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October 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.

 Unbelief

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Hebrews 4:2

“Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:” Hebrews 4:6

The children of Israel failed to enter the promised land because they only considered their own ability against the giants that lived there. Unbelief keeps us from entering into God’s best. It is not lack of will or strength. God has never asked nor expected us to enter in on our own merit, ability or strength. Entering into God’s promises and blessings has always been by faith. 

Let’s begin by understanding what we mean by faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:1, 3, 6.

These three verses help us understand that when we talk about faith, we are talking about believing what God has said. Not just because, but because it is evident that God is who He claims and He has done what He claims. Faith is complete trust in God and His Word.

Unbelief manifests itself in different ways. There are, of course, the atheists that just do not believe that God exists. A clear case of not paying attention to creation which clearly demonstrates the existence of God, as well as His love. For those that have believed and put their trust in Jesus, there is also a possible expression of unbelief. It usually expresses itself as self effort.

Why is self effort an expression of unbelief? Because it presumes that God is not enough. It fails to trust what God has told us about the work that He will do in our lives if we yield to Him. It presumes that there is something we can do in our effort to earn God’s favor or enter into God’s promises.

The Old Testament is full of examples of those that chose to believe God even when it seemed unlikely. Abraham believed that God could honor His promise of a son even when it was humanly impossible. Romans 4:16-25. The three young men in Daniel 3:16-18. And there are many more. These are written for us to understand and believe as we see God demonstrating His power and ability to fulfill His Word.

Then we come to the New Testament and see God fulfilling His promises and prophecies through the coming and life and death of Jesus. There is no lack of evidence of God’s power and faithfulness, only lack of faith to believe and trust Him.

There are several questions that come to mind as I consider this topic of faith versus unbelief. 

· Do you believe that God desires for you the very best?

· Do you believe that God cares about you?

· Do you believe that God knows about your trial, and that He is there to see you through?

· Do you believe that God can change you?

· Do you believe that God will work in your life to make you Christ-like?

· Do you believe that Christ is coming again to take His bride away?

Do you believe that God desires for you the very best?

When I ask this question, I am not just asking if you hear the words and say yes. I am really asking if your actions demonstrate a real trust that God desires the best for you. It is clearly stated in His Word. He does not leave us to imagine or wonder about it. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:12.

We are God’s children, and He knows how to provide the very best for His children. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:11. Jesus reminds us that we don’t even know real giving. We imagine that we know what is good, but our Father truly knows how to give the very best. He gave His Son to redeem us, and He gave us the Holy Spirit to empower us.

Do you believe that God cares about you?

Again, God does not leave us to wonder if this is true. Jesus tells us clearly. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26. We are God’s special creation. All else in creation is created for our benefit. God uses the things He has created to teach us spiritual lessons. 

Peter also reminds us. We are able to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand precisely because we know He cares for us. And we know He will do for us the very best. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7.

If unbelief is expressed in our actions, then conversely, faith is also expressed in our actions. James teaches us this when he says “shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” God is not looking for those that will say “I believe,” but those that will act on their faith. 

To be continued:

 The Vineyard

Isa. 5:1-2

Vicky Moots

Kingman, Kansas

Isa. 5:1-2: “Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.”

God is pictured here as a patient Husbandman carefully planting and nurturing a choice vine. His vineyard is fenced, not only to protect it from harm, but also to separate it unto Himself and to show ownership of it. He painstakingly removed all of the stones and all obstacles that might hinder its growth. The vine that He planted was specially chosen by Him and pruned and properly cared for. What love, what care, what patience is manifest through His actions!

Under such ideal conditions, one would expect the vine to flourish and bring forth an abundance of fruit. But instead, to the sorrow of the Husbandman, it brought forth nothing but wild grapes. God had chosen a people, Israel, and planted them in a bountiful land. He separated them unto Himself and protected them in expectation that they would glorify Him and yield much fruit. The result, however, was quite the opposite.

Proverbs 18:10 declares, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.” The tower in the vineyard represents the name of the Lord. Israel refused to take shelter in or to find safety in the name of the Lord. Instead, they turned to the gods of the nations around them, and so the only fruit that they could bear was wild grapes. Consequently, God withheld His blessings and protection from them and allowed them to go into captivity.

Although this parable refers to the nation of Israel, it also has a precious personal lesson for us as Christians. As a new creation in Christ, we are a chosen people unto God, as was Israel. He encloses us round about with His love so that we are separated unto Him. Through His Holy Spirit, He patiently cultivates us, removing or breaking up all bitterness and hardness within our hearts. We become rooted and grounded in love as we yield ourselves to the Lord so that we begin to grow and bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness. He is faithful to prune us through tests and trials so that we may produce the fruit of the Spirit, as described in Gal. 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…”

When our enemy, Satan, attacks us and tempts us, we have a Strong Tower to run into: His name is Jesus. Let us find refuge in Him.

But the most important part of this vineyard has not yet been discussed, and that is the winepress. It is a picture of Calvary. The greatest degree of God’s love for us was expressed through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. The wine represents His blood that was shed for us, as Jesus told His disciples at the last Passover supper. His blood is the basis for our redemption. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.

God desired that Israel would be a fruitful vine, and one day that will happen when they accept Christ as their Messiah and apply the blood of the Lamb to their hearts. He also desires that we, as Christians, bring forth fruit that will glorify His name, so let us be faithful to yield to the pruning of the Holy Spirit.

 HERE AM I

(Abraham)

One day God spoke to Abraham, 

   and asked he face a test, 

To offer up unto the Lord,

   that which he loved the best.

Abraham cried out in faith,

   “Behold, here I am.”

His heart was willing to obey,

  whatever was God’s plan.

He didn’t question God that day;

  he didn’t weep or cry.

He took his son, and walked by faith,

   knowing that he would die.

Abraham believed by faith,

   that God would raise his son.

He told the men “they” would return,

   and said, “Thy will be done.”

Isaac saw the wood and knife;

  the lamb was not in sight.   

His father said God would provide;

  he trusted in His might.

When the knife was raised at last,

   a voice called out his name.

And Abraham cried, “Here am I;”

   his faith remained the same.

A sacrifice was made that day;

   the Lord, He did provide.

A man of faith met God’s test,

  a pattern for the Bride.

   Debbie Isenbletter

   Springfield, Missouri

   (Gen. 22:1-13)

 UNSPEAKABLES

Jack Davis

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift.” II Cor. 9:15

Thank God! Is it not our sweet privilege to give thanks? Shall we gladly let our appreciation of His person be expressed? Oh, yes, let us tell Him about it. We sense at times that words are not sufficient to express all that we know in our hearts of Him. It is so enjoyable to tell our Father how glad we are to be part of His family, of people that know and honor Him as our true and living God. 

How wise to praise and glorify Him as our loving and giving  Father. He gives to all that totally commit to Him richly all things to enjoy, and supplies all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Through a knowledge of him we begin to enter into all that pertains to life and godliness. It is an encouraging realization that in Him we live, move, and have our being.

But before we could begin to enjoy the benefits of God’s unspeakable gift. His beloved Son had to be delivered up to the cross of shame for us all. By bearing all our sin in His body on the tree, He provided that all that believe on Him could be justified from all things.

