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Post  Admin Thu 01 Sep 2016, 10:52 pm

* THE FOLLY OF WORLDLY WISDOM*
* by C. R. Stam*
Has not the world made great progress, intellectually, since Paul's day? 
Is this not evident on every hand? Of course! For one thing, our 
physicists have taught us how to kill each other much faster now. 
Moscow, London or Washington could be wiped out in a few minutes, and 
this is a considerable saving in time!
And think what has been accomplished in the field of electronics! We can 
now keep intelligent people glued to their TV sets for hours on end, 
their eyes riveted to shows which are often unwholesome, but sometimes 
at least entertaining and occasionally even informative. And think of 
the many time-saving devices in our homes! We are all saving so much 
time that we cannot even be hospitable to each other and our mental 
institutions are over-crowded with patients who have collapsed from 
enjoying all this leisure time.
Then consider our achievements in transportation! Our thorough fares are 
crowded with automobiles whose drivers are getting jangled nerves in 
traffic jams and choking in the deadly carbon monoxide fumes, or else 
racing at high speeds, which is great fun until suddenly some object 
looms up ahead as if from nowhere. And the airplane! This is really 
something! We can now fly through the air with so much noise and 
commotion that innocent people for miles around our larger airports are 
kept awake nights. Of course, the minority should be willing to suffer 
cheerfully for the majority and it is important that great numbers of 
people get places fast, fast, fast.
But all this is nothing compared with what is going on in outer space. 
We now have all sorts of things orbiting around out there -- and it's 
not all debris. It includes some very sensitive instruments, serving us 
faithfully from day to day. Indeed, men from our earth have actually 
landed on the moon and have brought some of its rocks and dust back with
them. Soon, maybe, we will have people from beautiful New England, or 
the breath-taking Rockies, or the lovely shores of Oregon, living on its 
barren wastes. Wonderful prospect! And we can always get the necessary 
billions from the taxpayers.
But the best of it is that while we have aspired to reach the moon, and 
even Mars, we've got a Great Society going on earth; a Society whose 
wild pagan music has all but replaced the beautiful melodies and 
harmonies of the classics, and whose twisted "art" reflects the 
bewildered confusion of our times; a Society in which children and young 
people are corrupted, women are robbed and raped, and men, women and
children are murdered in the streets. Oh, it's wonderful! The young 
people demonstrating a tour universities for the right to use filthy 
language if they want to, and demanding a greater voice in running our 
institutions of learning; the minority groups marching to protest their 
various grievances, the rioting and blood shed, the burning and looting! 
And meantime, ever so quietly,our most sophisticated mob syndicates are 
running fine motels and other business organizations -- and pouring a 
never-increasing flow of narcotics, pornographic literature, etc., into 
our enlightened community, judges and juries doing what they can to 
favor the criminals and, should any of them land behind prison bars, the 
parole boards are there to help get them released as soon as possible, 
so that our happy society may benefit from their experience and our 
mental and penal institutions may be further enlarged. Surely we've 
never had it so good.
Thanks be to God for the truth of Gal. 1:4:
"[Christ] gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this 
present evil world
[or, "age"] according to the will of God and our Father."
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Post  Admin Sat 20 Aug 2016, 8:42 pm

A Changeless God in a Changing Age
By: Dr. Lloyd A. Peterson 


This message comes to us from the 27th Psalm. It is a song precious to the hearts of most Christians. David wrote this Psalm probably after his experience of 2 Samuel 21:15-17 You must read this portion to understand the Psalm. David was evidently aged when he went out to war with these Philistines. He very nearly lost his life in the battle. His friends said, 'Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.' In Hebrew and the Chaldee this Psalm is captioned 'ledavid' which is 'to and for David'. It is the testimony of sweet confidence in the living God.

There is a confidence because of divine protection. Verses 1-3. Confidence is given in the realm of spiritual, mental and physical anguish, He declares, 'When the wicked..' Verse 2., 'Wicked' here is not personified ; it is wickedness in general. The Hebrew word is 'ra-a,' It means the breaking up of all that is good and desirable. If a Greek word were chosen it would be 'poneros', which is normal depravity and corruption. A day like this is not only spoken of as coming but some of us believe that it is here. We who have children and grandchildren care for their souls and we are tempted to worry. But let the age come, twisted and warped as it is, we may have confidence in the living God that He cares for His own. Isaiah said of Him, 'When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall life up a standard.' Isaiah 5919.

Again the Psalmist declares, 'Though an host should encamp against me.' Verse 3. This is MENTAL ANGUISH. It is a picture of the threats about us. None of these have actually engaged us in struggle yet, but they are like the 
Philistines encamped round about Israel. It engenders a spirit of uneasiness. It disturbs the rest that belongs to the chosen of God. Our Heavenly Father wants us to rest in the Lord. These threats come to all of us at all ages of life, but God says that we should not be disturbed. David in the Psalms says, 'I shall not fear'. Dearly beloved, God does not permit one thing to be an accident in your life. We call them such but this is improper. Our Father knows what we have need of and when we need His protection. Sometimes the Lord lets the host encamp about us so that we may more carefully examine both ourselves and our God. The host sometimes becomes His tool to make us a vessel unto honor. A dear brother in the Lord gave me a piece of paper. It had this message on it: "The present circumstance which presses so hard against you is the best shaped tool in the Father's hand to chisel you for eternity. Trust Him then. Do no push away the instrument lest you lose its work.'

Once more the Psalmist declares, 'Though war should rise against me.' Verse 3. This is PHYSICAL. This is actual contract with the enemy. It is not only threat but experience in the physical. We all know what this is and will as long as we live in these bodies,. Young people are not so cognizant of this but time brings all face to face with this issue - the care of the physical.

What about age? With it come infirmities. Oh, how rich the Word is here! David said, 'I will be confident,' How could he say this? If you care to study, read on in the Psalm. David begins to pray as an old pilgrim along life's road he wisely asks for some items of life, even in late years, that God sees fit to give all those who seek His guidance. No wonder we may say 'Selah' (think of that) for this is our unchanging God in this changing world.

David wrote this Palm when he was aged. He probably was tempted to feel that the days of his usefulness were over. (As suggested, read 2 Samuel 21:15-17.) He was told that he should not go out to battle anymore. He was 
not able and capable as in former days. David was told that he should not 'quench the light of Israel.' It is not the easiest experience in life to be set aside from service. This is what Paul dreaded most. 'Lest I myself should become a castaway (set aside or disapproved)'. I believe that the Scripture teaches that until God takes us to heaven we are used of Him. When David saw that this particular phase of his ministry had come to an end he said, 
'There is more for me to do, that will I seek after'. In so may words he declared that there was a ministry of prayer and through this he would reach areas that he had not before touched for God, and in this, confidence would be restored. By such communion several experiences would be his:

No. 1 - Prayer would reveal God's presence. Verse 4. ' I will seek.....that I may dwell in the house of the Lord.' He was speaking of the sanctuary. He knew what he would see there. There he would see the candlesticks, the table of shewbread, the altar of incense, the Mercy Seat, etc. These all spoke of God and His faithfulness and care for the children of men. In short, these items of furniture revealed the person and the nature of God. They spoke of God and His undying love for man. No one could abide here and every worry. The storms of life that come with age, or any period of life in this age or any age, must abate when we stand in the presence of God. It is impossible as a Christian to have communion with God and worry at the same time. Do you remember what Martha said when Jesus came to the grave of her brother? She said to the Master, 'If thou hadst been here.' There is a motto that reads: 'If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies; yet distance makes no difference, He is praying for me.' Try, my friend, to spend time in the Holy of Holies; see what God's presence will do when you behold Him.

No. 2 - Prayer would reveal His beauty Verse 4. David said, 'To behold the beauty of the Lord'. Another translation reads, 'To consider the pleasantness of Jehovah and to look upon Him with admiration in his temple'. David is saying, 'There is a great ministry for me even now and that is to reveal the beauty of the Lord.' No one can abide in God's presence and not reveal and reflect God's person. Moses did when he came down from the Mount. I know that his (Moses') experience was unique, but 2 Corinthians 3:18 says that the Holy Spirit through the Word has a way of revealing the beauty of the Lord. 'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.' There is a tremendous ministry for all of us until Jesus calls us to heaven regardless of age. Think of it! While the world and its religion are so busy and taken with the peddling of their wares, denominationally and otherwise, God can use a few humble and dedicated souls to reveal his beauty. Does not this verse in Corinthians teach us that this is possible? Be sure to note, however, it is through THE WORD. This by prayer brings us into His presence.

