Hope Triumphant

Faith

2012-01-26T13:14:00.000-05:00

Faith is by definition “the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” [Hebrews 11:1] Faith is:

a. The means of our salvation – ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” [Ephesians 2:8, 9];

b. The foundation of our hope – “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” [Romans 5:2]; and

c. A necessary ingredient in our daily walk – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” [2 Corinthians 5:7]

What should we believe? Faith believes that God is, that He has revealed Himself to us through Jesus Christ and that the Bible is His infallible, inerrant message to us.

Many people want to see in order to believe. Thomas said, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” [John 20:25] Seven days later after he saw the risen Lord and saw the nail prints, Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” [John 20:29] We believe in order to see, to know the truth. It is the truth that will set us free from the bondage of sin. It is the truth that gives us our hope not just for this life but also for the life to come. Heaven is a real place. It is so not because we have seen it, but because we believe the words of Jesus.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” [Hebrews 11:6]

The Danger of Leaven

2012-01-20T15:09:00.000-05:00

"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Galatians 5:9

The use of leaven here is used to explain the danger that is posed by one false teacher - “a little leaven.” There is no such thing as a little error. Error destroys the truth and when it creeps into the church if unchecked, it will cause unspeakable mischief by infecting the whole church. Jude tells “…that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" [1:3, 4].

That’s right, false teachers do not walk into the front door of a church and announce their arrival but the creep into the church by pretending to be what they are not. They fully understand that when you mix truth with a little error it is easier for people to accept. What are we to do? First we must realize that our only protection we have to be able to identify false teachers and their false doctrine is to be students of the Word of God. We have been told to “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” [2 Timothy 2:15]. Secondly, we must identify false teachers by name and warn others about their false doctrine. Thirdly, the false teachers must be put out of the church and their teaching repudiated.

Leaven is also used in Scripture describe the way sin works. It just takes one “little” sin to destroy the soul. It is often that one little sin we do not confessed that brings with it an unimaginable amount of heartache. Little sins don’t lie dormant. Consider the writer of Hebrews description of bitterness. He calls it a “root of bitterness” that springs forth defiling many. The root of bitterness produces anger, malice, envy, and jealousy to name a few. The “root of bitterness” is the leaven that leavens all of life.

Mrs. Charles E. Cowman in Mountain Trailways for Youth tells the follow story. “Once there was an abbot who desired the use of a piece of ground that lay conveniently near his own, but the owner refused to sell. After much persuasion he was con¬tent to lease it. The abbot covenanted only to farm it for one crop. Now his bargain sealed, he planted his field with acorns- a crop that lasted not one year, but three hundred!

So Satan seeks to get possession of our souls by asking us to permit some small sin to enter, one wrong that seems of no great account. But when once he has entered and planted the seeds and beginnings of evil, he holds his ground, and sins and evils amazingly multiply.

The dangerous thing about a little sin is that it won't stay little.”

Thoughts on Love

2012-01-16T18:36:00.000-05:00

Next month is Valentine's Day so I thought I would share with you some quotes on love.

"Love does not dominate; it cultivates."

[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe]

"Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit."

[Peter Ustinov]

"Love is not blind - it simply enables one to see things others fail to see."

[Anonymous]

"The strongest evidence of love is sacrifice."

[Caroline Fry]

"Love not only forgives but it also seeks forgiveness."

[R. Robert Flatt]

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." [Romans 5:8 NKJV)]

"Having a place to go - is a home. Having someone to love -
is a family. Having both - is a blessing. "

[Donna Hedges]

"One forgives to the degree that one loves."

[François Duc de La Rochefoucauld]

For more Love quote you can visit one of the two following sites:

Love Quotes
Valentine's Day Quotes

A Wasted Life!

2012-01-12T18:29:00.001-05:00

Recently I began reading John Piper’s book “Don’t Waste Your Life.” I hadn’t read very far and it struck a chord in my thinking on what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Peter’s remarks in the 4 chapter of his first epistle. We are to do all things for the glory of God and be good stewards of the grace of God.

