6 NIV

[5] Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. [6] And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

** Our loving God faithfully answers our every prayer so we can be assured of His faithful presence <H83>

• The answer is always best for us and we can move on, emboldened

• Those who rely on His loving-kindness and truth through Christ, will find Him faithful to His word

• If He spared not His Son, how shall He not give us all things?

Psalm 138:1-3 NIV

[1] I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. [2] I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. [3] When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.

Psalm 9:1-2 NIV

[1] I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. [2] I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

** Every true believer in Christ is an anointed one, receiving the oil of true grace from the Holy Spirit; our request is that God would not turn away but hear and answer petitions for His Son’s sake <H83>

Psalm 132:10 NIV

[10] For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one.

** All who worship images shall be confounded; no solid lasting comfort is to be expected anywhere but in God <H83>

Hosea 13:4-5 NIV

[4] “But I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me. [5] I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of burning heat.

** Let those who have gone from God, be converted to Him through repentance and faith; let us wrestle with Him for promised blessings <H83>

Hosea 12:6 NIV

[6] But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.

** Israel continued in rebellious sin yet God loved her and would not completely destroy her; there are consequences for sin but God continues to look for ways to save us!

Hosea 11:8-9 NIV

[8] “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. [9] I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man---the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.

** In a world that contains tragedies, we must realize that these tragedies are vastly outnumbered by blessings” <J103>

** God pardoned Hosea’s wife and she was allured back to Hosea, as God will allure Israel to back to Himself by accepting her and providing blessings

God WANTS to restore Israel, just like He wants to restore us into good relationship with Him <H87>; amazingly, God still desires to restore His relationship with those who cheat on Him!?

Hosea 2:14-15,19 NIV

[14] “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. [15] There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. [19] I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.

Zechariah 12:10 NIV

** The fear of God is the cornerstone of all blessedness. We must revere the ever-blessed God, before we can be blessed ourselves.

This is true of every one of the God-fearing, of all conditions, in all ages — each one and everyone is blessed. Their blessedness may not always be seen by carnal reason, but it is always a fact, for God Himself declares that it is so. We know that those whom He blesses, are blessed indeed.

Let us cultivate that holy filial fear of Jehovah which is the essence of all true religion; fear of:

• Reverencing God

• Dread to offend Him

• Concern to please Him, and

• Entire submission and obedience to Him

This fear of the Lord is the fountain of holy living. We look in vain for holiness apart from it. None but those who fear the Lord, will ever walk in His holy ways.

The pious life which God declares to be blessed, must be practical. It is idle to talk of fearing the Lord, if we act like those who have no care whether there is a God or not. God's ways will be our ways, if we have a sincere reverence for Him. If the heart is truly joined unto God, the feet will follow hard after Him and ‘walk in His ways’.

A man's heart will be seen in his walk, and the blessing will come where heart and walk are both with God. <S185>

Psalm 128:1 NIV

[1] Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.

** Just like the angel giving Daniel strength in his time of need, so God will give us strength when we seek Him

Daniel 10:16-18 NIV

[16] Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. [17] How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.” [18] Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.

** There are over 3000 promises in God’s word, and each one is God’s word; God has kept every promise — He never has gone back on His word — so why can we not trust Him with our daily lives? <F60>

• WHY trust God?

• Because Jesus is returning to take us to a place He has prepared for us via the Rapture

• What an awesome promise that we will be with Jesus where He is

• So if we trust Him with this huge promise, why can’t we trust Him in our daily lives?

John 14:1-3 NIV

[1] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. [2] My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

• But Jesus has not returned yet, so HOW can we maintain this trust while we wait for the trumpet sound and our departure?

• Regardless of the confusing and terrifying situation we face, we can be calmed — by trusting Him with all our heart and leaning not on our own understanding that propels us to Him

• It’s a reciprocal and conditional promise for us to trust, and He will respond

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

• Maybe the delusion we see around helps us not to lean on our previously-trusted reasoning but to trust God!?

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

** I am bound to speak well of my Physician; He treats me with great tenderness, and bids me in due time to expect a perfect cure. I know too much of Him (though I know but little) to doubt either His skill or His promise.

Though His medicines are all beneficial, they are not all pleasant. Now and then He gives me a pleasant cordial; but I have many severe disorders, in which there is a needs-be for my frequently taking His bitter and unpalatable medicines!

We sometimes see published in the newspapers, acknowledgments of cures received. If I were to publish my own case, that it would run something like this:

"I, John Newton, have long labored under a multitude of grievous disorders:

• a fever of ungoverned passions,

• a cancer of pride,

• a frenzy of wild imaginations,

• a severe lethargy, and

• a deadly stroke!

In this deplorable situation, I suffered many things from many physicians, spent every penny I had — yet only grew worse and worse!

In this condition, Jesus, the Physician of souls, found me when I sought Him not. He undertook my recovery freely, without money and without price — these are His terms with all His patients! My fever is now abated, my senses are restored, my faculties are enlivened! In a word, I am a new man! And from His ability, His promise, and the experience of what He has already done, I have the fullest assurance that He will infallibly and perfectly heal me; and that I shall live forever as a monument of His power and grace!" <N150>

1 Peter 2:24 NIV

[24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

** How I love the book of Romans, especially the 8th chapter. Here the Apostle Paul chronicles the blessings and promises of God.

Many will look at their Christian walk and ponder why things don't seem to work out as they envisioned. They grow discouraged and become listless in their daily walk with God. They wonder if God is really on their side. They fail to take hold of the promises of God, grasping it with both hands and endure what they must suffer in this life. <T201>

It’s at times like these we need to read Romans chapter 8 and remember we are His adopted children!

Romans 8:15 NIV

[15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

John 1:12-13 NIV

[12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--- [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

** The name of the city is YHWH which means “The Lord is there”; the departed glory of God (Ezek 8-11) has returned and His dwelling will be the Temple at the center of the district given over to the Lord

Ezekiel 44:1-2 NIV

[1] Then the man brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, the one facing east, and it was shut. [2] The Lord said to me, “This gate is to remain shut. It must not be opened; no one may enter through it. It is to remain shut because the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered through it.

Thus fulfills the unconditional promises that God made to Israel in the:

• Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 11)

• Levitical Covenant (Num 25)

• Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7), and

• New Covenant (Jer 31)

The final verse provides the consummation of Israel’s history — the returned presence of God! <M130>

Ezekiel 48:35 NIV

[35] “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there. ”

** The kingdom of God belongs to both Jew and Gentile; all who believe in Christ are all united to Him by His sanctifying Spirit and will share the privileges of Israelites <H83>

Ezekiel 47:21-23 NIV

[21] “You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. [22] You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. [23] In whatever tribe a foreigner resides, there you are to give them their inheritance,” declares the Sovereign Lord.

** The feet are described as beautiful because they bring good news; this notion goes against Asian culture where the feet are the ugliest and dirtiest part of the body <F60>

Bottom line: The good news is that Jesus is coming to take us out of this world just like the Israelites were taken out of captivity!

Isaiah 52:7 NIV

[7] How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Ephesians 6:15 NIV

[15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

** God outlines the tenants of salvation in the Old Testament

Ezekiel 33:14-16 NIV

[14] And if I say to a wicked person, 'You will surely die,' but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right--- [15] if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil---that person will surely live; they will not die. [16] None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.

** There is only one requirement to be saved: CALL on the Lord Jesus — believe in Him, commit your life to Him, repent of your sin, and God will save you <G72>

• Whoever trusts in Jesus Christ by believing in Him will be saved; there’s nothing complicated about God's plan of salvation

• The Bible plainly teaches that we don’t have to do any work to be saved (Eph 2:8–9)

• Calling on the name of the Lord is not an act that saves us but it is God’s grace saves us through faith; we can’t earn salvation by any means

• The grace of God is the source of our salvation; it is our faith that makes this possible. We only have to call on God in faith to receive His salvation

• From this time on, we call on the name of our Lord and Savior as long as we live (Ps 116:2)

Acts 2:21 NIV

[21] And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

Acts 16:31 NIV

[31] They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved---you and your household.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

Romans 5:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Psalm 116:2 NIV

[2] Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

** Justification by faith is what separates biblical Christianity from all other belief systems. In every religion, and in some branches of what is called “Christianity,” man is working his way to God. Only in true, biblical Christianity is man saved as a result of grace through faith. Only when we get back to the Bible do we see that justification is by faith, apart from works.

The word justified means “pronounced or treated as righteous.” For a Christian, justification is the act of God not only forgiving the believer’s sins but imputing to him the righteousness of Christ. The Bible states in several places that justification only comes through faith (e.g., Rom 5:1; Gal 3:24). Justification is not earned through our own works; rather, we are covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8; Titus 3:5). The Christian, being declared righteous, is thus freed from the guilt of sin.

Romans 5:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Galatians 3:24 NIV

[24] So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.

Ephesians 2:8 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---

Titus 3:5 NIV

[5] he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit

Justification is a completed work of God, and it is instantaneous, as opposed to sanctification, which is an ongoing process of growth by which we become more Christlike (the act of “being saved,” cf. 1 Cor 1:18; 1 Thess 5:23). Sanctification occurs after justification. <G72>

1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

[18] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV

[23] May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

** Man, for six thousand years, has tried to understand his SPIRIT, yet knows as little of it as he did at first. What is the soul of man? Whence did it come? Where does it go? He can't explain how spirit dwells with flesh — what binds the two together for a time, in perfect unity. He has never seen, as little can he feel, the links that knit them to each other. It is all within him — his flesh, his spirit, his life, his being — all the machinery of soul and body, thus closely interlaced. Yet is it as foreign to his grasp, as that which happens in another world!

Thus flesh and spirit dwell together. Who could suppose they ever would part again! Who can explain how soul and body part, or how the links of union are undone; what makes the spirit fly away, or how the flesh gives up its hold! God wills it. God does it. God does not explain why. God does not tell how. He speaks, unheard; and immediately it is done — the spirit returns to Him who made it.

Man may detain the body but he cannot keep the soul, nor say, "You shall not go!" God says, "Return to Me!" The command must be obeyed. Neither youth, nor wit, nor beauty, nor strength, nor money can delay His omnipotent hand. <M138>

Ecclesiastes 8:8 NIV

[8] As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

** In salvation, the Holy Spirit operates on the human character to produce a new heart and a new life

By this operation the affections and faculties of the man receive a new impulse, his:

• Dark understanding is illuminated

• Rebellious will is subdued

• Irregular desires are rectified

• Warped judgment is informed

• Vile imagination is chastened

• Sinful inclinations are sanctified, and

• Hopes and fears are directed to their true and adequate end

The whole internal frame and constitution receive a nobler bent, his:

• Intents and purposes of the mind acquire a sublimer aim

• Aspirations gain a loftier flight

• Vacillating desires find a fixed object

• Vagrant purposes attain a settled home

• Disappointed heart has a certain refuge

That heart, no longer the worshiper of the world, now struggles to overcome it. <M137>

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

** As we take time to ponder all that God has done and is doing for us, truly our words fail; we’re incapable of adequately expressing to God the magnificence of His indescribable gift. Prayers to God expressing adoration, petition, and thanksgiving are seen in the events surrounding Jesus’ birth as described to us by Luke in the first two chapters. <S1993> (Dec 2021)

Adoration —

Luke 1:46-47 NIV

[46] And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord [47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

Luke 2:20 NIV

[20] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Exalt means to make great, to esteem highly, to laud, and to celebrate. Mary exuberantly hallowed God’s name as she acknowledged His omnipotence, salvation, mercy, and faithfulness to keep His covenants. The depth of her adoration revealed her broad level of understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures.