No. 3 - Prayer would reveal his power and purpose. Verse 5. 'He shall hide me in His pavilion'. What is better than to know the power and purpose of God? This can be a reality in and by communion with the Lord. The word 'pavilion' comes from the words ' papilio' and 'papilion' which means butterfly. It signifies a tent made of cloth stretched out on poles which in form resembles the butterfly. Here God hides the trusting soul. Does it mean that a man in the Old Testament who felt the judgment of man and fled to the Tent Tabernacle and laid hold of the horns of the altar could feel security here; or does it mean that as God has taken and transformed the worm, a creature of dust, into the beautiful butterfly to flit about in glorious splendor, so He has done for those that trust in Him? Whatever it does mean, it speaks of the POWER and PURPOSE of God. When a believer learns this, that he is in God's tender and purposeful care, rest quickly comes to the searching heart.

May the Lord help us to find and take time for a ministry of prayer; then the above named pleasures will be ours.

Amen and love, 
Dr. Lloyd Peterson

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Post  Admin Sat 13 Aug 2016, 7:43 pm

GraceNTheTruth@ COX.NET~OUR ASSURANCES UNDER GRACE Bible_fall_apart
THE RESULTS OF SALVATION 
Part 2 of 2
By John Baker
Scripture Reading: Romans 7:6   

Upon believing we are: 
11. Delivered from the law-- The law condemns sin and the sinner. In Christ Jesus we are "delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held" (Romans 7:6a). 
12. Delivered from the power of darkness-- The power (authority) of darkness is Satan. We have been delivered from Satan and his authority over us (Colossians 1:13). 
13. Translated into the kingdom of His Son-- Not only were we delivered from Satan and his authority, but we were translated (transferred) into the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ and under His authority (Colossians 1:13). 
14. Complete in Him-- In this world the unbeliever is incomplete. That is why he is ever searching for pleasures and thrills to fill this void. The believer is complete (made full) in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10). 
15. His inheritance-- As trophies of His grace the believer becomes a part of God's inheritance (Ephesians 1:18). 
16. Partakers of His inheritance-- As members of the Body of Christ, the believer becomes joint-heirs with Christ and partakers of His promise (Ephesians 3:6, Romans 8:17). 
17. Seated in the heavenlies-- The believer has a position of honor and privilege at the right hand of God. He has "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace..." (Ephesians 2:6b,7a)

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:7 
As a result of receiving the free gift of salvation the believer is: 
18. A citizen of heaven-- The believer is a foreigner in this world. That is the reason we are called upon to be ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:20). "For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3.20). 
19. Redeemed-- The Lord Jesus came with sufficient price for our sins, His own precious blood, and purchased out of the slave market of sin, in order that He might set us free (Ephesians 1:7). 
20. Indwelt by the Holy Spirit-- "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Romans 5:5b). "But we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be the Spirit of God dwell in you" (Romans 8:9a). 
These are just a few of the blessings God has given to the believer. All these blessings are bestowed instantaneously upon the believer by God's grace. There is not one thing we can do to earn them nor is there any way we could repay God. For more examples see "Systematic Theology," Vol. III by Lewis Sperry Chafer and "Grace" by the same author. 
We need to look at some of these terms in more detail The following lessons will help us do this. 

 
Dear Lord Jesus, we praise and thank You for the many opportunities to be an ambassador for Christ, and to share the good news with others.  You give us the zeal for sharing "the gospel of Christ' with others, and truly it any Indescribable honor that you have given to us in this age of Grace.  Amen
=====================

    Our Purpose and Mission
The ministry of "Grace and The Truth" has the purpose of encouraging Christians to believe what God says. 
Message  "CHRIST" Rom. 16:25, Col. 1:28
Material   "All Scripture, 2 Tim. 3:16, 17
Method   "Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth, 2 Tim. 2:15
Mission   "To Make All See"  Eph. 3:9

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Eph.2:13. 
We are dedicated to helping Christians to a fuller knowledge of Him, and the Grace of God. Until we all come into the Unity, Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" 
We are wiling to help you on this journey just give us a call,  1 623 546 8866, Paris
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Post  Admin Fri 12 Aug 2016, 10:17 pm

THE RESULTS OF SALVATION 
Part 1 of 2
By John Baker

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-7 

Upon belief of the gospel, we are saved from condemnation and assured of eternal life in heaven. However, there is much more that a believer has upon salvation. Just as salvation is given by God's grace, so the accompanying blessings are bestowed by God's grace. He has indeed "blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3b)
 
In the next few articles we will look at what the Scriptures state that a believer is: 
1. A part of God's eternal purpose-- The moment we are saved we are made a member of the church, which is the Body of Christ, "that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 27). 
2. Reconciled to God-- As far as God is concerned all barriers have been eliminated. We have been drawn nigh to God because the Lord Jesus has taken away the obstacle between man and God. That obstacle was sin (See II Corinthians 5:18-21). 
3· Forgiven-- All sins, past, present, and future have been forever forgiven. "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven all your trespasses" (Colossians 2:13). 
4. No longer condemned-- The unbeliever is condemned already. (John 3:18) However, the believer has all condemnation removed. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). 

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1 

As a result of being saved, the believer is: 
5. Justified-- To be justified is to be declared righteous in God's sight. The moment we believe we are justified before God. We have been "justified by faith" (Romans 5:1). This justification was procured by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. We have been "justified by His blood" (Romans 5:9). All of this was made possible by God's amazing grace. We have been "justified freely by His grace" (Romans 3:24). 
6. Sanctified-- We have been permanently set apart unto God in our Lord Jesus Christ. He purchased us and we belong to Him (I Corinthians 1:30). 
7. Made fit for heaven-- In ourselves we are totally unfit for heaven. Only God could make us fit for heaven. He has "made us meet (fit) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light" (Colossians 1:12b) 
8. Made accepted-- Our own righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) and is not acceptable to God. But by His grace we are made acceptable in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:6). 
9. Made the righteousness of 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" (II Corinthians 5:21). 
10. Sons of God-- We have been made the sons of God with all its privileges through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26). 

Our Purpose and Mission

The ministry of "Grace and The Truth" has the purpose of encouraging Christians to believe what God says.

We are dedicated to helping Christians to a fuller knowledge of Him, and the Grace of God. Until we all come into the Unity, Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" 

OUR COMMISSION IN THE AGE OF GRACE IS:

2Co 5:16-21  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.  Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.   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. 

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Post  Admin Wed 10 Aug 2016, 9:23 pm

"A More Excellent Way!" — A Year with Jesus for 08/10/2016

Note from Jesus

Dear Precious One, 

Some words are simply more important than others. In the human vocabulary that We — Father, Son, and Spirit — use, one word stands above all others: love. Our nature is love — as John beautifully stated:
[A]nyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love — not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 
(1 John 4:8-12 NLT)
I came to earth to walk among you and share your mortality because of Our love. We came to your world to save you from what is broken and dying so we can redeem both you and your world (John 3:16-17; 1 John 3:16-18; Romans 8:22-25). While I lived among you, I taught you that the whole law could be summed up in two love commands: Love God with all that you are and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). I demonstrated love with what I did in My life (John 13:1-5) and in My death (Romans 5:6-11; 1 John 3:16). I called on you, again and again, to love each other showing the fruit of the Father's loving grace in your own dealings with each other (John 15:9-13). 