I constantly hear Christians talking about their liberty in Christ as a means to justify their choice of activities. What is permissible does is not the same as being necessary. Life is not about what I can do for my enjoyment but it is about what I can do to glorify God. With that in mind, we need to remember that every believer has been given at least one spiritual gift. It could be the gift of teaching, the gift of exhortation, etc. Paul tells us in Romans 12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” Whatever our gift we have been exhorted to “use them.” In order to use our gifts we need to take the time discover what gift[s] God has given us. Then we need to develop those gifts so that we can use them for the glory of God.

A wasted life is one in which we do not discover, develop and use our spiritual gifts. It is our obligation, not an option, to use the gifts given to us for His glory. This not life lived on the edge of what is permissible but a life lived seeking to do that which is necessary, essential. What spiritual gift have you been given? How are you using it for the glory of God? Maybe you have been given the gift of teaching. Have you developed it? Are you using for the glory of God by teaching others to know, serve and enjoy God? If not, you are wasting your life and at the same time despising the gift[s] of God. I can hear the excuses. NOT one of them will be acceptable when Jesus says to us “I gave you the gift of _______, what did you do with it?”

Are you living your life doing a lot of permissible things but not that which is essential? If so, it is a life of someone running from God. It’s time to get back to essential things of doing all things for the glory of God as good stewards of the grace and gifts of God.

Be Still and Know

2012-01-08T21:52:00.000-05:00

"For I know the plans which I am planning for you," saith Jehovah, "plans of welfare and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11, Rotherham)

The year we are now entering is one unknown to us, but known to God. He has a "custom-designed" plan for our lives. Included in His plan for us is the year ahead.

At the time Jeremiah wrote the above scripture, God's chosen people were in captivity. Jeremiah reminded them that God had not forgotten them, but in His own time would return them to their homeland. "…I know the plans I am planning for you...” Their captivity may have seemed like a calamity, but God assured them He had their welfare in mind.

We cannot see what lies ahead in the New Year, but God can. “…I KNOW the plans I am planning for YOU…" His plans are for the PRESENT moment—NOW. "The plans I AM planning for you…" He knows "where" we are, the "why" of our circumstances, "how" His plans fit into our lives, and "what" His plans are to accomplish.

His plans are PURPOSEFUL. "Plans of welfare, not of calamity..." Often we see our circumstances as calamities, but not so with God. He loves us and desires only His best for us. We view our situations from where we are, but God sees them completed and fitted into His plans.

He has PROSPECTIVE plans for our FUTURE. We are to be WITH HIM in heaven. There we will experience no sorrow, nor pain. There all our tears will be wiped away. Knowing that one of these days He will return for us gives us HOPE today.

We can face the New Year with peace of heart and mind, knowing that God is working out His plans not only for our life on earth but throughout eternity.

His plan for our lives finds completion and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. "Moreover we know that to those who love God, who are called according to HIS PLAN, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good. For God, in His foreknowledge, chose them to bear the family likeness of His Son." (Rom. 8:28-29, Phillips) Millie Stamm, Be Still and Know, Zondervan Publishing House, 1978, page 4 (Words in bold my emphasis)

The Dawning of Another Year

2012-01-04T13:33:00.000-05:00

We have another New Year before us. What this New Year will bring only God knows. Like every New Year, it offers us a new start with new opportunities. How we handle them and what we do with them will be a measure of our character and a test of our faith.

In January 1874 hymn-writer Frances Ridley Havergal sent New Year's greetings to her friends with the heading, "A Happy New Year! Ever Such May It Be!" She also enclosed one of her poems, perhaps the greatest New Year's prayer of consecration ever written:

Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.
Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.
Another year of service, of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year of dawning! Dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee. Amen.

Another song writer, Ira Stanphill, wrote the words, "I don't know about tomorrow... but I know who holds tomorrow." Let our hearts rest in God's confident care as our eyes search His infallible Word each day.

