BibleImpressions.org

The Gospel is Indeed “Good News!”

The Gospel is “the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation.”  (Merriam-Webster).

Gospel (/ˈɡɒspəl/) is the Old English translation of Greek εὐαγγέλιον, meaning “good news”.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_gospel)

 “…I declare unto you the gospel … For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”  (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

 If you have not done so already, repent and believe the gospel – it’s as simple as A B C –

Admit to God that you are a sinner.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3.23)

Believe that Jesus died on the cross – in your place, for your sins, and receive God’s gift of salvation –

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”  (Romans 5:8)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23)

“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)

Confess your faith by living a life pleasing to God and by telling others.

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”  (Hebrews 11:6)

“…God… now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:”  (Acts 17:30)

“…repent, and believe the gospel.”  (Mark 1:15)

There will come a time when “…The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord…” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

Believe the words of the Lord Jesus Christ – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”  (John 3:16)

Don’t delay, for, “…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  (2 Corinthians 6.2)

Christ Is the Saviour of Sinners

Christ is the Saviour of sinners,
Christ is the Saviour for me;
Long I was chained in sin’s darkness,
Now by His grace I am free.

     Chorus.

     Saviour of sinners,
     Saviour of sinners like me,
     Giving Himself as a ransom –
     This is the Saviour for me.

Now I can say I am pardoned,
Happy and justified, free,
Saved by my blessed Redeemer –
This is the Saviour for me.

Just as I was He received me,
Seeking from judgment to flee;
Now there is no condemnation –
This is the Saviour for me.

Loved with a love that’s unchanging,
Blessed with all blessings so free,
How shall I tell out His praises!
This is the Saviour for me.

Soon shall the glory be dawning,
Then, when His face I shall see,
Sing, O my soul, in thy gladness,
This is the Saviour for me!

Dr. Heyman Wreford, Author (1850-1935)

A Word About Death

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die:…”  (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2)

As sure as we were born, we can be of death.

We were born a tripartite being – body, soul and spirit.  We get that from these two verses –

“I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow (body), and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12)

When the believer in Christ dies, his soul and spirit go to be with Christ – “…absent from the body… present with the Lord…” (2 Corinthians 5:8), and his body is buried in the earth.  He is said to be “fallen asleep in Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 15:18)

I love the thought of being “asleep,” as it implies there will come a time to be woken up from that sleep!

The grave is not the end.  “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”  (1 Corinthians 15.53)

Eventually, all who sleep, and those of us who remain (until the coming of the Lord), will receive a new resurrection body, fashioned after that of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Philippians 3.21)

“And so shall we ever be with the Lord.”  (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”  (Psalm 116.15)

I’ll Fly Away

1.
Some glad morning when this life is o’er,
I’ll fly away;
To a home on God’s celestial shore,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away).

Chorus
I’ll fly away, Oh Glory
I’ll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away).

2.
When the shadows of this life have gone,
I’ll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away)

3.
Just a few more weary days and then,
I’ll fly away;
To a land where joy shall never end,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away)

Albert E. Brumley, Author   (https://popularhymns.com/ill-fly-away)

G-r-a-c-e

God’s

Riches

At

Christ’s

Expense

This is a beautiful acronym for grace.  We are recipients of God’s riches because of the cost (“expense”) paid at Calvary – none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, himself.

Grace, as you may know, is another word for favor.

The first occurrence of grace in the Bible is found in Genesis 6:8 – “… Noah found grace [favor] in the eyes of the Lord.”

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9).  God’s grace is the basis by which we are saved.

Our salvation is based on what the Lord Jesus Christ did, not on anything we have done – it truly is favor, unmerited, from God.  All we had to do was repent and believe – “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”  (Acts 16:31)

John describes The Lord Jesus as full of grace and truth – “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  (John 1:14)

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”  (John 1:17)

Paul, the apostle, used it in his greeting as well as in his benedictions in many of the epistles.  Look at Ephesians, for example.  He begins by saying, “Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:2), then ends the epistle with, “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.”  (Ephesians 6:24)

There are so many more verses that speak about grace –  

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”  (2 Corinthians 13:14)

“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”  (Ephesians 4:7)

As mentioned in The Expanded Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, “The fact that grace is received both from God the Father – 2 Corinthians 1:12 – and from Christ – Galatians 1:6; Romans 5:15 (where both are mentioned), is a testimony to the Deity of Christ.”  (These three verses follow).

“For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”  (2 Corinthians 1:12)

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:”  (Galatians 1:6)

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.  (Romans 5:15)

You’ll remember that Paul, in order to be kept from becoming proud or boastful from the revelations and visions he had, was given a “thorn in the flesh.”  What was this thorn?  It is not certain, but there is speculation that it had to do with his eyesight. Three times he asked the Lord to take the thorn away.  The Lord responded by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Paul then said, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

So, his thorn in the flesh was not removed, but he was given grace from the Lord to deal with it, going forward.

