SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:8, 9

People are determined to have to do something to win God's favor. In Romans chapter four where God shows us what Abraham's faith was not in, He shows us what people do put their faith in. Study it carefully. They put their faith in: their own merit or good works; religious ceremony (circumcision) or affiliation; and in their keeping the Law or some other rule. It's a faith in a human work of some kind. The problem is not faith. It's what the faith is in! God says man's faith will be put into his account for righteousness if he puts it in the right place or person (Rom. 4:5).

On the one hand, you have a salvation attempted on a works basis. It's received by works through faith. On the other hand, we see God offering today salvation on a grace basis. Grace can't be earned nor bought! It's not only more than what we deserve, it's just the opposite! In the early chapters of Romans, you have every man deserving the wrath of God, being offered the righteousness of God - BY GOD'S GRACE! God's grace is the BASIS for His offer. How is this offer received? By faith, and faith alone!


In the book of Romans we see "the righteousness of God," "justification," and "eternal life" are synonymous terms and are God's gift to those deserving His eternal wrath (Rom. 3:21, 24; 5:1, 17; 6:23). The same is true as we come to Ephesians chapter 2. The same ones who are dead in trespasses and sins and who are headed for the wrath of God (vrs. 1-3) can be saved by God's marvelous grace. God says: "For by grace --you have been saved -- through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (2:8,9). He is saying: the gift of God is eternal life; God's grace is the basis for His offer; and man's faith alone is means of receiving God's gift. God holds man accountable to believe and receive His gift (II Thess. 2:10;12)


By DICK WARE
AMEN

The Lord Will Show You Great and Mighty Things

Jeremiah 33:3 - Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

The scripture tells us to call unto the Lord; the word used for 'call' in many place is also translated as 'cry'. So this calling does not mean just opening our mouth and saying 'Lord I call unto You'. This call needs to come from our spirit, deep within us.

The Lord assures us if we call we will receive an answer. Like a legal document so also in the scripture the answer is not assured immediate and completely on the spot. The word specifies a gradual so much so that it may not even be noticed sometimes. But we are assured over a period of time something unimaginable.

I can stand by this for I have received many, many times unimaginable things not only material things but precious spiritual things more precious then diamonds.

I would like you all to be rich in all areas and experience our mighty God and His glory, so cry out unto Him.

AMEN

Scriptures For Needs

Mt 6:8......... ......your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Ps 34:10....... .....those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

Ps 24:1........ ......The earth is the Lord's, and all it's fullness,...

Ps 50:10....... .....every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

Gen 18:14....... ...Is anything to hard for the Lord?

Mt 7:7......... .......Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Rom 8:32........ ...He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also freely give us all things?

Ps 37:5........ .....Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

Luke 6:38........ ..Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.

Eph 3:20........ ...(God) is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...

Phil 4:19........ ....And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2Pet 1:3......... ...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him...

Jer 32:27....... ....Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything to hard for Me?

Mt 11:28....... ....Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Heb 13:5........ ...For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Phil 4:6......... ....Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let you requests be made known to God; ...

Ps. 20:4........ ..may He grant you according to your hearts desire, and fulfill all of your purpose.

Eph 1:3......... ...Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

AMEN

If You Seek God You'll Find Him

7 For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.
9 They are all plain to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
12 “ I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength.
15 By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles,
All the judges of the earth.[a]
17 I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
And my revenue than choice silver.
20 I traverse the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.
22 “ The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
23 I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;
26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields,
Or the primal dust of the world.
27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there,
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 When He established the clouds above,
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
29 When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;[b]
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men.
32 “ Now therefore, listen to me, my children,
For blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
And do not disdain it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the LORD;
36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul;
All those who hate me love death.

AMEN

Scriptures for Healing

Hos 4:6......... ....My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Gal 3:13........ ....Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us...

1Pet 2:24........ ..(Jesus) bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed.

Isa 53:5........ .....He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Mt 8:17........ .....He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.

Ps 107:20...... ...He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Prov 3:7......... ...Do not be wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil.

Prov 3:8......... ...It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

Ex 15:26....... .....I am the Lord who heals you.

Ps 103:3....... ....Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases...

Ex 23:25....... ....serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.

Prov 16:24....... ..Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Isa 58:8........ .....your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Ps 118:17...... ....I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

Ps 147:3....... ....He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Prov 17:22....... ..A merry heart does good, like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.

3John 2........... ..Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

Mk 16:17....... ....these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

Jas 5:15........ ....the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Jas 5:16........ ...Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

Mt 8:13........ ....Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.