Likewise, as remnant believers in these last days, studying God’s Word will deepen our understanding of His marvelous attributes. We will be strengthened to face our times of being ostracized by the world for our faith with joy and steadfast resolve.

Petition —

Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were “…both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.” (Lu 1:6). The angel Gabriel assured Zacharias that his “… petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.” (Lu 1:13). Petitions involve seeking, asking, and entreating God’s aid in some matter. This same Greek word is used of the elderly widow prophetess, Anna, who “… never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.” (Lu 2:37)

Likewise, we too, as believers in Christ, have the assurance that our petitions have been heard and that they will be answered according to God’s perfect will for us in His perfect timing.

Thanksgiving —

Luke 2:28-32 NIV

[28] Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: [29] “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. [30] For my eyes have seen your salvation, [31] which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: [32] a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

** God is our Ultimate Shepherd who not only protects us from harm but desires to lavish us with blessings

Ezekiel 34:25-26,31 NIV

[25] “ 'I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety. [26] I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. [31] You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.' ”

** In all circumstances! This comes as a surprise when one considers the vicissitudes of human life. Sickness and health, poverty and wealth, joy and sorrow — are all ingredients of the cup placed to human lips — so all must come within the scope of thanksgiving.

Why be thankful for everything? Because God causes everything to work together for good to those who love Him.

We shall have cause to be thankful for all our afflictions, if the Lord is pleased to employ them as means to make us more humble and broken-hearted, and to wean our hearts from this vain world.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

[18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4 NIV

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

** God’s discipline is to encourage His children to return to more-innocent days; restoration will be by grace, not merit

Ezekiel 16:53-55 NIV

[53] “ 'However, I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters and of Samaria and her daughters, and your fortunes along with them, [54] so that you may bear your disgrace and be ashamed of all you have done in giving them comfort. [55] And your sisters, Sodom with her daughters and Samaria with her daughters, will return to what they were before; and you and your daughters will return to what you were before.

Ezekiel 16:59-60,63 NIV

[59] “ 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant. [60] Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. [63] Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord. ' ”

** At any given time during His stay on this earth, Our Savior could have decided we weren’t worth the effort and could have left us to our own resources. That would have guaranteed that Heaven would be empty of human souls, as no one could ever make an acceptable sin sacrifice to our Heavenly Father.

As it is, even at the creation of this earth, God knew He would have to give us a gift that was far more valuable than all the riches this earth holds. One precious drop of our Savior’s blood sealed our pardon. This is for any and all who will receive and accept His gift, and Jesus shed His perfect blood as a “one-time” sacrifice for all of us.

Hebrews 10:4 NIV

[4] It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

[5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

For those pre-Calvary, His blood reached back to cover all the saints that had been faithful and in the will of God. From Calvary forward, it has covered and will cover all those who are in Christ and have a relationship with Him. <H91>

** There is only one condition when Israel will cease to be a nation — when the ordinances (sun, moon, stars, sea) cease to exist because God has established our new heaven and new earth

We are moving full circle:

• from the beginning in Genesis when we have no need for nations (Jew or Gentile) and all is perfect

• sin entered the scene and God provided a solution through His chosen people Israel to deal with sin and a lineage for the Messiah Jesus

• to eventually the end in Revelation when there is no need for nations (Jew or Gentile) and we are back to perfection; God will rule in a new heaven and new earth <T203>

Jeremiah 31:35-36 NIV

[35] This is what the Lord says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar---the Lord Almighty is his name: [36] “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the Lord, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.”

Revelation 21:22-26 NIV

[22] I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. [23] The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. [24] The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. [25] On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. [26] The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

** Followers of Christ can access His strength to overcome anything this world throws at them

Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

** The God of the Bible is the God of the broken-hearted.

The world cares little for the broken hearts. Indeed, people oftentimes break hearts by their cruelty, their falseness, their injustice, their coldness, and then move on as heedlessly as if they had trodden only on a worm! But God cares. Broken-heartedness attracts Him. The plaint of grief on earth, draws Him down from heaven.

Physicians in their rounds do not stop at the homes of the well, but of the sick. So it is with God in His movements through this world. It is not to the whole and the well — but to the wounded and stricken, that He comes with sweetest tenderness! Jesus said of His mission: "He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted." (Isa 61:1)

We look upon trouble as misfortune. We say that life is being destroyed, which is passing through adversity. But the truth which we find in the Bible, does not so represent suffering. God is a repairer and restorer of the hurt and ruined life. He takes the bruised reed, and by His gentle skill makes it whole again, until it grows into fairest beauty. The love, pity, and grace of God, minister sweet blessing of comfort and healing to restore the broken and wounded hearts of His people.

Much of the most beautiful life in this world, comes out of sorrow. As "fair flowers bloom upon rough stalks," so many of the fairest flowers of human life grow upon the rough stalks of suffering. We see that those who in heaven wear the whitest robes, and sing the loudest songs of victory — are those who have come out of great tribulation. Heaven's highest places are filling, not from earth's homes of glad festivity and tearless joy but from its chambers of pain; its valleys of struggle where the battle is hard; and its scenes of sorrow, where pale cheeks are wet with tears, and where hearts are broken. The God of the Bible is the God of the bowed down, whom He lifts up into His strength.

God is the God of those who fail. Not that He loves those who stumble and fall, better than those who walk erect without stumbling; but He helps them more. The weak believers get more of His grace, than those who are strong believers. There is a special divine promise which says, "My divine power is made perfect in weakness." When we are conscious of our own insufficiency, then we are ready to receive of the divine sufficiency. Thus our very weakness is an element of strength. Our weakness is an empty cup, which God fills with His own strength.

You may think that your weakness unfits you for noble, strong, beautiful living, or for sweet, gentle, helpful serving. You wish you could get clear of it. It seems to burden you — an ugly spiritual deformity. But really it is something which, if you give it to Christ, He can transform into a blessing, a source of His power. The friend by your side, whom you envy because he seems so much stronger than you are — does not get so much of Christ's strength as you do. You are weaker than him, but your weakness draws to you divine power and makes you strong. <M136>

Psalm 147:3 NIV

[3] He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 34:18 NIV

[18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Isaiah 61:1 NIV

[1] The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners

** God continues to give His servants strength to accomplish His tasks; the picture of the Holy Spirit helping Ezekiel to his feet is a beautiful visual to reminder how God understands and will provide exactly what we need! <M130>

Ezekiel 2:1-2 NIV

[1] He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you. ” [2] As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

Ezekiel 11:5 NIV

[5] Then the Spirit of the Lord came on me, and he told me to say: “This is what the Lord says: That is what you are saying, you leaders in Israel, but I know what is going through your mind.

Ezekiel 37:1 NIV

[1] The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.

Numbers 24:2 NIV

[2] When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him

Judges 6:34 NIV

[34] Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.

Luke 4:16-19 NIV

[16] He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, [17] and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: [18] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

** A true Bible-based perspective of our future beyond this life in order to understand our journey through it. Without such a Scripture-based forward look to the paradise that awaits us, we often err by making this life our destination and eternity but an afterthought.

For those of us securely in Christ, our future millennial reign with Him provides a context into which we can place personal tragedies and other experiences during our short-lived journey this side of eternity.

The Bible gives a picture of eternity that breathes hope into our lives and brings peace amid the turmoil of this life. As the collision of this world with the seven-year Tribulation looms ever so close, it’s essential that we focus on Jesus’ imminent appearing. <B26>

Revelation 21:4 NIV

[4] 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

** God set Israel apart to demonstrate His power, to reveal His love/character and to provide current-day believers timely perspective, especially regarding the impending final days

Israel is the object of God’s temporary discipline but also a remnant of God’s race that become believers by the end of the Tribulation period; God miraculously preserved His people for 2700 years to fulfill prophecy, even after they were dispersed among 130 nations and Israel was destroyed in 70AD <R171>

Ezekiel 5:5 NIV [Jerusalem is center of all nations]

[5] “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.

Ezekiel 16:32 NIV [Israel portrayed as God’s wayward wife]

[32] “ 'You adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband!

Zechariah 2:8 NIV [Israel is apple of God’s eye]

[8] For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you — for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye

Zechariah 2:12 NIV [Israel’s land is holy]

[12] The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.

** God let Israel know He would punish her for her wicked ways but He would not abandon her, like Replacement Theologists want us to believe

Ezekiel 5:8,13 NIV

[8] “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself am against you, Jerusalem, and I will inflict punishment on you in the sight of the nations. [13] “Then my anger will cease and my wrath against them will subside, and I will be avenged. And when I have spent my wrath on them, they will know that I the Lord have spoken in my zeal.

** Sin tarnishes the beauty of the most exalted powers and the most excellent gifts; beholding the consequences of sin in the church of old, let us seriously consider to what the same causes may justly bring down the church now — may God come to us, bless us with awakening, converting, renewing, confirming grace <H83>

Lamentations 4:12-13,16 NIV

[12] The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the peoples of the world, that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem. [13] But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous. [16] The Lord himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor.

2 Corinthians 4:4-7 NIV

[4] The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [5] For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. [7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

** Behold the creeping worm, for its:

• Bred in corruption

• Crawls on the ground

• Food is the coarsest fare

But in time, it undergoes its wonderful metamorphosis. The wriggling caterpillar becomes a winged and painted butterfly! And at this change, along with its old skin, it casts off its old habits and instincts.

Now, it has a will as well as wings to fly. Now its:

• Bed is the bosom of a flower

• Food is the honeyed nectar

• Home is the sunny air

• New instincts animate its frame

The change within, corresponds to the change without. It now spurns the ground and — as you may gather from its merry, mazy dance — the creature is happy and delights in the new duties which it is called to perform.

Just so it is in that change which grace works in sinners! Their nature is now so accommodated to their:

• Redeemed state

• Wishes are so fitted to their wants

• Hopes are so fitted to their prospects

• Aspirations are so fitted to their honors,

• Will is so fitted to their work —

that they would be less content to return to their old polluted pleasures — than the beautiful butterfly would desire to be stripped of its silken wings, and condemned to pass its days amid the old, foul garbage, its former food! <G75>

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Romans 7:6 NIV

[6] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

** How is Christianity different from all other man-made religions?

• Being a Christian offers the only hope for the believer that after we die, we gain what we can only imagine in this life

• It's not like the Muslim who fears a non-existent god whose only call is for them to die a martyr for “allah”

• It’s not like the Buddhist who believes in a long dead philosopher that is only good for this life and attempts to live a morally clean life

• For the Christian, to die is to gain....it is everything! <T201>

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

[9] However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”---the things God has prepared for those who love him—

** It is important to understand the elements and structure of the Lord’s Prayer <M130>

Our Father = God as Source

• Addressing God as Father indicates a personal intimate relationship with the One who has authority over us

• The Jews had a hard time with this and immediately followed it by recognizing His majesty

Hallowed = God as Sacred

• He is holy

• Our prayer should be about recognizing the holiness of God and giving Him the glory

Your kingdom come = God as Sovereign

• Ask God to build His church

• One saved soul at a time

Give us each day = God as Supplier

• Not asking God to make us rich

• Ask for sustenance so we can continue to proclaim His name

Forgive our sins = God as Savior

• Sin is a violation of God’s law that deserves punishment

• God will show the power of forgiveness when we forgive others

Lead us not into temptation = God as Security

• God does not tempt anyone but offers ways of escape

• Ask God to protect us that can lead us into trouble

Matthew 6:9-13 NIV

[9] “This, then, is how you should pray: “ 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us today our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. '

John 14:13-14 NIV

[13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

** In the morning the thief was OUT of Christ:

• far from God and far from righteousness,

• the helpless captive of sin,

• the child of despair and death.

