What is most important

WORDs of Saving Grace - what is most important

Ecclesiastes 1:2  Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

Think about it, why would the most wise king (next to the Lord Jesus) say everything is vanity...Because all the things we have held as so important dont really matter if we dont have the love of God in our hearts when we leave this lifetime.

Luke 12:20-21

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Consider what Christ Jesus did for us, in consideration of all other "things".

Romans 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Jesus knows we have need of things in this life, not only absolute necessities, but pleasurable things as well. However, these things He has created shouldn't exhault our pride and opinion of ourselves above our fellow man. But rather share what He has given us to show His love to others.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Above all

WORDs of Saving Grace - above all

Psalms 95:3  For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

He is great, great and above all. Meaning it is futile to acknowledge of worship any other.

Ephesians 4:6  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

In most modern societies idol worship "gods" is not a practice which we usually experience on the surface. 

However, in reality if we were to observe society as a whole it is clear that pleasure and prosperity are king in the hearts of mankind. This is not much different than the babylonian fertility worship that occured in during the Old testament psalmist's life and New Testament the life of the apostle Paul.  1 Kings 11:5-8

The goal for the "god of this world" is to blind the hearts of those who cannot see the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Jesus clearly explained that no one can worship God, at the same time that they worship the god of properity.

Matthew 6:24

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

There is truly only one God who gives eternal peace, love, grace, mercy and wisdom. He alone is the great King who gave His life for us all. This exhalted Him above every other name.

Philippians 2:9-11

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.

Happy to be in His presence

WORDs of Saving Grace - happy to be in His presence

Psalms 122:1  I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Since the majority of us have been in social distance mode for some time now, it has made our hearts yearn to be in worship together with the family of God!...

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

It will be a true blessing when we can gather together again!

Consider of how Jesus felt when He left Heaven and the literal glory of being with His Father for 33 years.

Although the agony of the cross was immediately before Him, He had the glory and joy of going "into the house of the LORD"!!!

Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalms 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

John 17:5  And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Whatsoever

WORDs of Saving Grace - whatsoever

Colossians 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

It sure makes a difference when our motive and goal is to bring glory to Jesus. This is all that will matter when our works as Christians are tried.

1 Corinthians 3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Acknowledging all good fruits are the result of God's grace brings praise to Him, for without Him we could do nothing!

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.

Even as Jesus always choose His Fathers will.

John 8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Beware that we do not do works in the name of the Lord out of our own lust and attribute it to Him; as many have throughout history. For that will be declared in the day of judgement.

Jeremiah 14:14

Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Accepted

WORDs of Saving Grace - accepted

Ephesians 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

If you have ever been rejected by a person of a group of people, you know how it hurts in our heart. Maybe you have been rejected by family, friends, a girlfriend or boyfriend, a school or group at school, or even by a church group or congregation.

Rejection affects the innermost parts of our hearts.  Perhaps you have preached with everything that in you is, and you were still rejected time and again.

It is easy to focus on rejection and allow it to affect our dreams, courage and self esteem. 

Lets consider the life of Jesus.

Isaiah 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Jesus knows exactly how rejection hurts in your heart, but that doesnt really help for someone to only know how you feel.

But what God did to help our rejection from His fellowship and kingdom is, Jesus was rejected by Him because of our sin, that we could be accepted in Jesus.

Matthew 27:46

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Isaiah 53:11  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

So my dear friend and Christian brother or sister, you need to know that although that group or click or person rejects you. Christ Jesus the God of all the universe and creation is right here today with His arms wide open ready to accept you to come to Him and live in His close personal fellowship.

John 6:37

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Matthew 11:28

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 19:14

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 15:20  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

The eternal kingdom

WORDs of Saving Grace - the eternal kingdom

2 Samuel 7:16  And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

Kingdoms have came and went throughout history. And there is no kingdom without a living king. Most kingdoms have ceased to exist when a king was killed or lost his kingdom in battle.

However one kingdom has remained and is still growing and this is the kingdom of the living God (Mark 12:27). Although Samuel prophesied of an eternal kingdom it was not David's son Solomons kingdom it was the Kingdom of Christ which reigns forever even until this day.

Are you a part of His kingdom?

