Faith’s Foundation
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17
“But without faith it is impossible to please him…” Hebrews 11:6
At this time of the year, we hear many opinions as to what day Christ was crucified on, how long He was in the tomb, etc. Some contend for Biblical facts, others for inclusiveness for the sake of all being one big happy family (as if truth is not really the basis for the Christian faith and fellowship.)
Many express their opinion and reasoning for their opinion in an assertive fashion. Others prefer ambiguity for the sake of rising above contention. Some site the opinions of others whom they consider to be somewhat of an authority. Surely, there must be someone out there who is thinking that if professed Christians have no certain answer for this, do they have any real answers at all? After all, if we have nothing more than a variety of opinions, are we not mired in the forbidden mentality, “…of private interpretation” instead of, “What saith the scriptures?”
Then the thought occurred to me…does anybody really care? Is there anyone to whom this makes a difference? Is there really anyone we can go to for the right answer? To whom shall we go? Who would be the right person to consult regarding this controversy? Who could settle the question once and for all amongst believers–to where we could all know the truth, rejoice in the truth, and bear witness of the truth? Who has the authority to set forth the foundation of our faith?
WHO…WHO…WHO? Dear brethren, LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED! There is such an ONE!!!!!!!!
WHAT IS HIM NAME? WHERE CAN WE FIND HIS ANSWER? DO YOU WANT TO KNOW? DOES HE REALLY KNOW? YES…YES…YES!
Who would know for sure any more than the ONE who was placed in the tomb as to the right answer for how long HE was there: LISTEN TO HIS ANSWER: “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” Matthew 12:40. Isn’t it wonderful?! Jesus has spoken! He knows and it matters to Him, because He is the One who was in the tomb. Yes, believer, now you know the truth, and you know that no lie is of the truth. It doesn’t matter what others say, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Yes, we can by faith walk in the light of His Word. Aren’t you glad?
SHARING
Deliverance From Sin
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold….But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19
When a sinner repents and trusts in Christ’s work of redemption, in shedding His perfect blood for the remission of our sins, what happens to our sins? “…and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” Micah 7:19. Our sins are removed, to where they cannot be seen, thus they will not be remembered any more. What grace is this!
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 The north and the south are fixed points, with a measurable distance between them. But there are no fixed points east and west. East and west are infinitely separated, and they will never meet. That is how far he hath removed our transgressions from us. What mercy is this!
“Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” Isaiah 38:17 The imagery is striking! The one place a person cannot see is his back. God has said He has placed our sin where He cannot see it. What love is this!
Our sin has been cast into the depths of the sea, never to be seen again. Our sin has been removed from us as far as the east is from the west, never to be encountered again. Our sins have been placed behind God’s back, the one place He cannot see.
Sin is man’s worst of all possible enemies. And Christ has defeated sin. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
And because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, in absolute triumph, we can sing:
–copied and edited
SHARINGOne Day At A Time
ONE DAY at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain and its burden of care;
One day at a time we must meet and must bear.
ONE DAY at a time to be patient and strong;
To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;
Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;
It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.
ONE DAY at a time–but the day is so long,
And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,
O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;
Give courage and patience and strength for the day.
Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;
“Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;
I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;
I will not forsake thee; I never will leave.”
Not yesterday’s load we are called on to bear,
Nor the morrow’s uncertain and shadowy care;
Why should we look forward or back with dismay?
Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.
ONE DAY at a time, and the day is His day;
He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.
His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.
–Annie Johnson Flint
SHARINGA Channel Of Blessing
“And one of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and said unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus.” John 1:40-42a
This example reveals the heart and soul of the Lord’s work, the spreading of the gospel through personal contact. For a variety of reasons, this has fallen by the wayside far more than should be allowed.
There is no greater joy or reward or blessing, than to be the instrument God uses to link a person to coming to the knowledge of the truth and being saved. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3
We should never count ourselves too small, or our efforts as too insignificant. Rather, we are to just put to use what God has given us, and leave it all in the hands of the Lord: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
The real you is what God uses: “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” Mark 5:19 People relate to people. If you try to make a presentation beyond what you are by the grace of God, then your presentation is lacking what it needs to substantiate itself. Pray for God to use YOU.
Our job is not to seek to “make the sale” ourselves, but to be the link and set before people “the open door” whereby they can come to hear and see for themselves: “Philip findeth Nathaneal, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathaneal said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.” John 1:45-46 We must not try to substitute human coercion for the miraculous work of God: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” John 6:44-45
Personal growth, blessings, and rewards come by being a doer.
SHARINGThe Mystery Of Iniquity Working
2 Thessalonians 2:7
The Bible prophesies of the coming age of anti-christ, which originates with Satan, rather than some other cause. Satan’s accomplishments on every level contributes to this, whether it be individual unbelief, or worldly principalities and powers.
There is no question that people in general are abandoning the respect for Biblical principles. And we see society as a whole moving from “In God We Trust,” unto “we don’t trust those who trust in God.”
Fundamental Bible believers are being labeled as right wing extremists, who pose a potential threat to society. As society radicalizes itself in promoting abortion and sodomy, it counts all to be offenders who will not alter their views to go along with society’s corrupt changes.
We must also understand that where there is no fear of God, the natural enmity of sin in human nature will abound against those who are of God.
Religion itself does not arrest enmity against the truth; rather it may very well be speaking evil of the way of truth (2 Peter 2:1-3). This can be clearly seen by the way religion attacked Christ and secured His crucifixion.
The religions of men, that are not of the truth of God, are major players in fostering attitudes that will be used of the anti-christ to oppose those who believe and stand for the truth.
The fact is, religious people need to repent and be converted to the truth the same as non-religious persons. All who do not will just be deceived in their religion.
America’s love affair with unscriptural religion opened the door for the working of the mystery of iniquity here. It is unscriptural religion that first gives society reason to believe that religion does nothing more than blind the thinking of people, as unscriptural religion is what spiritual blindness is all about.
SHARING