In order to be able to fully thank Him for His unspeakable giving, there must be faith’s absolute and abundant receiving. That is, an appropriating, laying claim thereof for our own. It seems that it will take eternity just to unfold before our grasp all that has been made available to us in Him. Peter indicates that such believing produces and will bring unspeakable joy – I Peter 1:8.

Paul heard unspeakable words, possibly after being stoned to death on His way to Derbe, which influenced him to glory, boast in, and endure even immeasurable pressure. II Cor. 12:4-5 and II Cor. 1:8.

To each of us in given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ, God’s unspeakable gift (Eph. 4:7). How much of Him do you want? What capacity do you have for Him? It is evident that full thanksgiving submits all of me to Him. “Thanks be unto God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” – I Cor. 15:57. 

 Romans 8

Earlene Davis

The theme of this book of Romans is the GOSPEL, which means GOOD NEWS.  The good news is called “The Gospel of God (Ch. 1:1) – it is the Gospel of His Son, Christ or the Anointed (1:9,16). The Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) are vitally involved in the Gospel - the teaching of the person and work of Christ on the cross.

 Telling sinners that Christ died for them, is only a little part of the Gospel. As believers we are responsible before God to know His Word. Bibles are very assessable, also God has given the Holy Spirit to guide us into all the truth (Jn. 14:26). Many teach renovating the old nature, which is absolutely unscriptural. 

God’s Word informs us of the end of the “old man,” dead in Christ, and we arose with Him in a new life, the New Creation life. We can reign in life by one Christ Jesus, as we yield to the new life and count the old life dead (Ch. 6). We also learned we are dead to the Law through Christ’s death (Ch. 7) and joined to Another, the Risen Christ. 

Paul experienced no power to obey the law, sin just brought him into condemnation, because the law made sin to abound. Paul came to the end of his legal efforts and despaired of ever keeping the law (7:24) Then he got a glimpse of what the gospel really  meant (V. 25). He saw Jesus Christ not only saved him from past sins, but from the ever present sin. He ceased struggling to obey the law, and was assured that God was able to work in him as he trusted and yielded. 

Ch. 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” The phrase “who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit” is not in the original Greek text. It was added by the translators in error. It is in its proper place at the end of V. 4 where the believers manner of walk is described. Putting it in V. 1 would make our safety in Christ dependant on our walk and not upon the Spirit of God. All in Christ are safe from condemnation and it is plainly taught throughout the epistles. Our security does not depend on our walk, it is our position, “in Christ.” 

V. 2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” The Holy Spirit was only mentioned once in the previous chapters, but now in Chapter 8 we learn God’s way of delivering us from indwelling sin. The Holy Spirit by His presence and power that sin is overcome. Ch. 6 taught us to reckon ourselves dead and to yield to God and sin shall not have dominion. The Holy Spirit was not named as the power of such victory. But Ch. 8 gives the process of this wonderful deliverance. It is the mighty Holy Spirit who actually frees us from sin’s power, because of Christ’s intercession in our behalf.

I love Romans 8, it is full of the truth of our eternal security. The weary, troubled souls find rest and hope. The chapter begins with “no condemnation” for those in Christ and the chapter ends with “no separation” from Him.

Vs. 1 & 2 does not refer to the guilt of sin, for that was dealt with on the cross. It refers to the power of sin, which must be put down in us by the Spirit of Life. The Holy Spirit’s work in us is called a law because His operation in us is constant as much as sin has been in its operation. The law of the Spirit is stronger than the law of sin in our members. Sin in us will be immediately put down on the single condition of FAITH. If our will is rebellious, we are not able to believe and the Holy Spirit cannot do what He could and would do.

God’s way of deliverance from sin’s power is not by  our struggling, but by the working of the Holy  Spirit in the power of the life of Christ, as we believe. We don’t want sin to rule in us, for sin has no right to rule whatsoever. To know this and believe, is to enter absolute victory over our former master, that practical righteousness may be our experience. 

God conceived this wonderful plan of salvation for  man. He sent His “Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.” On Calvary sin was judged forever (Vs. 3 & 4). We are made to reign over our former taskmaster in the power of the Spirit (what the law was unable to make us do). If we let the Holy Spirit control us (walking as he leads) we will be doing God’s will. 

We are not keeping anything. The Holy Spirit is the keeper. He is walking in us as we yield our members to Him. If we simply walk in Him we are assured we “shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” The Holy Spirit has undertaken the whole matter, but we must surrender to Him. Then the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us, not by us.

In the following verses, Paul gives 2 elements that are entirely separate and distinct (the flesh and the spirit) (Vs. 5 & 6). They do not mix, they are opposite. We are living either minding the flesh or minding the spirit. They are easily recognized (V. 7). We learn God’s attitude toward the flesh (V. 8).

The truth of the 2 natures in the believer is so important to know and understand. Everything is dependant on our faith. By faith we believe we have passed out of the  place of darkness and into the kingdom of life and light. We reckon we are in Christ and he in us.

 Vs. 9 & 10, “In the spirit” refers to our new standing in a New Head, into Christ the spiritual man. The Spirit of Christ tells of our new nature that results from our new birth in Christ, the Last Adam. We were once dead spiritually, but we are alive because Christ’s life dwells in us. There is complete identification with Christ in our spirit, though as to our body we are not yet alive. Our spirit is quickened by the Holy Spirit (that is life and this life can never be touched with death because of righteousness). Death has no power over the New Creation life. When the body dies, our spirit and soul goes to heaven. 

Death claims the body of the believer and the unbeliever, but the believer’s body will be raised after going back to dust. Just as God breathed life into man by the Spirit, even so the believer’s body will be raised from the dust by the Spirit. (V. 11).

I Thess. 4 tells us, “if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those who sleep in Jesus will God bring forth (the body). “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout and the dead in Christ shall rise. I Jn. 3, it doeth not appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like Him (having a glorified body like our Lord). By faith we believe what God has said.

Vs. 12-13, We are debtors, but not to the flesh, we owe the flesh nothing. We are in the Spirit realm and the mighty Spirit of God will rule as we yield to God. All depends on our attitude to Him – life or death, referring to our body. The spiritual part of the believer is as eternal as God Himself; though as to his fellowship with God, we can die prematerial. We owe it to God to surrender our bodies to Him and we will enjoy a life of victory in Christ (Ch. 12:1).

Concerning the Spirit of God dwelling in us - it is important to compare scripture with scripture. When we are born of God by receiving Jesus, that new life takes place by the Spirit of God (Jn. 3:5-8). Just like we read, Mary conceived of the Holy Ghost – Mt. 1:20 & Lk. 1:35. When we are saved, we are in a new realm of the spirit (Col. 1:13). Jesus said, the Spirit of Truth dwelleth with you and shall be in you” – Jn. 14:17. The Father giveth the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him (Lk. 11:13). We read in Eph. 1:13, “After that we believe, we were sealed or anointed with the Holy Spirit of promise and Eph. 4:30, “sealed unto the day of redemption.”

To be continued

 Seek Him Diligently

Thora Evans

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God) for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” – Hebrews 11:6. We want to consider the last part of this verse, concerning a diligent seeking after God.

