“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” John 20:19
This seems to be the outstanding theme of Jesus’ activities during the 40 days after his resurrection. In one way or another He is always seen in the midst of His disciples, or other believers. Paul mentions that He was seen by over 500. 1 Corinthians 15:6.
Jesus has always been in the midst or middle of all of God’s plans for man, for time and eternity. “Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;” Proverbs 8:30. All through man’s history, Jesus has been in the midst, but even more so and in a greater way after the resurrection and the completion of man’s redemption. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” Colossians 1:16
After his resurrection, Jesus performed no miracles for the multitudes; He is seen mainly in the presence of his disciples. He made a promise while ministering to them. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 This promise is also for us. It applies to all believers since Jesus’ resurrection.
In the Old Testament we find Him as well. It should not be thought that Jesus suddenly appears in the New Testament and was absent in the Old simply because His incarnation as a man happens in the New Testament.
Consider the account in Daniel of the three Hebrew children that were thrown into the fire. “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.” Dan 3:24-26.
In the midst of their fiery trial, Jesus stood with them. He is not afraid to stand with us today in the midst of our fiery trial. We just need to be willing to see Him there.
Today, we find Jesus in the midst of His church. He is walking among the candlesticks as the judge. “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.” Revelation 1:12-15.
We find Him judging His church in the second and third chapters of Revelation. We need not be afraid of Jesus judging His church, as He is preparing those that are allowing Him. Jesus “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” Ephesians 5:25-26. Notice that He is preparing His bride out of the church by the Word.
The Word of God is exactly how Jesus is in our midst today. The Word is how He is working in the life of any believer that wants to be prepared for that bridal company.
And finally, we see Jesus in the midst in heaven. “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” Revelation 5:6 “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:16-17.
Jesus will be in the midst for eternity. We will be worshiping Him for eternity. Those that find Him in the midst today will not regret allowing Him to prepare them with the Word of God. My encouragement to you is to put Jesus in the midst (center) of your life today and every day.
Number six on the list of things which we have been instructed by Paul to think upon is “whatsoever things are of good report.” “Good report” means “reputable, well spoken of.” Today many people search the internet for answers to their questions, but unfortunately not all of the websites are reputable or reliable sources of information. However, there is one source that is 100% reliable and reputable, and that is the inspired Word of God. It is the “good report.”
In Acts 6:1-6 we read that the disciples needed help to serve the people, so in v. 12 we find that they chose seven “men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” to appoint over the matter. If our desire is to be of service to the Lord, then we also should be of honest, or “good report,” because we are representatives of Christ Himself.
Hebrews chapter 11 is filled with good reports of many Old Testament believers who walked by faith and overcame obstacles. However, some of those who were considered heroes of faith, such as Samson, David, Abraham and Rahab, had done some things that were not of good report. That is because those men and women in this chapter were just ordinary people like you and I who stumbled and made mistakes. Why weren’t their mistakes listed along with their accomplishments? That is because the writer wished to proclaim only those deeds that were done by faith, only those things that were of “good report,” which he clarifies in v. 39: “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith…” And so, it is the things of “good report.” which we are encouraged by Paul to meditate upon when we look upon others or even upon ourselves.
The seventh thing listed by Paul for us to focus upon is “if there be any virtue.” “Virtue” in this verse refers to “moral excellence,” or “being pleasing to God.” This, of course, speaks of Christ who was without sin and was pleasing to His Father. After Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan by John, we read in Matt. 3:17 that there came a voice from heaven saying, “…This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. We also, as Christians should endeavor to be pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
In Prov. 31:10-31 we find a description of the virtuous woman. It starts out with v. 10 which exclaims, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Then in v. 31 it summarizes her description by stating, “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” She is a picture, or type, of the bride of Christ. As we think upon these verses we may wonder how that could ever be said of us if we are to be in the bridial company. How could we ever attain unto such a standard as that? It is by reason of the fact that the virtuous character of the bride is actually the life of Christ in her, and not her own. We have nothing in ourselves of which to boast, for all of the glory belongs to Him. The more that we meditate upon Him, the more like Him that we become.
The 8th and final thing which Paul mentions for us to think upon is “if there be any praise.” The Hebrew word for “praise” is “halal,” which means “to commend, to shine, to celebrate, to give glory.” The word “Hallelujah,” meaning “praise the Lord,” is derived from this word.
Ps. 150 is a psalm of praise and is a perfect example of what we are to meditate upon. I would like to highlight the first two verses: “Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in the sanctuary: Praise Him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts; Praise him according to his excellent greatness.” No one is excluded from praising the Lord, for v. 6 closes with these words: “Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
In summary, all of the things which Paul has instructed us to think upon, (those things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue and praise), paint a picture of Christ, our Beloved Bridegroom. As we meditate upon Him and His Word, we are changed into His image from glory to glory and prepared to reign with Him as His Bride.
My Jesus, as Thou wilt!
O may Thy will be mine;
Into Thy hand of love
I would my all resign.
Through sorrow, or through joy,
Conduct me as Thine own;
And help me still to say,
My Lord, Thy will be done.
My Jesus as Thou wilt;
Though seen through many a tear,
Let not my star of hope
Grow dim or disappear.
Since Thou on earth hast wept
And sorrowed oft alone,
If I must weep with Thee,
My Lord, Thy will be done.
My Jesus, as Thou wilt!
All shall be well for me;
Each changing future scene
I gladly trust with Thee.
Straight to my home above
I travel calmly on,
And sing, in life or death,
My Lord, Thy will be done.
Martha A. Wainright
Kansas City, Missouri
My Testimony
Looking forward to the light-house titled Glorious Gospel. Oh, the truth of God is working in us (Philippians 1:6) to draw us unto Jesus and inclose us into the secret place (Psalm 91:1) of dependence on His Love, Grace, Mercy, and Help by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 30:10, “Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.”
To send Martha a greeting:
Martha Wainright
Tiffany Springs Rehap
9191 N. Ambassador Dr.
Kansas City, MO 64154
There are days when trials –
Seem to loom ahead.
Fears and doubts assail me
Filling me with dread.
Though my heart may tremble –
In a little while,
Jesus stands beside me
And I begin to smile.
Promises He has made –
Banish all my fears,
It is His gentle Hand
That wipes away my tears.
