Just sharing.

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“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

John 10:9

Jesus, the great I AM, is the entrance into the true church, and the way of access to God himself. He gives to the man who comes to God by him four choice privileges.

1. He shall be saved. The fugitive manslayer passed the gate of the city of refuge, and was safe. Noah entered the door of the ark, and was secure. None can be lost who take Jesus as the door of faith to their souls. Entrance through Jesus into peace is the guarantee of entrance by the same door into heaven. Jesus is the only door, an open door, a wide door, a safe door; and blessed is he who rests all his hope of admission to glory upon the crucified Redeemer.

2. He shall go in. He shall be privileged to go in among the divine family, sharing the children's bread, and participating in all their honours and enjoyments. He shall go in to the chambers of communion, to the banquets of love, to the treasures of the covenant, to the storehouses of the promises. He shall go in unto the King of kings in the power of the Holy Spirit, and the secret of the Lord shall be with him.

3. He shall go out. This blessing is much forgotten. We go out into the world to labour and suffer, but what a mercy to go in the name and power of Jesus! We are called to bear witness to the truth, to cheer the disconsolate, to warn the careless, to win souls, and to glorify God; and as the angel said to Gideon, “Go in this thy might,” even thus the Lord would have us proceed as his messengers in his name and strength.

4. He shall find pasture. He who knows Jesus shall never want. Going in and out shall be alike helpful to him: in fellowship with God he shall grow, and in watering others he shall be watered. Having made Jesus his all, he shall find all in Jesus. His soul shall be as a watered garden, and as a well of water whose waters fail not.

 

[beensetfree]

What Does It Mean To Shrink Back At His Appearing?



Why did the Apostle John say he wanted believers to abide in Christ and have boldness on the day of His appearing, and not shrink back in shame? What’s the meaning?

Faithful Servant
All believers are stewards…stewards of their time, talent, and treasure, and Jesus will hold us all accountable for what we have done (Matt 25:40) and haven’t done for Him (Matt 25:41), so when Jesus was speaking about stewardship, He gave the Parable of the Talents. To each, “he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away” (Matt 25:15), but He will come again to see what each had done with what they’d be given. We know He gave to each of them “according to his ability.” They had the ability to do good and the ability to invest these talents, sowing them into the Kingdom, so they had no excuse. They had the means and the ability, but not all of them acted wisely. Two did, as the Master says of their doubling their talents, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt 25:23).

They had been faithful. That’s what the Master was looking for. It wasn’t that it was doubled that mattered, but they had been faithful with what they’d been given. Then the third servant came and had nothing to show for what the Master had given him. He may have had little, but He was not faithful with it, so the Master said, “take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away” (Matt 25:28-29). What will the Master say to us? Will it be, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, for you attended 5,380 Bible studies and attended 9,873 church services….enter into the joy of the Lord?” By all means, no! It will be whether he or she was faithful with what was given them. Talents can be buried or multiplied, but if they don’t use them, they will lose them.

Shrinking Back
I can remember getting caught at doing something and then, being ashamed of it. I clearly knew what I was doing was wrong, but I did it any, but when I was caught, I had to admit it. I remember thinking, “If the Lord returned that very moment, would I shrink back from Jesus in shame?” I would say, yes at that moment, but the Apostle John actually wanted to encourage the church, however, he also wanted to make sure they understood that they are responsible for their actions or inactions. John implored them to “abide in [Jesus] so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming” (1 John 2:28). If you are not abiding in Christ, then you are likely not abiding in His Body, and probably not abiding in His Word, and maybe even not walking in obedience (Matt 25:35-36, 28:18-20). By not abiding in Christ, you won’t be acting as much like Christ, and if one is not acting like Christ and He appears at that moment, there is certainly the possibility that you or I would shrink back in shame.

