LEGITIMATE PRAYER

by C. R. Stam

Prayer, in Old Testament times, was based upon a covenant relationship with God, or it was an appeal to His revealed nature as merciful, gracious, etc. Today it is based upon the redemptive work of Christ, whose death opened the way for us into the Father's presence. This is why acceptable prayer today is offered “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ”. With our Lord's departure from this world in view, He said to His disciples:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me” (John 14:6).

“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name…At that day ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you, for the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me…” (John 16:24-27).

Thus today we pray directly to the Father in the name of the Son.

Our prayers, however, are often faltering and sometimes the way is so dark before us that we do not even know what to ask for. Thus Paul declared: “We know not what we should pray for as we ought” (Rom.8:26). But he was quick to follow this with the declaration:

“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” (Rom.8:28).

This is why the Apostle Paul encourages God's people:

“Be careful [merimnao--anxious-- take thought.pansies butterflies header.jpg] for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God:

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep ( phroureo--to mount guard as a sentinel ) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil.4:6,7).

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4:16).

In the total expanse of human life there is not a square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, "That is mine!"
-- Abraham Kuyper

REJOICING IN GOD'S WORD

By ROBERT E. HANNA, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 15: 16

The true believer receives God's Word with joy and thanksgiving, knowing full well that his faithful dedication to the ministry will bring pain and suffering, ridicule and persecution, Separation from our tormentors is part and parcel of our walk of faith as we rely upon God to avenge, Recognition, reception and retention of God's Holy Word brings us comfort, confidence and conformation, enabling us to constantly function according to His declared will and purpose.

The Psalmist declared, "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee" (Psalm 119: II). Rejoicing in God's Word is an experience that knows no dispensational boundaries. However, the circumstances under which Jeremiah expressed his delight were unlike those in which we find ourselves today. Our apostle enjoins us to "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom ... " (Colossians 3:15,16a). Our rejoicing is even more full than that of Jeremiah for we have knowledge of greater truths from God than had the prophets. Our spiritual blessings transcend those of any prior saints. To us have been revealed secrets never before made known.

The Apostle Paul has revealed to us "even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:26,27). We have the knowledge of God's holy decrees in our hearts, as well as "Christ in us"!




Glory be to God for fulfilling His promises in raising Jesus Christ from the dead. Nevertheless, does His resurrection have any meaning to you? Has it had any impact in your life? Have you experienced the work of salvation that Jesus Christ perfected in His resurrection?

PEACE - THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

By FLOYD BAKER, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:22

Some years ago as we stood in a funeral home, the daughter of the woman who had passed away, declared, ''I'm amazed at the peace I have at a time like this." I trust that each one of us have experienced such peace in our lives during those times of heartache and difficulty. There are some who may not understand the peace that we have and may look at us with wonder; not knowing the source from which it comes.

Our verse in Galatians 5:22 reveals the very source of this peace as we read, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Though our focus is upon peace we see that it does not stand alone but is part of, and dependent on, love. Without Spirit-produced love we will not enjoy this peace in our lives.

Peace is an inward tranquility but nonetheless is manifested in the outward man as well. What is also important is that this is not simply a resignation to the fact that we can't change the circumstances, but rather to know that God is at work in our lives conforming us more, and more, to His image. Without this realization we will miss out on the opportunity to grow spiritually. As we face each new testing our faith will enable us to look to God and again enjoy His peace. Only the child of God can have this peace because it is the "Fruit of the Spirit," and cannot be generated in the flesh. It begins with faith in the finished work of Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit as we see in Ephesians 1:13, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."

We have so much to be thankful for every day.
God continually  provides for all our needs.
 So let’s make Thanksgiving a  year-long celebration.
—David C. McCasland

The God of Peace

By K. Blades

Our Godly Peace Today

The Godly peace is true and with us today. When we too through prayer intelligently commune with our Father about specific matters of His counsel and purpose with us as His "sons," it effectually works within us to displace disturbing thoughts about what may be happening to us and have them replaced with the Godly thinking that produces peace.

For this reason after our sonship edification gets underway in Romans 8:14ff, and we are taught the fundamentals of God's specific counsel and purpose with us as His "sons" in this present dispensation, we are then immediately exhorted to make use of that knowledge as we encounter the inevitable "sufferings of this present time" and tribulations of this life. Hence, for example, in Romans 12:12 we are told to be,...


