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July 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.

 Whosoever Will

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

As we consider God’s plan for redemption, we find clearly stated throughout scripture that His intent is for all to come to repentance and thus salvation. (2 Peter 3:9). While we might want to limit God’s gift of redemption to certain people or certain groups that we might consider “worthy,” God calls for “whosoever will.”

The provision was clearly laid out by Jesus before He went to the cross. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:14-16.

God sent His Son to atone for the whole world, not just a few “worthy” ones. No one is worthy. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23. That means that no one can claim something over anyone else. We might like to think that we were really “not that bad,” but Jesus had to die for your sins just the same as that person that is considered a “bad sinner.”

I find great comfort in knowing that God calls “whosoever will,” because that includes me. God has revealed to me over the years just how much of a sinner I am. If it were up to me to “earn” salvation, I would fail miserably. That also means that God would have no reason to choose me over anyone else.

In the tenth chapter of Acts, we find Peter learning a lesson from God. He is being taught that God does not care who it is that seeks Him. With the lesson of the “unclean” meats, God prepared Peter for what would come next. After seeing that God saved those Gentiles, and gave them the Holy Spirit, Peter had some things to say. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Acts 10:34-35 “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43

Jesus had already proclaimed this many times. He uses the word “whosoever” many times. He knew that His atoning death would be for the whole world, not just the Jews. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:14-16. Here He uses the word “whosoever” and refers to the “world” which includes all of humanity.

There are numerous other places where we find similar use of the word “whosoever.” “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14. “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” John 11:26. “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46. All of what Jesus made provision for is available to “whosoever.” 

If we go back into the Old Testament, we can find that God had already spoken about this through His prophets. While they did not understand what exactly God was going to do through Jesus, they prophesied what God told them. “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.” Joel 2:32. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22. 

“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalms 86:5. I am so thankful that God’s mercy extended to “whosoever” because that included me. It also includes anyone who might think they are not worthy or have been “too bad.” God calls to “whosoever” will, and that includes you.

 God is Love

Calvin C. Toy

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” I John 4:7-10.

As we study God’s Word we find our God to be many things. Heb. 12:29 tells us that God is a consuming fire. Jn. 4:29 - God is a Spirit, they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” I Pet. 1:15-16 and Lev. 11:45, As He which has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation…Be ye holy for I am holy.” A few of the many Scriptures along this line.

That “God is love is stated in both verses 8 and 16 of I Jn. 4. I don’t believe we will ever be able to fathom the full depth of this statement, at least not in these bodies in which we now live. As we seek to give definition of such love, we realize that we come far short. Webster says it is a strong affection for another, arising out of kinship or personal ties, but God loved us when we were sinners and enemies. Read Rom. 5:8-11.

Webster also gives this definition, “The Fatherly love of God toward men.” This tells me of God’s love reaching out to man, but it doesn’t give me understanding of that love. We know that God’s love is a great force, filled with strength, loaded with energy. It will bring forth action. When we permit the Lord to fill us with His love, we find ourselves doing those things that nothing else could bring us to do, and do them cheerfully. I Jn. Makes us know that we must have in us that life that has ability to love and permit it to rule, in order to love another. We must be born again. God is the source of love. Just as he is the fountain of life, so is he the fountain of love. We speak of love that goes beyond the love of a mother for her child. David said, “When my father and mother forsake me, then will the Lord take me up” Ps. 27:10. God’s love never quits, never forsakes His children. Nothing can come between us and His love for us, Rom. 8:35-39.

Considering John 4:9-10, God’s Word gives us some wonderful manifestations of His love. Herein we find some knowledge of it’s energy and power. It works in tenderness, mercy, pity, chastisement, in trials and tests. These are designed to bring us to the spiritual maturity that God desires for us. His love was manifested down through the ages, and was so greatly shown forth to the children of Israel.  They for the most part have shunned His love, but yet He will draw them. His love will draw a remnant to Christ during the great tribulation. Consider Jer. 30:24-31:6.

“Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O  God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied…and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light” Ps. 36:5-9. David speaks of God’s lovingkindness, wherein is love and grace.

We talk of the love of God going out to the whole world. In John 3:16 the Holy Spirit seeks to bring home to us a knowledge in some degree of God’s great love for us. His love for mankind moved Him to drastic and severe steps. God so love that He gave not just anything nor anyone, but His own Son. On occasion he spoke of His Son as one “beloved,” one very dear to Him.