Resolutions for the NewYear

2011-12-31T08:09:00.002-05:00

Have you made your resolutions for the New Year? As we open and turn the pages in The Book of an Unlived Year, remember that one day we'll look back and see what we wrote on each of those pages. In order for those pages to be filled with choices, actions and passions that honor God, we might want to consider the following resolutions to keep:

Our tongue! “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles." (Proverbs 21:23)

Our eyes! "Let your eyes look straight ahead..." (Proverbs 4:25)

Our ears! "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings." (Proverbs 4:20)

Our mouth! "...keep corrupt talk far from your life." (Proverbs 4:24)

Our hands! "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord." (Psalms 134:2)

Our feet! "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" (Isaiah 52:7)

Our heart! "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

Keeping these resolutions will help keep the pages of the book from being soiled by blunders, black regrets, and unholy passions which dishonor God. Remember, what we write on the pages of The Book of an Unlived Year will be read by others, even by our Savior. Will we be ashamed to have others read it, or will Christ be magnified on each page? That’s how I see it. How do you see it?

Does God Make Mistakes?

2011-12-26T20:52:00.001-05:00

God is absolute in His sovereignty and can do as He wills, with His other attributes serving as boundaries for His actions. When God works in our lives, often we think God is making a mistake.

Joseph was a godly man. Yet, he was put in a pit and sold into slavery by his brothers and put into prison twice in Egypt. How would you have acted if you were Joseph? Joseph trusted and obeyed God in the circumstances of his life, and his trust and obedience were not conditioned upon his understanding his circumstances. At the end of life, Joseph says to his brothers: "....ye thought it evil against me, but God meant it unto good...." (Genesis 50:20)

Are you at a point in your life where you think God has made a mistake? Let the example of Joseph strengthen you and be comforted with the following:

HE MAKETH NO MISTAKE

My Father's way may twist and turn
My heart may throb and ache
But in my soul I'm glad I know,
He maketh no mistake
My cherished plans may go astray
My hopes may fade away
But still I'll trust my Lord to lead,
For He doth know the way
Tho night be dark and it may seem
That day will never break
I'll pin my faith, my all in Him
He maketh no mistake
There's so much now I cannot see
My eyesight far too dim
But come what may, I'll simply trust
And leave it all to Him
For by and by the mist will lift
And plain it all He'll make
Through all the way, tho dark to me
He made not one mistake.
[Unknown]

The Story of Christmas

2011-12-24T13:17:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Hope Triumphant blog. Since it's Christmas, I just want to rehearse for you the story of Christmas from the Gospel of LUke. Enjoy your reading and have a very Merry Christmas.

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke 2:1 - 20 NKJV]

Parable of the Poinsettia

2011-12-20T23:14:00.000-05:00

I rinsed the dishes and loaded the dishwasher as Barb gave me the formula I needed. 12 to 15 hours of complete darkness every day for three months. There can't be any light during that time not even for a moment - or it won't bloom.

It had been almost a year since my poinsettia was given to me. Since last Christmas it had dropped its red bracts and sprouted lots of healthy green leaves. I anticipated a beautiful plant to use for this year's decorating, but NOW it seemed improbable that I could produce conditions severe enough for it to bloom. The sunshine and water I had given it were no favor.

I could imagine nurseries all over the country with important sealed rooms, and "Do Not Enter" signs on the locked doors for most of the day. Inside, thousands of green plants hovered in the darkness. During those required hours of darkness, no one would be allowed to, enter. Even a flashlight or a lighted "Exit" sign over the door would spoil the beauty being prepared.

Pondering this brave little plant, I saw a parallel to the dark times in my life the emotional pain of a miscarriage, financial strain, the death of my young husband, the loneliness of being a single parent. Those were times when I longed for a glimmer of light. The darkness seemed absolute I and terminal. God seemed far away. But instead, God was giving me fastidious care. He was the professional - a master gardener who knew there was only one way to produce brilliant blooms in my life. I And predictably, those times of hardship are now precious to me because of what they produced-a deep appreciation for my many blessings, a more mature faith, and a greater trust in God. He hadn't forgotten me after all! Happiness could not have taught me so well.