12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in
tribulation; continuing instant
in prayer; (Romans 12:12)


Through what we are taught regarding God's counsel and purpose with us in this present dispensation we learn about the particular "hope" in which we should be "rejoicing." We also are taught to understand and appreciate a number of specific, fundamental reasons why we should be "patient in tribulation" when it occurs in our lives. Hence when such tribulation does occur, the issue for us is to think on the things that we are taught regarding God's counsel and purpose with us, and to commune with our Father about them by being "instant in prayer" in connection with them.

Now when we do occupy our minds with this information, and do intelligently commune with our Father about our tribulation specifically in the light of this information, it effectually works to produce within us the Godly peace that our Father Himself has regarding our situation. The tranquilizing ministry of prayer occurs within us as the disturbing and distressing thoughts that we have in response to the tribulation are displaced by the effectual working of God's word regarding us, making it so that our thoughts become the same as our Father's thoughts, and there-by producing Godly peace within us.

And not only so, but Godly peace is able to be effectually produced within us throughout the entire range of sufferings, afflictions, tribulations, and trouble to which we can be subject in this present dispensation. Nothing is outside its range, or beyond its capacity. For it is produced within us by the excellency of the power of God's word to us, which in perfect accordance with God's counsel and purpose regarding us has been specifically written to address and deal with every form of suffering to which we are subject as His "sons."

Wherefore even when it comes to facing the extreme tribulations belonging to the policy of evil against us, as was the case when Paul wrote to the saints in Philippi, the tranquilizing ministry of prayer is effectual. Hence as they faced death and were being 'terrified by their adversaries,' Paul said to them,...


     4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
      5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
      6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
     7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

Indeed our Father is "the God of peace." He truly has provided for us to have His peace - Godly peace-in all areas of our lives. Both within and without; from mild disturbances to the most extreme occurrences of carefulness, anxiety, or distress.

May it be that through our sonship edification and sonship prayer, as we learn both general and specific matters regarding God's counsel and purpose with us and commune with Him about them in prayer, that we truly learn to know our Father and love Him as "the God of peace" that He is, and thereby possess peace "always by all means." Especially may this be so as we frequently encounter and experience any of the common "sufferings of this present time," but more so as we are privileged to bear any of "the sufferings of Christ." - K.R. Blades

Power in Importunate Prayer

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His experience testifies to the power of importunate prayer. It is now that we are to learn this lesson of prevailing prayer, of unyielding faith.

The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian, are not those that are gained by talent or education, by wealth, or the favor of men. They are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power.

Those who are unwilling to forsake every sin and to seek earnestly for God’s blessing, will not obtain it. But all who will lay hold of God’s promises as did Jacob, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded.

ABIDING FAITH

By M. Stanford


"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him" (Col. 2:6).

One day we came to Him in utter need and reliance, and received life. Every day we are to abide in Him in utter need and reliance, that He may live that life in and through us. We are born again by faith, and we are to live anew by faith. "He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).

'There are earnest Christians who are zealous for a free Gospel, with acceptance of Christ, and justification by faith alone. But after this they think everything depends on their diligence and faithfulness. While they firmly grasp the truth, 'justified by faith,' they have hardly noticed the larger truth, 'the just shall live by faith.' They have not yet understood what a perfect Saviour the Lord Jesus is, and how He will each day do for the sinner just as much as He did the first day when they came to Him.

"They know not that the life of grace is always and only a life of faith, and that in the relationship to the Lord Jesus the one daily and unceasing duty of the disciple is to believe, because believing is the one channel through which Divine grace and strength can flow into the heart of man. The flesh  of the believer remains evil and sinful to the last; it is only as he daily comes, all empty and helpless, to his Saviour to receive of His life and strength, that he can bring forth the fruits of righteousness to the glory of God." - A.M.

"Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving" (Col. 2:7).