“Never will I leave thee” –
He whispers to my heart.
I stand upon the promise
He never will depart.
Debra Isenbletter Pastor
Christian Assembly
Springfield, Missouri
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.” Ephesians 3:1-7
It is very important to understand that Paul was chosen to deliver the message of God’s grace, especially to the Gentiles. So many are failing to understand that God had always intended to bring the Gentiles in to His family, but it was not openly presented to His ancient people Israel. Some still want to tell us that only Israel is a partaker of what Jesus did.
Others, want to take Israel completely out with a teaching that Gentiles now replace Israel in God’s future plans. A simple reading of Romans 11 will clear this up easily. God still has plans for His people Israel, but now, we are in an age of grace where Gentiles are being brought in.
The method for entry is the same for Gentiles today as it is for Jews. It is all through God’s grace extended through Jesus and His completed sacrifice on the cross. This “mystery” (a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding) was shown to Paul. Remember that Paul was well educated in the Law and Prophets. If anyone would have reason to think this was incorrect, it would have been Paul. Maybe this is why Jesus chose Paul to present this “mystery.”
The idea that Gentiles could also be God’s people was very foreign to the Jews. There are hints of this in the Old Testament, but it was not fully revealed before the book of Acts where God makes it plain that He will bring in the Gentiles to also be His people. Acts 11:18. This is not a sudden change in God’s mind. He always intended to bring people from all nations into His family.
We saw this already in chapter 2 of Ephesians. Paul explains that we are both (Jew and Gentile) brought together in one body. There is no difference in God’s view of a Jew that is saved through faith in Jesus or a Gentile that is saved through faith in Jesus. Here Paul refers to us as fellow heirs and of the same body.
“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” Ephesians 3:8-11
Paul reminds us that the gospel (good news) is exactly what he has been telling us. That Jesus is gathering from every nation those that will trust in Him by faith. It is God’s grace that brings us the gospel, and God’s grace that chose Paul and enabled him to bring us this good news.
It may be because this was a “mystery” in the Old Testament, that so many today fail to understand it. Many are still trying to fuse believers today into Israel and putting them under bondage to a law that was given to show that even having the written law of God did not enable Israel to be righteous.
What God had planned from before the foundation of the world was to bring all things together in Jesus and that group of people called the “church” (called out ones) would demonstrate that only God’s grace could accomplish such a thing.
This is not just intended for the world to see and marvel, but even “principalities and powers in heavenly places.” God’s wisdom through His grace accomplished something that no human or “principality or power in heavenly places” could accomplish.
I feel that it is extremely important to recognize this work that God is accomplishing through us. Failure to understand this will lead to a failure to yield our lives to God’s working. He is not creating a religion. He is not creating self righteous people. He is not creating a “Christian” nation. He is creating a display of His wisdom He is creating a people (individuals) who make up the body of Christ (the church), who will bring Him glory for eternity.
To some, this may seem like a silly thing. They want recognition for their accomplishments. They want to feel like they did better than others. They want to think that eternity is going to give them some recognition. However, I think that realizing that God is taking a failed human person and creating something that brings glory to the eternal, self existent, all righteous God, should be nothing short of amazing and glorious.
For those that think that the law and Israel was the fulness of God’s plan, they are missing out on the even more glorious part of God’s plan. This is not something that God thought of after Israel failed to keep His law and failed to be faithful to Him. It was always His plan. God is not yet done with Israel, but this time is something glorious.
I love this letter to the Ephesians. It lays out so simply and clearly God’s overall plan and helps us understand what our part of that plan is.
Matthew 25:14–30 takes us to the Parable of the Talents where we see the difference between those that possess Jesus as their Savior verses those that just profess to be Christian. As we study this parable, we see that the man traveling, which gave the talents, is representative of Christ himself and that the long time he is gone is the church age. He gives one of His servants 5 talents another 2 talents and another 1 talent. The last part of verse 15 though is very important to consider. Each was given according to their several abilities.
Now, what they were given were opportunities tol do something that would further the kingdom of their lord. It is the exact same for us today! We also are given opportunities (talents) according to our abilities. The lord entrusted them with these opportunities to gain or benefit him and his kingdom. It’s no different for us that work a job today. We are given opportunities according to our own abilities. Some are janitors, some are in parts, some sales, some fix things, some make things, some design things, some manage the budget, some manage people, some manage work load or flow, some the entire direction of a business or company but regardless of what ability each has, there is an opportunity to do the best they can with the ability they’ve been given to further the advancement of the company. Well, it’s no different in our spiritual lives today. The opportunities (talents) we are given are according to the abilities that we possess, and our Lord does know what to entrust to each one of us.
Immediately, we see the results in verse 16 because the one that received 5 talents doubled his allotment, verse 17 shows the one that had 2 talents also doubled his, but the one that received 1 did nothing. Now the part we’ve all been waiting for, the reward! Verse 20-21 says “And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Great, he had 5 and got 5 more but what about the guy that ‘just’ had 2 and only got 2, what does the Lord say to him? Verse 22-23 “He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Note that the reward for each of these 2 individuals was THE EXACT SAME! WHAT, CAN’T BE???? YEP! THE EXACT SAME! Well, back to our earthly job example above, our thoughts are there’s no way this can be right, this isn’t fair, I do way more work than Bob and I should get more reward than he does and………hold on. What are we doing here? We are applying earthly wisdom to spiritual situations, and we must not do so. We must understand some very key principles. They were given opportunities according to their ability. Our earthly thinking is since I can do more, I SHOULD get more but with God’s kingdom, what was rewarded, the amount? NOPE! The FAITHFULNESS to what was given! They were BOTH faithful to what they were given so they both get the same reward. It is the faithfulness that is rewarded.
It is also important to note we don’t see how hard the tasks were, what they had to endure, how much they suffered, or struggled and why is that? Because it is irrelevant, that’s right, it just doesn’t matter. What’s important is the faithfulness. What does God want? He wants a faithful servant that is willing to be responsible with what HE wants us to do with the ability that’s been given. Take our abilities and be responsible with the opportunities we’ve been given.
