Giving All That You Have

by shani4jc

The radio station I listen to is has been having share-a-thon for the past several days in order to raise the funds to continue operating that station.  They are a listener supported station with very little funds supplied by advertisements.  As I was driving home tonight, an eight year old little girl called into the station to make a monthly donation.  She said that she earned ten dollars per month by doing the dishes and reading to her brother and that she wanted to donate all ten dollars to the radio station because she wanted to help people.  I confess that I almost burst into tears at the sheer generosity and unselfishness of the young girl.  I couldn't help but think of the story in the Bible about the poor widow who put everything she had into the offering.  God honored the widow in the Bible and I have absolutely no doubt that He is going to honor the young girl's gift in ways that cannot even be imagined.  She has willingly given all that she has and God will bless her beyond measure for that gift.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

There is No Plan B

by shani4jc
 

Today I heard someone say something that really spoke to me. He said, "God doesn't have a plan B" which reminded me that God is never surprised by what happens.  He is never caught off guard by what we do or don't do.  He never has to reconfigure what He is going to do because we have done something that He didn't know about.  He doesn't have to come up with an alternate plan because His plans have failed or not worked out.  Every single plan He has had since before the world began has been carried out precisely how He intended it to.  It's easy for us to think that our sins derail what God intended, but the truth is, God has known about our sins since before time began.  And He has planned accordingly.  He uses everything we do, including our sins, to work in our lives.  He uses every detail to draw us closer to Him or to reveal Himself to us.  What we see as mistakes in our lives are not mistakes to Him...they are opportunities to show Himself in our lives.  What we see as failures in our lives are not failures to Him...they are opportunities to bring victory through Him.  What we see as weaknesses in our own lives are not weaknesses to Him...they are opportunities to show His strength in us.  I don't know about you, but I find great comfort in the fact that nothing derails Him.  I find assurance in the fact that nothing takes Him by surprise or leaves Him wondering "what do I do now?"  Every single detail of your life has been divinely orchestrated and you can trust that God makes no mistakes as He carries out those plans in your life.

"Depend on the Lord in whatever you do and your plans shall succeed; the Lord makes everything go as He pleases." Proverbs 16:3-4

Your Name on God’s Hand

by Max Lucado

When I see a flock of sheep I see exactly that, a flock. A rabble of wool. I don’t see a sheep. I see sheep. All alike. None different. But not so with the Shepherd. To him every sheep is different. Every face has a story.  John 10:3 says, “The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name.”

When we see a crowd, we see exactly that, a crowd. We see people, not persons. A herd of humans. But not so with the Shepherd. To him every face is different. Every face is a story. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your name. And he will never forget it.

God said in Isaiah 49:16, “I have written your name on my hand.” Quite a thought isn’t it? Your name on God’s lips. My… could it be?

From When God Whispers Your Name

Passing Inspection

Pastor Greg Laurie

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. - (2 Corinthians 5:10)

If you have been involved in a building project, then you know your project must pass a final inspection. Sometimes you pass. And sometimes you don’t pass and have to fix whatever it was that fell short of the inspector’s requirements.

The apostle Paul describes a future inspection for believers in 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” The word “bad” in the original language means “evil of another kind.” It also could be translated “good for nothingness” or “worthlessness.”

Paul was speaking of Christians who have been saved by the grace of God and have put their faith in Jesus. But they have lived lives that largely have been wasted.

We are all building on a foundation, and that foundation should be Christ. The building materials we use are important. A paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 3:10–15 puts it this way:

Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you’ll be found out. The inspection will be thorough and rigorous. You won’t get by with a thing. If your work passes inspection, fine; if it doesn’t, your part of the building will be torn out and started over. But you won’t be torn out; you’ll survive—but just barely.

One day we will stand before God, and He will look at the materials we used. Some of us will pass. Others will hear Him say, in effect, “You are in. I love you. But you didn’t really pass inspection. You could have done more.”

Will the life you are building pass inspection?