In my feeble way I have attempted to search out such love. I picture in my mind having a son in my home, there with me enjoying the comforts, blessings, glory, the fellowship, doing things together, enjoying each other, but somehow I have love for an enemy in another land. Those with no loveable qualities but in desperate need of my help, so I send my Son. I watch as he goes, leaving all that he has there with me. There in that foreign land I watch as he is despised and rejected, becoming a man of sorrow and grief. I see him there in the garden pleading with me, Oh Father, if it be possible deliver me from all this terrible agony. Now I cannot step in and deliver him for I am held at bay by love for the unlovable.

My Son knows what is ahead for Him. He knows why he came. He knows He must bear the sin of the world. There He must die the horrible death of the cross. His life blood must be poured out for the world that His Father loves. The  suffering for the sin of the world bears down more intensely until I began to notice as it were great drops coming from the pores of His skin and splattering on the ground. Yet love binds the Father’s hand from delivering the Son. Love for those who had no respect for the Son. Yet they so greatly need the deliverance that only he can bring to them.

So I think as a Father continues to watch as they come to lead him away. Now this Son has the power to resist, but He is the obedient Son who desires to fulfill His Father’s will. He also loves as the Father loves. The Father watches as those close to Him and followed Him forsake Him as fear grips them. He is led as a lamb to the slaughter and the Father watches as they mock, and smote him, spitting upon Him, lashing Him with a whip that cuts long gashes in His back. Then they shove a crown of thorns on His head in mockery. They make a wooden cross, and nail him to it with spikes through his hands and feet. The cross is lifted and dropped into a hole in the ground, so that He hung there suspended between heaven and earth, His weight rested on those spikes.

The Son there crucified who had no sin of His own. He was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. God the Father had to turn away as the Son bore all our horrible sin. Consider Heb. 2:9-10. He tasted more than physical death, and now we don’t have to go through the second death, separation from the presence of God and all His blessings. After Jesus had hung on the cross for hours, He cried out “My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me” but he stayed on the cross until He could say it is finished. He then dismissed His spirit. What was finished? Redemption for the human race, for you and I. Eternal life to all that believe, abundant life in time, in peace, joy in glory. The abundant wealth of abiding in that great love of the Father and Son forever. Such is the love wherewith God so loved.

We find as we go on with Him that there is so much more. He doesn’t tell us of it to gain our sympathy, but to draw us to Himself and fill us with his love. He has made it so we can manifest it in a world that is more and more filled with rebellion and hate. What a wonderful Lord is ours, all our praise goes to Him. May His love compel us to love Him and others.

 Light of the World

Vicky Moots

Isaiah. 60:1-2: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”  This is a prophecy concerning the coming of the promised Redeemer, the Messiah, the Light of the world.

The glory of the Lord was first revealed to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth, as we read in Luke 2:8-11: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

That was a dark time in the world, both in the natural realm and the spiritual realm.  The sudden appearance of a bright light frightened the shepherds because they didn’t know what it was until the angel told them of the birth of Jesus, the Savior.  The gory of the Lord had entered into this world veiled in flesh in the form of a helpless baby who was destined to become the Savior of mankind.  

John declared in John 1:4-5 that the Light had penetrated the darkness, but a darkened world did not comprehend who He was: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”  However, the shepherds, who had seen the light, believed the words which the angel spoke concerning the newborn babe and went quickly to Bethlehem to seek Him and found Him.  Then, in Luke 2:17, we see that they became the first missionaries to tell of the birth of the Messiah, Christ the Lord.

The apostle Paul had also seen the Light, and was blinded by it, for the glory of God had shined upon him one day on the road to Damascus before his conversion.  This account is recorded in Acts 9:1-18.  Verses 3-4 state, “…and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul [Paul], why persecutest thou me?”  The bright light was radiating from Jesus Himself.  Paul, who was named Saul at that time, was initially blinded for three days, but as a result of that encounter, God opened his blinded spiritual and physical eyes and called him to preach the gospel.

Then, later, Paul writes to the Corinthian saints, and to us, in II Cor. 4:4,6 regarding that light: “…the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them… For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Do you have the simple faith of the shepherds? Has the light of the glorious gospel shined upon you? Have you believed the good news from heaven and sought for and found Jesus as the shepherds did? If so, then let the glory of the Lord shine out through you unto a darkened world.

