Monday, June 1, 2015

LOINS AND LIGHTS



Jack Davis

May we face the future with expectation, and joy, as we seriously consider it our opportunity to grow and glow, know and sow. While awaiting any moment to catch our signal to go. What we have from our Lord, let us faithfully hold fast, while trusting His promises, on Him let our every care be cast.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord… Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Lk. 12:34-36,40

This warning was to prepare Israel for the Messiah’s second coming, but praise God, Jesus is coming first for us in the Church. As we look at what’s occurring in the world daily, we know that event (the coming of Jesus) is at hand. When Jesus said, “Let” here, He is speaking of keeping in a continual state of readiness. In this warning we find two important elements expressed. For the “loins” to be girded speaks of a readiness for travel. “Girded” also speaks of restraint from the relaxation that would hinder from maintaining a state of constant expectation.

Having the lights or lamps burning, speaks of illumination and radiation. Ps. 119:105, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Our light may not appear to shine very far, but as we walk, the path is illuminated for the next step of faith. We long for that last step that precedes the catching away to be with our Lord at His return. Keeping our loins girded and our lights burning seems to point to a conduct indicating an attitude of loyalty and faithfulness which overcomes laxity, indifference and spiritual dullness.

Strengthening for Shining: By the power of God’s Word working effectually in our lives, we are strengthened for shining. In Genesis we read that God said, “Let there be light.” God saw “that the light was good.” Then He pronounced that light “good.” This natural light pictures for us the spiritual light which He commanded to shine into us to expel the darkness from our hearts. Oh, in these weakening, darkening days, how great is the need for the constant intake of God’s wonderful Word. His Word would serve for protection as a loin girder and for projection as a light giver.

Protection: David wrote, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” And “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word.” Ps. 119:11,9

Projection: It is good that the Word be hid in our hearts, but not under a bushel. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” Mt. 5:16. We read in Proverbs 4:18, “The path of the just is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever” -Dan. 123. The fact expressed here shall be true of overcomers out of every Age.

Paul admonished the lovers of the race to “do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless, and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (generation), among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth (fast) the Word of life” – Phil. 2:14-16.

In Matthew 25:1-4 Jesus said, “The wise took oil.” The oil causes the light to shine. The Christ life is our light. Our spirit life is fed on the Spirit and the Word. The Holy Spirit is the oil, fuel or power which causes our lights to burn brightly and constantly. “The spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord” – Prov. 20:27.

God’s Word expresses His will. In Eph. 5:18 Paul wrote, “Be filled with the Spirit.” The Greek rendering expresses it, “Keep on filling,” or “Keep on drinking.” If we don’t, the darkening influence of the world will cause our lights to dim, darken and finally to cease to shine to His glory.

Loins Girded: Consider some thoughts in relation to different translations on these two words. Girded – “tighten your belts.” There will certainly be some weights to lift while we await our Lords’ return. Paul wrote, “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” – Gal. 6:12. “Dress for travel” – Ex. 12:11. The children of Israel were to partake of the Passover Lamb in readiness to leave Egyptian bondage, with their “loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand” ready to go. Another translation reads, “ready for action,” erect and alert. Our Apostle warns us in view of darkness of the end of this Age, to “put on the armor of light” – Rom. 13:11-14.

We stand, having our loins girt about with the truth, Eph. 6:14. Fighting the good fight requires that our faith be strengthened and sustained by the Word of truth. The Word of truth girds up the loins of our minds (I Pet. 1:13) as we by faith put on the helmet of salvation. Eph. 6:17 with II Cor. 10:4-5. Having our loins girt about with truth we are empowered to put to practical use our weapons that are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. We gird up, by bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

Let the same mind (attitude of heart) be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” – Phil. 2:5. It took Him all the way to the cross but also place Him upon a throne.

We are dumb like sheep, in that we are so prone to wander off into danger, in thought first, and then in deed, out of harmony and out of fellowship with God.