His Appearance
The Bible teaches that many, not a few, will be stunned when Christ returns and they discover that He doesn’t even know them (Matt 7:21-23). Every unbeliever and false convert will see Jesus Christ coming in the clouds of glory. The only exception would be unless their death precedes His appearance, but that still means a judgment is coming (Heb 9:27), but for all who have rejected Christ, they “will wail (or mourn) on account of him” (Rev 1:7) because they refused to bow the knee to Him and repent and be saved. They will wail over their own rejection of Christ, knowing in their hearts that God does exist, so they’ll be without excuse (Psalm 19:1-2; Rom 1:18-21). Not only will they shrink back at His appearing, there may be a good many believers who do the same thing because they have not been living Christ-like, having one foot in the world, and the other in the Kingdom. By the way, that doesn’t work!

Examine Yourself
I say this not only to others in preaching and teaching, but I say it to myself: “Examine yourself!” It doesn’t hurt to take a self-diagnostic and the Word of God does an outstanding job of that. The Book of 1st John is an excellent example. So is the Book of Philippians, but John reminds the church of this tenet of the faith: “If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him” (1 John 1:29). If someone’s not practicing righteous living (Not perfect of course!), then it may well be time to “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.

Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test” (1 Cor 13:5). Peter tells us that we should “be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall” (2 Pet 1:10), and this spiritual self-examination will give you peace of mind, or as Peter writes, “For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 1:11).

Using our Talents
Some of the things that Jesus Christ has commanded the church to do is clearly spelled out in Scripture, so we have no excuse for not following His commands. For example, the command to go “and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19), but He also gives us specific things to do with our talents and Jesus sees these things as being done to Him. The Master says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me” (Matt 25:35-36).

Conclusion
I pray you (and I) regularly examine ourselves to see if we’re soundly in the faith and to make sure we are being faithful servants with what we’ve been given. In this way, we won’t shrink back at His appearing. That’s because we understand that as far as Jesus sees it, “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matt 25:40). There’s no reason to shrink back in shame if you’re found faithfully doing what He’s commanded…but there’s every reason to shrink back in shame if the Master says, “as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me” (Matt 25:45). We know that ends very badly (Matt 25:41).

 

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Messiah would be the Son of David For Unto Us A Child Is Born... Prophecy Fulfilled in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth ________________ Messiah - of the house and lineage of David. Prophecy: "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." Isaiah 9:7 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Fulfillment: "THE book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." Matthew 1:1 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ He is our righteousness Prophecy: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jeremiah 23:5-6 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Fulfillment: "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 ________________ Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.”

Proverbs 27:23

Every wise merchant will occasionally hold a stock-taking, when he will cast up his accounts, examine what he has on hand, and ascertain decisively whether his trade is prosperous or declining. Every man who is wise in the kingdom of heaven, will cry, “Search me, O God, and try me”; and he will frequently set apart special seasons for self-examination, to discover whether things are right between God and his soul.

The God whom we worship is a great heart-searcher; and of old his servants knew him as “the Lord which searcheth the heart and trieth the reins of the children of men.” Let me stir you up in his name to make diligent search and solemn trial of your state, lest you come short of the promised rest. That which every wise man does, that which God himself does with us all, I exhort you to do with yourself this evening. Let the oldest saint look well to the fundamentals of his piety, for grey heads may cover black hearts: and let not the young professor despise the word of warning, for the greenness of youth may be joined to the rottenness of hypocrisy.

Every now and then a cedar falls into our midst. The enemy still continues to sow tares among the wheat. It is not my aim to introduce doubts and fears into your mind; nay, verily, but I shall hope the rather that the rough wind of self-examination may help to drive them away. It is not security, but carnal security, which we would kill; not confidence, but fleshly confidence, which we would overthrow; not peace, but false peace, which we would destroy.

By the precious blood of Christ, which was not shed to make you a hypocrite, but that sincere souls might show forth his praise, I beseech you, search and look, lest at the last it be said of you, “Mene, Mene, Tekel: thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.”