Our example of love is the basis of what the apostle Paul told new Christians in Thessalonica:
Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God's family... Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,... 
(1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 NIV)
The last verses below from the apostle Paul — chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians — are some of his most famous and celebrated words. Many people call these words the love chapter of the Bible. However, I want you to realize that these words were written to a church where spiritual gifts were being misused because of pride and rivalry. Notice the words Paul uses to set up his teaching, which he points out is "a more excellent way" and leads to "the greater gifts":
Are all members gifted as emissaries [apostles]? Are all gifted with prophetic utterance? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Or are all gifted in healing arts? Do all speak or interpret unknown languages? Of course not. Pursue the greater gifts, and let me tell you of a more excellent way — love. 
(1 Corinthians 12:29-31)
Paul is making clear that no matter how talented, rich, smart, generous, spiritual, or gifted in other ways you are, without doing what you do in love, your giftedness means nothing. People fuss, fight, and divide My body, the church, over things that are temporary. And the result is they end up neglecting the things that really matter — faith, hope, and love — and especially the one thing that matters most: LOVE!
Verses to Live

What Paul says here is not only true, but it also is essential for you as My disciple. You must be loving. But also remember that you cannot love others fully and sacrificially on your own power. Loving others must be your commitment, but you can also turn to Us and ask for Our help to live this way of love. We will supply you with the power to love! So I give you this promise, through the words of Paul:
When our characters are refined, we learn what it means to hope and anticipate God's goodness. And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God's love. 
(Romans 5:4-5)
Now carefully read, consider, and commit to applying this beautiful teaching from the apostle Paul!
What if I speak in the most elegant languages of people or in the exotic languages of the heavenly messengers, but I live without love? Well then, anything I say is like the clanging of brass or a crashing cymbal. What if I have the gift of prophecy, am blessed with knowledge and insight to all the mysteries, or what if my faith is strong enough to scoop a mountain from its bedrock, yet I live without love? If so, I am nothing. I could give all that I have to feed the poor, I could surrender my body to be burned as a martyr, but if I do not live in love, I gain nothing by my selfless acts. 

Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn't envious, doesn't boast, brag, or strut about. There's no arrogance in love; it's never rude, crude, or indecent — it's not self-absorbed. Love isn't easily upset. Love doesn't tally wrongs or celebrate injustice; but truth — yes, truth — is love's delight! Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what. Love will never become obsolete. 

Now as for the prophetic gifts, they will not last; unknown languages will become silent, and the gift of knowledge will no longer be needed. Gifts of knowledge and prophecy are partial at best, at least for now, but when the perfection and fullness of God's kingdom arrive, all the parts will end. 

When I was a child, I spoke, thought, and reasoned in childlike ways as we all do. But when I became a man, I left my childish ways behind. For now, we can only see a dim and blurry picture of things, as when we stare into polished metal. I realize that everything I know is only part of the big picture. But one day, when Jesus arrives, we will see clearly, face-to-face. In that day, I will fully know just as I have been wholly known by God. But now faith, hope, and love remain; these three virtues must characterize our lives. The greatest of these is love. 
(1 Corinthians 13:1-13)
Response in Prayer

O Father, I invite the Holy Spirit to fill my heart with Your love so that my life overflows with love for those with whom I live. Help me demonstrate Your love to those that my life touches. May my love overflow to those that You place in my path to touch with Your grace. May my life be filled with the aroma of Your love in all that I do, think, and say. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
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This daily devotional is written to help us all reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives and to help us realize we are not alone as we seek to live for Him. — Learn More
The Thoughts and Prayers for 'A Year with Jesus' are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@heartlight.org.
Thanks to our invaluable editors:
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Post  Admin Tue 09 Aug 2016, 11:23 pm

Be Not Ignorant
By Charles Wages

The apostle Paul uses the expression "I would not have you ignorant" six times in addressing four cities—Rome, Corinth, Colosse, and Thessalonica.

The word "ignorant" simply means "without knowledge" and doesn't necessarily mean that a person is unlearned or retarded in normal knowledge. It does mean, though, that we all stand in need of instruction from God's word, and it is not God's will for us to be without knowledge.

In 2 Corinthians 1:8, Paul states, "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure above strength insomuch that we despaired even of life." In reading and studying 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, we find that death and resurrection stand out clearly. We are told that we have "the sentence of death in ourselves" that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead.

This "sentence of death" was the direct result of sin. Romans 5:12 states: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Certainly, we should know that this sentence of judgment is beyond our control, therefore we should "not trust in ourselves" to save our own selves or to keep ourselves saved.

God would have everyone know that He has delivered His creation from the "sentence of death" through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He lets us know that there is a continuous deliverance from this death. In 2 Corinthians 1:10, we are instructed that deliverance is threefold: past, present, and future. It is stated that "God delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver."

It would be wonderful if everyone was fully aware of the fact that they are sinners by nature and that they are "dead" in trespasses and sins, but that through Christ's death on the cross of Calvary they could be delivered from this death into a newness of life.

We must continue to give forth God's Word that men will "not be ignorant" of their lost condition and then inform them how they may be saved.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, the apostle introduces the great truth about the Lord's coming for His Church, by saying, "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren."

Again the fact of death and resurrection stands out clearly. This great theme is given that we should "sorrow not as others who have no hope" and that we should "comfort one another with these words."

The majority of people in the world, even the religious world, are ignorant of our Lord's appearing to gather His own unto Himself. No wonder there is so much sorrow—no wonder there is so little comfort. If people would only know and believe that "the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

The widespread ignorance of believing people concerning the "blessed hope" of the Church is causing despair and a sense of "giving up." Many of God's saints are "without knowledge" when it comes to His plans for His Church and for their individual lives. I am sure we are all ignorant of many things, but God is willing to reveal the wonders of His Word to us as we are willing to yield to Him and learn.

Dear God of faithfulness, how delightful to realize that my persistence of faith in You hinges on Your faithfulness toward me. I see that I can continue to depend upon You, because you are fully faithful to me. What expectation this gives me as I consider Your great promises! You will be faithful to fulfill every one of them, as I place my trust in You!

Our Purpose and Mission

The ministry of "Grace and The Truth" has the purpose of encouraging Christians to believe what God says.

We are dedicated to helping Christians to a fuller knowledge of Him, and the Grace of God. Until we all come into the Unity, Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" 

OUR COMMISSION IN THE AGE OF GRACE IS:

2Co 5:16-21  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.  Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.   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. 

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Post  Admin Sat 06 Aug 2016, 10:28 pm

THE GROUND OF FAITH 
 By JOHN McKAY, Pastor 
  
Scripture Reading: Romans 10:17 

Some think faith is a "blind leap in the dark" or believing something that is irrational. While Christians must admit that there are many things in faith and in science that can't be proven, the foundation of our faith is firm. It is based upon the written revelation of the Almighty God Who cannot lie. 

Please notice that far from being a leap in the dark, our faith originates as the work of God. "This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE on Him Whom He hath sent" (John 6:29). Our faith is "the faith of the operation of God" (Colossians 2:12). Human faith that originates in humans and terminates in human ideas of God the Father and the Son, will prove itself to be "vain" faith. Read I Corinthians 15:1-4. Perhaps more enslaving---although with the same outcome---is the satanic and demonic faith that brings another Jesus, another gospel, false apostles, angels of light, and ministers of righteousness to modern religious movements (II Corinthians 11:1-15). Many of these people have faith in faith itself and promote the kind of unhealthy super naturalism from below that produces signs and miracles which are inferior imitations of those produced for Israel's benefit by the Lord's true representatives (Acts 4:13-16, I Corinthians 13:8-10 and 14:22). 

Our faith is not in faith. Our faith comes from the Lord and rests solidly upon the foundation of the Holy Bible. " .. .faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). 

The beginning of our faith and the finishing of our faith has the Word of God as its foundation and the Lord Jesus as its worthy and glorious Crown. 

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at  GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.  

"May God, Whose grace is irresistible and 
all sufficient, be glorified!" 

GraceNTheTruth@COX.NET



THE GROUND OF FAITH 
 By JOHN McKAY, Pastor 
  
Scripture Reading: Romans 10:17 

Some think faith is a "blind leap in the dark" or believing something that is irrational. While Christians must admit that there are many things in faith and in science that can't be proven, the foundation of our faith is firm. It is based upon the written revelation of the Almighty God Who cannot lie. 

Please notice that far from being a leap in the dark, our faith originates as the work of God. "This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE on Him Whom He hath sent" (John 6:29). Our faith is "the faith of the operation of God" (Colossians 2:12). Human faith that originates in humans and terminates in human ideas of God the Father and the Son, will prove itself to be "vain" faith. Read I Corinthians 15:1-4. Perhaps more enslaving---although with the same outcome---is the satanic and demonic faith that brings another Jesus, another gospel, false apostles, angels of light, and ministers of righteousness to modern religious movements (II Corinthians 11:1-15). Many of these people have faith in faith itself and promote the kind of unhealthy super naturalism from below that produces signs and miracles which are inferior imitations of those produced for Israel's benefit by the Lord's true representatives (Acts 4:13-16, I Corinthians 13:8-10 and 14:22). 

