SHARING TESTIMONIES

Earlene Davis

I experienced sever sharp pain in my chest area that came on me suddenly. I didn’t know what it was or what caused it and thinking it was my heart, but it was not on the left side. It was not constant, but happened every time I moved my arms. At my age I thought it would go away in time, but it became worse in the following days. I was prayed for by my pastor and I did not get an instant healing, but it seemed to be getting better the next couple of days. But then it came back stronger. I called by doctors office and received no help at all and they always say call us first. Well, that proved not to be the thing to do. I was prayed for again by the Assembly and the Lord took the pain all away right away. Praise the Lord! I give Him all the glory.

I also want to share an interesting letter from a woman in Missouri that told me what she did with her past issues of the Glorious Gospel magazine. She sent them to a group that sends Bibles and other reading matter out to others. I appreciate her telling me about that.

 If the Lord has blessed you in supplying your needs in any way, pray about writing it down and sending it to share and encourage others by your testimony in the magazine. 

 Romans 8

Continued (Vs. 29-39)

Earlene Davis

V. 29 – As believers we can boast in our family tree, God is our Father and the Son of God is our Brother. It all started in eternity past when God chose a new Creation – Eph. 1:4-5. He predetermined that one day we would be like His Son. Predestination applies only to saved people. No where are we taught that God predestines people to be eternally condemned. People are only condemned because they refuse Christ – Jn. 3:18-21.

V. 30 – To those that responded to His call He justified and He also glorified them – II Thes. 2:13-14. The believer has already been glorified in Christ. Did not Jesus said in prayer to the Father (Jn. 17:21), “the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” The revelation of this glory awaits the coming of the Lord. This is marvelous, in God’s foreknowledge the elect, a new creation in Christ were identified in eternity past. He purposed their justification and to be glorified in His Son.  Christ is the head of this New Creation making Him the firstborn among many brethren. Just think, before there were none of us living. God’s sovereign purposes for us are in Christ and they have been fulfilled to Him and are sure to all who believe.

V. 31 – The second question answers the first question. God has put Himself on record in absolute sovereignty in man’s salvation, what can anyone do to hurt us? We read last time V. 28, He is working everything together for our good to fulfill His purposes.

V. 32 – The Father is for us and proved it by giving His Son. If when we were sinners, God gave us His best, now that we are His children, God gives all things to his own. God gave the all things in giving His Son. He was a Gift. II Cor. 9:15, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift.” In Christ are all the blessings of His salvation. The love of God is the basis of it all. What can He withhold from His sons. All things are ours in Christ.

V. 33 – God Himself has cleared all charges, for Christ is their Representative and head. In Christ all were provisionally justified. When we believe and receive Christ, we inter into our provision rights. They have been waiting for us and all the New Creation since Christ arose from the dead. Our Christian experience changes from day to day, but justification never changes. God will never take us to court and accuse us. Jesus has already paid the penalty and we are secure in Him.

V. 34 – Christ was raised again for our justification. So to condemn the believer is to condemn Christ. And now, He is our Advocate and pleads our cause before His Father. The Father beholds His Son’s nail-pierced hands and vindicates us. God is satisfied and puts Himself on record as being on our side. Christ alone has the right to condemn and He also is on our side. We have a dual intercession that keeps us secure in Christ. The Spirit intercedes – Vs. 26-27 – and the Son intercedes. As our High Priest, Christ can give us the grace we need to over-come temptations (Heb. 4:15-16). Also as our Advocate, He can forgive our sins and restore our fellowship with God (I Jn. 1:9). He intercedes for each of us, a ministry that assures us that we are secure.

Vs. 35-36 – The Holy  Spirit is the uniting bond between THE Son and sons. Nothing can break this divine unity. The Trinity of God is involved in man’s salvation. It is not a maybe, but a confident “shall” of assurance. Romans chapter 8 begins with “no condemnation” and ends with “no separation.” Mans plans and way are unstable, vacillating. Even when strong willed, his power is limited. But God’s will is changeless. It is perfect from the beginning and by His almighty power, His purposes will be consummated without failure or delay. Those who love God and are led of the Spirit, enters into His plan that embraces all circumstances. God is for us, and there can be no successful opposition from any thing, or any person. For divine wisdom and foreknowledge are behind all things. God will not fail of His purposes. Tribulation is a fierce opposer, but God uses it to refine us from dross. Distress is allowed to draw us closer to the Lord. Persecution tests our love to God. Famine, nakedness, peril and sword only teach us our need and dependence upon God and that our satisfaction and rest is in Him.

V. 36 – Death is the way to life. Jesus went this way, His life was poured out daily in service to His Father and to others. Lk. 9:24, Jesus said, “Whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, shall save it.” A continuous dying, yet that dying is a continuous victory – a gain not a loss. A life poured out for God finds more abundant life. The trials and temptations are a means in a final perfection. God’s ways are awesome, He allows Satan to buffet us, but God uses those instruments to work blessings. His strength being made perfect in our weakness. As we count or reckon with God, they cause thanksgiving from us for His work of grace in us.

V. 37 – The Diaglott renders this, “we do more than overcome.” Who is this more than conqueror? It is the one who reigns over every circumstance. The one who lets Christ, the true overcomer, rule in their live, abanding self-effort and trusting God.