 

[beensetfree]

The Power Of Gratitude



There is great power in our words…power to do good and power to do harm, but words of gratitude have a power that keeps on giving.
Words
The saying that “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never harm me” doesn’t appear to be true. I can’t count the number of people that’ve heard words from their parents like, “You’ll never amount to nothing” and “You’re useless.” Sadly, this can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Words do matter…very much. They can build other’s up or they can tear other’s down, and in some cases, words have the power of life and death. Words can harm us and hurt us. The power in the tongue can be amazingly good or it can be terribly bad, and it is “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10). Jesus warned us that “on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matt 12:36). Words are of supreme importance, since “by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt 12:37). Believers are commanded to put “away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth” (Col 3:8).

Words of Death
Words can build up or they can tear down, and there’s no shortage of tearing down today, so why not choose to build other’s up with words. Say “Thank you” to someone, even if it’s their job to do it. Thank you goes a long way, and a smile is just as contagious as a “Thank you” is. The Apostle Paul admonishes us to “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:29). If it’s not good for the hearer, it’s good for nothing, however, “if our words give “grace to those who hear,” then its building up one another

. Even if there’s disagreement between two people, they don’t have to be disagreeable. They can agree to disagree and leave it at that, but words can hurt and destroy relationships. Our words can get us into trouble too. Jesus said, “that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matt 5:22). That sounds very much like words matter!

Words of Life
Solomon under stood that “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Prov 16:24). We’ve already read that words can be like poisonous darts and afflict internal injury, but our words are like one-way shots…they cannot be taken back once they’re released, however, words can also be “health to the body.” Timing is very important in knowing what to say and when to say it. There’s a time to speak and a time to be silent. Scriptures say, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Prov 25:11), however, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent” (Prov 10:19). Words can save lives by warning others about something, but also there is also eternal life in words, or more specifically, in Jesus’ words.

He said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:33). When Jesus’ hard sayings began to thin the crowd of the disciples (John 6:60-66), Jesus asked His own disciples, “Do you want to go away as well” (John 6:67), but the Apostle Peter nailed it in explaining why they weren’t leaving like the others. Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69), so not only do words build up, they can impart eternal life, and those words are found in Scripture.

Thank You
I don’t thank the readers often enough for reading these articles, but I even thank those who are opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15), because even if they don’t believe, they have at least seen and heard the gospel and know what is required (Rom 10:9-13). The Apostle Paul wrote, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Tim 2:1), and all people means, “all people.” And giving thanks is not just family and friends, but “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil 4:6).

Conclusion
Saying “Thank you” is an easy way to make someone’s day a bit brighter. It has positive effects…I would say, it has a ripple effect, because you may have left them in a better mood than when you first saw them. That’s something we could all use. Our state song in Kansas sings about this, saying, “Where seldom is heard a discouraging word, And the skies are not cloudy all day.” The skies I can vouch for, but sometimes I hear more discouraging words than positive ones. Pay it forward I say, and say “Thank you” to someone today, and as much as possible, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col 4:6).

 

[beensetfree]

Glory to God in the highest For Unto Us A Child Is Born... And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:8-20 NIV __________________ Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“And there was no more sea.”

Revelation 21:1

Scarcely could we rejoice at the thought of losing the glorious old ocean: the new heavens and the new earth are none the fairer to our imagination, if, indeed, literally there is to be no great and wide sea, with its gleaming waves and shelly shores. Is not the text to be read as a metaphor, tinged with the prejudice with which the Oriental mind universally regarded the sea in the olden times? A real physical world without a sea it is mournful to imagine, it would be an iron ring without the sapphire which made it precious.

There must be a spiritual meaning here. In the new dispensation there will be no division — the sea separates nations and sunders peoples from each other. To John in Patmos the deep waters were like prison walls, shutting him out from his brethren and his work: there shall be no such barriers in the world to come. Leagues of rolling billows lie between us and many a kinsman whom tonight we prayerfully remember, but in the bright world to which we go there shall be unbroken fellowship for all the redeemed family. In this sense there shall be no more sea.