THANKSGIVING

Putting this in writing as I type

What a task to undertake 

But folks---as you read make no mistake

Giving Thanks to the Father above

Spreading  out His Awesome Love

To you in this family and all my friends

Who've  stuck together through thick and thin

 

We praise You Oh Father God

We adore you and You are the Only God

Giving thanks today for You sending Your Son

The thiefs and murderers lost and us down here Won

All living creatures ---- all living things

All the nourishment to the body that these days bring

We've been fed with spiritual, physical, and emotional love

 

Being with ones we love, thinking of ones who've gone on

Knowing they are at peace now, they have a new song

Dreaming we are, and trying out hardest

To reach out and grab your Hands and know

Now is the  time to reap the most awesome harvest

We are clinging to You as would  a leech

Away from the wordly and out of it's reach

 

Ending this little ditty ---- Sending blessings

And praying for showers of more

Rain on us Lord, let us not be of thirst

We love You Lord, We'll be with You at Last

Because You are the One, and You are the First

The Alpha and Omega you are

The Father--the Son---and the Holy Ghost

The Maker and Creator of this great earth.

Let us give All the Praise and Glory to You Lord

You are the Song, and You are the much Spoken-Of Story

 

By Shirley Updike

November 26, 2009

For What Are You Grateful

“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His Name: make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works.” Psalm 105:1-2

                There was a commercial that suggested instead of saying what we were grateful for this year while sitting around the Thanksgiving table we should rather say for whom we are grateful. It sounded rather good but then I thought when we eliminate an area of gratitude in our considerations we are overlooking areas where our God has sought to bless us in this life.

                This year I have been thinking of the many areas where I have cause to be thankful unto the Lord for His workings in my life. Over the weekend it had come home to me how greatly blessed I had been in just the area of the mate the Lord had chosen for me. You see my wife was born on November thirteenth and we were married on November sixteenth, (Not in the same year of course.)

                In my current condition when evening shadows seem to be gathering it is good to reflect on how things worked together for my good under the guidance of the almighty hand. My dad had a tank number thirteen shot out from under him in World War Two and came home to make me. Then I married a woman born on the thirteenth who was the means of pulling me away from my rebellion against the call of the Lord upon my life. (Thirteen in Bible numeric is often thought to symbolize depravity and rebellion.)

                Would that I was capable of making a list in two parts for those I should be thankful for and for things I should be grateful for. But then, I would need to add another list for those intangible things for which gratitude should flow out and upward for. Not everything I find demanding my thankfulness unto the Lord were pleasant when they came into my life but looking back I can see how many of those things were used for good. Were hindsight truly 20/20 I think that the fine direction of a loving God would be seen in it all.

                For what and whom are you truly thankful?

When Good Christians Act Like Atheists and Idolaters

A Thanksgiving Day Reminder
(By Rev. Kerry S. Doyal - Grace Bible Church - www.GetGraced.org)

Want to act and look like an unbeliever? Care to have core traits that make you indistinguishable from atheists or agnostics?

Good news! It doesn't take becoming a serial killer, a suicide terrorist or a child abuser. According to Romans 1:21-23 all it takes is... well, read it for yourself:

"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened."

"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles" (NIV).

It is one small step for man yet one giant leap for mankind from not honoring and thanking God to becoming foolish and functional idolaters. To know about God and not give Him due credit (glory) or properly thank Him is to be no different than your run of the mill atheist or blatant idolater. Ouch!

Arguably, the fearful pagan sacrificing chickens to appease an unknown Creator is closer to true worship of God than we educated, technology driven, pure materialists who live without properly praising or thanking Him.

To ascribe credit for one person's work to another is to be guilty of lying. In this case, it is bearing false witness about our Ultimate Neighbor. It is to misrepresent the one (or impersonal forces) who did not do the work - giving them undue credit.

To not laud the Lord is to strip away His deserved praise and thanks - the One who did the work. Me taking credit for the Mona Lisa or the Magna Carta is beyond funny. It is insulting to all involved.

One of the dangers of pure atheistic evolution (life came from time, chance and non-living matter) is to ascribe some of God's best work to nothing but cosmic luck.

To assert that our beautiful mountains, that awesome sky and those humbling oceans "just happened" is to mute their testimony of their Creator.

In rejecting the work of the Creator, we become deaf to the heavens when they declare the glory of God (see Psalms 19 & 8). Nature's songs of praise cannot be heard because there is no One to whom it would sing.

