FIRST THINGS FIRST

Jack Davis

“The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits” II Tim. 2:6. The apostle Paul is instructing true followers how to be good soldiers, triumphant competitors, successful farmers, II Tim. 2:1-6. Our heavenly Father is the original Husbandman – John 15:1. He placed Adam and Eve in His first garden, and gave Adam a most delightful occupation. God had the right to expect fruit for His enjoyment. But since the fall of man, He has waited with long-suffering for full enjoyment.

“Be patient therefore, brethren unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient, establish your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” James 5:7-8. We are able to understand that our Father’s plan wasn’t thwarted by the fall of the first Adam in the garden, but looked forward to fruit from a new creation. 

We read in Genesis one, “And the evening and the morning were the first day.” Glory to God, He could look forward to another first day. When Jesus arose, the tomb was found empty on the first day of the week. A new day had wonderfully begun, a new creation from the tomb had victoriously sprung, with Jesus as the everlasting Head. Soon every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He alone is number One.

He has promised “Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I Am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” - Rev. 22:12-13.

When we think of our Father as the heavenly Husbandman, we rejoice to see Jesus Christ as the first fruit of a holy new creation. He arose from the dead in His order, and than afterward they that are His at His coming in their order. We just can’t help but rejoice that many like sons are being brought unto glory – I Cor. 15:20-23. We also are not amazed that Jesus told Mary, as recorded in John 20:17, “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.” His Father (and now our’s) was to have the first enjoyment of the first fruit of resurrection. Amen, SO BE IT.

Now, our heavenly Husbandman can work to make us good and patient husbandmen, bearing and sowing precious seed – I Cor. 3:5-9. He in this sense is indeed first partaker of the fruit of redemption. We then have the place and privilege of being labourers together with God, expecting Him to give the increase. Thus we are called to and urged on in spiritual priorities, since we are risen with Christ. We are challenged to exercise our pursuits in focus with the heavenly and spiritual, and eternal – Col. 3:1-4.

We realize that there are more and more intrusions, and interruptions that are intended for influence to trivial pursuits, as we near the end of this age. We as husbandmen here need to know the value, favor, long range benefits of what we share. Let us prove in practice and experience all that we claim is of chief importance. Taste and tell it like it is. 

In quality control, the inspector can attest to the durability, and dependability of the goods offered. The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31: that excels them all, not only brings her food from afar, but also perceiveth that her merchandise is good.

We read of those in Ephesus being corrected for leaving their first (preeminent) love - Rev. 2:4. It is very important that we remember that we are only able to love Him because He first loved us, and it is our glorious privilege to return His own to Him of any thing we have. What do we have that we didn’t receive? “Who hath first given unto him?” – Rom. 11:35. He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

“This they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God” – II Cor. 8:5. There is a great deal missing in any giving, wherein we don’t first give ourselves, especially to the will of God.

 Open Eyes

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalms 119:18

As I come to the end of 2023 and think ahead to what God would have me do in the new year, I came across this verse, and especially the phrase “open Thou mine eyes.” I think this is my prayer especially for the new year 2024. I feel like it needs to be the prayer of all of God’s people.

Some will start reading this and think, “that’s right, we need to have our eyes opened to the terrible condition of our government, or maybe, open to see how evil some group of people are, or all of the “evil” that is going on around us and how we need to change that.” There is so much political jousting going on in many churches today; so much fighting with each other and with unbelievers over the culture and the political system that many Christians believe the church needs to fix.

That is not what I am praying our eyes be opened to. In fact, it might be exactly the opposite. I want my eyes to be opened to the wondrous things that are found in God’s Word, just as the Psalmist says. I want my eyes to be open to the wondrous hope that we have through Jesus Christ. I want my eyes to be open to understand what God desires from me and what His will is for my life.

Paul prayed for the Ephesian saints that their eyes be opened to understand “what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” Ephesians 1:18-19. Having a clear vision of the hope of His calling is key to being able to live in these difficult times without being overwhelmed or depressed by the condition of this world. 

When our eyes are so focused on this world, and the things of this world (whether that be things that we want, or the world system, or how we are being treated by the world or anything else of the world), we are not going to be focusing on our Lord.