The sea is the emblem of change; with its ebbs and flows, its glassy smoothness and its mountainous billows, its gentle murmurs and its tumultuous roarings, it is never long the same. Slave of the fickle winds and the changeful moon, its instability is proverbial. In this mortal state we have too much of this; earth is constant only in her inconstancy, but in the heavenly state all mournful change shall be unknown, and with it all fear of storm to wreck our hopes and drown our joys. The sea of glass glows with a glory unbroken by a wave. No tempest howls along the peaceful shores of paradise. Soon shall we reach that happy land where partings, and changes, and storms shall be ended! Jesus will waft us there. Are we in him or not? This is the grand question.

 

[beensetfree]

Does The Bible Mention Holy Water?



Holy water is now one of the hottest selling items on TV and the Internet, but does the Bible mention holy water?

Baptism
Every believer is commanded to be baptized after they are saved, with the understanding that the water doesn’t save them. There’s no special power in water or special waters that are blessed to make them holy, and after examining the Bible, I found the Scriptures silent about holy water. There is much to say about water, and nothing about holy water, not to mention using it for special purposes. The Apostle Peter told the believers on the Day of Pentecost that they must “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). We are made holy when God brings us to repentance and faith in Christ. At the point we put our trust in Christ, we’ve received the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:17). This regeneration makes us into a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17), but every believer is commanded to be baptized.

There are few exceptions. One example was where a man we met in our nursing home ministry was saved and wanted to be baptized, but he was too weak to be raised and lifted into the water, so we just poured a small amount of water on the man’s forehead three times in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. At age 95 he finally put his trust in Christ and wanted to be baptized…and right away, and who could blame him, but every believer is commanded to be baptized, but with the understanding that the water is not holy. We are made holy by the shed blood of Christ, not by water.

Holy Water
When I did my research about holy water, over 130 million search results popped up, so I hardly knew where to begin. There was “Authentic” holy water from the Jordan River (as if this water was holier than other water). It was about ten bucks for a touch over 3 ounces, but there was also “Purifying” holy water, and naturally it was from the Jordan River, so what is so special about the Jordan River waters? The answer is nothing! Water is water. Water cannot be holy nor can water be unholy. There is not holy water and then secular water. There is just plain water. Paying almost ten dollars for 0.3 ounces of “holy water” from one seller, even if it was from the River Jordan, seemed over the top to me. I suppose shipping costs from the Jordan River is not cheap (if it was from the Jordan River), but selling holy water seems to have no biblical basis.

God declared the creation “very good,” but never did He call the creation “holy.” To declare something “very good” does not mean it is holy. Only God is holy and He alone can make us holy through Christ. Maybe you’ve seen the miracle spring water that one man’s giving away free. Sounds like a good deal, but be careful believing what they promise about this water. As always, if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Water that is declared to be holy, miraculous, or purifying is unbiblical. I can believe that about God, but not about water. We are made holy by trusting in Christ, purified by His atoning blood, and miraculously become a new creation in Christ. I can believe that because it’s in the Bible. Holy water? Not so.

Ceremonial Washings
There were several ceremonial washings in the Old Testament. For example in Numbers 19:17 it says, “For the unclean they shall take some ashes of the burnt sin offering, and fresh water shall be added in a vessel.” When someone came into contact with a dead carcass, they were required to undergo certain washings or cleansings, but the washings never made them holy…it did physically cleanse them, but there is no remission of sins without the shedding of blood (Lev 17:11; Heb 9:22), and holy water (if it exists at all), cannot take away our sins. The law said that “every person who eats what dies of itself or what is torn by beasts, whether he is a native or a sojourner, shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening; then he shall be clean” (Lev 17:15). Never is the source of the water mentioned or the importance of water in the Jordan River.

Conclusion
I would never put my trust in water…even if it was from the River Jordan. I put my trust in Christ for only He has the power to cleanse. The Apostle Peter wrote that “you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Pet 1:19). Clearly, John the Baptist knew that Christ was the Lamb, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b)! If you’re really interested in holy water, Jesus says that “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.