A Simple Test

Dr. Tony Evans

In His Presence: Psalms 25:14-15

The writer of Hebrews included a simple test to determine who is a "milk" Christian—a carnal Christian—and who is a "meat" Christian—a mature Christian. "By this time you ought to be teachers" (Hebrews 5:12). We should be able to sit down with our children and explain simple Bible truths. Husbands should be able to sit down with their wives and answer their questions. By this time, if we are meaty, mature Christians, we should be able to sit down with the Bible and help someone else know the Truth. We should be able to lead an unbeliever to the Lord.

"Everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness... But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil" (Hebrews 5:13-14). If we willfully refuse to go deeper into the things of God, we will not use the Word because we won’t know the Word. The old saying goes, “If you don’t use it, you lose it." We can't lose our salvation, but we can forget how to walk in the Word and how to be His representatives.

If we are mature Christians we use God’s Word every day. We practice His Word in our everyday life. The phrase "senses trained" comes from the Greek root word for gymnasium, like a training ground. We are trained in discernment of good and evil.

One Minute Please

Moving from milk to meat is learning God's Word and practicing it until it becomes a habit, a natural way of thinking, and a normal way of perceiving things.

Why Do People Follow Jesus?

Dr. Charles Stanley

John 6:22-71

When Jesus walked this earth, a vast multitude followed Him. They came for all sorts of reasons—some noble, some selfish. The same is true today. It’s important that we understand what motivates people to come to Christ, because not all who seek Him are really His followers. In fact, we each need to analyze our own walk with the Lord: What do we want from Him? How committed are we to being His disciples?

Many of the people who followed Jesus did so because they had urgent needs that He alone could meet. Everywhere He went, the sick and demon-possessed were brought to Him—this is one of the ways that God draws us to Himself. Those who can solve all their own problems never need a Savior.

Other folks came for sensationalism. They wanted to see the signs and miracles and feel a thrill of excitement. Today some people come to church or conferences to get pumped up, but mountaintop experiences are always followed by valleys. When hardships or challenges come, such people are quick to abandon the Lord.

But Jesus’ disciples followed Him because they genuinely believed He was the Messiah, the very Son of God (Matt. 16:16). Their commitment went beyond emotions or needs. They wanted to know Christ and walk closely with Him.

Are you more interested in what Jesus can do for you than in just being with Him? Do you find it hard to stay committed without an emotional experience to sustain you? Our physical and emotional needs can draw us to the Lord, but they should never be the foundation for our walk with Him.

How your kindness can change everything

by Dr. Jack Graham

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Several years ago, I was preaching one morning on today’s Scripture, and we had a big hiccup in our sound system. The microphone was popping, squealing, and screeching. Needless to say, I was very frustrated with the whole situation.

I stepped off the stage after the sermon intending to go share my frustration with the people in the sound room. But just as I was about to open the door, I remembered the verse I preached that morning. I probably would’ve handled it okay regardless, but I do know I had an extra measure of grace in light of the verse that was fresh in my mind.

Walking away from that day, I really spent some time thinking about what our lives would look like if before every decision we made, we remembered what God’s Word said first. And I believe one of the biggest areas of our lives that would change is how we treat others.

It’s my prayer that the people of God would love one another so well that the world would see us and say, “Something is different about them.” Love one another with kindness and compassion. Not only will you be obedient to God, but you’ll also give the world a glimpse of the hope that’s in you.

Teach No Other Doctrine

By Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

In strong language the Apostle bids Timothy to “charge some that they teach no other doctrine”; no other doctrine, obviously, than that which he had taught them. In 1 Tim. 6:3-5 he closes his epistle by saying:

“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ… from such withdraw thyself.”

In these passages the Apostle emphasizes the importance of fidelity to that heaven-sent message committed to him by revelation; that message which he says in Tit. 1:2,3 was “promised before the ages began” but made known “in due time… through preaching which is committed unto me…”

Ever since Paul’s day religious leaders have substituted other messages for that committed by the glorified Lord to Paul. The law of Moses, the Sermon on the Mount, the “great commission,” and Pentecost have all been confused with God’s message and program for the dispensation of grace. This is what has bewildered and divided the Church and ripened it for the apostasy.