Back to our parable as we have 1 more to account for. It’s the one that did nothing but hid his opportunity. He thought he knew about God, he told everyone he was a Christian but we see here he didn’t know the first thing about his lord. How do we know that? Well, he said himself that he was afraid. How could he have known the Lord (or his lord) and been afraid since There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18. There was no appreciation of what was given to him which led to outright rejection of God’s wonderful grace. Verse 26 shows us that very thing because those that are saved aren’t wicked.
So, the opportunity that was given to this one was taken and given to the one that had 10. The lord knew who to give that opportunity to so there would be return on his investment. If he would’ve taken that 1 and turned it into another 1 there would have been more to come. If he had taken it and done something to capture a bit of interest it would’ve been something but instead, we see complete rejection of all things.
For us today, salvation is the first step, but we must not stop there. Too many folks accept that gift then use it to live the earthly life they want to live. There is so much more to be had. We must NOT judge or compare our abilities with one another, as each ability has a purpose in the body of Christ. Again, what was rewarded, the amount? No, the eternal reward was the same for the two that were faithful with their earthly talents. Those abilities are what provide opportunities to further God’s agenda in this world. Not as great crusaders but as lights, as testimonies, as witnesses that we should show for the praises of Him! Be encouraged and press towards the prize.
Before Israel entered the Promised Land, God warned Moses about seven specific nations that stood in the land they were about to possess. These nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—would become obstacles that Israel would need to overcome. For the purpose of this lesson, we will simply refer to them as the “ites.”
In Deuteronomy 7, the Lord told Israel that when He brought them into the land, He would cast out these seven nations, even though they were greater and mightier than Israel. God commanded His people to utterly destroy them, make no covenant with them, show them no mercy, and avoid intermarrying with them. The reason was clear: these nations would turn Israel away from following the Lord. Their altars, images, groves, and idols were to be destroyed because God desired a holy people separated unto Himself.
The Lord reminded Israel that they were not chosen because of their strength, size, or ability. In fact, they were the fewest among the nations. God chose them because He loved them and because He was faithful to the covenant He had made with their fathers. He had redeemed them from Egyptian bondage with a mighty hand, and He would continue to be faithful to those who loved Him and kept His commandments.
A similar promise is found in Exodus 23:20-24. God promised to send His Angel before Israel to lead them into the place He had prepared. If they would obey His voice, God would become an enemy to their enemies and would cut off the nations that stood before them. Once again, they were instructed not to bow down to the gods of these nations or imitate their practices, but rather to completely overthrow their idols and images.
In Deuteronomy 20, God provided additional instructions concerning warfare. Israel was told not to fear when they faced armies larger and stronger than themselves. They were not to be intimidated by horses, chariots, or great numbers because the Lord who delivered them from Egypt would fight for them. God would go before them, save them, and give them victory. The chapter emphasizes that when confronting these enemies, nothing was to be left that would continue to influence or corrupt God’s people. The reason was simple: God did not want Israel learning the abominations and sinful practices of the surrounding nations.
There are several practical lessons we can draw from this Old Testament picture. First, God had given Israel a land to possess. Likewise, God has given believers a position in Christ. Ephesians 2 tells us that we are seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Yet Ephesians 6 reminds us that there is a spiritual battle involved in entering into and enjoying all that God has provided for us.
There is also a personal application. God gives each of us places of service and responsibility. Years ago, God called me to pastor an assembly. Along the way, there have been many “ites” that stood in the path—opposition from family, friends, circumstances, and even fellow believers. Yet I can testify with Paul, “out of them all the Lord delivered me” (2 Timothy 3:11). Even today, I continue to trust the promise of 2 Corinthians 1:10, that the God who has delivered will yet deliver.
The inhabitants of the land had to be removed. While this may sound harsh at first, the spiritual lesson is important. The flesh cannot be allowed to remain in control. It must be dealt with according to God’s instructions. We see this principle illustrated in circumcision, which symbolized the cutting away of the flesh. God knew that if Israel tolerated the practices of these nations, corruption would eventually follow. In the same way, we cannot make peace with the works of the flesh. They must either be brought into submission or cut off entirely.
God’s concern was not merely military victory but spiritual protection. He desired to protect His people from corruption. My heart likewise yearns for God’s people to be protected from the corruption that exists in this world, both physically and spiritually. The influences around us constantly seek to pull us away from wholehearted devotion to Christ.
Another important lesson is that these nations were stronger than Israel. The challenges standing before us today are often greater than our own strength and ability. The “ites” we face—temptations, fears, trials, weaknesses, and spiritual battles—cannot be overcome through human effort. We cannot deliver ourselves. Victory does not come through determination, talent, or personal strength.
So how do we gain victory over the “ites” in our lives?
The answer is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our victory is based upon the victory He won at Calvary. Through faith, we identify with His death, burial, and resurrection. We recognize that our old man was crucified with Him and that we have been raised to walk in newness of life. Furthermore, those who have been filled with the Holy Spirit have been given divine power to overcome. As we yield ourselves to the Spirit, He enables us to overcome the flesh. The Spirit accomplishes what we could never accomplish on our own.
Just as Israel was called to be a special people, so the church today is God’s called-out people. The Greek word ekklesia means “called-out ones.” God did not call us because we were strong, capable, or self-sufficient. Like Israel, we were incapable of overcoming our enemies apart from divine intervention. We were the weak, the needy, and the dependent.
Why, then, did God choose us? The answer is wonderfully simple: He loved us. He loved you, and He loved me. He also acts according to His Word and His promises. Just as He remained faithful to His covenant with Israel, He remains faithful to every promise He has made to His children.
As we face the “ites” in our own lives, let us remember that God has called us, loved us, redeemed us, and equipped us for victory. The battle may be greater than we are, but it is not greater than our God. Therefore, let us walk forward in faith, knowing that the One who has delivered in the past is still delivering today and will continue to deliver in the days ahead. Above all, let us remember this great truth: the Lord our God is faithful.
Praise ye the Lord! Let the glad carols ring!
Sweetest incense of praise while we worship the King.
Praise ye His name and His goodness adore.
Let us sing and rejoice evermore.
Praise ye the Lord! While the firmament high,
Wondrous work of His hand, echoes back the reply.
Let His great Name from rejoicing lips fall,
Blessed Savior and Master of all.
Praise ye the Lord! Let the grand anthem shell-
Like the sound of the sea, all His glory to tell.