“And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” – Rom. 12:2. We don’t have much strength for radiating the Christ life light if we are conforming to the world. We, being so marvelously empowered with this Christ life treasure, are to yield, so as to allow His life to be manifest in our mortal bodies. This is what it means to shine as lights, II Cor. 4:6-11.

As we meditate upon God’s Word, He will elevate our thinking, and thus sustain us, strengthening us inwardly by divine illumination. PRAISE GOD! Eph. 3:16-21 with Col. 1:11.

The Last Days


Anita Clark

“For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory  hath He sent me unto the nations which spoiled you [Israel]: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye. For, behold, I will shake My hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me” Zechariah 2:8,9.

The above Scripture is a promise of the Lord’s help for Israel in the latter days of the tribulation. The news is teeming with information about the various nations who are against Israel. God is displeased with the nations that turn against the Jews. “The apple of His eye” refers to the “pupil of the eye.” How careful we are about our eyes! God is careful about Israel for they are His chosen people.

HISTORIC NUCLEAR FRAMEWORK WITH IRAN – Iran and six world powers have been working on a deal for some time regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Sanctions have been in place against Iran to try and get them to commit not to create a nuclear bomb. This agreement is led primarily by Secretary of State John Kerry and President Barak Obama and other concerned nations. Just recently Iran has stepped up aggression against ships traveling through the Persian gulf, which has caused anxiety in the hearts of many neighboring nations. Also, Iran is fighting in Yemen against Saudi Arabia.

RUSSIA TO SELL IRAN ANTI-AIRCRAFT SYSTEM & NUCLEAR REACTOR – Back in 2007 Russia made a deal with Iran to deliver this system and to update a reactor in Bushehr, Iran, where a previous reactor has been. They called off the sale when the U.N. brought sanctions against Iran in 2007. Now, Russia says it will go ahead with the sale, and it recently “guaranteed Iran’s protection” against aggressors.

Andrey Piontkovsky, a Russian Mathematician and political writer and analyst strongly suggests, “Israel will likely feel compelled to launch a military strike against Iranian facilities in the near future before the Russian systems go operational, something that by its very nature could trigger a broader conflagration in the already unstable Middle East.” He expresses, “Russia may be doing this in hopes that Israel will accomplish a raid on Iran, which well could cause the Arabs to unite back more closely against Israel and on the Kremlin’s side, while driving up the price of oil from its current low levels.” He states, “Russia has protected Iran for 15 years in the Security Council by preventing the adoption of harsh sanctions which really could have stopped the Iranian nuclear project.” Indeed, Russia has been Iran’s protector, with many Russians working at nuclear sites and providing technology to build nuclear reactors.

In view of Ezekiel 38-39, which shows a war taking place in the endtime, showing Russia, Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and Togamah all coming together to fight Israel, we wonder if it is about to happen. Some think that this account in Ezekiel only refers to Rev. 20:8, where it is stated that Russia will come against Israel one more time after the Millennial reign of Christ, but it seems there will be a previous time before that time of peace. Russia has been a great persecutors of the Jews over the ages.

Revelation 6:2 says, “And I saw, and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him; and he went forth conquering and to conquer.” This white horse comes out of the book of judgment of chapter five. The horse and rider represents the Antichrist, who will come in peace, making a treaty with Israel to which they will agree (Dan. 9:27). This will take place at the first part of the seven years of tribulation, and it will finally seem that man has achieved peace. But, next there will be a “red horse” come out of the second seal. He represents that peace will be taken from the earth. This will usher in a terrible time of war and death. I believe that this might be the Magog, Gog war of Ezekiel 38-39.