Luke 17:20-21

20 ...The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

1 Corinthians 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Deliverance from self pity

WORDs of Saving Grace - deliverance from self pity

Job 42:10  And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

It seems that no one suffered like Job throughout the Bible, except for our Lord Jesus. He showed great resilience and patience through his trial and affliction and the fruit of his tribulation was patience.

James 5:11

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

But the deliverance of satan's strong hold with Job came when he no longer focused on his trial, tribulation and affliction. 

The LORD helped Job to realize all of the Lord's ways are perfect and that the Lord even knows Job's thoughts.

Job 42:2  I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

He had heard of the Lord God his entire life, but through his trial and affliction he could now see God for who He truly is... Our Redeemer who suffered and died with the sin of all mankind upon Him.

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job 42:5  I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

Through the trials and affliction of Job his heart was made pure as gold in fully trusting the Lords will and salvation.

Matthew 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

For the Record

WORDs of Saving Grace - for the record

1 John 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Recordings have been used for centuries to show authenticity. The most notable record in the history of mankind is in fact the Old Testament and New Testament record of the Bible.

2 Peter 1:16

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

2 Peter 1:21

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Hundreds of detailed prophecies of the Son of God and His life written before in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament have testfied of the authenticity that God sent His Son to die for our sins, because He loves us.

But you found grace

WORDs of Saving Grace - but You found grace

Genesis 6:8  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Regardless of the wicked unbelieving and rebellious environment which surrounded Noah. God's grace was upon him through the eyes of the Lord.

It is the same with you Christian. The eyes of the LORD are upon you (Psalm 34:15) and He shows you favor continuously because of Christ Jesus in your heart and His completed work of the cross.

2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

Trust the LORD

WORDs of Saving Grace - trust the Lord

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

It is easy to say "i trust in the Lord", but it is another to actually trust in Him with all our heart.

It is in times of great trial, trajedy and despair when we truly can know that we trust in the Lord with all our heart when we run to Him.

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

As Jesus our Lord and Savior trusted His Father with His Spirit as He left His body on the cross, so can we when our time comes to leave this earthly tabernacle (2 Corinthians 5:1).

Luke 23:46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Are we happy people?

WORDs of Saving Grace - Are we happy people?

Psalms 32:1  Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

What makes us happy people? 

The old hymn says "you ask me why im happy, so i'll just tell you why, because My Sins Are Gone!"

Yes, most of us have food to eat, a place to sleep, even a car to drive, and family who loves us. But that is all temporary.

But "God is Love" and He will never stop loving us, and His blessings toward us are eternal and can never change.

2 Corinthians 4:18

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Are you happy?

Romans 4:6-8

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

The ruler of rage

WORDs of Saving Grace - the ruler of rage

Psalms 89:9  Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

Jesus is the very essence of peace for all men. To know Jesus is to know peace. He has control of even the greatest storms.

Mark 4:39

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Isaiah 9:6

... his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Psalms 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Isaiah 53:5  ...the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1 Peter 5:10

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

What to expect?

WORDs of Saving Grace - what to expect?

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

The power of our thoughts more often than not provoke our actions and behavior.

So how do we view the Lord and His character? Does it matter? Yes - these are the words of Jesus ...

Luke 19:22

And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

As we think in our hearts so are we.

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...

God's plans for us are good and not evil. He thinks and works good things for us continously even when we are dealing with hardships.

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

When He was on the cross we were on His mind.

Seeking love to prophesy

WORDs of Saving Grace - seeking love to prophesy

1 Corinthians 14:1  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

To seek after love... Is this the desire of our hearts? When Christ Jesus is in our heart we cannot contain His love, He just comes out! We may not always display His love, but we can certainly choose to seek after Him (Psalm 27:8).

Do you desire a gift FROM GOD? 

He loves to give gifts, our sin earns wages, but our Lord gives gifts and will always delight in this. Not giving us what we deserve (mercy), but giving gifts we DO NOT deserve (grace), (James 1:17).

As an beautiful example of His nature to give the gift of prophecy to an undeserving sinner. Let's look at the thief on the cross.

Not only does He declare the innocense of Christ to his friend, but He declares the prophecy of Christ's kingdom!!! Wow!