Honor His name, laud and worship the King,
While the joy-bells of victory ring.
Hallelujah to Him Who is Lord over all,
Let His glorious praise from your lips gladly fall.
Hallelujah! Proclaim Christ is coming again:
Hallelujah! Oh glory amen.
–– A. Blenkhorn
Psalm 113:1-3, “Praise ye the Lord, Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.”
Remember – if you want joy, peace, healing, or victory over the power of the enemy, Praise the Lord! From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same.
PRAISE YE THE LORD!
By R. E. M.
“Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things.”
Singing praise is central to the Christian life. “Praise” is a word we often use. Yet we may forget its true meaning. To praise means to honor, worship, and express admiration for God. The phrase “sing praises” comes from a Hebrew word that means “to make music in praise of God.”
The psalmist calls us to lift our voices, make music, and worship the Lord. When we sing praises, we declare His glory. But why should we praise Him? The answer is found in remembering what God has done: “for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him.”
We are reminded of the song of Moses and Miriam at the Red Sea. When God delivered the people of Israel from Egypt with His mighty and outstretched arm, their response was to sing. They praised Him for His deliverance, salvation, victory over enemies, and preservation of His people.
As New Testament believers, we have an even greater reason to sing. God sent His Son, who lived a perfectly righteous life, dies sacrificially in our place, bore the wrath for our sins, and rose again. This is the greatest and most marvelous work, and it calls us to continual praise.
Written by Pastor Pani from India
“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.”
Psalm 138:7
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee (keep you moving forward): he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…” I Peter 5:6
“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:” Numbers 6:24
Martha Wainright
“But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?” 2 Corinthians 3:7-8
Paul refers to the law as “the ministration of death.” This is an interesting title to use of the law, but he is trying to make a point that the law brought death. Look at verse 6. It had to. The wages of sin are “death” Romans 6:23. Because the law could not make a person righteous, it could not bring life. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20
Paul knew the law well being instructed by Gamaliel (brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers) Acts 22:3. He was not just trying to show disrespect to the law. “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. However, he also knew that God had done something better which is what the law was pointing to all along.
He is clear that the law is glorious. The giving of the law was well known and it was truly glorious. So much so, that the Israelites could not look at Moses’ face. The argument is not against the law, but rather a contrast between the law and something significantly better.
What could be better? “The ministration of the Spirit.” This is not some Plan B that God came up with because Pan A didn’t work. This has been God’s plan all along. A plan to send His Son to bring His glory down so that we could be brought up to Him. John describes what they witnessed. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
Jesus is more glorious because He is the Son of God and because He brought Grace and Truth to this world. He came to free us from the curse of the law. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” Galatians 3:13. Paul was addressing Christians who wanted to go back to the law after being saved by grace.
In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul uses another term. “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6 This is an important distinction. The New Testament brings life. So, the contrast is between life and death.
The New Testament is more glorious because it brings life where death was deserved. God’s grace gives what we could not get for ourself and what we did not deserve. This is the basis of the Gospel. Now we can live and serve God acceptably because of His life. “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 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” Hebrews 12:28.
The New Testament is more glorious because we could not obtain righteousness through the old. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” Romans 3:20-22. The more glorious covenant brings righteousness to us through Jesus Christ, not an attempt at self righteousness. “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” Philippians 3:9.
Paul understood the law, being well versed in it, so he also understood the importance of what Jesus had accomplished. “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” Hebrews 7:22-27. “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” Hebrews 8:6
So, we have learned that we have been made partakers of a better, more glorious, covenant; the covenant of Grace which brings us directly into the presence of God. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 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” Hebrews 10:19-22. Why then, would we want to go back to the Old “ministration of death” which cannot make us righteous or bring us directly into the presence of God.
The second thing that Paul listed in Phil. 4:8 which we are to think upon is “whatsoever things are honest.” The Greek word for “honest” means “honorable.” According to Webster, “honorable” means “worthy of honor; having a sense of right and wrong; upright.”
Paul writes in Heb. 2:7, concerning Jesus, “…thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands.” Oh, what a wonderful thought to meditate upon! The One who humbled Himself to become a man and to die upon the cross for our sins is crowned no longer with thorns, but with glory and honor!
In Rev. 5:13 we read that Christ will be universally exalted when He takes His throne in heaven: “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” Oh, what a day that will be! But let us not wait until that heavenly scene to exalt Him and give Him honor. Let us lift our voices to Him now. Now is the time to fix our minds upon Him, and to take them off of all the things and people in this world that are bringing dishonor to His name. Let us also walk in the Spirit and walk uprightly and live our lives in such a manner that we will bring honor to Him. The more that we meditate upon Him and His Word, the more that we will become like Him.
The third item that Paul lists for us to do is to think upon “whatsoever things are just.” “Just” means “that which is right, righteous.” Jesus certainly meets that criteria, and we can too. As a new creation in Christ, we are given His righteousness and are justified by faith.
Even the centurion at the cross recognized the righteousness of Jesus. This account is recorded in Luke 23:47: “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, certainly this was a righteous man.” Oh, that we would yield to the Holy Spirit and walk so close to the Lord that others would be able to look upon us and see the righteousness of Christ in us and glorify God, as did the centurion.
In Jer. 23:5 Jesus was prophesied to be “a righteous Branch,” and will one day reign as a righteous King. On a more personal level, He is now our righteous Advocate, according to I John 2:1 “And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Our righteous Advocate is just and will intercede for us when we repent of our sins.
Psalm 51 is Davids’ psalm of repentance after his great sin with Bathsheba. In v. 10 he cries out to God for cleansing and says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” God heard him and answered his prayer. He hears our prayers of repentance, too, and cleanses us, as we are promised in I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The fourth thing that Paul encourages us to meditate upon is “whatsoever things are pure.” Pure means “innocent, clean, chaste, undefiled, uncontaminated.” God’s Word is pure and undefiled because it is not mixed with man’s wisdom; it is inspired by the Holy Spirit. The pureness of God’s Word is proclaimed in Proverbs 30:5: “Every Word of God is pure…” and in Ps. 12:6: “the words of the LORD are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” We find this also in Ps. 119:140: “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” The pure Word of God is what purifies us as we read it and apply it to our lives. It is what cleanses us and prepares us to be in the bride of Christ, as Paul declares in Eph. 5:25-27: “…Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it might be holy and without blemish.”
