HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008
[Continued]

Jeremiah 29:11 (King James Version) 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 (Amplified Bible)11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

New Years resolutions, most everyone makes them. There is One far greater than us who has made plans for us since before we were formed in our mother’s wombs.

Do you see God’s hands in your life? In every aspect of our life, He is there waiting for us to seek His will. Can you at this point say Lord I see your plans, and I will trust You?

As we start to write down our resolutions for the New Year, let us first seek Him who created us, created us in His image to do His will. As we start the New Year let this old song be:

MY PRAYER P.P. Bliss

More holiness give me
More striving within
More patience in suffering
More sorrow for sin
More faith in my Savior
More sense of His care
More joy in His service
More purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me
More trust in the LORD
More pride in His glory
More hope in His word
More tears for His sorrows
More pain at His grief
More meekness in trials
More praise in relief.

More purity give me
More strength to o’er-come
More freedom from earth-stains
More longings for home
More fit for the kingdom
More used would I be
More Blessed and Holy
More Savior, like thee. Amen.

God’s blessings on each of you,

rECj/LJG

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008 SUNDAY EDITORIAL

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever, Hebrews 13:8

Two thousand years have come and gone and still He remains the same. The star still shine, but it is not the star of a babe born in Bethlehem, it is the star of Jesus as He grew and came to age to give His life for each one of us.

Today many people look up to other people as role models. The One we should look to is the Saviour. What better example can we have as to how to live our life’s with Christ Himself?

Last night the Lord was showing me something that I want to share with you. Imagine you are at your job, without you things would go on, but it would take longer without you there. In the middle of the work that gives you a paycheck that takes care of not only you, but also your spouse, your children, even your parents, a man walks up. He tells you simply “FOLLOW ME.” Walk away from everything that you know as a means of support for you and for those you love. Walk away. Do not finish the task before you, just walk away and “FOLLOW ME,” Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

That is what the disciples were told to do. One person was even told, “Let the dead bury the dead Mat 8:22" when he said let me go do this first.

Now lets look at our own life’s. We say that we are Christians, but are we willing to give it all up for Him. Honestly search yourself and ask yourself that question. If Jesus spoke to you right now and said “FOLLOW ME” would you, could you in all sincerity walk away from everything you know?

As the New Year is about to start examine yourself and see where your heart is with Christ. Ask yourself the question: Will I leave it all to FOLLOW HIM? Is my heart so in tune with Christ that I am able to surrender everything to Him, and do what He asks me to do?

I encourage you to start the New Year by examining yourself and your relationship with Jesus. He has done more and will do more for you then anything or anyone anywhere. Who are your role models? You do you wish to be more like? Let it be the Saviour. He will never leave you nor forsake you, Heb 13:5.

God Bless each of you as the New Year starts,

rECj/LJG

ARE WE GUILTY

WORD OF WISDOM

Good works have the glory of God as their object; and they have the revealed will of God as their only rule (Deuteronomy 12:32; Revelation 22:18, 19).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Work for God should be done with holy joy and cheerfulness. Even children and servants must rejoice before God; the services of God are to be a pleasure, and not a task or drudgery.

Whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we are commanded to do all to the glory of God. And we must do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to the Father through Him.

"You shall not add thereto any inventions of your own, under pretence of making the ordinance either more significant or more magnificent, nor diminish from it, under pretence of making it more easy and practicable, or of setting aside that which may be spared; but observe to do all that, and that only, which God has commanded." We may then hope in our worship to obtain the divine acceptance when we observe the divine appointment. God will have His own work done in His own way.

By forbidding the addition, or diminishing of anything, He plainly condemns as illegitimate whatever men invent of their own imagination; whence it follows that they, who in worshipping God are guided by any rule save that which He Himself has prescribed, make to themselves false gods; and, therefore, horrible vengeance is denounced by Him against those who are guilty.

Now, since all the ceremonies of the Papal worship are a mass of superstitions, no wonder that all her chief rulers and ministers should be blinded with that stupidity wherewith God has threatened them (John Calvin).

So we see our inward satisfaction will be more and more, as we abound in love and good works, which spring from faith and the in-dwelling Spirit of Christ.

God's blessings to each of you,

LJG/rECj

MERCY SEAT/PROPITIATION

WORD OF WISDOM

PROPITIATION ~ That by which God is rendered propitious, i.e., by which it becomes consistent with his character and government to pardon and bless the sinner. The propitiation does not procure his love or make him loving; it only renders it consistent for him to execise his love towards sinners.

Souce: Easton's Bible Dictionary

In reading the Old Testament we find that the mercy seat was made of solid gold and sat on top of the Ark. The Ark and mercy seat were kept inside the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies was separated from the rest of the temple by a thick curtain, because it was considered to be the place where the presence of God was. There were also a golden statue of cherubim at each end of the mercy seat, facing one another, their wings spread to enclose the mercy seat. All of the temple and the Holy of Holies were built as God instructed Moses to built them.

One day a year the Jewish High Priest was allowed into the Holy of Holies, no one else was permitted to enter at any time for any reason. According to directions the Priest would first offer incense so that a cloud would rise up and cover the mercy seat. Then he would sprinkle the blood of a sacrificial bull as atonement for everyone in the family of Israel.

In the New Testament the mercy seat is portrayed as a prefiguration of Christ, as He was the final Atonement that was made for our sins. Romans states that Jesus was sent by God as a propitiation for our sins. 2 Corinthians says that Jesus became a sin offering for us.

Another word for mercy seat is covering; it is also used to mean propitiation or reconciliation by blood. In 1 John 2:2 and 4:10 Christ is called the Propitation for our sins. By Christ shedding His blood He became our sin offering, He covered our sins.

Matthew 27:45-56 (King James Version) 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

When Jesus died the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom. Jesus had paid the price that would never have to be paid again. By His death there would no longer need to be sacrifices of animals. The blood of the Living Christ had been shed. Now we do not need to go to the Priest for atonement, the atonement has been paid in full. Jesus became the atonement for each one of us. He was the mercy seat, and has become the mercy seat for each of us. Now we can go to the mercy of Christ for our forgiveness of sins. He is our covering, our incense is our prayers of thanksgiving, our love offering to the Lord, and a covering as we ask forgiveness for our sins. Then we can step up to the mercy seat and Christ with His mercy as our intercessor can receive us.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

BAPTIZE OR NOT

WORD OF WISDOM

CHRISTIAN BAPTISTISM ~ An ordinance immediately instituted by Christ (Matthew 28:19, 20), and designed to be observed in the church, like that of the Supper, "till he come." The words "baptize" and "baptism" are simply Greek words transferred into English. This was necessarily done by the translators of the Scriptures, for no literal translation could properly express all that is implied in them.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

There are 59 scriptures that have the word baptize in it. I will not list each one, they though are easy to find with a good concordance.

We will start with John the Baptist:
Matthew 3:11-16 (King James Version) 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Mark 1:4-8 (King James Version)4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; 7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

John 1:25-33 (King James Version) 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

Matthew, Mark and John, three different disciples tell the story of John. John baptized in the wilderness, clothed in camel’s hair with a girdle of skin about his loins. His food was locusts and wild honey. To those who ask he tells them he baptizes with water for the repentance of sins after they had confessed their sins. He also tells all that there is One coming after him that was before him. He tells them that He [Jesus] will baptize them with the Holy Ghost. The promise is there that Jesus will fill them with the Holy Ghost. Nothing though is said about any speaking in other tongues, but fire is mentioned.