Luke 23:40-42

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Confident of HIS PERFORMANCE

WORDs of Saving Grace - confident of HIS PERFORMANCE

Philippians 1:5-6

5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

What great assurance we have (according to The Word of God), that He is performing His work in us and that the Lord Will perfect that which concerns us (Psalm 138:8).

It is our choice to believe that He is leading us in the paths of righteousness for the honor of HIS name (Psalms 23:3).

Oftentimes He leads us and we do not even realize or acknowledge He is in control, like a flowing river (Proverbs 21:1).

Our Lord God will always complete the work He has started to completion. Just as He started the work of Christ Jesus our Lord through the cross, He finished it.

John 19:30 

"he said, It is finished"

Friends of God

WORDs of Saving Grace - friends of God

John 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

FRIEND, n. frend.

1.  One who is attached to another by affection; one who entertains for another sentiments of esteem, respect and affection, which lead him to desire his company,  and to seek to promote his happiness and prosperity; opposed to foe or enemy.

A friend loveth at all times.  Prov. 17.

3. One reconciled after enmity. "Let us be friends again."

Jesus does not simply call us a friend and leave it at that. There are a great many benefits to His friendship! As He said He has shown us ALL things which He heard from His Father.

That is an incredible revelation my Christian friends! Because we can know God, and even more importantly be known of Him, because of Christ Jesus, our Lord's reconciliation of our enmity with God through His cross.

He revealed His plan of the Gospel to His disciples, but they were too hard hearted and focused on their own plans to listen (Luke 24:6,7).

How often we are the same way!? He has revealed all the will of His and our Heavenly Father through His Word and Spirit (Ephesians 5:17). Nothing is hidden or in secret (Acts 26:26).

We are His friends.

NOTHING can separate us

WORDs of Saving Grace - NOTHING can separate us

Romans 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I cannot imagine the Word of God being any more clear regarding His everlasting, everpresent love for His children. Yet many still place conditions and stipulations upon His salvation, grace, mercy and love.

But clearly His love for us is undeserved and is Gospel to those who believe. Galatians 2:16, 21, Titus 3:5, Romans 4:24

Jesus went further and explained that He (not just His love, but Himself) will always be with us.

Matthew 28:20

... lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

All nations shall come

WORDs of Saving Grace - all nations shall come

Revelation 15:4  Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

One of the signs of the LORD's return for His people is the Gospel reaching all the world (Matthew 24:14). And there have been Christian's and disciples made in all nations thus fulfilling His command (Matthew 28:19).

But this scripture has a question with an obvious answer (rhetorical). And the answer is - all nations will come to worship, because of His amazing love for our salvation through cross of calvary and His resurrection.

We see this prophecy being fulfilled right before our eyes even today as missionaries are sent, churches are built and He is worshiped.

Revelation 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

God raised Him from the dead

WORDs of Saving Grace - God raised Him from the dead

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is THE single most important event in history. Without His ressurection we would all be lost to sin and without hope.

He died on the cross and that is an absolute fact that even worldly history does not deny. However, this scripture doesnt say to believe that He died on the cross, but rather belief in our heart that He is risen from the dead.

His ressurection is what makes Christianity different from all other religion throughout the world today and historically.

The ressurection:

Is a living hope:

1 Peter 1:3  ...a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Takes away our sin :

1 Corinthians 15:17

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Is our justification :

Romans 4:25

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Is the reason for eternal life:

2 Corinthians 4:14

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with him.

Is the very reason a Christians life is made different and new:

Romans 6:4

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.

Is the very reason we can be changed and go to heaven to be with Him!

1 Corinthians 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Power, love, and sanity

WORDs of Saving Grace - power, love, and sanity

2 Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

When we are saved and feast upon God's goodness and His WORD the Spirit inside us is manifested in these characteristics: power, love and sanity.

First of all we see that these are not OUR traits - they are "GOD" given from His Spirit.