At noon the thief was IN Christ:

• remembered graciously by the Savior of the lost,

• redeemed with an everlasting redemption,

• endowed with the new heart,

• and freely and perfectly justified.

In the evening the thief was WITH Christ:

• gazing on the glories of paradise,

• safe at home with his good Shepherd and adorable Redeemer.

What a crowded and memorable day this was in his history! So much was pressed into these few hours. Such a glorious and unprecedented transition they brought, from the cruel cross — to Heaven's glory! <S182>

Luke 23:42-43 NIV

[42] Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” [43] Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

** Those who expect comforts and forgiveness from God must call upon Him; in turn, God may choose to provide and promises to graciously forgive those who committed sin against Him <H83>

Jeremiah 33:6-8 NIV

[6] “ 'Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. [7] I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. [8] I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me.

** Can you fathom what the verses in Romans 8 mean? It is almost too glorious to ponder and beyond our immediate comprehension of its full implications. It is a infinite promise of future glory of those found in Christ.

Romans 8:17 says we will be “joint heirs” of our Savior Jesus Christ. Heirs of what? Simple answer is that all that He is in spiritual nature, in His glory, in the ability of our mind to comprehend as we will have the mind of Christ (1st Corinthians 2:16), and in the inheritance that He, our Savior has, we will be given the same inheritance. For a lack of a better illustration, we will be adopted into the family of YAHWEH, Jehovah, God Almighty, God the Father. Jesus will be our “Big Brother” if we can even call Him that. He is our King, but He is our elder brother in a family type relationship. We will be adopted because Jesus will bring us into the family at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, when we are joined to Him, our bethrothed, our Groom spiritually, as a groom takes his wife and they become one.

I can't EVEN imagine it...my mind cannot wrap around such glory. Our God and our Savior will be the source of all of our glory and power upon this earth during a time when the earth is restored to its former glory as during the Garden of Eden. It will be a perfect environment with no war, no inclement weather, no disease, and no tempter of the nations. Satan will be given his Sabbath rest of 1000 years from being the source of all temptation and lies. But note, even though we will be on this earth during the Millennium, this planet is NOT our home, till God creates a New Heaven and new earth. Jesus told us where our home is and it's in 3rd heaven with our God and Father. <T201>

Romans 8:17-19 NIV

[17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. [18] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. [19] For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

** The peace that Jesus brought was a peace between us and God, not peace between each other <H86>

Matthew 10:21-23 NIV

[21] “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. [22] You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. [23] When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Matthew 24:9 NIV

[9] “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

** God knows that Israel will come back to Him AFTER He regathers them in their land and gives them life; the Tribulation, ultimately, is for the purpose of saving the Jewish nation — a nation that has already gathered from the ends of the earth

This is the Old Testament version of God’s grace; He knows that Israel cannot keep the law of Moses yet blesses them and gives them their land after He disciplined them, revealing God’s love and glory <R176>

Jeremiah 29:10-14 NIV

[10] This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. [11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [12] Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. [14] I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Ezekiel 37:1-7 NIV

[1] The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. [2] He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. [3] He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know. ” [4] Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! [5] This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. [6] I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord. ' ” [7] So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.

Ezekiel 37:11-14 NIV

[11] Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' [12] Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. [13] Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. [14] I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord. ' ”

Ezekiel 20:41-44 NIV

[41] I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will be proved holy through you in the sight of the nations. [42] Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to give to your ancestors. [43] There you will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done. [44] You will know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name's sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord. ' ”

** Even before the creation of our reality, before the age of men and angels, a sovereign God looked down through the passageway of time and determined to Himself, the why and how to perfectly orchestrate the plan of redemption for mankind.

Thus, the universe in its totality, mankind’s shared history, the ever-persistent now, and the unknown future, are all equally foreknown to God. Nothing is hidden from Him. He is perfectly in control. He is perfectly in command of every molecule that floats through our existence. He knows every star by name. He knows the goings-on of every sparrow. He knows how many hairs we have on our heads. He knows the number of every hair of every head that has ever lived. He upholds the foundations of reality by His sheer willpower, without exhausting an ounce of effort. Nothing escapes His knowledge. No power, ruler, authority, prince, king, angel, demon, or ‘titan of industry,’ can bring anything to pass without His permission.

Even more incredible, is that God knows all this while still allowing free will.

He orchestrates events such that His word never returns void. What He has foreordained, will come to pass, even with men and angels acting after their own desires. The only thing I am aware of that God forgets is our sins when we come to Him for forgiveness. At that point, He casts our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). He is all-knowing, yet, even knowing the worst of us, has chosen us for Himself while we were still enemies of the Cross (Rom. 5:8-10). We are not only chosen but become living stones precious to God (1 Peter 2:3-5). Lewis Sperry Chafer once said anyone can devise a plan by which good people may go to Heaven. Only God can devise a plan whereby sinners, who are His enemies, can go to Heaven.

Such is the greatness, perfectness, and unfathomable depths of our God’s mercy, sovereignty, justice, grace, holiness, wrath, and love. We (as a human race) know more about the seemingly infinite characteristics of outer space than we do about God. We only even know who God is, by what Scripture states, and yet, even words on paper cannot do justice to who God really is. As holy as some of us think we are, what would it be like to be in His presence? Most of us would consider the prophet Isaiah to be a very holy man, and yet, all he could muster was woe is me, for I am undone! I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. (Isaiah 6:5)

Most of us would consider the Apostles (minus Judas) to be godly men. The Apostle John, having personally known Jesus, the Incarnate God, and even having been an eyewitness to Him glorified both in the Transfiguration (Matthew 17) as well as His post-Calvary appearances (John 20-21), fell as dead when seeing Christ in His true form (Revelation 1:17). Needless to say, our knowledge of Him, and even our personal encounters with the Holy Spirit, cannot fully prepare us for what lies ahead.

As far as man has advanced in knowledge, in every academic and technological arena we have at our disposal, we still cannot fathom the unsearchable riches of His grace. As the Apostle Paul recorded, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). It is simply too much for finite man, to fully wrap our minds around an infinite God. <G70>

Romans 5:8-10 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! [10] For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

** Paul reminds us that those who believe on Christ, should live a risen life.

We live on the earth at present. We walk on earth's streets. We live in material houses, built of stones, bricks, or wood. We eat earth's fruits, gathering our food from earth's fields, orchards and gardens. We wear clothes woven of earthly fabrics. We adorn our homes with works of art that human hands make. We engage in the business of earth. We find our happiness in the things of this life.

But there will be a life after this! We call it Heaven. We cannot see it; there is never a rift in the sky, through which we can get even a glimpse of it. We have in the Scriptures hints of its beauty, its happiness, its blessedness. We know it is a world without sorrow, without sin, without death. Paul's teaching is that the Christian, while living on the earth, ought to begin to live this heavenly life.

One day a friend sent me a splendid butterfly, artistically mounted, known as the Lima Moth. This little creature is said to be the most beautiful of North American insects. Its color is light green with variegated spots. In its caterpillar state, it was only a worm. It died and entered its other or higher state, as we would say — and then the worm became a splendid butterfly!

This illustrates the two stages of a Christian's life. Here we are in our earthly state; after this will come the heavenly condition. "The things that are above" belong to this higher, spiritual life. But the Christian is exhorted to seek these higher things, while living in this lower world. We belong to Heaven, although we are not yet living in Heaven.

Paul presents the same truth in another form, when he says, "Our citizenship is in Heaven." Though we are in this earthly world, we do not belong here. We are only strangers and pilgrims. <M136>

Hebrews 11:13 NIV

[13] All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.

Colossians 3:1-2 NIV

[1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

1 Peter 2:11 NIV

[11] Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

** Jeremiah was commissioned to serve with confidence; God would provide all power and promised to be with him to the end as he carried out God’s plan

Jeremiah 1:9-10 NIV

[9] Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. [10] See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Are we moving ahead with our commission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth in God’s power and assured by His love for us? It doesn't matter what others think but it does matter whether we obey and carry out God's plan, always leaving the results to God

Jeremiah 1:17-19 NIV

[17] “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. [18] Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land---against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. [19] They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Romans 8:26-28 NIV

[26] In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:35-39 NIV

[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

** The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He is mighty to comfort as well as to sanctify. His name is "the Comforter." His office is to console.

In the discharge of this office He puts forth His power, not only mediately and indirectly through the Word, but immediately and directly upon the soul, sustaining and strengthening it when fainting and troubled.

It is an unspeakable consolation to know that there is a hand, a divine and omnipotent hand,

laid upon our wounded spirit — not only upholding it, but drying up, as it were, the very springs of grief within.

In the day of oppressive sorrow, when bowed down to the dust, what is it that we feel so much our need of, as a hand that can come into close and direct contact with our souls to lift them up and strengthen them?

It is here that human consolation fails. Friends can say much to soothe us, but they cannot lay their finger upon the hidden seat of sorrow. They can put their arm around the fainting body, but not around the fainting spirit.

Here the heavenly aid comes in! The Spirit throws around us the everlasting arms, and we are invincibly upheld. We cannot sink, for He sustains, He comforts, He cheers. And who knows so well as He how to sustain, comfort, and cheer? <B21>

** The Israelites were under captivity in Babylon after Jerusalem’s destruction and Jeremiah penned God’s love letter to them

• God told His people to take heart

• He not only knew where each one of His children was and what they were going through, but He let them know He was using their circumstance so they could grow in order to obtain an ultimate hope and a future

• This is the same hope and future God has for us when we trust Him through our present difficult circumstances!

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

[11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 24:5-7 NIV

[5] “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians. [6] My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. [7] I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

Acts 2:23 NIV

[23] This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

Acts 4:27-28 NIV

[27] Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. [28] They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

Psalm 119:71 NIV

[71] It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

** Believers are separated from the world by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit calls them out from the world, and separates them as effectually as if a wall were built between them and it. He puts in them...

• new hearts,

• new minds,

• new tastes,

• new desires,

• new sorrows,

• new joys,

• new wishes,

• new pleasures,

• new longings.

He gives them...

• new eyes,

• new ears,

• new affections,

• new opinions.

He makes them new creatures. They are born again--and with a new birth they begin a new existence. Mighty indeed is the transforming power of the Spirit! <R170>

Romans 1:7 NIV

[7] To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

** There is hope for the poor, broken-hearted, captive, mourner, and all who are spiritually depressed, both today and in their future

• Those who are depressed have hope when they accept God’s comforting offer of salvation and rely on Him through their circumstances

• The believer’s ultimate hope will be when Christ returns to end evil!