The word translated “diligently” here comes from the Greek “ekzeeto” and this is the only place in scripture where it is translated this way. The word diligent found throughout the New Testament is derived from an entirely different Greek words. Strong’s concordance defines “ekzeeto” as meaning – to search out or investigate, to crave or demand also to worship. In Luke 11:50 we find it translated “May be required,”  in verse 51 of the same chapter it is “shall be required.” The thought here seems to indicate a demand. In Acts 15:17 the translation is “might seek after,” this seems to indicate the thought of desperation. We find “ekzeeto” again in Rom. 3:11 translated “seeketh after,” and in I Peter 1:10 it is translated “have inquired” indicating an investigation. Lastly in Heb. 12:17 we find the words “sought carefully” coming from the same Greek word. Here the thought seems to be of a craving.

These different references, then, ought to give us an understanding of all that is involved in the though of diligently seeking God. We are not involved in an idle question or two, but rather a thorough investigation. Much more is involved than just a casual interest, it is a life long search. It was far more than just wistful dreaming of something nice to have, it is that which the soul demands. Far more is involved then a passing interest, it is an all consuming passion, again more than just a pleasant thought, it is a Holy obsession. Notice also that our text reads “seek Him.” We are not just to seek knowledge but a personal, intimate fellowship with God Himself.

For an example let us look at Abraham, in Gen. 14:17-24 and in 15:1. In Melchizedek’s blessing on Abraham, he introduces God as “Possessor of heaven and earth.” I do not believe that Abraham did not have some prior realization of this fact, but suddenly the full light of this glorious revelation flooded his soul. His response is a wonderful lesson to us of faith in action. In verse 22 Abraham confessed this revelation but it involved more than just a confession of the lips, he was staking his claim on that fact even it is meant offending the king of Sodom. In chapter 15 verse 1, God appeared to Abraham and gave him a glorious promise, a further revelation. Not only was he possessor of heaven and earth, He was also Abraham’s shield and exceeding great reward. (Revelation received is a stepping stone to more light. Revelation refused becomes a stumbling stone and leads to darkness). God told Abraham “I am thy shield and EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD.” The Lord is the reward of all His dear people, but the exceeding great reward of those who diligently seek Him and believe Him to be the exceeding great rewarder.

Let us look at David. The Psalms are a record of the revelation God had given him and of David’s response to God. Psalm 27:4 & 8, reads, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in His temple. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said un to thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” In Psalm 57:7, David says, “my heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed.” Does that not sound like Col. 3:2, “set your affection on things above.” We also read in Psalm 107:9, “He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness,” and in 17:15, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” David knew the Lord was His reward, he found satisfaction in Him but it was a kind of unsatisfied satisfaction, the more he got to know the Lord the more he wanted of Him. Isn’t that the way it is, saints. We enjoy His fellowship now, He fills and thrills our hearts, but we long for more. We know the best is yet to come. When we are with Him our capacity for satisfaction will be so much more, there will be no limitations of the flesh, our glorified bodies will have a capacity that knows no bounds.

Let us look at what Hebrews 11:24-26 says about Moses. He could have lived as a prince but he chose the place of affliction with God’s people. He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, “for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” He understood what is written in Rom. 8:18 that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” We sing “it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.” Yes, our life long search will bring eternal joys.

I have heard the story that when Albert Einstein lay dying he was expressing the sadness of an unfulfilled life. All his life he had been seeking for the secret of the universe and though he had made many great discoveries, he had missed that one key to everything else. He was not a man of faith, he sought in the realms of human intellect that which only faith in God can comprehend. What an example of persistence he is. He searched all his life, it was his one goal, his one aim and his death bed confession showed what great importance his search was to him. Beloved, we have met the Creator of the universe. He has revealed Himself to us and condescended to share his secrets with us. It is not the creation that we are delving into but a search after the Creator, Himself.

The Apostle Paul in his farewell words to the Ephesians and speaking of the trials he knew lay ahead of him, was able to say, none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy.” Again in Phil. 3:11 he said, “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” He was determined, his heart was fixed, he had but one desire, one goal in life. He was looking for a knowledge of God that would assure him a first rank position in glory. Such a place is reserved for those who have diligently sought the Lord and given Jesus a first rank place in their lives now.

In closing, let us heed the admonition of Heb. 12:1-2, “Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy set before Him endured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of God.” Looking unto Jesus: the word “looking” means to “to consider attentively.” That is to be our lifelong occupation, all else we do is only secondary. Jesus went to the cross, held back nothing in his determination to do the Father’s will and redeem us  to Himself. His joy and reward will be to have a people for Himself. Our exceeding great reward will be that people who win Him. God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. 

 Think On These Things

Martha Wainright

Gladstone, Missouri

Most of us seem to be going down the highway of life in the fast lane, slowing down now and then for a red light or a yellow caution sign. A very common saying is, “where did this week or month, go?” Perhaps there are logical reasons for this; Many working all day, taking educational courses of one kind or another, various interests that are time consuming, relatives, friends, normal responsibilities, etc. But let us think about our mental business as well as our physical occupation.

Our mind runs rampant during waking hours. According to some specialists, at night also, as evidenced by dreams. Just as it is hard to slow down physically, it is just as difficult to control and gear down the flow of thoughts, ideas and memories that flood our mind.

An old hymn called some of these thoughts, “precious memories.” We may have these, but what about the tide of thoughts that come to our mind that we don’t like, that cause for example, fear. As stated by many, fear can be beneficial (such as fearing to drive on a railroad track in front of a moving train), but we aren’t going to consider this type of fear.

Let us think more realistically about the times when we feel fearful concerning; our job, the welfare and future of our family, health, finances and so on. As you read this you will think of many more things that cause fear to well up inside, although as Christians we hate to admit this because we are trusting our Heavenly Father and know we need not be afraid. Yet, there it is, big as life, and at times threatening to choke out every ounce of peace within.

David said, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” – Psalm 56:3. This gives us the reassurance that we aren’t alone in this misery. The same shepherd who wrote about the Lord being his Shepherd also spoke of fear. David was honest enough to not be ashamed of this admittance. We can follow his example. But then, I can just imagine many of you have already mentally quoted I John 4:18, “…perfect love casteth out fear…” Amen.

He also gives us the spiritual answer for this over and over in the Psalms. First of all, David sought the Lord. Secondly, he believed that the Lord heard him and thirdly, he experienced deliverance from fear. David knew the Lord in a personal way just as the Apostle Paul did and many others we read about in the Bible.

Each of us has that same opportunity. When Christ atoned for sin, once, for all, the vail of the temple was “rent in twain.” This signified, that by faith we can commune with God face to face, Jesus Christ being our mediator. When we come to know God, through Jesus, we have fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

As we abide in divine truth and love, all fear is cast out. Perhaps not all at once, but one fear at a time; as is the order of any warfare – one battle at a time. We have a guard over our mind, “the peace of God.” And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” – Phil. 4:7.

While we wait for the coming of the Lord Let us believe that He is our deliverer. Then we can continue to trust the Lord amidst our fears and battles, anticipating deliverance from them.

 The Encouraging Word

“The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” Psalm 126:3

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior…” Zephaniah 3:17a

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeing someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8

“The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men.” Psalm 33:13

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy.” Psalm 33:18

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3

“But He knows the way I take. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

Martha Wainright

 Do you know God?

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“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.” 1 John 4:7-8.

There are different thoughts in scripture about “knowing” God. There are those that know about God. Even the demons know about God and fear Him. (James 2:19). There are those that know God in a more personal way, and there are those that have a much deeper and intimate knowledge of God.