With all the confused thinking about the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount fifty years ago it was little wonder that modernism swept so many off their feet with its teachings about Jesus of Nazareth, the Man of Galilee, following his footsteps, social betterment, political reform, etc. Multitudes were so taken up with the social gospel, so eager to help make the world a better place to live in, that they did not even notice or believe that the modernists denied the very fundamentals of the Christian faith.

But the new evangelicalism of our day is still more dangerous. It is big. It is well financed. It is popular. It is subtle. Perhaps its greatest danger lies in the fact that while claiming to be “conservative,” it minimizes the importance of the fundamentals and the danger of apostatizing from them.

Thus the inspired words of the Apostle Paul: “Charge some that they teach no other doctrine,” are more urgently needed in our day than they were in his.

To the Reader:

Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Coca-Cola

"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." Mark 16:15.

If you've traveled much or little, or have seen movies shot in various parts of the world- - inevitably you will see the Coca-Cola emblem just about anywhere you or the movie camera goes.

​O​ne thing I find fascinating about this company is that at the end of World War II- Robert Woodruff, president of the Coca-Cola Company from 1923 to 1955, had a mission.

'In my generation,' he declared, 'it is my desire that everyone in the world have a taste of Coca-Cola.'

With a vision and dedication rarely matched in corporate American culture- Woodruff and his colleagues spanned the globe with their soft drink.

Would to God that we Christians would pull together and make it our goal in our generation- - to give everybody in the world a taste of God's Water of Life!

One thing is certain, if you drink Coca-Cola or any other soft drink, you will thirst again.

But as Jesus said, "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14.

What Jesus was referring to, of course, was the "water" of eternal life which his gift of salvation brings.

In today's world with all its turmoil, terrorism, and threat of war, perhaps now, more than ever- - people around the world are thirsting for the "Water of Life" that only Jesus can give.

"Dear God, please give me a passion to help reach my generation with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to be as Christ to every life I touch and help me to stand with others who are spreading the gospel around the world. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, Amen."

==============================

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ gospelfromindia

Seepage

When sin has become unbearable-
- we have tried to dispose of it on the psychiatrist’s couch

​,​

- or tried to drown it in alcohol

​,​

- or deaden it with drugs,
- and still the deadly seepage continues.

There is only one way that sin can be permanently disposed of-
- and that is through Jesus Christ.

The Scripture says He became sin for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21.
He took our sins on the cross.

Only in Christ can sin be destroyed and disposed of.
Only at the cross can we dispose of this hideous load safely and forever.

Not by chemicals-
- but by Christ.

Not by injecting or snorting drugs-
- but by bringing the mind and heart into harmony with God through submission to His will and accepting His forgiveness as offered from the cross.

In Christ alone there is-
- deliverance from mankind’s tortured thoughts,
- healing for our weakened minds and bodies,
- and freedom from the sordid habits that are destroying many people.

But more important-
- there is hope for the future.
The Bible teaches that there is a glorious new social order coming.

It is going to be brought by Jesus Christ Himself when He comes back.
Are you ready?

​​====================================

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gospelfromindia

Why not try it?

​

"...the righteous man shall live by faith." Galatians 3:11.

God’s Word says:
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 5:8.

Doing justice is being concerned for those who are left out, looked over, abused, and oppressed.

Loving kindness is being considerate, thoughtful, and actively working for the good of others.

Walking humbly with God is seeing God and self from the right perspective, thankful for His grace.

Today, when it seems that religious faith is seen as negative and even bigoted-
I hope you will consider God’s Word.

Only one person in all of history has lived up to this standard, and that was Jesus Christ.
He alone was just and kind and walked with His Father, God.

He can help you live your life as a demonstration of what true faith is.

​​

​​

Why not try it?

​​===========================

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gospelfromindia

What About Me?

Posted By Pastor Cornelius R. Stam 

Hebrews 2 states that unbelievers are, “through fear of death… all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Ver. 15). How often they must ask themselves: “What will become of me: finally become of me?” The best they can hope is that God will be merciful to them and accept them at last, but God cannot do this without a just basis, and since unbelievers have rejected His gracious payment for sin, they must remain under its condemnation. Many hope that physical death will be the end for them, but they fear that the Bible may be true and that death will not be the end.

