BLESSED FORGIVENESS

Psa 32:1  A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 

2  Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 

The wickedness of sin is apparent in our lives. Then we need to come to the Lord and confess that we have been sinful. Confession brings the forgiveness of the Lord. This Psalm tells us what happens when we neglect confession of our sins. This is a confession, not to man or priest or rabbi, but to the Lord.

Sin brings guilt into our lives. Guilt can cause misery and bring sorrow that mars our spirit and our days and nights. David describes the lack of confession of sin and how miserable he was.

The Lord is our hiding place. A place of forgiveness and rest. A place of ease and comfort. To the Lord is where we need to rush and confess our sins and be healed of guilt in the precious arms of Jesus. In His arms we find mercy, and gladness and shout for joy. We have been forgiven.

ABIDING IN CHRIST

John 15:5; I John 2:28; II John 9

Abide – to dwell, to rest to continue, to stand firm.

I John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

There is a place to abide. We are to abide in Jesus. All of our assurance and hope and every blessing resides in our abiding in Jesus. Abiding in Jesus indicates a close relationship. Our abiding in Him indicates that within His nearness, we have peace and re-assurance of His care for us and He is watching over us. I fear that sometimes He sees every moment of my life, whether it is joy or sorrow. He has experience all that I could ever experience in this life. He knows every step I take and every obstacle that hinders my walk. When I stumble, He is there to steady me. When I fall He picks me up and brushes me off and heals body and mind.

I cannot have confidence in this world and the rule of man. I cannot have confidence in government that they will always want the best for me. I cannot have confidence in fellow man that they will treat me right and never fail me or desert me. My confidence must stay on and with the Lord Jesus. He is always present when I need Him. I have confidence in His return to take me home one day. In His time, at the right time, I shall see Him in the air and hear the trumpet of victory sound and I shall meet my Lord in the Air. What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see, when I look upon His face . . .

My desire is to not be ashamed before God when I stand before Him. Therefore, I must abide. I don’t know when His return is so I must be ready at any time. I have confidence in his return as a thief in the night and because His appearance will not be announced, I must be faithful and true at all times. I must not be drawn away by worldly lusts or desires. I MUST abide in Jesus at all times.

John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.”

Abiding is fruit-bearing. The place of abiding is in Jesus Christ the Son of God. Some choose to abide in the world, in sports, arts, education, politics, power or prestige. The propensity of some to always gravitate to worldly things is evident in what holds their attention and receives their time. These days of hectic activity of the world, we hardly have time for Jesus, much less abiding in him. Abiding means to spend time with him. We abide in our house that we call our home. This is where we eat, we sleep and basically live our lives. This is the hub of our life. Jesus should be the hub of our life.

With Jesus, we are “in Him.” We should be just as comfortable being in him as we are at home. Abiding in Him means that no matter where we are He is ever-present. Since we are in Him at work, we should be just as faithful in representing Him at work as we are at Church. Where ever we are, if we abide in Christ, we will produce, not just fruit but much fruit. Notice that statement “… for without me ye can do nothing. If we are not producing fruit, maybe we should examine ourselves to see if we are abiding.

II John 1:9  “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”

If we are abiding in Christ, we have an overwhelming desire to abide in His doctrine. Truth is so important in a time of lying and deceit. So many distort and twist the doctrine of Christ in this modern depraved age. The Bible says, “ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” John 8:32. We areresponsible for diligently searching for the truth and finding it. Finding the truth tells of the love we have for Christ.

WHAT DID SOLOMON DO THAT WAS SO RIGHT?

William Andrew Dillard

Ranking at the top of intellectually stimulating reading in the Bible are the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. These books were written by Solomon, Son of David, King of Israel. He remains the wisest sinner who ever lived. His forty-year reign was the most glorious Israel ever had, and the nation rose to the zenith of its history in the construction of the temple and other works in a time of unparalleled peace. So, one may wonder in view of these things just what did Solomon do that was so right?
Usually, there are a number of things in the lives of people that may be pointed out as the underlying cause. However, it is often the more simple things that become the most profound. Such is true in the case of Solomon.
When Solomon was anointed King of Israel to succeed his father, David, he understood the magnitude of the task before him was overwhelming. He did not see his unique position as a springboard to fulfilling fleshly desires and wallowing in luxury so commonly the failure of many. Instead, he took the responsibility of his position quite seriously, and felt unequal to the task. In that frame of mind, Solomon earnestly prayed to the God of heaven for wisdom to lead His people. He did not pray for health, wealth, fame or any of the other common things men covet.
Accordingly, God both heard and answered his prayer. Moreover, God gave Solomon much more than he asked, including wisdom such as no man before him had possessed, and no man after him would possess. In words Solomon himself would later pen he said, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Solomon looked to God, he trusted God, and sought the help of God to fulfill the task that life had brought to him. In these things what Solomon did was so right!
What about you? Do you operate in the power and wisdom of yourself? Do you trust primarily in the advice of others? So many live their lives this way and it is wrong. Do you look to God in prayer for wisdom to live life as it pleases Him? Do you look to His word for instructions about decisions you must make? If you do, then you are following the example of Solomon, and that is so right!