Now lets go to Jesus.
Matthew 20:20-26 (King James Version) 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. John 3:22 (King James Version) 22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. John 4:1-6 (King James Version)When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

These three scriptures tell us very much. Jesus tells us that yes others can receive the baptism that He has. John and his followers tell us that more where baptized by Jesus’ followers then by Johns. What is very important here is we are told that Jesus Himself did not baptize anyone.
Now lets look to the disciples and what they did after Jesus was raised. Peter is speaking here.
Acts 2:38 (King James Version)38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:40-50 (King James Version] 42 And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Acts 19:3-5 (King James Version) 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Peter one of the original disciples tells the people repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. He goes on later to tell us that those who heard that those who believed in Christ received the Holy Ghost before water baptism; then they were baptized. Coming upon those who had been baptized by John for repentance, they were again baptized in the name of Jesus.

So reading all this we can tell that baptism is important. There is more then one way to baptize, but once you hear the right way you need to do it the right way. There is more then one baptism, there is water baptism and there is Spirit baptism. We have learned that you can have one before the other, but you do need both.

But, oh yeah we have to have a but in here. What of the man on the cross with Jesus? Well let’s take a look at him. Did he repent; did he ask to be saved? We know with all certainty that he was not baptized. Luke 23:30-50 (King James Version) 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Two men were also on crosses that day. One mocked Jesus, the other rebuked him saying to him don’t you fear God, you are nailed to the cross just as Him, but we deserve to be here, He does not. Then look carefully at his words to Jesus, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom. And just as Jabez prayer was heard and answered, so was this mans. [Now if you do not know the prayer of Jabez you should go read it.] He knew who Christ was, what he did not know, but would receive was a last minute reprieve. He admitted he was a sinner and asked Jesus to remember him and Jesus told him that today you shall be with Me in paradise.

From all the scriptures we have just read we know to call on the Name of Jesus and we shall be saved. We know that it is okay to be baptized in water for repentance of sins. We also have read that once we know that it is the Name of Jesus then yes we should be rebaptized in His Name. Father, Son and Holy Ghost are titles. There is only One Name under which we can be saved. But not being baptized will not keep you from heaven’s door. What is very important to remember here is that we are held responsible for what we do know. If we have not had some things revealed to us through the Spirit then God is just enough to know this. What we do know and do not act on is what we will be held accountable for.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG

FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST

WORD OF WISDDOM
GIFT OF TONGUES ~ Granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special language with which they were naturally acquainted (Comp. Joel 2:28, 29).
Among the gifts of the Spirit the apostle enumerates in 1 Corinthians 12:10-14:30, "divers kinds of tongues" and the "interpretation of tongues." This "gift" was a different manifestation of the Spirit from that on Pentecost, although it resembled it in many particulars. Tongues were to be "a sign to them that believe not."


Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

I have an uncle who would get slain in the spirit all the time. Yet he never spoke in tongues. Is he saved? Of course he is. Is it recorded anywhere that the man on the cross beside Jesus spoke in tongues? [Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom] No.

I could site case after case of people who never once spoke in tongues and they were filled the Holy Ghost. The evidence is speaking in tongues. Do we have solid evidence that we can see and touch that lets us know that Jesus Himself is the Saviour? What we do have is a Bible passed down through the years. What we do have is the believe in what we do not see, Hbr 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The Bible tells us it is by faith that we are saved, Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. I wish that all should speak in tongues, 1Cr 14:5A Now I want you all to speak in tongues. It is the heavenly language that is understood by only the Lord. It is our direct line to Him. Do all do so? No, but it has nothing to do with being saved.

Tongues are a gift, just as there are many gifts of the Spirit. All do not have all gifts, 1 Cr 12:30 Do all posses gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? The gift of tongues is to all that ask, James 4:2B yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Then how do we receive this gift?

One problem I have with this is people will tell someone they should be filled but will not walk them through the process. Tongues can be received when one is alone, you do not need someone to hold your hand. For others is easier to have someone with you.

Praying through is the term used for praying that leads to speaking in tongues. There are different reactions for different people, but basically it is all the same. Prepare, yes LJG's favorite word and mine. Take some time to yourself, so you will not be interrupted.

One man I know got on his knees told the Lord, Your Word says and waited a few minutes, without saying another word. Then he got up and said it is not for man in this day and age because he didn’t speak in tongues. Oh, what he is missing.

Are you ready? Go before the Lord with His Word,[1 Sa 1:17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant [thee] thy petition that thou hast asked of him;] make your request by offering the Lord your petition, which is to speak in tongues. Then start praising the Lord. Continue to praise Him and as you do you will begin to feel the present of the Lord. Do not be alarmed or stop. Usually when the Spirit of the Lord comes on a person they will feel a warmness coming over them. As they are speaking the words they are saying might slur. Do not stop. Let the words come out. This is your heavenly language let it continue until it stops. You have now prayed through. If for some reason it doesn’t happen, don’t give up. Ask someone you know and trust to pray with you.

This is a gift that everyone should desire and have.

Now that we are Saved, Spirit Filled, and Speaking in Tongues, what else do we need to do? Get baptized? That question we will address tomorrow.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

MERY CHRISTMAS

JESUS the fulfillment of the prophecy


There have been many turning points in history, but only through Christ Jesus did the promise of eternity come to all who would call on the Name of Jesus.

One Day
By J. Wilbur Chapman

One day when heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, example is He.

Living, He loved me; dying He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever:
One day He’s coming—
O glorious day! Amen

May this be the year that every heart will open to receive not the Babe in swaddling clothes laying in a manger, but to receive the Christ who 33 years later gave His all for all of mankind.

While we enjoy this special time with our families our prayer is that you shall have a very blessed day in the Lord. May the grace of God watch over you and keep you under the Shadow of the Almighty.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

YOUTH

WORD OF WISDOM
EAGLE ~ It is said that the eagle sheds his feathers in the beginning of spring, and with fresh plumage assumes the appearance of youth. To this, allusion is made in Psalm 103:5 and Isaiah 40:31. God's care over his people is likened to that of the eagle in training its young to fly (Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11, 12).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary


Psalms 103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's

As the eagle, when her beak overgrows, sucks blood and so is renewed in strength, even so God miraculously gives strength to his Church above all man's expectations. The eagles which lives long in great strength and vigour. By God's provision, the saint retains a youthful vigor like the eagles.

The eagle is long-lived, and, as naturalists say, when she is nearly 100 years old, discards all her feathers (as indeed she changes them in a great measure every year at moulting time), and fresh ones come, so that she becomes young again.

When God, by the graces and comforts of His Spirit, recovers His people from their decays, and fills them with new life and joy, which is to them the promise of eternal life and joy, they may then be said to return to the days of their youth.

Deuteronomy 32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

This beautiful and expressive metaphor is founded on the extraordinary care and attachment which the female eagle cherishes for her young. When her newly fledged progeny are sufficiently advanced to soar in their native element, she, in their first attempts at flying, supports them on the tip of her wing, encouraging, directing, and aiding their feeble efforts to longer and sublimer flights. So does God take the most tender and powerful care of His chosen people. As the eagle does for her young so should we as parents train up our children to business, and not to indulge them in idleness and the love of ease.

