True Light or your light?

Isaiah 50:10-11

Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God. 

Look, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with sparks: walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled-this you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment.

Here the prophet spoke a word in season, to the weary. He addressed those who fear God but found themselves overwhelmed with afflictions, walking in darkness. Maybe they struggled with error, perhaps sorrow and possibly even death. Isaiah pointed the children of God of his day away from themselves and exhorted them to trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his God!

He also had a word for the hypocrite, for the self-righteous and the self-reliant. It was a warning to those who lit their own fire, made their own light and looked to themselves for salvation. Thus says the Lord, “this you shall have from My hand: you shall lie down in torment”.

When the Servant, our Lord Jesus Christ, walked in this world he said; “come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light”.

May we be found looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

The Life of God in the Soul

The Life of God in the Soul

by James Smith, 1860

True religion is not a religious form — but a LIFE. It is the life which God imparts — the life which God communicates in regeneration, and nourishes by his word, ordinances, and communion with himself. This inward principle of life develops itself in:
a life of faith in the Son of God;
a life of love, so that we love God, and everything that is godlike;
a life of holiness, so that we obey God — and in all we do, we seek to please him.

Not only so — but it constantly aspires to God as its author and source. It makes us devout, and the life we live is a life of devotion. In all that we do — we consult the will of God, we seek grace for its performance from God, and we desire most heartily to honor God. Originating as it does in God's sovereign will, flowing as it does from God's loving heart, and ascending as it does in devout exercises to God's gracious throne — it makes us godly, or godlike! It is this one thing which distinguishes God's family from the rest of mankind, and proves their election of God.

This life of God in the soul, is SPIRITUAL, manifesting itself in spiritual desires, and spiritual exercises. It gives us a taste for spiritual things, and requires to be sustained by spiritual provision — Christ, the bread of life — and the living water which He gives. It is energetic, and therefore it urges, and impels us — to perform spiritual duties, overcome all carnal customs and habits, and to seek conformity to Christ in all things.

This life of God in the soul, is USEFUL, not only to its possessor, as qualifying him for spiritual duties and privileges, and making him fit for heaven; but it always makes those in whom it dwells — useful to others, both saints and sinners. A useless man cannot have the life of God within him, for wherever it is, it makes him feel that he must be useful, must do good to others to some extent.

This life of God in the soul, is ETERNAL, it can never die — and never be destroyed. The soul is not more immortal, than is this life which God gives. Yes, outside of God himself, we know of nothing that is more certain of endless duration, than this life of God in the soul. It is the source of all that is holy, useful, happy, and glorious. He who has this life — can never perish, nor can anyone wrest him from the Savior's omnipotent hands!

This life of God in the soul, is for GOD'S GLORY. As it originated in his sovereign good pleasure — so it is communicated and is maintained for his honor. And as it is maintained for his honor — so it is designed and intended to advance his glory.

This life of God in the soul, will ultimately be therefore a life WITH GOD. We believe that we shall live with him. It brings us into his spiritual presence now — and gives us the enjoyment of his love. And it introduces us into his glorious presence at death — and then we shall have a life of perfect enjoyment, and purest pleasure forever! We will be as holy — as God is holy; as happy — as God is happy; as immortal — as God is immortal.

O what a prospect! What glory, what grandeur, what blessedness awaits us! The life of God, which now pants within us, and has to strive and do battle with the direful corruptions of the heart — the life which generates every good desire and every holy aspiration — the life which will not let us rest in forms, or live in sin — that life will soon burst forth in power, splendor, and immortal glory — and then we shall be satisfied, for we shall awake in our Savior's likeness!

Near

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.  For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which does those things shall live by them.  But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, say not in your heart, who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)  or, who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)  But what saith it? The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;  That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

a few thoughts from 1 Jn 3:23

 "And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment."

How simple and yet how profound is this scripture in 1 John. In Matthew 11 our Lord said my yoke is easy and my burden is light and in 1 John 5:3 the apostle John writes "His commandments are not grievous". That is His commandments are not heavy or burdensome. So here in our text John sums up the believer's life in one verse; believe Christ and love His people!

We are to spend the rest of our lives believing the One that God sent into the world to be the Savior of the world, we are to love Him supremely and give ourselves to Him wholly. That is what it means to "believe". But John does not stop there he goes on to say we are to demonstrate this belief in Jesus Christ by loving His people, by loving one another. 