This writer once talked with a profane barber who had boasted that he was his own “God,” and would be until they put him “six feet under.” To this we replied: “The Bible says that ‘it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this is the judgment.’ You may not believe this, or accept it as the Word of God, but you can’t prove it isn’t so, and I would urge you to look into it carefully, asking God to give you light.”

Here we ask the reader a very personal question: Are you saved? Have you accepted Christ and His payment for your sins, now standing before God “justified from all things,” and “accepted in the Beloved”? If not, we beg you: do not delay. These are serious times and who knows how soon God will take His own away and bring this dispensation of grace to a close. Then it will be too late, so we urge you, face up to your sinful condition now, and place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who, in infinite love and grace, bore the burden of your guilt and condemnation at Calvary. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31).

Article printed from Berean Bible Society: https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org

Worry from Stream in the Desert

Do not begin to be anxious (Philippians 4:6, PBV).

Not a few Christians live in a state of unbroken anxiety, and others fret and fume terribly. To be perfectly at peace amid the hurly-burly of daily life is a secret worth knowing. What is the use of worrying? It never made anybody strong; never helped anybody to do God's will; never made a way of escape for anyone out of perplexity. Worry spoils lives which would otherwise be useful and beautiful. Restlessness, anxiety, and care are absolutely forbidden by our Lord, who said: "Take no thought," that is, no anxious thought, "saying what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed?" He does not mean that we are not to take forethought and that our life is to be without plan or method; but that we are not to worry about these things.

People know you live in the realm of anxious care by the lines on your face, the tones of your voice, the minor key in your life, and the lack of joy in your spirit. Scale the heights of a life abandoned to God, then you will look down on the clouds beneath your feet.   --Rev. Darlow Sargeant

It is always weakness to be fretting and worrying, questioning and mistrusting. Can we gain anything by it? Do we not unfit ourselves for action, and unhinge our minds for wise decision? We are sinking by our struggles when we might float by faith.

Oh, for grace to be quiet! Oh, to be still and know that Jehovah is God! The Holy One of Israel must defend and deliver His own. We may be sure that every word of His will stand, though the mountains should depart. He deserves to be confided in. Come, my soul, return unto thy rest, and lean thy head upon the bosom of the Lord Jesus. --Selected

Peace thy inmost soul shall fill
Lying still!

Our Incomparable Companion

by Dr. Charles Stanley

John 14:16-18

Most of us don’t like being alone for extended periods of time. In fact, we are not designed to live in isolation. Even at the very beginning, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18). But sometimes situations in life leave us separated from others. Or perhaps we simply feel lonely, even though we live with our mate or family. But whatever your situation may be, if you are a believer, you’re never alone.

Knowing His followers could feel abandoned after His crucifixion and ascension, Jesus promised to send them a Helper who would never leave them--the Spirit of truth. The same One who came to them at Pentecost still abides within every believer. He has been sent to walk alongside us as our comforter, enabler, and guide.

The Holy Spirit, unlike human companions, is perfectly adequate to meet our every need. Since He knows us intimately, He can comfort us in pain and loss when no one else can. Anytime we find ourselves in a quandary, He knows exactly what we ought to do. Since the future is laid bare before His eyes, He’s aware of all the details that concern us. What’s more, He promises to guide us each step of the way, calming our fears and overcoming our inadequacies.

Because we were created for God, only through His Spirit are we made complete. He is the ultimate solution to man’s aloneness: He’s always available and will never forsake or forget you. When others let you down, the Comforter is present to lift you up with the reminder that you’re not alone.

Gideon's Staff

by Os Hillman

"With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread" (Judg 6:21).
Gideon was a farmer who threshed wheat for a living using a staff. This was commonly used in his day to beat out fitches and cummin (Isa 28:27), but now it was being used for wheat.

He was busy doing his work when an angel of God appeared to him. The angel told him that he was going to be used to deliver the people of Israel from the Midianites who had been ravaging their land and crops for seven years. God was calling Gideon to do a new type of threshing. Instead of threshing wheat, he was being called to thresh the Midianites.