Our faith is not in faith. Our faith comes from the Lord and rests solidly upon the foundation of the Holy Bible. " .. .faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). 

The beginning of our faith and the finishing of our faith has the Word of God as its foundation and the Lord Jesus as its worthy and glorious Crown. 

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at  GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.  

"May God, Whose grace is irresistible and 
all sufficient, be glorified!" 

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Post  Admin Fri 05 Aug 2016, 11:07 am

Trusting Christ as Your Life
(part 4 of 4)
by Dr. Bill Gillham

The Christian who fellowships with Christ as I've illustrated in these anecdotes in the past few devotionals will soon become fast friends with Jesus. Wouldn't it be highly unlikely that a person who lives like this would snap at the kids or rag on his spouse? Of course. The developing, intimate relationship with Christ would so delight and strengthen this person that he would want to habitually practice letting Christ express life through him to do God's will on earth. Isn't that great? You wouldn't be controlled by a bunch of rules and regulations, but by the inner life of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:2). The Holy Spirit of Jesus will long to obey God, yearn to, wish to, desire to and He will do all of this in you! That's right! This is what God means by saying that He has written His laws on our hearts and minds (Hebrews 10:16). This beats the daylights outta living under a bunch of rules or principles. It's the power-package provision of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Most Believers try to live their lives for Christ instead of doing it the biblical way? trusting Christ to express His victorious life through us.


==========================


Christ is our life (see Acts 17:28; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21; Colossians 3: 4; Philippians 2:13) To become obsessed with anything other than Him is idolatry, even if that other obsession is religious rules. Perhaps the greatest danger in the American church is that we have lost our focus on Jesus Christ and have been focusing more on "Christian values;' which is merely morality by another name. 

======================


 Dear Father
You know that I have sincerely tried to live as a victorious Christian. I have done my personal best, but now I realize that has been my problem-it has been "my best" that I've trusted, instead of Your life. I repent of self-sufficiency and affirm that from this moment forward I will trust You to live through me. I choose to rest in You, depending upon You to cause the power of indwelling sin in me to stay in remission. You are my Victory, oh Lord. For that fact, I thank You, Amen
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Post  Admin Wed 03 Aug 2016, 9:40 pm

Trusting Christ as Your Life
(part 3 of 4)
by Dr. Bill Gillham

Here's still another illustration of what it means to trust Christ to express His life through you.

Forgive me for getting personal, but we all know that testosterone produces a higher sexual appetite than estrogen. Sometimes the farthest thing from a wife's mind is to respond to her husband's sexual overtures. This can be a burden to both spouses, which Christ can deal with. The husband can think: Lord, I'd like to fulfill my desire, but if You want me to back off, that's OK. I leave this up to You, Jesus. You are my life, and You won't make demands through me.

On the other hand, let's say that the wife is thinking: Lord, You know that I am not the least bit interested in this, but Your Word says that my body is not my own. I realize that my husband needs me to respond to him. So I trust You as my life, even in this. And she begins to act interested, believing that Christ is her life. Obviously, it may work the other way around, with the Lord giving the husband the message that he is to wait till a more appropriate time.

Hey, we don't hang Jesus on a hook in the hall when we enter the marriage bedroom. Sex is God's invention, not Satan's. Look at it this way: The electricity is the life of my electric sander. The electricity doesn't sand the board. It is simply the enabler which allows the sander to sand the board. I'm certainly not teaching a menage a trois, that Christ is having sex with us! Christ is the Enabler here. Christ as life through both husband and wife is God's solution to all relational problems, including marital sex problems.


Be much with the solid teachings of God's word, and you will become solid and substantial men and women: drink them in, and feed upon them, and they shall produce in you a Christ-likeness, at which the world shall stand astonished. C. H. Spurgeon

© Lifetime Guarantee Ministries. Content on Lifetime.org is written for your encouragement and spiritual growth. Copying, printing, and distributing to others are encouraged. .

Our Purpose and Mission

The ministry of "Grace and The Truth" has the purpose of encouraging Christians to believe what God says. 

We are dedicated to helping Christians to a fuller knowledge of Him, and the Grace of God. Until we all come into the Unity, Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" 

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Post  Admin Mon 01 Aug 2016, 8:45 pm

Trusting Christ as Your Life,
(part 2 of 4)
by Dr. Bill Gillham
Here's how trusting Christ to express His overcoming life through you works. Let's say that you have to get a fan fastened to the small frame on the ceiling by inserting three small bolts, using one hand to hold the bolt and the fan, holding the screwdriver in your other hand, and the two other bolts in your lips, while standing on a ladder wearing high heels (guffaw! just kidding). As you trust Christ as life, the first bolt lines up in the hole, but when you bring the screwdriver to bear, it slips off the bolt head, and you drop everything as you grab the fan with both hands. You think, Whew, Lord, we had tough luck on that one, but thank You for catching the fan. OK, let's try again. And the two of you go at it again. Perhaps it takes five or six tries to do the job, but you are having a time of camaraderie with Jesus Christ as the two of you work together to install a ceiling fan! That's pleasing to Him. That's a spiritual exercise. He longs for this sort of fellowship with you. He longs to build meaningful memories with you-just the two of you. This is the way you build a relationship with Christ! You and He can share some chuckles together over the battle that was won over those tiny holes in that crazy fan as you drive to work together the next day. Gang, this is the way you get to know Jesus Christ. This is the way you bond with someone. You don't have to wear a sandwich board proclaiming the end of the world in order to achieve this. This is the "normal Christian life" as author Watchman Nee called it. This is "lifting out" the metaphor of Jesus' being the vine and you being a branch. You experienced Vine-life while hanging a fan, by faith.


Phi 4:13  I have the strength to face all conditions 
by the power that Christ gives me.

He       who abandons himself to God will never be abandoned by       God.
 
    Our Purpose and Mission

The ministry of "Grace and The Truth" has the purpose of encouraging Christians to believe what God says. 

Message  "CHRIST" Rom. 16:25, Col. 1:28
Material   "All Scripture, 2 Tim. 3:16, 17
Method   "Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth, 2 Tim. 2:15
Mission   "To Make All See"  Eph. 3:9

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Eph.2:13. 

We are dedicated to helping Christians to a fuller knowledge of Him, and the Grace of God. Until we all come into the Unity, Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" 

We are wiling to help you on this journey just give us a call,  1 623 546 8866, Paris
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Post  Admin Sun 31 Jul 2016, 9:25 pm

Trusting Christ as Your Life
(part 1 of 4)
by Dr. Bill Gillham

Here's how trusting Christ to express His life through you works. It's what one dear brother called "The Normal Christian Life."

The boss buzzed you on the intercom and told you to come to his office. He said that the report you had submitted for the quarter was unacceptable, and he gave you one week to rewrite it. That's the sort of hell on earth that Christ has saved you from. As you're sitting there with your heart in your throat, you're to think, Lord Jesus, I'm so glad that I don't have to do this rewrite. You are my life and this is Your baby. Thank You for saving me from this. You think that concept in a micro second. Then you say, "Yes, sir, Mr. Mulligan. I'll do my best. The problem will be fixed. You can count on it." Then you think, Whew, Lord! You really do have a problem here. I'm so glad that I don't have to do this rewrite. Yes! The burden is the Lord's!

Afterward, you burn the midnight oil, highly motivated as your hands sometimes fly over, sometimes labor over the keyboard of your computer, trusting that Christ is doing this report for you, through you on a moment-by-moment basis. Yes! You don't go fishing and wait till you feel the Spirit of Christ take over and carry you to the computer terminal. You go sit at the keyboard. You save the document to a working file and then begin the rewrite job. However, your faith is saying, "OK, Lord, where do we begin? I don't have a clue." This, my friend, is trusting Christ as life through you, by faith. Have you missed this piece in the salvation equation? Christ as life comes right along with the package that you acquired when you got saved. Many of us have trusted Jesus as Savior; we've trusted Him as Lord, but may have never trusted Him as life until we meet something which is absolutely beyond our ability. Trusting Christ as life is "[casting] your burden upon the Lord" (Psalm 55:22)-a command, not an option. God commands you to shove the burden of living on earth squarely onto the broad shoulders of your Savior and to keep piling it on Him moment-by-moment. Gang, this may sound like a cop-out to you, but it's normal. You were not saved to "carry your own weight." That is the devil's idea. Not only is this not noble, it is sin to carry your own weight! It's independence. God says, "Whatever [as in breathing God's air] is not from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23b).