The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). This means that “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:38). The One seated on the throne “said to [John], “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment” (Rev 21:6). Why not come to the water…the Living Water which springs to eternal life…without money and without price. That’s because Christ has already paid it all.

 

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For Unto Us A Child Is Born... The Son of God Prophecy Fulfilled in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth ______________ Messiah would be the Son of God Prophecy: "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?" Proverbs 30:4 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Fulfillment: "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16-17 (see also: Luke 1:31-35; John 1:34; 2 Peter 1:17) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Prophecy: "I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." Psalm 2:7 Fulfillment: "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." Hebrews 1:5-6 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Acts 13:30-33 ______________ We need a Savior because we are sinners, and the wages of sin is death... Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“Call thy labourers, and give them their hire.”

Matthew 20:8

God is a good paymaster; he pays his servants while at work as well as when they have done it; and one of his payments is this: an easy conscience. If you have spoken faithfully of Jesus to one person, when you go to bed at night you feel happy in thinking, “I have this day discharged my conscience of that man's blood.” There is a great comfort in doing something for Jesus. Oh, what a happiness to place jewels in his crown, and give him to see of the travail of his soul!

There is also very great reward in watching the first buddings of conviction in a soul! To say of that girl in the class, “She is tender of heart, I do hope that there is the Lord's work within.” To go home and pray over that boy, who said something in the afternoon which made you think he must know more of divine truth than you had feared! Oh, the joy of hope!

But as for the joy of success! it is unspeakable. This joy, overwhelming as it is, is a hungry thing — you pine for more of it. To be a soul-winner is the happiest thing in the world. With every soul you bring to Christ, you get a new heaven upon earth. But who can conceive the bliss which awaits us above! Oh, how sweet is that sentence, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!” Do you know what the joy of Christ is over a saved sinner? This is the very joy which we are to possess in heaven.

Yes, when he mounts the throne, you shall mount with him. When the heavens ring with “Well done, well done,” you shall partake in the reward; you have toiled with him, you have suffered with him, you shall now reign with him; you have sown with him, you shall reap with him; your face was covered with sweat like his, and your soul was grieved for the sins of men as his soul was, now shall your face be bright with heaven's splendour as is his countenance, and now shall your soul be filled with beatific joys even as his soul is.

 

[beensetfree]

Judge Gently
=============

Pray, don't find fault with the man who limps
Or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt
Though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble too.

Don't sneer at the man who's down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong but still the blows
That was his if dealt to you
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time
Might cause you to stagger too.

Don't be too harsh with the man who sins
Or pelt him with word or stone
Unless you are sure - yea, doubly sure
That you have no sins of your own.

For you know, perhaps,
If the tempter's voice should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray
It might cause you to falter too.

 

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Messiah Is God Incarnate For Unto Us A Child Is Born... Prophecy Fulfilled in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth ________________ Clearly, Messiah would be God Incarnate Prophecy: "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." Psalm 102:25-27 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Fulfillment: "And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail." Hebrews 1:10-12 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:" Ephesians 3:9 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Messiah is Lord of All Prophecy: "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Psalm 110:1 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Fulfillment: "While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions." Matthew 22:41-45 ________________ Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.”

Ezekiel 16:10

See with what matchless generosity the Lord provides for his people's apparel. They are so arrayed that the divine skill is seen producing an unrivalled broidered work, in which every attribute takes its part and every divine beauty is revealed. No art like the art displayed in our salvation, no cunning workmanship like that beheld in the righteousness of the saints. Justification has engrossed learned pens in all ages of the church, and will be the theme of admiration in eternity. God has indeed “curiously wrought it.”

With all this elaboration there is mingled utility and durability, comparable to our being shod with badgers’ skins. The animal here meant is unknown, but its skin covered the tabernacle, and formed one of the finest and strongest leathers known. The righteousness which is of God by faith endureth for ever, and he who is shod with this divine preparation will tread the desert safely, and may even set his foot upon the lion and the adder.