Vs. 38-39 – Paul was persuaded, confident in God’s faithfulness and in His perfect union with Christ. He declares, not one of these nor all of them together, can come between the believer and the love of God, displayed in His love Gift to us in Christ Jesus. Death will not separate us, for to die is to be with Him. Life cannot separate us, for us to live is Christ. Angels, principalities and powers, celestial or terrestrial cannot separate us, they are all subject to Him who is over all. 

At times we may become perplex and dread the future until we remind ourselves that nothing can move us from our place in Christ, THE CONQUEROR. Nothing above or beneath, nothing at all has power to break the union between the believer and the living God. 

The Holy Spirit has put us into Christ and cemented us there. This is a good persuasion and leads us to peace in our hearts and lives. How could there ever be a question as to the eternal security of the believer. May we be persuaded and believe God’s Word. “That neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 A Special Blessing From The Lord

Earlene Davis

I want to share a blessing from the Lord that I received in the form of an e-mail. I was so blessed and encouraged by it, and I believe you will be also. The e-mail came from a man named Paul who lives in Missouri.

Paul said in the e-mail, “I found a couple of copies of your wonderful magazine at a hospital in Lee’s Summit, MO, and was wondering if it is still being printed. If so, how can I get more copies sent my way? Even back issues. I have July and  August 2024. I would like to hear back from you, as I am a 71 year-old disabled man who is caregiver to a wheelchair-bound wife. Good reading material is very welcome in my home.”

I just praise the Lord for blessing me so, and also to know that someone passed along the magazine in faith by leaving it in that hospital. The Lord saw to it that it landed in the hands of just the right person. Paul is now on our mailing list and I am sending him a few past copies that were still left over at church.

 

Just think, I was blessed and Paul was blessed and also the magazines may have been read by others during all those days it was available. I hope more saints when finished with their monthly copy of Glorious Gospel magazine, pass it on to someone or leave it where it is available to others – instead of throwing it away.

 Romans 8

Continued (Vs. 14-28)

Earlene Davis

V. 14 – Walk in the Spirit[ of God is proof we are born of God, that we are His sons. Walking in the Spirit also speaks of development into full grown sons. God sent His Spirit to teach us His Word and show us the way to have a victorious life in Christ. We learn to follow the Spirits leading. The Holy Spirit tells us all about our Lord – Jn. 16:13-15, “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall  not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come, He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said, I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.” The more He reveals to us, the more we want to know Him that loves us so. And our love for Him deepens more and more. This is how the believer grows out of baby hood or from being carnal and self-willed.

V. 15 – The law only leads into bondage and fear, but the Spirit has brought us into sonship. By God’s grace He has made us His sons by the death of His Son; and it is His Spirit that conducts us into His  presence without constraint. We come unto our heavenly Father, as His sons. V. 16 – Thank God for this witness, its not just a feeling, but is based on the Word of God. V. 17 – As children of God, we have a great inheritance. It is real and worth seeking. Some will get a greater, fuller reward than others. Some will  have joint-heirship with Christ (If we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with Him). Not all believers appreciate their inheritance, nor desire it, because of the sacrifice.

V. 18 – When we get a glimpse of glory, the toils of this life seem nothing. II Cor. 4:17, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (there is no comparison). We look forward to that glorious day. All the glories in store for Christ can be ours, as we follow our guide and overcome the difficulties in the way He leads. The glory shall be revealed IN us. V. 19 – We not only wait for our blessings as sons of God, but for all creation’s deliverance. 

Vs. 20–21 – The whole lower creation of which Adam was made the head, has been in confusion since Adam’s fall. Its unveiling is dependent on the manifestation of the sons of  God. Man’s full redemption will free creation from the bondage of corruption and bring liberty. We have such a meager conception of the marvelous fact that we are the sons of God. We look at each other and we see the veil of the flesh. Just like men did when they looked upon Jesus as he walked among them. They did not see the Lord of glory in that humble guise. We also don’t see the Son of God, the true life as we look on the outward man. All creation is waiting for its true Lord. THE SON, with the sons of God. And all created intelligence in heaven and on earth and under the earth shall bow and marvel at the unveiling of the sons of God. 

 

Vs. 22-23 – All creation groans and moans and sighs. And believers also look forward for deliverance in expectation. Our new man longs for his body of glory, which will have no infirmity. The Lord once gave me a dream of this which I shall never forget. We won’t look old, for He has said, “Behold, I make all things new” – Rev. 21:5. Vs. 24-25 – This statement “we are saved by hope” refers to the body. For we have not come into our redemption rights concerning the body. We are still waiting with patience for that new heavenly body. It is still future. If we already had our glorified bodies as some say, we would not be hoping for them.

We are in a body of limitations and infirmities, and we grown for deliverance and the Spirit like wise groans and prays effectually for the perfect will of God, though there maybe no utterance. We don’t always pray what we should, but the Spirit over-rules and prays and prevails. We get the answer for what we should have asked if we had only known. It is marvelous how God undertakes for us in every way. God searches our hearts and sees the need for which the Spirit is making intercession and God’s will comes to pass. V. 28 – No matter how things appear, the all things are working for our good in answer to the Spirit’s groaning. Yet, this does not apply to every believer. It is true to those that love God and that are called according to His purpose.

Many of God’s people love the world and the flesh more than they love God. So they do not surrender to God nor find their place in His perfect will. The all things are not working for them. Believers that put God first in their lives and yields to Him, do not complain when trials come, for they know and believe Rom. 8:28.