Even if it were left up to the rocks to cry out, we could not hear them if they did. Beyond sad and tragic, that is blasphemous - if not by design then by default.

It is not the loss of Adam and Eve to evolution that is most tragic - though the biblical / theological magnitude of that cannot be overstated. It is that God is banished from the garden of our weedy hearts, leaving us less than fig-leaf clad. And we are left to turn the created into the Creator.

Seeing God for Who He is - His awesome character - is the basis of praise. We give or "ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name" (Ps. 29:2). To understate His greatness in any realm naturally limits and minimizes the rightful praise we offer Him.

Thanksgiving focuses on what God has given or provided us. It flows from our acknowledging that every good and perfect gift has indeed come down from our heavenly Father (James 1:17). We thank Him for gifts He bestows because of Who He is, for what He has done for us, or mercifully, not done or allowed to happen to us.

Is gratitude a struggle for you? Could some of it be dealt with by remembering Who is Whom and whom is not? Do you need in any way to re-enthrone the Creator, knowing our rightfully jealous God will not share His glory with anyone? Careful meditation on passages like John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16, 17 might help refocus your heart.

A focus on God - rather than mere gratitude or guilt for all our stuff, health and "blessings" - will best restore us to being people who are truly thankful in ways that give Him more glory. It is then we will do as the psalmists says:

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice." (Psalm 105:1-3 - NIV)
 "Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength." (Psalm 29:1)

LEGITIMATE PRAYER

by C. R. Stam

Prayer, in Old Testament times, was based upon a covenant relationship with God, or it was an appeal to His revealed nature as merciful, gracious, etc. Today it is based upon the redemptive work of Christ, whose death opened the way for us into the Father's presence. This is why acceptable prayer today is offered “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ”. With our Lord's departure from this world in view, He said to His disciples:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me” (John 14:6).

“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name…At that day ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you, for the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me…” (John 16:24-27).

Thus today we pray directly to the Father in the name of the Son.

Our prayers, however, are often faltering and sometimes the way is so dark before us that we do not even know what to ask for. Thus Paul declared: “We know not what we should pray for as we ought” (Rom.8:26). But he was quick to follow this with the declaration:

“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” (Rom.8:28).

This is why the Apostle Paul encourages God's people:

“Be careful [merimnao--anxious-- take thought.pansies butterflies header.jpg] for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God:

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep ( phroureo--to mount guard as a sentinel ) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil.4:6,7).

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4:16).

In the total expanse of human life there is not a square inch of which the Christ,
who alone is sovereign, does not declare, "That is mine!"
-- Abraham Kuyper

ABIDING FAITH

By M. Stanford


"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him" (Col. 2:6).

One day we came to Him in utter need and reliance, and received life. Every day we are to abide in Him in utter need and reliance, that He may live that life in and through us. We are born again by faith, and we are to live anew by faith. "He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).

'There are earnest Christians who are zealous for a free Gospel, with acceptance of Christ, and justification by faith alone. But after this they think everything depends on their diligence and faithfulness. While they firmly grasp the truth, 'justified by faith,' they have hardly noticed the larger truth, 'the just shall live by faith.' They have not yet understood what a perfect Saviour the Lord Jesus is, and how He will each day do for the sinner just as much as He did the first day when they came to Him.

"They know not that the life of grace is always and only a life of faith, and that in the relationship to the Lord Jesus the one daily and unceasing duty of the disciple is to believe, because believing is the one channel through which Divine grace and strength can flow into the heart of man. The flesh  of the believer remains evil and sinful to the last; it is only as he daily comes, all empty and helpless, to his Saviour to receive of His life and strength, that he can bring forth the fruits of righteousness to the glory of God." - A.M.

"Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving" (Col. 2:7).

PEACE - THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

By FLOYD BAKER, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:22

Some years ago as we stood in a funeral home, the daughter of the woman who had passed away, declared, ''I'm amazed at the peace I have at a time like this." I trust that each one of us have experienced such peace in our lives during those times of heartache and difficulty. There are some who may not understand the peace that we have and may look at us with wonder; not knowing the source from which it comes.

Our verse in Galatians 5:22 reveals the very source of this peace as we read, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Though our focus is upon peace we see that it does not stand alone but is part of, and dependent on, love. Without Spirit-produced love we will not enjoy this peace in our lives.