HEAVEN’S OFFER: A LIFE OF ADVANTAGE!

William Andrew Dillard

Enduring and mighty lessons spring from what many may see as strange and perplexing events in the Old Testament. Such is the case of the patriarch Jacob wrestling all night with an angel as recorded in Genesis 32.
In context, Jacob was returning from Padam-aram (modern Iraq) with his wives, children, livestock, and substance to his parental homeland. He was under a death threat from his brother, Esau who sold Jacob his birthright, but was extremely angered when Jacob engaged in trickery to actually obtain it. News had come to Jacob that Esau was coming with hundreds of armed men, so he assumed the worst and implemented a cunning plan of appeasement to preserve life and achieve peace. 
Moreover, in the long night before meeting his brother, Jacob is said to have wrestled with an angel until the dawning of day. Refusing to release hold on the angel until he should be blessed, Jacob was given his blessing, and with it a change of name to “Israel.”
“Israel” is a composite of two words: “Sara(h)” “prince(ss), royalty, possessor of power” and “El” “God”; hence, one who has power with God and prevails. This new word became the name of the patriarch from that day forward. Moreover, that name was transferred to the aggregate of his offspring, the Hebrew people who were the Old Testament people of covenant with God, and through Whose power they prevailed often against impossible odds. They had a real advantage (inside track) with God, But it was not after the flesh, but of God’s choosing.
Today, the homeland of the Jewish people is referred to as Israel, but what made that name significant, the presence and power of God, was withdrawn upon their final rejection of their Messiah Who said of them, ”Behold, your house is left unto you desolate…” Luke 13:35.
Jesus had come not only to pay the sin penalty for mankind, which men could not pay, but to bring His covenant people out from under the dispensation of law into the marvelous New Covenant of Grace. A remnant did so follow the Lord, and He also graciously incorporated the nations of all who would believe and follow Him. Hence, the beloved apostle Paul tells us that the true church of the Lord Jesus Christ is “the Israel of God.” Galatians 6:16. So long as the grace of God is extended in this dispensation of time called “today,” men have the blessed privilege of being a part of that Israel, “One who has power with God and prevails, even His people of the New Covenant.” Do you have an obedient and talking relationship with God? It really is an advantage of blessings both in time and in eternity!

Keep Thy Tongue

Psalm 34:12-16

“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it,” Psalm 34:13, 14.

Have you ever watched one of those televised beauty pageants? Then you probably heard the phrase world peace. It is the stereotypical pageant contestant’s answer. It is really cliché, but really, who doesn’t want to see peace?

We may not be seeking world peace, however we would all like to see peace in our own lives. But are we entitled to peace? Should peace just automatically come our way? We may not directly say that, but many times we act as though we deserve it.

Nevertheless, peace does not come without effort. We learn in today’s Scripture that we are to “seek peace” (verse 14). Instead of sitting back and expecting our lives to be filled with tranquility, we should be pursuing opportunities to cultivate peace. Instead, many times we do nothing and complain when conflict and chaos come.

One key way we can pursue peace is by watching what we say. There is nothing that can cause conflict in relationships faster than a loose tongue. This passage commands us to “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile” (verse 13). This sounds really good and makes a lot of sense, but it is not always easy to accomplish. In the New Testament book of James, we are shown how difficult the tongue is to tame, however, if we want peace we must learn how to be peacemakers.

Peacemaking begins with you and me. If we are going to have peaceable relationships it is going to take effort. If you desire a more peaceful life, then make peacemaking a priority.

 

JUST ASKING

How are you making daily efforts to keep thy tongue?

Nathan Rogers

PEACE, PEACE, MARVELOUS PEACE!

HEBREW HONEYCOMB

Author: William Andrew Dillard

Extremely high on the priority list of men and of nations is the state of peace. Of course, those words may mean different things to different people, so amplification is needed. Stay with me on this one!
Peace! It is an enduring status to some, and so elusive to others. Still others throw it away before they realize they have it. Some folks want domestic peace. What can be more troubling than a home where there is no peace? Others want inner peace, a reprieve from a troubled conscience, or the filling of an inner void. Still others may be as the Hatfields and the McCoys; desperately needing peace in their relationships with others. Nations cry peace, and go to extremes to avoid war and its terrible effects for generations.

But should one trade away all freedoms of life and other potentials for peace to know a lesser degree of stress and turmoil? As the old saying goes, some would rather be red than dead, and will surrender to chains to avoid conflict as though the chains would bring them peace. Those who are troubled, and in need of peace should look nowhere else but to the Prince of Peace Who alone is able to bring permanent peace to the human heart and mind, even in times of stress and trouble. So, often we read apostolic salutations in the scriptures of “grace and peace unto you,” Such greetings were made in the sure realization that those states of being are real and attainable, but they are the gift of God and not of man.
Those who look elsewhere for peace than to the Lord Jesus Christ may find a temporary topical cream for a present troubled situation, but no lasting peace. The scriptures warned that this would be the mindset of men in the last days: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” I Thess. 5:3.