I think Joseph and Mary must have observed the same formula at work. At times they must have longed for a glimmer of light in the darkness they were experiencing: Joseph pondering divorce from his beloved Mary because of her apparent unfaithfulness to him. . . arriving in Bethlehem to find no place to stay. To think their baby would be born in a stable and slumber in a feeding trough! There were more dark days ahead - Simeon's warning that a sword would pierce their souls because of this child, and a night flight to Egypt to escape Herod's search and destroy mission for the newborn King. And always there was the shadow of the Cross.

Yet out of the darkness came angels rejoicing. "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). God's wonderful salvation was blooming in a dusky cave. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the dark days of autumn produce the poinsettia's colorful display just in time for the holidays. Maybe God put it there to remind us that faith grows in hard times. Out of the darkness, expect rejoicing. by Donna MacLean is a free-lance writer in Federal Way, Washington.

My Thoughts on Christmas

2011-12-19T00:21:00.000-05:00

“The giving of gifts is not something man invented. God started the giving spree when he gave a gift beyond words, the unspeakable gift of His Son.”

"When we ask our children 'What do you want for Christmas?', we are asking a question that breeds selfishness. In order to develop selflessness we should be asking 'What are you going to give?' Christmas is the celebration of God's great gift giving - 'For God so loved the world that he gave...'(John 3:16)"

"Like Thanksgiving, the spirit of Christmas was never meant to be shut up into a single day." The older I get the more I realize that Christmas was meant to be a time of celebration. Not a celebration of gift giving or a celebration in lights, trees and bright decorations but a celebration of love, the love of God for sinful mankind. Yes, God's love for you and me was demonstrated in that He sent His Son to die our my sins that we might live eternally with Him in heaven. At Christmas, we are celebrating even though are sinners and His enemies, God loved us enough to send His Son to die for our sin. Christmas drives home the fact that God cares about us.

Christmas Family Traditions

2011-12-16T07:55:00.000-05:00

I came across a book with the above title written by Verna Birkey and Jeanette Turnquist, and it struck a very happy chord in my heart; a chord that rings with many pleasant memories of our family activities together. Even now, when possible, our children arrange to be home for Christmas. Not for Christmas itself, but to take part in a family tradition, a shrimp and steak fondue Christmas Eve.

What was once a very special event for Mabel and me has become a family tradition. It was not something that was planned but came along by accident as the result of a request by our children to participate in something that they saw as quite unusual. As a result, each one has their own special memories of Christmas Eve and the family all together. Now, as they come home, we sit and talk about the various family traditions they are establishing, each different in their own way, hoping that their children will be able to look back at their family activities with the same fond memories they each have.

How does one begin a family tradition? Some things are planned like vacation camping; other things happen and we are wise enough to seize the moment. For us, Christmas Eve was a moment that we were able to seize. The key is listening to your children and learning to recognize what they see as "good times" to be repeated.

Quoting from the introduction of Building Happy Memories & Family Traditions: "A memory is a legacy, something special handed down from one generation to another. It can be much more than a material object. In fact, the best memories are often stored only in the mind, not in the cedar chest or the far corner of the attic. Family togetherness is a memory..."

I don't know if I am able to tell you step by step how to build family traditions, but I hope this personal illustration will help you understand a little of what I am trying to convey.

Do you have a special family tradition you would like to share with us. We would love to hear from you. Use the litle envelope below to write to us.

The Names of Jesus

2011-12-13T13:30:00.003-05:00

Went I went to church on Sunday, I found this on the back of the bulletin. thought my readers would find this interesting.