I realized recently just how much our enemy, Satan, is attempting to distract God’s people with every possible distraction of the world. It is not the same thing for everyone. What distracts me might not be the same thing that distracts you. However, the enemy knows exactly what to put in front of you that will distract you. This is the reason that I cannot and will not attempt to name the thing that I think is distracting God’s people today, because I would probably miss something and maybe attempt to somehow justify myself.

What I do know, is that there is only one way to avoid being distracted; spending time in God’s Word and listening to the Holy Spirit. I find that when I do this, I realize pretty quickly what the enemy is putting in front of me to draw my attention. Sometimes, it is essentially my own self righteousness wanting to consider myself so spiritual that I don’t get distracted by anything. 

I am so thankful that our Father is so gracious to work patiently in my life. I am understanding more every day just how personal this relationship with my Lord is. Having my eyes opened to understand how much God wants to change me; not me changing other people. As I allow God to work in my life, I find that He can then use me to help others. This is also true in your life. You have to allow God to work in your life if you want to be able to help others. I cannot change anyone, and neither can you. However, God can use us to help others in their spiritual growth. I want my eyes to be opened to understand God’s power to change my life and your life. 

The Psalmist mentions “beholding wondrous things from God’s Word.” This is something I have also pondered much. What exactly are we looking for when we get into God’s Word? Are we looking for something that we can use to beat some other person over the head with? Are we looking for some special code or secret prophecy that we can use to make ourselves look ultra-spiritual? What about looking for “wondrous” things about our Lord?

The word “wondrous” means “marvellous, wonderful, extraordinary.” All of these remind me that our Lord is all of these to us, and we are so privileged to be able to spend time looking for all of this in His Word. I hope your prayer for the new year is to allow God to open your eyes for the purpose of seeing our wonderful Lord more clearly and more personally every single day.

 NOAH - OVERCOMER OF HIS DAY

Anita Clark – Pastor

Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas

“But of the day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be”  Matthew 24:36-39. In these verses we see the people of the world in Noah’s day were extremely self-indulgent and uncontrolled. This is the attitude in our time also. V. 38 tells the story, “eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the flood came and took them all away.” There are places in the world today where extreme poverty and famine have caused the death of thousands, with no end in sight. On the other hand we have read recently how obesity is causing grave health problems for individuals in the United States and else where.

It is interesting that the second thing happening in Noah’s day was “marrying and giving in marriage.” In our society many people live together without being married, despite this, the marriage business is thriving.  Millions of dollars are spent on extravagant weddings.  Divorce rates are very high now, with statistics stating that at least 50% of all marriages end in divorce.

In the days before the flood, they had a problem similar to our day. “The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair: and they took them wives of all which they chose.” Apostle Paul says, “Be ye not unqually yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness” (II Cor. 6:14).  

Let’s look at some other problems in Noah’s day. Pride was a big problem as seen in V. 4, “...the same became mighty men, which were of old, men of renoun.” In our reckoning we wouldn’t rate pride as being a worse sin than fornication, but in God’s sight, He rates it first.  Proverbs 6:16-19, tells us that seven things the Lord hates, listing “pride” as number one. Pride is the predominate sin in humanity. Pride keeps God from working in the life.  Next we see “wickedness,” and “his imagnation only evil continually” and the earth was “corrupt and filled with violence.” For these reasons God said, “I will destroy them with the earth.”

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (V. 8). “  All were wicked and ungodly, “But Noah.”  Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that Noah had brothers and sisters who did not believe. He might have also had, sons and daughters who didn’t heed his preaching (II Pet. 2:5).  It is a hurtful thing when those we love of our families don’t heed the truth of God’s Word. “But Noah found Grace.” The word “found” means “to acquire or attain.” Noah found it. He found something, extremely  precious and marvelous, the GRACE of God.  He found strength in God’s grace to help him be an overcomer over all the rejection, hurts and persecution of his day.

This grace gave him righteousness, V. 9 says, “Noah was a just (or justified or righteous) man. God says of Noah in Genesis 7:1, “Thee have I found righteous.” II Peter 2:5 calls Noah, “the eighth person.” In the study of numerology seven is the number of Divine perfection, and eight is the New Creation number. Noah became a new creation in Christ looking ahead to the cross. I Peter 1:11 tells us that Old Testament prophets had the Spirit of Christ in them.  Glory to God!