I pet. 4:12-13 , “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as through some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” And V. 19,  “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

To be continued

 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

 What About The Law ?

Earlene Davis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Victory Over Sin

Earlene Davis

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

KNOW

What are we to know? V. 3-5, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” 

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

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

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

RECKON

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

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

YIELD

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 What Is In Your Hand?

Earlene Davis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We read in  Rev. 19:7, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (or the righteous acts of the saints).

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

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

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

 Forty Four Years and Counting

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Earlene Davis – Editor

 CONTINUE

Earlene Davis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 The Headship of Christ

Earlene Davis

I Cor. 12:12, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”

Apostle Paul Uses our natural body to illustrate the body of Christ, the Church. Just as our natural body has many members, hands, feet, etc., yet it is one body. “So also is Christ,” referring to the mystical body of Christ. All believers on Jesus belong to His body, the Church. There are many members, but they are one body. I might add, that the local assemblies are a miniature picture of the whole body.

Vs. 13-14, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” When were we all baptised into one body? It was provisional accomplished on the day of Pentecost - Acts 2. We do not have anything to do with making that unity of it members. For it was made one body by the one baptism of the Holy Spirit. All believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, whether they know it or not. It did not originate with man or a set of men, but we do read of many fillings of the Holy Spirit. 

For all believers have been given the privilege to drink of the One Spirit. Have you taken your privilege? Eph. 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Eph. 4:4-5, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Gal. 3:26-28, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” A new creation in Him – Praise God!

Col. 1:12-13, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” We have redemption through His blood. Vs. 18, “And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the Church…that in all things he might have the preeminence.” There is only one body or Church with One Head, Christ.

Our natural body is an amazing marvel when contemplating its workings. But its many members cannot work independent of the head. Never does one member of the body seek its own thing. Neither does one member become angry with the others. Instead, I think we all have experienced one member in sympathy with an injured other member. “So also is Christ.” May we  honor Christ as our head and no other. God has made this union. 

Man has made divisions. What is the cause? Mainly it is because of not holding Christ as Head of the Church, His body. In Eph. 4:3-4, We are  urged “to keep” the unity of the one body in the bond of peace. We are not admonished to make the unity, but to keep the unity  God has made. Today there are many division. Whenever the Lord works or revives His Church, another sect results which is against the teachings of the Scriptures.  There is but one body regardless of what man does or says.

In Revelation chapters 2 & 3, Jesus’ last words to His Church. He addresses seven local assemblies which typically and prophetically describes the Church Age. Each one beginning with Ephesus who lost her first love for Christ soon after the apostles passed off the scene. Continuing on down to Laodicea where Jesus is on the outside knocking for individuals to invite Him into their hearts. These churches tell the story of the decline of the Church during this Church Age. The rebuke Christ gives in these letters to them, applies to all sects who turn to human authority rather than to the Spirit of God, the teacher of the Church. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” is repeated, ending each letter.

The Church of Jesus Christ is an organism, not an organization. God does not need a manager. Is He not sufficient to manage His own sheep? God always has a faithful remnant and in each of the churches, there are promises of rewards to the overcomers. Smyrna saints are faithful unto death and are given a crown of life. Philadelphia saints have kept Christ’s word and because they have kept the word of His patience, they will be kept from the hour of temptation coming upon all the world. They are admonish to hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown – Rev. 3:12-13 & 22:7, 12-13, 16, 20.

 Three Sentences In Revelation

Earlene Davis

We are going to consider three sentences or phrases recorded in the book of revelation.

#1 – The first phrase is repeated seven times in chapters 2 and 3. That phrase is: “to him that overcometh” – said to the church of Ephesus (2:7); said to Smyrna (2:11); to Pergamos (2:17); said to Thyatira (2:26-29); to Sardis (3:5-6); to Philadelphia (3:12-13); said to the church of Laodicea (3:21-22). These statements are made by our Lord Jesus Christ to the seven church which are a picture of this whole Church Age.

We obviously see that there is a difference in rewards to saints. Overcoming is emphasized by being repeated seven times – “to him that overcometh.” Also each statement is accompanied with this reminder – “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” This tells us that the Holy Spirit is very much  involved in our overcoming. He is not only teacher and guide (Jn. 16:13-15 ), but as we yield to God and take in His Word, His Spirit works that Word in our lives. For He is God’s agent working in us “both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure.”

We see a type of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament in the eldest servant sent by  Abraham to bring a wife to his son Isaac. So God the Father has sent the Holy Spirit to prepare a fit wife for His Son, Jesus Christ. God’s Holy  Spirit is our Comforter as we journey on in this life. All the time He is revealing to our hearts more and more about our heavenly lover. Jesus said in Jn. 14:26, “the Comforter which is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Jesus also said, “in the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” As we yield and let the life of Christ have preeminence in all things – we are enabled to overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit. That we may be able to say as Job did “though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

#2 – Lets move on to the second phrase: Rev. 3:10, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee” from the judgment coming on all the world, the tribulation period. V. 11 – there is patience both with Jesus Christ and with us James 5:7-8. Jesus Christ is waiting the signal from His Father to gather His redeemed people unto Himself. We need to be patient as we endure trials and afflictions waiting in faith for that glorious hour when Jesus Christ Himself calls us up.