Power - we must consider the use of the word power in the context of God's Word and not our own use or interpretation. Power is used 156 times in the New Testament. It is refered as "thine is the Power" (Matthew 6:13), "the power to forgive sins" (Matthew 9:6), "power against unclean spirits" (Matthew 10:1), and this power can work through us by "scriptures" (Matthew 22:29). "All" the power of God (Matthew 28:18) flows to us through Jesus. This "power of God" comes through us by the gospel of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Love - the Love of God works in and through us. This is not referring to our love, but again it is God who IS love. If He simply loves, then He could stop loving, but He IS LOVE (1 John 4:8,16) and He will never stop loving us. Love goes beyond duty and obligation, it superceeds law and commands (Matthew 22:38). The everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) of God is given to us BY HIS SPIRIT. And it is His perfect love that delivers us from ALL our fears (Psalm 34:4, 1 John 4:18).

Sanity (sound mind) - my absolute favorite demonstration of His power is the man with the legion of demons (Luke 8:15). This man was absolutely crazy. He dwelled on the fear of death constantly (Mark 5:3). He hated his life and showed this by harming and cutting himself (Mark 5:5). This insanity caused others to try to bind him with chains and fetters, but no one could cure (tame) his insanity (Mark 5:4).

Until he met JESUS!

Lifted up above the earth

WORDs of Saving Grace - lifted up above the earth

Psalms 97:9  For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

Our God is holy and sovereign. He does not answer to any higher authority, as He is the LORD. However He chooses to dwell in us and with us and even hears and answers prayers of the hurting and humble.

Isaiah 57:15

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

But Jesus said that He would be lifted up, and it was prophesied He would be exalted and extoled and be Very high.

However many didnt understand His words and it even seemed to Peter that this could not be God's plan for our King.

John 12:32,33  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

This he said, signifying what death he should die.

Isaiah 52:13-14

13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

And our Lord didnt remain on the cross and neither did He remain in the grave. But He was raised up to His holy throne again and lives forevermore.

Romans 4:25  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification

Prayer in this place

WORDs of Saving Grace - prayer in this place

2 Chronicles 6:40  Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

It is an incredible miracle that the God of all creation, the Lord of the water, earth and sky hears our prayers from His Heavenly tabernacle. He is not like the idols of man that cannot hear, see or taste! (Deuteronomy 4:28, Daniel 5:23).

It is here in this place where we need Him to hear and answer our prayers to Him. 

We can ne assured that our God hears and answers EVERY prayer from His children according to His will (1 John 5:14, 15).

Jesus knew that His Father always heard Him (John 11:42). And even in our Lord Jesus Christ's darkest hour on the cross His Father heard His cry and answered His prayer "in this place"

Psalms 22:24  For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

The path of life

WORDs of Saving Grace - the path of life

Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Sometimes we forget the promise of the Lord that we have been given the gift of "everlasting life" (John 3:16). And that His promises are not maybe or perhaps, but definite and absolute (2 Corinthians 1:20).

The path of life is "The Way" of life, and Jesus is that Way (John 14:6). Our God has clearly spoken to us (Hebrews 1:2) by sending His Son to die for our sins, and not only that we would be dead to sin, but alive and resurrected with Christ forever!

Romans 6:11

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:13

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.

Our creator is reasonable

WORDs of Saving Grace - our creator is reasonable

Isaiah 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Have you ever dealt with someone who is unreasonable? In other words no matter what you do or say - you are wrong or stupid? This does not show love, compassion or grace by any means (Proverbs 26:21).

But our LORD and creator is most reasonable not by means of negotiation or convincing arguments, but by the reconciliation of His cross (Colossians 1:20, Ephesians 2:16).

It is men who make God seem to be unreasonable by binding heavy burdens upon others that the Lord never intended (Matthew 23:4). When He clearly says His yoke is fitting and not cumbersome (Matthew 11:30).

Listen to His sincere voice of reason as He compels us to come to Him.

Matthew 11:28-29

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

He would not defile himself

WORDs of Saving Grace - He would not defile himself

Daniel 1:8  But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

The kings meat in babylon which Daniel humbly "requested" that he would not eat, was likely offered or prepared through a ceremony of idolatry. (Dont get the wrong impression that Daniel refused with arrogance and foolish pride of his heritage.) He did not want to agree with idols (2 Corinthians 6:16).

It is this same integrity that our savior showed the world on His cross where He bore our sin, when he refused the wine and gall offered to him in his greatest thirst ("i thirst" John 19:28).

Matthew 27:34

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

Gall was likely a bitter and poisonous mixture from a form of poppy. As gall is referred to as poison in Job (Job 20:14). And vinegar was a soured wine that had turned bad. This was likely not out of mercy or compassion but rather to mock Him (Luke 23:36).

Once Jesus had drank the wine and tasted what was in it, He refused to defile Himself. It was then He said "it is finished" (John 19:30).

He had fulfilled all of God's  Word of prophecy completely.

Psalms 69:21  They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

The commanded blessing

WORDs of Saving Grace - the commanded blessing

Psalms 133:3  As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

What if you knew one absolute certain fact where God would bless the work of the congregation in your church?

We can never force God's hand to bless our efforts or motives; but there is one certain Way that He has promised to bless, and that is unity in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is the unity in the doctrine of Christ where God's annointing works greatest. Even in the old testament types of this unity were shown to the world that unity brings the blessing of God.

Joshua 6:16  And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

Judges 7:20  And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

This same unity came on the day of Pentacost when they were all in One Accord. This is when the fullness of the true Pentacost occured. 50 days after passover. Remember the resurrected LORD had shown Himself to them for 40 days of these 50.

Acts 2:1-2

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Truly when there is unity in the great and amazing work of the cross ( without adding to it, or taking from it ) there will be God's commanded blessing.

The soul of the righteous

WORDs of Saving Grace -

the soul of the righteous

Proverbs 10:3  The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Jesus gave the promise that if we come to Him we will never hunger or thirst without heing satisfied (John 6:35). And that if we do hunger and thirst we are blessed because He will fill us (Matthew 5:6).

This promise is for the righteous who He has justified through the suffering of His righteous soul (Isaiah 53:11).

There are many who interpret this as financial blessings (1 Timothy 6:5). 

While the wisdom of Proverbs can in fact guide a man to financial and material prosperity, those things will eventually fail. And it is not "The LORD's" intention for us to love money (1 Timothy 6:10).

Even a man who has many possessions is not considered righteous with God (Luke 16:15) until he comes to and accepts Christ. For even with God it is possible to save the most wealthy men (Matthew 19:26, Luke 19:9,10)

Jesus told a rich young ruler to "cast away" or sell everything he had because this young ruler loved it all too much. And not that this action would earn him salvation, but that his heart was not toward Christ and the love of God (Luke 18:22).

When we consider the precious price He paid for our soul we can feast on this for eternity (1 Corinthians 10:16) and He will change the desires "substance" of our heart.

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

The man that endureth

WORDs of Saving Grace -

the man that endureth

James 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

If there has ever been anyone that endured temptation it is JESUS!

He endured temptations in the wilderness desert.

Mark 1:13

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

He endured temptation by the Pharisees and scribes.

John 8:6

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

And He endured the temptation to be delivered from the cross.

Luke 22:42

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Matthew 26:53

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

When we abide in Jesus and He abides in us, He empowers us to endure temptation even as He did.

Hebrews 12:3-4

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Four living creatures

WORDs of Saving Grace - four living creatures

Revelation 4:8  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

The book of the Revelation is full of symbolism and metaphores. So it is important to read (Revelation 1:3) and study the Revelation of Jesus Christ (as it is all scriptures) in the context of other scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:13).

We see a similar vision through the prophet Isaiah where the seraphim depict the same worship in Isaiah 6:2. And we can discern their worship in the description of this vision.

Two wings to cover their faces in reverance to the LORD's glory (Luke 18:13).

Two wings to cover their feet (Jeremiah 14:10) of their sinfulness.

Two wings ready to fly and spread the gospel (Revelation 14:6, Isaiah 6:8).

They are full of eyes to seek out God's Word in their own lives and for the love of those around them day and night (Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:2, James 1:25)

They worship God in three persons; our Holy Father (John 17:11), the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), and the Holy Son (Luke 1:35).

They worship our same Lord and savior Jesus Christ who's gospel is the same today, yesteday and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

3 ...Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Always pray

WORDs of Saving Grace - always pray

1 Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

What greater example of continual prayer than of our Lord Jesus Christ who prayed even as He hung on the cross.

Luke 23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Matthew 27:46

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Luke 23:46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

And today Jesus still makes intercession for us to our Father.

Hebrews 7:25

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.