Purity and dignity of our holy vesture are brought out in the fine linen. When the Lord sanctifies his people, they are clad as priests in pure white; not the snow itself excels them; they are in the eyes of men and angels fair to look upon, and even in the Lord's eyes they are without spot. Meanwhile the royal apparel is delicate and rich as silk. No expense is spared, no beauty withheld, no daintiness denied.

What, then? Is there no inference from this? Surely there is gratitude to be felt and joy to be expressed. Come, my heart, refuse not thy evening hallelujah! Tune thy pipes! Touch thy chords!

“Strangely, my soul, art thou arrayed
By the Great Sacred Three!
In sweetest harmony of praise
Let all thy powers agree.”

 

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The Boy and The Tree
=====================

A long time ago, there was a huge apple tree. A little boy
loved to come and play around it everyday. He climbed to the
tree top, ate the apples, took a nap under the shadow...

He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him.


Time went by...
The little boy grew up, and he no longer played around the tree
everyday. One day, the boy came back to the tree with a sad
look on his face. "Come and play with me," the tree asked the
boy. "I am no longer a kid, I don't play around trees anymore."
The boy replied, "I want toys. I need money to buy them."
"Sorry, I don't have money...but you can pick all my apples and
sell them so you will have money."

The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the apples on the tree
and left happily. The boy didn't come back after he picked the
apples. The tree was sad.

One day, the boy returned and the tree was so excited.
"Come and play with me," the tree said.
"I don't have time to play. I have to work for my family.
We need a house for shelter. Can you help me?"
"Sorry, I don't have a house, but you can chop off my branches
to build your house."

So the boy cut all the branches off the tree and left happily.
The tree was glad to see him happy but the boy didn't come back
afterward. The tree was again lonely and sad.

One hot summer day, the boy returned and the tree was delighted.
"Come and play with me!" the tree said.

"I am sad and getting old. I want to go sailing to relax
myself. Can you give me a boat?" "Use my trunk to build your
boat. You can sail far away and be happy." So the boy cut the
tree truck to make a boat. He went sailing and didn't come
back for a long time.


Finally, the boy returned after he had been gone for so many
years. "Sorry, my boy. But I don't have anything for you
anymore. No more apples for you..." the tree said.

"I don't have teeth to bite," the boy replied.

"No more trunk for you to climb on."

"I am too old for that now" the boy said. "I really can't give
you anything... the only thing left is my dying roots," the
tree said with sadness.

"I don't need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after
all these years," the boy replied.

"Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest.
Come sit down with me and rest." The boy sat down and the tree
was glad and smiled with tears.

******************

This is the story of everyone.

The tree is our parent. When we were young, we loved to play
with Mom and Dad... When we grew up, we left them...
We only came to them when we needed something or when we were in
trouble.

No matter what, parents will always be there and give you
everything they can to make you happy.

It may seem as if the way the boy treats the "tree" in the story
is cruel, but many of us take our parents for granted in the
same way.

Never forget how important your parents are and try not to take
them for granted... they may not be around forever.

 

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e!

He Is A River Of Life and Healing for the Nations Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:38,39 NIV _____________ For the Lord will not reject forever, for if He causes grief, Then He will have compassion According to His abundant lovingkindness. For He does not afflict willingly or grieve the sons of men. Lamentations 3:31-33 NASB _____________ Thanks be unto God for his wonderful gift! Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“The spot of his children.”

Deuteronomy 32:5

What is the secret spot which infallibly betokens the child of God? It were vain presumption to decide this upon our own judgment; but God's word reveals it to us, and we may tread surely where we have revelation to be our guide. Now, we are told concerning our Lord, “to as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to as many as believed on his name.” Then, if I have received Christ Jesus into my heart, I am a child of God. That reception is described in the same verse as believing on the name of Jesus Christ.