Moses gives particular examples of God's kindness and concern for them. The eagle's care for her young is a beautiful emblem of Christ's love, who came between Divine justice and our guilty souls, and bare our sins in His own body on the tree. And by the preached gospel, and the influences of the Holy Spirit, He stirs up and prevails upon sinners to leave Satan's bondage.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

WORD OF WISDOM
EVIL-SPEAKING ~Is expressly forbidden (Titus 3:2; James 4:11), and severe punishments are denounced against it (1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10). It is spoken of also with abhorrence (Psalm 15:3; Proverbs 18:6, 7), and is foreign to the whole Christian character and the example of Christ.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

EVIL FOR EVIL

Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
The idea is the care which Christians should take so to behave themselves as to command the respect of all men.

Since men became enemies to God, they have been very ready to be enemies one to another. And those that embrace religion, must expect to meet with enemies in a world whose smiles seldom agree with Christ's.

This is probably one of the most difficult precepts of Christianity; but the law of Christ on the subject is unyielding. It is a solemn demand made on all His followers, and it must be obeyed.

But when we are bidden to prepare good things before men, we must at the same time notice for what purpose: it is not that men may admire and praise us, as this is a desire which Christ carefully forbids us to indulge, since He bids us to admit God alone as the witness of our good deeds, to the exclusion of all men; but that their minds being lifted to God, they may give praise to Him, that by our example they may be stirred up to the practice of righteousness, that they may, in a word, see the good and the sweet odor of our life, by which they may be brought to the love of God.

Proverbs 24:29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Say not, I will render to the man according to his work, and make him pay dearly for it; for it is God's prerogative to do so, and we must leave it to Him, and not step into His throne, or take His work out of His hands. If we become judges in our own cause, we forfeit the benefit of an appeal to God's tribunal; therefore we must not avenge ourselves, because He has said, Vengeance is mine, Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Pro 17:13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
To render evil for good is devilish. He that does so, brings a curse upon his family. As therein unkind to his family, for he brings a curse upon it. This is a crime so heinous that it shall be punished, not only in his person, but in his children and his children's children, for whom he thus treasures up wrath. The Jews stoned Christ for His good works; therefore is His blood upon them and upon their children.

As we help other people, we should realise this. The people that we help may not be honest. They might be cruel or unfair. As Christians, we serve God, rather than other people. We help them, because we love God. God rewards us.
If we are in difficulties, then we should obtain advice and help. We should not remain in a situation that is too difficult for us. But, if in the off chance that the advice and help given was in error then God will convict the advice and help giver. Let's just hope that person knows the voice of God and is willing to listen and admit they were wrong.

God's Blessings to each of you,

LJG/rECj

ARE YOU SAVED

WORD OF WISDOM

SAVIOUR ~ One who saves from any form or degree of evil. In its highest sense the word indicates the relation sustained by our Lord to his redeemed ones, he is their Saviour. The great message of the gospel is about salvation and the Saviour. It is the "gospel of salvation." Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ secures to the sinner a personal interest in the work of redemption. Salvation is redemption made effectual to the individual by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

ARE YOU SAVED?

Have you asked the Lord into your life? What pray tell does that have to do with being saved? First we have to look up the word saved.

transitive verb 1 a: to deliver from sin b: to rescue or deliver from danger or harm c: to preserve or guard from injury, destruction, or loss d: to store (data) in a computer or on a storage device (as a floppy disk or CD) 2 a: to put aside as a store or reserve : accumulate b: to spend less by 3 a: to make unnecessary : avoid b (1): to keep from being lost to an opponent (2): to prevent an opponent from scoring or winning 4: maintain, preserve intransitive verb 1: to rescue or deliver someone 2 a: to put aside money b: to avoid unnecessary waste or expense : economize c: to spend less money 3: to make a save

Okay, does that help, or confuse. Right there first thing a: to deliver from sin. But what does that have to do with being saved, or for that matter with asking the Lord into your life? Isn’t life interesting when we start trying to understand what we think we know?

Now we could go back to the Old Testament and look at the word saved there, but to keep it as simple as possible we will stay with the New Testament. Acts 16:23-33 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. The two main scriptures we want to look at here are 31 and 32. The prison keeper asks the question “What must we do to be saved.” Paul tells him “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house.”

We will explain the reason behind the keeper of the prison asking this, but first let’s look at what he did in fact ask. He did not ask what it was, the point being he wanted to know how to be saved. As simple as his question was Paul’s answer. “Call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Now we will look at why the keeper asked how to be saved. He is in charge of all the prisoners, suddenly the ground shakes, the doors open, and this man knows two things; he will be held responsible for any one that gets away; and secondly whatever Paul and Silas has is more powerful then any thing he has ever saw. What can I do to be saved?

This has got to be this man’s lowest point in life. I try to put myself in his shoes, what was going through his mind at this point. I can just see him getting his light and looking at these two men. Were they anything other then ordinary looking men? No they appear normal, what sets them apart? Whatever it is, if it can open the doors of the prison for them, then surely it can save him also. Whatever it is he wants it. What can I do to be saved? The cost was of no concern to him, only that he be saved.

Being saved is asking the Lord Jesus into your life. Have you asked the Lord into your life? If so then you are saved. Does this mean you know all you need to know about the Lord? Of course not. What it means is you have taken the first step into the kingdom of God. Now that you are saved you want or should want to know what to do now. That should be an easy question. If you have asked God into your life, where do we go from here?

What does being saved mean now that we are saved?

God Bless

rECj/LJG

WORDS

WORD OF WISDOM
Oct 15 1900 - Pentecostal evangelist Charles Fox Parham opened Bethel Bible Institute in Topeka, Kansas. It was here on January 1, 1901 that the first Christian in modern times was reported to have spoken in tongues: student Agnes Ozman




The words we use are very important. My question today is have you ever listened to someone speak, and wondered what they were talking about? Part of you wanted to say hold on a minute while I get a dictionary, but then how do you spell that anyway.

Let me explain: a maginolipsida is still a rose. Now there is a word for you; maginolipsida is the class of flowers known as roses. So a rose is still a rose. What good does it do you to read that which you do not understand? How are you to understand what a person is saying if they are using 12 letter words that you do not understand. Is it not better to speak in a way that those around you can understand what you are saying?

I say all this to say I have heard many speak on the Word of God forgetting that there are not that many people who know or can understand the big words that are used. Then again as a new Christian there are many words that the newborn will hear that are as foreign as speaking another language. I just used one, did you catch it? Try to explain new born? It really is simple, but if never heard before something as simple as this can throw a person off.

Spirit filled is another one. I was talking the other day with a young man who had asked the Lord into his life. I know this because he told me he had. The thing that got me is he did not know he was saved. The person who led him to the Lord told him that to be saved is to be filled with the Holy Ghost. His understanding of being filled with the Holy Ghost meant speaking in tongues. Since he had never spoke in tongues, he felt he was not saved.

Now if you are a Spirit filled tongue speaking person, what I just wrote probably make sense to you. If you are not, then what the heck am I talking about?

Over the next few days we are going to go back to the basics. Remember our first Love Christ? If no one took your hand and walked you through being a new Christian, and explained some words to you this might enlighten you. If you are older in the Lord, well take it as a honeymoon with the Lord. We will travel back to the beginning and look at the words that so many took and many still take for granted, not knowing the full meaning of just what those words meant, and still not knowing the full meaning of many words.