Rest  means to trust Jesus Christ as our Life-Source, depending on Him to empower our actions with His strength and direction

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

When irritated and upset do you
complain and gripe and fret?
Or is your life
controlled inside because
in Jesus you confide?
—Branon
Eph 5:18  "..... be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;
 but be filled (controlled) with the Spirit" *

Our Purpose and Mission

The ministry of "Grace and The Truth" has the purpose of encouraging Christians to believe what God says.

We are dedicated to helping Christians to a fuller knowledge of Him, and the Grace of God. Until we all come into the Unity, Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" 

OUR COMMISSION IN THE AGE OF GRACE IS:

2Co 5:16-21  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.  Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.   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. 

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Post  Admin Wed 27 Jul 2016, 10:44 pm

NO CONDEMNATION IN CHRIST 
By JON D. BEKEMEYER, Pastor 

Scripture Reading: Romans 8: 1 

To many, the word condemnation always indicates eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire. While it is true that because we are in Christ we are saved from eternal judgment, that is not the point of Romans 8:1. What is condemnation? According to Webster, condemnation is to "disapprove of strongly, to declare guilty of wrongdoing."
 
With the proper definition, one must readily admit that the believer can be condemned. Even a casual reading of the verse indicates that those who walk after the flesh have condemnation. This is also supported by the context.
 
A similar idea is expressed by the word damnation. The word damnation sometimes expresses eternal judgment, but certain passages indicate that this is not always so. For example, 1 Corinthians 11:32 says that a believer who partakes of the Lord's Supper unworthily (i.e. without discerning the Lord's Body), eats and drinks damnation to himself. Does that mean if one partakes of the Lord's Supper while his mind is on carnal things, he will go to Hell? Of course not. It indicates that such activity is seriously wrong and will be dealt with by chastisement (see context and Romans 13:2; 14:23 & 1 Timothy 5: 12).
 
Thus, there are two criteria in Romans 8:1 to escape condemnation: to be in Christ (everything about the unbeliever is under condemnation) and to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Let's all seriously contemplate this truth today. 

The stars may fall, but God's promises will stand and be fulfilled. -- J. I. Packer

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Post  Admin Tue 26 Jul 2016, 11:39 am

GraceNTheTruth@ COX.NET~OUR ASSURANCES UNDER GRACE Sparrow
~GRACE TODAY AND TOMORROW~
By C. R. Stam

Paul learned what thousands upon thousands of God’s saints have learned from his day to ours: that it is often more blessed to experience God’s grace in suffering than to enjoy deliverance from suffering, for in the former case we lean the harder and pray the more, and so are drawn closer to Him. Moreover, we find that His strength is made perfect in weakness and that when we are weak, then are we strong (II Cor. 12:9,10).

But even better things are in store for God’s people: Someday, "in the ages to come," God will display to all the universe "the exceeding riches of His grace." How will He do this? "In His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7).


Dear reader, have you accepted the grace of God in Christ Jesus? Do you believe that He loves you and that He "came into the world" to bear all the blame and shame and punishment that was your due, so that you might be "justified freely by His grace" (Rom. 3:24)?

If not, will you take Him at His Word now and come to know the truth of II Cor. 4:15:
"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God." 
Whatever your past; however great or many your sins, take God at His Word. Believe that He loves you in spite of all. Believe that He has already provided the payment for your sins in Christ:
"In whom we have redemption. through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).

THOUGHT TO PONDER THIS WEEK 

If we look at life 
through the lens of our powerful and good God,
we’ll trust Him instead of fearfully worrying. 
When our perspective is right, we can see God 
and His faithful provision.
 —Anne

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. the Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at  GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.  
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Post  Admin Mon 25 Jul 2016, 4:44 pm

~GRACE TODAY AND TOMORROW~
By C. R. Stam


Paul learned what thousands upon thousands of God’s saints have learned from his day to ours: that it is often more blessed to experience God’s grace in suffering than to enjoy deliverance from suffering, for in the former case we lean the harder and pray the more, and so are drawn closer to Him. Moreover, we find that His strength is made perfect in weakness and that when we are weak, then are we strong (II Cor. 12:9,10).


But even better things are in store for God’s people: Someday, "in the ages to come," God will display to all the universe "the exceeding riches of His grace." How will He do this? "In His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7).


Dear reader, have you accepted the grace of God in Christ Jesus? Do you believe that He loves you and that He "came into the world" to bear all the blame and shame and punishment that was your due, so that you might be "justified freely by His grace" (Rom. 3:24)?

If not, will you take Him at His Word now and come to know the truth of II Cor. 4:15:

"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God." 

Whatever your past; however great or many your sins, take God at His Word. Believe that He loves you in spite of all. Believe that He has already provided the payment for your sins in Christ:

"In whom we have redemption. through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).

 
THOUGHT TO PONDER THIS WEEK 

If we look at life 
through the lens of our powerful and good God,
we’ll trust Him instead of fearfully worrying. 
When our perspective is right, we can see God 
and His faithful provision.
 —Anne


Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. the Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at  GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.  

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Post  Admin Thu 21 Jul 2016, 9:30 pm

"The Fruit of the Spirit"
Part 4 of 4
by Darlene Homoki 
Galatians 5:22-23 

The third group are temperamental sins or sins against our neighbor (sin against Galatians 5:14, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself')

l. Hatred - enmity; deep rooted hatred or irreconcilable hostility. Feelings that are contrary to love, to abhor, to loathe, strong antagonism.

2. Variance - a state of dissension or controversy, in a state of enmity. A difference that produces dispute or controversy; disagreement, dissension, discord.

3. Emulations - a contest, contention, strife, competition, rivalry accompanied with a desire to depress another resulting from envy or jealousy.

4. Wrath - violent anger. An anger that is abiding with the purpose of revenge.

5. Strife - contention in anger or hatred. A violent effort to obtain something. Could be by words, debate, quarrel, contest, etc.

6. Seditions - divisions, dissensions causing rebellion. The inciting of rebellion against leadership/government.

7. Heresies - dissensions arising from diversity of opinions causing divisions. 

8. Envyings - ill will, malice, spite, jealousy. A malignant passion that sees in another qualities that it covets of resulting in hatred. 

9. Murders - to kill a human being with premeditated malice. Often the result of the above list of temperamental sins.

The fourth and final group are sins against ourselves.

1. Drunkenness - Intoxication is a state in which a person is over-powered with liquor so that his reason is disordered and he reels or staggers in walking.

2. Revelings - Boisterous merrymaking or noisy partying. Lascivious feastings (shameful conduct) with obscene songs and music.

Why does Paul give us the list? He gives us the list to emphasize the conflict between the "flesh" and the Spirit and the results of each. It is given:

l. To show that an individual that is an unbeliever and follows the "flesh" will not inherit eternal life (Gal. 2:20b). 

2. To show that a believer may fall into such wrongdoing if he walks after the flesh and not after the Spirit - hence, the inclusion of this list in this letter to the Galatians where the life of the Christian is under review (Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7).

3. To contrast the "works of the flesh" with the "fruit of the Spirit." 

Sin is not what keeps an individual from gaining entrance to eternal life. It is not believing that Jesus died, was buried and resurrected for my sins. It is not believing that "God so loved the world that He gave ... " It is not believing that God's wonderful redemption plan for man today is complete. The songwriter has said, "Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe .... " Just as the "works of the flesh" are categorized, so is the "Fruit of the Spirit." There are three categories with three "fruit" in each one. Dr. Scofield has this to say: "Christian character is not mere moral or legal correctness, but the possession and manifestation of nine graces: love, joy, peace - character as in an inward state: longsuffering, gentleness, goodness - character in expression toward man: faith, meekness, temperance - character in expression toward God ... " (Scofield Bible page 1247) . 