The light of Jesus still shines today, but it must shine out from us as believers.  Paul admonished the Philippian believers, as well as us, in Phil. 2:15 that we are to be “…blameless and harmless, the sons of God… in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye [we] shine as lights in the world.”

 A Heartbeat From Home

 

He was marked and scorned and

Crowned with thorns

But He showed the love of God above

As He hung there willingly.

He said unto the thief that day

That was hanging by His side,

“My father’s waiting at the door

Soon we’ll be in Paradise.”

We’ll be home in a heartbeat

We’ll be home in a heartbeat

For we’re only a heartbeat from home.

There was a mighty man of God

Stephen was his name.

He served the Lord with faithfulness

And did God’s love proclaim

One day they stoned him as he knelt

And called upon the Lord

But Jesus said, “Come home my child

For great is thy reward”

You’ll be home in a heartbeat

You’ll be home in a heartbeat

For you’re only a heartbeat from home.

A precious saint beloved by all

Was injured in a fall

Now living in a nursing home

To weak to walk at all.

So “Granny” cries unto the Lord

At the ending of each day

“How long before I can go home?”

And then she heard Him say,

You’ll be home in a heartbeat

You’ll be home in a heartbeat

For you’re only a heartbeat from home.

Oh, sinner is you’re heart prepared

To hear the Savior’s call

His precious blood was shed for you

Salvation is for all.

A mansion He’s prepared for you.

A heavenly home on high.

And when your life on earth is thou

You’ll meet Him in the sky.

You’ll be home in a heartbeat

You’ll be home in a heartbeat

For you’re only a heartbeat from home.

– Vicky Moots

 THAT WORTHY NAME

Jack Davis

“Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” James 2:7.

Who knows the true worth, the full value of our dear Lord’s lovely name? To us His name is one of beauty, value, and virtue. Often in scripture names are given to express ones nature, or the character of a person. In the many names and titles given to our dear Lord Jesus Christ, this three-fold ascription seems to encompass what He wants to be for us, to us, and in us. And possibly recognizable universally, and eternally. 

There are many names by the which we are called, but none so worthy to be placed above us. What other, who else is so deserving of our highest praise, and our most humble acknowledgment? We are told to walk worthy of our vocation or calling – Eph. 4:1, and to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing – Col. 1:10. To walk worthy of  God who hath called us unto His kingdom and glory – I Thess. 2:12, that we may utterly glorify Him. In II Thess. 1:11, Paul prayed that the saints might be counted worthy of this calling. To be counted worthy (of weight or worth; as an estimation formed by God, favorably carrying the strongest suggestion of grace).

HIS NAME EXALTED

God counted the man, Christ Jesus worthy of exceedingly more glory than any man on whom He ever, or ever will look – Heb. 3:3. He has exalted the name of His beloved Son, (Phil. 2:9-11) the bringer of many like sons unto glory, above all creation old and new – Rev. 4:11. He’ll be exalted by and above all the redeemed forever, for He has been their Redeemer – Rev. 5:8-9. No one else is worthy or has the right to bear the cross that He humbled Himself to such depths to carry. Who else could offer such a sacrifice, or fulfill the ministry, or perform the service that our beloved did and does? He excelled all. Those crown worthy, full overcomers will lead the universe in acknowledgment of His ultimate, uttermost worthiness.

HIS NAME IS EXCELLENT

“O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens” – Psa. 8:1. We may grasp in the Word, or the term translated “excellent” one who is ample, great, splendid, and powerful. It also speaks of one to be magnified as glorious, honorable.

Considering Psa. 8, 113, and 148 together, may we not sense our Lord’s excellence indicated and expressed in the way He reached down to lift up fallen humanity? Herein revealed the name that prevails, provides peace, as ointment poured forth. His name soothes the troubled irritated heart with healing balm. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” – Prov. 18:10. Oh, it is wonderful the way His name exudes power, and provides protection, but it has also provoked persecution. There are those yet today that blaspheme that worthy name by the which we are called. There is also the emanation of a holy perfume in the essence of His marvelous name.

Saul of Tarsus tried to promote blasphemy against that lovely name, of which he himself was guilty – I Tim. 1:13. He testified, “I verity thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” He told of shutting people up in prison, and testifying against them that they might be put to death, punished and compelled them to blaspheme – Acts 26:9-11. These were people that called upon and were called by that name. We are glad that God so gloriously turned this man around and made him a man that hazarded his life for the name of Christ – Acts 15:26, I Cor. 15:30. The one he so fervently persecuted, he was turned to fervently preach.