The beauty in the command to 'love one another' can be seen in this, if we love others then we will treat them right. We will not lie to them, steal from them, or covet what they have. We will forgive as we have been forgiven, we will love our enemies and bless them that persecute us, we will rejoice with them that rejoice and weep with them that weep, in short, we will love our neighbor as ourselves.

This thought is contrary to the world's thinking where we are told  it's all about you (self esteem), even at the expense of others, but this thinking is not in God's kingdom. His kingdom has different principles and its foundation is His Son Jesus Christ. It's all about Him! He is the Head and the fountain, out of Him springs life, love and light. He is the vine and we are the branches, we are forever joined and vitally united to Him and therefore united to our Father in heaven through Him!

So believer go forth into the world, the Truth has set you free. Free to believe God's Son, free to trust Him in all things in this life. Free to cast all your care on Him. Free to call upon Him, to praise Him, to walk with Him and He with you. Free to love Him with all your being. But it doesn't stop there; believer you are free to love one another, free to bear one another's burden and call each other's name before the throne of grace. 

So "believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment."

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again? part 6 of 8

How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again?

By John Bunyan

Examination 6

Are you born again? Then you know that God has given you your faith that you have in His Son.
Then you are to say through grace, there was a time in which I had no faith; there was a time in which I could not believe in the Son of God for eternal life. But God, who in His rich mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins (and unbelief; which is the greatest) hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved (Eph 2:4-5) "through faith" (verse 8).

Scripture Support

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;). Eph 2:4-5

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Eph 2:8

But how shall I know that I am born again? part 3 of 8

But How Shall I know that I am Born Again? 

By John Bunyan

Examination 3

Are you born again? Then you see that your great sin was lack of faith in the Son of Mary. 

Then you see that it is He that was sent of God to die for the sins of the world (Jn 1:29, Jn 3:16-19, & Acts 13:38-39), and that you are complete in Him, without any works of the law (Ro 4:5). 

Then you rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:3), yet you rejoice in the flesh and blood of the Son of Mary, knowing that His flesh is meat indeed, and His blood is drink indeed (Jn 6:55),  out of which you would very willingly make your life all your days; out of His birth, obedience, death, resurrection, ascension and glorious intercession, now at the right hand of His Father (Heb 7:24-25). 

But if you are wavering in these things, know that you are but a babe at best, and for all you know, God may cut you off in your unbelief, and cast you into utter darkness, where there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Scripture support

The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. Jn 1:29

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  Jn 3:16-19


Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.  Acts 13:38-39


But to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  Rom 4:5


For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Phil 3:3



For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.    Jn 6:55


 But this man, because He continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.  Heb 7:24-25

But how shall I know that I am born again? part 2 of 8

But how shall I know that I am born again?

by John Bunyan

Tonight, I have converted the old english to new, hopefully this will smooth the reading out.

Examination 2

You think that you have been born again, (it is well if you have) but unless you should deceive your poor soul, I pray you consider, when did the Spirit of the Lord Jesus show you, that you have no faith in you by nature? And when did the Spirit of Christ convince you of sin, because you did not believe in Him? It may be you have been convinced of sins against the law, by the law, and your own conscience, as the Pharisees were. 
Jn 8:9, Rom 3:20

Ay, but when did you see yourself a lost creature for lack of faith in the son of Mary? If not, you have not yet been savingly convinced by the Spirit of Christ; for that, when He convinces effectually of sin, He convinces of unbelief; though you have been never so much convinced of sins against the law, if you have not seen yourself under the power and dominion, guilt and punishment of sin, because you did not believe in Christ, you have not yet been savingly convinced! Because that's one work of the Spirit to convince of sin, "Because they believe not on Me," says Jesus the Son of Mary, who was espoused to Joseph the carpenter. 