Before Jesus was born in Bethlehem an angel was sent to tell Mary she would "bring forth a son ... call his name JESUS ... Son of the Highest" (Luke 1:31-32). A little later, another angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to call the baby "JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

Throughout Scripture we find many other names for Jesus based on His attributes. Here are some compiled into a list to help us remember them:

To the architect, He is the Chief Corner Stone
To the baker, the Living Bread
To the builder, the Sure Foundation
To the doctor, the Great Physician
To the florist, Rose of Sharon and Lily of the Valley
To the geologist, the Rock of Ages
To the horticulturist, the True Vine
To the jeweler, the Pearl of Great Price
To the newspaper editor, Good Tidings of Great Joy
To the philanthropist, the Unspeakable Gift
To the philosopher, the Wisdom of God
To the sculptor, the Living Stone
To the servant, the Good Master
To the writer, the Word of God
To the sinner, the Lamb of God who takes away our sins
To the believer, Son of the Living God, Savior, Redeemer and Lord

We may ask ourselves the question, "How can we know the Son of the Living God as our personal Savior and Redeemer?" In Ephesians 2:8-9 we read, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." God's gift of eternal life is received not by anything good we may do, but by faith alone in what Christ did on the cross for us.

Receive God's greatest gift and trust Jesus alone for salvation this Christmas! "He shall save his people from their sins." —Paul J. Twist

Chistmas Quotes II

2011-12-10T08:09:00.001-05:00

These quotes are taken from the web site Hope Triumphant. If you would like to read more quotes, visit the page by following this link.

"To prepare our hearts for Christmas,
we must cultivate the spirit of expectancy."

(Handel H. Brown)

"Commercialization has obscured the meaning of Christmas. The commercial has become more important than the carol. What man has to sell more important than what God has given."

(Anonymous)

In today’s Christmas message, “the message of what man has to sell takes precedence over the proclamation of what God has to give.”

[Handel H. Brown]

"The most important part about Christmas is the first six letters."

[Life Research Universal]

"Rejoice, that the immortal God is born, so that mortal man may live in eternity."

[John Huss]

"Our God is the God of the unexpected. A few things could be more unexpected than the King of heaven being born in a stable"

[Bill Crowder]

God Planned It

2011-12-05T22:42:00.002-05:00

The Apostle wrote in Galatians 4:4 that the birth of Jesus Christ was a planned event. "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." Then in the 5th verse we are told why Jesus came to earth. "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Follow the unfolding of prophecy regarding the birth of Jesus and the only conclusion you can come to is that it was a God planned event. So precise were the prophetic statements that when it came to identifying the place of Jesus birth the prophets distinguished between two towns [Bethlehem] in Old Testament times with the same name. A Bethlehem located in Galilee and one located in Judah.

SEED OF THE WOMAN

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." Genesis 3:15

SEED OF ABRAHAM

“Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Genesis 12:1 – 3

TRIBE OF JUDAH

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” Genesis 49:10

FAMILY OF DAVID

"When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever." 2 Samuel 7:12 – 16

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

BORN OF A VIRGIN

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." Micah 5:2

Based upon the above prophecies, the birth of Jesus was not an accident.

The Lamb of God

2011-12-01T22:28:00.001-05:00

John the Baptist testified that Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. I came across this poem which tells the same story in a different way.

Mary Had The Little Lamb

Mary had the little Lamb
Who lived before His birth;
Self-existent Son of God
From heaven He came to earth.
Micah 5:3

Mary had the little lamb;

See Him in yonder stall

Virgin-born Son of God,

To save man from the fall.

Isaiah 7:14

Mary had the little lamb,

Obedient Son of God,

Everywhere the Father led,

His feet were sure to trod.

John 6:38

Mary had the little lamb,

Crucified on a tree;

The rejected Son of God,

He died to set men free.

1 Peter 1:18

Mary had the little lamb;

Men placed Him in the grave

Thinking they were done with Him;

To death He was no slave!

Matthew 28:6

Mary had the little lamb,

Ascended now is He;

All work on earth is ended,

Our Advocate to be.

Hebrews 4:14 - 16

Mary had the little lamb -

Mystery to behold!

From the Lamb of Calvary

A lion will unfold.

Revelation 5:5, 6

When the Day Star comes again,

Of this be very sure:

It won't be the Lamb-like silence,

But with the Lion's roar.

Psalm 2:12;
Revelation 19:11-16

[Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc.]

If you haven't trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior, I invite you to request a copy of the booklet "The Ultimate Question" or follow the link God's Plan on the side of the page for more information. We have sent out 100s of booklets and we do not contact you again except by your request.