Paul’s desire was that we might yield to that cleansing and be washed of anything that defiles us so that we might be a part of the bride, as he exclaims to us in II Cor.11:2: “For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” In Song of Solomon 6:9 the Bridegroom describes His bride as “my dove, my undefiled.” If our desire is to accept Paul’s espousal of us to Christ and become a part of that bridal company, then we, too, must be undefiled by the world and cleansed by the pure Word of God. Nothing that we are able to do in our own strength is able to purify us, for it is not by our own works, but by the Word working in us.
Next, we come to the fifth item that Paul mentions for us to meditate upon: “Whatsoever things are lovely.” The Greek word translated “lovely” means “acceptable.” How can we become acceptable to a holy God? It is all by His grace, as we read in Eph. 1:6: “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” We are accepted by God because we are “in Christ,” the beloved Son of God.
According to Webster, the word “lovely” also means “having those qualities that inspire love, affection or admiration; specifically, beautiful, exquisite, morally or spiritually attractive.” “Lovely” is how the bride in Song of Sol. chapter 5 describes her Beloved. In v. 9, she was asked this question: “What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women…” She answers that question in vs. 10-16, but summarizes it in v. 16 by saying, “…yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend…”
What a wonderful thing that is to meditate upon; to fix our eyes upon our Bridegroom, and to spend time alone with Him and His Word, so that we may discover for ourselves how lovely He is!
(To be continued)
A life poured out,
An offering for me.
His blood was shed,
To set me free.
A life poured out,
Like water it ran.
I see God’s Son,
Some see a man.
A life poured out,
His soul laid bare.
To show God’s love,
His grace declare.
A man like Paul,
That love received.
Once bound with sin,
Christ has freed.
His life poured out,
In service for Him.
A labor of love,
His race to win.
An offering to God,
His life poured out.
“I’ve finished my course!”
His joyful shout.
And I, like Paul,
Who ran his race.
Desire to yield,
To God’s sweet grace.
And offer this vessel,
In service for Him.
My life poured out,
My race to win.
Debbie Isenbletter
Chapter 2
“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. Ephesians 2:8-13
Very well known portion that can be quoted by most Christians, but often seems to be misunderstood by many. This is the simplest statement of the Gospel of God’s grace. Any person can be saved, and it is always the same way; by grace through faith. Any person who believes (puts their trust) in Jesus is granted salvation by God’s grace. Nothing else to add; nothing else to do.
The simple reason for this is to make sure that no one will get to take credit for helping in some way to bring about their own salvation. The credit, and therefore glory, goes entirely and only to God. You can pair this with Romans 3:23-24 to understand that every person needed the same salvation. No one comes to Jesus with better credentials than someone else.
We then notice that something comes from that work of grace. We now are able to produce good works in Christ Jesus. This was something Jesus spoke about in His ministry here. In John 15, speaking of bearing fruit (good works), He plainly says that “for without me ye can do nothing.” We cannot bring “good works” or “fruit” to Him to help with our salvation.
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:” Ephesians 2:11-16.
Since this letter is written primarily to gentiles (Ephesians), he reminds them (and us) that outside of Christ, we had no part in the promises that were given to Israel. We were “without hope” in this world, but God changed that through Jesus. Notice that the distinction here is “Gentiles in the flesh.” In our natural state, we are not part of Israel. However, spiritually, we will be brought into God’s family just as the Jew must also. The new covenant is spiritual and it includes whosoever will. God truly intends to bring in from “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”
The blood of Jesus brings us “near.” This is not just an little closer, but truly coming into the presence of God. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 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” Hebrews 10:19-22.
All of humanity was estranged from God’s presence. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23. We had no way to approach into God’s presence because of our sin. Now we can come in with “assurance;” confidence that We are accepted in the Beloved. We are not just made aware of this privilege, but rather encouraged to take advantage of it.
Now we find Jesus bringing both together in Himself. The Law that was given to Israel and is what makes them separate from the other nations is now “abolished;” “rendered useless” is the Greek. Why “useless?” Because it could not make us righteous which is what we were missing. So many Christians today miss this, or intentionally ignore it and want to stay under the Law. It is referred to as the “enmity.” Paul tells us in Romans that the only thing the Law could do is to show us our sin. It could never produce righteousness. Only a “new creation;” the life of Jesus Christ can make us righteous.
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:16-22.
Now there is no difference before God. Jew, gentile, all one in Jesus. Paul uses the concept of a building to illustrate what God is doing. A building needs a foundation, which is God’s Word. The Apostles and Prophets are the ones God chose to give us His Word. Jesus is the cornerstone. The foundation requires a cornerstone to set the location and to square it up correctly.
While many men have tried, through the ages, to put their own ideas and philosophies in to building, we can be certain that the real foundation is set and does not change. We are God’s building. He is the builder. We fit where and how He wants. We only look to Jesus for our instruction.
“Always Live Life with the end in view” is a quote I heard but I do not remember where. (I’m not even sure it is a saved person or not!) However, I like it.
In the Bible several crowns are found, like the Victor’s crown, Crown of rejoicing, Crown of righteousness, Crown of life, Crown of glory. In the British Monarchy, there are different crowns for different occasions. Crowns symbolize victory and rulership. Crowns in scripture can speak to us of the different areas in which we have victor in and rule over. We overcome in these areas. I believe they culminate in the “Crown of Gold” seen in Rev. 4:4, “And around about the throne were four and twenty thrones and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment, and they had on their heads. crowns of gold.”
The word “overcome” means to “Conquer.
In Rom. 8:37 we find we can be not only overcomers or conquerors, we can be “more then conquerors.” We can be more than overcomers in all areas of life. The term translated “more than conquerors” combines the common verb “to overcome” with an intensive prefix meaning “beyond, over, above.” The result is an image of victory so complete that the enemy is not merely subdued but rendered powerless to threaten the believer’s standing in Christ. This is not self-generated triumph; it is victory bestowed and sustained by God. Awesome!!!