When John speaks about knowing God in this passage, he is speaking about those that truly know God in a deeper and more intimate way. He is helping to understand how to know if we truly know God or just have a superficial knowledge of who He is.

Many Christians today tend to want to mold God into their opinion of what He should be. The try to create God in their image instead of letting God change them into His image. This always results in a god that is not God. We must come to realize that we are in need of change that only God can do. And He wants to do exactly that.

It is amazing that God has given us His Word to ensure that we can know what He wants to do, and what that change looks like. The statement in our passage is very simple and very clear; “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” This means that the main change that God is making in us is to love one another.

The phrase “loveth not” means to “keep on not loving.” It indicates an attitude that continually fails to show love to others. This is very simply the attitude of our old nature. This is why we need the new creation life of Christ in order to show love on a regular basis. The old creation is not capable of showing the love that Jesus teaches us.

Jesus makes this idea a central part of His teaching during His earthly ministry. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48.

So, those that “know” God need to know that He is love. It is an attribute of God, not just something He does. When Jesus says to “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect,” He is talking about being complete or mature as a child of God. This is exactly what God is working in  our lives if we will yield to Him. 

Both Jesus and Paul remind us the same thing. Love is the basis of the law. “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Romans 13:9. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40.

When I was reading 1 John 4:8, it struck me as being  very serious. It made me think about how I know God. It can be easy to say that we know God and even prove our knowledge of scripture. However, it becomes clear that God is less concerned with our head knowledge of scripture and more interested in what we are allowing Him to do in our life. This is how we can be “perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

It feels to me like I’m seeing a lot of lack of love from many who call themselves Christian. I know that anyone can call themselves Christian. And not all who use that moniker are truly Christian, but it makes me think about my own life. What do others see from my life? I cannot change other people, and it is not my place to pass judgment on them. I can and do try to understand what attitudes I see in others, and I realize that I want others to see from my life, attitudes that reflect the life of Christ in me. 

We have to be very careful about allowing the world (even the “Christian” world) to form our understanding of God, and forming our attitudes. We should really want to know God. Not a superficial head knowledge or a knowledge that is just something we have heard from  someone, but a true knowledge that comes from a personal intimate relationship with Him.

As you become closer and closer to God, you will find yourself loving others like He does. For God so loved the world. Who should I love? All who make up the world of humans. We do not get a pass on certain people that we do not like. Read the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10: 25-37. We do not want to be like the religious man in that passage who attempted to justify himself by pretending he did not know who he was to love. 

It is truly not normal for you and I to love others, especially those unloveable people, because our old nature is not capable of that. However, it is Christ in you the hope of glory. God is wanting to change us, right now, into His glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). The only thing stopping that is us, because we like how we are, and we do not want to be different from the world. Do you know God? Are you diligently getting to know Him? Every day?

 Standing Against Satan

Vicky Moots

Kingman, Kansas

Eph. 6:11: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Verses 14-15: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

Paul tells us in these verses that the purpose of wearing our spiritual armor is so that we will be able to stand against Satan.  He makes it clear that we need the whole armor to do this, but in V. 15, he emphasizes the importance of wearing proper footwear.  No barefoot warriors or flip-flops are allowed in this army!

Why? What is so important about our feet in our battle against Satan? I’m going to answer that question by discussing the importance of feet in the physical body and how they are constructed.  Did you know that approximately ¼ of the 206 bones in our bodies are required to enable us to stand?

The foot is actually one of the most complex parts of the human body, because feet must bear the weight of the whole body.  They are not simply rigid structures, but are flexible.  They are composed of 26 bones each, totaling 52 bones.  These bones are connected by joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and soft tissue.  The feet also contain nerves to enable us to balance and to stand upright, as well as to perform activities such as walking, running, and jumping.

Each foot is divided into three sections (a trinity): the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot.  The forefoot includes the toes (phalanges) and the longbones (metatarsals).  There are five toes and five metatarsals on each foot.  Five is the number of grace in the Scripture.  The hindfoot consists of the ankle and the heelbone (calcaneus).

The midfoot portion of each foot has a collection of five bones (again, the number of grace), which form an arch.  An arch is considered to be one of the strongest structures in architecture.  These five bones include three cuneiform bones (another trinity) plus the cubiform and the navicular bone.

Spiritually, this demonstrates to us that it is by God’s grace that we are able to stand, as Paul tells us in Rom. 5:2: “By whom [Jesus] also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand…”  We stand in the grace of God, not our own merit.

The ankle joint is formed from three bones (also a trinity): the talus, tibia and fibula.  That makes a total of three trinities in each foot.  The number three not only represents the Trinity, but it also speaks of resurrection, since Jesus was raised on the third day.  Our ability to stand spiritually is, therefore, not only because of God’s grace, but also through the power of the resurrection, which enables us to walk in newness of life. 

It is important that we keep our feet healthy if we want to be able to stand very long without pain.  Feet can become diseased or deformed by wearing improperly fitting or non-supportive footwear.  Shoes that are too tight, have pointed toes, high heels or that don’t support the arch will eventually result in such things as bunions, calluses, corns, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis or even foot ulcers.  These things are not only painful and affect mobility, but can also become dangerous to our health.

In II Chron. 16:12-13, we read that King Asa became “exceedingly diseased” in his feet and died.  In V. 12, it states that he died because he failed to speak to the Lord and had only sought the physicians for help.  Spiritually speaking, we can become diseased in our feet (affecting our Christian walk and our ability to stand against Satan) if our spiritual feet are not properly shod and protected, or if we fail to seek the Lord for help.

All soldiers need combat boots to protect and support their feet.  The footwear of the Roman soldier had a much different appearance than that of soldiers today, but it served the same purpose.  Proper footwear is equally important to us spiritually, and so we must be sure to protect our spiritual feet as soldiers in God’s army.

The shoes which we have been provided and commanded to wear, have been designed to be sturdy, supportive and long lasting.  They are guaranteed to fit properly, unless altered from their original design.  The long-lasting material from which these shoes have been fashioned is not man-made.  It has been imported from heaven.  It is the “gospel of peace.”  Therefore, it is eternal and will never wear out or grow old.

Col. 1:21 tells us that before we accept Christ as Savior, sin separates us from God and makes us His enemies.  But the good news (the gospel) is that Jesus died to make peace and to bring us to God: “…having made peace through the blood of his cross…” (V. 20).  This is the gospel of peace.

Paul then tells us in Rom. 5:1-2 how to put on these gospel of peace shoes: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We must put them on by faith.  Faith is the shoehorn we use to put on our shoes.

The “gospel of peace” shoes are the right size for each one of us.  We cannot add anything to the gospel (such as our own works or ideas), or take anything away from it, or the shoes will not fit, and we will be unable to stand.  Jesus is the only way to salvation and peace with God.

That name, Jesus, was what made the lame man in Acts 3:6-7 whole and able to stand: “Then Peter said…In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.”  It is the same name whereby our feet and ankles have the strength to stand against Satan.

In conclusion, let us look at the Greek meanings of the words “preparation” and “peace” in Eph. 6:15. “Preparation” means “firm standing” or “foundation.”  The word “peace” means “that which has been bound together.”  Therefore, with our feet properly shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, we can stand firmly on the foundation, by faith, knowing that we have been made one with Christ, bound together with Him.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus!

