Welcome

June 2025 is now posted.

We will be posting the Glorious Gospel articles individually below. A PDF file (large print) can be downloaded under the Archives tab and printed if desired, as well as past editions.

 Forty Four Years and Counting

This month of June marks 44 years printing the Glorious Gospel magazine. My husband Jack Davis was lead of the Lord to start it and He named it the Glorious Gospel – II Cor. 4:4 and I Tim. 1:11.

  When he told me about it, I went along with him for I knew he was led of the Lord. But I must confess that at the first I drug my feet because I knew it meant a lot of work. Later on Jack told me that when I finally got in harness, he could not catch up with me (his words).

We knew nothing about how to layout a magazine. The Lord used Jane (Matney) Dean to teach me the cut and paste method using a light table to lay it out. I also had not typed since High School, so Lydia (Matney) Davis was our first typist until I got in practice.

Jack’s first printing machine was a multi-lift off-set printer that Don Rogers found and Jack purchased. Don had experience at printing and was our first printer until Jack learned the ropes.

The Lord has faithfully supplied many writers that have contributed to the magazine and also different willing workers have helped with the work through the years. My pastor Gordon Crook helps me in so many ways with the computer and forming the magazine. Thank God for everyone who has shared in this ministry. 

Of course through the years we experienced many up-dates and more modern equipment. The Lord has led and supplied all the way. Thank God! All glory to Him. By His grace we still print and mail out monthly the magazine to many individuals and meetings, even to English speaking foreign countries at no charge.

 

Earlene Davis – Editor

 Crucified in Weakness – Raised in Power

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.” 2 Corinthians 13:4

This verse captures both sides of the redemption story; Jesus’ death and resurrection. There is much we can learn from breaking down this verse to understand the accomplishment of our salvation and what it means for us. Last month we considered that Jesus died in weakness; that is the weakness of a human body. This month we will consider the He “liveth by the power of God.”

I want to consider two main things here. Our Lord and Savior is ALIVE. There is nothing more important than this statement. All religions throughout history have had their “prophet” or “leader” that is now in a grave somewhere. We serve a living Savior who sits at the right hand of God interceding for us. The second thing is the power that is mentioned. It is by God’s power that Jesus was raised from the dead.

In the Old Testament, God had already prophesied that Jesus would raise from the dead. “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Psalms 16:10. Peter quotes this passage in Acts 2:27 which let’s us know with certainty that it refers to our Lord. God foresaw this because He foresaw that Jesus would satisfy the penalty for sins.

From Romans, we realize that baptism represents our death and burial with Him, but also, and very importantly, our rising with Him. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. It is then, this resurrection life that is in us and gives us life and hope. It is because of the risen Jesus that we can live a life that is pleasing to our Lord. We no longer have to “walk” (conduct our lives) according to the old nature because we now “walk” in newness of life; His resurrection life.

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” Ephesians 2:5-6. Not only are we able to be pleasing to our Father, we are actually sitting provisionally in the heavens because of the resurrection life of Jesus. We are made alive. Not just life, but “abundant” life. John 10:10.

Secondly, we have to consider the power of this resurrection life. The power it took to raise Jesus is beyond what we might really understand. Consider the moving of the stone that was needed to reveal the empty tomb. I really don’t think God needed to move the stone to get Jesus out of the tomb, but it was necessary so all could see the empty tomb. But more importantly, the power to raise a person from the dead. Power beyond ours.

That same power that God used to raise Jesus, is available to us to empower our life and our walk. “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,” Ephesians 1:19-20. We may not understand well exactly how much power is at our disposal, but Paul prays for us that we would get a revelation of that power that will work in our lives to produce a life that is pleasing to God.

Paul himself wanted to have that same revelation. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10. While Paul did not claim to have attained to that ultimate prize at this point, he desperately wanted to know and understand the power that would get him to that prize. How about you? Are you longing to understand and know the resurrection power in your life?

The resurrection matters, because it is our eternal hope. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3. We are looking forward to a time when we will be raised and receive a glorified body. That hope should keeps us going in this word of turmoil and distress. 

The resurrection encourages us to keep our focus on our Lord Jesus. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1. The original translation should say, “Since you are risen with Christ.” That resurrection should keep us pointed towards Jesus and the heavenly things that are most important. 

I encourage you today to seek to know Him in the power of His resurrection. To seek to be changed by that power, to press towards the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. 

 Open our Eyes

Vicky Moots

In II Corinthians 4:4 the apostle Paul explains the reason for spiritual blindness: “…the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Who is the god of this world? It is Satan himself. Mankind has been spiritually blinded by his lies.

Paul knew this by experience because he had been blinded to the gospel by Satan. Prior to his conversion, he had sought to destroy those who had become followers of Jesus. Paul, who was named Saul at the time, was a very religious Jew, a Pharisee, who strove for righteousness through the works of the law, and thought he was blameless before God. 

Acts chapter 9 records the story of Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. Verse 3 tells us that a bright light shone from heaven, and he fell to the ground. He then heard the voice of Jesus speaking to him and revealing who He was. When Saul arose he discovered that he was blind. What he hadn’t realized was that he was already blind spiritually.

Three days later, God sent Ananias to him to pray for him to receive his sight and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Verse 18 states, “And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received his sight...” God opened his blinded physical and spiritual eyes and called him to preach Christ, the one whom he had previously rejected and persecuted. 

Paul’s eyes were not only opened to the gospel, but to many other spiritual truths which he has since revealed to us through his epistles. His desire was for our eyes to be opened also. In Eph. 1: 17-18 we read Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian Saints, and for us also: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 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.” 

Satan not only blinds the eyes of unbelievers to the gospel, but he also tries to blind us as Christians to keep us from seeing the spiritual riches that go beyond initial salvation. He tries to keep us from laying hold of our inheritance and the fullness of God’s grace. 

Jesus wants to reveal Himself to us through the Scriptures, as He did to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-32, after His resurrection. In vv. 15-16 we find that Jesus drew near to them, “but their eyes were holden that they should not know him.” Then v. 27 states, “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” In vv. 30-31 we read, “... he took bread and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him....”

The eyes of these disciples had been blinded to the Christ of the resurrection. Many Christians today, likewise, only know Christ as a man, but do not know Him in the power of His resurrection. May the Holy Spirit enlighten the eyes of our understanding as we study the Scriptures and feast upon the bread of life, so that we may truly know Christ in His fullness.

Luke 4:18-20 records the account of Jesus standing in the synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath and reading from the book of Isaiah. The words which He read in v. 18 were a prophecy which was fulfilled by Jesus Himself: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind...”

Yes, Jesus came to recover sight of the blind and praise the Lord He is still delivering captives that are bound by Satan and opening blinded eyes today through the power of His Word and the Holy Spirit.

 Spiritual Awareness

Jack Davis

“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemeth good in thy sight” Luke 10:21.

Solomon requested, “I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in…Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart…” Read I Kings 3:5-12.