It was under this man Paul’s (changed from Saul) ministry, that the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch – Acts 11:26. Many had suffered shame for the name of Christ in the years preceding Saul’s conversion, that is for being identified with Him – Acts 5:40-42. These anointed vessels suffering shame weren’t ashamed, but glorified God on this behalf – I Pet. 4:16. Shall we be any different? Oh Beloved Lord, help us be bold and not brash with our testimony.

To be continued

 What Is In Your Hand?

Earlene Davis

I will glean a few thoughts from the account of the woman Tabitha. Acts 9:36, “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.” Tabitha was her Hebrew name which means “a gazelle,” an emblem of beauty. In the Greek it was Dorcas, meaning (a Doe). 

We don’t know if she was physically beautiful, but we do read how beautiful her life was. She was a Christian, for it says she was a certain disciple. The life of Christ shinned out of her, manifested for all to see. For she “was full of good works and alms deeds which she did.” So she served Christ by giving of her money and with good works which as we will read was her ability to sew. 

Vs. 37-39, “And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.”

She did what she could in serving Christ. Now the giving of alms and the making of garments for the widows in themselves gain no merit with God. But when God claims our hearts, then in love for Him we yield to Him what we have. We desire to be used in what ever capacity we may serve our beloved Lord. This is the “pure religion” and undefiled before God and the Father, that James writes of in James 1:27. That comes forth from the new creation life of Christ. “To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

Dorcas’ good works flowed from a grateful heart to God for His saving grace. This is faith in action. James 2:17 tells us that faith without works is dead. For real faith, is not just words, but is manifested in works of faith. I will say this, that works without faith also gains no merit with God for they are just works of the flesh. 

Dorcas, yielded her hands to make garments and dispensed alms, being inspired by Him whose hands were nailed to a cross for her. Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” 

Did not God say to Moses, “What is that in thine hand?” Moses said, “a rod” – Ex. 4:2. And that rod became the symbol of divine power. It is as though the Lord asked Dorcas, What is that in thine hand? And she said a needle and He took what she had and she stitched, ministering the Gospel in a practical way. God’s provisions are to be made practical in our lives. We rejoice in reading the provisions of God (the provisional Gospel). But God would have us to lay hold of those provisions by faith letting Him make them practical in our lives.

Did not Jesus say, “I was naked and ye clothed me” of those who helped His poor people – Mt. 25:36. This I say again, this is faith in action. There are many, many like Dorcas recorded in Scripture of their faith in action. I will only name a few that come to mind. Like Anna the prophetess for her fasting and prayers day and night (Lk. 2:36-37). Mary with her box of fragrant ointment and anointed Jesus with it (Mk. 14:3). Joanna for ministering unto Jesus of her substance (Lk. 8:3), etc. What is in your hand?

Well, I must finish the story of Dorcas, it was a sad day for the church at Joppa when this devoted saint died. The widows weeping in grief and showing the garments Dorcas had made them. V. 40, “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.” What a moving scene that must have been. Dorcas was alive again. The mourners were comforted and she could return to her ministry of good works and almsdeed. Her resurrection from the dead caused a revival. 

V. 42, “And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.” So it was not just a miracle for the sake of a miracle. Dorcas raised from physical death became the cause of the resurrection of many persons who had been dead in trespass and sins. They had a spiritual resurrection coming into the realm of life. That meant the church at Joppa grew. 

We read in  Rev. 19:7, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath 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 of saints.” (or the righteous acts of the saints).

Dorcas did not aspire to be a leader, she was content to do what she could to honer her Lord. Jesus said in Mt. 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 

And in Ecc. 9:10, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” It may be a hidden work, like giving of our means to the Lord for the work of the Gospel; or holding people up in prayer before the throne of grace; or it may be cooking a meal for someone unable to do for themselves. Some may say that is not a spiritual work. But do we not read in Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”  Jesus life was poured out to others and He is still doing good through saints yielding to His life within them. Eph. 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  

I thank the Lord for two faithful workers who every month help me on preparing Glorious Gospel for mailing. Jack and Kathie French – collating the pages and after being stapled, the trimming, sealing and labeled for the bulk mail (for individuals), the rest for packages. It is a big help, what they do in a couple of hours would take me a week working alone. They say they enjoy working on the magazine and I know they do it as unto the Lord.