At the entrance of Jesus into the World, angelic hosts praised God saying:” Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14 He is the Prince Peace and the promise is “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isa. 26:3. Thus did Jesus say to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. One may wonder if there is an alternative to the peace that Jesus alone gives. In such case, most serious consideration should be given to the forceful and simple statement of Isa 48:22, “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.”

The Righteous Judge

 

Psalm 9:1-10

“And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people,” Psalm 9:8.

Jesus is not only the tenderhearted God of mercy, coming to town in peace, riding on a donkey; He is also the righteous Judge who will rule with a rod of iron. He will come again wielding the sword of God riding on a warhorse, stomping the grapes of wrath in the winepress of God’s judgment. Personally, as a boy I knew my stepfather loved me unconditionally, but I was scared out of my wits of his old Navy belt which he rarely had to use. That belt symbolized judgment; therefore, even though I loved him, I respected his boundaries. I was usually chicken where pain was eminent.

In Psalm 9, David compares his pagan enemies to his own reign, depending on God’s leadership. David’s life strategy was when the Lord judges the world in righteousness, David would not be depending on his own righteous behavior; his confidence would be in the righteous Judge sitting on the throne.

Regardless of how hard religious people work to turn Christianity into a tiptoe through the tulips lifestyle, one cannot close his eyes to the fact that God’s Word makes it clear. Christ will come again with all His saints bringing God’s judgment upon the ungodly (Jude 14, 15). We need to be sure we are the ones following Him in white robes, not those out front on the receiving end of His sword.

Every sin has its own consequence. Therefore, since the wages of sin is death, the Judge must pass the sentence of death. But, He offers to believers the gift of eternal life through Jesus, the righteous Judge.

 

IN OTHER WORDs

If the Judge be for us, who can be against us?

Robert Brock

Grace and Peace

2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all,” 2 Thessalonians 3:16. Paul used someone other than himself to pen most of his letters. We do not know exactly why Paul did this, but we learn in today’s passage that he did at least pen one verse in his own handwriting. Paul even made an explicit point to let the readers know that this final admonition was written in his own hand. There is a lot of speculation as to why Paul would do this. Was it because he wanted to show his special care in writing this particular letter? Was it simply his sign of authenticity? This could very well be the case. There may have even been a case of forgery that led to the idea that the day of Christ had already come. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:2.) What is really important here was Paul’s salutation. He wrote (may) “the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means” and “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” Paul wished grace and peace to his readers. As believers, we have received both God’s grace and peace. Paul now prayed that these two wonderful gifts would continue with us. Paul wished for the believers in Thessalonica and believers everywhere to be filled with God’s wonderful grace and peace.     JUST A THOUGHT Do you find rest and comfort in God’s grace and peace in your life? Nathan Rogers

Equipped To Comfort

 

2 Corinthians 1:3, 4

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God,” 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.

God is the source of all of our comfort. This is a reason to praise Him. The greatest comfort we can know is the comfort we receive when we are resting in the love of God. Why does God want us to know this level of comfort? He wants us to know it so that we can use that experience to be comforting to others.

Notice how many times the word comfort or some variation of that word appears in today’s passage. God not only desires for us to be comforted, but to be comforting as well.

When we are able, through God, to find peace in times of trouble, God is preparing us. He is making us ready to give that same type of comfort to others. He wants to use our experience during tough times as a ministry tool.

How do you view your trials? Are you looking to God for comfort in those times? Have you been able to find comfort from the Lord. If you have found rest and comfort during a trial, are you using that experience to be a comfort to others? Are you actively seeking out those in similar circumstances to whom you can minister?

 

 

JUST A THOUGHT

You must learn how to find comfort in the Lord before you can truly be a comfort to others.

Nathan Rogers

Tribulation and Good Cheer

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world,” John 16:33.   For the Christian, real spiritual joy and peace cannot come from the world. Our joy must come from the One who overcame the world (1 John 4:4, 5). Peace and joy in Christ is a state of mind that sees God working in the background, no matter how bad the circumstances. Paul stated it like this, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil.1:21). Either way, Christ is glorified. In John chapters 14—16, Jesus spoke words of comfort to His church, which had finally resigned itself to the idea that He really was going to let the leaders kill Him. Naturally, the apostles were devastated. They had left their families and homes and jobs to follow Him in what they thought was to be the establishment of the kingdom of Israel. Parents in Israel had taught their children this all their lives. Now, He said that He was going to let the leaders kill Him. All is lost. Jesus taught them that He must first be the suffering Messiah and pay for mankind’s sin. Then, He would rise the third day and go to the Father’s house, from whence He will return, “And receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).     JUST SAYING Jesus has paid for sin with His life. He will return and set up His kingdom and will rule in justice and righteousness. Robert Brock