It is interesting to consider what Jesus prayed for, and how He prayed. It is enjoyable to think of what He enjoyed while here as a man. The Scriptures record His rejoicing and thanksgiving, and we attend to them to our benefit, for they are very instructive.

We know that He delighted in the  Father’s will. Psalm 40; Heb. 10. From our text, he seemed to be enjoying the manifestation of God’s choices for divine revelation. We do well to follow suit.

We notice His rejoicing over things hidden, and from whom they were hidden, and of things revealed and to whom they were revealed. Would it not be better for us to do likewise instead of crying why, why, why? It is wise to give thanks to the Father who is omniscient. He always has His right reasons for all things. It is unwise to think we can judge God and justify ourselves, Rom. 12:3,16.

There are times when that which our Father permits, purposes, and provides for, may seem very contradictory to our reasoning. And even when we have attempted extensively with prayer to understand, they still remain a mystery.

We rejoice that sacred secrets are divinely revealed at our all knowing Father’s discretion. In the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God, there are judgments unsearchable, and ways past tracing out –  Rom. 11:33-36. Yet, in Christ Jesus, God hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence – Eph. 1:8. For in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge – Col. 2:3. 

Glory to God, we are so glad to recognize the wisdom of our Father in choosing what He chooses, and using what He uses unto His eternal glory. Jesus is made to trusting hearts wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption that no flesh glory in His presence – I Cor. 1:26-31. Praise God, in Christ there is indeed a wealth unsearchable – Eph. 3:8. There is a love that passes knowledge – Eph. 3:19.; a peace that passes understanding – Phil. 4:6-7, and a joy unspeakable – I Pet. 1:8.

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable (inexpressible free) gift” – II Cor. 9:15.  Whether we are able to tell all this gift is, and contains or not, we do have the wonderful privilege of giving thanks for all that we have and see in Him.

God has given mankind reasoning faculties, (Prov. 20:27) yet  they must be submitted to the Holy Spirit in order to grasp what all He has in mind for us. I believe He would have us know that intelligence is a hindrance only if we allow it a place over God’s Word. We cannot allow any thing credence above, “thus saith the Lord.” Let  us not permit anything to get in the way of faith – Prov. 3:5-7. All that reason contrary to faith are fools, in danger of shutting themselves out of God’s best blessings.

“I thank thee”

When Jesus spoke this as recorded in Luke 10, it seems to be a confession of full acknowledgment of God’s will, as well as an expression of praise. “That thou hast hid…and revealed…” Whatever God has hidden who can uncover? What He reveals who can hide? Prov. 25:2. 

“Unto Babes”

We are given to know that spiritual awareness is not arrived at by human intellect, and not dependent on human reasoning – I Cor. 2:9-13. There are “babes” unlearned and learned that recognize their need, even helplessness in things spiritual, that are totally dependent on the Lord. These are privileged to receive in child-like faith, divine revelation. “For so it seems good in the Father’s sight.” REJOICE WITH JESUS!

 CONTINUE

Earlene Davis

While meditating on the Word for a message, the Holy Spirit brought one word to my mind – “Continue.” I feel the Lord has instruction and also encouragement to give us. It is not always correction, but it is God’s desire that we increase spiritually, growing in Christ, that we might be perfected to win Christ’s best for us. 

Satan would tempt us to slow our pace in running to win Christ, perhaps even to give up. That would please Satan. As that would allow him to rob God of the perfecting that He is doing  in our lives that would bring Him glory. In what would the Lord have us to increase that He may bring us to perfection? Let us consider what our Apostle Paul has written to us of this Grace Age. He wrote as the Holy Spirit gave it to him. 

We read in Acts 14:22, that Paul returned to the churches he had establish to see first hand of their faith. He found it necessary to exhort them to Continue in the faith, as they were experiencing tribulations. Paul’s words have much weight to me, for his own trials were so great that he was stoned and left for dead – V. 19. He did not give up, but continued to travel and preach the Gospel and exhort the saint to continue in the faith.

In Col. 1:22-23, Paul says, that Christ suffered that He may present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight; If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.

In Col. 4:2, we are admonished “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” This is taking hold of God in earnest prayer. As we pray and continue in the attitude of prayer, thanking God that the answer is on the way even when we see no evidence of it. Delayed answers, causes the muscles of our faith to be strengthened. Let us keep on believing, seeking the Lord and His will. Acts 6:4, to give ourselves to an attitude of prayer continually. 

II Tim. 3:14 – Continue in the truth of God’s Word and be not entangled with every doctrine of men that comes along. Read this whole chapter. II Tim. 3:16-17, All Scripture is inspired or “God breathed,” it has life, for it is the living Word of God. That is why when we believe God’s Word, it works effectually in  us. God’s truth becomes a part of our very being and gives us spiritual strength. It is profitable, for doctrine, (accept no other doctrine), for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (we learn how to walk pleasing to the Lord). Praise God, His Word refutes the reasonings of our mind and keeps us from error. If we be otherwise minded, God will correct us by His Word. 

Thank God for His working in us as we yield to His Word. He would have us to be made perfect in Christ and known for all good works of faith. In Acts 13:43, Paul and Barnabas persuaded the Jewish believers who formerly had trusted in their own works, to continue in the grace of God. And in Heb. 13:1, “Let brotherly love continue.”  The love of Christ shed abroad in the hearts of the saints makes for healthy growth. We will bear one anothers burdens and provoke one another to good works. 

Heb. 13:2 – Sometimes we can get so self-contained. The Lord has other children who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. But we must try the spirits of professed people, who are religious runabouts. V. 9, It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace.

V. 15 – Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. V. 16 – To do good and to communicate. With these sacrifices God is will pleased. Spiritual fruit is what God wants. Praise is the fruit of the lips. Doing good to others by pointing them to Jesus as Savior. And communicate, giving of yourself, the fruit of the hands and feet and of our earnings in support of the Gospel. V. 17 – Loyalty to our spiritual leaders that God has appointed to lead and teach. Vs. 20-21 – not that we did not know these things, but as Paul said in I Thess. 3:12-13 & 4:10, that we increase more and more in love toward all men. That we may be found establish in holiness before God our Father at the coming of Jesus Christ. Shall we continue? Yes, by the grace of God.

 “OCCUPY”

Becky Swank

“…And He called His ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come…” Luke 19:12-28.

As we read this parable, we find that when the nobleman returned the first servant came saying, “Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.” He was given ten cities. The second came saying, “Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.” He was given five cities. “Another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layest not down, and reapest that thou did not sow.” So his pound was taken away and given to him that had ten pounds.

The Lord wants us to occupy till He comes, being fruitful through Him. He does not want us to be as the other servant and lay up in a napkin the Word which He has given us, and just “kill” or waste away time till He comes. We all have had disappointments, let downs, and many trials. It is so easy to get preoccupied, dwelling on situations; and before we know it days, weeks, months, possibly years have gone by, and we really have not occupied in the way He planned at all. Occupying is not just for the ministers, Sunday School teachers, elders, and so forth; we all are to occupy. We do not have to find something to occupy ourselves either. As we read in verse thirteen – “He delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” He gave to them. And the Lord has given to us!