• The Servant of the Lord will be the ultimate Preacher and Redeemer of Israel

• In the meantime, the Jews who were saved during Christ’s ministry and those being saved during this present Church Age do not fulfill the promise of salvation for Israel, for that is still to come in the end time <M130>

Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV

[1] The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [2] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, [3] and provide for those who grieve in Zion---to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Luke 4:16-21 NIV

[16] [Jesus] went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, [17] and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: [18] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” [20] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Zechariah 12:10 NIV-Zechariah 13:1 NIV

[10] “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. [1] “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

Romans 11:25-27 NIV

Isaiah 61:6-7 NIV

[6] And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. [7] Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

** On account of her persistent backsliding, God had "sent away” Israel, Judah's sister, and had given her a certificate of divorce. But He had not repudiated Judah, and her children were wrong to suppose themselves altogether cast off.

They had, in fact, by their transgressions (especially their idolatries) wilfully divorced themselves or separated themselves from God; but no sentence had gone forth from him to bar reconciliation and return. The separation, such as it was, between God and his people was caused by their sins and not by any act of His. <B20>

Isaiah 50:1 NIV

[1] This is what the Lord says: “Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.

Isaiah 3:8 NIV

[8] Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.

Isaiah 49:14 NIV

[14] But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”

** The prophet Hosea was instructed by God to marry an adulterous wife as an example to others; the restoration of Gomer by Hosea was a picture of God taking back His wicked, adulterous people <M130>

Jeremiah 3:1 NIV

[1] “If a man divorces his wife

and she leaves him and marries another man, should he return to her again? Would not the land be completely defiled? But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers---would you now return to me?” declares the Lord.

Hosea 1:2 NIV

Jeremiah 3:12-13 NIV

[12] Go, proclaim this message toward the north: “ 'Return, faithless Israel,' declares the Lord, 'I will frown on you no longer, for I am faithful,' declares the Lord, 'I will not be angry forever. [13] Only acknowledge your guilt---you have rebelled against the Lord your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me,' ” declares the Lord.

** God pictured His covenant relationship with Israel as a marriage and pleaded with mercy for Judah to repent and return, for He will take her back; God will restore if we will repent!

Jeremiah 3:20,22-23 NIV

[20] But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me,” declares the Lord. [22] “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.” “Yes, we will come to you, for you are the Lord our God. [23] Surely the idolatrous commotion on the hills and mountains is a deception; surely in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.

Jeremiah 3:14 NIV

[14] “Return, faithless people,” declares the Lord, “for I am your husband. I will choose you---one from a town and two from a clan---and bring you to Zion.

Jeremiah 3:12-13 NIV

** God promises to never put to shame and always stand beside His children Israel into eternity

Isaiah 45:17 NIV

[17] But Israel will be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting.

** We belong to God and will identify as such

Isaiah 44:5 NIV

[5] Some will say, 'I belong to the Lord'; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, 'The Lord's,' and will take the name Israel.

Isaiah 44:21 NIV

[21] “Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you.

** People looked at Jesus on the cross and pitied Him because they believed He was being punished with thieves; on the contrary, WE would be the ones punished if it wasn’t for Jesus being on the cross and Jesus' love for us led Him to endure all these things!

Note: Pentecostals believe Christ on the cross dealt with sin that includes disease; healing and salvation come together today via the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV

[4] Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:9 NIV

[9] He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

1 Peter 2:21-25 NIV

[21] To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. [22] “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” [23] When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. [24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” [25] For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

** We are born for higher things than this poor world can afford us.

We know by sad experience what pain and sorrow mean; and frequent are the occasions on which tears flow down our cheeks. Death too, that king of terrors, warns us of the pains which we shall speedily endure in our conflicts with him.

This whole world is little else than a valley of tears. At best it is a chequered scene, and sorrows are continually intermingled with our joys.

But in Heaven there will be no more pain, or sorrow, or crying; our happiness will be uninterrupted and without mixture.

Nor will there be any termination of our Heavenly bliss; for "there will be no more death." Whatever tears bedewed our cheeks in our departing hours, they will all be wiped away by God Himself; who will, from the instant of our entrance into His presence, seat us on His throne, put an unfading crown of glory upon our head, and invest us with all the glory and felicity of His kingdom.

When joy and gladness have thus taken possession of our souls, not only will sorrow and sighing flee away--but all occasion for them, all scope for the exercise of them, will vanish forever!

The crowning jewel of that blissful state is that the Lord Jesus Christ, in all the glory of His person, and in all the wonders of His love, will be made clear to us as the sun at noon-day.

1 John 3:2 NIV

[2] Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

O that we were able to speak of it as we ought! But we feel the subject far too great for our feeble grasp . <S179>

Revelation 21:4 NIV

[4] 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Philippians 3:20-21 NIV

[20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

** We are to look to God and trust in His name; those who do not trust in God but in their own devices will suffer torment in the end

Isaiah 50:10-11 NIV

[10] Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God. [11] But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.

** Our integrity and virtue are the result of the divine upholding. We would fall, and blunder and spoil all — if left to ourselves. The Lord should be praised every day, if we are preserved from gross sin. When others sin, they show us what we would do but for the preserving grace of God. <S185>

Isaiah 41:10,13 NIV

[10] So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. [13] For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Psalm 119:117 NIV

[117] Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

Psalm 94:18 NIV

[18] When I said, “My foot is slipping, ” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.

** Worldly men imagine that there is true excellency and true happiness in those things which they are pursuing. They think that if they could obtain them, that they would be happy. But when they obtain them, and cannot find happiness — then they look for happiness in something else, and are still upon the futile pursuit.

There is a transcendent glory, and an ineffable sweetness in Christ.

• Jesus Christ has true excellency, and so great an excellency that when you come to truly see Him, you look no further, but your mind rests there.

You see that you had been pursuing shadows, but now you have found the substance.

• You realize that you had been seeking happiness in the stream, but now you have found the ocean!

The excellency of Christ is an object adequate to the natural cravings of the soul, and is sufficient to fill its capacity.

• Christ has an infinite excellency, such as the mind desires, in which it can find no bounds.

• The more the mind contemplates Him, the more excellent does He appear. <E55>

** Israel and followers of Christ have a great future hope in a new creation, for the Lord will rescue us out of the darkness and He will be glorified!

Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV

[1] “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. [2] See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. [3] Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Isaiah 60:4-6 NIV

[4] “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. [5] Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. [6] Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.

Isaiah 60:9 NIV

[9] Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.

** Hezekiah did not ask God to extend his life yet God blessed him with 15 added peaceful years and he praised God for it; Hezekiah was probably most concerned that God was angry with him and he wanted assurances

Isaiah 38:1-6 NIV

[1] In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” [2] Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, [3] “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes. ” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. [4] Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: [5] “Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. [6] And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.

Isaiah 38:14-16,18-19 NIV

[14] I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!” [15] But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul. [16] Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. [18] For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. [19] The living, the living---they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness.

** Tears have a voice. God has an eye upon a man's tears, as well as upon his prayers. Penitent tears are divine ambassadors, which never return from the throne of grace without answers of grace.

Peter said nothing, but went out and wept bitterly — and obtained mercy. Tears are a kind of silent prayers, which will at last prevail for mercy. A sinner's face never shines so beautiful, as when it is bedewed with penitential tears. <B24>

Isaiah 38:5 NIV

[5] “Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.

Psalm 6:8 NIV

[8] Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.

** Isaiah again conveys warnings to those who think they have the upper hand; the Lord will respond and save Zion in His good time; His people are to continue to seek Him every morning in the meantime even when God’s timing may not make sense

Isaiah 33:1 NIV

[1] Woe to you, destroyer,

you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, betrayer, you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed.

Isaiah 33:2 NIV

[2] Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

Isaiah 33:20-22 NIV

[20] Look on Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken. [21] There the Lord will be our Mighty One. It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams. No galley with oars will ride them, no mighty ship will sail them. [22] For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.

** It is through FAITH that God can save us by grace

Ephesians 2:8 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---

** Believer! What can better support and sustain you amid the trials of your pilgrimage, than the thought that you have an Omnipotent arm to lean upon? The God with whom you have to do, is boundless in His resources!

There is no:

• Crossing His designs

• Thwarting His purposes

• Questioning His counsels

His mandate is law! "He speaks and it is done!" Your need is great. From the humblest crumb of providential goodness, up to the richest blessing of Divine grace — you are hanging from moment to moment, as a poor pensioner on Jehovah's bounty! <M129>

Revelation 19:6 NIV

[6] Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Philippians 4:19 NIV

[19] And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

** The Bible clearly states that, as the end times draw closer, things will go from bad to worse. In fact, things will get so bad that Christ Himself has to return to make things right. Humans can’t do it, no matter how well-intentioned.

My hope is not in D.C.

My hope is in Christ.

As should yours be.

My freedoms may dwindle.

However, my freedom is in Christ.

Let’s get our priorities realigned and realize political alliances are not with the Democrats or the Republicans. We are Monarchists with an allegiance to Christ the King. He will come back and fix all this; do not plant roots in this life for our home is a heavenly one. Our reality is an eternal reality.

Therefore, don’t let this world ruin your thinking or your attitude. Don’t worry that the world is increasingly shutting us out of the public arena. Jesus tells us that even though we have little strength, the door will remain open (Rev. 3:8-10). Satan knows he can’t steal our salvation, but he loves to crush our hope and spirit. He loves to cause us to be depressed, angry, or anxious. Don’t let him. Ephesians 6 gives us the tools to fight the fiery darts of the enemy. The days may turn sour in the here and now, but just remember we have far better days ahead. <G70> (Feb 2021)

Philippians 3:17-21 NIV

[17] Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. [18] For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV

[16] Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

** God will have the soul truly sensible of the bitterness of sin, before it shall taste the sweetness of mercy. The plough of conviction must go deep, and make deep furrows in the heart, before God will sow the precious seed of grace there so that it may have depth of earth to grow in.

This is the unchangeable method of God in bestowing grace — to begin with conviction of sin.

• First to show man his sin then his Savior;

• first his danger then his Redeemer;

• first his wound then his cure;

• first his own vileness then Christ's righteousness.

The sinner must see the worthlessness and vileness of his own righteousness, before he can be saved by Christ's righteousness. The Israelites are first stung with the fiery serpents and then the brazen serpent is set up to heal them.

We must see the leprosy of our righteousness and be brought to cry out, "Unclean, unclean!" We must mourn for Him whom we have pierced and then He sets open for us "a fountain to cleanse us from all sin and impurity." Zechariah 12:10, 13:1.

Be convinced of the evil of sin — the filthy and heinous nature of it. Sin is the greatest evil in the world:

• it wrongs God;

• it wounds Christ;

• it grieves the Holy Spirit;

• it damns a precious soul.

All other evils cannot be compared with this. Though to DO sin is the worst work, yet to SEE sin is the best sight! Sin discovered in its vileness makes Christ to be desired in His fullness!

Alas! it is Christ's infinite righteousness which must atone for our sins — for it is an infinite God whom we have sinned against!

• If ever your sin is pardoned — it is Christ's infinite mercy which must pardon it!