The war of Ezekiel does not seem to be the same as the coming of Gog and Magog at the millennial’s end, because if you read the rest of the story in Ezekiel 39:2, it says that God will smite them and leave a sixth part of them, also, that He will cause the ravenous birds and beasts that will eat their bodies. At the point of time (Rev. 20) after the millennial, God will already have dealt with the heathen, as is mentioned in verses 21 and 23. As Ezekiel states in chapter 38:19-23, at this time of Russia coming with Iran and other nations, God will bring an unparalleled judgment on the earth especially against those nations that have come up against Israel. However, at the time of the judgment on Gog and Magog in Revelation 20:8-9, the judgment of the tribulation will be over, and fire will come down specifically on Magog and Gog there at the Millennial end, where no mention is made of the other nations involved in Ezekiel.

Today as we read about the threatenings of Iran’s Ayatollah, stating that they will wipe Israel off the face of the map, let us remember that our God has already decreed that He will bring judgment on anyone who comes against Israel. Even though the majority of Israelites are in unbelief, God still has His covenant with them which He made with Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

Israel is very upset about the treaty with Iran, their mortal enemy, and some worry that they might decide to bomb Iran soon. The United States Congress voted recently to have the right to review the treaty before it is implemented with Iran. This is actually already the right of the Congress, but this fact seemed to be ignored by the U.S. leaders.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” Zechariah 12:9. In the end, God will fight for Israel, but many of them will die during the tribulation, as stated in Zechariah 13:8, “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die, but the third shall be left therein.”

SUMMIT TO BE HELD MAY 13, 2015 – with Arab nations to talk about the treaty on the advancement of Iran’s nuclear development brokered by the U.S. President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry. The king of Saudi and the Emir of Bahrain refused to come to the grouping.

NATURAL DISASTERS RAMPANT – The Philippines just experienced winds of 90 miles per hour in a category 4 typhoon which destroyed rice and corn fields. Thousand were made homeless as the storm swept up the coast and crossed over to southern Japan. There have been more increasingly fierce storms hitting the Philippines lately than before. Because the population is denser more people are left homeless, or injured or killed than before.

Many storms and tornados have been tearing through the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas and Iowa, numbering 226 as of May 15, 2015. So far, none has gone through heavily populated areas, so, there has not been great loss of life, but there has been pretty heavy devastation in area.

Many places n the U.S. still do not have enough rain to replenish the water supply. Even the underground aquifers are going dry. California has been for sometime suffering a terrible drought. Residents are forbidden to water their lawns, which has caused many lawns to die. Recently the government has been offering to pay to have lawns ripped up and replaced with gravel and plants that don’t require very much water. How strange to think of California looking so different! The earth is changing - in tune with God’s plan for the change that shall come, the tribulation of seven years, and then the Kingdom of our Lord.

Earthquakes in Nepal – Many dead and injured after two devastating earthquakes. There are many believers in Jesus Christ in this small country, but the majority are Hindu’s or Buddhists. God is moving to bring people to Him in their grief and pain.

Disease and Pestilence – Polio is spreading in Africa, where many are not vaccinated. In 2012 there were just 250 cases of polio worldwide, but in the last three months there have already been over 100 new reported cases in Somalia. Somalia has the second-lowest vaccinated coverage in the world. UNICEF has warned that “If the outbreak in Somalia is not controlled quickly, it could jeopardize global efforts to wipe out polio once and for all.” There is a deeper challenge in countries like Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, where polio has proven very difficult to eradicate, partly due to mistrust of immunization programs among certain communities. Matthew 24:7 says in the endtime, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences (diseases), and earthquakes, in divers places.” Polio is just one of many viruses rampant in the world today.

SUMMING IT UP – Beloved Saints of God and all others who read these words, Jesus Christ is coming very soon. The signs everywhere show forth that the judgment of the tribulation is at hand. God’s Spirit will not always strive with man (Gen. 6:3). Just as in the day of Noah, where the world that forgot God was going about doing their own thing, God brought judgment upon them, so God will very soon say, “It is enough.” His wrath will be poured out. Our only hope is to accept the Lord as our Savior, and walk with Him in obedience to His Word. He admonishes us through the Word of God in Romans 13:11-14, “And that knowing the time that it high time to awake out of sleep for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Let us realize that the time is so short and yield completely to the Lord’s working in our lives.