Ephesians 2:1-10, “And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved); and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Colossians 3:1-17, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth…For which thing’s sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience; in the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these…seeing that ye hath put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him…but Christ is all, and in all. Put on 

therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another…And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…and be ye thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in you hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to  God and the Father by Him.”

Oh, it is so important to fill our time occupying in the Lord! It is the only way we can put off the old man and put on the new man. That in itself will keep up busy till our beloved Bridegroom comes! In verse eight we read, “But now ye also put off all these.” It is not that we put off all these last year, or last week. But now! This is daily yielding to the new man. If we are doing that, we are occupying! It is a living testimony which will bring forth fruit! In Luke, we read how the servants were rewarded as much as their pound had gained. The pound of the one who laid his up in a napkin was taken away. Oh, let us not lay up in a napkin God’s precious Word; but let us be fruitful and receive the maximum reward, Jesus Christ as our Bridegroom!

I Corinthians 9:24-27, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the Prize? So run, that ye may obtain…I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection…”

Philippians 3:8-14, “Yea doubtless, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win  Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness…but that which is through the faith of  Christ, and righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection (out from) the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the Prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

 CONCERNING SPIRITUALS

Part 3

W. J. Franklin

(V) The Working of Miracles

Miracle is a word used to denote a non-natural, beyond natural, supernatural order of things or works contrary to nature – accomplishments of which we are unaccustomed to.

The Gift of the working of miracles operates by the energy or dynamic force of the Spirit, a sovereign act of the Spirit of God, irrespective of laws or systems.

Let us consider some uses of the Gift in scripture:

(1) For delivering God’s people. Exodus 14:16

(2) To provide for those in need. Exodus 17:5-6

(3) To confirm the preached Word. Acts 8:6

(4) To deliver in unavoidable situations of danger. Matt. 8:23

(5) To display God’s Power and Magnificence. Psalms 150:2

They show forth His Greatness. Miracles are explosions of almightiness, wonders, the expression of the Divine walking among men, the visible tokens of an invisible Power.

(VI) The Gift of Faith

Let us remember that though faith we are saved (Eph. 2:8); this is faith that goes before salvation.

Then there is faith which is named in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), which can only be developed by the Spirit as we walk in the Spirit. Fruit can only be grown, not made. This fruit of faith also speaks of God making us faithful.

But the Gift of Faith is distinct from saving faith and the fruit of faith. Remember that this is the greatest of the power gifts, and those that possess this gift believe God in such a way that God honors their word as His Own, and miraculously brings it to pass. It is a supernatural endowment by the Spirit whereby that which is uttered or desired by man shall eventually come to pass. This faith utterance covers blessings, cursings, destruction, and is different from the gift of the working of Miracles and the gifts of Healing in that often its operations are not immediately or even generally observed.

The operation of Miracles is more of an act as when the Red Sea was rolled back by Moses, while the operation of the  Gift of Faith is more of a process.

The gift of Faith is a sudden surge or boost of faith given by the Holy Spirit when needed, as seen in Joshua 10:12-13, Acts 9:40, and Acts 13:11. 

Continued in next issue

 OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

CONTINUED

Abigail Sumeracki

Michigan 

We are Citizens of Heaven

Phil. 2:20 – “For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Citizenship in the natural is something that we are fairly familiar with simply because most people are born citizens of a country where we have certain rights, privileges, and responsibilities towards. Citizenship is also something that we lay claim to. I am an America, people identify themselves by their country they are – Canadian, Brazilian etc.

In the natural our citizenship really is a central part of our natural identity. Certain countries have certain holidays and cultural expectations. Every county in the world has a 4th of July on the calendar but America celebrates the 4th of July as a holiday because to us it is a special day, it is our nations birthday. When the Bible says we are citizens of heaven what it is saying is that we are to see our identity as citizens of heaven, we are to see ourselves as a heavenly people. I am a citizen of Heaven.

In the natural there are two ways a person is a citizen of a country. They are either NATURAL BORN or NATURALIZED citizens. A person who is a natural born citizen is one who was born with the citizenship of their home country. A person who is naturalized was not born with citizenship in their country, but through a legal process EARNED the right to be a citizen of their country.

The Apostle Paul, a Jew, lived in the Roman empire and was a free born citizen of the Roman Empire. Paul was arrested and the chief captain asked Paul if he was a citizen of Rome. Under Roman law a citizen of Rome had certain rights such as not being beaten to get information. This chief captain was also a citizen of Rome. However he paid a lot of money to become a citizen of Rome. He was a NATURALIZED citizen where as Paul was a NATURAL born citizen.

The first question about our heavenly citizenship that we need to answer is are we NATURAL born or are we NATURALIZED citizen of Heaven. Because we are born into this world, it would be easy to think we are naturalized citizens of Heaven, but a naturalized citizen has to EARN their citizenship. The chief captain said that he paid money to become a Roman citizen. 

If anyone wants to know the application fee to become an American citizen costs $710 if filed on line – and that is just the filing fee for the one application. The person who is applying must also have been a green card holder for 5 years, pass a background check, speak English, and pass a test. As to our heavenly citizenship, if we were naturalized citizens we would have all failed the background check – we are all sinners. We could not pay the necessary fee to become a citizen of heaven, Jesus had to pay that fee for us. We are NOT naturalized citizens of heaven – heaven actually has no naturalization process or naturalized citizens.

We are NATURAL BORN citizens of heaven. There are two ways someone is born a citizen of a country – “jus sanguinis” which means because of blood (because our parents were citizens) and “jus solis” which means by soil (we were born inside of the country). The first and most common way to be a natural born citizen of a country that is found in the world is the first one “jus sasanguinis” – Children inherit their citizenship from their parent…if my son was born in Canada he would still have been a U.S. citizen because both me and my husband are U. S. citizens, he would have inherited at birth our citizenship.

Matthew 6:9, I Corinthians 1:3, Galatians 4:6 are just a few verses that show God is our heavenly Father. The Bible makes it very clear that we are God’s children. We have inherited our heavenly Fathers citizenship in Heaven. We meet the legal requirements of “jus sanguinis” to be a natural born citizen of Heaven.

The second way of being a natural born citizen of a country “jus solis” is not a very common way to be a citizen of a country. Only 33 countries in the world are like the U. S. in that almost everyone born in that country is a citizen and of those 33 countries the only that is comparable to the U. S. is Canada.

Yet we meet this legal requirement for our heavenly citizenship as well. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3 – “Verily verily I say unto you, except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” We have been born again; we have had a spiritual birth in the spiritual heavenly realm. Therefore we meet the “jus solis” requirements to be a natural born citizen of heaven as well…

The second thing we need to determine about our heavenly citizenship is do we have duel citizenship with the world sense we have been born in this world…The supreme court case that gave us birthright citizenship was called Wong Kim Ark vs United States…What is important in that decision is that children who are born in the U. S. to parents who work in their countries embassies are not U. S. citizens…

II Corinthians 5:20 says that we are ambassadors for Christ. Not everyone who works for their countries embassy is the ambassador…there are people who work in support positions but all are employed by their country and are in our country and no child born to any of them is a citizen of the U. S. – they are citizens of their parents’ home country. 