• If ever you are reconciled to God — it is Christ's infinite merit which must do it!

• If ever your heart is changed — it is Christ's infinite power which must effect it!

• If ever your soul escapes Hell and is saved at last — it is Christ's infinite grace which must save it! <M133>

Luke 5:32 NIV

[32] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 19:10 NIV

[10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Zechariah 12:10 NIV

Zechariah 13:1 NIV

[1] “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

** The righteous anxiously yearn to reside with the Lord and experience leveled paths as they wait in this life

• Not even death can thwart God’s purposes

• Isaiah looked ahead and saw a day when salvation’s song will be sung in Jerusalem, even though his own day was wrought with longing unfulfilled <R1795>

Isaiah 26:7-9 NIV

[7] The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth. [8] Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. [9] My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.

Isaiah 26:12 NIV

[12] Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

** The omnipresence of God! How baffling to any finite comprehension! To think that above us, and around us, and within us — there is Deity — the invisible footprints of an Omniscient, Omnipresent One!

"His Eyes are in every place!" On rolling planets and tiny atoms; on the bright seraph and the lowly worm; roaming in searching scrutiny through the tracks of immensity and reading the dark and hidden page of my heart! "All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do!"

Jesus! Your perpetual and all-pervading presence turns darkness into day! I am not left un-befriended to weather the storms of life — Your hand is from hour to hour piloting my frail vessel. The omnipresence of God, a gracious antidote to every earthly sorrow! <M129>

Psalm 139:7 NIV

[7] Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

Psalm 119:170 NIV

[170] May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.

Psalm 4:8 NIV

[8] In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

** "MY JEWELS!" Of what favored creatures does Jehovah thus speak? Is it of seraphs? Is it of angels? Methinks, at such a title, even they would take the dust of abasement, and veiling their faces, cry, "Unclean! unclean!"

But, marvel of marvels! It is redeemed sinners of the earth — once crude, unshapely stones, lying in "the horrible pit and the miry clay," amid the rubbish of corruption — who are thus sought out by divine grace, purchased by divine love, destined through eternity to be set as jewels in the crown of the eternal God!

A jewel in Immanuel's crown! Not only raised from the ash-heap to be set among princes; but to gem through eternity — the forehead that for me, was once wreathed with thorns. <M129> What a comfort to know this is our future!

Malachi 3:17 KJV

[17] And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Malachi 3:17 NIV

[17] “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.

Psalm 4:8 NIV

[8] In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

** Grace is no scanty thing, doled out in pittances. It is a glorious treasury, which the key of prayer can always unlock — but can never empty! It is a fountain full, flowing, ever flowing, over flowing!

Mark these three ALL'S in this precious promise. It is a three-fold link in a golden chain, let down from the throne of grace, by the God of grace. "All grace!" "all-sufficiency!" in "all things!" and these to "abound." <M129>

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

[8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

** The best way to fight Satan (who can only try to trick and mislead us) is to trust in God and follow His Word; all aspects of the armor of God rely on God’s Word that opposes the values of the Babylonian system and counteracts Satan’s agenda, for the truth in God’s Word offsets the lies coming from Satan!

The Babylonians wanted unity at all costs WITHOUT the truth which is the mantra today; valuing individual accomplishment/ability is replaced by unity and opportunity of outcome where everyone receives the same; this in anti-Scriptural where Jesus talks about different individual abilities and outcomes via the parable of the minas

Followers of Christ don’t need to buy into the peace and security advocated by the world (such WEF, WHO, UN etc) — we have genuine peace through Christ our Lord! <H86>

Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Genesis 11:4 NIV

[4] Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Luke 19:12-22 NIV

[12] He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. [13] So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' [14] “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' [15] “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. [16] “The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' [17] “ 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' [18] “The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' [19] “His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' [20] “Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. [21] I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' [22] “His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow?

** Israel will be delivered from Babylonian captivity

• Israel’s release is outlined in Isa 14:1-13

• Even the inhabitants of the earth (Sheol) will be happy about the conquering of Babylon

• We see Europe setting itself up as the new Babylon being anti-God, moving toward one currency, open borders, etc (Oct 2025)

Isaiah 14:3-4 NIV

[3] On the day the Lord gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you, [4] you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended!

Isaiah 14:9 NIV

[9] The realm of the dead below is all astir to meet you at your coming; it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you---all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise from their thrones---all those who were kings over the nations.

** God is not ‘done’ with Israel or bringing in the Gentiles; the gifts and call of God are irrevocable!

Romans 11:1-2 NIV

Romans 11:25-29 NIV

** Jesus was resurrected on the third day after Passover, on Sunday, the 17th day of Nisan, in the year AD 33. This monumental event is referred to as Resurrection Sunday.

1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV

[20] But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Matthew 27:52-53 NIV

[52] and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. [53] They came out of the tombs after Jesus' resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

Jesus also resurrected others from death during this time. Although there have been several resurrections of dead people before Jesus, they all died again. Jesus is the only one that has been raised from the dead and is living now in heaven with a resurrected body that is made for eternity. He is the first of his kind in this regard with many more to follow Him in the near future.

By resurrecting many of the Old Testament saints on this Feast of Firstfruits, Christ proved that His power over death was not limited to Himself alone. Many ancient Christian writers refer to this miraculous resurrection of the dead. This event, together with more than five hundred eyewitnesses to the risen Christ, assisted in the rapid spread of the Christian faith… as per 1 Corinthians 15:4-6. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Feast of Firstfruits. <N154>

1 Corinthians 15:4-6 NIV

[4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. [6] After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

** Believers in Christ can experience power over death because Jesus already died and conquered death; as a result, we are guaranteed eternity with Him in heaven

• We die to ourselves and live with Jesus = relationship

• We will never have to worry about death again

• We will not only have victory over death but all tears, sickness, and anything that is a consequence of sin <C31>

Romans 6:8-9 NIV

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. [9] For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.

Revelation 21:3-5 NIV

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” [5] He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

** Law and grace are antithetical terms. Consider a few contrasts between them:

• The Law manifests what is in man — sin.

Grace manifests what is in God — love & mercy.

• The Law speaks of what man must do for God.

Grace tells of what Christ has done for men.

• The Law demands righteousness from men.

Grace brings righteousness from God to men.

• The Law brings God's justice to men.

Grace brings men to God's mercy.

• The Law sentences a living man to death.

Grace brings a dead man to life.

• The Law never had a missionary.

The Gospel is to be preached to every creature.

• The Law makes known the will of God.

Grace reveals the heart of God.

Grace is the sinner's only hope. Unless we are saved by grace, we can never be saved at all. <P161>

John 1:17 NIV

[17] For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:14 NIV

[14] For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

** GRACE is God's free and unmerited favor shown to guilty sinners who deserve only judgment. It's the love of God shown to the unlovely. It is God reaching downward to people who are in rebellion against Him.

Christian! Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace.

And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace. <B304>

** There are three requirements to our proper enjoyment of every earthly blessing which God bestows on us:

1. A thankful reflection on the goodness of the Giver.

2. A deep sense of the unworthiness of the receiver.

3. A sober recollection of the precarious tenure by which we hold it.

The first would make us grateful, the second humble, the last moderate. <M137>

James 1:17 NIV

[17] Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

** God offers us a PERSONAL relationship with Him where He knows us, hears us, cares for us, saves us, and directs us in the best way possible — what better advocate could we desire for the duration of our lives even to the point of death?

Psalm 116:1-2 NIV

[1] I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. [2] Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Psalm 116:3-4 NIV

[3] The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. [4] Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me! ”

Psalm 116:5 NIV

[5] The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

** The “branch” refers to our Branch who can provide us with spiritual growth; the remnant who reside in Jerusalem will be deemed holy and the fruit of the land will be their pride and glory

2 Samuel 23:5 KJV

[5] Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.

Isaiah 4:2-3 NIV

[2] In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. [3] Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.

** Jesus loves us more than we can ever imagine and He desires that we love Him in this way as well:

Of all the relationships that we as believers share with our blessed Savior, perhaps none is more intimate and comforting than that of marriage. Jesus has betrothed us to Himself in holy matrimony and covenant grace. We are...

• His beloved bride,

• the apple of His eye,

• the darling of His heart;

and He is the gracious Husband of our immortal souls! We are, by sovereign grace, forever one with Jesus our Husband.

Oh what a glorious privilege it is to be joined to Jesus in the blessed bond of marriage.

• He loves me.

• He cares for me.

• He defends and protects me.

• He provides for my every need.

• He comforts, supports, and cherishes me.

I have His heart — and He has mine!

"I am my Beloved's — and my Beloved is mine."

I belong to Him — and He belongs to me. <H81>

Mark 12:30 NIV

[30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

** Brothers and sisters, our Shepherd will stop at nothing to bring every one of His beloved sheep home to Heaven. He says of Himself, "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." Oh precious revelation of grace!

Sheep of His fold, I urge you to pause and consider the death of the good Shepherd! Behold with wonder the sacrifice of your Shepherd! He died so that you might live forever! He esteems us more precious than His own life! Oh blessed Shepherd, thank You for taking our sins to Yourself and putting them away by Your own precious blood.

Christ's sheep lack nothing for time and eternity because He is their all-sufficient Shepherd. "For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace!" The Lord our Shepherd will withhold no good thing from the sheep of His pasture. In Him we have all the fullness of God's free salvation, which can never be lost.

"We shall not want!" We receive the fullness of His grace in time, because we possessed that very same fullness in Him from the foundation of the world. We are the possessors of:

• Everlasting life

• Perfect righteousness

• Eternal redemption

• Pardon from all our sin

• Impeccable holiness

• Unending peace

• Unalterable acceptance with God our Father!

We lack nothing, because in Him we have all things. His boundless provision for our souls has no end. His provision is perfect, infinite, and everlasting. God help us to depend on:

• His fullness

• His mercy

• His grace

• His power

• His all-sufficiency as the Lord our Shepherd <H81>

Psalm 23:1 NIV

[1] The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Philippians 4:19 KJV

[19] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 4:16 NIV

[16] Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

** When Jesus returns to gather believers at the Rapture, all believers will receive their new glorified bodies at that time; mortality and corruption will drop off from those who are still alive and they will take on immortality and incorruptibility, while those who are already dead and occupying a spirit-body will also take on a new glorified body

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NIV

[16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Romans 8:30 NIV

[30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

** This present age of grace began with the entry of Jesus Christ into the world to give up His life as the Son of Man as payment for the sins of all mankind, that whosoever believes on Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). This era has now spanned over 2,000 years, and still counting. It is the age of grace, that unmerited favor of God whose arm is not shortened that He cannot save. What then is yet to happen before this age comes to an end? <L127>

John 3:16-17 NIV

** In giving Christ to die for poor sinners, God gave the richest jewel in His cabinet; a mercy of the greatest worth, and most inestimable value.

Heaven itself is not so valuable and precious as Christ is! Ten thousand thousand worlds — as many worlds as angels can number — would not outweigh Christ's love, excellency and sweetness! O what a lovely One! What an excellent, beautiful, ravishing One is Christ!

Put the beauty of ten thousand paradises, like the garden of Eden, into one. Put all flowers, all fragrances, all colors, all tastes, all joys, all sweetness, all loveliness into one — O what a lovely and excellent thing would that be!