 

Peter tells us, Noah was a “preacher of righteousness.”  He preached that people should turn to the Lord and receive God’s righteousness, but not only that, but also to live a righteous life. Remember the horrible sin manifest in Noah’s day, yet he did not stop preaching the truth. They no doubt ridiculed him and persecuted him.  Yet, he maintained his faith. Hebrews 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” We also have been warned of God of future events coming very soon on this old world. There are things not seen as yet, but we believe God and His Word, which warns us to be ready and watching. Remember, “as the days of Noah;” the same condition is here today, violence, wickedness, indulgence of every kind, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, attending natural things, putting priority on earthly things rather than on the important things of God. Paul says in Col. 3:2, “set your affections on things above, not on things of the earth, for ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” We should take heed to the Word and the admonition to hold fast.  He is coming!

Times are hard, but they may get harder. God will not fail us. As He has been with the saints of God in ages past, He will be with us. I often think of the “Great Depression.” I heard my parents and grand parents speak of how bad it was, but God was there also. He delivered His people out of that awful time.  He will deliver us as we trust him.

Most Christians in foreign lands are persecuted. Many are beaten or killed. Many suffer their homes being burned and their churches destroyed and burned. Recently many churches in Pakistan were destroyed by evil doers, and yet they (the believers) keep on proclaiming their faith. Ask yourself, how well would you stand if you were fined for having a Bible study in your home, or if you were beaten because you were a Christian and would not deny your faith?

Let me tell you assuredly, the persecution will come to the United States of America and other nations of the world. The tribulation of seven years will be worse than anything that has ever happened before. There will be a rapture, or catching away of the overcomers before the seven years starts. Then, Satan’s forces will be unleashed, and he will incite men to rampage and persecute anyone who professes the name of Christ. We have the privilege now to prepare and be ready for the upward call, that call to His bride, “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” Are you ready?  Are you living as Noah - by the grace of God?  Are you overcoming the sin of this world, which presses in more so all the time?  Saints of God, let us press on.  Christ is coming so soon!

 The Two Creations

Part 1

Pastor Vicky Moots

Kingman, Kansas

II Cor. 5:17: “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  Paul is speaking of two different creations: an old creation, our old, sinful nature that we were born with, and a new one which we become in Christ.

There is nothing good in our old nature, as we find written in Rom. 3:10-12: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” And again, we read in v. 23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

It is through the new birth that we become a new creation and receive a new nature.  The life of Christ is conceived in our hearts by the Holy Spirit in much the same way that Christ was conceived in Mary’s womb.  We accept it by faith. His life then becomes just as real to us spiritually as it was to Mary physically.

But, as a Christian, have you ever struggled with “trying to live a Christian life” and finding out that you keep on failing and making mistakes, no matter how hard you try to “be good,” and to “do the right thing?” Perhaps you thought that after you were born again that you would no longer have to deal with any of your old sinful desires and that you would just automatically quit all of those bad habits that you knew were harmful or displeasing to God.

If we are a “new creation” in Christ, and “all things are become new,” then why do we find ourselves still doing some of the “old things” that are supposed to have passed away? It is because those two creations, the old and the new, are at war within us, trying to gain control over each other in our lives.

The Apostle Paul explains this battle in Gal. 5:17: “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” The word “lusteth” means “has a strong desire,” indicating that the Spirit and the flesh are battling within us and have a strong desire against each other to suppress and overcome each other.

Even though we are a new creation spiritually in Christ, we are still living in our old creation body, with its fleshly desires that wants to have its own way.  So, how can we have victory over our old nature? Before I discuss that, we need to see what else the scriptures have to say about these two creations.

In the New Testament, Paul refers to the old and new creation as the “old man” and the “new man.” (We will study those verses later). The “old man” is our old, corrupt nature which we inherited from our earthly father through Adam. This nature is present in all mankind ever since Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden. The “new man” is the life of Christ, Himself, which is formed in us after we are born again.

In the Old Testament, in Gen. 25:21-26, we find described for us a physical example of this struggle within us. This is the story of Isaac’s children, Jacob and Esau, before they were born. Rebekah, his wife, was experiencing some unusual discomfort inside her womb during her pregnancy and couldn’t understand what was happening.  We read in v. 22, “And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord.”