We may have been born in this world but we do not have dual citizenship with this world. All of us  would be considered in some way, shape or form part of the embassy staff…and all of us are important for the vital functions of the church – that would be the embassy – within this world. So when we look at our spiritual credit report we see that we are natural born citizens of heaven and we do not have dual citizenship with this world.

When we agree with God that we are citizens of heaven and not of this world we end up walking in this world like we are citizens of heaven.

Yet, we meet this legal requirement for our heavenly citizenship as well.

The End 

 The Encouraging Word

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” John. 10:9

“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul.” Psalm 54:4

“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Sustains me) Psalm 63:8

“O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me.” Psalm 30:2

“Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, loving kindness shall surround him,” 

Psalm 32:10

“Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will hear; yes, I will carry and will save you.” Isaiah 46:4

“God is faithful through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

I Corinthians 1:9

Martha Wainright

 Crucified in Weakness – Raised in Power

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.” 2 Corinthians 13:4

This verse captures both sides of the redemption story; Jesus’ death and resurrection. There is much we can learn from breaking down this verse to understand the accomplishment of our salvation and what it means for us.

“Crucified through weakness”. This refers to the fact that Jesus was able to be killed because He was fully human. His human body had the same human weakness as any of us and subject to death. We should not, however, equate that weakness with lack of power. Jesus made it very clear that He could have called twelve legions of angels to set Him free. It was His choice to allow them to put Him to death.

But first, it was His choice to live a life of weakness. He was born to a poor family who could not even find a room at the inn. He lived the life of a son of a carpenter. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9. 

He had to rely on others for a place sleep. “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20. He relied on others to provide for His food. “There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.” Mark 15:40-41. 

So God chose weakness to accomplish His plan of salvation. It confounds the wisdom and strength of men. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” 1 Corinthians 1:27. Even in the Old Testament, God was showing this. He chose a lamb to be the sacrifice. One of the weaker and more docile of animals. God almost never does things the way man would think appropriate.

It may have seemed like He was weak and unable to help Himself. Even the one thieves that were crucified with Him saying, “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” And the chief priests and scribes mocked Him also. From the viewpoint of those watching the crucifixion, it certainly might seem like He had no power.

From the physical standpoint, the crucifixion is terrible beyond comprehension. The suffering it causes is indescribable. There is a prophecy in the Psalms that attempts to express it as best possible. “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; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.” Psalms 22:14-17

What Jesus suffered on the cross was far more than just the physical pain and humiliation. “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Mark 15:34. The great anguish, before the cross, and on the cross, was the separation from His Father that was a result of Jesus taking on Him the sins of the world. My sins and your sins.

So, why does it matter that He was crucified through weakness? It matters because it tells us that God came down (Emmanuel) leaving His glory to take on the form of a man (human body). “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” Philippians 2:7. 

It matters because He is our High Priest and we know that he understands our condition. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities (weaknesses); but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:16-18

It matters because it makes very clear that this is God’s work. This is God’s way. It does not serve the desires of man to show strength in their own way. It requires man’s strength to be laid aside to come to the “weak” Savior for redemption. It matters because even to lowest of men can find in Him a Savior that understands them.

Next time: He is raised in power.

 Accessible Grace

Thora Evans

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” – Romans 5:1-2.

Our subject for discussion is found in the first part of Verse two, concerning the accessible grace of God. Verse one tells us that justification is an established fact. It begins with “therefore,” or because of things taught in the previous chapters. Then He begins to unfold to us the benefits of justification.

The first benefit of justification is peace. Once we were enemies of God; but now, through our Lord Jesus Christ, we are at peace with God. We are no longer separated because of sin. We no longer see God only  as a God of wrath and vengeance. He is now our loving heavenly Father.

Happy are those saints who have come to the revelation of eternal life in Christ. Oh, the joy of knowing that “eternal redemption” is a finished work that needs no effort on our part. We cannot improve upon nor make any more secure, what Jesus has done for us. I am safe in Christ forevermore – John. 10:28-30. “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.” All spiritual blessings come through  Him.

Moving on then to verse two, we have two aspects of grace laid out before us; that is, “this grace wherein we stand,” and the grace into which “we have access.” Grace is usually defined as “unmerited favor.” While that may be true in part, that is not “this grace.” “This is the true grace of God wherein ye stand” – I Peter 5:12. This grace is Divine power extended to us and able to work in us. This standing is ours because of salvation; it is unalterable as is justification.

Then we also  have “access” into grace. This has to do with our state, or the degree in which we grow in grace. Let us picture what would happen if we took a little boy and stood him in a candy store surrounded by all kings of treats and goodies. If we told him he could have everything he wanted, wouldn’t his eyes light up as he would reach out and take to himself all the delicious sweets he could possible eat? It would be truly strange, if he refused to take advantage of such an opportunity. He could stand in the store all day, but would miss out of all the benefits offered to him. This simple little illustration may help us to see what God is trying to teach us here.

Our standing in grace is secure. God has brought us into the banquet room of His grace. Spread out before us is grace for every need, and for an abundant life of joy, peace, and victory. Is it not sad to see saints bogged down by some great sorrow in their life? God’s grace is sufficient, as He told Paul, to turn that sorrow to joy and victory instead of that sorrow ruining a life. Perhaps there are those who have been hurt or wronged or greatly disappointed. In stead of letting God’s grace set them free, they have nursed that hurt until bitterness has defiled the heart and soul. In such a life there can be no growth, no joy, no victory, and no crown.

They tell us that, if a little boy eats too much candy, he may become ill. But oh! God’s grace is sweet, indescribably sweet, and we can never eat too much. It will never made is ill, not “true grace,” no indeed. Instead, it has a healing, energizing quality. Abundant grace causes us to reign in this life over every trial, every temptation, and every problem. Grace also teaches us and empowers us to live a sober, godly, righteous life in the present; and prepares us for a place of full glory in the ages to come. Titus 2:11-13.

We would apply  Ezekiel 47:2-5 as another illustration of God’s grace. The picture here is a wide river spread out before the prophet. First the waters were ankle deep. This is just the beginning of our Christian life, when we first learn what it means to be justified by faith and begin to enjoy  the blessings of our new life in Christ.

Then the prophet came to waters that were up to the loins. This pictures a deeper experience of God’s grace, and realizes that God has more for him yet. His confidence in the all-sufficiency of God’s grace has grown to the point where he is ready to cut loose from the shore and enjoy waters to swim in.

How wonderful to sink down into the warm soothing waters of Divine grace, and let it flow over and around us till nothing but our Head – Christ – is seen. Is it not a beautiful sight to see an experienced swimmer glide through the water? It looks so effortless; he seems to be one with the water, as if he belongs there. There is no splashing about, no struggling, when the art of swimming has been perfected. Even so, to see God’s people established in grace, till grace rules their life, is a lovely sight to see; not only to others but especially to God. Such a life brings glory to Jesus Christ, and proves the worth of what He accomplished at Calvary.