May our patience be a robust vigorous confidence in God’s love (not just a pathetic sentiment). We do not see or understand all He is doing in us, but we are learning to trust Him in reckless confidence. God has ventured all in Jesus Christ to save us and He wants us to risk our all in Him. There are spots where that faith has not been worked in us as yet. 

There were none of those spots in Jesus Christ’s life and the Holy Spirit is working and developing His life in us. There will be a rib portion that will be a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish – Eph. 5:27, A chaste virgin to Christ – II Cor. 11:2. May we view this life as a glorious opportunity for this marvelous transformation to take place in us.

# 3 – The third phrase is Rev. 4:1, “Come up hither, I and I will show thee things…”. God is continually saying, “Friend go up higher.” Satan uses the strategy of elevation in temptation which appeals to the flesh. But God elevates you by His grace into the heavenly places. Instead of finding a pinnacle to cling to, we find a great tableland where it is easy to move, yet God would have us to keep moving higher. 

God desires us to grow in grace and not to measure by the fact that you have not gone back, but have heard God say, “Come up higher.” He will show you things that will enhance your faith and hope and most of all your love. II Pet. 3:18, “…grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever Amen! 

To him that overecometh…because thou hast kept the word of my patience…I will keep thee from…

COME UP HIGHER.

 Feast of Dedication

(Hanukkah)

Earlene Davis

“And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.”  John 10:22-23

I believe this is the only time we find this feast mentioned in the Bible. It is Hanukkah, which many Jews celebrate in this year, beginning on the evening of Dec. 25 to the evening of Jan. 2. Hanukkah means “dedication.” This feast commemorates an event that occurred during the period between the Old Testament and the New Testament (about 165 BC). 

A Syrian King named Antiochus invaded Israel and demanded the Jews to abandon the worship of their God. He forced “Hellenization,” of Greek customs and religion on the Jews. To make sure that the Jews could not worship their God, he defiled the Temple in Jerusalem. He placed Greek idols in the Temple and sacrificed a sow on the altar. Antiochus took the title “Epiphanes” which means, “god manifested” and demanded to be worshiped. 

God had promised Abraham many, many years before that He would preserve and sustain his descendants forever (Gen. 13:15; 17:7,8,13,19). God said to Abraham, “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:3), Christ would be born of his descendants. 

God raised up a family of heroes, the Maccabees (their name means “hammer”). They led a small band in revolt against Antiochus and his mighty army and drove the Syrians out of Israel. The high point of that victory was rededicating the Temple in Jerusalem. This is why the holiday is called Hanukkah (dedication). 

There is a legend, that they needed consecrated oil to rekindle the sacred candelabra. They only found enough oil for one day and it would take eight full days to make enough oil for Temple use. Tradition says that a great miracle happened, called the “miracle of the oil.” The oil for one day continued to burn for eight whole days, enough time to make and sanctity new oil. That is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights and why the Hanukkah menorah is lit for eight nights.

In any case Israel’s victory over Antiochus and his mighty army showed forth a great miracle of God’s preserving power. God would not allow Satan to use Antiochus to destroy Israel because of His promise to Abraham. If Satan could have destroyed the Jews, he would make God a liar and the promise to Abraham (Christ) could not be born of Abraham’s seed. 

The Jews were well aware of the event that occasioned the Feast of Dedication when they approached Jesus on Solomon’s porch. They reasoned that if He was the Messiah, He had power to preserve them from the tyranny of the Romans, as God had preserved them from Antiochus (V. 24). Jesus answered them with a rebuke – “I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me” (V. 25). Jesus boldly asserted His Messiahship. The works that I do in My Father’s name bear witness of Me. They were His credentials from the Father. He had divine power to preserve and sustain His people, but not in the way they hoped or expected. “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you” (V. 26). They had the witness of His words and His works and they believed not. By refusing to acknowledge His words or works, they were rejecting Him and His Father.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall may man pluck them out of my hand” (Vs. 27-28). Those who believe on Him  have a new nature and are called SHEEP. He plainly declares that His sheep SHALL NEVER PERISH. His power to preserve was eternal and spiritual. It was based on faith in Him as the Anointed One of God. The salvation He offered was not from Roman oppression, but from the oppression of Satan, sin and death. The dedication of the Temple was a reminder of God’s power to keep His promises and preserve His people. But One greater than the Temple stood on Solomon’s porch that day.  

“My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one” (Vs. 29-30). Jesus strongly affirms the absolute security of His people Oh, what words of assurance and comfort these are. THEY ARE MINE, He declares, “My sheep.” The Father gave them to Me. He is greater than all, no one is able to pluck them out of the Father’s hand. Then he declares His oneness with the Father, “I and the Father are One.”

It was fresh in their minds because of Hanukkah, how they had rightly reject the false claims of Antiochus. They asked Jesus for a plain statement of His identity and when He told them He was the true One, what is their reaction? Unbelief. They could not deny His power nor His goodness, but the fact that an apparent ordinary Man should claim to be the Son of God, was too much for them to believe. They “took up stones again to stone him” ( V. 31). But they could not carry out their evil purpose, for it was not yet His time. 

They rejected their Messiah and missed an even greater miracle than Israel’s against-all-odds victory over the overwhelming Syrian army. What they missed was greater than if Jesus had saved them from the Roman government. They missed the miracle of Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus has the power to preserve those who come to Him, Heb. 7:25.