In the crowns mentioned there was a crown NOT mentioned, by which none of the rest would be containable by us without it. This is the “crown of thorns” that Jesus wore. When Adam rebelled against God and sin entered into this world everything was cursed. Everything that came from the ground, including man, was cursed. When Jesus hung on that cross, He wore a crown of thorns, thorns speak of the curse: the “crown” speaks of victory and rulership, over the curse. No crown would be possible for us to have, without this first crown being worn by Jesus. I want to look at two crowns, keeping in mind the words we started with “”Always live life with the end in view.”
The Victor’s Crown – In I Cor. 9:24-27 the saints are told of a race course. In this world, when one wins a race, the winner is given a corruptible crown that will perish. But they were told of an “incorruptible crown,” that will not perish. The Apostle Paul encouraged these saints and us to finish the race course we are on - “So, run, that ye may obtain.” In other words “give it your all,” at the end of the race the Victor’s incorruptible crown is awaiting the victor. We need this encouragement, because there are things that come against us to keep us from running or to quit before reaching the finish line.
We are living in the closing days of this age, the finish line is in sight. We know the times and seasons we are living in. Satan would always have us looking back at what might have been or how good things were in the past. This is what the children of Israel did when they were brought out of Egypt. The promised Land was in front of them and they kept looking backwards. That first generation never reached the finish line. Never enjoyed, in a manner of speaking “the victor’s crown.” We don’t want to look backwards, Saints. Not at the good times or even our failures. Satan would always have us look at our failures. Another tactic Satan would use against runners are the cares or pleasures of this world. Paul in addressing the Thessalonian overcoming saints, to not be sleeping or drunken. Satan would like to press in on us the pleasures or cares, even health problems.
There are so many pressures facing us today that one would be tempted just to give up and quit. But we keep our eyes focused on the end of the race. We “live our life here with the end in view.” Words of encouragement are given us in II Cor, 4:17-18, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. What we go through, will end. What is awaiting us will not end. We want the Victors Crown. Go forward, the end is in sight. Paul sums it up “…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” – Phil. 3:13-14.
The next crown I want us to look at is the Crown of Righteousness. This is the crown that awaited Paul at the end of his race. II Tim. 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
In Gen. 15:6, “And he (Abram) believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” I did not understand what that meant at first till I heard someone else say that the word “righteousness” has the thought of being “right with God.” Every time we believe God, we take a step with Him and are counted “right with God.” Paul’s “Crown of righteousness” at the ending of his race is the crown of being “right with God.” The day that we are saved we ARE righteous. We have a perfect standing in Christ Jesus. But every time we believe in the Lord and take a step with Him, He calls us righteous. We are “right with God.”
We focus our eyes with the end of the race, laying hold of the abundan of grace given us in Christ Jesus to take each step forward. At the end, we can, like Paul, say a “Crown of righteousness” awaits us. Just one more thing, is it wrong to look at the crown? NO, absolutely not. Rebecca was first shown the wealth of Isaac then she was shown Isaac. By the end of her journey, she had eyes only for Isaac – the wealth just happened to be associated with Isaac. The same with us – By the time our race is run, it is Jesus we only have eyes for. The crown is just associated with Him. Rev. 4:10-11, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage…For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself…This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:1,13,14,16-18,25
We are admonished twice here to, “Walk in the Spirit.” The flesh and the Spirit are seen in sharp conflict. The flesh can only produce work, but the Spirit produces fruit. In Hebrews 9:14, the Apostle Paul describes the works of the flesh under the law as “dead works.” In Ephesians 5:11, he speaks of “the unfruitful works of darkness.” Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6
Adam and Eve “heard the Voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” Even though they had made themselves fig leaf aprons, they still tried to hide themselves among the trees of the garden. Their works were insufficient. Self-effort does not afford even a satisfactory partial covering before God. Now, before the fall, Adam walked and talked with God; but being of the earth, earthy, He could never do so on the plane that we may today. To “walk” speaks of conduct, or behavior, and points to progress or growth. It includes the proper person, the right realm, propelling power, and permeating purpose. Consider that.
First, we must let God do the walking in us. God is Spirit, so our only capacity to go with God is completely outside the realm of the flesh. “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” - II Cor. 6:16. This teaches us of submission on our course of life, a yielded walk. We are to let Him determine our altitude and attitude in each step. We will then walk in His fellowship, in His light, with no darkness and no stumbling. Now as a child has trouble keeping pace with his father, it seems it is also easy for a youngster in Christ to get out of step with God. This is the way God has provided that we overcome the lust of the flesh. It is Scripturally evident that a walk with God can become so supernaturally natural, that all other conduct is very unnatural. For us to live after the flesh is to act like a fish out of water.
“If we live in the Spirit:” all believers were baptized at Pentecost into one Body, in the Spirit. To illustrate this, think of a large container of water. Let it represent the realm of the Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are placed in the realm of the Spirit. This does not say that we are filled with the Spirit. Rather, it is like bottles being thrown in the container of water – the bottles are in the water, but the water is not in the bottles. Sink one bottle and it is filled, while the other is floating. In God’s purpose we all need to be filled, flooded to overflowing, and submerged into the very depths of God’s Holy Spirit. We think it would be foolish for a fish to jump out, and try to operate on dry land. This is not his natural habitat in which to conduct business. We, in the realm of the Spirit, must settle down and become at home there. We should never try to conduct any part of our lives outside the realm of the Spirit. Such conduct is very unnatural and spiritually harmful. Many believers try to bring the flesh into the realm of the Spirit, and they utterly fail when they do. When the Spirit is flooding our being, we have the power within that conducts a behavior in harmony with our Spiritual Father, as we yield.
A Spiritual Walk is walking by faith. When we walk by faith we take steps like Abraham. Rom. 4:12. Abraham started his trip with God not seeing the end of his journey nor even the steps in between. The flesh attempts to go by sight, but “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1. A Spiritual Walk of faith is pleasing to God for it is based on God’s Word. It is in harmony with God’s will, and eagerly looks forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Galatians 5:18 speaks of placing ourselves under the law, where we would try to operate in the realm of the flesh. This binds us from enjoying our God-given liberty, and carrying out our God-given delight of doing what God would, instead of what our flesh would. Does the law curb sin by showing it up? The “strength of sin is the law” – I Cor. 15:56. The Law stirs and strengthens our flesh to sin.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” – Rom. 6:14. This indicates that sin does exercise its dominion in lives under legal bondage. But, thank God, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” – Rom. 8:2. We are not debtors to the flesh, the old self life. We owe the old man nothing, no allegiance. He has no legal right to demand any loyalty. He is dead! We may understand from Romans 7:4-6 that Jesus died in the place of the old man, the old Adamic head, which was under the penalty of our sin. Jesus also arose as the rightful Head of a New Creation; hence, He has the right to full dominion of our lives. As we yield to Him that dominion, we walk by the Spirit, and are led by the Spirit.