And yet it should be less to that loveliest and dearest well-beloved Christ than one drop of rain compared to all the seas, rivers, lakes, and fountains of ten thousand earths!

Now, for God to bestow the mercy of mercies, the most precious thing in heaven or earth, upon poor sinners; and, as great, as lovely, as excellent as His Son was. What kind of love is this! <S1997>

Romans 5:8 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 3:1a NIV

[1] See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

** I do not need flamboyant descriptions and eloquent representations of the celestial state, to raise my desires and hopes. It is enough to know that it is GLORY — first prepared, then promised, and ultimately bestowed by Jehovah as the concentration of His infinite beneficence and the full manifestation of His boundless benevolence!

Heaven is the:

• Absence of all evil, natural and moral

• Possession of all possible good

• Glorified body united with a perfect soul

• Being in the immediate presence of God!

There we shall see God:

• We shall not only see Him, but love Him!

• We shall not only love Him, but serve Him!

• We shall not only serve Him, but enjoy Him!

• We shall not only enjoy Him, but hold such communion with Him as will assimilate us to the all-perfect source of our felicity!

And experience:

• Perfect knowledge

• perfect holiness and

• perfect love must of necessity

• open the fountain of perfect joy!

No secondary concern will call off our unwearied attention from the service of God; no sin or pain will interrupt us in it; nor will death ever dismiss us from it. The business and the blessedness of that happy state are the same — our supreme delight will be our constant employment!

Every:

• Sense will be an inlet

• Faculty a capacity, and

• Energy a pulsation of the purest bliss!

Heaven will be the:

• Life in perfection

• Life of the soul

• Life of God

• Life of eternity!

But to describe it, how vain and arrogant the attempt, when even to conceive of it is impossible! "In Your presence is fullness of joy! At Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore!" Neither language nor thought can go beyond this! Mind cannot conceive more. God Himself can tell us no more, than that Heaven consists in His presence and the enjoyment of His favor — forever and ever! <J101>

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

[9] However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”---the things God has prepared for those who love him---

1 John 2:25 NIV

[25] And this is what he promised us---eternal life.

** It is hard starving this sin of pride--it can live on almost anything!

A proud sinner and a humble Savior will never agree. Christ is humble and lowly, and so resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. <G74>

James 4:6 NIV

[6] But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

** Understand the implications. Grace is a free gift of mercy. It produces a new creature, one prone to good works and living as Jesus did, without sin as humanly possible. Living a righteous life following Jesus produces good fruit, good works, NOT the other way around. Works cannot save you, but it is the evidence that you believed and accepted His gift of grace and are a changed person, dead to the lusts of this world. Dead to this world, and raised to the newness of life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let each of us live like it, as Jesus is coming soon...be ready! <T201>

John 3:16-19 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. [19] This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

Romans 10:8-13 NIV

[8] But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: [9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. [11] As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” [12] For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile---the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, [13] for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

** Here on earth — Christ puts His grace upon His spouse. There in Heaven — He puts His glory upon His spouse.

In Heaven the crown is made for them, and

in Heaven the crown shall be worn by them.

In this life believers have some good things, but the rest and best are reserved for the life to come.

Heaven is not only a possession promised by Christ, but a possession PURCHASED by Christ. <D42>

Matthew 25:34 NIV

[34] “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

Philippians 1:21 NIV

[21] For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Matthew 25:21 NIV

[21] “His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

** God blessed Job after this testing even though Job challenged God

Job 42:10-13,16-17 NIV

[10] After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. [11] All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. [12] The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. [13] And he also had seven sons and three daughters. [16] After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. [17] And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

** God gives His children a peace that passes understanding when they ASK for His help

• It’s guaranteed that we will experience trouble, so what will be our response?

• God’s peace is not as the world defines ‘peace’ where everything goes smoothly, but is a supernatural peace that overcomes the world

• Just wait and see, for there is a blessing for those who wait on Him <F60>

John 16:33 NIV

[33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 14:27 NIV

[27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Philippians 4:6-9 NIV

[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me---put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

[13] I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. [14] Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Isaiah 30:18 NIV

[18] Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

[28] Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. [29] He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. [30] Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

** The glorious Gospel of the blessed God is the only effectual means for reforming mankind. To the man who possesses and knows the use of this grand, this wonderful machine, if I may be allowed the comparison — what is otherwise impossible becomes easy.

The Gospel removes difficulties insurmountable to human power.

• It causes the blind to see,

• it causes the deaf to hear;

• it softens the heart of stone, and

• raises the dead in trespasses and sins, to a life of righteousness.

No force but that of the Gospel is sufficient..,

• to remove the mountainous load of guilt from an awakened conscience,

• to calm the violence of tumultuous passions,

• to raise an earthly soul from groveling in the mire of sensuality or avarice — to a spiritual and divine life, a life of communion with God.

No system but the Gospel can communicate motives, encouragements, and prospects — sufficient to withstand and counteract all the snares and temptations with which the spirit of this world, by its frowns or its smiles, will endeavor either to intimidate or to bribe us from the path of duty.

But the Gospel, rightly understood and cordially embraced, will inspire the slothful with energy and the fearful with courage. It will...

• make the miser generous,

• melt the grouch into kindness,

• tame the raging tiger in the bosom, and,

• in a word, expand the narrow selfish heart and fill it with a spirit of love to God, cheerful unreserved obedience to His will, and benevolence to mankind. <N150>

** Solomon asked God what would help him lead God’s people, in accordance with God’s ultimate will; God blessed Solomon for his unselfish request with added wisdom and wealth

2 Chronicles 1:7-10 NIV

[7] That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” [8] Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. [9] Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. [10] Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

2 Chronicles 1:11-12 NIV

[11] God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, [12] therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have. ”

2 Chronicles 1:14-17 NIV

[14] Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. [15] The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. [16] Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue---the royal merchants purchased them from Kue at the current price. [17] They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.

** The Lord made Solomon “exceedingly great”

2 Chronicles 1:1 NIV

[1] Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.

** As a result of Jehoshaphat’s obedience to the Lord, all the nations surrounding Judah feared this nation of God as it grew in wealth

2 Chronicles 17:10 NIV

[10] The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat.

2 Chronicles 17:12-13 NIV

[12] Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah [13] and had large supplies in the towns of Judah. He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 18:1 NIV

[1] Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.

** If His grace raised this poor, dirty worm from a dunghill and set it upon a throne with His princes, who shall have the glory--the worm or Jesus? Shall any of His due praise be given to the worm? God forbid!

As vile and base as I am--yet He lets me approach Him and converse with Him freely.

He condescends to admit me into fellowship with Him; and He opens His treasures and says, "All these are yours. I bought them for you with the price of My blood, but I give them to you as a free gift!" <R172>

** We thank You, that, as vile and sin-soiled as we are--we may come into Your immediate presence, and hold this converse with You, and commune with You concerning all our concerns, all our sins, and fears, and hopes and desires.

We are astonished that we, poor sinners on earth, may speak directly to You--our great and glorious God, on Your throne in the Heaven of heavens! How wondrous the thought that our poor breathings may fly on the wings of faith, and have instant access to the ears of Your grace! <L121>

Hebrews 4:16 NIV

[16] Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

** Remember that among your chief thoughts of the Lord Jesus, one must ever have a prominent place: that He is ever looking down upon you and watching you with tenderest love, and ordering all things for your good.

Sometimes it is spiritual medicine, at other times it is spiritual nourishment--but at all times it is spiritual good, and just what is best for you. He sees and knows just what is best for each day and hour. So, always when you think of Him, think of Him as thus looking down upon you and ever caring for you.

The Holy Spirit is ever leading us to think of Christ and to live for Christ and continually to look to Christ.

• The natural mind makes self the center, and self the end.

• The spiritual mind makes Christ the center, and Christ the end.

The more we seek Christ, and the less we seek self--the more we please Him.

Christ is the source and end both of grace on earth and glory in Heaven. Growing in grace is living more upon Christ, and living more for Christ, and growing more like Christ. Grace in the heart, is glory in its beginnings. Glory in Heaven, is grace in its full consummation. <M141>

** Jesus told the parable of the wedding feast letting us know that 'many are called, few are chosen'

• The best interpretation of the invitation is that it symbolizes the gospel proclamation

• The wedding garment symbolizes Jesus’ righteousness that is transferred to those who accept His invitation <G72>

• Those who are called answer the invitation of the Lord

• Those who are chosen both accept the invitation and comply with its conditions <W212>

Matthew 22:11-14 NIV

[11] “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. [12] He asked, 'How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend ?' The man was speechless. [13] “Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' [14] “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

** The Invitation to God's kingdom go out to everyone, but all do not show up because some do not accept the invitation

• The master is not satisfied with a partially full banquet hall; he wants every place at the table to be filled

• God is more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved. <M130>

• The excuses for skipping the banquet are laughably bad and the failure to attend rests on the individual

• The detail that the invitation is opened up to society’s maimed and downtrodden is important, for these were the types of people that the Pharisees considered “unclean” and under God’s curse (John 9:1-2,34)

• Jesus, however, taught that the kingdom was available even to those considered “unclean”

• Jesus ends the parable by relating the master’s determination that “not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet”

• Those who ignored the invitation to the banquet chose their own punishment -- they missed out

• The interpretation is that the Jews of Jesus’ day had no valid excuse for spurning Jesus’ message; in fact, they had every reason to accept Him as their Messiah

• The basic message of the both parables of the Wedding Banquet and Great Banquet could be stated this way: “The tragedy of the Jewish rejection of Christ has opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles. The blessings of the kingdom are available to all who will come to Christ by faith.” <G72>

Matthew 22:1-14 NIV [similar to Luke 14]

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: [2] “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. [3] He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. [4] “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ [5] “But they paid no attention and went off---one to his field, another to his business. [6] The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. [7] The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. [8] “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. [9] So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ [10] So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. [11] “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. [12] He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend ?’ The man was speechless. [13] “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ [14] “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Luke 14:15-24 NIV [similar to Matthew 22]

[15] When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” [16] Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. [17] At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' [18] “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' [19] “Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' [20] “Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.' [21] “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' [22] “ 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.' [23] “Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. [24] I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' ”

John 9:1-2,34 NIV

[1] As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. [2] His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” [34] To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

** Soon we shall see Him as He is! We shall be married to Him, reign with Him, and be entirely like Him! <M142>

Ephesians 3:17b-19 NIV

[17] And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Revelation 19:9 NIV

[9] Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

** When shall I ascend to the eternal throne of blessedness, where no comforts are lacking?

When shall I be covered with the glorious robe of immortality, and shine in the brightness of my Redeemer's innocence?

When shall I behold the lovely face of my Lord and dwell in the courts of His holy temple, where all tears shall be wiped away from my eyes, all sorrows removed from my heart, and all sins and spots are done away?

Where I shall exchange the dross of this world, for true and durable riches!

Where, instead of these earthly riches which moth and rust corrupt--I shall enjoy the heavenly riches of perfect peace and good conscience, never to be lost!

Instead of these false and flattering honors, I shall enjoy everlasting glory, and be admitted into the fellowship of my Redeemer to reign with Him in His glorious kingdom!

Instead of vain and momentary pleasures, I shall be filled with fullness of joy and be ravished with those delights which neither eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man to conceive!

