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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.