God keeps His promises – Isa. 7:14; 9:6. Jesus fulfilled these promises. In Him God has proven His faithfulness to Israel and to all the world. He will save and keep all those who call upon His name through faith in Jesus. He has made each believer to be His own Temple, where Emmanuel, God with us has taken up residence. May we dedicate ourselves anew to live for Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 Ten Good Things

Earlene Davis

I remember not liking a certain food when I was a child and I did not want to eat it. My mother would say, but it is good for you. Well God tells us of some things in His Word that are good for us. We will read a few admonitions He gives us that encourage spiritual growth as we go along on the path of life.

Psalm 73:28, “… it is good for me to draw near to God…” The word “draw” use here is not one single act, but a drawing on and on as we walk on earth. Then the Psalmist gives testimony, “I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.” Ones translation says, “and I keep on declaring all His mighty works.” The results of trusting God is being able to tell what wonderful things the Lord has done. We may not all be preachers or teachers, but we all have the privilege of testifying of His goodness. James 4:8 gives promise – “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” Praise the Lord!

Psalm 92:1-5, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing His praises.” This joyful occupation is good for me, it raises my spirits and causes me to triumph in the Lord, in His loving kindness. It also effects those around us to render thanks and praise to God. We thank men when they show us a kindness, how much more we should bless the Lord for all He has done for us. Verse 2 says, “show forth,” give testimony of His loving kindness in the morning and His faithfulness every night. We learn of His goodness in all circumstances, even in the dark night time experiences. Phil. 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice.”

Psalm 119:71, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” God allows afflictions to come to us for our Profit. He makes them work good for us. We learn  Christ better in those times and we are being made more like Him. II Cor. 4:16-17 -”For which cause we faint not, though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

Psalm 133:1, “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” There is real benefit for the saints, for if there is no unity, there is contention. Verse 3 says that therein the Lord commanded a blessing. Praise God! Heb. 12:15 – tells us, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any  toot of bitterness springing up trouble you and there-by many be defiled.”

Psalm 147:1, “…for it is good to sing praises unto our God…” When it comes from the heart – it is beautiful to His ears. Our Creator gave us that ability to sing, just as He gave the birds notes to praise Him. Eph. 5:18-20 -”…be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord. Verse 20 – “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Proverbs 15:23, “How good it is for a wise word to be spoken in due season.” Prov. 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Wise words are, the Word of God. May we feed on His Word and He will reward us with wisdom by His Holy Spirit to speak it at the right time. 

Lamentations 3:26, “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly (or patiently) wait for the salvation of the Lord.” Read Vs. 24-25. We have a blessed hope of the coming of the Lord – Titus 2:13. And we are admonished in James 5:7-8 – Be patient therefore brethren unto the coming of the Lord.”

I Timothy 2:3, “It is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” Vs. 1-4 tells us what is pleasing in God’s sight, it is prayer and thanksgiving for all men, even those in authority that you may not like. For He would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Titus 3:8, “…be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” This is a faithful saying and Paul says, affirm constantly meaning teach the believers and remind them. It is not only good for us, but profitable. II Pet. 1:8, “for if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful…” speaking of this life. And there is reword in the future. Rev. 2:10 – “be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.”

Hebrews 13:9, “For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace…” It is so important to be established, so we are not taken in by false teachings and they abound on every side. We must test everything by the Word of God. – know it, study it, lay hold of it, and yield to it, thus letting it be worked in our life by the Holy Spirit.

 All Things Working Together

Earlene Davis

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

We love this verse. It is a wonderful comforting promise for the afflicted. May we lay hold of this truth. Yes, we do know this, but we all have to be reminded, again and again that God is causing the things that come our way to work for our good. We  see God’s hand working good for us when we are enjoying His blessings; but often we don’t see God in the troubles and hurts we experience. 

Of course we don’t want to suffer or be hurt in any manner. One of the reasons we fail to see God’s hand in our trials, is because they often come through human instruments. Our focus then is not of faith, because our focus is on somebody’s failure or carelessness or ignorance. We think, why did God allow this to happen to me? We know God is not the author of such things, but He does allow these things, to test our faith. We can’t become an overcomer if we don’t have things to overcome.

I am reminded of that man of the family of Saul that cursed David and threw stones at him and his servants and all the people with him (II Sam. 16). One of David’s men wanted permission from David to take off this man’s head. David said, let him course because the Lord has bidden him to do so. It may be the Lord will look on mine affliction and requite me good for his cursing this day. David and all the people became weary, but they refreshed themselves. We also get weary in our trials, and we need to refresh ourselves in the Lord, seeking His comfort. 

We know God is over everything. He knows what He is doing and it is for our ultimate good. David in his submission trusted God. We also can say, “Thy will be done Lord.” There is a comfort, even sweetness while we are wounded, when we trust God in troubling times. If we only see our trials as inflicted by men, we become bitter. We don’t want to give Satan any credit, but receive everything as from the Lord. I was blessed to learn an important lesson from my Grandmother, for she saw God in Everything. 

I Peter 4:12-19, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings…Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” Everything that comes to God’s children, comes from the Father’s hand; no matter who may have been the apparent agent.

Jesus said in Mt. 10:29-31, Our Father knows when one sparrow falls to the ground…fear not for you are of more value than many sparrows. And in Phil. 4:6 we are admonished not to be anxious about anything, but bring it to God in prayer, accompanied with thanksgiving. How can we do that? I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Also consider Rom. 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves … Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” May we just let the Lord handle the situation. We don’t even have to defend ourselves.

Heb. 13:5, “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Rom. 8:31-39, “…What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? …He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Lord says in Isa. 43:2, When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee…” He was with Joseph when he was sold as a slave. He was with Daniel in the lions den. He was with the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace. He was with Paul and Silas when they were cast in prison. 

We read in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” He knows our hurts, all things are under His control. Nothing can touch us except He allows it and then He is working it all together for our good. Even when God corrects us for yielding to the flesh. He corrects us because He loves us (Heb. 12:6). 

God knows what is best for us. He allowed the sin of Joseph’s brothers to work good for him. Even the sins of others, God will work for our good.

II Cor. 4:17, “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.”

So when the unpleasant comes our way, may we have faith to accept it as from the lord. When we can thank Him for it as His will, then we have overcome and God is glorified. His will is sweet whether in joy or sorrow. We can have rest and joy in our spirit. Our Shepherd leads us to green pastures and refreshing waters.

II Cor. 2:14, “…thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…”

 Paul’s Faithful Sayings

Earlene Davis

There are four of these Faithful Sayings and we may trace a connection between them. The first one is I Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” What a golden precious saying, like a lamp of a lighthouse. It’s comforting ray of light has guided millions to the port of peace in this dark world. It is “worthy of all acceptation,” as true and valid. Jesus Christ coming into the world to save sinners is the very foundation of our salvation. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Oh the grace of God, providing the great Redeemer.

The next faithful saying is found in I Timothy 4:8-9, “For bodily exercise profiteth little (or for a little time): but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.” This saying declares a double blessing we obtain through salvation. A blessing for time and of eternity.

The third faithful saying is II Timothy 2:11-12, “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” What a precious promise, “if we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with Him.” We believe it and lay a hold of this faithful promise from God.

The last saying, Titus 3:8, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Maintain good works, be active in service to Him. It is not only good, but profitable for us and for others.

So in these four faithful saying, we have the root of our salvation, by God’s grace extended to us by Jesus coming to save us. Next the privilege of that salvation which is ours now and in that which is to come. Then as the people of God we are ordained to suffer with Christ with the promise, we shall also reign with Him. Our course of active service is to maintain good works, works of faith not works of the flesh. The believer is compensated in suffering and service for Christ with the fruit of the Spirit by the God of all grace. May we treasure these faithful saying and let them be a guide, comfort and instruction. Our Apostle Paul proved them to be faithful and they are faithful still, “worthy of all acceptation.” We may accept them and prove their faithfulness for ourselves.

My attention is especially drawn to the faithful saying about suffering with Christ (II Tim. 2:11-12). All who have received Jesus are counted as dead in Christ death, and raised and live in newness of life, because He lives. We live in union with Him. By the Spirit of God we are counted to have died with Christ to sin, to self-righteousness, to the world, the flesh and the power of darkness, to live with Jesus. His life becomes our life, as He was, so are we in this world. May we be rooted and grounded in this truth, our union with Christ Jesus. Suffering with Jesus has its reward just as denying Him has it penalty.

To suffer is the common lot of all men. Man comes into this world through suffering and the sentence of death on his life (Job 5:7 & 14:1). Jesus said in Jn. 3:3, “Except Man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” To suffer is not peculiar to the Christian, neither dose it necessarily bring a reward. We must suffer with Christ in order to reign with Him. A man can be in Christ, but it does not follow that all his suffering are with Christ. They can be brought on by passion taking the place of judgment, letting self-will reign or as the result of sin. Then what thanks have we? Cry out to God and confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I Jn. 1:9).

Paul ambition and prayer was to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death: if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection  out from the believing dead (Phil. 3:10-11). Paul sought a personal experience with His Lord, “that I may know Him.” We can know about Jesus, but like Paul, we want to know Him, Himself. To have  dealings with Jesus that bring us into enjoyable fellowship with Him. To know first hand His heart of love, His pity and compassion, to experience His deep personal love (for me). To think His thoughts, feel as He feels, love as He loves, to be moved by His very life.

“That I may know the power of His resurrection;” God raised Him up “according to the working of His mighty  power (Eph. 1:19-20). To know the dynamite of Christ resurrection to the uttermost. Paul experienced something of that power (II Cor. 1:8-10). By yielding to God who raises the dead and seeking His glory. Paul was continually tested, yet his life was one of repeated deliverances. His life was poured out, he died daily. He experienced resurrection power, divine enabling to fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ for His body’s sake” (Col. 1:24). Are We running the race with Paul? Then we as Paul live perpetually by the risen life of Christ. Moving in God’s will, pursuing the Prize, living a life we could not live apart from supernatural enabling (Rom. 8:11).

“And the fellowship of His suffering;” Paul suffered similar trials as the Lord did – persecution from the world, even from his own people, which wrung his heart. Through these things he had fellowship with Christ in His sufferings. Today few are absolutely out and out for God and standing for the truth and His perfect will. We read, He that is spiritual discerneth all things.” We discern that “the wife of the Lamb” will be like Him, so we discern the racer must be also to win the Prize (Christ).

