It's not too difficult to grasp the concept of tapping into the omniscience of God in Order to increase our own knowledge.

Similarly, we can realize with a certain degree of understanding that we can also tap into the omnipotence of God in order to aquire the power to accomplish the things that He would have us to do?

However, is it possible to tap into the omnipresence od God? Can we, as mere human beings, with our many limitations, actually acquire a degree of omnipresence and accomplish being in multiple places at one time? Let me suggest three ways we can actually tap into and put into practice God's Omnipresence:

1.) we can by the written or printed words we share. Letters, books and phamplets that we either write ourselves or pre-printed words we hand out or leaved behind for others, allow the effects of our presence to remain long after we've left. The truth is, if someone reads a letter, a book, or other item I've written, in a real sense I am sitting there speaking to him although I am physically elsewhere! Contributing authors to Call to Glory can speak in nearly 15,000 homes in many different places on the globe without leaving home!

2.) Another way we can tap into God's omnipresence is by way of the spoken word. A gospel witness or a kind or encouraging word are ways our presence can continue even after we've moved on. The Holy Spirit can use these words to speak to them over and over again.

3.) Finally, the things we do as a result of God's Word and his presence in us also speak long after we've departed. Hebrews 13:21 talks about Jesus "... working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight..."

by Dr. Roger A Milot, Harvest Baptist Church, Hudson, Fl

Jesus In Us

I Saw Jesus Last Week.

He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt.
He was up at the church building
He was alone and working hard.
For just a minute he looked a little like one of our church members.
But it was Jesus, I could tell by his smile.

I saw Jesus last Sabbath.
He was teaching a Bible class.
He didn't talk real loud or use long words, But you could tell he
believed what he said.
For just a minute, he looked like my Sabbath School teacher..
But it was Jesus, I could tell by his loving voice.

I saw Jesus yesterday.
He was at the hospital visiting a friend who was sick.
They prayed together quietly.
For just a minute he looked like our preacher.
But it was Jesus, I could tell by the tears in his eyes.

I saw Jesus this morning.
He was in my kitchen making my breakfast He then fixed me a special
lunch to take with me.
For just a minute he looked like my Mom.
But it was Jesus, I could feel the love from his heart.

I saw Jesus today.
He was praying on his knees all alone.
He then began to cry for those he prayed for.
For just a minute he looked like a lady from our church.
But it was Jesus, I could see the compassion poured out of his prayer.

I saw Jesus the other day.
He was at the grocery store talking to a friend.
He then put his arms around them to comfort them.
For just a minute he looked like a young mother in our ladies class.
But it was Jesus, I could see the concern for others who hurt.

I see Jesus everywhere,
Taking food to the sick,
Welcoming others to his home,
Being friendly to a newcomer
And for just a minute I think he's someone I know.
But it's always Jesus, I can tell by the way he serves.

May someone see Jesus in you today.
Remember to encourage those you see living for Jesus!
"You are My witnesses," says the Lord." (Isaiah 43:5) Life is God's gift
to you.. The way you live it...is your gift to God.

Author Unknown

My Convictions are not your Convictions

I see it all the time in Church or with the Church... People saying I don't feel convicted about that or my convictions aren't the same as your convictions.

I see alot of people that leave the Church over these conviction differences. I look around and see the Church Looking, Acting, Talking, Dressing like the world. We (the Church) should be Different, Separated from the World.

We should be a peculiar people... a People that stand out from the world... A people that the world looks at and says "Hey There is something Different about those folks..." the Bible says we should be transformed, be separate and come out from among them..

Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but BE YE transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and BE YE separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
It's not my conviction it's his word!!
We should die daily to follow Jesus Take up thy Cross and follow Him it's not my will but thine will Father...
Paul said in 1co 15:31 "I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I DIE DAILY." Paul said "I DIE DAILY" and Paul actually called himself the Chief of sinners in 1ti 1:15
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am CHIEF."

It's not my conviction it's his word!!

The Bible is Clear we must DENY our flesh, DENY ourselves and seek him.... the scripture say in Mt 16:24

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him DENY himself, and take up his cross, and follow me

Mr 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him DENY himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Jesus said in Lu 6:46

"And why call ye me, LORD, LORD, and do not the things which I say?"