God bless you,
rECj/LJG

REASON FOR THE SEASON

WORD OF WISDOM
WORKS ~ Works are "good" only when, (1) they spring from the principle of love to God. The moral character of an act is determined by the moral principle that prompts it. Faith and love in the heart are the essential elements of all true obedience. Hence good works only spring from a believing heart, can only be wrought by one reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:10; James 2:18,22).


REVELATION 2:1-5 (King James Version)
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

We all sin and fall short of the glory of the Lord. As we look closer at the above scripture, what do we see? Let me paraphrase here: I know everything you have done, I know your work, your patience. I know that you cannot stand those who are evil, you have even questioned those that said they were apostles, and are not, and you have found them to be liars. For Me you have borne, had patience and labored, and while doing so you have not fainted. Up to that point it sounds and is the Lord telling someone, He is aware of everything that they have done and it sounds great. BUT He continues I have something against you. Reading the first part again, what could you possibility do more? Let us continue: you have left your first love. He tells you to remember where you have came from, repent and do the first works. AND if you do not, I will come to you quickly and remove your light out of it’s place, unless you repent.

With all that this person, who can be anyone including you and myself, has done how could he or she have lost the first love, which is Christ. Oh people we do have to be careful. There are times in our life’s that we do need to go by what we know and not what we feel. Emotions are not to be our guide. What we are speaking here is that deep love for the Savior. That should always remain our first love.

Even when we are doing that which the Lord has guided us to do, we have to keep that love alive. We are not to do something because we are suppose to, that in itself is not enough, we are to do what we do because of the love of Christ.

When I asked the Lord to be apart of my life, I was bubbling over with love. The very thought that someone could love me as He did was overpowering. Not overpowering as in too much to stand, overpowering in the sense that I wanted everyone to have what I had. I wanted everyone to know this love that passes all understanding.

All the good deeds we can do, are nothing without the love of Christ behind it. People a new year is about to start, we are in the Season behind the Reason. A season that even though many show love to those around them, the love of Christ is not there. Except for some who will say a brief prayer at some point during the day, how many of us will share the love of the One who is the reason behind it all? How many of us will spend the day celebrating the gift that we have received because of Him?

I do not want my light taken away from me, I shall search myself and ask God to reveal to me anything I need to repent of. I love Him so much. None of our good works will get us into heaven [Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph 2:8 & 9 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.], it is only the mercy of God that I am saved.

This Christmas I want to spend the day telling Him whom I love just how great that love is, and not just in passing as I go about my day.

What is your reason for the Season?

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

BE YE READY

WORD OF WISDOM
Coming of Christ: (1) with reference to his first advent "in the fulness of the time" (1 John 5:20; 2 John 1:7), or (2) with reference to his coming again the second time at the last day (Acts 1:11; 3:20, 21; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 9:28).
The expression is used metaphorically of the introduction of the gospel into any place (John 15:22; Ephesians 2:17), the visible establishment of his kingdom in the world (Matthew 16:28), the conferring on his people of the peculiar tokens of his love (John 14:18, 23, 28), and his executing judgment on the wicked (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Christ coming again will be sudden and unexpected, and therefore Christians should be clothed, armed, and ready for it, that they might not be surprised and ashamed. When God's cause comes to be tried, and His battles to be fought, all His people shall be ready to stand up for His interest and be faithful and valiant in His service

Happy is he that watcheth. - Looking continually for Him that cometh quickly. And keepeth on his garments - Which men take off when they sleep. Lest he walk naked, and they see his shame - Lest he lose the graces which he takes no care to keep, and others see his sin and punishment.

He here gives the charge to be watching for His coming and clothed in the garments of justification and sanctification, so as to be accepted.

Christ, by His apostle, calls on His professed servants to expect His sudden coming, and to watch that they might not be put to shame, as apostates or hypocrites. However Christians differ, as to their views of the times and seasons of events yet to be brought to pass, on this one point all are agreed, Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, will suddenly come again to judge the world.

To those living near to Christ, it is an object of joyful hope and expectation, and delay is not desired by them.

How close to being ready are we for His sudden appearance?

God's Blessing to each of you,
LJG/rECj

PRIEST

WORD OF WISDOM
PRIEST ~ The whole priestly system of the Jews was typical. It was a shadow of which the body is Christ. The priests all prefigured the great Priest who offered "one sacrifice for sins" "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10, 12). There is now no human priesthood. (See Epistle to the Hebrews throughout.) The term "priest" is indeed applied to believers (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6), but in these cases it implies no sacerdotal functions. All true believers are now "kings and priests unto God." As priests they have free access into the holiest of all, and offer up the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, and the sacrifices of grateful service from day to day.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Hebrews 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

The Apostle compares Christ with the Levitical priests, and he teaches us what is the likeness and the difference between them; and the object of the whole discourse is, to show what Christ’s office really is, and also to prove that whatever was ordained under the law was ordained on His account. So the Apostle passes on at last to show that the ancient priesthood was abolished.

The High Priest must be a man, a partaker of our nature. This shows that man had sinned. For God would not suffer sinful man to come to Him alone. But every one is welcome to God, that comes to Him by this High Priest; and as we value acceptance with God, and pardon, we must apply by faith to this our great High Priest Christ Jesus, who can intercede for those that are out of the way of truth, duty, and happiness; one who has tenderness to lead them back from the by-paths of error, sin, and misery.

Those only can expect assistance from God, and acceptance with Him, and His presence and blessing on them and their services, that are called of God. This is applied to Christ. In the days of His flesh, Christ made Himself subject to death: He hungered: He was a tempted, suffering, dying Jesus. Christ set an example, not only to pray, but to be fervent in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few prayers wet with tears, do we offer up to God!

His obedience in our nature encourages our attempts to obey, and for us to expect support and comfort under all the temptations and sufferings to which we are exposed. Being made perfect for this great work, He is become the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey Him.

But are we of that number?

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

WORD OF WISDOM
HUMILITY ~ A prominent Christian grace (Romans 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7; 2 Corinthians 3:5; Philippians 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Peter 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Psalm 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22).

Christ has set us an example of humility (Philippians 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lamentations 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Proverbs 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Psalm 147:6; Isaiah 57:15; 66:2; 1 Peter 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Christianity that it makes humility the avenue to glory."

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

He shows that this is the end of rebukes, to raise up our brother who is fallen, and not proudly to oppress him. Therefore every one must seek to have praise of his own life by approving himself, and not by rebuking others.

Sympathize with, and assist, each other, in all your weaknesses, grievances, trials. And so fulfil the law of Christ - The law of Christ (an uncommon expression) is the law of love: this our Lord peculiarly recommends; this He makes the distinguishing mark of His disciples.

It becomes us to bear one another's burdens, as fellow-travellers. It is very common for a man to look upon himself as wiser and better than other men, and as fit to dictate to them. Such a one deceives himself; by pretending to what he has not, he puts a cheat upon himself, and sooner or later will find the sad effects. This will never gain esteem, either with God or men. Every one is advised to prove his own work. The better we know our own hearts and ways, the less shall we despise others, and the more be disposed to help them under infirmities and afflictions.

We must please our neighbour, for the good of his soul; not by serving his wicked will, and humouring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to please men, we are not the servants of Christ.

Christ's whole life was a self-denying, self-displeasing life. He bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear the failings of the weak. And should not we be humble, self-denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members one of another?