Instead of this dark and cloudy knowledge, I shall have my heart enlightened with the beams of the true light!

Instead of this feeble strength, I shall be endowed with the might of angels!

Instead of this transitory health, I shall enjoy a powerful and immortal vigor!

Instead of this fading beauty, I shall be adorned with the loveliness of Christ's spouse!

Instead of long life, I shall be crowned with life eternal! My heart and my strength fail me, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever! <W2193>

Psalm 42:2 NIV

[2] My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

** We read how David remembered God’s goodness regardless of how bad things appeared to him at the time; we hang on to the same truth today!

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

[13] I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. [14] Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Galatians 6:9 NIV

[9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

** Jesus sustains no relation to His Church more expressive than this. From all eternity He betrothed her to Himself. He asked her at the hands of her Father, and the Father gave her to Him. He entered into a covenant that she should be His. The conditions of that covenant were great, but not too great for His love to undertake. They were that He should...

• assume her nature,

• discharge her legal obligations,

• endure her punishment,

• repair her ruin, and

• bring her to glory!

He undertook all, and He accomplished all--because He loved her!

The love of Jesus to His Church, is the love of the most tender husband. It is...

• exclusive,

• constant,

• affectionate,

• matchless,

• wonderful.

Jesus...

• sympathizes with her,

• nourishes her,

• provides for her,

• clothes her,

• watches over her, and

• indulges her with the most intimate and endearing communion.

The Lord Jesus will come in the clouds of Heaven, and this will be the occasion of His public wedding of His Church. Her present union to Him is secret and unknown--invisible to the world. But He will appear, openly and visibly to take her to Himself; and before His Father and the holy angels He will solemnize her eternal union. <W211>

Revelation 19:7 NIV

[7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

** Solomon’s love for God was demonstrated by his obedience to the Lord and by Solomon’s request that God give him ‘a discerning heart’

• Solomon was only about 20 years old when he became king and asked for a ‘discerning heart’ and wisdom to govern the Israelites

• This pleased the Lord and Solomon received both wisdom and wealth as a result

• The servant’s heart that Solomon displayed pleased God, who throughout Scripture gives servanthood the highest priority <R1795>

1 Kings 3:5,7-9 NIV

[5] At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” [7] “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. [8] Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. [9] So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

1 Kings 3:10-13 NIV

[10] The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. [11] So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, [12] I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. [13] Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for---both wealth and honor---so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.

1 Kings 4:29-30 NIV

[29] God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. [30] Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

1 Chronicles 22:5 NIV

[5] David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.

1 Chronicles 29:1 NIV

[1] Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God.

Matthew 20:26-28 NIV

[26] Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--- [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

** God granted wisdom to Solomon that was displayed in proverbs and songs; in time, the world knew of his wisdom

1 Kings 4:32-33 NIV

[32] He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. [33] He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.

1 Kings 4:34 NIV

[34] From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.

** The Israelites recognized God who fulfilled His promise to provide a fruitful land and descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky

Nehemiah 9:22-25 NIV

[22] “You gave them kingdoms and nations, allotting to them even the remotest frontiers. They took over the country of Sihon king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan. [23] You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their parents to enter and possess. [24] Their children went in and took possession of the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you gave the Canaanites into their hands, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased. [25] They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness.

Nehemiah 9:35 NIV

[35] Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways.

** It is the characteristic of a growing state of grace not to see its growth, but to see more clearly its shortcomings.

The nearer the light, the more visible are the imperfections.

In the same way, the deeper the work of grace, the more opposition will it usually encounter in the heart; and the inward evil will generally become more vividly realized by the believer.

The more we have of each grace, the more clearly shall we discern its opposite within:

The more we have of humility, the more shall we know and mourn over our pride.

The more we have of patience, the more shall we know and mourn over our impatience.

The more we have of faith, the more shall we know and mourn over our unbelief.

The more we have of conformity to the image of Christ, the more shall we know and mourn over our lack of conformity to Him.

The more we have of self-denial, the more shall we know and mourn over our selfishness.

The more we have of love to Christ, the more shall we know and mourn over our lack of love to Him.

Thus each grace becomes a light to show us how much of the contrary we have by nature.

Indeed, by this means we grow in grace, because thus we more fully know our great need of the Lord Jesus, and are led to look more humbly, confidently, and helplessly to Him, to whom we can never look in vain. Nothing draws so abundantly from His fullness, as a helpless trusting heart. <M141>

** Jehovah is bounteous in His nature--to give is His delight. His gifts are precious beyond measure, and are as freely given as the light of the sun!

He freely gives grace in all its forms, to all His people:

• Saving grace

• Comforting grace

• Preserving grace

• Sanctifying grace

• Directing grace

• Instructing grace

• Assisting grace!

He gives grace:

• Abundantly

• Seasonably

• Constantly

• Readily

• Sovereignly! <S185>

Psalm 84:11-12 NKJV

[11] For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. [12] O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

** “Nevertheless"--as if notwithstanding all the foolishness and ignorance that David had just been confessing to God--not one atom the less was it true and certain that David was saved and accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God's presence was undoubtedly his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate and of the deceitfulness and vileness of his nature--yet by a glorious outburst of faith, he sings, "Nevertheless I am continually with You!"

Believer, endeavor in like spirit to say, "Nevertheless, since I belong to Christ, I am continually with God!"

I am continually upon His mind--He is always thinking of me for my good.

I am continually before His eye--the eye of the Lord never sleeps but is perpetually watching over my welfare.

I am continually in His hand--so that none will be able to pluck me out from it.

I am continually on His heart--worn there as a memorial, even as the high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes upon His heart forever.

"You always think of me, O God. You are always making providence work for my good. You have set me as a signet upon Your arm. Your love is as strong as death--many waters cannot quench it, neither can the floods drown it. You see me in Christ, and though in myself I am despised--You behold me as wearing Christ's garments of salvation and washed in His blood; and thus I stand accepted in Your presence. I am thus continually in Your favor. I am continually with You!" <S185>

Psalm 73:21-23 NKJV

[21] Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind. [22] I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. [23] Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.

** The person singing this song recognizes where the Lord lives and longs to be there

Psalm 84:1-3 NIV

[1] How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! [2] My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. [3] Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young---a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

** Moses offers God's words of comfort to be strong and courageous because God promises to go before them and never leave or forsake them

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

[6] Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 NIV

[7] Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. [8] The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:23 NIV

[23] The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.”

** David outlines how God led the Israelites through the desert and provided for their every need and, still, the people rebelled against Him; the specific puzzle in Israel’s history is the nation’s rebellious spirit in spite of God’s grace <M130>

Psalm 78:11-16 NIV

[11] They forgot what [God] had done, the wonders he had shown them. [12] He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan. [13] He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand up like a wall. [14] He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. [15] He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas; [16] he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.

Psalm 78:17-20 NIV

[17] But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High. [18] They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. [19] They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness? [20] True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?”

Psalm 78:40-51 NIV

[40] How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the wasteland! [41] Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel. [42] They did not remember his power---the day he redeemed them from the oppressor, [43] the day he displayed his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the region of Zoan. [44] He turned their river into blood; they could not drink from their streams. [45] He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them. [46] He gave their crops to the grasshopper, their produce to the locust. [47] He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamore-figs with sleet. [48] He gave over their cattle to the hail, their livestock to bolts of lightning. [49] He unleashed against them his hot anger, his wrath, indignation and hostility---a band of destroying angels. [50] He prepared a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death but gave them over to the plague. [51] He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt, the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.

Exodus 14:15-16 NIV

[15] Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. [16] Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

Exodus 17:6 NIV

[6] I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Numbers 20:9-11 NIV

[9] So Moses took the staff from the Lord's presence, just as he commanded him. [10] He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” [11] Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

** God provides for our daily needs, ultimately for His honor and glory

Deuteronomy 29:5-6 NIV

[5] Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. [6] You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.”

** Rely on God’s grace (not worldly wisdom) to live a life of integrity as a godly witness to others

• We live in a world when men and women wear masks, while the person who wears his ‘real (transparent and honest) face’ is often misunderstood

• The real face is assumed to be a mask too

• But keep living that life of holiness and sincerity, for in time everyone will know who you are and through you they will come to know God <R1795>

2 Corinthians 1:12 NIV

** The Lord understands our situation and provides what is needed

Exodus 34:1 NIV

[1] The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.

Exodus 34:28 NIV

[28] Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant---the Ten Commandments.

** The Lord defends the cause of the fatherless, widow and foreigner; followers of Christ are to continue to follow His example

Deuteronomy 10:18-19 NIV

[18] He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. [19] And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.

** Jesus ministered to all segments of society including the lower classes, who the Pharisees thought were beneath them

• Tax collectors who worked on commission and were notorious for overcharging were automatically considered dishonest in 1st century Jewish society

• The Pharisees were quick to identify tax collectors as sinners, working outside their embellished moral law

• To have Jesus sit down at the table with these sinners was beyond comprehension to the religious leaders

• Despite this kick-back, Jesus continually showed the outcasts of society that he cared for them and they wanted to be around Him as a result <R1795>

• How important it is that Christians show care for those around them, while never backing down from God’s truth; witness to others in love

Luke 15:1-2 NIV

[1] Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. [2] But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

** The Sovereignty of God by Arthur Pink

"Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases!" Psalm 115:3

"Whatever the LORD pleases, He does--in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps!" Psalm 135:6

The Sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of His supremacy. Being infinitely elevated above the highest creature, He is the Most High, Lord of Heaven and earth. Subject to none, influenced by none, He is absolutely independent. God does . . .

as He pleases,

only as He pleases,

always as He pleases.

None can thwart Him--none can hinder Him.

God's sovereignty is not the sovereignty of a tyrannical Despot, but the exercised pleasure of One who is infinitely wise and good!

Because God is infinitely wise, He cannot err.

Because He is infinitely righteous, He will not do wrong.

Here then is the preciousness of this truth. The mere fact itself that God's will is irresistible and irreversible fills me with fear--but once I realize that God wills only that which is good, my heart is made to rejoice.

God's purpose cannot fail.

God's plans cannot miscarry.

God's will must be done.

A "god"...

• whose will is resisted,

• whose designs are frustrated,

• whose purpose is checkmated,

• possesses no title to Deity--and so far from being a fit object of worship,

• merits nothing but contempt!

"All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have You done?" Daniel 4:35

** God will circumcise the hearts of His people so they love Him; it took God acting in order for people to love Him

The work of God in the innermost part of the individual is the true salvation that grants the will of the person to obey in place of the former spiritual insensitivity and stubbornness; this new heart will allow the Israelite to love the Lord wholeheartedly and is an important element to the New Covenant <M130>

Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV

[6] The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

Jeremiah 4:4 NIV

[4] Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire because of the evil you have done---burn with no one to quench it.

Jeremiah 9:25-26 NIV

[25] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh--- [26] Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all who live in the wilderness in distant places. For all these nations are really uncircumcised, and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.”

Deuteronomy 30:9-10,17-18 NIV

[9] Then the Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors, [10] if you obey the Lord your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. [17] But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, [18] I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV

[31] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. [32] It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the Lord. [33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [34] No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Ezekiel 11:19 NIV

[19] I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

** God establishes our boundaries and inheritance

Exodus 23:31 NIV

[31] “I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the desert to the Euphrates River. I will give into your hands the people who live in the land, and you will drive them out before you.