A Spiritual Walk is being led by the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4, “God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” that the righteousness which the law demands be supernaturally fulfilled in us as we walk in the controlling influence of the Holy Spirit. We are energized by the Holy Spirit, as we yield to His guidance and control. We do well to be most receptive to His impressions, and responsive to His impulses. I am sure that He graciously checks us when we are about to take a step outside the will of God for us. I am also sure that the signal gradually weakens, as it is ignored. That still small Voice also urges us on in taking the right steps.
John 16:13 tells us, the Spirit of Truth was sent to guide us into all truth. Now this expresses far more than theory, theology, or the letter of Truth. This is to be enjoyed as heart reality. Truth is to be relevant to our present day living.
“The flesh lusteth against the Spirit.” Yielding to the flesh, we carry out a conduct that is very binding and hindering to spiritual behavior and progress. Oh, praise God, we have been liberated from legal bondage, and brought into the realm where love is the motivating force.
A Spiritaul Walk is walking in love – Gal. 5:13,14. “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 savour” - Eph. 5:1-2. “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” – Eph. 4:1-3.
The law of love supersedes and super-abounds the law of “carnal commandment.” This law raises us above the harsh condemnation, and brings us into close communion. In the law of love, there is the force of magnetism. While under the law of commandment, there is the force of depression. The Holy Spirit reproduces Divine love, shedding abroad the love of God in our hearts. While He makes us deeply aware of how dearly we are loved, He moves us to a conduct of love. He deepens the desire to have our lives run in channels of love. True love realized in experience constrains us from conduct in the flesh that would hurt, hinder, or harm our neighbor, family, or our precious Lord.
“For the Kingdom is the Lord’s. And He rules over the nations.” Psalm 22:28
“The Lord has prepared His throne in the heavens; and His Kingdom (sovereignty) ruleth over all.” Psalm 103:19
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” Psalm 56:3
“It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord…”
Psalm 92:1
“Rejoice (be glad) evermore.”
“Pray without ceasing.”
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
I Thessalonians 5:16,17,18
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians. 15:58
Martha Wainright
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephpesians 3:19
I have meditated much on this phrase, ‘being filled with all the fulness of God.’ It is what Paul prays for believers. It is entirely overwhelming to me. When one considers the idea that God’s fulness can fill us, we must first consider what God’s fulness entails.
Consider what God says about Himself in the Old Testament. “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:24. While this certainly refers to God’s presence being everywhere, it reminds us of the greatness of God in being able to fill everything, heaven and earth.
Paul tells us something about Jesus in Colossians 2:9, “For in him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” God has always intended that everything be brought together in Jesus, and Paul reminds us that it includes the fullness of the Godhead, that is the entire essence of the Godhead.
Jesus made it possible for us, who had fallen short of the glory of God, to be partakers of that divine life. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4
So we find that we who have trusted in Jesus have the Life of Jesus in us, Colossians 1:27. Now, consider that God places in us the Life of Christ who is the fullness of the Godhead, and we are just moving through life like we don’t know if we can be what God wants us to be. It has never been about our ability. It has always been about the Life of Christ, and what He will do in us.
Too many of God’s children are trying to get the performance right, and trying to make themselves presentable to God, when He has already made us presentable (Ephesians 1:6) and wants to fill us with Himself. Paul is praying for the saints (and that includes us) that we would be filled with the fullness of God. Not just a little bit, but all the fullness of God.
Let’s consider the relationship between Jesus and His church. Paul uses the concept of a body to express the relationship. “Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:23. The church (all believers) make up the body (the fulness) of Christ who fills everything. This is hard to understand with our little minds, but it is a spiritual work that God has accomplished; that God could use us to become the fullness of the One that fills all. Boggles the mind.
I am reminded of a fruit tree. It can only put forth fruit when there is sap flowing up the tree. The tree must be “full” so that it can produce the fruit. In John 15, Jesus reminds us that we must abide in Him, and He abides in us, and that is the only way we are able to bear fruit. The question might then be; how do we abide in Jesus?
Abiding in Jesus is having constant communion with Him. Constantly communicating with Him. We do this through prayer and study of the Scripture. Do you know what Jesus said? You should, because it is written for us in the gospels. Read, study, meditate. Be careful about getting your understanding of Jesus and His words from people on the internet. We can certainly hear what others have to say, but we must also read to see if those line up correctly with what Scripture says.
We need to have a true desire to be filled with the fullness of God. “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:9. The Psalmist understood that God is desiring to fill those that want Him. Our nature is to be filled with ourselves. Just let me be what I want to be, and do what I want to do. But God has something far better for those that desire. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6.
Being filled with God means that every aspect of our lives is under His control. We are certainly willing to give God control of certain parts of our lives, but often want to keep control over others. We are convinced that we know how to fix ourselves to be what God wants us to be. However, this will always lead to failure.
Why are we so intent on keeping God from doing something in our lives that will be glorious for eternity, and bring glory to Him for eternity? It is because we have an enemy that is intent on keeping us from God’s best. Satan does not want you to be filled with the fullness of God.
In Scripture, we are encouraged to be content with such as we have. However, I don’t want us to confuse contentment with complacency. They are not the same. Complacency is what keeps us from desiring more of God. I don’t care how far you have come with the Lord, there is still more. He always has more for us. All He needs from us is a willing vessel. He will fill us to overflowing.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
In this verse, Paul lists eight things which believers are to think upon. Eight is the number of the new creation. Jesus was raised on the eighth day. These things are all attributes of Christ and the new creation life of Christ in us. They are all also characteristic of the Word of God.