Peace is an inward tranquility but nonetheless is manifested in the outward man as well. What is also important is that this is not simply a resignation to the fact that we can't change the circumstances, but rather to know that God is at work in our lives conforming us more, and more, to His image. Without this realization we will miss out on the opportunity to grow spiritually. As we face each new testing our faith will enable us to look to God and again enjoy His peace. Only the child of God can have this peace because it is the "Fruit of the Spirit," and cannot be generated in the flesh. It begins with faith in the finished work of Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit as we see in Ephesians 1:13, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."

We have so much to be thankful for every day.
God continually  provides for all our needs.
 So let’s make Thanksgiving a  year-long celebration.
—David C. McCasland

Simply Give Thanks

"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." – Luke 18:17

On Thanksgiving Day when I was five years old, snow started to fall. This was unusual for our area, and it stirred my young heart with excitement. I remember jumping up to catch the flakes in my hand, not the least bit worried about the roads becoming slick, although my dad would have to drive on them later and he was probably concerned. I just trusted that he would get our family safely home from my uncle's house after our holiday dinner.

When I went into the kitchen, I found my mom checking on the amount of food and worrying that there would not be enough mashed potatoes to go around. Others seemed concerned about where everyone would sit. However, I once again simply enjoyed the coziness of my uncle's small house and basked in the mouth-watering aromas coming from the delicious dishes being prepared. I was quite sure there would be enough potatoes, and I was content to sit on the floor if need be. While others worried, I explored my uncle's glass bookcase filled with treasures.

Seeing through the eyes of a child with simple trust and faith has countless benefits. As Christians, we have many Bible promises of God's care and provision, yet we may occasionally still find ourselves worrying about matters. Sometimes these cares even consume our thoughts. If this happens, we need to channel our inner child and remember that God, our Heavenly Father, will never leave us alone or without help. Just as I was able to place complete trust in my earthly father, we can put our complete trust in our Heavenly Father. He has everything under control and He never fails in His love, care, and understanding toward us.

The Lord has done so many wonderful things for us. He provided for our salvation, He loves us unconditionally, He is able to meet any need we bring to Him, and He has prepared a home for us in Heaven. Why would we worry over details that God has promised to handle, when we could just trust in Him and enjoy all that He has provided? While we celebrate and give praise to the Lord during this Thanksgiving season, let us be as little children in our trust and devotion to Him.

How to Express Thankfulness to God

Thankfulness is expressed in words, but measured with actions.

Expressing gratitude and showing gratitude is not the same thing, but should work in conjunction with each other. Let me explain.

Expressing thankfulness is relatively easy. All that is required is a smile, a sincere look, and words that contain the phrase, "Thank you." Some people desire appreciation and friendship so much that the words alone satisfy their immediate need. But given enough time, these same individuals will face disappointment and rejection when the thankful words are not accompanied with actions.

While it is true that almost everyone knows how to express thankfulness with words, the question is how do we complete our thankfulness with actions? In the same way that faith without works is dead, thankfulness without corresponding actions accomplishes little. So we could say that thankfulness contains two parts - expression with words and expression with action.

Words of thankfulness written on a card are wonderful and are a great way to express thankfulness, but we must go beyond just words and have corresponding actions.

God sent His Son to die so that we could live. Jesus took on sickness and disease for our healing. He took on poverty for our prosperity. He paid the price in full so we could receive eternal, abundant life. Our only requirement is to receive it by grace through faith. (Eph. 2:8.) He paid it all, once and for all. So, how do we show our gratitude? How do we completely be thankful?

First of all, we express our thankfulness with our words. Through daily prayer, spiritual songs, and confessions of faith we can acknowledge that we are grateful for the immeasurable gift we have been given.

Secondly, we must put our gratefulness into action. The ultimate act of love is giving. God loved us so much that He gave. (John 3:16.) If we say we love Him, it is only words unless we give. While love and gratitude is not measured by the size of the gift, it is measured by the generosity and consistency of the gift. A gift could be money, possessions, or a sacrifice of our time. If it's valuable to us, it's valuable to God.