How Do You Hear?



Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Luke 8:18

This verse follows the parable of the sower. A parable about God’s Word going out and people receiving or rejecting it, and the results of that effort. In no point in time has God’s Word been more available than today. We have it in every imaginable format and it can be disseminated all over the world.

The real question we must ask ourselves is: “How do we hear”? Not by what method or in what format, but with what ears, and with what heart. How we hear will affect the results in our lives.

I read the following from a friends facebook: My grandfather grew up in Tennessee and spent his youth and young adulthood camping, berry picking, hunting and trapping in the forests there. I was privileged to take a few hikes with him through those woods. I was always amazed at what he saw that I didn't and what he could tell me about things I was barely aware were even there. Because he knew much he saw much and learned more every time he was in the woods. Because I didn't know, I saw little and retained nothing of what he taught me. It reminds me that as we take interest in God’s Word, and learn from the Holy Spirit, more and more will be revealed to us.

God’s Word is unlike any other book or any other piece of literature, because it is living, and because it comes with a special teacher; the Holy Spirit. In Colossians 1:9, Paul prays for the saints that they would be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

So many of God’s people are ignorant of God’s will, both in this world and in their lives. Not because it is impossible to know God’s will, but because they do not hear well. There are many ‘voices’ in the world of Christendom today, but only one is worth hearing.

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Hebrews 1:1-2.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:5

God has given us His Word, which is a revelation of His Son Jesus. He has also given us His Holy Spirit to reveal the truth from His Word. We have no excuse for spiritual ignorance. How do you hear?

Gordon Crook

RUTH


Debra Isenbletter

Ruth 2:21 – “And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.”

After Naomi’s words concerning Boaz, the revelation and assurance that he was their “next kinsman,” their “Kinsman Redeemer,” Ruth goes on to tell Naomi what Boaz said to her. Previously Ruth had only shown Naomi what she had brought back from gleaning and told Naomi the name of the man in whose field she gleaned. She told Naomi what Boaz had done for her. But Boaz reinforces what he does with what he says. His gracious actions are backed with gracious words. What a wonderful picture of Christ, whose words were filled with grace. The Psalmist wrote: “… grace is poured into thy lips” (Ps 45:2); and those that heard Jesus speak “wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth” (Luke 4:22).

Ruth tells Naomi what Boaz told her to do, and his words are filled with grace and also show that Boaz is aware of his relationship as a kinsman, and even before being asked, he reaches out to meet their needs and he does this through Ruth, she become a conduit for the blessing of Boaz! So what does Ruth tell Naomi Boaz said to her? “He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.” Boaz tells Ruth to stay close to his servants. He tells Ruth what she needs to DO; she needs to “keep fast.” The word “keep fast” comes from “to cling.” Here clinging is a good thing and not a bad thing, it shows strength and not weakness.
It means “to cleave (hold) fast” (to Boaz, his word, his servants) – Dependence (Faith).
It means “to follow close” – Direction. (Walk). – She is to keep close.
It means “”pursue hard” – Desire (Race). – She is to keep up.
It means “be joined (together)” – Devotion. (Fellowship, Communion, Companionship)

Boaz tells Ruth who she needs to stay close to, he says “my young men,” and this can also be translated “my servants (male and female).” The emphasis is not just on the servants, but on whose servants she is to stay close to: Boaz’s servants. This is who she is to cleave to and follow and fellowship. They will lead her and teach her. This will be another test of her character and her faithfulness. If she does this, she shows Boaz her purpose of heart. If she does this, she shows Boaz her obedience. At the end of harvest time, Ruth will be a different person; she will not be the same person that walked into the field on the first day asking to glean. She will have grown in comprehension, fellowship, strength and endurance.