We may not know what the future holds, 
but we can trust the One who holds the future.
—ODB

(Gal 5:17)  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA the Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.  

     Our Purpose and Mission

The ministry of "Grace and The Truth" has the purpose of encouraging Christians to believe what God says. 

We read in in Ephesians. 1:18 "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints," and in Colossians 2:2 " That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment (epignosis) true knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ".

We are dedicated to helping Christians to a fuller knowledge of Him, and the Grace of God. Until we all come into the Unity, Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" 

We are wiling o help you on this journey just give us a call,  1 623 546 8866, Paris

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Post  Admin Wed 20 Jul 2016, 8:51 pm

"The Fruit of the Spirit"
Part 3 of 4
by Darlene Homoki 
Galatians 5:22-23 

Fruit of the Spirit Contrasted with the Works of the Flesh. 

Galatians 5:22-23 starts out with the word "but." This word points us to the preceding verses where we see the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. This conflict begins the instant we put our faith in Jesus Christ. See Galatians 5:17. The deeds or sins of the flesh are listed in Galatians 5:19-21. These are not good but are weaknesses/sins. These must be guarded against while the Fruit of the Spirit ought to be cherished and brought forth in our daily lives.

We are to "reckon [consider] ourselves dead indeed unto sin ... Let not sin reign in your body .... Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness" (Rom. 6:11-13).

Note the number of sins listed here in verses 19-21. There are seventeen in comparison to the nine fruits! They are called the works of the flesh and are mentioned in the plural because they are distinct from, and often inconsistent with, each other. These can be divided into four groups.

The first group is sensual/sexual sins (sins against the 7th Commandment). 

1. Adultery - the unfaithfulness of any married person to the marriage bed. 

2. Fornication - sexual sin of the unmarried. 

3. Uncleanness - moral impurity, all sexual defilement and unnatural sexual practices - sodomy, etc. 

4. Lasciviousness-looseness, indulgence of animal desires, lustfulness. In other words, shameless conduct! 

The second group is religious sins (sins against the 1st and 2nd Commandment). 

1. Idolatry - the worship of idols, images, or anything made by hands, or which is not God. It is two kinds: the worship of images, statues, pictures; and the worship of the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon and stars. It is also the excessive attachment for anything. 

2. Witchcraft - the English term is "pharmacy," and means administering drugs, magical potions. It refers to the practice of magicians, sorcery, witches, enchantments, etc.

We have so much to be thankful for every day.
God continually  provides for all our needs.
 So let’s make Thanksgiving a  year-long celebration. 
—David C. McCasland

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA the Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.  

Our Purpose and Mission

The ministry of "Grace and The Truth" has the purpose of encouraging Christians to believe what God says.

We are dedicated to helping Christians to a fuller knowledge of Him, and the Grace of God. Until we all come into the Unity, Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" 

OUR COMMISSION IN THE AGE OF GRACE IS:

2Co 5:16-21  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.  Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.   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.

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Post  Admin Tue 19 Jul 2016, 8:35 pm

"The Fruit of the Spirit"
Part 2 of 4
by Darlene Homoki 
Galatians 5:22-23 

How Do We Obtain the Fruit? 

It is given by the Holy Spirit. When an individual is presented with the Gospel of Christ and responds positively putting his/her faith in the finished work of Christ, he/she becomes a member of the Body of Christ. At that very moment, the time of salvation, the believer is: 

I.baptized by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13); 
2.sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14); and
3. indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16).

I believe these nine graces (nine fruit) are at that time placed in our lives in seed form. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance are the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our lives. They are there waiting to grow. 

Just as a seed planted in the ground needs to be watered, fed, nurtured, and to have the weeds removed, so does the seed of the "Fruit of the Spirit" need to be watered, fed, nurtured, and to have the weeds removed by the Word. It is growing up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Fruit of the Spirit is not to be confused with the "gifts of the Spirit." The Fruit of the Spirit is the result of believing the Gospel and is given to all that believe. 

Let us take a moment to think about that time in our life when we trusted in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and became a believer or a Christian. I trust everyone knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that should they die today, they would spend eternity with Jesus. If perchance there is one who has not trusted Christ as Savior, then I pray that you would do so now.

The Fruit of the Spirit Is: 

1.Given to all that are saved; 
2.Same fruit given to everyone; and 
3.The fruit remains the same - only ripens as we grow. 
In contrast, the gifts of the Spirit are given to individuals. Not everyone has the same gifts. (1 Cor. 12:4 reads, "Now, there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.") There are pastors, teachers, evangelists, gift of helps, administration, etc.

These Gifts Work Together to Make up the Body of Christ: 

1.Given to all that are saved; 
2.Different gifts to different individuals; and 
3.Gifts may change as circumstances change. 


Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA the Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.  

    Our Purpose and Mission

The ministry of "Grace and The Truth" has the purpose of encouraging Christians to believe what God says. 

Message  "CHRIST" Rom. 16:25, Col. 1:28
Material   "All Scripture, 2 Tim. 3:16, 17
Method   "Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth, 2 Tim. 2:15
Mission   "To Make All See"  Eph. 3:9

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Eph.2:13. 

We are dedicated to helping Christians to a fuller knowledge of Him, and the Grace of God. Until we all come into the Unity, Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" 

We are wiling to help you on this journey just give us a call,  1 623 546 8866, Paris

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Post  Admin Fri 15 Jul 2016, 4:12 pm

"The Fruit of the Spirit"
Part 1 of 4
by Darlene Homoki 
Galatians 5:22-23 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. " 

A tree is known by its fruit. We recognize an apple tree because it bears apples. A cherry tree bears cherries, and so on (Ps. 1:3; Mt. 12:33). Wouldn't it be wonderful if we, as Christians, would be recognized by others because of the fruit we bear?

Please note that in Galatians 5:22 the word "fruit" is singular. When we think of a basket of fruit, we picture in our minds a basket filled with various kinds of fruit - not just one kind of fruit (for example: apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, etc.). Yet, we call it a basket of fruit, not fruits. We can say the same is true of the "Fruit of the Spirit." Though there are several kinds of fruit mentioned, they are all considered one; that is the "Fruit of the Spirit." These fruit are all consistent and connected together. They are one! 

This fruit presents a portrait of Christ. It suggests the character of Jesus in contrast with the "works of the flesh." The Spirit seeks to produce these by reproducing Christ in the believers (Gal. 4:19). John Gill puts it this way: "It is also the same as to be conformed to the image of Christ, which in regeneration is stamped upon the saints, and is gradually increased, and will be perfected in Heaven; and that this might more manifestly appear, over which a veil was drawn, by their departure in any degree from the truths of the Gospel, was what he earnestly sought after: once more, it is the same as to have the form of Christ; that is, of the Gospel of Christ upon them, or to be cast into the form of doctrine, and mold of the Gospel, and to receive a Gospel impression and spirit from it; which is to have a spirit of liberty, in opposition to legal bondage; to live by faith on Christ, and not on the works of the law; to derive comfort alone from him, and not from any services and duties whatever; to have repentance, and the whole course of obedience, influenced by the grace of God, and love of Christ; and to be zealous of good works, and yet have no dependence on them for justification and salvation. This is what the apostle so earnestly desired, when, instead of it, these Galatians seemed to have the form of Moses, and of the law." 

In other words, the Christian life is the out-living of the in-living 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" (Gal. 2:20).

We must recognize that living like Jesus would have us live and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit does not include adding any rituals, ceremonies or works to our salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith alone. Living like Jesus would have us live is walking "worthy of the vocation to which we have been called" (Eph. 5:1; cf Gal. 5:16). Walking in or by the Spirit means living each moment in submission to God - walking to please Him in thought, word and deed. It means letting Him guide us each step of the way bringing glory to God.

The Fruit Defined 

The fruit of the Spirit has been described as "those gracious habits which the Holy Spirit produces in the Christian." A habit is that which becomes so routine in our lives we don't even realize we are doing it. We do it without thinking. It takes time, practice and work to develop a habit whether good or bad. It doesn't happen overnight. For example, let's say personal devotions ... Good intentions don't get the job done.