When our little boy took swimming lessons, I watched the way different children reacted to the water. It was interesting and also instructive as an example of spiritual things. There were some who would jump right in without hesitation. Others would slowly lower themselves down while hanging securely on to the side of the pool. Still others had to be coaxed, or lifted down by the instructor and carried in his arms, to help them conquer their fear.

Our reaction to water or our success or lack of it at swimming are certainly no indication of our spiritual growth; but what a picture.  Sometimes those who just seem to jump into the things of God are the first to draw back when troubles came. We saw one little girl at swimming lessons who one day was right in the eater apparently enjoying herself, but the next day she would have nothing to do with the water. The instructor tried to encourage her, but nothing he said or did made any difference to her.

Thank God He has given us good instructors, the Word, the Holy Spirit, pastors, teachers, and so forth; but for some folks all of that is of no avail. How sad. Then some children, who were slow to get in the water, soon learned there was nothing to fear. They put their confidence in their instructor, and let him or her teach them the art of swimming.

Oh, the joy of teachable saints. The way of grace seems so strange, so new, and even rather frightening to the flesh. It sounds too good to be true. But, if the old man is truly reckoned dead, the new man will soon learn to let the wonderful grace of God take control. It will buoy him up and carry him along, until he is swimming effortlessly along, enjoying to the fullest the unsearchable riches of God’s grace.

Oh, saints, let us all be of that number. We can never, never exhaust the grace of God, no matter how far out we swim. We will never reach the limit, we will never tire of it. Out there in the deep water, we are totally dependent upon the Lord and upon His grace, which will never fail to hold us up and keep us from sinking. Thank God for His immeasurable grace, a river that cannot be passed over. 

 No Condemnation

Vicky Moots, Pastor

Kingman, Kansas

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus...” This verse in the original Greek actually ends here with “Christ Jesus.” The rest of it, which states, “... who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” was placed in this verse by the translators. That last statement belongs down in v. 4 where it has been rightfully placed. 

So, to whom is there “no condemnation”? Only to those who are “in Christ Jesus.” But, how do we get “in Christ Jesus”? The moment that we are born again, we are “in Christ Jesus.” That becomes our new abode. We are no longer a part of the old creation, as Paul proclaims in II Cor. 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”

Can there ever be any condemnation to a true believer, a born again child of God? No! Because the condemnation for our sins fell upon Christ Jesus on the cross, as we read in Isa. 53:5: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him...”

Paul stated emphatically at the beginning of Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation...” This is not something that we have to work for or hope for in the future. It is present tense because the penalty has already been paid. Jesus pronounced the work of redemption to be complete when He cried out on the cross, “It is finished.” We do not have to earn our deliverance or wait for it to happen. Our freedom from condemnation is now and forever.

God no longer sees us in the old creation, but “in Christ,” a new creation. In Christ there is no condemnation: none, zero, zilch! We are safely hid in Him, and God will not pour out our condemnation on His Son again. 

Jesus spoke these words regarding condemnation in John 3:17: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” The law condemned any and all who were unable to keep it, and no one was able to keep it. The law showed up sin and brought death to the sinner, but Jesus fulfilled the law being made a curse for us. He bore the condemnation for all those who believe in His name. Jesus affirmed this in v. 18 by stating, “He that believeth on him [the Son] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Paul then continues on in Romans 8:2 to explain further about our freedom from condemnation: “For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Sin and death ruled when we were still in the old creation. But, now, in Christ Jesus, as a new creation, sin has no more power over us, and we are free from condemnation. If we sin, we are instructed in I John 1:9 to confess our sins: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Our Father loves us enough to forgive us, and to cleanse us, and also to chasten us.

Paul informs us in Heb. 11:6-7 of the reason for God’s chastening: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as sons; For what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not.”

As children of God, if we are disobedient, we can, and will, be chastened by our Heavenly Father, but never condemned.

BETTER THAN WINE

Jack Davis

“…Thy love is better than wine…we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee” Song of Solomon 1:2,4.

Oh, what can compare with the love God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord? Through the Eternal Spirit, the anointed One offered Himself without spot to God, producing divine wine of everlasting joys. But take the most thrilling, exhilarating, intoxicating, exciting time in the Lord, the most blessed refreshing you could imagine and having known His love and you will find no comparison.

LOVE COMMENDED

“…THE LOVE OF God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost…For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet preadventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” Rom. 5:5-11.

Divine love extended toward us in Christ’s death is stronger than our weakness is weak, more godly than all our ungodliness, more righteous than all our unrighteousness is unrighteous, good beyond the full measure of our lack of goodness; providing sinlessness incomparable to the depth of our sinfulness. Oh then love showed a friendliness far beyond our enmity. He hath not only saved us from the wrath and eternal death, but brought us into the enjoyment of eternal life in Him. Hallelujah! The greatness of Christ’s love extends immeasurably beyond the immensity of human hatred. It is hard for us to comprehend humanity’s inhumanity to man in our day. How marvelous that God has remove from us that which was against us as far as east from the west and farther; to a land uninhabited.

We, bless God, are not restored to an unfallen state when we accept His redemption, but we are taken in the opposite direction and far beyond. Thank God “in Christ” we are not on probation, as to our salvation. There is no comparison in what God’s love has made available to us in Christ Jesus, and what humanity had been offered before the fall.

LOVE COMPREHENDED

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” Eph. 3:17-19.

In Paul’s prayer for the Saints he speaks of a love that passes knowledge. He thinks of how it may be revealed and seized hold of. This is quite beyond theory, or reason. He craves that this become reality. The love that Jesus expressed, extended unto us in full measure is easier “felt than telt” even better experienced than explained. Such love will fill our lives with that which pertains to God.

OUR COURSE

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor” Eph. 5:1-2.

“Walk in love” – I am glad God has provided for our life’s mode of travel. Oh, what shoes! This is far more than going the extra mile, more than turning the other cheek. What a realm to move in, of the highest calling! “As Christ” - what a standard! It seems to demand far more than loving ones neighbor as ourself; It is very difficult for us to grasp where and how far Jesus walked in love. Our Father must reveal what all it covered to our hearts. It took Him to the cross, the tomb, resurrection, ascension, and now interceding before the throne.

OUR COMFORT

If there be therefore any…comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit…” Phil. 2:1.

As we walk in love, we are tenderly, pleasantly, blessedly comforted. Herein Our Father has provided comforting companionship. Oh how sweet to submit to the Spirit’s balm in Christ life consolations. God delights to answer in our lives, Paul’s prayer that our hearts be comforted being knit together in love. Col. 2:2.

OUR CONSTRAINT

“For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 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 Cor. 5:13-15.

Love’s constraint to live unto Him, is the most powerful motivation possible. What hold, what sweeter control, then to make us true love slaves, gladly occupied in labors of love. Whether we be beside ourselves or sober?