And how long was Ruth to do this? Boaz said: “until they have ended all my harvest.” She was to do this until the end of all his harvest, the barley harvest and wheat harvest. Boaz wants to keep Ruth close and safe. During this time he is watching her and watching over her. He is guarding and guiding her. He knows who she is and who he is and what his responsibilities are and exercises them before being asked!

The testimony of Ruth in obeying the words of Boaz should be the testimony of our lives as we serve Christ, who is our Boaz. We need to be Dependent: to “cleave fast” to Christ and to the Word. This was the exhortation Barnabas gave the church at Antioch, “cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23). This was the exhortation Paul gave the saints at Rome, “cleave to that which is good” (Ro 12:9). We need Direction: We need to “follow close,” we need to follow Christ and follow the examples of godly men and women who have done so before us. Jesus said “My sheep hear my voice…and they follow me” (Jn 10:27). Paul said: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1), he said “follow us” (2 Thess 3:7,9) and “follow after righteousness” (1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:22). We need Desire: We need to “pursue hard” after godly things. We “run in a race” and we are to “run that (we) may obtain” (1 Cor 9:24). We are to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14). Paul tells us what it is that we should desire to obtain, it is the prize, Christ as Bridegroom. We need Devotion: We need “to be joined (together)” with Christ and with other saints. We do this when we don’t forsake “the assembling of ourselves together” (Heb 10:25). When we meet together and share our needs and burdens and blessings. When we worship together, pray together, labor together and suffer together. Think of all the shared experiences Ruth had during the time she labored in the fields of Boaz with others, followed after those men and women and sat and ate and fellowshipped with them! It is through Dependence, Direction, Desire and Devotion that we overcome and how we show that Jesus is our only love, our “first love” (Rev 2:4).