The same disposition ought to mark the conduct of His servants, especially of the strong towards the weak. The great end in all our actions must be, that God may be glorified; nothing more than this, showing others the mutual love and kindness of those who profess God.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

WORD OF WISDOM
GIANTS ~ Hebrews nephilim, meaning "violent" or "causing to fall" (Genesis 6:4). These were the violent tyrants of those days, those who fell upon others. The word may also be derived from a root signifying "wonder," and hence "monsters" or "prodigies." In Numbers 13:33 this name is given to a Canaanitish tribe, a race of large stature, "the sons of Anak." The Revised Version, in these passages, simply transliterates the original, and reads "Nephilim."

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

2 Samuel 21:18 And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.

2 Samuel 21:20 Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man
of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot,
twenty-four in number; and he also was born to the giant.

These events seem to have taken place towards the end of David's reign.

David, though old, desired not a moment of ease from the public service, but he went down in person to fight against the Philistines, a sign that he fought not for his own glory (at this age he was loaded with glory, and needed no more), but for the good of his kingdom. But in this engagement we find him, in distress and danger. He thought he could bear the fatigues of war as well as he had done formerly; his will was good, and he hoped he could do as at other times. But he found himself deceived; age had cut his hair, and, after a little toil, he waxed faint. His body could not keep up with his mind.

David fainted, just as we do today, but he did not flee, as so many of us do; though his strength failed him, he bravely kept his ground, and then God sent him this help in the time of need (his servant Abishai), though brought him by his junior and inferior, he thankfully accepted, and, with a little recruiting, gained his point, and came off a conqueror.

The enemies of God's people are often very strong, very subtle, and very sure of success, like Isbi-benob, but there is no strength, nor counsel, nor confidence against the Lord. The enemies of God's Israel are restless in their attempts against them.

In spiritual conflicts, even strong saints sometimes wax faint; then Satan attacks them furiously; but those who stand their ground and resist him, shall be relieved and made more than conquerors.

Christ, in His agonies, was strengthened by an angel. Christ and His angels are here for us today to give us His strength, if we only stay the course.

But through Him that triumphed for us, we as His believers shall be more than conquerors at last, even over that enemy (DEATH).

Who are the giants in your life you can't or won't cast out of your life?

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

LIKE YOUR RUTS

WORD OF WISDOM
ROAD ~ (1 Samuel 27:10; R.V., "raid"), an inroad, an incursion. This word is never used in Scripture in the sense of a way or path.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Have you been going round the same mountain and road for so long that your ruts are up to your eyeballs? Well, all I can say, you must like them or you would find God's way, His ladder, to climb on up out of them. You would find the words of God of faith and be willing to stand on them til they were and are out of your live. No, we get so comfortable with the same ole ruts that we really don't want to change them or the things that are causing them to be in our lives. It is easier to remain there than to stand firm for God.

Act 17:24-25 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; Being God created the entire world and everything in it without our help, where do we get the idea that He needs our help to remove the mountain out of our live? That was a hard lesson for me to learn myself. Are we able to stop another car that is heading straight toward us? Are we able to stop the rain from falling? Are we able to guard all the entry ways in our dwelling places?

Who is really in control? You or God? Psa 78:8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. 1 Jo 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. Deu 28:45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: We are told in 1 Peter 5:7 Casting (Throw) all your care (anxiety)upon him; for he careth for you. By not throwing all our cares, anxiety, upon Him how can we honestly believe that God is in control?

Oh yes we go to Him in prayer, we take our cares to the foot of the cross, but sadly we don't leave them there nor do we give them to Him in prayer. We got to do it ourselves. By staying in the ruts we have created for ourselves, we are blocking our blessings and all that God has in store for us. Does that mean we don't love God? No, of course not, that thought is just plain stupid and silly. We just don't know how to stand stedfast and not be like a tree blowing in the wind. It is a learning process.

Pray for those who are in this sad situation. God will open their eyes and take all cares from them. Love these who are struggling in this learning season. Only by prayer and love will we be able to help them get out of their ruts.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

SINGLE EYE

WORD OF WISDOM
EYE ~ "To set the eyes" on any one is to view him with favour (Genesis 44:21; Job 24:23; Jeremiah 39:12). This word is used figuratively in the expressions an "evil eye" (Matthew 20:15), a "bountiful eye" (Proverbs 22:9), "haughty eyes" (6:17 marg.), "wanton eyes" (Isaiah 3:16), "eyes full of adultery" (2 Peter 2:14), "the lust of the eyes" (1 John 2:16). Christians are warned against "eye-service" (Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary


Matt 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Men maliciously and wickedly put out even the little light of nature that is in them.

That as the body is with the eyes, so our whole life may be ruled with right reason, that is to say, with the Spirit of God who gives light to us. If one's eye is diseased, all he sees is wrong. So the mind, or conscience, is the light of the soul. If these be darkened, all is darkness; if these see right, all is light. And what the eye is to the body, the intention is to the soul.

We may observe with what exact propriety our Lord places purity of intention between worldly desires and worldly cares, either of which directly tend to destroy. If your eye be single - Singly fixed on God and heaven, your whole soul will be full of holiness and happiness. As with the bodily vision, the man who looks with a good, sound eye, walks in light, seeing every object clear; so a simple and persistent purpose to serve and please God in everything will make the whole character consistent and bright.

Christ counsels to make our best things the joys and glories of the other world, those things not seen which are eternal, and to place our happiness in them. There are treasures in heaven. It is our wisdom to give all diligence to make our title to eternal life sure through Jesus Christ, and to look on all things here below, as not worthy to be compared with it, and to be content with nothing short of it.

It is happiness above and beyond the changes and chances of time, an inheritance incorruptible. The worldly man is wrong in his first principle; therefore all his reasoning's and actions therefore must be wrong. It is equally to be applied to false religion; that which is deemed light is thick darkness. This is an awful, but a common case; we should therefore carefully examine our leading principles by the word of God, with earnest prayer for the teaching of His Spirit.

Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when [thine eye] is evil, thy body also [is] full of darkness.

When we aim at any thing else, we will be full of folly, sin, and misery.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

COMPROMISE

WORD OF WISDOM
INIQUITY ~ perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:--fault, iniquity, mischief, punishment (of iniquity), sin, do amiss, bow down, make crooked, commit iniquity, pervert, (do) perverse(-ly), trouble, X turn, do wickedly, do wrong. The Hebrew meaning as used in Psalms 119:3 in the King James.

Source: Strong's Concordance

rECj and me were talking this morning and got on the subject of our ability to compromise. As we have mentioned so many times in our articles, the Bible we believe in and go with is the King James Bible. So, I looked up the word "compromise" in Strong's Concordance. Nope, the word compromise isn't in the King James. But it is in the New Living Testament. First, the verses in the King James and second are the way they are stated in the New Living Testament.

Psalms 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Proverbs 25:26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

Psalms 110:3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.
Proverbs 25:26 If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.

This is what Webster's Dictionary gives for the definition of compromise: 1 a : settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions b : something intermediate between or blending qualities of two different things
2 : a concession to something derogatory or prejudicial

Where in Webster's does it mention anything concerning "iniquity?" I just plain don't see it mentioned anywhere in Webster's definition do you?

We compromise cause we want too. Because it is easier to do so than to fight or stand for what we really believe in. Then too, if you will take a while to think about it, it might be because we really don't believe in God. No, there is no way it will be easy for those of us who truly believe in the whole word and truth of God to go willingly into a state of compromise. We have come into a state where we just plain like to have our ears tickled. Not really wanting to hear the Word of God and what we have, as believers, have to do to stay the course for God.