LOVE’S CONQUERORS

Nay, in all the things marshaled against us: “we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” Rom. 8:37. We who have been conquered by His love have been wonderfully provided for, to make us decisively victorious.

LOVE’S CONSUMMATION

What a consummation to be realized at the coronation, and the royal wedding. We read with delight God’s love story from beginning to end. Jesus has amazingly made way for our cleansing unto the glorious crowning.

“Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him to glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” Rev. 1:5-6. 

 CONCERNING SPIRITUALS

Part 2

W. J. Franklin

(“Discerning of spirits”

&

“The Gifts of healing”)

(III) Discerning of spirits

Discerning of spirits gives supernatural insight into the secret realm of spirits. It supernaturally conveys information that could not be had apart from this gift. By its operation, we may know the true source and nature of any supernatural manifestation whether Divine or satanic. Note: It is not discernment, but discerning of spirits. 

There are three kinds of spirits: the Divine, the satanic, and the human. This gift is given to distinguish the Divine from the satanic.

The use of the gift today is the same as it was in the Scriptures:

(1) To help in delivering the afflicted, the oppressed, and the tormented. More infirmities, cruelties, and suicides are attributable to evil spirits today than doctors conceive. Minds are still wrecked and driven by cruel, tormenting spirits. Mark 5:1-15, Luke 9:38-43, Acts 5:16. Matt. 12:22. Luke 13:11-16. Obviously not all impediments are the work of evil spirits. Matt. 4:24.

(2) To discover a servant of the devil. (Acts 13:6-10) This was a case of simple discovery, not deliverance.

(3) To aid in checking the plans of the adversary. Acts 16:16 After many days, Paul discerned the evil spirit and cast it out. Thus, a wicked master was deprived of his gains and a woman was delivered.

(4) To expose error. I Tim. 4:1 & 2, II Peter 2:1, I John 4:1. 

Let us earnestly seek this gift that we may recognize when we come against spirits of the enemy.

(IV) The Gifts of Healing

We now come to the second group of Spiritual gifts. These are the three Gifts of power, of which healing is the most widely distributed. 

The gifts of healing are for the supernatural healing of diseases and infirmities without natural means of any sort. We must emphasize the entirely supernatural character of the Gift, and must not confuse or mix it with medical science in any fashion. Healings through these Gifts are wrought by the power of Christ through the Spirit by believers. 

The Lord still has compassion on the sick; He still has a way of deliverance from the power of the enemy. It is still the way revealed in His Word. It is a safe way, a painless way, a free way, and a Holy way, because it is His way.

It will help us to understand the workings and purpose of these Gifts of Healing if we consider their uses  in the Scriptures:

(1) To prove the Sonship of Jesus or to convince man, (John 10:36)

(2) To authorize the Gospel message as preached by God’s servants. (Acts 4:29-30) (Acts 5:12) Acts 8:6-17)

(3) To establish the Resurrection of Jesus. (Acts 3:15-16)

(4) To draw people within the sound of the Gospel (John 6:2)

(5) To turn people to God. (Acts 9:32-35)

(6) To bring glory to  God. (Mark 2:12) (Luke 13:17)

(7) To deliver the sick and to destroy the works of the devil in the human body. (Acts 10:38)

We must emphasize the plural title of the Gifts of Healing. They are many, not one. Some will be  used in certain cases of sickness but not necessarily in others.

The Gifts may operate by a touch or a word (Psa. 107:20) or by the very presence of the one possessed of them. (Acts 5:15); or from garments which have been in contact with those possessed of the Gifts. (Acts 19:12)

We must understand that these Gifts do not work at the will of the possessor. Not every sick man can be healed at will by the Gifts: note in John 5 that only one was healed. It is not possible to state dogmatically why among those who are prayed for today, some are healed and some are not,  Take note of II Kings 5:27, II Chronicles 16:12, and Matt. 13:58.

Continued next issue

 LIFE IN A SHELL

By Richard Swank

As Christians, we sometimes find ourselves inside a shell – a hard shell which we put up, or allow ourselves to be put into. This shell has two functions: Sometimes the shell hides us from the world, and sometimes it hides us from other Christians. If the shell becomes too hard, the Lord will have to crack it in some way.

It is true, we are in the world but we are not of the world; yet, we should be alert or sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit, to know when to speak or witness to a needy person.

In Acts ten, Peter was shown in a vision that – “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” God spoke to a Gentile by the name of Cornelius to send for Peter. Upon arriving Peter said, “Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” Cornelius says in the thirty-third verse, “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” Then, we read, “Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.” Later in the chapter, Cornelius and his household are filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues; and then they are baptized with water in the Name of the Lord.

Peter was not hiding in a shell when those messengers came for him to go to visit Cornelius. He was alert and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. What if Peter had not heeded the Holy Spirit?

I Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Quench not the Spirit.” This is a good admonition for all, but not always practiced. John 16:33 says, “In the world ye shall  have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Let not this verse in John 16:33 scare us into building a shell, because the tribulation in life will only enhance and glorify the victory that is ours through Christ. Does not Paul tell us in Romans 8:37, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us?” John 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Also, in I John 5:4-5, we read, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” Power is in these words – power we have yet to learn the full meaning of. But let us not build shells. Let us learn more of God’s power through Christ and His Word.

When Christians build shells to hide from other Christians, they are trying to hide from Christ. Mark 4:22 says, “For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.”

In Act five, Ananias and Sapphira tried to hide something from God, and in doing so they died. We, Too, die a portion when we do not open up to the Lord and the Holy Spirit. The Lord has died for us, paid the penalty and price, plus, much more. Why then die or lose out on the victory the Lord has for us?

If a Christian’s shell becomes too hard then the Lord will crack it some way. With Ananias and Sapphira the Lord allowed death. With Jonah, God allowed a large fish to swallow him and take him where he was suppose to go. The Lord will use the way He deems best to crack the shell, so that His will is done.

Let us yield to the Holy Spirit to crack our shell. Call upon the Lord to give strength for this. Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Let us, allow the Lord to rid us of that burdensome shell that prevents the Holy Spirit from working in us. Let us be sensitive to God’s will in our lives. If there is to be any hiding, let us be “hid with Christ in God” – Colossians 3:3.

 OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

Abigail Sumeracki

Michigan 

One thing that we are looking at when we look at our identity in Christ - is we are looking at WHO GOD SAYS WE ARE…. II Cor. 3:18 says, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed in the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

We are looking at the mirror of God’s Word to ourselves and looking in it to see WHAT GOD SEES IN US and as we do that the result is we will begin to see ourselves as God sees us. There are natural examples as to why this is important for us to see ourselves as God says we are, for there is the crime of identity theft. 