“Being made conformable unto His death;” Jesus died to everything and everybody, being in jeopardy every hour, even as Paul said of himself. If not for divine intervention he would have been slain many times. Jesus experienced more inward pain and sorrow during His life here, but He was sustained by the Father. If we walk in the Spirit we will need to know and experience Christ resurrection life and power. The lack of active faith, the indifference, the falling away from the truth pains us. But we are being made conformed to the death of Christ and coming to know the dynamite power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. Thus we are being fitted to reign with Christ (Phil. 1:6). We are confident of this very thing!

 Walk With The Lord

Earlene Davis

“… let us walk in the light of the LORD.” Isaiah 2:5

Enoch is a wonderful example of walking with God. He was no super being. He was an ordinary man who made a choice and he choose to walk with God. We all have a choice to either walk with God or go our own way, which is the way of the flesh. Enoch choose the high road.

Gen. 5:21-23, “… And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years.” He lived 365 years and of those years (300) he walked with God. He was a family man that had sons and daughters.

V. 24, “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” What a marvelous testimony, and God translated him. For 300 years Enoch enjoyed fellowship with God as he walked in this life. His name means “dedicated” and he certainly was a consecrated man. He represents the full overcomers of this end time. He walked and talked with the Lord, and went to heaven without dying, translated. We have that hope of translation.

Enoch is mentioned in Lk. 3:37 in the genealogy of Christ. He was the 7th generation from Adam. He is also in the roll call of the heroes of faith. Heb. 11:5, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Enoch had faith for translation. He believed he should not see death and God honored his faith. He had the testimony that he pleased God. We all should desire such a testimony. How can we please God?

Heb. 11:6, “… 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.” May we seek God as Enoch sought Him. When we seek Him, we are talking to Him. God desires our communication, it pleases Him. “He that cometh to God,” Enoch sought God, he trusted God, he pleased God. He not only talked to God but also listened, for we read in the book of Jude that he prophesied – Jude vs. 14-16. In other words he spoke to others for God. God gave him a message to speak, (Words from God to the people).

Think of it, to walk with God is a high privilege and this privilege is ours. But only a few seize upon the opportunity. Those few esteem such privilege worthy of their time and attention in their lives and seek Him for Himself. Most follow from afar and seek Him only in times of great need. But some want to know Him intimately. He has made Himself readily available to those who hunger and thirst for Him.

Apostle Paul in Philippians told of his desire, “that I may know Him,” I follow after, reaching forth, I press toward the mark for the Prize of the high calling. I count all things lost to win Christ. Oh, may we seek Him for Himself. Ps. 84:2, “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.” Oh, may we seek Him for Himself, to know Him, to win Him. Ps. 84:11, He is our “sun,” our light (delivering us from the power of darkness to life everlasting); and “shield,” our protector. Who can separate, who can pluck us out, who can penetrate, when our life is hid with Christ in God? Col. 3:3. “The Lord will give grace and glory.” He Himself is the rewarder. He has given grace and He wants us to share His glory (I Pet. 1:10-11". The Lord would have us to behold it here and now by faith - II Cor. 3:18.

In Ps. 84:11, “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” There is only one way to truly walk with God. Our God is indeed upright, faith and fellowship with Him makes us likewise upright on the way. The serpent lost his upright physical condition by submitting to Satan, (food for thought).

Some might think, “Oh, poor Enoch, he had to leave.” But what a privilege he had, 300 years walking in fellowship with the Lord. For that, he was highly favored with an unusual trip, a unique route – what a wonderful way to go! Walking with God is to make steady progress. What is the path of the just? It is to walk by faith, walk in the Spirit, walk in love, walk in the light. These are giant steps of a walk that is out of this world (an intended play on words). Heb. 11:6 again, He that comes to God “Must believe that God is (He exist”). Only a fool says there is no God – Ps. 14:1. He must believe God’s worth causing him to diligently search. And he must believe God’s faithfulness to reward.

 Are You An Eagle Saint?

Earlene Davis

Isaiah 40:31

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” 

Waiting upon the Lord promises Spiritual strength to be eagle saints. I find it interesting to read scripture where the eagle is mentioned.

Ex. 19:4, “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.” Here the eagle symbolizes Jehovah God delivering Israel out of Egypt, calling attention to the grace of God as the aggressor in Israel’s redemption – carrying them through the Red Sea (a type of Calvary. Life and liberty was a type of resurrection. If God had not taken up their cause they would have remained in Egyptian bondage. They were defenceless and helpless. But Jehovah as the great Eagle, the mighty One, came to their help swooping down and bore them upon His wings just as the eagles do their offspring. He is our deliverer and Redeemer, the Lord Himself redeemed us by His death, carrying us down into death and judgment, and then up into life and resurrection in Himself.

Deut. 32:11-12, “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.” The thought here is of the mother eagle training her young. She teaches them to fly by throwing them out of their comfortable nest which forces them to use their wings or else they would fall to the ground. That danger causes them to make the effort. The lesson is not learned in a day, it is repeated again and again until they master the art of flying and soar upon the wind. This is how the Lord trains His children. He stirs up the nest, forcing us out of the baby stage. He allows trouble to come our way disciplining in the school of affliction. All the while teaching us to use our wings of faith so we can rise and soar above all danger, thus made spiritually strong. We grow in courage, zeal and knowledge, proving our kinship to the Lord Himself, the great Eagle.