So, having done all, let us stand!

 HERE AM I

(Samuel)

A young boy slept, 

   his heart sincere. 

His soul was willing

   to listen and hear.

The Word of God

   was precious then.

God was not speaking

   to the hearts of men.

God saw that child,

    and knew his heart.

He called his name,

   and set him apart.

The young boy heard,

   cried, “Here am I,”

And eagerly ran

   to the priest, Eli.

                Three times God called

   each time he heard.   

His heart excited,

   his soul was stirred.

He had to learn

   to know God’s voice.

And when he did,

   he made his choice.

The Lord then come;

   He called and stood.

And Samuel answered,

   as God knew he would.

   Debbie Isenbletter

   Springfield, Missouri

   (I Samuel 3:1-10)

 Considerations

Jack Davis

CONSIDER YOURSELVES

Gal. 6:1-10, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted…for if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself…For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting…let us not be weary in well doing: in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” 

Scriptural restoration is on the basis of repentance – II Cor. 7:9-11. Repentance involves changes in attitude of heart and direction. Whether wrong conduct, in life style, or wrong teaching, the scripture provides for both. There is cleansing available for all – II Cor. 7:1. This involves more than setting one back on the right track, that has been caught in wrong doing. Whatever we do or don’t do must be by faith in the rightly divided Word of truth, and guidance of the Holy Spirit, having earnestly sought the heart of God in prayer.

God has provided that we not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. With an unforgiving attitude of self-righteousness and self sufficiency we could give our adversary an advantage. Therefore we well consider our own capacity for failure. It is spiritual for us to not be self-centered, self occupied, or self deceived – Gal. 6:3,7; Rom. 12:3. We each have need of rebuke, and of restoration. There are times when we need correction and find it is indeed a comfort, a most valuable bridge. The Lord makes us aware of a lack of our own steadfastness, so that we will thoroughly cast ourselves completely upon Him. By growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ there is an overcoming of being unlearned, and unstable -II Pet. 3:17-18. The Spiritual are capable of being tempted, it is allowed that the Spiritual may overcome the temptations – I Cor. 10:13.

We need to be aware that the spirit of meekness is needed in both those that restore and the one to be restored. The Scripture does not teach us to be lax on our own, accusing or excusing one another. Spirituality shown no sympathy on the flesh, especially our own. We owe the flesh nothing – Rom. 8:4-13. It must be judged – II Cor. 10:3-6; I Cor. 11:30-33; Mt. 7:3-5.

There are those born of the Spirit that live after the flesh. Those sowing to the flesh shall reap corruption, for they are failing to appropriate God’s grace. To each of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ – Eph. 4:7. There seems to be a taking of God’s grace in vain in differing measures – II Cor. 6:1-2. There is an insincerity that puts God’s grace to little personal and very little practical use, not taking to heart what grace teaches us – Titus 2:11-14.  There are those who are building their lives with wood hay and stubble, that defile many. Their works will be burned, rewards lost, yet they shall be saved as by fire – I Cor. 3:15. They won’t receive a full reward, but enter into eternity comparatively empty handed, without a full inheritance. These are often cut off before their time, die prematurely before they have grown up fully in the Lord. Our brother Paul’s departing admonishions to the Ephesian elders was to take heed into themselves and to all the flock –  Acts 20:28-32.

CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER

Heb. 10:21-25 “And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering…and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

“LET US” Times Three: Since Jesus, our faithful and merciful high priest has opened up a way into the presence of God for us, we also are encouraged to draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, and with a living hope – Heb. 7:19. It is our sweet privilege to thankfully apply or avail to the washing of water by the Word. The truth of God’s Word should have the effect of drawing us together. As we are drawn unto our Lord, we also are drawn to the Christ life in each other.

Paul encourages us to “let,” submitting to that powerful magnetic life within. We also are told to hold fast the testimony, or confession of our faith because of the faithfulness of Him who has promised, and is certainly coming again, and it should be very soon – Heb. 10:36-37. Forsaking assembling of ourselves together is not considering one another, but is usually pampering our own flesh.

Most of us have thought at one time or other, “if it wasn’t for people I could be an overcomer.” Habitual absence for gathering with  God’s people is skipping the opportunity to provoke or spiritually stimulate unto love and good works. Its effects are generally discouraging. If we are truly able to see the day approaching, our sharpened vision being shared should be  used to stir faith, hope and love in others to be ready for Jesus’ return. “Forsaking the assembling” is not an attitude of consideration of others but rather a laying aside of the privilege to increase being beneficial to the Lord’s body. Let us do it “so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” I am so glad we are able to see or foresee by faith, the day of our Lord’s return! Be ready, it could happen any moment! He has provided that we speak to each other unto comfort, edification, and exhortation. Assembling together we are to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Assembling together we are to make melody from our hearts unto the Lord. We need each other’s mutual overcoming. An interesting and amazing aspect of being victorious is our striving together in interest of the faith of the Gospel – Phil. 1:27. “Standing fast in one Spirit.” 

We can be encouraging examples to each other of faith, purity, peace, patience and progress. We need each other’s prayers, whereby we bear one another’s burdens. Thus we may be better able to bear our own, fulfilling our bodily responsibility, with Jesus in focus – Rom. 12:5-21; 14:7-9; 15:1-7.

CONSIDER JESUS

Heb. 12:1-4, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”

While being surrounded by so great a crowd of faith’s victors (Heb. 11), we are encouraged to go on in God’s will for our lives in spiritual progress. We are to run our race with patience, casting aside all encumbering hindrances. Our adversary would like to get us so focused on, and even occupied with other’s failures and what we should do about them that we become weary in well doing – II Thess. 3:13-15. Lord enable us to take heart, encourage our selves in the Lord when others  are letting down. It is so very important that we keep looking unto Jesus, considering Him. He must be the single object of spiritual focus. The gathering center, our meeting place, our Savior, our Lord, Light and Life, who has captured our hearts with His love.

When we consider all He went through to make us holy, unblameable, in His sight. How can we help but look to Him to bring it about? His terrible suffering on the cross for our sakes should bring forth a cry, “Have thine own  way Lord.”

Peter seems to point to Jesus as the standard of sacrificial suffering, “Arm yourselves with the same mind.” Consider Him as the standard of full overcoming. Jn. 16:33, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Rev. 3:21, “Even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in His throne.” We do well to consider Him as an example of caring, compassion. He gave His all to deliver us from every hurt and hindrance, although we were entirely ugly, undeserving, absolutely bankrupt. Let us not live carelessly. Real joy is ours, when the reverse order is in effect – Jesus – Others – You.

 What About The Law ?

Earlene Davis

The Law is the subject of Romans chapter 7. Many believers go to extremes about the Law. Some argue that since we are saved by grace, we are free to live as we please. While others argue, We are saved by grace, but must live under Law to please God. Both are not according to the Word of God. Apostle Paul answered the first group in Chapter 6, which we covered in the last issue.

Paul answers the second group in this chapter. The belief that we can become holy and please God by obeying laws is legalism (measuring spirituality by a list of do’s and don’ts). The problem is seeing sins (plural), but not sin the root of the trouble (judging the outward and not the inward). Many believers don’t understand Law or grace.