The Lord explained the problem to her in v. 23: “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels: and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” She was not aware that she was carrying twins and that they were fighting each other. We find in vs. 24-26 that Esau came out first so he was the elder one, and then came Jacob, the younger.

These two brothers are a spiritual type, or picture, of the two creations, the old (the elder) and the new (the younger), which are at war inside each of us as Christians. So, is it normal for all Christians to experience this kind of struggle? If so, how long does it last, and how do we end the battle?

Yes, it is normal, but just as Rebekah’s difficult pregnancy did not last forever, neither does our spiritual struggle need to continue. The struggle within her ended when she was delivered. God has likewise provided a way of deliverance for us, which Paul explains in Romans chapter 6. But Paul had to learn this by experience, just like us. Would you be surprised to know that he also went through a personal struggle between the two natures early in his Christian life? He relates this for us in Rom. 7:18-24, and then, in v. 25, he testifies of his deliverance so that we too can know the way of victory.

To be continued – part 2 next issue

 Grace to You and Peace 

Greg  Gilliam Pastor

Grace Christian Assembly

Kansas City, Missouri

“...Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; Col. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:2; Philemon 1:3) “Grace, Mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4). The Apostle Paul’s calling was to be the apostle to the Gentiles - (Gal. 2:7,8; Eph. 3:8). He traveled extensively, as the Holy Spirit directed, to different places to share the gospel of the grace of God.

He also wrote, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. As we can see from the references above, each letter contains a salutation. Webster defines a salutation as an expression of greeting, good will; or courtesy by word. The Apostle was a mouthpiece for God. Thus, the salutation given is from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace: It is so hard to define a word such as grace. We may think of the favor (an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual) of God. It is unmerited (not deserved). Undeserved (not warranted, or earned). We read in Eph. 2:5, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Grace played a big part in our salvation. God showed an act of kindness toward each man and woman by giving His Son, Jesus. Jesus showed an act of kindness toward us in that while we were yet sinners He died for us (Rom. 5:8). What God the Father and the Son did was not deserved by any of us. In fact, we deserved death (wages of sin is death - Rom. 6:23). 

Notice Eph. 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God:” We see through the eyes of the Spirit this grace and we accept it for ourselves by faith.  

If this new life is started by grace then it will be maintained by grace. Eph. 2:9, “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Those that truly lay hold of this grace, that we have been given, learn to walk under grace. 

What do I mean by this statement?  We see what grace has done in our lives and no longer want to live any longer under sin (Rom. 6:1-2). Not wanting sin to reign in our bodies (V. 12). Not yielding our members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin V. 13. We are alive, unto God, It is this grace that is our instructor teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; our eyes focused on the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-13).

The Apostle Paul shared that he was given a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet him, lest he should be exalted above measure (2 Cor. 12:7). He sought the Lord for the thing to depart on multiple occasions  (2 Cor. 12:8).  Here is the answer the Lord gave to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee:  for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9). His grace sustains us.

Peace: The other part of the salutation from God and the Lord Jesus Christ includes peace.  Before we came to Christ we were enemies with God (Rom. 5:10).  However, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. We are now drawn close, being called Sons of God. What brought the reconciliation - Christ became the sacrifice for sins, taking upon himself the sin of the entire world. We acknowledge by faith that when Christ died we died with Him, His death paid the price for our sins. 

We sing a little chorus…’He paid a debt He did not owe.  We owed a debt we could not pay.  We needed someone to wash our sins away. And now we sing a brand new song, “Amazing Grace.” Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.’ We are dead with Jesus and now alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:11). We are made nigh by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13). We are called fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Eph. 2:19). 

John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” 1 John 3:1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 

Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” The peace with God is one aspect of the peace provided for us. Another aspect of peace is the daily provision of peace. We encounter many things in this life that would trouble us. Jesus’ comforting words to his disciples as they faced the fact that He would be leaving them is John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. V. 27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

God has made provision for us to lay hold of the peace of God. Phil. 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Dear one, whatever you are facing today let the peace of God rule within your heart and mind.  

Peace, peace, wonderful peace

Coming down from the Father above

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love.

The apostle Paul carried this sweet salutation, of grace and peace, to the different ones from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  May we, like the ones these letters were written to, be reminded of His grace and peace.