AMEN

Want your desires fulfilled?

Psalms 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalms 37:3-6

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

The word 'delight' used here is a very tone down translation of the Hebrew word 'anag' it means to dedicate or to make habit of, other than to make merry.

Just making merry in the Lord will not get us the desires of our heart. For this we need to first trust in God be good and make God a habit or dedicate ourselves to Him. This understanding goes well with the other scriptures.

Having a habit is getting into something so much that without knowing we still do it. It is something that goes beyond your mind into our spirit. So we need to make the Lord a part of us not only when we think of Him but even when we are not mentally alert of Him. This can happen only when we make God the top priority in our lives.

AMEN

GRACE AND MERCY

"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).

If and when the trial comes, you will find Him waiting there.

"We should always be prepared for circumstances that will arise, and for blessings that are to come, without foreseeing what these circumstances and blessings will be. This preparation consists in attention to present responsibility, and acceptance of present discipline.

"If day by day we first seek divine direction, and then follow it, we shall be ready, when new circumstances arise, for the new blessings which will be offered. Today should be preparation for tomorrow. The only proof that we shall be equal to tomorrow's test is that we are meeting today's test believingly and courageously. The only evidence that we shall be willing for God's will tomorrow is that we are subject to His will today." -W.G.S.

"Our Lord has special reserves of grace for special needs. If ever you feel that you could not go through a certain trial, that if you had to face that, you just could not go through with it, you are taking on something that you have no right to take on.

"If the Lord calls you to go through fire or water, He has a special reserve of grace for you in that. And that grace will be from the throne of grace. It is the throne above, mediating grace for need and suffering as it is required." -T.A-S.

"Let us... come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).

GRACE AND MERCY
By Miles Stanford

DESERTS vs GRACE

It is an interesting fact that in this day of godlessness and lawlessness so much is being said about what we all deserve! Ads in the newspapers and commercials on radio and TV ask:

"Don’t you deserve the very finest automobile?"

"Don’t your children deserve the best?"

"Doesn’t your baby deserve Pampers?"

And even, "Doesn’t your dog deserve Alpo?"

Well, do you really deserve the finest car? Please don’t answer that! Do your children deserve the best -- always? If so you surely have model children -- not at all like their parents! And does your baby deserve Pampers? That’s funny! And does your dog deserve Alpo? That’s ridiculous! Dogs do not "love" or obey you from any moral consideration, nor, for that matter, does your baby, lovable as the darling is. And as to you and your children -- including the baby, the Bible has something to say on this subject.

The Bible says that "by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men for that ALL have sinned [i.e., in Adam]" (Rom. 5:12). You and I were "in Adam" when he sinned. When he sinned, we sinned. Deny this and you might as well agree with the murderer who argued: "My feet and legs didn’t do it; my ears and nose didn’t do it; only my one hand and one or two other parts of my body did it, so the rest should go free."

We believers in Christ should thank God that our blessed Lord took upon Him our just deserts when He died for our sins at Calvary. This is why God’s Word says:

"We declare, I say, at this time, His righteousness for the remission of sins... that [God] might be just, and the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.

"Where is boasting then? It is excluded" (Rom. 3:25-27).

by C. R. Stam
AMEN

WOULD YOU REJECT THE OFFER?

“He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12).

The story was told of a presiding judge who was hearing the case of his own son. The son was convicted of the crime he was accused of. According to the law, the son had to be sentenced to five years of imprisonment with hard labour or pay a fine of certain amount. The father, the judge, pronounced the judgement, but he did not want his son to go to the prison. Therefore, he offered to pay the fine. However, surprisingly, the son rejected the offer!

One would blame this seditious son for rejecting the offer of payment of the fine by his father and for deciding to go to the prison instead. On the other hand, the father had acted justly in sentencing him to prison though he, the father, did not want the son to go to prison. Likewise, our heavenly Father is just for sentencing anyone who does not accept His offer of salvation to eternal damnation. Apostle Paul explained, “For God sent Christ Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to end all God's anger against us. He used Christ's blood and our faith as the means of saving us from his wrath. In this way he was being entirely fair, even though he did not punish those who sinned in former times. For he was looking forward to the time when Christ would come and take away those sins. And now in these days also he can receive sinners in this same way because Jesus took away their sins. But isn't this unfair for God to let criminals go free, and say that they are innocent? No, for he does it on the basis of their trust in Jesus who took away their sins” (Romans 3:25-26).