Some of the problems associated with identity theft for victims include:

Financial…

Emotional…

Physical…

Social… 

OUR SPIRITUAL CREDIT REPORT

Just like there are things that we can do in the natural to protect ourselves against identity theft, we also have to protect ourselves against spiritual identity theft as well because Satan wants to:

1. Steal our heavenly rewards which corresponds to financial problems

2. Steal our rest and peace in Christ – emotional problems

3. Keep us bound to sin - this is the physical problems

4. Keep us from having fellowship with God and His people – the social problems.

To protect ourselves against natural identity theft we also need to be valiant and recognize what should be on our spiritual credit report as well…

1. We are made in God’s image – Gen. 1:17

2. We are children of God – Rom. 8:17

3. We are loved – John 3:16

4. We are a New Creation – II Cor. 5:17

5. We are righteous – II Cor. 5:21

6. We are God’s workmanship – Eph. 2:10

7. We are redeemed – I Cor. 6:20

8. We are chosen – I Peter 2:9-10

9. We are citizens of heaven – Phil. 3:20

10. We are light – Matthew 5:14

11. We are dead to sin – Rom. 6:1-4

12. We are part of the body of  Christ – I Cor. 12:12

13. We are saints – Eph. 1:1

14. We are free – Gal. 5:1

These are some of the things that God says are – on our spiritual credit report…

Keep in mind with spiritual identity theft, just like with  natural identity theft, the victim is still themselves. The identity thief…did not change the correct information on the credit report. They only added false information to it – that false information to it – that false info causes a lot of problems, but IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE CORRECT INFORMATION–-SATAN CANNOT REMOVE OR CHANGE ALL OF THE CORRECT INFORMATION… ALL HE CAN DO IS TRY TO WEIGH US DOWN WITH LIES AND FALSEHOODS ABOUT US.

When we know what God says about us, we will begin the process of removing the lies and falsehoods and spiritual fraud that Satan wants us to see on our spiritual credit report. In order to have a clean and correct spiritual credit report we need to see ourselves as God sees us…”

   – continued in next issue

 Perfect

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” Psalms 19:7-9

There are six things here that we learn about the Word of God and about the fear of the Lord that comes from knowing His Word.

Perfect – complete, whole, entire, sound 1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact.

God’s Word is complete and sound. It is all that man needs to come to salvation. It gives God’s righteousness and God’s grace and mercy in the most complete way. By it we learn our failing and God’s provision for us.

When we understand our complete inability to rescue ourselves from our sinful nature, God’s Word will convert (turn us around) to God who will save us. We find the simplicity of salvation here: “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31, And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:30-31

Sure – confirmed, established, sure

God’s Word is established. He has proven it over and over again. He confirms it to us in our own experience with Him. The surety of God’s Word gives us hope. “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” Hebrews 6:18-19

While the world is certain they know how to gain wisdom, they will not find true wisdom as it is only found in God’s Word. If we will spend time in His Word and ask Him, he will truly give us wisdom. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. “2 Timothy 3:15

Right – uprightness, righteous, upright straight, level

We understand that God is righteous and He is upright. What God says and what God does is always right. The reason this rejoices our heart is because we recognize that we do not have to wonder if God will do the right thing or treat us correctly. We may not know about other persons and how they will act, but we can always know how God will act. “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:128 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

Pure – pure, clean, sincere (intention, the heart)

Purity is something we tend to strive for, but often is just not possible. In a world tainted by sin, purity is just hard to come by. When we come to God’s Word, we find a pure light that is enlightening. “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” Psalms 12:6 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105 “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalms 119:130

Clean – pure, clean (ceremonially, physically)

The fear of the Lord is what brings us to faith in Him which is the beginning of something very clean and pure as we put our trust in Jesus. “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

True – stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

Truth is something that is very much missing today. It has become common to define as truth whatever a person wants to be true. This is why it is so important to understand the truth of God’s Word. It is proven to be truth. It is not subjective. In God’s Word we will find the truth about our sinful nature, as well as the truth about God’s providence to free us from that nature. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

God’s Word is all of these and more. It is all we need to guide us in this life. We can trust God’s Word completely. I highly recommend reading, studying and knowing God’s Word. 

  In loving memory of Anita Clark

We will certainly miss her, but comforted to know she is in the arms of Jesus her Lord and Savior. She went to glory March 13. She had called me just a couple of days before to tell me she had sent her April article for Glorious Gospel magazine. She was faithfully serving God to the very end, very active in being Pastor of Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas and also several weekly Bible Studies at their locations, and writing articles monthly, also preparing recording to be sent out to others, etc. Although she had contributed articles in passing years, in May of 1990 my Husband Jack Davis asked her to become a regular monthly writer of Glorious Gospel. She wrote “The Last Days” article for years, followed by good teaching articles that everyone has enjoyed. I could say much more about her, I loved her. We will print the last article she sent for the April issue. 

Earlene Davis, editor

SANCTIFICATION

By Anita Clark

The word “Sanctification” is only used in the New Testament four times by Apostle Paul and once by the Disciple Peter. It means, “separation, consecration, setting apart and to make holy and to purify.” 

In the Old Testament God called Aaron, Moses’ brother, to be the High Priest. Aaron was of the tribe of Levi, whom God had ordained to be the priests and leaders for the Tabernacle, and to be separated unto the Lord and His work- a picture of sanctification. 

Two Phases of Sanctification - The first phase is God’s Provision . The second phase is The Practical Side. Jesus said in John 17:19 - “His prayer to His Father right before He went to the garden of Gethsemane with the disciples.” He prayed to His Father, “And for their sake (speaking of those who believed in Him) I sanctify myself that they might be sanctified.” Did you know you are “sanctified.” The word “sanctified” means “to be holy, purify, consecrate,” also “venerate, revere, respect, glorify and honor.” Our God “sanctifies” us. 

Hebrews 10:5,9, & 10. - Verse 9-10 says, “Then said He (Jesus), Lo I come to do thy will, O God, ... By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of Jesus Christ once for all.” The word “sanctify” means -”to make holy, purify or consecrate or sanctify.” The penalty was paid by Jesus Christ’s death, so in a Spiritual sense, sanctification is provided for all who believe. We have the spiritual life of Christ in us - a new birth, born again. Hebrews 13:12 states, “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify, the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.” Romans 8:16 tells us, “The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”

Reading from I Thessalonians 2:13-14, Apostle Paul wrote, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” Note this: “Before the foundation of the world, we were in His plan and mind.” The word “sanctification” again means “separation, consecration and setting apart.” Verse 14 tells us, “Whereunto He called you by our gospel (Apostle Paul’s teaching) to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Benefits - of our believing = 1. Eternal salvation 2. Made new in Christ, and new life of Christ in us. 3. Set apart to God. 4. Positioned in Christ.

I Corinthians 6: 9-11 speaks from Apostle Paul concerning the “unrighteous” who shall not inherit the kingdom of God. In verse 11, he says, “And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord and by the Spirit of our God.” We find everything in Christ! I Cor. 1:30 tells us, “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification.” This word means, “purity, purifier, or holiness.”

 

BENEFITS of our believing - 1. Eternal salvation 2. Made new in Christ - New life in Christ 3. Set apart to God 4. Positioned in Christ.

Experimental Sanctification - Deliverance from the power of sin. Colossians 3:1-5 says “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth...;” To “mortify” our members on the earth, means “to deaden or subdue things in this life that do not exalt the Lord Jesus.” Read the rest of this chapter from the Word of God - verses 10-17.