II Sam. 1:23, “Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.” They  were mighty men and David loved them, giving this beautiful eulogy comparing them to the eagle, the king of birds. Their natural skill and beauty are traits manifested spiritually in the overcomers (strong, courageous, daring and swift like the eagle).

Job 39:27, “Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?” It is God that puts the instinct in the eagle to fly high and make her nest far above the haunts of men. Likewise the overcoming saint soars and nest in the Rock, Christ Jesus. The overcoming life of Christ is the heritage of all saints.  We are of heavenly birth and our real home is above. We are just sojourners here. The eagle comes down from her lofty place sometimes, but the air is her element, as the heavenlies are our sphere – Eph. 2:6, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” 

Prov. 23:5, “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Yes, the eagle flies swift and far, just as do natural riches. This warning for us is to not set our hearts on transitory things. They can disappear and we will be disappointed. God is jealous of His people’s devotion and desires our hope and confidence be set upon Him. nothing in this world can be depended on. The Lord alone is the Rock. He cannot fail those who put their trust in Him.

Jer. 49:16, “Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.” Man’s pride sets himself up high in his own estimation, feeling secure as if no evil could befall him. Such pride is characteristic of Satan which is an abomination to the Lord. He is able to bring down the proud regardless of their exalted position. Our safe place is hiding under the wings of the great Eagle Himself.

Jer. 49:22, “Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.” This speaks of Christ as the Judge of all men.  As Judge, He shall fly down upon His enemies. The eagle illustrates this, being way up in the air spys a snake and he swoops down clutching him in his beak and rises with him in the air where the battle is fought. The reptile puts up a fight, but he looses. A beautiful picture of Christ, as the Seed of the woman, bruising the serpent’s head (Gen. 3:15). He gets the victory over all Satan’s seed who dares to dispute Him. Every enemy will be put under His feet (I Cor. 15:25-28).

Ezek. 1:10, “As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.” These symbolic figures represent the overcomers on earth. Those walking in all the light and doing the will of God. They are joined to the throne above and they go straight forward (V. 12), rolling along in perfect obedience to the throne.

Rev. 4:7, “And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.” Here the overcomers are seen in heaven, closely association with the throne and they have a prominent part in its judgment. 

Back to our text (Isa. 40:31) where the eagle speaks of the believer who waits upon the Lord. His strength is renewed, mounting up, soaring in the heavenlies. Our wings of faith lifting us up into the very presence of God. Where obstacles cannot hinder, every difficulty must give way before the Spirit of the Lord. Phil. 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strentheneth me.” May we remember that Christ is the true Eagle – both as Jehovah and as Man. He is the mighty overcomer. We can lay hold of His life and His strength and be renewed by His resurrection life of which we are partakers and go on from strength to strength.

 Troubles And Trials Our Servants

Earlene Davis

God uses trouble, even tragedy to test and prove our faith. Trouble and trials come to us unexpectantly without our being personally or directly the cause of it. Many times it is beyond our control otherwise we would avoid such testing. I Peter 4:12 tells us, “Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.”

We should remember that trouble as well as blessings are part of the divine arrangement in our lives. Also we need to remember that sever testings are not necessarily cause by some sin or failure on our part. They actually are a sign of growth spiritually. We are His workmanship – Eph. 2:10. Some think that Christians should be void of suffering trouble or that it should immediately be removed. That is an unscriptural concept. 

What does the scripture say? Psa. 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivered him out of them all.” II Cor. 4:17-18, “For our light affliction which is but for a moment (compared with eternity), 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.” II Tim. 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Jesus words in Jn. 16:33, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Rom. 5:3, “we glory in tribulation: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” May we recognize the peculiar ministry of troubles as a servant to assist us. I am reminded of Rebekah’s willingness to serve the camels in watering them. She accepted them and later her decision to go on the long journey to be united with her bridegroom. She must ride the camels, they can be most unreasonable and snort at times. They speak of the manifold trials and testings along the way. 

They served a very important function for Rebekah. So it is with us on our long journey here, suffering and discipline are for our good and not to defeat us. We learn to ride the camels that are carrying us to our Isaac. We read, Rebekah lifted up her eyes and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.” Isn’t that beautiful? With lifted eyes she saw Him and not the camel or the rough road. 

We also read that at eventide, Isaac lifted up His eyes and behold the camels coming. How suggestive, saints, the day is already far spent, the shadows of the evening are upon us. The nations of the world are preparing for war and are in confusion. Our Beloved Lord is waiting also. Long He has watched the movements on earth’s stage waiting the sign from the Father to go get His bride. Shall we not then water our camels, recognize them for what they are and ride them, knowing they are only the means in God’s hands of taking us to our beloved Bridegroom.

So we lay hold of the truth of Rom. 8:28, that God is working all things together for our good. By faith we discern trouble as a servant building spiritual strength and beauty. With anointed eyes we see the privilege of overcoming and using our spiritual wings to fly above the trials. Like Rebekah on top of them riding them. Then we find His grace is sufficient and we love Him all the more for His working in us. I know He is still working on me.

Apostle Paul said in Phil. 3:12, that he was not already perfect but following after to apprehend that which he was apprehended of Christ Jesus. 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. 

When the time came for Paul to depart this life, the Lord graciously revealed to him that he had attained a crown of righteousness that was not only for him but unto all them also that love his appearing – II Tim. 4:6-8. May we be looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ – Titus 2:13. And say with John (Rev. 22:20). “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”