Have you accepted this offer of salvation? Alternatively, would you reject the offer? The writer of the book of the Hebrews warned, “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him” (Hebrews 2:1-3 NIV). Accept Jesus Christ today as your personal Saviour and Lord. Would you be like that rebellious son? Would you reject the offer?

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)
AMEN

FROM DEATH INTO LIFE

Scripture Reading: Galatians 2:20-21

From death unto life: what a strange and marvelous process! We die, that we might live. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me."

The greatest moment in the sacrificial work of our Lord He shared with His own: we are crucified with Him! We are baptized into His death: "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death ... For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection" (Rom. 6: 4, 5).

Meanwhile, as we await that which is to come, it is His life that we now live in the flesh. Our anticipation is greater than the greatest of man's most exaggerated dreams. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us" (Rom. 8:18). "For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself" (Phil. 3:20-21).

This present life-this present world-this age of pain and rejection are difficult. But they are not unbearable. For while suffering the slings and arrows of the ungodly, we are "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2: 13).

In the total expanse of human life there is not a square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, "That is mine!"


AMEN
By Pastor Robert Hanna

Be A Testimony

Today's Psalm: 32:10 "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about."

By remaining faithful to God and His Word, you will be a good testimony and in a position to help others when the Lord calls on you to serve Him. We learn of two more judges who were chosen to guide the Israelites after the death of Abimelech. " And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years. And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead. And Jair died, and was buried in Camon." (Judges 10:1-5). Once again the Israelites went back to their wicked ways, then cried to God to save them, but this time God did not come to their aid. "And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. " (10:11-14). There comes a time when God will only take so much before he stops answering our cries. However, once the Israelites realized that God was not going to save them they put away their strange gods and started serving Him. "And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel." (10:16). Sometimes God will allow us to suffer so that we can get right with Him. Many people do not understand how much God really does love us, He is our father so of course He is going to get angry when we continuously live sin knowing well that it is the wrong thing to do. He is no different from an earthly father when he makes us suffer the consequences of our own actions. When we take responsibility for them and change our ways then we get his respect and assistance. Jephthah was a godly man, but because he was an illegitimate child to a harlot he was forced to leave Gilead. "Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah. And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman." (11:1-2). The Israelites found out quickly though that Jephthah was needed. "And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead." (11:8). Like Jephthah, many Christians are alienated even by other Christians because of their background or past and it usually takes a tragedy before they realize their mistake. It is important that we never judge a person by how they were brought up nor their past. We are all sinners and all who accept Jesus as their Savior are saved and no matter what we have done we are saved. God gives us all an opportunity to be a testimony of how we turned from being a worthless sinner to being a righteous servant. By the way, all Christians will experience many tests in life. This is the way that God prepares us for the work He has called us to do. By the grace of God, accept with gratitude all the sorrows that come into your life whether it be through friend or enemy, failures or humiliations because they create the foundation of a wonderful Christ filled life. AMEN

Facing Challenges

Today's Psalm: 40:10 "I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. "

We are faced with challenges in order to develop our godly character and teach us to put our complete faith in God to see us through them. When Saul was a young man, his character seemed to reveal that he was truly humble. After he won his first battle, he humbly professed that salvation came from the Lord, but that humbleness quickly changed to pride as he gained more power. Often many Christians fall into that same pattern, they begin their walk with Christ humbled and eager to please God only to exalt themselves the more successful they become. Saul became a jealous and proud man, wanting all the glory for himself, he was challenged once again when David was anointed to eventually take his place as king. During Saul's reign, the giant warrior Goliath had challenged the Israelite army to send a man to fight him and let the outcome of that fight decide who will serve the other. "And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span........ ...And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us." (I Samuel 17:3-4,8-9). Not one of these men stood up to the challenge, fearing for their lives. Often, we too stand at the sidelines looking at the challenges we face with fear instead of trusting in God to help us through them. Then David came into the Israelite camp, we he saw that they were afraid he offered to fight Goliath. "And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.. ......... ...And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.. ......... ..Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." (17:32,40,45- 46). David put his complete trust in God, knowing that as long as He was with him that he would be able to defeat this giant. David defeated Goliath with a little stone, "And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled." (17:49-51). Following this spectacular victory over Goliath and the Philistines, David was welcomed into the palace of King Saul and was made his trusted captain of the guard. David's rising popularity was too much for Saul. When Saul heard women singing praises about him, he became exceedingly jealous and attempted to kill David by throwing a javelin at him as he was playing his harp. "And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul." (18:8-12). Saul's pride and jealousy controlled him and eventually he became determined to either murder David or cause him to be killed. Like David, we are put through these challenges to see if we will remain faithful and prove worthy of our high calling. The difficulties, handicaps, and suffering in life we face are permitted by God to develop our godly character and allow us to accomplish His will in our lives. We are each accountable for our disposition when handling the challenges that come our way. We can choose to become bitter and resentful, blaming God and others for our troubles or we can choose to put our complete trust in God to lead us to victory. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:1-5).