Through the years I have observed both extremes and the sad consequences. Some who have tried so hard to live holy by their self-efforts succeed for awhile, but then fail causing them to be pretenders or they give up trying and become worldly. Legalists are extremely hard on others, critical and unforgiving. If the truth of Romans Chapter 7 is understood and applied, it will deliver the believer from legalism. This chapter continues the subject that began in chapter 6:15, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” 

Paul uses the illustration of a husband and wife to show the believers new relationship to the Law because of our union with Jesus Christ, Vs. 1-6. When a man and woman marry, they are united for life in a physical union (Gen. 2:24, “the two shall be one flesh.”) It can only be broken by a physical cause, like death. Mt. 5 & 19 indicate unfaithfulness also breaks the marriage bond. But Paul is not teaching marriage and divorce here. He is simply using marriage to illustrate a point. As long as they live, the husband and wife are under the authority of the law of marriage. But if the husband dies, she is free from the authority of the law, the husband’s death broke the marriage relationship.

Two facts explain the believer’s relationship to the Law. The believer has become dead to the Law by the body of Christ (V. 4). Before we were saved, we were under the authority of God’s Law and condemned by it. When we trusted Christ and were united to Him, we died to the Law, just as we died to the flesh (Ch. 6). The Law did not die, we died. When we trusted Christ, we died to the Law, but in Christ, we arose from the dead and are now married, united to Christ to live a new kind of life.

The Law still rules over men, but it no longer has dominion over us. We are not lawless for we share Christ’s life, walking in newness of life (Rom. 8:4, “That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit”). In the old life we brought forth fruit unto death, but in the new life of grace, we bring forth fruit unto God. Now the motivation of our life does not come from the Law, but from  God’s grace.

The second fact (V. 6, “But now we are delivered from the Law.” The Law cannot exercise authority over a dead person. God’s commandment were written on stones, but  under grace, God’s Word is written in our hearts (II Cor. 3:3).

We are told the ministry of the Law in Vs. 7-13. Paul said, “I had not known sin, but by the Law.” It shows how dirty the old nature is. Paul uses coveting, an inward attitude, not outward actions. Covetousness leads to the breaking of the other commandments. The sin of coveting, seems never recognized by people in their own lives, but God’s Law reveals it. Vs. 8-9 tell how the Law arouses the sinful nature. It wrought in him all manner of concupiscence or evil desires, the commandment came, sin revived and I died. Our old human nature wants to rebel when a Law is given. Rom. 8:7, “The carnal mind is enmity against God. It is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be.”

The church in Galatia were very legal and they experienced all kind of trouble (Gal. 5:15). There legalism did not make them more spiritual, but more sinful. Vs. 10-11 says “the Law slew me.” The Law cannot give life, it only shows the sinner he is guilty and condemned. Be aware of various Philosophies in books and seminars, etc. No human leader can take the place of Christ and no book can replace God’s Word. Vs. 12-13, the Law shows the sinfulness of sin. We excuse our sins as weakness, but God would have us to know how wicked sin really is and that we are to oppose it and live in victory. The problem is not with the Law, but our sinful nature.

Vs. 14-24, we are informed of the inability of the Law. The Law is holy  just and good, it came from a holy God. It reveals God’s holiness and helps us to see our need for a Savior. The old nature knows no Law, the new nature needs no Law. To live under the Law will only activate the old nature, but will not eradicate it. It cannot enable you to do good. Three times Paul states that sin dwells in us (Vs. 14,18,20, referring to the old nature). The believers mind, will and body can be controlled either by the old nature or the new nature. The believers self efforts cannot do the good he wants to do and does the evil he does not want to do. 

This is a different problem from Chapter 6, there it was “How can I stop doing bad things?” Here it is “how can I ever do anything good?” The legalist says, “Obey the Law: WRONG, the Law cannot enable us to do good, or set you free. We can determine, “I will not do this any longer, What happens? By willpower, we succeed for a time, but then fall again. We cannot overcome the old nature with self-effort. But the inward man delights in the Law, the old nature delights in breaking it. We discover our best is not good enough.

Is there any deliverance? Vs. 24-25, There is One who shall deliver us, Jesus Christ our Lord! Praise God! Because we are united to Christ and alive to God, we can draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit. The explanation of this victory is given in Chapter 8 which I hope to write about in the next issue of Glorious Gospel. I will chose with V. 18 of our chapter, “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.” Jn. 5:16-18; Phil. 3:3. 

If we yield to the Holy Spirit, we have the power needed to obey God’s will. Just as we are dead to the old nature, we also are dead to the Law. Phil. 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.”

 God Uses Broken Things

Vicky Moots

God has chosen the foolish things

The weak, the base and despised

To bring to nothing the things of this world

That God might be glorified.

God used things that are broken

Things that have oft been abused

Man shuns the poor, lame and weary

But these are the lives that God used.

He used broken bread to feed the hungry

Broken pitchers to bring forth light

Ground must be broken to yield its fruit

Broken lives will win the fight.

The weakness of God is stronger

His foolishness much more wise

Then all of the strength and wisdom of man

In his haughty and arogant pride.

Jesus Himself was broken

Despised and rejected was He.

But He’s nigh to those of a broken heart

So broken, like Him, we must be.

Oh, come partake of the Bread of Life

Yes, Jesus was broken for you

Just give Him your broken and wasted life.

And He will make it new.

 Think On These Things

Martha Wainright

Gladstone, Missouri

“Whatsoever things are pure…” Philippians 4:8.

For sometime now I have tried to think of something in the world that is pure. But alas, I can’t think of anything! I phoned a very knowledgeable acquaintance of mine, the owner of Day’s Medical Laboratories in K. C. Mo., and ask him to name some pure substance, After a time of contemplating this, he said he couldn’t think of a thing that is really pure. Can you? This is really something to think about. It seems that anything that comes to mind is either a mixture or has been defiled in some way.

Let’s consider the definition of the word pure. Webster’s Dictionary definition is: unmixed; clear; clean; free from foreign matter. We can understand that, can’t we? We often see the word pure in print, and it is often used in everyday conversation. But we are at a loss to find anything we can purely apply this definition to.

Now, let’s look at W. E. Vine’s definition, found in his Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Pure: pure from defilement, not contaminated (from the same root as holy). There is the key – holy. This puts a new light on the subject.

Throughout the Bible the word pure is used. Sometimes in relation to a substance such as the materials used in the tabernacle: pure olive oil, pure myrrh, pure candle stick, etc. Perhaps these items were pure then. They would not be today, with our 20th century pollution, but that is questionable. The offerer of these were to use the purest substances available. I believe God counted them completely pure because they represented the Holy, undefied Son of God is one way or another. Isn’t this a glorious picture of us? We have a Holy nature (the Spirit of Christ), but in practice, since we still have an old nature also, we are not perfect (or pure). However, through faith in Christ, God sees us an pure, just as the obedient (to God’s instructions), were counted holy in the Old Testament records. Abraham is one example –  Romans 4:20-22. Imputed righteousness is a gift, “not of works lest any man should boast” – Ephesians 2:8-9.