'Tis The Season

2011-11-25T20:46:00.002-05:00

We are quickly moving into the "Gimme Season." More than at any other time of the year, we see people making lists of gifts they would like to receive. Children are encouraged to search the catalogs and toy stores for that one special treasured gift. The W's focus is on the new and latest toys. Each manufacturer hopes his toy will become the hottest new toy on the market.

Do you remember seeing pictures of women fighting in the toy stores for Cabbage Patch Dolls? There were reports of people flying to France to buy this coveted doll for their child. I wonder where all those Cabbage Patch Dolls are today.

Do you enjoy giving and receiving gifts? There is a special joy in giving gifts to loved ones, but do you remember what gifts you gave and received last Christmas? I decided to list all the gifts I received in the last year. However, after thinking for a while, my list was very short--not because I didn't receive some wonderful gifts but because my memory is so inadequate.

Now, a list person doesn't give up easily! Consequently, I changed the direction of my thoughts and I came up with a wonderful list. This list, by far, is the greatest one I have ever had the privilege to compile.

I am reminded that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17) The first and most important gift on my list is eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23).

Because of God's gift of eternal life, my list of spiritual blessings just grew and grew:

1. Love [I John 3:1]
2. Mercy [Titus 3:5; Hebrews 4:16]
3. Peace [2 Thessalonians 3:16; John 14:17; Philippians 4:7]
4. Strength [Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 27:14]
5. Forgiveness [I John 1:9]
6. Grace [James 4:6; 2 Corinthians 9:8]
7. Hope [Colossians 1:27; John 14:2-4]
8. Joy [John 15:11]
9. Faith [Hebrews 11:1-3]
10. Guidance [Psalm 32:8]
11. Instruction [John 14:26]
12. Wisdom [James 1:5; 3:17]
13. Comfort [2 Corinthians 1:3-4]
14. Comforter [John 14:16]

As I review my list, my heart rejoices at all God has given me. I've shared just a portion of the list with you. Why not make your own list? Let me warn you as you search the scriptures, your heart will be encouraged and blessed.

Mabel R Flatt

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15

Grateful

2011-11-23T07:37:00.000-05:00

What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving? This week at our weekly Reveille, our Pastor shared this list of blessings.

1. God’s Goodness: “The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD…” Jeremiah 33:11

2. God’s Greatness: “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.” Psalm 48:1

3. God’s Grace: “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:4

4. Gospel: “And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 8:18

5. God's Guidance: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Psalm 32:8

6. God’s Government: “O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.” Psalm 67:4

7. God’s Gift: “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Let us be grateful to God all His blessings. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4

How to Prosper

2011-11-21T02:59:00.000-05:00

Everyone wants to prosper but prosperity has a way of eluded us. Is there a secret formula to follow that we may prosper? Yes and in the Bible we can find the secret of prosperity. Prosperity is the result of:

1. Keeping and obeying the Word of God. “And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself.” [1 Kings 2:3]

2. Not keeping company with sinful people and learning to meditate on the Word of God. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” [Psalm 1:1 – 3]

Now we must acknowledge the wicked do prosper but the difference is there is no peace or satisfaction in their prosperity for they are under the judgment of God. One of the greatest examples of this is found in Psalm 73 where the Psalmist expresses is frustration over the prosperity of the wicked and his lack of prosperity. Finally he understands two things. The prosperity of evil doers is temporary in light of their eternal damnation and secondly, the prosperity of the righteous begins with a right relationship with God that is evidenced by obedience to His Word. As a result the righteous can enjoy the temporal benefits from His hand knowing that they are accompanied by the blessings of peace and security along with His promise of an eternal home. Apart from God any prosperity a man achieves is hollow because not provide what a man wants most – peace, security and a certain future. Jesus asked “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36, 37]

I Believe

2011-11-15T20:03:00.000-05:00

What is it that holds you together in the midst of a trial and helps you deal with worry and it accompanying emotion fear? The immediate answer of many would be my faith. To which I would reply, "What kind of faith?" It must be a faith that is not a faith in faith itself nor a faith that was wishful thinking. Faith in itself has no foundation and we cannot make God conform to our will. When we try to make our will God's will and God's response does not match what we will, the most immediate response is to lose faith in God and reject Him. It can not be a belief in a higher power. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe in me also.” It is a faith that has a personal in nature because we encounter a personal God.