AMEN

Our Fool Wisdom

Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 3:18-20

The source of all life, all knowledge and all wisdom, is God. When we reason by exercising our own intellect apart from His leading, we make a mockery of true wisdom. 'There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12). When we take it upon ourselves to set our own standards of right and wrong, we err greatly. We then often compound the error by seeking justification for our mistakes and attempting to gloss them over by further demonstrations of human logic. Strangely enough, our search seems always to be one for freedom. In the flesh, we always seek material means to attain freedom. But God tells us, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). And how shall we know the truth? Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Our search for freedom ends when we are in Christ-and not before! "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty ... Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free (II Corinthians 3:17) (Galatians 5:1). In this age of grace, we as members of the body of Christ have an even greater freedom than did His disciples at the time of His earthly ministry. For we are free' from not only the bondage of sin, but also from the letter of the law and all the ceremonies and rituals and sacrifices contained therein. The basic principle, however, is unchanged. "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world. It is our heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ Truth can't be judged on the basis of popularity.

By Pastor R. Hanna
AMEN

Devil is the Father of Lies!

His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. Psalm 10:7

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34:13

'Do not steal. " 'Do not lie. " 'Do not deceive one another. Leviticus 19:11

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood a heart that devises wicked schemes,

feet that are quick to rush into evil. Proverbs 6:16-19

No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. Psalm 101:7

If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. Proverbs 29:12

And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers,

so that no one turns from his wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah . Jeremiah 23:14

A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. Proverbs 14:5

Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies. Psalm 58:3

They take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Psalm 62:4

They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth. that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me,"
declares the LORD. Jeremiah 9:3

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Proverbs 26:28

You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors. Psalm 5:6

Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD. Proverbs 15:11

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

AMEN

What satan wants us to do?

Satan wants you to worry about things & therefore neglect Kingdom things. Matt 6:32-34

Satan wants you to doubt God. Matt 6:33

Satan wants you to think he has already ruined earth beyond restoration. Matt 6:9-10

Satan does not want you to turn away from your sins & turn to God. Matt 4:17

Satan does not want you to go fishing for men. Matt 4:18-20

Satan wants you to believe that Heaven is EQUAL for everyone. Matt 5:19

Satan does NOT want you to go public with your faith. Matt 10:32-33

Satan does NOT want you to pray so that temptation will overcome you. Matt 14:38

Satan wants you to think you will be a ghost without a body for eternity. Matt 18:3

Satan promotes PRIDE because God wants you to be humble. Matt 18:4

Satan does NOT want us to gather with others to pray something. Matt 18:20

Satan wants you to deceive you until you can deceive yourself without his help. Matt 27:3-7

Satan wants you to overlook baptism as part of the salvation experience. Matt 28:19

Satan wants you to overlook the fact that many were resurrected when Jesus was. Matt 27:52-53

Satan wants us to doubt God. Mark 9:24

Satan wants you to focus on appearance, affluence, & achievement. Mark 9:33-35

Satan wants the Good News about Jesus to be buried & forgotten. Mark 16:15

Satan wants you to doubt that scripture is literal. Mark 10:6

Satan PROMOTES wine & hard liquor, but God recommends against it. Luke 1:13-15

Satan discourages baptism because is shows that we acknowledge God. Luke 7:28-30

Satan wants you give up if the burden begins to get heavy. Luke 9:23

Satan wants you think there might be millions of years between the murder of Abe & creation. Luke 11:49-51

Satan wants you believe you can extend your own life. Luke 12:16-20

Satan wants you to focus on EARTHLY treasure rather than HEAVENLY treasure. Luke 12:34

Satan uses ridicule & peer pressure to try to get you to make the wrong choices. Luke 16:14

Satan wants you to invest your assets in earthly treasure, or just store them. Luke 19:11-27

Satan promotes confusion about the eternity & your heavenly body. Luke 24:37-43

Satan promotes confusion about the Bible & Bible prophecy. Luke 24:44-46

Satan wants you to leave God & prayer OUT of your daily schedule. Luke 22:40

Satan wants you to be UNPREPARED when Jesus returns. Luke 21:27-28

Satan wants you to be discouraged. John 14:27

Satan holds you captive if you are full of bitterness. Repent & Pray. Acts 8:22-23

Satan does NOT want you to witness to others about Jesus. Acts 4:29

Satan wants you to pray lame, ineffective, nonspecific prayers. Acts 28:8-9

Satan fights his battles in your MIND. He wants to make you a slave to sin. Rom 7:21-23

Satan wants you to feel hopeless. Rom 15:13

Satan wants us to only agree with things that seem wise to US. 1Cor 1:19-27

Satan works to prevent people from understanding the truth. 1Cor 2:10-16

Satan does NOT want you to use your gifts for the Kingdom. 1Cor 12:18-20, 27

Satan wants you to change, twist the meaning, or DENY the word of God. Rev 22:18-19

Satan wants you to let your friends die without knowing Jesus. Rev 14:13

Satan wants you to believe that truth changes with the times. Jude 3

Satan send spirits of deception to keep you from knowing truth. 1Joh 4:5-6

Satan does not want you to go to battle in prayer for nations, cities, or individuals. 2Pet 2:7

Satan wants you to gamble with you future by ignoring God. Jam 5:1-3

Satan wants you to think you have trouble because God does not care about you. Jam 1:2

Satan wants you to believe that the virgin birth of our Savior is an impossible myth. 2Tim 4:3-4
Satan wants you to STRETCH the truth or CHANGE truth to fit your needs. 2Tim 2:25-26

Satan traps & holds captive all who oppose the Bible; but the TRUTH sets us free! 2Tim 2:25-26

Satan does not want you to LOVE God or SEEK God. Prov 8:17

Satan wants to blind you to the plan God has for your life. Psa 138:7

The Glory of Grace

If you find it difficult to live the Christian life you are not alone. Many Christians live second-rate lives with feelings of insecurity, discontent, anxiety and impotency. For them, the joy and victory that the gospel of grace promises seem little more than a theoretical illusion, a fleeting ghost in the face of disappointments that trap them in a syndrome of stress, self-pity and depression. Sadly missing are the confidence, assurance and consistency that come from the life of freedom that faith in Jesus Christ brings for every believer. Grace is the answer. Legalism is the enemy. Victory in the Christian life is obtained in the same manner as salvation: by appropriating, receiving, believing-not by works. Rom. 6:11-13 is a key passage every believer needs to master: "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." This is the process: Reckon yourself dead unto sin, but alive unto God. How is it possible? Just before the above passage, Paul had explained: "Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (Rom. 6:3). The moment we trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, we die-with Him. Our baptism into Christ's death sets us free from sin, "For he that is dead is freed from sin" (vs. 7). But grace does not stop there; the wonderful thing is that we can die and yet still "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). It is only after we die-with Christ- that we are able to really start living-again, with Him. Thus Paul goes on to state: "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Rom. 6:17,18,22). All of this is succinctly summed up in a verse every sincere believer should know by heart: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). How can I be dead and alive at the same time? The explanation is clear: it is not I anymore but it is Christ who lives in me and it is His life-His power, energy and wisdom-that is to be on display in my action and attitudes. The wonderful truth is that Jesus Christ gave His life for me at Calvary, so that He might give His life to me when I trusted Him, so that He might live His life through me day by day. This is the glory of grace: not simply that it saves us from eternal damnation in "the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8), there is more, "much more." The glory of God's grace to us in Christ is that His life is available to us right now. Speaking about the saints, Col. 1:27 says: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." The "riches of the glory of this mystery" is defined as "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This wealth is what God wants His saints to appreciate and rejoice in. If all you understand about grace is that we are not Israel and they are not us, you are missing the real wealth, because the "riches of His grace" are found in God's saving godless sinners and then coming and living His life in them. Being set free from sin and having the life that spoke the universe unto existence living in us is "the riches of the glory of this mystery," indeed! It is this truth of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" that empowers the believer's walk. To be "dead in sin" provides needed freedom from sin's dominion; to be "alive unto God" provides the capacity to use this freedom to bring forth "the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God" (Phil. 1:11).Gal. 4:1,2 demonstrates that a basic difference between a child and an adult is the issue of freedom. What a child is required and forced to do, an adult does voluntarily. What a child does in fear, an adult does in freedom. Freedom is an awesome thing. Although it can be and too often is abused, when it is used for its intended purpose, our freedom in Christ is our most valuable spiritual asset. There are two aspects to freedom: freedom from and freedom for. By God's grace we have been freed from sin-from both its condemnation and its control. Free from guilt and shame. Free from the downward impulses and urges we couldn't stop when in bondage to sin. Free from the tyranny of other's expectations, opinions and demands. But this is not all-not by far. God's grace has also made us free for service. We are free to obey, free to love, free to forgive others as well as ourselves, free to live beyond the limitations of human effort, free to serve and glorify Christ, free to live as adult members of the family of God. When we come to appreciate the freedom of our Sonship, we recognize that we are free to voluntarily do that which formerly we did in fear. As adults we can voluntarily apply the wisdom of God to the details of our lives by making decisions based on the Word of God. God is surely glorified when believers bear the fruits of their righteous standing in Christ. These "fruits of righteousness are by Jesus Christ" - that is, they are mediated through Christ in us. There is literally an outbreak of the righteous character of God on the stage of human history through the lives of believers who bear these fruits. This is of course the result of "the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe" (I Thess. 2:13). We could never accomplish this by our own doings, no matter how intended, just as an apple tree bears apples because of the life that is in it, so the believer bears fruits of the righteousness because of the life of Christ living through us. When Paul says, "It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13), he is referring to the Spirit of God working in the believer's inner man through the Word of God. Our service is not born out of an outward constraint or necessity, but rather is the result of the life of Christ in us working itself out through the members of our body as we voluntarily apply God's wisdom to the details of our lives. Thus it is that "the life is also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body" (II Cor. 4:10,11). The glory of God's grace to us in Christ goes far beyond simply what He has and is doing for us. It goes on into the manifestation of what He is doing for Himself through us, for we are simply "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).

Pastor Richard Jordon

AMEN

Just Believe!

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 Everything is possible for him who believes." Mark 9:23 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues. Mark 16:17 Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed." Luke 8:50 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. John 1:7 That everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:15 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 1 John 5:1 On the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted. Psalm 116:10. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. Isaiah 43:10 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message. John 17:20 Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Acts 13:39 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

AMEN

Why do you need to read bible?

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Hebrews 5:12 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:14 Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him Proverbs 30:5 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth 2 Timothy 2:15 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12 Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free John 8:31-32 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart Psalm 37:4 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress1 Timothy 4:15 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. Psalm 1:1 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:8 And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength. Ephesians 1:19 So that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. 1 Corinthians 2:5 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. but the word of the Lord stands forever 1 Peter 1:23,25. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it Luke 11:28 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 And how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15 Look in the scroll of the LORD and read: None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his Spirit will gather them together. Isaiah 34:16 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Nehemiah 8:3 The gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. Romans 1:2 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. John 15:3 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up Deuteronomy 11:19

AMEN

Faith Without Works

Today's Psalm: 136:23-26"Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever."

It's great to have faith in God, but it is not enough to just say you have faith in Him, you must be willing to work to receive His blessings.The conquest of Canaan was completed and the land was divided, not by majority vote, but by the Lord's decree. Although they had received some of the best territory in the promised land, the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim complained that they should have more territory given to them because of their great numbers and what they perceived as their prominent position among the tribes. "And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto? And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel. And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only: But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong." (Joshua 18:14-18). Sadly, these two tribes chose the easy way of compromise and let the Canaanites reside within their borders rather than fight for their God-given territory.Often, the blessings of God depend upon our faith in Him, if we are not willing to put a little effort into making things happen what good would it do. "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:19-26). It is not enough to have faith in God, we must keep working with that faith knowing that God will lead us to victory.Many people are just plain lazy, they want so many things in life and often wonder why they do not have them. Yet, they never make one effort in obtaining them, constantly seeking someone to help them. We may be Christians, but we are not doormats and although we try to help those in need whether they are saved or not it is sometimes wise to refuse to help those who express no concern for the will of God nor make any effort to help themselves. When we have our priorities centered upon the Lord, we need not fear losing our share of anything. Now, do not mistake "Works by Faith" with "Works of Salvation". No one can work for their salvation, only Jesus is our salvation. "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." (Galatians 2:16).Think of Jesus as food, food is essential in providing us with the nutrients we need to stay alive, but if we just look at it and not eat it then we will die. Jesus is essential in providing us with the nutrients we need to stay alive spiritually, but if we just think about Him and not accept Him than we will die spiritually. Making that effort to get to know Him increases our faith even more giving us the encouragement to do more, which in turn blesses us far beyond what we ever imagine.

AMEN