Those who are most happy, who are preserved most free from the defilement of sin, who simply believe God's testimonies, and depend on His promises. If the heart be divided between Him and the world, it is evil. But the saints carefully avoid all sin; they are conscious of much evil that clogs them in the ways of God, but not of that wickedness (one of which is compromise) which draws them out of those ways.

For if we are ruled by God's Spirit we will embrace no doctrine but His.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

THE ROCK

WORD OF WISDOM
ROCK ~ (Hebrews tsur), employed as a symbol of God in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 22:3; Isaiah 17:10; Psalm 28:1; 31:2, 3; 89:26; 95:1); also in the New Testament (Matthew 16:18; Romans 9:33; 1 Corinthians 10:4). In Dan. 2:45 the Chaldaic form of the Hebrew word is translated "mountain." It ought to be translated "rock," as in Habakkuk 1:12 in the Revised Version. The "rock" from which the stone is cut there signifies the divine origin of Christ.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary


Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

“He is a Rock.” This is the first time God is called so in Scripture. The expression denotes that the Divine power, faithfulness, and love, as revealed in Christ and the gospel, form a foundation which cannot be changed or moved, on which we may build our hopes of happiness. And under His protection we may find refuge from all our enemies, and in all our troubles.

We must remember that nothing that He has promised has ever failed; so that if our experience has been painfully checkered by severe and protracted trials, notwithstanding the brightest promises, that result was traceable to our own undutiful and perverse conduct; not to any unfaithfulness on the part of God (Jas 1:17 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 ), whose procedure was marked by justice and judgment, whether we have been exalted to prosperity or plunged into the depths of affliction.

Who and where is your rock? How many of us are like the people in Deu 32:18 Of the Rock [that] begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee., or Deu 32:37 And he shall say, Where [are] their gods, [their] rock in whom they trusted,. Do we really know who our God is? Have we forgotten all the wonderful things He has done for us? Or have we regulated Him to a place on a shelve, where in our every day business He is left and forgotten?

Let us all remember dear Peter, the mouth, who Jesus told in Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. No Peter didn't have Divine Power, nor do we, but he did have the other two attributes of faithfulness, and love, as do we. When the devil and all his imps come against us they shall not prevail because God has hidden us under the Rock of His mighty hand.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

FREE

WORD OF WISDOM

FREEDOM ~ Unrestricted action

Source: King James Bible

We all like things that are free...or do we? Think about when Walmart has a sale. People knock each other over to get the best deal. Now think on this, how many people do we knock over trying to get to the best "free" things that has ever been granted? Not many I would dare to say. And we call ourselves believers.

Yes, we are believers in the things we can touch, see and smell. But one of the most important things that has been given is the rights and ability to be FREE!!! Oh yes, we are FREE but we aren't using the right tool to realize this simple idea which is just plain stupid.

How many of us oil up our whole body when we get out of the tub or shower? We ask for these oils for all kind of presents, we buy it, hopefully, when it is on sale or when we can buy one item and get the oil FREE.

You know what is just plain stupider? There are a lot of us walking around with a DRY soul. Why? Because we won't use the tool that has FREE oil. We wear make up to cover the ugly. We pay for those items as well, sale or not. These things we just have to have.

We are FREE to speak our minds, well at least at the present moment, and most of us do. Some of what we speak shouldn't be spoken. We have oiled and covered the ugly on the outside but what we speak is just plain ugly. Why is that? Not using the right tool.

Ok, so what is the right tool? It is the BIBLE. The word of God. The FREE word, that covers the ugly on the outside and inside. We pay for a bank account, God paid the price for our bank, so we can go withdraw at all times with no charge, no late fees, no ugly people to look at or tolerate or get trampled by others. No waiting in line, not seeing exposed body parts, or hear ugly words being spoken. Nope, it is there for us at all times, just waiting for us to pick it up and oil our souls, minds and bodies. Now that should just excite you to no end. But I can hear the "ho hum" from some of you.

Believer's of God as well as the secular believer's are always holding our past, present and future sins against us. But God doesn't. He totally forgives us all our sins and holds nothing against us.

Bear with me for just a few more minutes. I know, I do get a little long winded, as my rECj is always telling me, but to my way of thinking, we will spend all the time it takes to read a 650 page worldly book but don't want to take the few minutes a day that it takes to read what is so freely waiting for us. It has already been paid for us to use by the blood of our Jesus. Oh dear let me get back on track.

We are a welcomed guest at the table of the promises. Scripture is a never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace. There is not a promise in the Word which shall be withheld. We are free to all that is treasured up in Christ—wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It matters not what our need is, for there is fullness of supply in Christ, and it is there for all who believe.

O what a “freedom” is ours! Freedom from condemnation, freedom to the promises, freedom to the throne of grace, and at last freedom to enter heaven!

What is the scripture that got me to thinking on all this: Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Enjoy yall's day, whether it be with God or the world. You are FREE to do either.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

Jude 1:17:23

Verses 17-23
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (The rising up of such monsters was spoken of before, that we should not be troubled at the newness of the matter).
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Sensual men separate from Christ, and His church, and join themselves to the devil, the world, and the flesh, by ungodly and sinful practices. That is infinitely worse than to separate from any branch of the visible church on account of opinions, or modes and circumstances of outward government or worship. Sensual men have not the spirit of holiness, which whoever has not, does not belong to Christ. The grace of faith is most holy, as it works by love, purifies the heart, and overcomes the world, by which it is distinguished from a false and dead faith.

Our prayers are most likely to prevail, when we pray in the Holy Ghost, under His guidance and influence, according to the rule of His word, with faith, fervency, and earnestness; this is praying in the Holy Ghost. And a believing expectation of eternal life will arm us against the snares of sin: lively faith in this blessed hope will help us to mortify our lusts.

We must watch over one another; faithfully, yet prudently reprove each other, and set a good example to all about us. This must be done with compassion, making a difference between the weak and the wilful. Some we must treat with tenderness. Others save with fear; urging the terrors of the Lord. All endeavours must be joined with decided abhorrence of crimes, and care be taken to avoid whatever led to, or was connected with fellowship with them, in works of darkness, keeping far from what is, or appears to be evil.

They separated from the Church, because they would not bear the yoke of discipline, as they who indulge the flesh dislike spiritual life. The word sensual, or animal, stands opposed to spiritual, or to the renovation of grace; and hence it means the vicious or corrupt, such as men are when not regenerated. For in that degenerated nature which we derive from Adam, there is nothing but what is gross and earthly; so that no part of us aspires to God, until we are renewed by His Spirit.

Verses 24, 25. Now unto him (GOD) that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen

Not only glory forever and ever, but eternal and universal dominion.

God's Blessings to each of you,

LJG/rECj

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

Jude 1:8-16

Michael, the archangel—Nowhere in Scripture is the plural used, "archangels"; but only ONE, "archangel." The only other passage in the New Testament where it occurs, is 1Th 4:16, where Christ is distinguished from the archangel, with whose voice He shall descend to raise the dead; they therefore err who confound Christ with Michael. The name means, Who is like God? In Da 10:13 he is called "One ('the first,') of the chief princes." He is the champion angel of Israel. In Rev 12:7 the conflict between Michael and Satan is again alluded to.