“...Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 The Last Days

Earlene Davis

Many believers do not realize the time in which we are living. Our Apostle Paul informs us, relaying the message from the Holy Spirit in I Tim. 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” We are seeing this coming to pass, many are seduced by Satan and receive false religious doctrines. V. 2, “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” Thus we know, we are living in the last days of this Church Age. 

Paul in writing to Titus said, false teachers profess to know God, presenting themselves to be pious, but have no conscience about deceasing the people. They are abominable, and unto every good work reprobate. Putting people under bondage. Paul said by the Spirit in I Tim. 6:3-5, if any one teaches otherwise than the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ He is proud, knowing nothing. The fruit of their words is envy, strife, railing, evil surmising. It is perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

I Tim. 4:3, “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” God’s Word purifies when we thank Him for what He has provided for us. Thank God for His warning of threatening dangers peculiar to this end time.

By the description found in II Tim. 3:1-5, there is no doubt, we are in the end Days of this Age. Religious men can have the appearance of godliness, but know nothing of the power thereof. True godliness has power without any form or laws. V. 13, it is getting worse all the time.  V. 14, let us to continue in the Word of God which we have learned, which makes us wise to understand that we may prevail in these perilous days. Let us not be careless in our attitude. The world boasts in its wisdom, but if we honor God’s Word, He gives us of His wisdom. Job said, that wisdom is valuable above rubies. I Cor. 1:30 says, “In Christ, God is made unto us – wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.”

God’s Word meets every need, no matter what circumstance we are in; and we desire God’s work of perfection in our lives. So let us not neglect the Scriptures. Which pushes us on and builds us up. When we are faithful to testify of God’s goodness and love, the Holy Spirit will do His work of convicting sinners or encourage believers. For He brings the Word home to people. If it is not received, that same Word will judge them. We are not called to clean up the world, as some seem to think. We are called upon to simply let our light shine.

II Tim. 4:3, “itching ears” will hear only what they want to hear. V. 4, Many don’t want to hear the truth, but rather believe a lie. The Gospel is not popular and Satan would like to make us ashamed to speak God’s Word, to boldly testify for fear of rejection. “God has not given us the spirit of fear” – II Tim. 1:7. Fear brings other temptations, to let down, to take it easy, to neglect the Scriptures. But the Gospel has power to deliver from this present evil world. Rom. 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God, unto salvation to every one that believeth. ‘

 

I Cor. 1:18, “The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” V. 21, “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” Vs. 24-25, to them which are called, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger then men.” God has chosen the foolish things, the weak things, the base things, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence…He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

Hardships and afflictions will come when we testify, but we can overcome by the power and wisdom of God and endure as a good soldier of Jesus Christ – II Tim. 2:3. Let us remember the battle is the Lord’s, trust Him for strength – I Sam. 17:47. We are constrained by the love of Christ to endure and go forward with Him – II Cor. 5:14-15. Others will behold how we stand and withstand and it influences them for good. Let us consider this that many would faint if you and I failed to endure. Our attitude speaks to those around us.

God’s Word is inspired (God breathed) and is meant to be learned and made practical in our lives. It will put a fire  in our bones to share it. We see in the Word, a crown is promised and I desire to be in the throne room of heaven to cast my crown at the feet of the worthy One, who died for me. Let us press on that we may qualify for the out resurrection from among the believing dead or the translation of the first rank; to witness Jesus taking His throne, crowned King of kings and Lord of lords. Our Lord laid the foundation, that we might have the privilege of overcoming and reigning jointly with Our Lord – Rom. 8:17. Jesus is coming, we want to be ready. Heb. 10:37, “For yet a little while, and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry.”

 Lessons of the Year

For I learn as the years roll onward

   And leave the past behind,

That much I have counted sorrow

   But proves that our God is kind;

That many a flower I longed for

   Had a hidden thorn of pain,

And many a rugged by-path

   Led to fields of golden grain.

We must live through the dreary winter

   To value the bright warm spring;

The woods must be cold and silent

   Before the robins sing;

The flowers must be buried in darkness

   Before they can bud and bloom,

And the purest and warmest sunshine

   Comes after the storm and gloom.

So the heart from the hardest trial

   Gain the purest joy of all,

And the lips that have tasted sadness

   The sweetest songs that fall.

Then as joy comes after sorrow,

   And love’s the reward of pain,

So after earth is heaven,

   And out of our loss is gain.

– Anonymous