The fruit of the Spirit is Christian character as shown in the possession of these nine graces. These nine fruit stand together and make up our walk with God and our testimony to others. They work together to make a whole.

These nine character traits are one and the same fruit, i.e., "the fruit of the Spirit." We might give the example of a watch - it needs all the little pieces in their right and proper place to keep good time. If one little piece is out of place, the watch does not function properly. The same is true of the Christian. We need to have a balanced life displaying all the character traits mentioned here. In other words, to function as a whole we can't pick and choose those character traits that we like and not work on developing the others. 

 If you knew what God had planned for you,
 your knees would buckle 
 your heart would skip
 and your mind do summer saults! 

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA the Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.  

Our Purpose and Mission

The ministry of "Grace and The Truth" has the purpose of encouraging Christians to believe what God says.

We are dedicated to helping Christians to a fuller knowledge of Him, and the Grace of God. Until we all come into the Unity, Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" 

OUR COMMISSION IN THE AGE OF GRACE IS:

2Co 5:16-21  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.  Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.   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. 

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Post  Admin Wed 13 Jul 2016, 10:32 pm

TRUE LIBERTY 
by C. R. Stam 


As true Americans celebrate their liberty, true Christians should rejoice in the even greater liberty which they have in Christ. 

Our Lord said: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" and "If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:32,36). Likewise St. Paul declares that believers in Christ have been made "free from sin" and have become "servants to God," who deals with us in grace (Rom. 6:22). 

It is strange that so many sincere religious people actually wish to be in bondage to the Mosaic Law, which can only judge and condemn them for their sins. Peter called the law: "a yoke... which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear" (Acts 15:10). Paul called it "the handwriting of decrees, that was against us, which was contrary to us" (Col. 2:14). He called it "the ministration of death" and "the ministration of condemnation" (II Cor. 3:7,9). 

He challenged those who "desired" to be under the law: 

"Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?" (Gal. 4:21). 

"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them" (Gal. 3:10). 

Thank God, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13). Man always responds better to grace than to law. The law was "added because of transgressions" (Gal. 3:19). "By the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:20). But Christ died for our sins and now true believers serve God from gratitude and love. Hence Rom. 6:14 says: "Sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace." Since Christ has redeemed us from the law (Gal. 4:5) God says to every true believer: 

"Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1).




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Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at  GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ. 




The joy of the Christian life is knowing that 
God can handle anything we hand over to Him.
—Dave  


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Post  Admin Sat 09 Jul 2016, 2:24 pm

*POWERS ORDAINED OF GOD *
*By Ivan Burgener*

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power 
but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God· (Rom. 13:1). These 
words are clear and shocking. Their clarity gives no room for 
misunderstanding, yet some find it, impossible to esteem world leaders 
as "ordained of God," and "the minister of God ......for good" (v. 4). 
They feel it must refer to a pastor or spiritual leader. A pastor or 
shepherd might wield a shepherd's staff, but could he bear "a sword .." 
or be "a revenger to execute wrath "on the evil doer" (v. 4)?

The words, "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the 
ordinance of God" might give pause to a Jewish believer, for God had 
written, "thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, who is not thy 
brother" (Dt. 17:15). But with the captivity of Judah, God commanded all 
nations to obey His servant, Nebuchadnezzar! (See Jer. 27:6-8.) Thus the 
times of the Gentiles began with Israel's captivity and servitude. Now 
God warns us through Paul that "they that resist shall receive to 
themselves damnation" (i.e., judgment by the ruler).

"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou 
then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt 
have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. 
But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the 
sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute 
wrath upon him that doeth evil" (v. 3-4). God forbids us to take 
vengeance because He has established government as His representative, 
"a revenger to execute [His] wrath" on evildoers.

"Wherefore we must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for 
conscience sake," conscience because we know it is the right thing to 
do. And we should fear the wrath of "the powers that be" as well.

This passage shows the grace of God given us for service; first toward 
believing brethren, then toward the world, living peaceably as much as 
possible without being overcome with the evil of taking vengeance, and 
lastly to be subject to the government which God has placed in all 
nations throughout the world. If government oversteps its bounds, our 
path is clear, "We ought to obey God, rather than men" (Acts 5:29), even 
when there may be dire consequences as in Daniel 3 when Jews were 
commanded to worship an image of gold.

One observed long ago that the "times of the Gentiles" began with 
government enforced idolatry, as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar, and that 
it might very well end the same. May we ever look to God for grace and 
courage.

"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: 
whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them 
that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise 
of them that do well.

"For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence 
the ignorance of foolish men: as free and not using your liberty for a 
cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
"Honor all men.
"Love the brotherhood.
"Fear God.
"Honor the king." (1 Peter 2:13-17)

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why 
not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending 
the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world. It is our 
heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we 
possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord 
Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

*THOUGHT TO GIVE THOUGHT TO *

*In waiting upon God, the first thought is of the God upon whom we wait. 
We enter His presence and feel we need just to be quiet, so that He, as 
God, can overshadow us with Himself. Just be still before Him, and 
allow His Holy Spirit to waken and stir up in your soul the childlike 
disposition of absolute dependence and confident expectation. Wait upon 
God as a Living Being, as the Living God, who notices you and is 
longing to fill you with His salvation. Wait on God till you know you 
have met Him; prayer will then become so different. -- Andrew Murray *

*GraceNTheTruth@COX.NET*
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Post  Admin Thu 07 Jul 2016, 6:25 pm

THREE CHURCHES IN SCRIPTURE
PART 3 of  3
 BY PASTOR JOHN  FREDERICKSEN

THE CHURCH, "THE BODY OF CHRIST"
 
The Apostle Paul referred to a new group of believers over which the Lord Jesus Christ is "the Head" and it is called "the church, which is His Body" (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:16-18), or the Body of Christ. This is the distinctively different church that exists today. 

Only the Apostle Paul wrote about "the dispensation of the grace of God" and only he, by divine inspiration, claimed that the doctrinal truths for our Age of Grace had initially been "given" exclusively through him (Eph. 3:1-5). This is why he repeatedly wrote, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Phil. 3: 17). The people of this church are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ from all nations. The "middle wall of partition" that once stood as a barrier between Jew and Gentile, and Gentiles and God, has now been "abolished" by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:11-16). Today, there is "no difference between Jew and Greek" (Rom. 10:12; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). The eternal hope of this church is to be "raised ... up ... and ... sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6,7; I Cor. 15:40-53; I Thes. 4:13-18). All of this stands in contrast to the two previous churches that are described in the Bible. 

Believers today are members of "the church which is His Body" or the Body of Christ. The rest of our Bible was written "for our learning" (Rom. 15:4), but the section of the Bible that contains our promises, instructions, and doctrine is found in the letters of the Apostle Paul. Let's look to the Books of Romans through Philemon as "our mail." 

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Post  Admin Tue 05 Jul 2016, 10:28 pm

THREE CHURCHES IN SCRIPTURE
PART 2 of  3
 BY PASTOR JOHN  FREDERICKSEN
 
THE JEWISH "KINGDOM" CHURCH
 
As the earthly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ was nearing its end, the Savior told Peter, "Upon this rock I will build my church" (Matt. 16:18). The immediate and long-range context of this verse gives us key information that helps us identify who this church is and what kind of instructions they were given.
 
In the chapter immediately preceding the above reference, the Lord Jesus said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (15:24). Clearly, our Lord's ministry and message at that time was to the nation of Israel and not to us today. Old Testament passages such as Isaiah 9:7, Jeremiah 23:5, Daniel 2:44, and Zechariah 8:3 promise Israel a King and a Kingdom of great blessing. Throughout the Gospel accounts, the Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples went everywhere "preaching the gospel [or good news] of the Kingdom" (Matt. 4:23; 9:35), promising that "the Kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 4:17; 10:7). In this overall context, the Lord Jesus asked Peter who people were saying He was and who Peter thought He was. Peter's answer was, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16). Our Lord's response was that He would build His church on the truth Peter knew: that Jesus of Nazareth was Israel's long-promised King. The Jews who chose to believe this message were being called out of the hard-hearted and unbelieving nation of Israel by believing that the Lord Jesus Christ was their promised King and that His Kingdom would soon be established.
 