If, then, I believe on Jesus Christ's name — that is, simply from my heart trust myself with the crucified, but now exalted, Redeemer, I am a member of the family of the Most High. Whatever else I may not have, if I have this, I have the privilege to become a child of God. Our Lord Jesus puts it in another shape. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Here is the matter in a nutshell. Christ appears as a shepherd to his own sheep, not to others. As soon as he appears, his own sheep perceive him — they trust him, they are prepared to follow him; he knows them, and they know him — there is a mutual knowledge — there is a constant connection between them.

Thus the one mark, the sure mark, the infallible mark of regeneration and adoption is a hearty faith in the appointed Redeemer. Reader, are you in doubt, are you uncertain whether you bear the secret mark of God's children? Then let not an hour pass over your head till you have said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Trifle not here, I adjure you! If you must trifle anywhere, let it be about some secondary matter: your health, if you will, or the title deeds of your estate; but about your soul, your never-dying soul and its eternal destinies, I beseech you to be in earnest. Make sure work for eternity.

 

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Seven Things
=============

I have seen much in my 15 years in ministry and in life before
formal ministry. I can tell you these seven things:

1. Money can make you comfortable,
but it will not comfort you for long.

2. Health is your greatest material asset,
if you are healthy, you are rich.

3. You must be content within yourself first,
your completeness will not come from another person.

4. Less than 20% of people are happy in marriage.

5. Less than 20% of people are happy single.

6. Single or marriage does NOT make the difference
in whether you are happy or not.

7. There is one relationship that takes precedence and matters
more than any other.

It's your relationship with God.

 

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He Is Our Helper! The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:2,3 NIV __________________ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:7,8 KJV __________________ O love the LORD, all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful And fully recompenses the proud doer. Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:23,24 NASB __________________ And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. Philippians 1:6 NLT __________________ Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“The night also is thine.”

Psalm 74:16

Yes, Lord, thou dost not abdicate thy throne when the sun goeth down, nor dost thou leave the world all through these long wintry nights to be the prey of evil; thine eyes watch us as the stars, and thine arms surround us as the zodiac belts the sky. The dews of kindly sleep and all the influences of the moon are in thy hand, and the alarms and solemnities of night are equally with thee. This is very sweet to me when watching through the midnight hours, or tossing to and fro in anguish. There are precious fruits put forth by the moon as well as by the sun: may my Lord make me to be a favoured partaker in them.

The night of affliction is as much under the arrangement and control of the Lord of Love as the bright summer days when all is bliss. Jesus is in the tempest. His love wraps the night about itself as a mantle, but to the eye of faith the sable robe is scarce a disguise. From the first watch of the night even unto the break of day the eternal Watcher observes his saints, and overrules the shades and dews of midnight for his people's highest good. We believe in no rival deities of good and evil contending for the mastery, but we hear the voice of Jehovah saying, “I create light and I create darkness; I, the Lord, do all these things.”

Gloomy seasons of religious indifference and social sin are not exempted from the divine purpose. When the altars of truth are defiled, and the ways of God forsaken, the Lord's servants weep with bitter sorrow, but they may not despair, for the darkest eras are governed by the Lord, and shall come to their end at his bidding. What may seem defeat to us may be victory to him.

“Though enwrapt in gloomy night,
We perceive no ray of light;
Since the Lord himself is here,
’Tis not meet that we should fear.”

 

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I pastored a church for 15 years, and I worked in an office
where I was the only male for 20 years.

My wife is sickly and her illness has caused her
to lose much of her desire for intimate relations. On many
occasions I have been presented with the opportunity to break
my marriage vows by being unfaithful to my wife. I am happy to
say that I have never cheated on my way because of three
things.

Reason number one: I am in a covenant with GOD and my wife.

Reason number two: Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, and endures all things love never fails.

Reason number three: I choose to remain faithful to my wife.

I believe reason number three to be the most powerful faculty
that GOD has endowed us with but we use it so badly. I am not
perfect. I am just a man who believes and trusts that what GOD
said I can do, I can do according to the power that works inside
of me.

God bless you.