“Every word of God is pure” – Proverbs 30:5. There it is, that is what we have been looking for. What is pure? The Word of God. We are cleansed by the Word (John 15:3), and the Word of God satisfies (John 4:13-14). No food or water that we partake of is perfectly pure, but thank God for what we have, as it sustains our mortal body. But the Word of God enables us to yield to our new nature, the Holy Spirit endues us with power and the work of Calvary is ultimately “to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” Colossians 1:22, we are not only provisionally pure, but we also learn to walk in holiness.

It’s disgusting now much we are affected by the defilement of this world. We know that our spiritual nature cannot be touched by this defilement, but as to experience, that is not so. Our everyday existence is affected by worldly surroundings and the spirit of this “evil age,” and this in turn can influence us from without (our actions), and within (our thoughts). 

How refreshing to drink from the pure springs of the Word of God and be cleansed. It is no wonder that we feel defiled by the world. The children of God are in the world, but not of it. Our instruction is to “reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” – Romans 6:11. When we are translated from the power of darkness to the kingdom of light, we cannot feel at home in the world – Colossians 1:13.

“The world hateth you” – John 15:19. We can be congenial as long as our Heavenly Father leaves us here, but we don’t really “fit in.” Most of us work many hours for our provisions (corruptible) to  live here, but our inheritance is “Incorruptible, and undefiled” – I Peter 1:4.

There we have it, a knowledge and revelation of what is pure. We think about Jesus, the Word of God, made manifest. We think about the written Word of God and allow these words to penetrate to our inner most being. The Word of God “kisses” us. Our communion with the Lord is pure. He is saying to us, “Open to  me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled – Song of Solomon 5:2. “Drink, yea, drink abundantly – S. of S. 5:1

Scientists will never develop nor discover anything pure. This is one of God’s “secrets” and He alone is the Revealer of His secrets. But, praise the Lord, the Holy Spirit has been given to guide us into truth, and this is true, that, “Whatsoever is pure,” is “Whatsoever is Holy.” THINK ON THESE THINGS.

 The Encouraging Word

“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” Romans 3:28

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving kindness toward those who fear (revere) Him.” Psalm 103:11

“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His mercy  endureth for ever.” Psalm 106:1

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

“I will go before you and level the mountains – to make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut asunder the bars of iron.”

Isaiah 45:2

“You rule the raging of the sea; when the waves of it arise, you still them.” Psalm 89:9

“For the Lord is Righteous; He loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold His face and He beholds the upright.” Psalm 11:9

Martha Wainright

 He Knows My Name

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:29-30

As we come into a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father, we will come to realize how much He cares about us. He has been very open about His care for us in His Word. 

I am reminded of a song “He Knows My Name” sung by the Rochesters (and others)

He counts the stars, one and all

He knows how much sand is on the shores

He sees every sparrow that falls

He made the mountains and the seas

He’s in control of everything

Of all creatures, great and small

[Chorus]

And He knows my name Every step that I take

Every move that I make Every tear that I cry

He knows my name 

When I’m overwhelmed by the pain

And can’t see the light of day 

I know I’ll be just fine

‘Cause He knows my name

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring

I can’t tell you what’s in store

I don’t know a lot of things

I don’t have all the answers

To the questions of life

But I know in Whom I have believed. 

As Jesus walked here, when Nathanael came to Him, He speaks to Nathanael as one who knows him, and Nathanael asks; “Whence knowest thou me?” and Jesus replies; “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” (John 1:48). Jesus knew Nathanael before He even met him. He also knows you, even if you do not realize it yet.

If we go back to the Old Testament, we find God, on more than one occasion, calling ones by their name. In Genesis, we find Him calling Adam in the garden. “And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” Genesis 3:9. God knew where Adam was, but He wanted Adam to respond to His call. He is calling us today, by name, and wants us to respond.

We find Him calling Abraham. “And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.” Genesis 22:11. And Jacob. “And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.” Genesis 46:2.

In Exodus we find Him calling Moses. “And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.” Exodus 3:4. 

In 1 Samuel, we find Him calling Samuel. “And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; that the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” 1 Samuel 3:4-10 God has always known the name of His people.

When Elijah was severely depressed about his situation, God came to him and called him by his name. “And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9. God cares about each individual. He cares when you are. He knows your discouragement and will call you by name to show you He has a way out.

This always amazes me. The truth is that I am not generally very good with names. Even though I rarely forget a face, it takes me some time of being around someone to really remember their name. However, God knew my name before I ever was, and before I came to Him, He had already called me. 

So why does it matter that God knows my name? It reminds me that He deals with each individual and knows my specific, individual needs, concerns and distresses. Unlike so many things in this world, you are not just a number to God. You are His dear child whom He knows intimately and is always listening for your cry. 

Read Psalm 139. It will encourage you to know the Lord in a closer more intimate way in your life as you realize just how much you mean to Him. He cares, He watches over you and He calls you closer every day.

 Living Faith

Vicky Moots

James 2:17, 20: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.; But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

Today I am going to use these verses in James to perform a spiritual check up of your faith.  Do you have living faith?  If you are born again, then you have living faith, because without faith you cannot be saved.  But how healthy is your faith? Does it produce works?

In the natural, if you wanted to evaluate your health, you would see a doctor for a checkup.  The first thing that they would do is to check your vital signs: your blood pressure, pulse and respirations.  Why? Because these are outward measurements which can be obtained that indicate the internal activity of the heart.

What are the outward vital signs of our faith? How would someone who is examining us spiritually be able to evaluate our spiritual health? According to James, one of the vital signs is our works, so let us look into this further.  If we have the life of Christ in us, there should be outward evidence of our faith for others to see.

We read in I Sam. 16:7, that “…man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”  Only God can see our heart.  All others are looking on the outside of us.  The book of James gives us an example of how the world examines us regarding our faith.  James speaks of works as being the outward evidence to those around us of the faith which we possess in our hearts.

As a physician, if you were to see me in the office for an exam, I would not be able to see your heart, but I would know how well it is beating simply by feeling your pulse.  That is one of the first things they teach you in a CPR course.  A pulse wave is produced each time the heart muscle contracts, so the pulse is outward evidence of an internal, invisible, beating heart.  It is an outward sign of what is taking place on the inside.

The spiritual relationship between faith and works is much like the physical relationship of the pulse to the heart.  Good works in the life of a Christian are outward evidence of living faith and have been ordained by God, as we read in Eph. 2:8-10: “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.”

Good works are the result of our faith.  They are the fruit of the new creation, not the root.  We are not saved through works; we are saved to works.  Faith works in us to produce works through us for God’s glory.

In the physical body, the pulse does not cause the heart to beat.  Which came first? The pulse or the heart beat? Which is dependent on the other? There can be no pulse outwardly if there is not first a living, beating heart on the inside.  Likewise, in the spiritual sense, works cannot produce faith, but living faith can, and should, produce good works, because God has ordained that we should walk in them.

How strong is your faith pulse today? We are told by Paul to examine ourselves (not each other).  Living faith on the inside should produce a good strong pulse externally that others can feel when they examine your faith.

Living faith will produce living works, not dead works.  Dead works are self-works, and they bring glory to self.  Living works are the result of God working in us and through us, and they will always bring glory to His name and not to ours.

Living works are also loving works, for they can only be done through God’s love (agape), as we learn in I Cor. 13.  Without love, our works lose their eternal value.  They do not point others to Christ because they only glorify the one who is performing them.