God often calls men and women when they are in the middle of their workplace activities. Like Moses, Gideon received this word from God with reluctance and feelings of insecurity, citing that his family was of no stature to accomplish such a task. Nevertheless, God addressed Gideon as a "mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12).

God often sees us for what we will become, not what we think we are. Once Gideon determines through a series of fleeces that it truly is God speaking to him he does an interesting thing. He prepares an offering to the Lord of meat and bread. Once this offering is prepared, the angel uses the tip of his staff to consume the offering. Here God uses another symbol of his work to consummate a partnership to accomplish one of God's purposes in the nation of Israel. This time the staff is used to receive the offering presented to the Lord by touching the offering with the tip of his staff. God used the symbol of his work to ignite the fire that consumed the offering.

Be watchful for times when God orchestrates events during the commonplace activity of work. He may be orchestrating something through you for His purposes.

Divine Appointments

by Os Hillman

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." - Matthew 10:16

"Os is now taking over this division. He will be managing all of these activities from now on. You should know that he has a different management philosophy than what you may have experienced before. He has a biblical management philosophy. Os, would you like to explain what they could expect from you in this regard?"

These were the words spoken to me by a non-Christian CEO recently when he decided to increase my responsibilities in the company. We had never spoken of spiritual issues before.

Each business day, you and I will have the opportunity to stand before presidents, marketing directors, secretaries or other coworkers to create a defining moment. When that happens, there is a good chance you will be thought of as someone to avoid. You might be considered "religious" or "fanatical." If so, consider this a great compliment because it says you are standing apart from the crowd.
"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (Matthew 10:17-20).

You may never be flogged for your faith. However, you may very well be brought before others to give account for what you believe. It may be at a water cooler, or it could be during lunch with a coworker. In whatever situation you find yourself, the Holy Spirit awaits the opportunity to speak through your life to that person who needs to hear. Ask the Lord whom He wants to speak to today through your life.

Stephen: A Marketplace Minister

by Os Hillman


"Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people (Acts 6:8-9).

In the beginnings of the early church, the disciples were seeing God move in mighty ways. The disciples found themselves preaching the word of God all over the region. However, there became practical needs that arose among the people that the disciples were tending to. However, due to their preaching, these needs were not being met adequately. One of these needs involved food distribution to widows. There became an issue as to whether the needs of all the widows were being cared for. This brought pressure upon the disciples who felt their primary focus must be to preach the gospel. They now realized they could not do both adequately. This led them to appoint seven men whose lives qualified for service as leaders to serve these needs.

The first man named to fill this responsibility was Stephen, described as a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost; with a strong faith in Christ. He was full of courage, gifts and graces. He was an extraordinary man, and excelled in every thing that was good; his name signified a crown.

This was a time when the church began mobilizing other marketplace believers for ministry in the community. Stephen was the first chosen and interestingly, became the first martyred believer. One of the most interesting things one can notice when the disciples took this action is described in these passages. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7). It is as though the Lord took the cap off and everything started happening. Even a large number of priests came into the faith.

Take an inventory of your life today and determine if someone could describe your life as a person "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, full of grace and power, and one who does great wonders and miraculous things." If not, begin asking God today to accomplish this in your life.

If the Lord Wills

by Patrice Tsague


"Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord Wills, we shall live and do this or that.'" — James 4:15
What if you were about to invest in a business and you asked for the presentation of a business plan, and that presentation began with "if the Lord's Will, we will do such and such…"?

Unfortunately, many of us have reservations and doubts when the Will of God is mentioned in business. We will occasionally interpret the presenter as uncertain about the future and consequently see their use of God as a cop-out.  Yet, this is the very approach that James suggests we use in planning our business. 

In James 4:13-16, James contrasts between the world's approach to planning and the kingdom approach.  James suggests that the world's approach has the following characteristics:

"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit.'" James 4:13

Certainty of the future
Prideful
Self-centered

While the kingdom approach should have the following characteristics:
"Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord Wills, we shall live and do this or that.'" James 4:15

Recognize our limitations
Humility
Centered on God's will

What does "if the Lord Wills" mean?  It means "should God permit or allow."  It is recognizing that no matter what my plans are, they are subject to God's ultimate purpose.  It suggests that we are seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), and, as stated in the Lord's prayer, we are inviting God's Will into the situation (Matthew 6:10).

What are your plans for this year?  Have you considered God's Will for your life and your business?  God's Will protects you, provides for you and keeps you safe.  No matter your circumstances or the economy, the safest place to be is in the Will of God.  In the Will of God, there is provision, protection and safety.  In the Will of God, we find peace in the midst of turmoil. In the Will of God, we find safety in midst of uncertainty. In the Will of God, we find favor.  But, how do you find the Will of God?  Use the following guidelines in finding the Will of God:
Prayer and fasting
Study His Word and look for guidelines and patterns
Reflect on your past experience with God as a guide to where He is taking you
Seek the council of others you trust and those who are God-fearing
Make sure you have peace about the direction

God's Will is easy to find when we are willing to lay down our personal agendas. But unfortunately, it is hard to execute, because it requires personal sacrifice.  God's Will usually moves us toward the direction of the least comfortable situation and yet the most spiritual and natural impact in the lives of others.  God's Will is trading our agenda for His agenda.  If the Lord Wills, what will you do for the rest of the year?

My prayer for you this week is that you will seek God's Will for your life and business and have the courage to pursue it.

The End Of The World

• Received 05/09/13 at 12:14 AM

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

There has been a great deal of discussion lately about some Hindu astrologers who have predicted that this world will come to an end this February. The fact is that some sincere Christians fear that these prophets might be right, since our Lord did speak several times about the coming “end of the world.”

These Hindu astrologers, however, are wrong. This February will not see the end of the world, for according to the Bible the world, or earth, will never come to an end. The word “world,” which our Lord uses in this connection, does not refer to the earth, or even the people on it. It is the old Greek word aion, or age. Several ages in God’s program have already come to an end, and others will, but no matter what destructive weapons man may devise, the earth will never be destroyed. In Isaiah 45:18 we read:

“For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens: God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it; He created it not in vain; He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord, and there is none else.”

But doesn’t Rev. 21:1 predict “a new heaven and a new earth”? Yes, but the context clearly indicates that this refers to the future renewing of the present heaven and earth, not the creating of different ones. Verse 5 says:

“He that sat upon the throne: said, Behold I make all things new.”

Note: He didn’t say “I make all new things,” but “I make all things new.” There is a difference.

We should not be concerned about the end of the world, but rather about the end of this present age in which we live under “the dispensation of the grace of God,” for God has never promised how long this will last. Every hour He delays the return of Christ to recall His ambassadors, is an hour of wonderful grace, in which men may be saved by grace, through faith in Christ who died for our sins. This is why Paul urges us:

“We then, as workers together with [Christ], beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain…. Behold, now is the accepted time; Behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Cor. 6:1,2).

SALVATION FROM START TO FINISH

By HAROLD STEINBRON

Scripture Reading: II Timothy 1:9-12

"Before the World began"; that's how long ago God scheduled my life, salvation, and place in His glorious presence. Sometimes I'd worry and fret about whether I was going to make it through to next weeks pay-day! As I look back now over many years, to that concern about lasting until pay-day, I wonder, did I really believe God had known me before He made the world! I think not! It was a theory with me, I knew the Bible stated it, but it had not been reckoned SO by me. Unbelief must be a very serious insult to the One who planned by existence long before my parents were born! My God was too small! 

The person who truly lays hold of the Eternal God and truly believes what these verses teach will truly thank God even when everything that could go wrong does; and at the worst possible time---and then the bottom falls out! The peace of God that only the God of peace can bestow will bring an inner calm and freedom from turmoil that will be apparent to those about us.

Verse 12 mentions suffering "these things". One would assume that God's choice servant who wrote half our New Testament would live a trouble-
free, leisurely life. Not So! "My Grace is sufficient for thee", was God's answer to Paul's request for relief from a grievous thorn in the flesh. God is apparently wanting to inform us that since He has planned our Life and eternity from start to finish, we must not shrink from hardship, bodily suffering, or rejection by our fellow man. The holy calling is not unto ease, but unto faithfulness unto Him who called us.