Dark Calvary



Earlene Davis

In the first 21 verses of Psalm 22 David wrote inspired prophecy of our Lord’s sufferings on the cross. It is more vividly described than what we read in the four gospels. For it lets us to know our Savior’s inward thoughts as he was being crucified. Just think this was written a thousand years before Christ was born and we find 33 distinct prophecies which were fulfilled at Calvary. It is the most convincing example of the divine inspiration of the Bible. Only God can prophesy with such unerring accuracy.
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent” Vs. 1-2. Yes, Christ was abandoned by God. When that dreadful midday-midnight darkness swept over Calvary, this abandoned cry was heard.
“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel” V. 3. He was abandoned because of the holiness of God. The great Sufferer realized there was a gulf that isolated Him from His Father. “He who knew no sin was made sin for us.” No wonder He was abandoned by the holy God, no wonder He roared out like a lion in pain. He had always done those things that pleased His Father and the Father twice spoke from heaven, This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. 
“Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded” V. 4-5. Others have cried to God in their distress and God heard them, but Jesus cry was left unanswered.
“But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people” V. 6. This word “worm” used here is the crimson crocus from which the color scarlet was obtained for the robes of kings. That royal dye was obtained by the lowly worm being crushed. On the cross our Lord was crushed beneath the load of our sin and under the wrath and curse of God. Being made a curse for us, He was crushed. Just think at that moment, He was a worm and no man. The eternal Son of God, Creator of the universe, a worm and no man, abandoned by God.
“All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him” Vs. 7-8. What a significant feature of the prophecy, that it foretold exactly what the Lord’s enemies would say. Unbelievers may say Jesus was playacting to fit prophecies, but how could He make His enemies playact the fulfillment of prophecy too? The priests and the people had no desire to prove the claims of Jesus to be Messiah. They did everything to disprove those claims. Yet, despite themselves, they used the very language of Psalm 22 when taunting Him. The Hebrew word “trust” used here occurs nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible. It means, “Roll it on Jehovah: they cried. “Roll it on Him.” Seven distinct Hebrew words for trust are used else where.
“But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round” Vs. 9-12. The Lord’s enemies would be like “bulls of Bashan.” Bashan was known for its fertile pasturelands. Bulls will often circle around any unaccustomed object and charge at the slightest provocation. The Lord’s enemies were like that, standing strong and menacing.
They were not only bulls with ready horns, they were roaring lions, tearing and devouring. “They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion” V. 13. They were also like ravenous unclean dogs of the streets. “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet” V. 16. How cruel were the Lord’s enemies.
“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd (a broken piece of pottery); and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death” Vs. 14-15. He  who created every mountain stream, every babbling brook, every river, every lake, every well , was consumed with thirst.
As for men, “I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me” V. 17. The original text suggests malicious delight on the sight. No doubt the priests, the elders, the Scribes were thinking He will never trouble us again. Come down from the cross and we will believe in you. The contempt, the cruelty, the callousness of men was all foretold in this psalm. He was not only abandoned by God, but abhorred by men. “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture” Vs. 18. The Roman soldiers fulfilled this, casting lots for His vesture. God’s beloved Son was suffering physical, emotional and spiritual anguish (body, soul and spirit). He was dying for their sins. He was dying for the sin of the whole world. It meant nothing to them.
 “But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns (wild ox)” Vs. 19-21. We know who the roaring lion is, he that goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Jesus words in Lk. 22:53, “This is your hour and the power of darkness.” Yes, the powers of Satan were present at Calvary, the principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, wicked spirits in high places, all gathered around the cross to gloat.
Deliver “My darling, (my only one) from the power of the dog.” Who is this? Do we not read in Eph. 5, “Christ so loved the church, He gave Himself for it. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Also in II Cor. 11, Paul says, by his epistles he has espoused the church to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But he feared that as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, the saints minds would be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. This has happened to most. But there are those who have followed Paul in counting all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, to win Christ as Bridegroom.
Psalm 45, King’s daughters were among thy honorable women: Upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir…She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needlework. Christ will have a bride, a glorious church, a chaste virgin, a queen to reign conjointly with Him. Rom. 8, “If we suffer with Him, that we may be glorified together.
Rev. 19, tells of the marriage of the Lamb that will come and His wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness or righteous acts of saints.
In Song of Solomon chapter 6 we read there are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines and virgins without number. My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother (grace) to Him. She was on His mind when He was on the cross dying to win her, to obtain her. The bridal company was the joy set before Him that He endured the cross. O what love!

Earlene Davis

A Good Report



“God’s Not Done With Me Yet”

By Gary Oetinger
Clay Center, Kansas

It’s a miracle, I am still alive, even the doctors say I have a testimony. July 5, 2013, I was enjoying a meal with family
and had a severe heart attack. The doctor said there wasn’t any hope. Even though my living will called for no life support, my niece insisted on it. Doctors advised the family that I would probably be in a nursing home six to eight months on a respirator and brain dead. Every part of my body appeared dead already. It appeared hopeless. While in a coma (for over a month), I was transferred to a recovery hospital, having three infections, worse than staph. The doctors advised again that they should let me go, because you just don’t recover from this kind of stuff. So many prayer groups gathered in my name, and all of a sudden, I woke up. All I could move was my head. I wondered what happened, because I had three different doctors – a heart doctor, a lung doctor, and an infection/discase doctor. They all came and shook my hand, saying, “Boy, this just doesn’t happen, fellah.” Gradually the rest of the body came back, couldn’t walk, but receiving very good care at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor, where I recovered for five weeks, also receiving help from the cardiac rebab unit at the hospital, strengthening other parts of the heart. They told me I set a record for the number of times being told, “This guy shouldn’t be alive.” I give the credit to God, I give the glory to God, for prayer made a big difference. You couldn’t believe the people that were praying for me, people all over that I didn’t even know. It was through the power of prayer of those prayer warriors that brought me back from the brink of death. As of today, I am walking again and returned to living independently in my apartment.