Verses 8-16
Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

False teachers are dreamers; they greatly defile and grievously wound the soul. These teachers are of a disturbed mind and a seditious spirit; forgetting that the powers that be, are ordained of God, Ro 13:1. As to the contest about the body of Moses, it appears that Satan wished to make the place of his burial known to the Israelites, in order to tempt them to worship him, but he was prevented, and vented his rage in desperate blasphemy. This should remind all who dispute never to bring railing charges. Also learn hence, that we ought to defend those whom God owns. It is hard, if not impossible, to find any enemies to the Christian religion, who did not, and do not, live in open or secret contradiction to the principles of natural religion. Such are here compared to brute beasts, though they often boast of themselves as the wisest of mankind. They corrupt themselves in the things most open and plain. The fault lies, not in their understandings, but in their depraved wills, and their disordered appetites and affections. It is a great reproach, though unjust to religion, when those who profess it are opposed to it in heart and life. The Lord will remedy this in his time and way; not in men's blind way of plucking up the wheat with the tares. It is sad when men begin in the Spirit, and end in the flesh. Twice dead; they had been once dead in their natural, fallen state; but now they are dead again by the evident proofs of their hypocrisy. Dead trees, why cumber they the ground! Away with them to the fire. Raging waves are a terror to sailing passengers; but when they get into port, the noise and terror are ended. False teachers are to expect the worst punishments in this world and in that to come. They glare like meteors, or falling stars, and then sink into the blackness of darkness for ever. We have no mention of the prophecy of Enoch in any other part or place of Scripture; yet one plain text of Scripture, proves any point we are to believe. We find from this, that Christ's coming to judge was prophesied of, as early as the times before the flood. The Lord cometh: what a glorious time will that be! Notice how often the word ungodly is repeated. Many now do not at all refer to the terms godly, or ungodly, unless it be to mock at even the words; but it is not so in the language taught us by the Holy Ghost. Hard speeches of one another, especially if ill-grounded, will certainly come into account at the day of judgment. These evil men and seducers are angry at every thing that happens, and never pleased with their own state and condition. Their will and their fancy, are their only rule and law. Those who please their sinful appetites, are most prone to yield to ungovernable passions. The men of God, from the beginning of the world, have declared the doom denounced on them. Such let us avoid. We are to follow men only as they follow Christ.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

WITNESS

WORD OF WISDOM

Witness ~ (Romans 8:16), the consciousness of the gracious operation of the Spirit on the mind, "a certitude of the Spirit's presence and work continually asserted within us", manifested "in his comforting us, his stirring us up to prayer, his reproof of our sins, his drawing us to works of love, to bear testimony before the world," etc.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary


Isaiah 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

You, my people are able to witness for me, that I have given you plain demonstrations of My certain knowledge of future events. The gods of the Heathens neither had a being before Me nor shall continue after Me: whereas the Lord is God from everlasting to everlasting; but these pretenders are but of yesterday. And withal He calls them formed gods, in a way of contempt, and to show the ridiculousness of their pretence.

But God's people know the power of His grace, the sweetness of His comforts, the kind care of His providence, and the truth of His promise. All servants of God can give such an account of what He has wrought in them, and done for them, as may lead others to know and believe His power, truth, and love.

After having summoned the Gentiles to a contest, and after having proved that the stories which they circulated concerning their idols were false and unfounded, God now separates Himself from the multitude of them, and produces His “witnesses,” that He may not be thought to be of the same class with them. He justly boasts, therefore, that they are His witnesses, and that He has true witnesses; for the Jews had been instructed by heavenly oracles, as far as was necessary for attaining perfect certainty.

No man ought to be accounted a believer, who conceals the knowledge of God within his own heart, and never makes an open confession of the truth. That it may not be thought that the Lord asks them to bear witness about what is unknown, He adds, “Ye shall know, ye shall believe, ye shall understand;” and by this order of the words He shows that faith goes before confession. If, therefore, confession proceed from the top of the lips, and not from the heart, it is vain and useless, and is not such as the Lord demands or approves.

A distinction is made between true faith and that credulity which lightly carries away fickle men; and God always bestows on His elect knowledge and judgment, that they may distinguish truth from falsehood. Next follows faith and firm certainty, so that they embrace without hesitation all that the Lord hath spoken; and afterwards faith kindles in our hearts more and more the light of understanding, and even in proportion to the progress which we make in it, our knowledge grows and becomes brighter. But these things are not done by our own judgment, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, so far as we are enlightened by him.

We must know who is our God, and that it is He whom we worship, and no other; that our minds may not foolishly waver, and go astray, and admit everything that shall be supported by the opinion of men. Thus, faith is not that which frames anything according to its own fancy, or thoughtlessly assents to any assertion, or doubts and hesitates, but that which rests on firm certainty, so that, yielding obedience to the one true God.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

DISMAYED

WORD OF WISDOM

DISMAYED ~ Troubled

SOURCE: King James Bible

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

God speaks with tenderness; Fear thou not, for I am with thee: not only within call, but present with thee. Art thou weak? I will strengthen thee. Art thou in want of friends? I will help thee in the time of need. Art thou ready to fall? I will uphold thee with that right hand which is full of righteousness, dealing forth rewards and punishments. Do not look to each other in dismay.

God has a strong reserve with which to discharge this engagement; for He is able to do all things. Do not think not that the strength of man shall ever be able to overcome the power of God. The same God who directs the earth in its orbit, who feeds the burning furnace of the sun, and trims the lamps of heaven, has promised to supply thee with daily strength. He hangeth the world upon nothing; shall He who does this be unable to support his children?

For I am with thee. This is a solid foundation of confidence, and if it be fixed in our minds, we shall be able to stand firm and unshaken against temptations of every kind.

Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

I whom thou art obliged to obey: I who can carry thee through every thing I put thee upon: I of whose faithfulness and almighty power thou hast had large experience? No man's dignity or dominion sets him above the law of God. He is to encourage himself with the promise and presence of God.

Let not the sense of our own infirmities dishearten us; God is all-sufficient. I have commanded, called, and commissioned you to do it, and will be sure to bear you out in it. When we are in the way of duty, we have reason to be strong and very bold. Our Lord Jesus, as Joshua here, was borne up under His sufferings by a regard to the will of God, and the commandment from his Father.

Deu 31:8 And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Signifying that man can never be of good courage, unless he is persuaded of God's favour and assistance. Heb 13:6 So that (with good courage) we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

UNBELIEVING AND PREVERTED

WORD OF WISDOM

Sovereignty ~ Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Romans 9:15-23; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 4:11).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary


Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him (the child) hither to me.

Intended especially for the disciples who had failed in the cure from weakness of faith. The emphasis is upon ME. This act of mercy could have been done by his disciples had they been devout, prayerful and believing. It is good for us to distrust ourselves and our own strength; but it is displeasing to Christ when we distrust any power derived from Him, or granted by Him.

It is certain that the reproof is directed, not against ignorant and weak persons, but against those who, through firmly established by long habitual malice, obstinately resist God. This is the reason why Christ declares that they are no longer worthy to be endured, and threatens that before long He will separate from them. But nothing worse could happen to them than that Christ should leave them. We must also observe here, that we ought to treat men in various ways, each according to his natural disposition. For, while our Lord attracts to Him the teachable by the utmost mildness, supports the weak, and gently arouses even the sluggish, He does not spare those crooked serpents, on whom He perceives that no remedies can effect a cure.

Christ gave His disciples power to cast out devils (Matt 10:1,And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give), and therein they were successful (Luke 10: 17And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name); yet at this time they failed in the operation, though there were nine of them together, and before a great multitude. Christ permitted this, (1.) To keep them humble, and to show their dependence upon Him, that without Him they could do nothing. (2.) To glorify Himself and His own power. It is for the honour of Christ to come in with help at a dead-lift, when other helpers cannot help.