Psalm 16:5-6 NIV

[5] Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. [6] The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

** The Israelites in captivity were thankful the Lord was concerned about their situation and heard their voice; they worshiped God in response

Exodus 4:31b NIV

[31] And when [the Israelites] heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

** God imparted righteousness to Abraham for what Christ would do in the FUTURE

• Those in the Old Testament did not know about Christ but still benefited by God’s grace

• Abraham believed and God blessed him

• It was not by works that Abraham was saved, just as no one is saved today with the new covenant

Romans 4:3-5 NIV

[3] What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” [4] Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. [5] However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.

Galatians 2:16 NIV

[16] know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

** The Israelites were to voice recognition that God brought them out of Egypt and established a Promised Land for them; they declare their willingness to obey the Lord their God

The confession made in connection with their offering consisted of a promise of obedience and a prayer for God's blessing; in this manner, the Israelites confessed their continual dependence on God with the hope of blessing in return <M130>

Deuteronomy 26:2-3 NIV

[2] take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name [3] and say to the priest in office at the time, “I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come to the land the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.”

Deuteronomy 26:5-10 NIV

[5] Then you shall declare before the Lord your God: “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. [6] But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, subjecting us to harsh labor. [7] Then we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. [8] So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. [9] He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; [10] and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me. ” Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him.

Deuteronomy 26:17 NIV

[17] You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws---that you will listen to him.

** Commentary #1

Question Christians who allow actions that are contrary to Scripture whether they live by the Freedom of Grace movement = FOG allows them to do whatever they want because grace covers it all (see Commentary #2)

** Commentary #2

Does grace alone save?

The Christian stands in grace (1 Pet. 5: 12), grow in (2 Pet. 3: 18), and is to be strong in grace (2 Tim. 2: 1). Grace (charis) is God's favor. We are called by grace (Gal. 1: 15), justified by grace (Tit. 3: 7), and we are established by grace (Heb. 13: 9). The Bible also says we are saved by grace (Eph. 2: 5, 8). However, are we saved by grace alone?

If saved by grace alone, all would be saved. Beloved, Paul said God's grace "brings salvation", but he also affirmed God's grace "hath appeared to all men" (Tit. 2: 11). God has certainly done his job in universally extending grace. If it were just a matter of salvation by grace alone, all would be saved. However, only a few shall be saved (Matt. 7: 13-14). Hence, there is more involved than grace alone!

Man must appropriate God's grace. It is true grace is a gift from God, man cannot earn it (cf. Rom. 11: 6, Eph. 2: 8-10). Some confuse earning and accepting. Man can and does receive God's grace in vain (2 Cor. 6: 1). Christians can also "fall from grace" (Gal. 5:4). In the wonderful text of Ephesians two, we have two elements, grace and faith, and two players, if you will: God and man. Paul wrote, "For by grace are ye saved through faith..." (vs. 8). Grace emanated from God, but faith is man's responsibility. We are commanded to believe in order to be saved (Acts 16: 30, 31-34). Belief, repentance, confession and baptism all precede initial salvation (cf. Acts 2: 38). Hence, these acts constitute man's accepting God's wonderful grace.

Grace alone does not save. Man seems determined to attach "alone" to grace, belief, and baptism. Man has participation in his salvation - from the beginning (accepting grace) to the end (continuing in grace, Acts 13: 43). Grace reigns through righteousness, man's humble obedience (Rom. 5:21).

** God bestows gifts (benefits such as pardon, peace, joy, sanctification and eternal life) as favors, not rewards for our efforts; God never invites, influences or draws men to Himself without also being willing to give pardon and eternal life; what God promises He will fulfill <C33>

Romans 11:29-32 NIV

[29] for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. [30] Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, [31] so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. [32] For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

Romans 11:35 NIV

[35] “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”

Romans 8:28-30 NIV

[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

** Even though we go our own way away, distancing ourselves from God, He often continues to provide for us; this attests to His patience and goodness

Acts 14:13-17 NIV

[13] The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. [14] But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: [15] “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. [16] In the past, he let all nations go their own way. [17] Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

** Grace is available to those who love the Lord with all their being

Ephesians 6:24 NIV

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

** David is well aware that God knows of his imperfections and sin

Psalm 69:5 NIV

[5] You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.

** Jesus demonstrates how important it is to forgive even when suffering brought on by accusers

Luke 23:34 NIV

[34] Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

** Jesus came with a message of love and peace, completely contrary to the worldly thinking and popular notion that the leader Messiah would come using forceful measures to oust opponents and oppressors

Mark 14:48-50 NIV

[48] “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? [49] Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” [50] Then everyone deserted him and fled.

** May we know the fullness of God, including His immeasurable love for us

Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

** God provides those who fear Him with a spiritual defense against His wrath that no human defense can match

Psalm 60:4 NIV

[4] But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.

Psalm 60:9-12 NIV

[9] Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? [10] Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us and no longer go out with our armies? [11] Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. [12] With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

** Christ's garden! <S185>

"I have come into My garden--My sister, My bride!" Song of Solomon 5:1

The heart of the believer is Christ's garden. He bought it with His precious blood, and He enters it and claims it as His own.

A garden implies separation. It is not the open common, nor is it a wilderness. A garden is walled around, or hedged in. Would that we could see the wall of separation between the Christian and the world made broader and stronger. It makes one sad to hear Christians saying, "Well, there is no harm in this; there is no harm in that," thus getting as near to the world as possible. Grace is at a low ebb in that soul, which can even raise the question of how far it may go in worldly conformity!

A garden is a place of beauty, it far surpasses the wild uncultivated fields. The genuine Christian must seek to be more excellent in his life than the best moralist, because Christ's garden ought to produce the best flowers in all the world. Even the best is poor--compared with Christ's deservings. Let us not put Him off with withered and dwarf plants. The rarest, richest, choicest lilies and roses--ought to bloom in Christ's own garden!

The garden is a place of growth. The saints are not to remain undeveloped, always mere buds and blossoms. We should grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Growth should be rapid where Jesus is the Gardener, and the Holy Spirit is the dew from above.

A garden is a place of retirement. So the Lord Jesus Christ would have us reserve our hearts as a place in which He can manifest Himself, as He does not unto the world. O that Christians were more retired, that they kept their hearts more closely shut up for Christ! We often worry and trouble ourselves, like Martha, with much serving--so that we have not the room for Christ that Mary had, and do not sit at His feet as we should.

Lord grant the sweet showers of Your grace to water Your garden this day!

** While we serve a God of grace, at the same time these verses debunk the notion that God does not care whether His creation respect Him and follow Him; God hates sin (David uses words such as not welcome, cannot stand, hate, destroy, detest) and does not offer 'all grace all the time'

Psalm 5:4-6 NIV

[4] For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. [5] The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; [6] you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest.

** God is aware of everything that happens on earth as He examines each one of us

• God sees and knows everything

• This verse is disconcerting in that nothing (including our sin) escapes the eye/attention of God, but it can also be comforting because God knows our heart and motive!

Psalm 11:4 NIV

[4] The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.

** Our Father not only hears us when we talk to Him but understands every word

Psalm 3:4 NIV

[4] I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.

** Our response when God answers our cry for help should be that of rejoicing, giving thanks and praising His name!

Psalm 18:46-49 NIV

[46] The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! [47] He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, [48] who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me. [49] Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.

** Proof of God's power and grace displayed when He gives supernatural strength to His children experiencing pain

John 9:3 NIV

[3] “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

- Scripture does teach that sin brings personal suffering but the Old Testament also teaches that not all suffering is the result of sin but part of God's exalted purposes; look at the book of Job

- Jesus was not concerned with what caused the suffering as with the way to relieve it

- Jesus showed God's glory by giving sight to a man who had never seen the light

** Paul identifies himself as a living example of God’s grace, for after Paul repented, God turned him from killing Christians to loving and shepherding them!

1 Corinthians 15:9-10 NIV

[9] For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. [10] But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them---yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

** Praising God should be our natural response after recognizing the goodness and involvement of the Lord

Psalm 28:6-7 NIV

[6] Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. [7] The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

** The new covenant that brings righteousness is available through the Holy Spirit, not the written law that brought condemnation as in former Old Testament days

2 Corinthians 3:6-8 NIV

[6] He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant---not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. [7] Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, [8] will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?

2 Corinthians 3:9 NIV

[9] If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!

** The new covenant through the Holy Spirit is abundantly more glorious than the old covenant

2 Corinthians 3:9-11 NIV

[9] If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! [10] For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. [11] And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

** The Feast of Pentecost is very significant to Christians as well as to Jews. Pentecost celebrated the beginning of the wheat grain harvest, during the early summer months. But of course, what Pentecost is most remembered for is the giving of the Holy Spirit to Jesus’ disciples. Precisely 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits, 120 of His disciples gathered together in one place to await the promise of Christ.

Acts 1:8 NIV

[8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

On the 7th day of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar, in A.D.33, the Holy Spirit manifested Himself, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

‘Those ordinary people, His disciples, were transformed on that day into men of extraordinary spiritual power who would challenge their world of abject paganism with a dynamic Christian movement that not even the might of Rome could stop.

John 14:26 NIV

[26] But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Within a few days, over three thousand Jews became believers. Reliable reports suggest that despite horrible persecutions, tortures, and massive executions, within 70 years over 10 million believers had joined the underground Christian Church throughout the Roman Empire. Jesus fulfilled his prophecy to his disciples, and God baptized them with his Holy Spirit. The feast of Pentecost began the Dispensation of Grace, and the Church was born. It consisted of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.’ {Randy Nettles)

** Our God is full of compassion, even to the point of forgiving our sin and working with us in areas of struggle and weakness

Psalm 51:1-2 NIV

[1] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:11 NIV

[11] Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

** God has amazing love and forgiveness for those who respectfully fear Him, who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts

Psalm 103:11-13 NIV

[11] For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; [12] as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. [13] As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him

Psalm 103:17-18 NIV

[17] But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--- [18] with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

** Could there be a sweeter word in any language than that word "forgiveness," when it sounds in a guilty sinner's ear! Can the unfathomable load of my guilt be removed? Can the crimson stain of my sins be blotted out? Can the adamantine stones of my prison-house ever be loosed, or the doors be lifted from their hinges?

Jesus tells me that I may yet be forgiven. Forever blessed be the revelation of redeeming love, which not only tells me that pardon is possible--but that it is secured to all who rest in Jesus. I have believed in the appointed sin-atoning sacrifice, even Jesus crucified, and therefore my sins are at this moment, and forever--forgiven by virtue of His substitutionary sufferings and death

What joy is this! What bliss to be a perfectly pardoned soul! My soul dedicates all her powers to Him who of His own unpurchasable love became my surety, and wrought out for me redemption through His blood.

What riches of grace does free forgiveness exhibit!

To forgive at all,

to forgive fully,

to forgive freely,

to forgive forever!

Here is a constellation of wonders! <S185>

Ephesians 1:7 NIV

[7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

Romans 4:7-8 NIV

[7] “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

** God rewards those who obey His commands

2 Kings 10:30 NIV

[30] The Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all I had in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.”

H9.

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