Many Bible students refer to this church that Christ was building during the Gospel accounts as the "Kingdom church." Such a name identifies the Lord Jesus Christ as the King of Israel. It identifies the members of this church as being exclusively Jewish, with the hope of these believers being an earthly Kingdom where they would reign from Jerusalem with their King, the Lord Jesus. It further identifies a range of specific doctrines that the Savior taught as to how these followers were to live in anticipation of their Kingdom. For example, they would be forgiven only IF they forgave others; they were to "take no thought" about providing for their daily needs, but instead completely trust God to supernaturally provide for these needs; and they were all to perform miracles, such as casting out devils or drinking poison (Matt. 6:14,24-34; Mark 16:15-18). All these things were intended to verify the validity of the Lord Jesus Christ as Israel's King.
 
A "church," or called-out group of believers, certainly did exist in the Gospels and early chapters of Acts. But what is clear is that it does not refer to believers today in the Age of Grace. We too believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but the national make-up, eternal hope, and instructions about how to live today are distinctly different from the Kingdom church. Therefore, when reading this section of the Bible, we must NOT indiscriminately apply instructions or promises to ourselves that were intended specifically for the Kingdom church. 


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Post  Admin Mon 04 Jul 2016, 9:10 pm

THREE CHURCHES IN SCRIPTURE
PART 1 of  3
 BY PASTOR JOHN  FREDERICKSEN


Much confusion exists today about the biblical word church. Without studying it in Scripture, many people conclude this word refers to a building for worship. The Bible teaches that the church is not a building, but that the believers themselves are the church. Others, who have come this far in their understanding, assume that anytime they find the word church in Scripture, it refers to them or truth about them; this is not true either. In fact, such a conclusion can lead to a multitude of practical and doctrinal errors.
 
THE MEANING OF THE WORD CHURCH 

In Scripture, the word church means "called-out ones." When translating from Hebrew and Greek into English, the same word rendered church is also translated "congregation" or "assembly." God uses these three words with great frequency-more than 25 times in II Chronicles and 117 times in the New Testament. It can be used to describe any group of people, from an angry mob to a group of saints gathered for worship. As it is with many words, it is critical to look at the context in which they are used to understand the meaning. With this in mind, we find that there are three different churches which refer to believers in God's Word. 


THE CHURCH "IN THE WILDERNESS" 

As Stephen recounted his long chronology of Israel's history to the hard-hearted Jewish religious leaders in Acts, Chapter 7, he referred to "the church in the wilderness"  (v. 38). Who was he talking about? This church initially "refused" the leadership of Moses (v, 35), later followed him out of Egypt "after that he had shewed wonders and signs"  (v. 36), and "made a calf" for false worship while Moses was receiving God's "lively oracles" on Mount Sinai (vv. 38,41). This church "had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness" (v. 44) and as Stephen said, did "always resist the Holy Ghost" (v. 51). The context clearly identifies the nation of Israel in the Old Testament as being this "church in the wilderness."
 
God frequently confirmed Moses as the leader of the church in the wilderness. When the people "complained" about their journey, God's judgment was not abated until Moses prayed for them (Num. 11:1-3). When Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses and tried to usurp his authority, Miriam was made leprous and Aaron was soon stripped of his priesthood (Num. 12). When 250 sons of Korah challenged the leadership of Moses, God opened the earth and "swallowed them up" (Num. 16:32).
 
God so validated the leadership of Moses that, centuries after his death, the nation of Israel recognized the "customs [or laws] which Moses delivered us" (Acts 6:14) as being binding upon them. They came to revere Moses as having been God's man, who represented the foundation of all the truths they held dear, which had been given to Israel throughout the Old Testament. Now, think about what this means. It means that there was a "church," or called-out group of believers, that was exclusively Jewish, had laws or requirements specifically for them, and had Moses as their leader. When we read about this church in the Old Testament, it does not refer to us. Therefore, we need to be careful NOT to indiscriminately apply to ourselves the instructions or promises that God gave to them. 


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Post  Admin Sun 03 Jul 2016, 10:07 pm

The Key to a Worry-Free Life 
  by Paul M. Sadler
  
 According to doctors at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, rattlesnakes thought to be dead can still strike, bite, and kill you. Doctors in Phoenix said they have a large number of patients admitted each year suffering from bites from rattlers thought to be dead. Sometimes the snakes were shot and their heads cut off; but, the snake head retains a reflex action. In fact, one study showed that snake heads could still make striking-type motions up to sixty minutes after decapitation. 

 Satan, that old Serpent, was defeated at Calvary—his head was cut off. Hebrews Chapter 2 says that our Savior, by His death, destroyed him who holds the power of death. But for a season Satan can still strike and wound us. He can still hurt us and poison our relationships and spread his deadly venom into our homes and lives. 

 Paul admonished the Corinthians to take great care in this area, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (II Cor. 2:11). Although this may have been true in the apostle’s day, we are not sure it is the case today. It seems to us that many believers are unaware they are under attack. Satan can be very subtle and his devices are well planned. While his devices take on many forms there is one in particular that he uses quite effectively— worry! If the enemy can keep you off balance in this area he can successfully hinder your service for the Lord. 

 WORRY 

 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” —Phil. 4:6,7 

 Do you worry? I didn’t think so, but there are some who struggle with this problem. Paul says, “Be careful for nothing.” In our modern day language we would say, “Don’t worry about anything. ”The Greek word behind the term “careful” here is merimnao, which means to pull in different directions, to distract. This is exactly what worry will do to you—it will tear you apart both emotionally and physically. It can be one of the leading causes of ulcers, which is something else to worry about! 

 Worry always dwells on the future in regard to what may or may not happen. It mulls over every worst-case scenario imaginable. 


Worry is like a rocking chair..."It will give you something to do, but won't get you anywhere." Worry is like a disease that infects everyone yet no one seeks a cure. Worry is considered a legitimate past time, almost an honor, but worry is still a sin: a dangerous sin that can ruin our physical and spiritual vitality and drain our lives of joy. Yet, knowing that, I still worry... a lot!

     Our Purpose and Mission

The ministry of "Grace and The Truth" has the purpose of encouraging Christians to believe what God says. 

We read in in Ephesians. 1:18 "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints," and in Colossians 2:2 " That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment (epignosis) true knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ".

We are dedicated to helping Christians to a fuller knowledge of Him, and the Grace of God. Until we all come into the Unity, Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" 

We are wiling o help you on this journey just give us a call,  1 623 546 8866, Paris

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Post  Admin Fri 01 Jul 2016, 9:15 pm

STOP, THINK, LIFT 
Part 2 of 2
By Mel Flogel 

So Paul's gospel is a message of imputed righteousness, the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to our account the moment we rest by faith in His death as the only payment for our sins. Paul writes, "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4: 24-25)

This is God's gracious provision for our dilemma of falling short of the righteousness of Jesus Christ and the condemnation that came with this declaration.

May I also ask you to STOP, THINK, and LIFT your thoughts to another reason God can impute His righteousness to us. Paul's gospel declares that Jesus Christ died in our place. He died our death at Calvary. The word for this is vicarious. The righteousness of Jesus Christ not only shows us that we come short, it also shows us that we are guilty and are under the penalty of sin which is death. Our sins place us under the curse of the law. Paul wrote, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." (Galatians 3:10)

Paul was chosen to reveal that now the law is not of faith and that "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, BEING MADE A CURSE FOR US: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." (Galatians 3:13) This means He died in our place, He died the death we deserved because of sin. He paid it all. 

This seems to imply that all men needed Jesus's death in their place doesn't it? Read Paul's words, "For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again." (II Corinthians 5: 14-15)

This also seems to imply that the world as a whole stands at emnity with God, but through the death of Jesus Christ in our place reconciliation is made for us if we will believe it. Again, read Paul's words, "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 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." (II Corinthians 5: 19-21) 

I would just ask you to please stop and take a moment out of your busy and active life to think on these truths. Lift your thoughts to the One who came to earth, His creation, and endured the death of the cross in your place making complete satisfaction to God for your sins and mine, and rose again from the dead showing that His offering was accepted. Believe this message of God's grace and receive it for yourself and never regret it. Don't let thoughtless activity rob you of God's gracious offer, for we now live in His" accepted time". Paul wrote, "we then as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)". (II Corinthians 6: 1-2) 

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at  GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ. 

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