It was here owing to the faithlessness of this generation, that they could not obtain those blessings from God, which otherwise they might have had; as it was owing to the weakness of the disciples' faith, that they could not do those works for God, which otherwise they might have done. They were faithless and perverse. Those that are faithless will be perverse; and perverseness is sin in its worst colours. Faith is compliance with God, unbelief is opposition and contradiction to God.

Though the people were perverse, and Christ was provoked, yet care was taken of the child. Though Christ may be angry, He is never unkind, nor does He, in the greatest of His displeasure, shut up the bowels of His compassion from the miserable. The longer Christ has borne with a perverse and faithless people, the more He is displeased with their perverseness and unbelief; and He is God, and not man, else He would not suffer so long, nor bear so much, as He does.

Sometimes He keeps the cistern empty; that He may bring us to Himself, the Fountain.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

ARE YOU HIS

WORD OF WISDOM
Pervert ~ to change something from it rightful way

Source: King James Bible
Deuteronomy 32:5 They have dealt corruptly with him, they are not his children, it is their blemish; They are a perverse and crooked generation.
What is the secret spot which infallibly shows the child of God? It were vain presumption to decide this upon our own judgment; but God’s word reveals it to us, and we may tread surely where we have revelation to be our guide. Now, we are told concerning our Lord, “to as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to as many as believed on his name.” Then, if I have received Christ Jesus into my heart, I am a child of God. That reception is described in the same verse as believing on the name of Jesus Christ. If, then, I believe on Jesus Christ’s name—that is, simply from my heart trust myself with the crucified, but now exalted, Redeemer, I am a member of the family of the Most High. Whatever else I may not have, if I have this, I have the privilege to become a child of God.

Our Lord Jesus puts it in another shape. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Here is the matter in a nutshell. Christ appears as a shepherd to His own sheep, not to others. As soon as He appears, His own sheep perceive Him—they trust Him, they are prepared to follow Him; He knows them, and they know Him—there is a mutual knowledge—there is a constant connection between them.

Thus the one mark, the sure mark, the infallible mark of regeneration and adoption is a hearty faith in the appointed Redeemer. Reader, are you in doubt, are you uncertain whether you bear the secret mark of God’s children? Then let not an hour pass over your head till you have said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” There are so many unimportant things in our lifes but about your soul, your never-dying soul and its eternal destinies, I beseech you to be in earnest. Make sure work for eternity.

So many have a spirit of contradiction, and therefore will do what is forbidden because it is forbidden, will set up their own humour and fancy in opposition to the will of God, are impatient of reproof, hates to be reformed, and goes forth with disobedience and opposition in the way of their heart. The habitual, notorious, unrepented sin; is a sure mark of the children of Satan. All wilful sinners are unwise and ungrateful.

Their spot is not the spot of his children—This is an allusion to the marks which idolaters inscribe on their foreheads or their arms with paint or other substances, in various colors and forms—straight, oval, or circular, according to the favorite idol of their worship (Robert Jamieson)

Idol worship can not hurt God---only those who chose to willfully sin and they alone will answer for their transgressions.

Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; this should be the prayer of every believer.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

WHICH GIVES YOU THE RIGHT

WORD OF WISDOM
Hebrew halabh, "new milk", milk in its fresh state (Judges 4:19). It is frequently mentioned in connection with honey (Exodus 3:8; 13:5; Joshua 5:6; Isaiah 7:15, 22; Jeremiah 11:5). Sheep (Deuteronomy 32:14) and goats (Proverbs 27:27) and camels (Genesis 32:15), as well as cows, are made to give their milk for the use of man. Milk is used figuratively as a sign of abundance (Genesis 49:12; Ezek. 25:4; Joel 3:18). It is also a symbol of the rudiments (beginnings) of doctrine (1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12, 13), and of the unadulterated word of God (1 Peter 2:2).

SOURCE: Easton's Bible Dictionary


to be rude, disrespectful, mean, hateful or uncaring to our parents, elders and those over us? By whose authority are you using for doing all these things and more? It can't be God's authority, no where in the Scripture can I find where He says to do so unto others. So, you have to be using the non-authority of satan.

Yes, I do know and believe that the babies, whose who just been born again, are still on the milk. They think they have the whole Word of God and that gives them the right to say and do whatever they please all in the name of the Lord. It doesn't seem to matter that the words they speak cuts the others they are speaking to the bone. Cuts the heart right out of them. Sometimes it cuts so deep that the healing will or maybe never be mended. My Granny always said, "A little knowledge is a mighty dangerous thing. Oh yes it is.

As we grow we come to realize that the tongue is the ruin of our bodies and life. It is not easily tamed, James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! James 3:6 And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. I could go on and on with this subject, but I think we get the idea. So where does God's Word say these are coming from?

How many of us even try to bridle our tongue, thoughts and carefully chose our words before we spew them out of our mouths? Not many I would dare to say. Why you reckon that is? Because we aren't totally committed to thinking like our Lord Jesus Christ is the main reason and the babies don't know any better yet. Then again maybe people just don't want to know.

We have done several articles on the way to treat those who have authority over us, our parents and those another us. But lets just have a few thoughts for refreshing our minds, which won't really matter unless we decide we want to apply them to ourselves.

Eph 6:1, 2, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2) Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Rom 12:18 & 20 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Lam 4:16 The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders. Hbr 13:7 & 17 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation. 17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.

Most children do grow. They do get where gradually they can advance on up to the meat and potatoes. But in the meantime we have to understand that not all grow and will continue to hold these unbiblical doctrines in their hearts.

Which gives you the right? Are you sure you are where you are supposed to be with the Lord? Are you still drinking milk?

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

Verses 5-7
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Outward privileges, profession, and apparent conversion, could not secure those from the vengeance of God, who turned aside in unbelief and disobedience. The destruction of the unbelieving Israelites in the wilderness, shows that none ought to presume on their privileges. They had miracles as their daily bread; yet even they perished in unbelief. A great number of the angels were not pleased with the stations God allotted to them; pride was the main and direct cause or occasion of their fall. The fallen angels are kept to the judgment of the great day; and shall fallen men escape it? Surely not. Consider this in due time. The destruction of Sodom is a loud warning to all, to take heed of, and flee from fleshly lusts that war against the soul.

Jude 7, refers to the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, "the cities about them" sinning "in like manner" as "they" did. Verse 7,also refers to the angels, the sense of "in like manner as these" will be, not that the angels carnally fornicated with the daughters of men, but that their ambition, whereby their affections went away from God and they fell, is in God's view a sin of like kind spiritually as Sodom's going away from God's order of nature after strange flesh; the sin of the apostate angels after their kind is analogous to that of the human Sodomites after their kind. Compare the somewhat similar spiritual connection of whoremongers and covetousness.

He hath kept them in His purpose; that is their sure doom; moreover, as yet, Satan and his demons roam at large on the earth. An earnest of their doom is their having been cast out of heaven, being already restricted to "the darkness of this present world," the "air" that surrounds the earth, their peculiar element now. They lurk in places of gloom and death, looking forward with agonizing fear to their final torment in the bottomless pit. He means not literal chains and darkness, but figurative in this present world where, with restricted powers and liberties, shut out from heaven, they, like condemned prisoners, await their doom.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj