| Daily Devotionals Post here your daily devotions and quiet time thoughts. |
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7th June 2012, 01:19 PM
|  | everlovin' shiner of light in dark places Angels Team
       
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"If the pace and the push, the noise and the crowds are getting to you, it's time to stop the nonsense and find a place of solace to refresh your spirit." ~Charles Swindoll "Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul,
a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan."
~John Bunyan
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8th June 2012, 07:27 PM
|  | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
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| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
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June 8, 2012
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT
by Cornelius R. Stam
A man's conduct, in Scripture, is called his "walk"! The Bible has much to say about how we walk, morally and spiritually. Many "walk after their own lusts" (II Pet. 3:3) and "walk in darkness" (John 12:35). Some even "walk in craftiness" (II Cor. 4:2) trying to lead others astray. Indeed, even Christian believers are sometimes careless about their "walk" and so cause others to stumble.
Every true child of God should be very careful about his walk, or conduct. In Eph. 2:8-10 we read that while believers are not saved by good works, they are saved "unto good works." God's grace is the root of our salvation, and good works are the fruit.
Sincere believers in Christ are counted as one with Him, and it is expected of us that "as Christ was raised up from the dead" after having died for our sins, "even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4).
Christians are exhorted in the Bible to "walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing" (Col. 1:10), to "walk in the spirit" that they might not "fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16). They are exhorted to "walk worthy of [their] calling" (Eph. 4:1), to "walk in the light" (I John 1:7) and to "walk as children of the light" (Eph. 5:8 ). They are exhorted to "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise" (Eph. 5:15), to "walk honestly" (Rom. 13:13), to "walk in love" (Eph. 5:2) and to "walk by faith, not by sight" (II Cor. 5:7).
Much more is said about the believer's walk in the Bible, but never are we told that it is our "walk," or conduct, that makes us acceptable for salvation. Our failing, stumbling ways could never earn salvation for us. On the contrary we are exhorted to walk pleasing to the Lord out of sheer gratitude to Him.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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9th June 2012, 06:40 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
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| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
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The domestic slave!
by J.A. James, practical
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A mother's influence
(Timothy Shay Arthur, "The Mother")
Upon the character of the mother depends, almost entirely, the future character of the child. No matter how wise and good the father may be, his influence will do but little--if opposed by that of an injudicious mother.
The father is with the children only for a short time each day, and cannot know their characters thoroughly, nor the means that best react upon and correct their evils. Upon the mother devolves, therefore, of necessity, the high and important duty of molding the characters of her children--of impressing them for good or evil--of giving them true strength for their trials in after life.
The whole life of the child is affected by the mother's character, and the influences which she has brought to bear upon him.
PUBLIC DOMAIN - Permission is not required to reproduce this material. Feel free to forward this on to your friends.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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10th June 2012, 07:27 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
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| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
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June 10, 2012
THE TWELVE APOSTLES AND PAUL
by Cornelius R. Stam
In comparing the ministry of the twelve apostles with that of the Apostle Paul, we must observe carefully:
The twelve were chosen by Christ ON EARTH (Luke 6:13) while Paul was later chosen by Christ IN HEAVEN (Acts 9:3-5; 26:16).
Prior to Paul's conversion the twelve had known Christ only ON EARTH (I John 1:1). Even at His ascension to heaven "a cloud received Him OUT OF THEIR SIGHT" (Acts 1:9). But Paul knew Christ only IN HEAVEN, having never seen Him on earth (Acts 26:16; I Cor. 15:8 ).
The twelve represented their own nation. The number twelve has no connection with the "one Body" of Christ. As we know, Jacob of old "begat the twelve patriarchs" (Acts 7:8 ). From these sprang the twelve tribes of Israel. These tribes had twelve princes over them (Numbers 1:16). Even when Israel was ruled by kings there were still to be twelve princes -- one over each tribe (I Chronicles 27:22). Thus, as He went forth proclaiming "the gospel of the kingdom" our Lord chose twelve princes for the twelve thrones in the kingdom to come (Matt. 19:28 ).
On the other hand, Paul, as one apostle, represents the "one Body," the Church of today (Rom. 12:5; I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:4). However, he was both a born Hebrew and a born Roman, so represented believing Jews and Gentiles "reconciled...unto God in one body by the cross..." (Eph. 2:16).
The twelve were sent to proclaim Christ's kingdom "at hand" (Matt. 10:7), and later to offer its establishment on earth (Acts 3:19-26). But Paul was sent to proclaim "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24), while the kingdom is held in abeyance.
The ministry of the twelve was based on covenant promises (Isaiah 60:1-3; Luke 1:70-79; Acts 3:22-26). Paul's ministry was not based on covenant promises, but wholly on the grace of God through Christ (Rom. 3:21-28; 5: 20,21; Eph. 1:6,7; 2:7; etc.).
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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11th June 2012, 10:29 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
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June 11, 2012
IS REVIVAL POSSIBLE?
by Cornelius R. Stam
We have received responses from several friends who conclude from such passages as II Tim. 3:1-13 that there cannot possibly be a revival before the Lord comes for His own.
We have never concurred in this view. Verses 2-7 of this passage describe the condition of the ungodly about us. These have "a form of godliness" but not the reality and it is these who will "wax worse and worse" (Vers. 5,13). "From such" the Spirit exhorts us to "turn away" (Ver. 5).
But why, in the midst of these "perilous times" should the Church not be strong and united? The Word of God often shines brightest when the days are darkest.
It is true that our Lord said about the coming "tribulation," that "because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matt. 24:12), but this was a prediction concerning a particular situation, and while similar causes often produce similar effects, this is not always so. Not infrequently the wickedness of the world has driven saints to their knees and to the Word, with blessed results.
True spiritual revival takes place in the blood-bought Church of God not in the wicked world about it. That which is dead cannot be revived but that which has life can and should be. We know of no Scripture that should deter us from praying for a true spiritual awakening among God's people. Indeed we must be careful lest we cease praying and toiling for a revival on the grounds that "times are getting worse and worse and there's not going to be, a revival."
It seems to us that one of the surest ways to grow spiritually indifferent ourselves is to conclude that God will not grant us a spiritual awakening no matter what we do.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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12th June 2012, 07:24 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
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| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
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June 12, 2012
Hidden Treasure
by Pastor Ricky Kurth
“In Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).
Everyone knows that when God told Solomon He would give him whatever he asked (II Chron. 1:7), Israel’s king asked for “wisdom and knowledge” (v. 10). However, in the parallel passage in I Kings 3, this account says that Solomon asked God for “an understanding heart to judge Thy people” (v. 9). Far from a contradiction, the variance in these parallel accounts is God’s way of giving us a fuller understanding of that for which Solomon asked, and a definition of wisdom and knowledge. Anyone possessing these two virtues would by definition have an understanding heart to judge or rule God’s people. When Solomon was given this, he became a type of the Lord Jesus Christ, “in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” i.e., an understanding heart rich in its ability to judge God’s people.
But those who acknowledge the Mystery that Paul mentions in the previous verse (Col. 2:2) know that God has an earthly people (Israel) and a heavenly people (the Body of Christ). It was “the glory of God” that He was able to “conceal” the Mystery for 4,000 years (Prov. 25:2) in the “unsearchable” heart of the King of kings, “the heaven for height, and the earth for depth” (v. 3). Thus Paul speaks of “the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God,” and declares “how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out” (Rom. 11:33) when he says he wants us to understand the mystery of Israel’s blindness (v. 25), and how God’s plan to rule His earthly people would undergo a postponement that has now lasted 2,000 years. But when he speaks of the Mystery in Ephesians 3, he prays that we might understand the “depth and height” of it (v. 18 ). That is, he is praying that we might also understand that God has a plan to rule His heavenly people, the Body of Christ (v. 1-17), in “the heaven for height.”
Thus in God’s plan to rule His people Israel on earth we find some of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and in His plan to rule His heavenly people, the Body of Christ, in the heavens, we also find some of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, but unless we acknowledge both we do not understand “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” that are hid in the Lord Jesus Christ.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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13th June 2012, 07:39 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
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June 13, 2012
GOD'S WORD TO US
by Cornelius R. Stam
In charging Timothy to "preach the Word," the Apostle does not mean, as some have supposed, that the pastor should draw his sermon material equally from all parts of the Bible. True, "all Scripture" is given so that the "man of God" may be fully equipped for his ministry. But in this same letter the Apostle Paul indicates that the Scriptures must be "rightly divided" (II Tim. 2:15) and that his own God-given message is the Word of God in particular for the present dispensation of grace (See II Tim. 1:7-14; 2:7-9). Thus the Apostle declares by inspiration that believers are established by "my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery" (Rom. 16:25).
How often the Apostle insists that his message is the Word of God! To the Thessalonian believers he writes with joy:
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God..." (I Thes. 2:13).
Thus the Apostle writes to Timothy, in this his last letter:
"Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me..." (II Tim. 1:13).
"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men..." (2:2).
"Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel" (2:8 ).
The charge to "preach the Word," therefore, refers to "all Scripture" in general, but to Paul's God-given message in particular. This is obvious, for it is in urging Timothy to faithfully carry on in his place that the Apostle charges him to "preach the Word."
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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15th June 2012, 02:51 AM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
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June 14, 2012
The Gospel of Salvation
by Paul M. Sadler
With the souls of men hanging in the eternal balance, it is extremely important to give a clear presentation of the gospel. We have always marveled at how the Holy Spirit sorts through the maze of confusion regarding the various plans of salvation that have been developed over the years. Although all these plans contain an element of truth, they leave the door open to mislead the sinner.
Plan One:
Admit you are a sinner (Rom. 3:23).
Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) (Matt. 3:2).
Believe Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross (I Cor. 15:3).
Through prayer invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life.
Plan Two:
Confess your sins (Mark 1:5).
Open the door of your heart so Christ can come in (Rev. 3:20).
Believe on Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).
Come forward publicly to receive Jesus as your personal Savior.
Plan Three:
Acknowledge you are a sinner (Rom. 3:23).
You must make Jesus Christ Lord of your life (Rom. 12:1).
Believe Christ died for you (I Cor. 15:3).
Accept Christ as your personal Savior by praying to God.
There are two serious flaws with the above plans. First, they confuse the terms of salvation under the kingdom gospel with the gospel of the grace of God. Second, the sinner could easily place his trust in what he has done, instead of the Savior. Therefore we suggest the following:
The Scriptural Terms of Salvation:
Acknowledge you are sinner, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that He died for your sins, was buried and rose again (Rom. 4:5; I Cor. 15:3,4).
If you have trusted Christ as your personal Savior, why not pray and thank God for your salvation.
Beloved, the unsaved are dangling over the lake of fire by one thin thread of human existence. The only thing that is standing between them and eternal judgment is the good news of Christ and Him crucified. May the Lord give us a burden for lost souls, for “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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16th June 2012, 01:25 AM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
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| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
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June 15, 2012
Practical Instructions for Our Teens
by Paul M. Sadler, President
Scripture Reading:
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
-- Ephesians 6:1,2
In all likelihood mom and dad have been impressing upon you the importance of only dating and marrying those who are saved. You may think that they are being narrow-minded, but the truth is, your parents are looking out for your spiritual well-being. The Word of God is quite clear when it comes to the matter of separation:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (II Cor. 6:14).
Some Christian young people feel strongly that there is no harm in just dating the unsaved. But why become emotionally involved in a relationship that has no future? Furthermore, it is unfair to the unbelieving party who will never understand your reasoning for breaking off the relationship. We have seen too many tragic cases where these types of associations end up in unequally yoked marriages that fail. So, may we encourage our young people to heed the godly counsel of their parents, for in so doing, you will spare yourself a lifetime of heartache.
But where can a Christian young person find Mr. or Mrs. Right? Since faithful believers do not frequent worldly establishments your search must begin where the Lord's people gather. You must take the initiative to regularly attend church services, conferences, youth groups and camp meetings. In the meantime, a young man should be working toward financial stability while the young ladies learn to cook. After all, there is a limitation to McDonald's!
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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16th June 2012, 10:11 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
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June 16, 2012
Conversation Peace
by Pastor Ricky Kurth
“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).
Interestingly, whenever Paul uses the phrase “stand fast,” it is always to challenge people to stand fast in an area in which they were not standing fast! For instance, he tells the Corinthians to “stand fast in the faith” (I Cor. 16:13), for they had lost their faith in one of the fundamentals of the faith, the resurrection (I Cor. 15:12-50). He told the Galatians to “stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Gal. 5:1) because they were forsaking grace for the law. He told the Thessalonians to “stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught” (II Thes. 2:15), especially the “tradition” of working for a living (3:7-12). The Thessalonians had become so excited about the Rapture that many of them quit their jobs in anticipation of the Lord’s coming!
But here in Philippians 1:27, Paul tells the Philippians to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” This is because two ladies in the church were quarreling (4:2), and some in the church were siding with Euodias and some with Syntyche. “Striving together” is the Greek word sunathleo. The prefix sun means together with, and athleo is the word from which we get athlete and athletics. Athletes are often teammates who must strive together to achieve a common victory, and this is what Paul was calling on the Philippians to do for the cause of Christ.
Notice Paul isn’t talking about faith in the gospel. The faith of the gospel is our faithfulness or fidelity to maintaining the gospel as God gave it, just as old “high-fi” or “high-fidelity” records claimed to be highly faithful to the sound recorded in the studio. We are to strive together to maintain fidelity to the gospel God gave to Paul.
Finally, Paul does not say we should strive with one another for the faith of the gospel. He rather says we should be striving “together” as those who see the fellowship of the mystery with those who don’t. With all the talk about “peace on earth”, how refreshing it would be if we could enjoy the “conversation peace” Paul longed to see in Philippi! (Psa. 133:1; Eph. 4:3).
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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