But on the contrary, do you not say in your heart, you never had your faith to seek, but have always believed with as good a faith as any one alive? If so, then know for certain that you have no faith of the operation of God in you, according to God's ordinary working; and if so, then know, that if the Son of Man should come to judge the world at this moment of time, that you with all your faith (you think you have) would fall in the judgment. 2 Thess 2:12


Supporting scriptures


"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."    Jn 8:9


"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."  Rom 3:20


"That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess 2:12

Our Faith

From the pen of Bro. Mike McInnis, pastor of Grace Chapel in O'Brien, FL

 

OUR FAITH

    For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.                                                                                                     I John 5:4

   The prevailing notion of what faith is in the present day is that of a means whereby men can influence GOD to grant unto them special blessings and favors.   Faith is viewed as a sort of “holy” bargaining chip, which, men can use to change GOD’s mind and alter the course of destiny, even to the point of causing HIM to rework HIS purpose in order to satisfy their requests if necessary.  They are not only ignorant of what faith is but have no understanding of the immutability (unchangeableness) of GOD either.  (see Mal.3:6, Isa.46:10)

   Those who contend that faith is the gift of GOD and not of works lest any man should boast are in the decided minority.   Yet many of those who would claim to believe that faith is a gift still present its value as being what they perceive to be its purchasing power from the storehouse of GOD. Few seem to see that it is simply a gift which is the evidence of GOD’s sovereign grace visited upon unworthy sinners apart from any cooperation from them..

    The writer of Hebrews gives us a worthy definition of faith when he says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1)   Faith is that substance (a real entity, i.e.; something transferred) which is (itself) the very evidence (i.e. incontrovertible proof) that those things promised to the saints of GOD in CHRIST are sure and steadfast because HE who cannot lie has established them.

   The common treatment of faith in the present day, by the great scholars, prophets, and preachers of our time, is subjective in nature, (i.e.; primarily concerned with the result of faith’s activity).  Yet the scriptures set forth faith as primarily concerned with its OBJECT, which is JESUS CHRIST.   HE is the faith of HIS elect, and apart from HIM, faith has no basis nor can true faith be exercised on any other foundation.   All that the sons of GOD expect or hope for is found in CHRIST alone as Paul said, “CHRIST is ALL” (Col.3:11)

    So when the Apostle John speaks of “our faith” the modern seers consider him to be speaking of a function which they can implement according to their free will to obtain peace as they exercise it, and to forfeit that peace when they fail to do so.   The man who is acquainted with his own depravity and inabilities, lamenting with Paul, “who shall deliver me from the body of this death” is driven deeper into despair at the thought of trying to gain peace by some activity which is dependent on himself.   What John is saying is absolutely objective in its nature because those who have been given the privilege to flee to CHRIST for refuge are only comforted by and recognize all of their “victories” as being signed sealed and delivered in the finished work of CHRIST.  “For he is our peace.”  (Eph 2:14)

   Paul emphatically says that “there is “one faith” (Eph.4:5).   Yet, while there is only one FAITH, there are several aspects of this “FAITH” which are spoken of in the scriptures.  All aspects of this FAITH squarely rest in its OBJECT, which is CHRIST.

   The gift of FAITH.   “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)  If a man does not see this basic truth, then all else he might speak of concerning the faith of men, will of necessity be perverted and all applications he may make of faith are going to be distorted.   It’s by this gift, that GOD is pleased to manifest those who are HIS elect children in contrast to those who are merely of this world.  Even as our LORD testified, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)  Why do some believe while others do not? The answer is found in Paul’s declaration, “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1Cor 4:7)  “all men have not faith.” (2Thess 3:2)

   The gospel is our faith.  The gospel is the foundation upon which the gift of faith squarely rests.  It is analogous to the role of the constitution in our Federal government.  Jude says, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3)  The reason that we are to “contend for the faith” is set forth in the verses which follow, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:4)

   As long as there are true believers there will always be counterfeit believers who while claiming to be followers of CHRIST distort the gospel and wrest it to their own destruction and carry many with them in their deception.   Those who are the called of GOD must earnestly and fervently be set “for the defense of the gospel” (Phil 1:17) against the gainsayers.  This gospel is “the faith” which we declare from which many have departed having loved this present world, who are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2Tim 3:7) because “they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2Thess 2:10) even though they professed that they believed it.

   Operation of faith.  When GOD is pleased to do something HE always brings forth the result HE intends to produce.  Paul says; “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10)  That man who claims to have faith yet manifests no fruit of faith is deceived.   James clearly says, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17)  Where the SPIRIT of GOD dwells, HE will produce a conformity to CHRIST.  This is not a conformity which is always apparent unto those to whom it is given. They are often found mourning the very lack of that which they perceive in themselves to be a paucity of the example of CHRIST.  But it is in their weakness that CHRIST is magnified as they confess that apart from HIS performance of righteousness in their behalf they would be without hope.

   Exhortations to faith.  Luke records the activity of the apostles as “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” (Act 14:22)  “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2Tim 3:12) Therefore we ought to  “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” (Heb 10:24)  It is through these exhortations and admonitions that the SPIRIT of GOD is often pleased to work “in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phi 2:13)  These exhortations are like manna to a thirsty soul for those who believe, even though they find no ability in themselves to perform that which they are exhorted to, they rejoice ever in their PERFORMER who they know is faithful.  “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1Thes 5:24)

    The principle of faith.  “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.” (Gal 3:11-12)  Our hope and expectation rests completely on JESUS CHRIST and HIS righteousness which is the only basis of our faith upon which we shall hope to inherit eternal life.   “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” (Gal 5:5)       www.gracechapelobrien.net

 

           http://wayfarerblog.blogspot.com/

 

     mam

Crucified with Christ

From the pen of Bro. Mike McInnis

CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

This verse along with several other New Testament passages of scripture profoundly declare the glorious and perfect standing of the sons of GOD with their FATHER. One is “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Gal 6:14) Another is “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1) And yet another is, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:11) Still another is, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1Cor 1:30-31)

We have all heard the mantra; “What you have is GOD’s gift to you, what you do with what you have is your gift to GOD.” This teaching is espoused far and wide among many well meaning folks who are convinced that it is a basic truth. It certainly has a nice ring to it and is very appealing to the natural religious mind. This is exactly the concept that the Jews followed according to Paul’s description. “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” (Rom 10:3)

Paul recognized that he could not in any way enhance that which was given to him by GOD’s grace nor did he suppose he could somehow perform some deed of righteousness which could insure GOD’s continued favor or, conversely, commit some act would cause him to forfeit that gift. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1Cor 4:7) He understood quite clearly that there was no place in the believers life wherein he might glory in his own effort, regardless of the supposed triumphs or victories which GOD was pleased to manifest in him. “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.” (Rom 14:7-8)

Those who have been given the privilege to be the sons of GOD are so because it has pleased GOD to make them such. HE has redeemed them with the precious blood of HIS only begotten SON and does, in HIS own time, call them out by HIS grace. HE has seen fit to leave them in this world for a season, not as a “proving ground”, to find out which among them are worthy, but rather to manifest HIS faithfulness to them in applying the righteousness of CHRIST to them, even though they be thought to be the offscouring of the earth by its inhabitants, and in and of themselves worthy of nothing but death. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2Cor 4:7)

How can any man ever take credit for that which is the operation of GOD’s SPIRIT? “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13) Or how can a man entertain the notion that he can somehow become a child of GOD by some activity of his own? “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13) Paul said:

“I am crucified with CHRIST.” He makes it clear that HIS redemption is in and by CHRIST. One of the most glorious aspects of that which CHRIST has performed is a contemplation of HIS love for and union with those whose sins HE atoned for. HE came as the “KINSMAN REDEEMER” for all of those whom HE loved before the foundation of the world. HE says to HIS FATHER, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me.” (John 17:6) HE is the ELDER BROTHER of all of those who belong to HIM and can no more be separated from them in that capacity than HE can be separated from HIS FATHER as the ETERNAL SON. Therefore when HE suffered they suffered, when HE died they died, when HE rose again so did they, and when HE comes back they shall be with HIM.

“Nevertheless I live”. He is saying that he presently is alive in a state totally free from the condemnation, power, and guilt of sin, He cannot be brought under its curse any longer because he is dead to the law and alive unto CHRIST. His case has been taken out of the court of sin and death, (since CHRIST has died in his behalf) and now he dwells under the law of the SPIRIT of LIFE in CHRIST JESUS where there is no condemnation of any sort that can be leveled against him, by men or angels.. (see Rom.8:1,2)

“Yet not I but CHRIST liveth in me.” Lest any man should think that the power of this LIFE is in any wise his own or that its ownership is somehow “transferred” or the righteousness thereof “imparted” to him, he makes it clear that all of his “righteousness” is that which is his by the imputation of CHRIST’s righteousness and that any product thereof is that of the SPIRIT of CHRIST who dwells in him.

“And the life which I now live in the flesh”. Then so that no man should think that he is describing some “out of body” (or purely spiritual) experience he plainly declares that the LORD is pleased to operate in us and through us in these mortal bodies. Some seem to think that those whom the LORD is pleased to manifest as HIS children can live in such a manner as to be totally at odds with the work of that SPIRIT. Paul entertained no such notion saying, “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1Cor 6:10-11) GOD is pleased to work in those HE has justified and called. A man devoid of the SPIRIT’s presence is not a manifested child of GOD. “But ye are not in the flesh, (i.e. operating under its dominion) but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Rom 8:9)

“I live by the faith of the SON of GOD.” He makes it very plain that even that faith in which we stand by the grace of GOD is not ours. That “faith” which we possess is “of CHRIST” in its origin. HE is the giver of faith, no man can boast either in its presence or in any wise as to the degree with which it is bestowed upon him, it is the gift of GOD. It is the faith “of CHRIST” because all of the hopes and expectations of the sons of GOD have their total basis in that which HE has done in their behalf. It is the “faith of CHRIST” as to all of their desires for the future. “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69)

“Who loved me and gave HIMSELF for me.” “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1Cor 6:19-20)

Relief

"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." PSA. 57:1

It is believed that David wrote this psalm while hiding in a cave from King Saul of Israel. You, perhaps remember the story of Saul and David. For many years, Saul, for no good reason, sought to kill David. Stop and think on that for a moment, to literally live from day to day with the threat of physical death lingering over your head.

These were the "calamities" that David sought relief from. The word translated 'calamities' carries the meaning of ruin, iniquity, evil, and wickedness. For me it is hard to compare my life's troubles with David's life's calamities. Nevertheless, I am reminded by him that true refuge and therefore true relief is found only in Almighty God.

To seek refuge in something or someone else is worthless. Jonah called these false refuges "lying vanities", Jeremiah referred to them as "broken cisterns". We might, perhaps, find temporary relief in these other refuges but in the scope of eternity they will eventually give way like the house built on sand.

Believers have a different hope and a different refuge. Jesus said; "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me." Our refuge is Christ; He, alone, is appointed by God as the way, the truth and the life. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

May we say with the psalmist; "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

It is written

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Acts 27:25

Thought for today

Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
--Psalm 73:24

For we walk by faith, not by sight. --2 Corinthians 5:7

Jesus My Guide
by Joseph Hart


When'er I make some sudden stop-
For many such I make-
And cannot see the cloud cleared up
Nor know which path to take,

I to my Savior speed my way,
To tell my dubious state;
Then listen what the Lord will say,
And to follow that.

If Jesus seem to hide His face,
What anxious fears I feel!
But if He deign to whisper peace,
I'm happy! all is well.

Confirmed by one soft, secret word,
I seek no farther light;
But walk, depending on my Lord,
By faith, and not by sight.

Of friends and counselors bereft,
I often hear Him say,
"Decline not to the right or left;
Go on; lo! here's the way."

Weak in myself, in Him I'm strong;
His Spirit's voice I hear.
The way I walk cannot be wrong.
If Jesus be but there.

He is my Helper and my Guide;
I trust in Him alone;
No other helps have I beside;
I venture all on One.

In difficult times, I have often thought and asked with Simon Peter; "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. "

Many have turned away from Jesus Christ; some have looked to this world's thousands of empty philosophies, some have, in serious error, placed their trust in religious ceremonies, yet others, mistakenly, cling to God's law as their hope, while others have loved the things of this world. These have forsaken Him, "the fountain of living waters," they have...hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." While the flesh may be satisfied, the soul (the real person) is dead, it has no light. The question then must be asked; "what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Lord, I pray that I will "be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Deliver me from the influences of this world, save me from my self and my own supposed righteousness.

Keep me in your path, in your way. May my rest be in your dear Son.

Lord, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.

God's Faithfulness

The Faithfulness of God

God is faithful. He keeps His word, He keeps His promises. We can trust Him!

Believe Him!

He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob He would give them the land. (Genesis 12, 13:15, 15:18, 26:3;28:4,13)

750 + years later He carried out His promise, He kept His word.

So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it.

The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.

Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. Joshua 21:43-45

He promised a Child would be born of a virgin in Bethlehem. He laid upon Caesar Augustus' heart to call for a worldwide taxing, a worldwide registration. So Mary and Joseph went to his hometown, the city of David and there she gave birth to a Son, the Son, the Savior, Christ the Lord! Luke 20:1-20

He is the same God today, He does not change, He has not changed!

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

He has put all His eggs in one basket, He has invested all in His Son!

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us--by me, Silvanus, and Timothy--was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 1 Corinthians 1:19-20

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; Philippians 1:6

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33

God promises something and then He brings it about. By His great power He works all things out in order to fulfill and keep His word.

He is worthy of all our praise, honor, and worship!

Believe Him today, even in the midst of your circumstances, if you are His, He will keep you and will deliver you into His presence.

"To the praise of the glory of His grace!"

today

Scriptures that are pressing upon me this morning.

Acts 17:22-31

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you.
- God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
- Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
- And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth,
- and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
- That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though he be not far from every one of us:
- For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
- Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.

Jeremiah 2:13

For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.

1 Corinthians 2:22

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

my questions

Do I (we) really believe the Lord Jesus Christ? Do I (we) really believe He is sufficient?


As a sinner may I trust Him? As a believer may I trust Him? As a husband may I trust Him? As a parent may I trust Him? As a gospel minister may I trust Him?

Do I believe He is sufficient to draw all people? Sufficient to give repentance? Sufficient to give faith? Sufficient to keep and maintain? Sufficient to bring us to glory?

I know He is worthy, I know He is able, I know He is sufficient. Yet, I find myself standing with the father at the bottom of the mount of transfiguration, crying out, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

What Does the Lord Understand? part 6

A continuation of excerpts from Dr. Jay Wimberly's sermon notes of a message delivered September 7, 2003 to The Main Street Baptist Church in Auburndale, FL.

The text is from Micah 4:12: But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

What does the Lord understand about soul salvation?

1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Acts 16:31. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved....

Romans 8:1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

God understands that there is full salvation, the removal of all condemnation, through faith in His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

What Does the Lord Understand? part 4

A continuation of excerpts from Dr. Jay Wimberly's sermon notes of a message delivered September 7, 2003 to The Main Street Baptist Church in Auburndale, FL.

The text is from Micah 4:12: But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

What does the Lord understand about His Son?

Matthew 3:17. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased. [Fully satisfied, as one accepts something in full payment]

Matthew 17:5. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Romans 5:8. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

"I gave my life for Thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou mightst ransomed be
And quickened from the dead."

Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879

God understands that Jesus Christ is His Son, His Messiah, the One to be heard, believed and followed.

Receiving

A thought from Charles Spurgeon



"As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord." --Colossians 2:6

The life of faith is represented as receiving-- an act which implies the very opposite of anything like merit. It is simply the acceptance of a gift. As the earth drinks in the rain, as the sea receives the streams, as night accepts light from the stars, so we, giving nothing, partake freely of the grace of God. The saints are not, by nature, wells, or streams, they are but cisterns into which the living water flows; they are empty vessels into which God pours His salvation. The idea of receiving implies a sense of realization, making the matter a reality. One cannot very well receive a shadow; we receive that which is substantial: so is it in the life of faith, Christ becomes real to us. While we are without faith, Jesus is a mere name to us--a person who lived a long while ago, so long ago that His life is only a history to us now! By an act of faith Jesus becomes a real person in the consciousness of our heart. But receiving also means grasping or getting possession of. The thing which I receive becomes my own: I appropriate to myself that which is given. When I receive Jesus, He becomes my Saviour, so mine that neither life nor death shall be able to rob me of Him. All this is to receive Christ--to take Him as God's free gift; to realize Him in my heart, and to appropriate Him as mine.

Salvation may be described as the blind receiving sight, the deaf receiving hearing, the dead receiving life; but we have not only received these blessings, we have received CHRIST JESUS Himself. It is true that He gave us life from the dead. He gave us pardon of sin; He gave us imputed righteousness. These are all precious things, but we are not content with them; we have received Christ Himself. The Son of God has been poured into us, and we have received Him, and appropriated Him. What a heartful Jesus must be, for heaven itself cannot contain Him!

What are we to do?

The apostle John recorded this incident:
"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:28-29

Later, John recorded in his first letter: "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." 1 John 3:23

Lord; teach me your way and open my eyes that I may see Him whom you have sent. Please give me the faith to trust Him, rest in Him and follow Him.

Blinded

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

I was blind but now I see, it is truly, amazing grace!

Do you see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ? May God remove Satan's blindness from your eyes.

Tests of faith

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." (perseverance, endurance).