If Jesus said it, we should do it... again I say not my will but thine will. The Bible says that Jesus was before the foundations of the earth were made that means that He wrote the Bible...

all Scripture is profitable to us...

2ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

that means the whole bible is good for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, not just what we want to hear

Jesus said in Joh 14:15

"If ye LOVE ME, keep my commandments."

that means all His commandments not just a few...

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man LOVE ME, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him

Lu 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like:

Lu 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Lu 6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Most of the Modern day Church denies the power of God... they have let the world in and there is no power in the Church... the people see no difference in our Churches, they look just like the world.

why would the world go to church to be like the world??

Every sin we partake in leaves the Door wide open for satan, he is just waiting to leap through the door into your life.

It's not my conviction it's his word!!

Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they DENY him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate

Everybody knows GOD nowdays, most people you ask say they are christian, but there is no sign of any God in their lives. Many live like the devil.... disobedient in the way they live. Abominable in the things they do and the way they act!!!
EX: Women in Short skirts, Shorts, Tight pants / shirts making men sin with Lust... Men with no shirts on, cursing the name of God... Drinking, smoking destroying God's Holy Temple (your Body) These are just a few examples of these sins...

According to the Bible in Tit 2:12 we should live soberly denying Liquor, rock music, unGodly dress, cursing, smoking, drugs all the things of the world.

We should live righteous, sober lives acceptable unto Him. we should always seek his advice and wisdom in everything we do in every action, our dress, our talk, our walk and especially in our Churches...

Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

If you live, act and talk like the world Do you think God likes that??? Many of the things that we love to do, God hates. did you know that?

We pray for revival, your gonna have a youth meeting, and YOU WANT GOD TO MOVE but, before you go there, you watch programs on tv that God absolutely Despizes, then you wonder why??? the Holy Spirit hasn't fell on the place and why you have to create false fire and false excitement!!!

It's because God is not in it, God is a Holy God the only way you and I can EVER be recociled to a Holy God is through the death of Gods own Son when He hung on that Tree

Mt 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and FOLLOWeth after me, is not worthy of me.

the bottom line is my Convictions are not your convictions...

It's not my conviction it's his word!!

Let me tell you friend, my convictions come from God, from his Holy Word the Bible and If he said it, we should do it

Mr 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have FOLLOWed thee

Church Deny thyself and leave it all behind, He is Worthy!!! it won't be easy, He never said it would be EASY!! 
Don't lay up your treasures here on earth store them up in Heaven


It's not my conviction it's his word!!

I hope you have a great day in the Lord and that you will ask Him to touch you today.

THE CONFIDENCE OF THE GODLY SOUL

But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
Psalms 63:9-11
The Christian can rest in the fact that God does not allow things to go unnoticed, good or bad.  As sure as He is faithful to help the Godly, He is faithful to punish the ungodly.  The enemies of God are those that lie, that delight in lies and those that promote religious lies. There are those that are clearly God-haters and want nothing to do with Him and there are those that are religious, but have lying doctrines, both seek to destroy souls.
 
We can be confident that God will seek to save our soul and bring glory to Himself.  That can only spell destruction to our enemies.  
We thirst after God, our enemies thirst after our souls
They thirst to seize what they can from others, we thirst after what only He can give
 
This does not mean that we are to rejoice in the downfall of our enemies, but in the great God that delivers the Godly and brings victory to the upright. Because He loves and cares for us, the mouth of our enemies shall be silenced.  The God-haters, their lies and their evil deeds may live long, as it seems to us, but we can be assured that they will perish. Truth will always bring the lie to shame.  The truth-speaker and the truth-seeker have much reason to hope in God, for He is Truth.  A fearful doom awaits those that seek lies and work iniquity.  
 
...and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(James 1:15).
The wicked shall be turned into hell...
(Psalms 9:17).
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
(2 Thessalonians 1:9).
But David said that he would rejoice in God.  Because we trust in Him, we are more than conquerors.
 
As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
(Proverbs 11:19).

Who Am I? 
I was raised in one country but my father was born in another. 
I was not his only child.  He fathered several children with a number of women.
I became very close to my mother because my father showed little interest in me.
Then my mother died at an early age from cancer. 
Later in life, questions arose over my real name.  My birth records were sketchy and no one was able to produce a reliable birth certificate.
I grew up practicing one faith, but converted to Christianity because this was widely accepted in my country.  But I practiced non-traditional beliefs and did not follow mainstream Christianity.
I worked and lived among lower-class people as a young adult before I decided it was time to get serious about my life and I embarked on a new career.
I wrote a book about my struggles growing up.  It was clear to those who read my memoirs that I had difficulties accepting that my father abandoned me as a child.
I became active in local politics when I was in my 30s and then burst onto the scene as a candidate for national office when I was in my 40s. 
I had a virtually non-existent resume, very little work history, and no experience in leading a single organization.  Yet I was a powerful speaker who managed to draw incredibly large crowds during my public appearances.
At first, my political campaign focused on my country's foreign policy.  I was critical of my country in the last war.  But what launched my rise to national prominence were my views on the country's economy. 
I had a plan on how we could do better.  I knew which group was responsible for getting us into this mess.  Mine was a peoples' campaign. 
I was the surprise candidate because I emerged from outside the traditional path of politics and was able to gain widespread popular support.   
I offered the people the hope that together we could change our country and the world.
I spoke on behalf of the downtrodden including persecuted minorities such as Jews, but my actual views were not widely known until after I became my nation’s leader. 
However, anyone could have easily learned what I really believed if they had simply read my writings and examined those people I associated with.  But they did not.
Then I became the most powerful man in the world.  And the world learned the truth.
Who am I?Scroll down for the answer 
 
 
 
  Adolf (Schicklgruber) Hitler
 PS..
history will repeat itself. copied; source unknown...

Five times the commission of the Lord Jesus
Christ to the disciples is recorded by them.

In Matthew, "All power(i.e. authority, right,
liberty, jurisdiction, strength) is given unto me
in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations...."

In Mark,"Go ye into all the
world, and preach the Gospel to every creature."

In Luke, "And that repentance and remission
of sins should be preached in his name among
all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

In John,
"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto
you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send
I you."

In Acts, " Ye shall be witnesses unto
me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and
in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth."

As Christians, you are commissioned,
commanded, and expected to give the gospel
to your neighbors, acquaintances, and even
strangers that you meet. If you are saved from
the lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 20:14-15,
21:8) by calling on the Lord Jesus Christ ( Romans
10:9-10), how could you not tell your neighbor,
who is headed there,how they to can be saved.
More than telling them that 'you love
Jesus' more than inviting them to church,
you need to tell them that

1. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God;
2. Their sin has an eternal penalty in  the lake of fire;
3. One cannot save themselves by works of deeds,
membership or baptisms;
4. Christ paid their penalty in full
5. Their believing and calling on him will enact
their salvation from the lake of fire.

Untold millions are still untold. You will talk to one of them today.
Do not let them remain untold! Follow his command, not your spirit,
and TELL THEM ABOUT JESUS TODAY!

The Truth About getting Saved: You Must Be Born Again

You Must Believe in Jesus by Faith

There is a battle for the mind today. The devil
knows that if he can distract your mind, he
can turn your life's walk in his direction.

Here are three things to guide you:

1. Remember that Christ is our focus. Keep
your eyes upon Jesus! Before you do something,
 some would say, "What would Jesus do?" A better
question to ask yourself is "What would the
Lord Jesus want me to do?"

2. Remember the Will of GOD is our Objective.
In His 'hour of passion', Jesus said "O
my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass
from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou
 wilt" ( Matthew 26:39). To seek GOD's will is
to have the Mind of Christ.

3. Remember the Word of GOD is our Delight.
It will prosper your life (Psalm 1:1-3)
It will cause you to be successful for GOD
(Joshua 1:8)!

REMEMBER THESE THREE THINGS:

1. Christ is our Focus.... Daily Look!
2. The Will of GOD is our Objective.... Daily Life!
3. The Word of GOD is our Delight.... Daily Loaf of Heavenly Bread!

The Word of GOD will surely prosper you in the days ahead!

Let’s Go Up!

 Read Acts 1:1-11

 Did you notice that Jesus went up? Up is where Heaven is. Down is where Hell is.