It must be a faith that believes in the promises of God. First there are those promises that deal with our relationship with God. "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9, 10). Secondly there are the promises regarding our journey through life. God has never promised we will always be healed of our diseases nor has He promised we will escape trials and tribulations. It is a faith that goes against the grain. It is a faith that believes in absolutes when the entire world around us rejects a faith that is based upon absolute truth. The cry "all truth is relative" becomes its own absolute. Jesus Christ said many things that cut across the grain of the modern day theological consensus - “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Now that we have given faith an identity, l want to set forth the creed that allowed me to conquer the fears of my life and to possess an inward peace regardless of my outward circumstances (cancer and my wife's cancer among those trials). I BELIEVE.....

a. All of God’s promise to be true: God can be God and lie, for that would a contradiction to His very being. “In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.” (Titus 1:2)

b. Heaven is real: "In my father's house there are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you..." (John 14:2, 3)

c. My God will never leave me to face trials and heartaches alone: There may be times I am lonely but I am never alone. “For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13: 5, 6) Psalmist said of the Lord who was his Shepherd, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (23:4).

d. God will see me through all my troubles: “And He said to me, "'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

e. Nothing shall separate me from the love of Christ: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).

f. God has a purpose for my trials, heartaches: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 3,4)

The alternative is a life without God, which is a life of meaninglessness. The result is that life is filled with despair and hopelessness. What do you believe?

Necessity of Prayer

2011-11-12T16:12:00.001-05:00

Prayer is vital for both the individual and the church’s health. In an attempt to convey the vitality of prayer, I want to share with you what others have said on the subject.

“Men are God’s method. The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men…What the church needs today is not more or better machinery, not new organization or more and novel methods. She needs men whom the Holy Spirit can use – men of prayer mighty men in prayer. The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men – men of prayer.” [E. M. Bounds, Power through Prayer]

"Prayer will make a man give over sinning, or sinning will make a man give over praying." [Mr. Dod who is quoted in 1853 publication of Russell's Seven Sermons]

“Praying that does not result in right thinking and right living is a farce. We have missed the whole office of prayer if it fails to purge our character and correct conduct. We have failed entirely to understand the virtue of prayer, if it does not bring about the revolutionizing of life. In the very nature of tings, we must either quit praying or quit our bad conduct.” [E. M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer]

“He who prays as he ought will endeavor to live as he prays.” [John Owen]

“Prayer is absolutely necessary if we want to carry on God’s work properly…Nothing is done well without prayer for the simple reason that it leaves God out of the work. It is so easy to be seduced by the good and to neglect the best, until both the good and the best perish…How easy it is to neglect prayer or abbreviate our praying simply by the excuse that we have church work on our hands. When he can keep us too busy to stop and pray, Satan has effectively disarmed us.” [E. M. Bounds, The Weapon of Prayer]

Is the 21st century church a healthy church? How important is prayer in today’s church? I don’t doubt in the lives of individuals prayer is important. The early church prayed together. In Acts 1, they prayed before choosing a successor to Judas. After Jesus gave them the Great Commission and ascended into heaven they “all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” [14]. In 2:42, 47: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers…And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people.”

What was the result of their praying? “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” [2:47]. Then in 3:1 we read of Peter and John going to the temple at the hour of prayer. How important was prayer to the early church? Prayer is mentioned 31 times in Acts. Many of the references indicate that the church prayed together as one body. Paul writes in his letters to the churches that he prayed for them daily and he instructed Timothy on how to pray. How important is prayer in 21st century church? Is the attendance at prayer meeting any indication? Is the number of people being saved an indication? What does today’s church need? Paraphrasing E. M. Bounds, today’s church does not need better programs or better methods but better men and better men are praying men. We need men who will call today’s church to prayer and lead by example.

The Will of God

2011-11-07T11:30:00.001-05:00

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

How often do we find ourselves afraid to do the will of God. A study of the N.T. will open up to us what is the will of God for all believers. In response to this study, we often feel in adequate. An important factor we must not overlook is God's provision that enables us to do the will of God in our lives. The following poem by an unknown author captures in the clearest way God's provision as we seek to do the will of God.

The Will of God

The will of God will never take you,

Where the grace of God cannot keep you,

Where the arms of God cannot support you,

Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,

Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,

Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,

Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,

Where the army of God cannot protect you,

Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,

Where the love of God cannot enfold you,

Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,

Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,

Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you,

Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,

Where the Word of God cannot feed you,

Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,

Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

Author unknown

God's will is always accompanied by God's provision.

The Need of the Hour

2011-11-01T22:40:00.002-04:00

Could the follow quotes address both the problem and the solution regarding the present day condition of the Church in America?

"Prayer will make a man give over sinning, or sinning will make a man give over praying." [Mr. Dod who is quoted in 1853 publication of Russell's Seven Sermons]

I'm sure you like me have many reasons and excuses why we don't pray or attend prayer meetings as we should but when you get to the bottom of the matter, it's just plain old fashioned disobedience. Jesus said, "When ye pray" not "if you pray." He is expecting us to pray, wants us to pray and encourages us to pray just as He prayed because it is a life transforming activity. How goes your prayer life? Does it need improvement like mine? No better time to start then right now.

Destructive Forces in Church

2011-10-27T22:39:00.000-04:00

"And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?’ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” [Matthew 7:3 – 5]

Have you ever thought about hypocrites in church? I do and this is my conclusion. Charles Heimsath said, “The chief trouble with the church is that you and I are in it.” Even though a person has been born again, he still has an old nature and sins. When we forget this fact, we become overly critical of others and easily content with the way we are. Because we place such a great emphasis on creed at the expense of conduct, we are too willing to make allowances for our mediocre Christian lifestyle. Creed is important but creed is more than what we believe. If our creed does not affect our conduct, we do not believe our creed. Some of Jesus' harshest condemnations were addressed to hypocrites. [Mark 7:6; Luke 11:44; 12:56; Matthew 23:13 - 15, 23, 25, 27, 29]

Time has come for us to stop blandly overlooking all our own faults and being so critical of others. It is time to examine our own lives, accept responsibility for what we are and take the criticism of others seriously. Why? As long as we are content why should we have to become something we already think we are? There can be no change in the way we live until we realize we are but saved sinners. We deceive ourselves by adopting a critical spirit toward those outside the church and by judging them by what we think we are. When we are unwilling to address our own sins of the flesh and spirit while attacking the sins of the flesh and spirit of others, we are hypocritical.

What’s the answer? One, we need to be continually examining our actions and words in light of God’s Word. Two, we must change any conduct that is not in harmony with its teaching. Three, we need to adopt a spirit of meekness [having our strength under control] when dealing with others. Four, realizing personal change is difficult, painful and time consuming; we must exercise the same patience with others we would want them to exercise with us. Fifth, we need to go to those we have offended by our critical spirit and ask for forgiveness. If we’re not sure we have offended someone, use this test. If I think I might have, I probably have. Finally, speak the truth in love and demonstrate love when we interact with others. To you who are overly critical of the church and church members, I would ask you to judge Christianity by its only standard, the person of Christ and his teachings. Do you see things as I see them?

Are You Destroying Your Church?

2011-10-21T23:46:00.000-04:00

Recently I cam across a list of actions that a person can do that are destructive to their church. The list is as follows:

1. Don't attend;

2. If you do attend, arrive late and leave early;

3. Visit other churches often;

4. At every service ask yourself, "What do I get out of this?";

5. Never volunteer for anything. Let the Pastor do it;

6. Gossip;

7. Be critical of the pastor and the musicians;

8. Don't talk to others or encourage them;

9. Don't forgive when someone offends you; and

10. Avoid praying for your church.

Are you destroying your local church or building it up?