I Thess 4:1-3, & 7 “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.” Vs. 3 -For this is the will of God even your sanctification...” Remember the word means, “purity, purifier, or holiness.” How can we do what God asks of us? It can’t be “self effort,” but yielding to the Holy Spirit, submitting under the Lord’s authority, casting ourselves on the Lord, not self effort or self endurance. A process is taking place daily as we yield our bodies to the Lord. Romans 6:6-14 states, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty.” II Cor. 6:17-18.

 Sacrifices that please God

Vicky Moots

What sacrifices please God? I would like to start out by giving an example of a sacrifice that did not please God. In Gen. 4 we find the story of Cain and Abel. Abel was a keeper of the sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. Verses 3-5 tell us this: “... Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock... And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect...” Why was God not pleased with Cain’s offering? Because it was not a blood sacrifice. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. In v. 7, God told Cain to offer an animal for a sin offering, but he was angry and refused to do it. Instead he killed his brother Abel. He was disobedient.

All of the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament pointed forward to Christ. We don’t need to offer animal sacrifices today because Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He was the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1: 29). God was well pleased with and satisfied with the sacrifice of His Son.

So what sacrifices does God really desire? David wrote Psalm 51 as a Psalm of repentance from his great sin with Bathsheba. In vs. 16-17 he declares, “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” David recognized that a burnt offering alone was not sufficient to pay for sin. He realized that what God really wanted was the repentant and broken heart of the one who brought the animal to be sacrificed. This should also be our heart attitude when we sin, even as Peter when he went out and wept bitterly after denying the Lord. A broken and contrite heart will weep before the Lord and ask for forgiveness and cleansing.

Another sacrifice with which God is well pleased is the sacrifice of praise, as Paul informs us in Hebrews. 13:15: “By him [Jesus] therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” It is easy to praise God in the good times, but what about in the bad times? If praise is called a “sacrifice,” then it implies that it is not an easy thing to do. Our lips do not always feel like praising the Lord. Sometimes we would rather complain about our circumstances than offer praise.

David, in Ps. 69: 30-31 compares singing God’s praises in times of trouble to sacrificing a ram: “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or a bullock, that has horns and hooves. David didn’t say that praising God with a song would take the place of an animal sacrifice, but that the Lord was more pleased with a heart full of praise and thanksgiving than someone who was merely fulfilling an obligation of offering a sacrifice. 

A good example of a sacrifice of praise is found in Acts 16:16-34 which records the account of Paul and Silas being thrown into prison for preaching and casting a demon out of a young woman. Verse 23 states “And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison...”

Paul and Silas were now bruised and bleeding and in a great deal of pain. There seemed to be no hope for them. But then we read in v. 25 that a strange thing happened: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” This was a true sacrifice of praise, a sacrifice that was well pleasing to God. God heard their praises, and He answered their prayers with a great earthquake which loosed everyone’s bands and opened all the doors of the prison (verse 26). 

Jesus is also an example of one who sang God’s praises in His midnight hour, after finishing the Passover supper with His disciples. This is recorded in Matt. 26:30: “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.” He was on His way to Gethsemane to pray and to prepare to offer Himself as the final Passover lamb, and yet He offered a sacrifice of praise and song.

What about us? Is it possible for us to offer a sacrifice of praise in our midnight hour, in the midst of our darkest trial? Yes, it is, but not by our own power. The same Holy Spirit who empowered Paul and Silas to praise God at midnight will also empower us as we yield our bodies to Him.

 SOIL PREPARATION

Jack Davis

“Make this valley full of ditches”

God our loving heavenly Father has for us multiplied blessings in the realm of the  Spirit. He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We are often found in poor condition to receive, and enter into the fullest enjoyment of them. The text for this prophetic command contains some instruction in type concerning our receptiveness to the Holy Spirit and His beneficial workings in our lives.

The kings of Judah, Edom, and Israel joined in battle against their enemy, the Moabites. Their seven day journey through the wilderness Edom, brought them to dire straits for they needed water. They decided to inquire of the Lord through the prophet Elisha. They found Elisha in a most disgruntled frame of mind toward the king of Israel, for they were an idolatrous family of rulers. It seems that Elisha could barely stand the sight of Jehoram. Yet because he stood before the Lord and had regard for the king of Judah, he got in the mood to receive this prophecy as the minstrel played.

He told them to make the valley that they were in, full of ditches; “For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink…” II Kings 4:16-17. This work was no big deal for Him, He also promised to deliver their enemy into their hand. The next morning water came, instead of running swiftly off that hard dry soil, the ditches helped retained it.

The Moabites saw the sun reflecting off the water and it looked like blood to them. They thought that all they had to do was walk in and take the spoil, that those armies had slain one another. The Mobites were utterly surprised when Israel, Judah, and Edom rose up, smote them, and put them in flight.

Making ditches in the valley probably sounded like the last thing they would want to be doing with their enemy at hand. Many valleys contain rich fertile, productive soil, but if it has not been prepared to receive the God sent moisture, it will just run off. A dried up river bed can be a very dangerous place to camp, if a sudden rain was to come down from up stream. 

How about the soil of our hearts?

“For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” Heb. 6:7-9.

In this great salvation we are given exceeding great and precious promises. When God brings us to and through some dry hard lowland experiences, we are made to realize our need for the comfort of the Holy Spirit all the more. If our hearts are unprepared we can miss much benefit. Some hearts seem to be hardened by unbelief in those trying times, while others “drink in” and are refreshed, revived, even renewed.

God is faithful to remind

From time to time God reminded Israel of their attitude of heart. They were often told of His mercy and favor that should have softened their hardening heart. “For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem. Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the LORD and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.” Jer. 4:3-4.

“And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. Sow to ourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.” Hosea 10:11-13.

Soil conditions typical

In Matt. 13:1-23, we find soil conditions that express the differing measures of receptiveness in human hearts, and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit. The seed, God’s precious Word tries the soil. Thank God we are born again, “not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever.”

In Matt. 5:1-12, I sense some blessings realized in divinely prepared soil. Jesus makes known that the poor in spirit, pure in heart, peacemakers and persecuted are by Him prepared for blessing. So also are those that mourn, and are meek, and are merciful. Praise God for those that do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. Our God is just as willing to bring us into an awareness of our spiritual need, as He is ready and able to satisfy.

The hungry and thirsty are invited to ask

Jesus told the woman at the well, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” John 4:10.

“Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water, (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holly Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” John 7:37-39.

Has He not said? “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon the seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.” Isa. 44:3-4. As in Isa. 55:1-3 it is those that realize their need that are urged to come and partake.

A place of rich deposit

“Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isa. 66:1-2. Has the Lord found in you a place to write His wonderful words of love, life, and light? Does the Word of God touch you thus? Does it humble you so it can lift you up? Are you ever smitten thereby? Can it make you shudder and shake in awe or in joy? Consider Psa. 34:18 and 51:15-17.

He can fill our ditches with more than drink and deliverance