 Going up seems to have a good meaning most of the time and going down seems to have a negative meaning. Our lives need to go up God, drawing closer to him as we serve.

 

1. Going Down. Abraham went down into Egypt and got into trouble (Genesis 12:10). Samson went down and found a Philistine wife (Judges 14:1). Moses went down from the mount and Israel was sinning  (Ex. 32:15). Jonah went down to Joppa (Jonah 1:3). The person who was beaten went down to Jericho (Luke 10:30). It is easier to go down rather than up a hill. It takes less power to go down the hill. It is faster down the hill than it is to climb up, but not always good. There is more pull to going down the hill than up. It is more exciting to go down the hill than up. It is more dangerous to go down the hill than up.
2. Going up. Abraham went up out of Egypt and was blessed (Genesis 13:1).  Moses went up in the cloud covered mount with God (Exodus 24:15).  Elijah went up by a whirl wind to heaven (2 Kings 2:11). Jesus went up as he ascended to the Father (Acts 1:10 ). Go up to rise above the problems. Go up one step at a time. Go up and progress in life. Go up with effort and determination. Go up because the view is great. Get that new perspective from God.

 

I hope you are going up with the Lord in your life. Keep pressing upward for Jesus!

Grace and Mercy

Another Preacher asked me recently if I could explain grace and mercy. My first response was, “Of course not.” Later I began to do some personal study on the matter. This lesson is the result of that study.

GRACE

Grace is found in God:

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 6:8

Grace is Shown by God:

And now for a little space grace hath been showed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

Ezra 9:8

Grace is given by God:

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psalms 84:11

Grace is obtain by the sinner:

Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Proverbs 3:34

Grace is displayed by following instructions:

For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

Proverbs 1:9

Grace is a spirit to aid in our prayer:

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Zechariah 12:10

Grace is a gift from God:

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 1:17

But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

Roman 5:15

 

Grace is great and it is coupled with power for witnessing:

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 4:33

Grace brings joy when it is seen:

Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Acts 11:23

Grace is the means by which we continue in the faith:

Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 13:43

Grace is spoken by believers:

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Acts 14:3

Words of grace spoken by believers are too often missing in Christianity today. Many have words of condemnation, but few are speaking words of grace. Every Christian must have a ministry of grace whereby he can reach out to the saved and sinner alike.

Grace is what attracts us to a Holy God. Once we experience grace and see it demonstrated in the lives of others, it draws us to a closer relationship with God and causes us to want to live a life that is pleasing to him. Grace is the beginning of our relationship with God. It is the beginning of our understanding of God. And it is the beginning of our walk with God. God help the words we speak to promote all of those.

Grace is recommended to the servants of God:

And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

Acts 14:26

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

Acts 15:40

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

2 Corinthians 9:8

 

That Fact that God would use us in His service is an act of grace. We must always keep that before us as we serve Him. Some forget that truth as the time passes and they quickly become ineffective.

We are saved through grace:

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Acts 15:11

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men

Titus 2:11

We are saved by grace:

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Ephesians 2:5

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:8

God help us to have a testimony that shows and tells others of the grace of God.

Grace builds us up:

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Acts 20:32

Grace justifies us:

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 3:24

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:7

Grace sanctifies us:

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Hebrews 10:29

Grace assures us:

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Romans 4:16

Grace establishes us:

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Hebrews 13:9

Grace is ours in abundance to help us over come:

For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Romans 5:17

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5: 20-21

Grace humbles us:

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Romans 12:3

Grace gives us our gifts:

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Romans 12:6

Grace is with us:

There are many Scriptures that state, “Grace be with you:”

Grace glorifies God by our gratitude:

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 4:15

I have never heard the word “Redound” used anywhere else. The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “ To be sent back or driven back as a flood upon those from whom it sprung.”

Glory and honor will be redound to God by our thanking Him for His grace; He is the author of it.

Grace is Given to the Church:

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2Corinthians 8:1

Grace is something we can remove ourselves from:

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Galatians 1:6

Grace calls us:

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

Galatians 1:15

Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Ephesians 3:7-8

Grace can be frustrated by legalism:

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Galatians 2:21

The Word “Legalism” is misused most of the time. Many want to call those that practice and promote strict Biblical separation legalists. That is not legalism; legalism is adding or substituting law for grace as it pertains to salvation.

Grace makes us accepted:

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

Ephesians 1:6

Grace dwells in us:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16

Grace consoles us and gives us hope:

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

2 Thessalonians 2:16

Grace gives us strength:

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1

Grace is something we should use wisely:

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Peter 4:10

Grace helps us stand:

By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

1 Peter 5:12

Grace helps us grow and gain knowledge:

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2 Peter 3:18

Divine grace is the free and undeserved love and favor of God towards man as a sinner, especially as exhibited in the plan of redemption through Jesus Christ:

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 1:17

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Romans 3:24-26

It is only by the free grace of God that we embrace the offers of mercy, and appropriate to ourselves the blessings graciously purchased by His Redeeming Blood.

The “GRACE OF GOD” spontaneous, unmerited, self directed, and almighty, is the source of the whole scheme of redemption:

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Romans 11:6

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

2 Timothy 1:9

There are two aspects of grace that are united: “ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.” who gave himself for sinners; and “the Spirit of grace,” by whom alone the grace offered by the father and purchased by the Son is effectually applied.

Thus Grace in man, or all true holiness is traced to the grace of God as it’s only source; and the Gospel of Christ and the work of the Spirit - both pure grace - are its only channels of communication. Hence also all the fruits and blessings of the Gospel are termed graces:

Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

2 Corinthians 8:7

Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

Philippians 1:7

Grace is not only regeneration, pardon, enlightenment, sanctification, etc., but miraculous, official, and prophetic gifts, the peculiar traits of Christian character, and everlasting salvation are also included in the concept of grace:

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 1:13

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Galatians 5:4

Grace is God’s plan of Salvation by His Mercy not by our works.

MERCY: To be continued: Subject of mercy.

 

MERCY:

Mercy guides to people of God:

Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

Exodus 15:13

Mercy is given to those that love God:

And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Exodus 20:6

And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

Deuteronomy 5:10

Mercy forgives:

The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

Numbers 14:18-19

Mercy endures forever:

We see the enduring mercy of God in the Books of The Chronicles and Psalms

Mercy is God’s response to our weakness:

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

Psalms 9:13

Mercy is God’s response to our afflictions:

Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.

Psalms 25:16

Mercy is God’s response to our cries for help:

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

Psalms 27:7

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Psalms 86:5

Mercy is God’s response to our enemies:

And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 136:24

And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

Psalms 143:12

Mercy covers our sins:

In verse three of the first chapter of Nehemiah,
we read of the account given to Nehemiah by
his brother, Hanani, and some other men that
lived in Jerusalem.. " And they said unto me, the
remnant that are left of the captivity there in the
province are in great affliction and reproach:
the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and
the gates thereof are burned with fire."

This account in God's word reminds me so
much of this spiritual condition of many or our
churches and communities. Homes are broken
and churches are going away from the truth. We are
in great affliction both spiritually and physically;
our spiritual walls are broken down, and our
spiritual gates are inundated with unrighteous
and unholy things of the world causing many
Christians to be led astray. It is serious enough
 to cause us to sit down and weep for the spiritual
degradation of the saved and the spiritual
depravity of the unsaved.

There is only one thing that can overcome this and
the answer is found in verse four of that chapter
where it says, " ... when I heard these words, that I sat down...,
 and FASTED, and PRAYED before the God of Heaven,"
Yes, FASTING and PRAYING is the answer. Jesustold the disciples that, "... this kind goeth not
out but by PRAYER and FASTING." (Matthew 17:21)

I would like to challenge and encourage each and every one
of you to FAST and PRAY; as this will help you get in tune with GOD
and get your focus back upon CHRIST to overcome your great affliction

By Pastor Tom Hellett, Jr.

 

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
(Psalms 63:1).

In this Psalm, we find David in the wilderness.  He is taking refuge from his enemies.  In the New Testament, the sweetest Epistles that Paul wrote were those written from prison.  The same is true for David.  The sweetest Psalms were written in exile, while he was being pursued by his enemies.  I believe this is one of the most beautiful and touching Psalms, it tells us that there is no need for the child of God to be in a forsaken place, even when the wilderness is all around him, if God is near, it can be a wonderful place of peace and refreshing.
 
Many will cry out in their times of desperation, but it is just a cry. David cried out, but his cry was unto the Lord.  When the soul of the Godly man is hungry and thirsty, there is only One that can satisfy that hunger and quench that thirst.  We must cry upon the Lord.  David longed for the glory and the power of God, but he knew that it was not only found in the magnificent places of worship; the true glory and power of God is found in our communication with Him.  David remembered the wonderful times he had experiences in the Sanctuary, he cried out to the Lord to give him that experience again.
 
Formal religion does not supply the needs of the Godly soul; those needs are supplied by our relationship and communication with our God.  Our hunger and thirst cannot be for the things of God, as glorious as they may be, our hunger and thirst must be for God Himself.  Our thirst can only be supplied by a person, a living person, a Living Divine Person and that person is the Lord.  The creeds and ordinances of dead religion cannot quench our thirst. The dead memories of the past will not quench our thirst.  The mere mortals of this earth cannot quench our thirst.  We must have the One that ever liveth and changes not, we must have the fellowship, communication and the presence of the Lord.  The thirsty soul of David was seeking the Lord.  There are those today that claim to be seeking the Lord, but there is no communication with Him.  Communication with Him is the purpose of our seeking.  He is the well that springs up in our soul, our soul must thirst after Him, our flesh must long for Him, without Him there will be no water.
 
Communication with the Lord is the purpose for our seeking and the lack of communication is the reason for our seeking.  When we get in those dry and thirsty times of our lives, we must seek satisfaction; we must have communication with the Lord.  David was in the wilderness literally, but he was also in a spiritual wilderness.  He was in exile from his home, his throne, his family and the sanctuary, but he was also away from the Throne of God.  So many times the difficult circumstances of this life will cause us to forget to seek the Lord.  But that is when we should seek Him most earnestly.
 
The sorrows and trials of this life have a purpose, one of which is to drive us closer to the Lord.  When we are in the midst of good times, when the skies are blue, when the grass is green, when the flowers bloom, when the birds sing, those are times when it is easy to seek the Lord and praise Him for His goodness.  But when things change, when we are weary and disappointed, when the bright blue skies are turned into dark night, when there is no sweet song, when it seems that the perfume of the flowers have turned into the stench of a dying breath, that is when we must long for and cry out to our God. We must seek after Him, because He is our God.  Many see Him as God, but the Godly soul sees Him as his God.  He is God because of creation, but He is my God because of His covenant with me.  We must recognize our sacred relationship with Him.  It is right and appropriate that we should seek Him.
 
We must seek Him intelligently, earnestly, constantly and hopefully
We must seek Him in our prayer closet, in His Word and in our service to Him
We must seek Him early, in advance of sorrows and trails
We must seek Him because He is our God and our only help

 

To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
(Psalms 63:2).
We know that we must seek God, because things or people cannot supply our needs.  But, God help us not to neglect God’s sanctuary.  David did not neglect God’s House; that is why he had such sweet memories in his times of trouble.  Those that are not faithful to Church have no fond memories to draw them to God when they find themselves in the wilderness.  It was in the sanctuary where David learned of God, where he developed his character, where he learned morals, where he discovered God’s principles, and where he found redemption.  He had experiences of the presence and power of God in that holy place and it gave him hope when trouble came.  David remembered the glory of God that he had experienced in the sanctuary.  How God had manifested Himself, shown His excellence, demonstrated His power and offered His love.  
 
It is in the Church where we learn of and see the character, holiness, mercy, wisdom and faithfulness of God.  It is in the Church that we know that God favors His people and will communicate with them.  It is where we experience prayer, meditation and praise.  It is in the Church where we see souls saved, lives touched, where we see God’s people blessed and sinners convicted.  
 
David remembered the pleasure he experienced in the sanctuary. There are those that endure Church and those that enjoy it.  Those that enjoy it will seek God in trouble, others will struggle and many will fall, because they take no pleasure in Church.
 
How sad are those that neglect Church.  They have no joy, no comfort, no assurance, no power and no memories.