But most important of all, living works, produced by faith and performed through love, will not only glorify the name of Jesus and give evidence of our faith, but will also prepare us for bridehood.  The wedding garment of the bride of Christ will be fabricated from the pure, righteous, living works which she has unselfishly done by faith.  The nature of this fabric is revealed to us in Rev. 19:7-8: “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 [righteous acts] of saints.”

That means that with each righteous act that we perform, each good work that we do, which God has ordained for us to do, we are faithfully weaving the pure linen fabric for our wedding dress to prepare ourselves for that day.  But the good works of living faith which we do, and the wedding garment which we are preparing, are not intended for our glory, for they are produced through the power of the resurrected life of Christ in us, for the purpose of bringing glory to His name and drawing others to him.

Praise the Lord for living faith and living works.

 THE STORY OF THE STONE

Jack Davis

Jesus beheld them, and said, “What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Lk. 20:17-18

Our dear Lord was quoting this from the Old Testament, I enjoy reading it from its context, “I will praise thee for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps. 118:21-24.

Oh, what a day is about to dawn! Shall we not be glad, and rejoice in it? I marvel in the Lord’s doings. It is of greatest importance, and our destiny is determined by our attitude toward these marvelous facts. Jesus Christ was the center of divine design before the foundation of the world. All God’s building plan is in Christ. He is the point of reference, the focal point of all spiritual construction, it must all line up with Him.

In the first eight verses of Luke twenty, we have recorded that as Jesus taught the gospel, He is questioned as to who gave Him the authority by which He worked. Jesus then answered them with a question they couldn’t or wouldn’t answer. He followed this with a parable that prophesied of their attitude, and actions toward him and the purposes of God. He foretells of God’s beloved Son being offered for reverence but was going to be refused. It is God that tells history in advance. His-tory, the story of the stone foretells of His exhalation following His humiliation. It tells of the divine election, and human rejection.

“THIS IS THE STONE”

When the high priest and his people questioned Peter and John as to what power and what name they had made the lame man to walk, he identified the “Stone” and His rejecters. He said, “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” Acts 4:11. Although religions builders discount, try to discredit God’s record of our beloved Lord. We know that he was chose of God and precious, and have tasted that He is gracious, for we have come unto him as unto a living stone, and believed on Him whom God has laid in Zion as the Chief Corner Stone – I Peter 2:2-10. By faith in Him and His redemptive work on the cross, we have gladly received Him as the Rock of our Salvation. We have become people of God that has obtained mercy.

The story of the stone not only tells of Jesus’ rejection but also His resurrection, being raised to reign.

THE SMITTEN STONE

When the children of Israel in the wilderness thought they were going to die of thirst; God told Moses to take the rod He had given him and SMITE THE ROCK In Horeb. When He did the water flowed out to refresh the people - Ex. 17:6. What a picture of the blessings of the Spirit of God coming to humanity on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He was smitten by the wrath of divine judgment on behalf of our sin.

Later when the children of Israel needed water, God told Moses to speak to the rock, but instead he smote it twice and God corrected him for it – Num. 20:8-12. In His humiliation, Jesus as the smitten stone was indeed an rock of offense and stone of stumbling. In prophecy He is spoken of as saying, “smite the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered Zec. 13:7. “I gave my back to the emitters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair” Isa. 50:6. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted” Isa. 53:3-6.

“Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken.” The truly broken in spirit, and contrite in heart, fall dependently upon Him in faith and are saved, being justified Psa. 51:17 & Isa. 66:2. Spiritual construction has begun for those on the rock. It is to continue with gold silver and precious stone, growing and sowing to the Spirit and not to the flesh. These are dependant upon God to give the increase.

THE SMITING STONE

“But on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to power.” These are those whom having rejected the stone and will bear the brunt of divine judgment. Psalm two foretells of Jesus exaltation, and enthronement. Consider verse nine, “Thou shall break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Consider Isa. 9:6-7 in this connection.

The king of Babylon dreamed of a great image which gave a preview of succeeding governments which established world influence in their allotted time. That dream being interrupted was shown to point ultimately to the universal reign of Jesus Christ as King of kings.

“Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, her belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and become like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth” Dan. 2:31-35.

“He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet” I Cor. 15:25-27.

“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter, and the dream is certain, and interpretation thereof sure” Dan. 2:44-45.

 Victory Over Sin

Earlene Davis

We must go to Romans chapter Six to learn what God has to say on this subject. God would have us to have victory over sin practical in our lives. There are three key words in this chapter: know 6:3-10, reckon 6:11-12, Yield 6:13-19. 

KNOW

What are we to know? V. 3-5, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 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. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” 

The basic truth of the believers identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, is a fact of God.  Chapter 5:17, The believer can reign in life by one Christ Jesus. Just as we were identified with Adam in sin, so we are now identified with Christ in righteousness and justification. Jesus Christ not only died for our sins, He also died unto sin and we died with Him.

Water baptism is used as an illustration: it figures the believer being buried with Christ and brought up again in resurrection life with Him. The outward symbol of an inward experience. When He died in my place, I died. When He arose, I arose in Him. I no longer want to continue in sin. I can now walk in the power of His resurrection in newness of life. Gal: 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” 

Sin is a terrible master and finds a willing servant in the human body. The body itself is not sinful, but can be controlled either by sin or by God. It is so important for us to know as believers, that we now have two natures. The old nature here called the old man. The word “destroyed” in V. 6 means, rendered inactive, made of no effect. Sin wants to rule, but that old sinful nature was crucified with Christ, So the body needs no longer to be controlled by sin. 

RECKON

V. 11-12, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”

The Greek meaning of reckon is count (agreeing with God), or impute (putting to one’s account). It is simply believing what God’s Word tells us. We can reckon with God that it is true. Faith in action, acting upon an eternal fact of God that it is a finished work, accomplished at Calvary. Claim it for ourselves. Jn. 19:30, Jesus said, “It is finished.”

YIELD

V. 13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” God does not command the old nature to become dead to sin, He says we are dead to sin and alive unto God. Then He expects us to act upon it. Even if we don’t, the fact is till true. The word yield means to place at ones disposal, to present, to offer as a sacrifice. Rom. 12:1 says, I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, “to present your bodies a living sacrifice (for His glory), holy, acceptable unto God, which is you reasonable service.” 

The Lord asks all of us to live for Him. To yield, an act of our will, based on the knowledge we have of what Christ has done for us. An intelligent decision to not allow sin to reign. For this allows the members of our body to be tools of unrighteousness to sin. But let us surrender to the life of Christ within us. The longer we walk with Christ in surrender, the deeper the fellowship with Him becomes. We daily surrender afresh to Him. It is clear the believer has a choice.

V. 16-19, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? … I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

 

The believers body is God’s temple and he wants to use it for His glory. I Cor. 6:19-20, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 

The Old Testament tells us of people who permitted God to take and use their bodies to fulfill His purposes. Also Paul is an example in the New Testament along with others. Why should we yield? Well, we will please God having His favor, also freedom, being no longer a slave to sin, and having fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life (V. 22). 

It has been proven that we are not saved by the Law, nor do we live under the Law. Grace does not give us an excuse to sin, but gives us the reason to live godly in this present world. Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”

In closing: Now we know these truths, and reckon them to be true in our life, and we yield ourselves to God. God will be glorified in us and we will be blessed abundantly.