 CONCERNING SPIRITUALS

Part 4

W. J. Franklin

(VII) The Gift of Tongues

The gift of Tongues is a supernatural utterance by the Holy Spirit in languages never learned by the speaker nor understood by the mind of the speaker. It has nothing whatever to do with  linguistic ability, but is a manifestation of the Mind of the Spirit of God employing human speech organs.

“What is the use or purpose of speaking with Tongues?” some may ask. Let us consider some of the Scriptural purposes of speaking in Tongues:

1) Evidence of being filled with the Spirit, (Acts 2:4) and eight years later the same sign was seen, (Acts 10:46) and again in 23 years after Pentecost was seen again. When anyone in Apostolic days was heard to speak in tongues, it was known of a certainty that he had received the Holy Ghost. Without this sign, there was no Scriptural evidence at all. And so it is today.

2) That men may speak supernaturally to God. (I Cor. 14:2)

3) That believers may magnify God. (Acts 10:46) There are no terms in natural speech appropriate to express the Greatness and Excellence of God. Those who have had the joy of seeing others filled recall that in every case, those that were filled lovingly adored Jesus.

4) That we may edify ourselves. (I Cor. 14:4) Compare I Cor. 14:18.

5) That our spirits (as distinct from our understanding) might pray. (I Cor. 14:14) Praying in the spirit is quite different from praying with the understanding. (Verses 15 and 16) You cannot pray with the spirit unless you speak with understanding as in Eph. 6:18, but this is not through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. You can pray or sing with the spirit as in Verse 15 unless you speak with Tongues, Compare Romans 8:27.

6) That with the gift of Interpretation of Tongues, the church may be edified. I Cor. 14:5,12-13, 26-28. When the Gift of Tongues is manifested in a public meeting, it must be accompanied with its sister gift–the Interpretation of Tongues. Note verse 28. If there is no interpreter, the person is to be silent; yet, he may speak to himself and to God.

7) Tongues are a sign to the unbelievers. Verse 22 There are certain rules and regulations for the Gift. These are guidelines that should be observed in the local church. We learn that the number of messages in one meeting is limited to three; and these are not altogether, but one after another in decent order, that is by course. The words two and three refer to different speakers. In verse 28, we are prohibited from speaking in tongues at all in a public meeting if that is no one present with the Gift of Interpretation. Any confusion in the use of the Gifts arises not from God, but from neglect of God’s Word. (Verse 33)

God expressly says we must not forbid to speak with Tongues. Vs. 39

(VIII) The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues

Seven of the Gifts are common to both Testaments, but two Gifts– the Gift of Tongues and the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues– have come into operation since Pentecost. The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues is the only Gift that is dependent upon another; it could have no meaning whatsoever without the Gift of Tongues.

Interpretation of Tongues is the supernatural showing forth by the Spirit of the meaning of an utterance in other Tongues. It is not an operation of the mind of the person, but of the Mind of the Spirit of  God. The interpreter never understands the Tongue he is interpreting. The interpretation is just as much a miracle as the original utterance in Tongues.

The purpose of this Gift is to render the Gift of Tongues intelligible to others, so that the Church may be edified. I Cor. 14:5 & 27

1) Note that the title of the Gift is Interpretation of Tongues, not translation of tongues. A “translation” is a rendering from one language to another in equivalent words. An Interpretation is a declaration of the meaning. (Vs. 11) (Chapter 14) The Greek word means to explain thoroughly– not to translate. Many varieties of expression might be used and many details added without altering the sense of the words. This explains why sometimes the message in Tongues is much briefer than the interpretation, or the reverse. The interpreter is not translating. The Holy Spirit is explaining the meaning in a miracle of utterance.

2) The temperament, natural gifts, and training of the person interpreting the Tongue will have some measure of influence on the interpretation. For example, the delivery of a farmhand and of a professor would be entirely different.

3) Those who speak in other Tongues are expressly instructed to pray for this further  Gift. (Vs. 13)

Continued next issue

 The Encouraging Word

“For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness.” Is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

II Corinthians 4:6

“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth more than they?” Matthew 6:26

“Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.” Psalm 20:7

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2

“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge – our high tower and stronghold.” Selah!

Psalm 46:11

“Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually.” Psalm 105:4

“For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face.” Psalm 11:7

Martha Wainright

 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.