As a parent, one of my greatest joys is giving to my children and grandchildren. While they usually get me a gift, my joy is greatest when I watch them receive their gift from me. I love them so much that I would give out of my need to bless them. That's just the way love is. It gives.

So, when it comes time to thank God for His goodness, remember that God doesn't need your money, but your gift reflects your love and gratefulness.

If you have a home church, make a "Thankful to God" donation that will bless God's house. Once a man told me that he would give to his church, but the church didn't need it. Well, that's totally irrelevant. Giving is not based on need, but on love, obedience, and thankfulness, and your gift will reflect your affection.

So, the next time you express your thankfulness to God, consider backing it up with actions. Remember, thankfulness is expressed in words, but measured with actions.

Thankful for God’s Standards

“The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.” Psalm 119: 61-62

           The other day I was listening to three people debate. Each desired to be the next President of the United States. As I have listened to each of them over the past few months I had become aware each one of the three believed in income redistribution. Income redistribution is the belief that exists in socialism and communism where the wealth earned by the wealthiest is taken from them and given to those who do not have very much. The obvious deficit of the idea is that the poor never really profit from redistribution and those who do the collecting of wealth become an elite element of the society taking what is not theirs and keeping it for themselves. As this happens the people whose income they wish to take become downgraded to focus on those who have even very little. So even the poor are oppressed.

           The idea appeals to many because they expect to receive something they did not earn. But the real problem is at the core of the idea is the violation of the commandment that says thou shalt not covet.  “Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.” Deuteronomy 5:21

           God’s standards regarding the paying of taxes are that we render unto the ruler the things that are the ruler’s and unto God the things that are God’s. It is a fact the money is made by government and God lays down some rules about how a righteous ruler should treat his subjects. That which is God’s is our self and the Creation itself. Therefore taking land from someone is evil just as treating men unjustly is evil. But sometimes we have to endure some of the evil behavior of wicked rulers for a time.

           As we go into the season of special Thanksgiving in America I pray that all will join me in praising God that His standards are fair. And we can also pray for the unjust who has authority for a season. We can focus on their great need of Jesus in their lives and not on the evil they do. When men come to know Salvation they change their focus from evil deeds to righteous ones. Therefore it is better to pray for the Salvation of those who have wicked hearts than it is to pray that God will punish them for their wickedness.

Heavenly Asphalt

The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. Revelation 21:21, niv

If the apostle John hasn’t already conveyed to us that My Father’s House is spectacular, his description of the streets surely does. But I wonder if there is a subtle message to us contained in his description--a message that my wise mother, with her characteristic humor, pointed out to me when she dryly exclaimed that you can tell what God thinks of gold because He paves the streets of heaven with it! Gold is really just heavenly asphalt! In other words, there are many things down here on earth that we give a top priority to, which in eternity will be inconsequential and insignificant.

It’s sobering to contemplate how much time, effort, sacrifice, compromise, and attention we give to acquiring and increasing our supply of something that is totally insignificant in eternity. What are your priorities? As you live them out, will they have eternal value and significance?

Heaven

(c)2004 Anne Graham Lotz. All rights reserved.

When the Spirit Shuts a Door

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithyma: but the Spirit suffered them not (Acts 16:7).

What a strange prohibition! These men were going into Bithynia just to do Christ's work, and the door is shut against them by Christ's own Spirit.

I, too, have experienced this in certain moments. I have sometimes found myself interrupted in what seemed to me a career of usefulness. Opposition came and forced me to go back, or sickness came and compelled me to retire into a desert apart.

It was hard at such times to leave my work undone when I believed that work to be the service of the Spirit. But I came to remember that the Spirit has not only a service of work, but a service of waiting. I came to see that in the Kingdom of Christ there are not only times for action, but times in which to forbear acting. I came to learn that the desert place apart is often the most useful spot in the varied life of man--more rich in harvest than the seasons in which the corn and wine abounded. I have been taught to thank the blessed Spirit that many a darling Bithynia had to be left unvisited by me.

And so, Thou Divine Spirit, would I still be led by Thee. Still there come to me disappointed prospects of usefulness. Today the door seems to open into life and work for Thee; tomorrow it closes before me just as I am about to enter. Teach me to see another door in the very inaction of the hour. Help me to find in the very prohibition thus to serve Thee, a new opening into Thy service. Inspire me with the knowledge that a man may at times be called to do his duty by doing nothing, to work by keeping still, to serve by waiting. When I remember the power of the "still small voice," I shall not murmur that sometimes the Spirit suffers me not to go.