Too often we set our minds upon the things of the world which we see and hear in the news, things that tend to bring fear and anxiety and cause us to fret and worry. Paul is hereby admonishing us to shun those things and to refuse to allow them to overwhelm us. Instead, we are to meditate upon Christ and the written Word.
The first thing which he lists is “whatsoever things are true.” The Greek word for “true” is “alethes,” meaning “a true one who cannot lie” or “a true thing that is not a lie.” This of course speaks of Jesus, who proclaimed in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” We also read regarding Jesus, in John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
And in v. 17 John states, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” Then Jesus declares Himself to be the “true bread from heaven” in John 6:32 and the “true vine” in John 15:1. Not only is Jesus Himself true, but so is the Word of God, as David proclaims in Ps. 119:160: “Thy word is true from the beginning…”
In John 18:38, when Jesus was brought before Pilate to be judged, Pilate asked Him, “What is truth”? Many people today are still pondering the same question. So how can we really know what is true and what is not? Jesus answered the question for us in John 16:13 when He told His disciples, “Howbeit when He the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth…”
The Spirit of Truth is the Holy Spirit who was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, and He is available to all who will receive Him. Today we live in a world that is filled with the lies of Satan. These lies are emanating from our newscasts, social media, political leaders, and, sadly, even being preached from some pulpits by false teachers. We need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to guide us and to give us discernment regarding what is truth so that we will not be led astray. We must also study the Word of God. If something is contrary to God’s Word, then it is not the truth. Therefore, let us follow the instruction of the apostle Paul and fix our minds upon the truth of the Word and upon Christ Himself.
I have been thinking about my life and how I got where I am, and it occurs to me that I should acknowledge all of the privilege I have enjoyed. I know a lot of people think we “earn” what we have. However, when I consider the truth of how I got here, I can only conclude that I was truly privileged.
First privilege. I was privileged to be born into a Christian family that considered it important to ensure I learned about Jesus. I don’t want to make it seem like being born into a non-believing family is terrible or will keep a person from knowing Jesus, but being taught as a child about Jesus is a privilege.
Second privilege. Living for ten years in Paraguay as a son of missionaries. Seeing people in deep poverty that loved the Lord and people who were extremely hospitable. A real lesson in understanding contentment, gratitude and trusting God for His provision.
Third privilege. Going to college. God allowed me to get a college education in engineering. It is certainly possible to do well without a college education, but for me, it was critical to where God would take me later.
Fourth privilege. God provided a great job in Wichita, Kansas which allowed me to sit under the ministry of Jack and Earlene Davis. Throughout 37 years at this job, God kept me from several layoffs. I was moved to different projects seemingly just in time to be protected from a layoff that should have left me jobless. I was never responsible for choosing those movements in my career. I consider that a great privilege that God would see fit to allow me to stay in that job for that long.
Fifth privilege. As mentioned above, I was privileged to sit under the ministry of Jack and Earlene Davis for all of these years. That was preparation for what God would call me to do now; pastor the church in Wichita.
Sixth privilege. A wonderful and beautiful wife. I was pretty well resigned to probably being single for the rest of my life after college. Without getting into all the details, God brought me a wonderful woman to be my wife. We met at a fellowship meeting in Kansas City, and it quickly became clear to me that Cathy was exactly what I needed.
All of these are the result of God’s grace in my life. I can think of quite a few others, but I want to just list the most important privilege that everyone can enjoy if they simply put their trust in Jesus Christ.
This is the greatest privilege. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1John 3:1-2. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 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.” Hebrews 10:19-22.
The morning of October 15th, I woke up with a headache. It was no different than any other headache. It was however, making me feel very nauseous. I asked Dad (Gordon Crook), to come watch Evie while I tried to nap to get rid of the headache. Before I laid down, I popped my neck. It didn’t feel any different from any other time I had done it. I laid down and went to sleep. An hour later, something woke me up, telling me to turn. My left arm wouldn’t move. I thought it was asleep. When I didn’t feel the tingling, I knew something was wrong. I went to tell Dad and as I explained what I was feeling, I could feel my face start to droop. This was a stroke. I knew immediately. It was as if The Lord had put the feeling in my gut that I needed to go to the emergency room. After being seen, the doctors told me I had torn my carotid artery which caused a blood clot on the right side of my brain. Thankfully they were able to get the medication in me to break up the clot. I was able to regain feeling and movement in my face and my leg. My arm however, wasn’t so fortunate. They put me in rehab to help regain movement.
I was at Wesley rehab center for exactly 2 weeks. There were times I was so discouraged, but even through the hard moments, I felt the Lord there. By the Grace of God, I was able to walk out of there almost completely back to normal. They wanted me to do continuing care, but I knew that God had me, and I had full movement about a week later! I left that recovery center with a new outlook on life and how precious it is and with more new friends than I can count. I still go back to visit the occupational therapists and physical therapists that helped me. One even wrote a school paper about me! I’ve also felt called to go back to visit other patients there to encourage and pray for them. I try to visit at least once or twice a month. Please keep those that are there in your prayers.
In the December 2025 Glorious Gospel is a testimony from Gordon Crook with his view of this incident.
A leper came unto the Lord -
his need for all to see.
His body wracked with pain,
longing to be free.
A leper came unto the Lord -
crying out with grief.
Begging for deliverance,
and longing for relief.
A leper came unto the Lord -
and fell upon his face.
His heart with faith believing,
in God’s abundant grace.
A leper came unto the Lord -
and worshiped at His feet.
His heart cried out for mercy,
his attitude ... so sweet.
Jesus saw the leper’s need -
felt his pain and grief.
His heart moved with compassion,
to give him sweet relief.
Jesus saw the leper’s need -
and spoke the Word to heal.
His Hand reached out and touched,
to prove that it was real.
A sinner came unto the Lord -
a leper in God’s eyes.
And like that leper long ago,
his heart for mercy cries.
A sinner came unto the Lord -
and knelt before God’s Son.
Seeing only his great need,
and all that Christ had done.
A sinner came unto the Lord -
and fell upon his face.
His heart with faith believing,
in God’s abundant grace.
Jesus saw the sinner’s need -
heard his cry of grief.
Lifted off that heavy load,
and gave him sweet relief.
Jesus touched that sinner’s life -
for all the world to see.
For once he came to Him,
forever he was free.
Debbie Isenbletter
Springfield, Missouri