--George Matheson

"When I cannot understand my Father's leading,

And it seems to be but hard and cruel fate,

I Still I hear that gentle whisper ever

pleading,God is working, God is faithful, ONLY WAIT."

We Are Wonderfully Made

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14, niv

We can only imagine the concentrated thoughts that occupied the divine Mind and the gentle, skillful touch of the divine Hand that first shaped man from the dust. Where did the Creator begin? Did He start with a skeletal frame? Did He then cover it with an outside layer of skin, which at no place is thicker than three-sixteenths of an inch, is packed with nerve endings to enable man to feel the outside world, and is virtually waterproof? Into the skin stretched over the frame did He next place the heart that pumps seventy-two times a minute, forty million times a year? When did He hang the lungs in their sealed compartments so that the rivers of blood necessary for life can deposit the carbon dioxide and pick up oxygen to be carried to every single one of the more than twenty-six trillion cells in the body? When did He place the brain inside the bony skull and program it to send messages that travel faster than three hundred miles an hour along the nervous system to the entire body? Truly, we are fearfully and wonderfully and lovingly and personally created by an awe-inspiring, loving Creator!

God’s Story

(c)2004 Anne Graham Lotz. All rights reserved.

Make Your Talent and Skills Matter

By Rick Warren

“Use every part of your body to give glory back to God” (1 Corinthians 6:20b TLB).

When you’re getting ready to be used by God, he doesn’t just want to see that you’re spending your time on the most important things. He also wants you to use your talents in view of eternity.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:20, “Use every part of your body to give glory back to God” (TLB).

There’s a big misconception about Heaven that even many Christians have. Some people think that when you get to Heaven, all you’re going to do is kick back and eat bon-bons, wear a white robe, play a harp, and float on clouds. But none of those things are in the Bible!

So what are you going to do for all those trillions of years when you get to Heaven?

God has plans for you to serve in Heaven. There are going to be things to do in Heaven -- enjoyable things to do in order to serve God. What he’s doing right now is giving you time on Earth to practice serving. Why would God give you a place of serious service in eternity when you’ve done nothing in this world but live for yourself? If you sit on the bench all through life, saying, “I live for me,” and then when you get to Heaven you say, “OK, God, take me off the bench and put me on the A team. Let me serve you now,” God’s going to say, “Forget it. What serving skills did you develop with your time on Earth? You have no serving ability.”

You’re not going to take any of your money to Heaven. You’re not going to take any of your possessions to Heaven. You’re not going to take a single material thing to Heaven.

What are you taking to Heaven? Only two things: your character and your skills. God wants you to understand that right now is your chance to get ready for the real thing. Right now is your chance to develop your serving skills and build your character to be more like Jesus.

Are you doing anything to use your talents for God? Or are you using all your talents on yourself? God wants you to serve him well here on Earth and forever in Heaven.

THREE TIMES WHEN THE LORD WOULDN'T ANSWER

by C. R. Stam
   
In the various accounts of our Lord's earthly ministry we find three occasions when He declined to answer those who appealed to Him or questioned Him.

First there is the Gentile woman of Matthew 15:21-28. Her daughter was possessed of a demon and in her trouble she appealed to the Lord to help her, "but He answered her not a word." Finally, in His grace He did help her, but not until He had taught her the lesson that as a Gentile she had no claim on Him. As Romans 1:28 tells us, the Gentiles had been "given up" because "they did not like to retain God in their knowledge." In this connection we Gentiles should read carefully Ephesians 2:11,12 and see how utterly without hope we are apart from the grace of God.

Next there was a Jewess, in trouble of a different kind. She had been caught in adultery and was brought to him for judgment (John 8:1-11). Unlike the Gentile woman, she belonged to the chosen race and possessed God's holy Law, a distinct advantage -- unless you are a law-breaker. Our Lord also helped her in grace, but not until He had demonstrated that the law is the great leveler of mankind, bringing all guilty before God (Rom.3:19).

But finally we find how it was that our Lord could show grace -- and do it justly -- to both Jew and Gentile, for in the third instance we find the Lord Himself in trouble. On trial for His life before the representatives of Hebrew and Roman law, He is accused of all sorts of wicked crimes. But on this occasion too, He declines to answer.

First Caiaphas, the High Priest, said to Him: "Answerest Thou nothing? What is it which these witness against Thee? But Jesus held His peace..." (Matt. 26:62,63).

Next Pilate, the Gentile judge, said: "Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee? And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly" (Matt.27:13-14).

Why did our Lord not answer and defend Himself? Because He had come into the world specially to die for man's sins. Had the sinners of all ages been there to accuse Him of their sins, He would still have remained speechless for He stood there as man's representative, so that we might be "justified freely by God's grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom.3:24). 

FIGHTING ANXIETY AT WORK

by Pastor Ed Noble

"How come I don't feel the peace I hear Christians talk about? I'm as uptight, high-strung, freaked out, jacked up as I've ever been and I'm not sure this prayer thing is working. This constant pressure at work is causing me to lose heart!"
Although not an exact quote from one person, this is a compilation of personal interactions with so many different individuals that I can't even count them. Raw anxiety is one of the most discouraging and disheartening things that we face in our work. Anxiety frequently seems to flood in upon us and quench all sense of peace.
Then, seeming to compound the problem, God Himself tells us that if we will just pray about it, we will have the "peace that passes understanding." If your experience is at all similar to mine, that is about the time when we quickly toss up a prayer or two and then, not feeling any immediate or lasting relief from our anxiety, our discouragement mounts even more. After all, what's more discouraging than feeling like God can't even get through to us?
We must take a closer look at the promise in question in order to help. The promise in question is Philippians 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
It sounds simple enough, a kind of spiritualized "don't worry." But, as is often the case, a verse grabbed out of midair usually leaves us there. This whole thought starts earlier, in verse 4, where Paul writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice." So suffice it to say that we can't just start in verse 6 with praying about it and expecting our anxiety to simply vanish into thin air. We have to start by habitually drinking at His well for joy, with an inclining of our heart toward Him throughout every moment of each day and every moment of life.
Today and in the coming weeks, try this. Continually walk around with the phrase "rejoice in the Lord" both in your mind and on your lips. Write it on a card. Put post-it notes on your mirrors and desk. Remind yourself and affirm with confidence the only true and reliable source for joy... rejoicing in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, all to the glory of the Father!
A WORK PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you describe Yourself as the bread of life. You promise us the living water of abundant life centered on Yourself. I ask You to help me switch gears from anxiety to rejoicing, with a fresh focus on and understanding of You. Thank You. Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Read and ponder Jeremiah 2:12-13 along with John 6:35 and 7:37-39.
2. What dry broken cisterns are you digging that turn you away from your joy at work?

God Is Not Politically Correct

by Dr. Larry Ollison 

    

God has not changed. The things He disapproved of during the time of Noah, Abraham, Moses and Paul, He still disapproves of today. God is not an evolving creature that changes His character depending upon His environment. God's Word always has been and will always be true. 

Growing up in the United States of America, I have become accustomed to democracy. We vote on everything. In America everyone from school leaders to community leaders to state leaders to national leaders, all are in their positions because they were the most popular. Growing up in this society tends to make one think that if something is popular, it’s right. When it comes to character, righteousness, and the spiritual things of God, nothing could be further from the truth. God's kingdom is not a democracy.

Everything God created was created by and for His Son, Jesus. We were created to fellowship with Him. It may come as a shock to some people, but in the Kingdom of God, God is the King. We don’t vote on the rules. We don’t debate the rules. We don’t argue the rules. Our duty is to willingly obey the rules of the King.

The good news is, God is a good God and He rewards those who believe in Him and receive His Son by faith with eternal life and a multitude of good gifts. God is the God of love. In fact, God is love. God is a good God and He is just. God is light and God is love. However, God is not politically correct nor will He ever be.

 

So the point is this. When you come to the point of decision in your life on any subject, never make your decision because of what is politically correct. Make you decision based on what the Word of God says. Only then will you choose correctly.

Reference Scriptures

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth. (Philippians 2:9-10)

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:8)

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (John 1:5)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day. (Psalm 7:11)