There is a beautiful hymn by Annie Johnson Flint called “He Giveth More Grace.”  Maybe you are familiar with it.  Here are the lyrics –

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

I wonder if Annie Flint was influenced by this verse – “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”  (James 4:6)

The Bible – The Word of God

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect [complete], throughly furnished unto all good works.”   (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The word “inspired” in Greek is theopneustos, which means “God-breathed.”  Paul, the apostle, wrote that “… holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1.21)

The Bible is to be read, meditated on, studied and obeyed.

Read the Bible.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  (Psalm 119.105)

 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: …”  (Jeremiah 15:16)

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (Romans 10:17)

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  (Psalm 119:11)

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4:4)

Sadly, “less than 20% of churchgoers read the Bible daily.”

Consider using a daily reading plan.  There are many available online.

Meditate upon the Bible.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”  (Joshua 1:8) 

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”  (Psalm 1:1-2)

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14)


Study the Bible.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”    (2 Timothy 2:15)

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”  (Acts 17:11)

Obey the Bible.

“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:”  (1Peter 1:14)

 “But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”  (Jeremiah 7.23)

“By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:”  (Romans 1:5)

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”  (James 1:21)

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  (John 14:15)

Standing on the Promises

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
through eternal ages let his praises ring–
“Glory in the highest,” I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.

[Refrain:]
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God. (Refrain)

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
standing on the promises of God. (Refrain)

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God. (Refrain)

R. Kelso Carter, Author (1886)

To Vote or Not to Vote?

Should Christians vote?

Let’s remind ourselves of the following verses –

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence [that is, not from this world].”  (John 18:36)

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 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.”  (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”   (John 17: 14-16)

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,…” 
(2 Corinthians 6:17)

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”  (Philippians 3:20)

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, …”   (2 Corinthians 5:20)

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”  (Romans 13:1)

“These [Old Testament saints such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and others mentioned in this chapter] all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”  (Hebrews 11:13)

What we learn from these verses –

1.  The Lord Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world.  This world is
Satan’s – he is the god of this world…  Christ did not come to fix or to reform
or to make this world better; He came to save it.  (John 3:17)

2.  The Christian is a citizen of heaven.  We are in the world as “ambassadors
for Christ.”  (An ambassador is a representative of his/her homeland who
resides in a foreign land).  Furthermore, like those of old, we are “strangers
and pilgrims” on this earth – just passing through on our way home, where
the Lord Jesus Christ is.

3.  All of us should be subject to the government authorities.

4.  We should pray for all those in authority, “that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

If Christians vote, we may elect the wrong person(s).  We read that “the powers that be are ordained [or appointed] of God.”  We should allow God to place certain ones in elected office so that His purposes will be accomplished.

We should absolutely heed Timothy’s exhortation, that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;”  (1 Timothy 2: 1-3)

I’m but a Stranger Here

I’m but a stranger here,
Heaven is my home;
Earth is a desert drear,
Heaven is my home;
Danger and sorrow stand
Round me on every hand;
Heaven is my fatherland,
Heaven is my home.

What though the tempest rage,
Heaven is my home;
Short is my pilgrimage,
Heaven is my home;
And time’s wild wintry blast
Soon shall be overpast;
I shall reach home at last,
Heaven is my home;

There, at my Saviour’s side,
Heaven is my home;
I shall be glorified,
Heaven is my home;
There are the good and blest,
Those I love most and best;
And there I too shall rest,
Heaven is my home;

Therefore I murmur not,
Heaven is my home;
Whatever my earthly lot,
Heaven is my home;
And I shall surely stand
There at my Lord’s right hand;
Heaven is my fatherland,
Heaven is my home.

I’m But a Stranger Here by Thomas Rawson Taylor, Author (1807-1835)
Published in many hymn books

A Word About Faith

“Now faith is the substance (or assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  (Hebrews 11:1).  We could label this Bible verse as the definition of faith.

Faith is based upon a conviction of something perceived to be true.  For example, our faith in God is based on what is written in the Word of God – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (Romans 10:17)

Faith acts and rests on what God says to be true – “Thus saith the Lord….”  The actions of the Old Testament saints were driven by faith, as recorded for us no fewer than 15 times in Hebrews 11.

As Christians, the foundation of our faith is the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 3:11)

Faith is the vehicle by which we are saved and given eternal life, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Faith is needful for us in order to please God – “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  (Hebrews 11:6)

It is “the just man who lives by faith” – the man who has been declared righteous by God, and therefore, trusts Him.  This expression is mentioned four times in the Bible –

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”  (Romans 1:17)

“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”  (Galatians 3:11)

“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”  (Hebrews 10:38)

“Behold, his soul which is proud is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”  (Habakkuk 2:4)

Faith governs how we live our life – “For we walk by faith, not by sight:”  (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Remember “Doubting Thomas?”  Unless he saw the print of the nails, and so on, he would not believe.  Here is the passage –

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.   And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side.  Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.  The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord.  But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”  (John 20:19-20; 24-29)

We Walk by Faith

We walk by faith, and, oh, how sweet
The flow’rs that grow beneath our feet,
And fragrance breathe along the way
That leads the soul to endless day.

Refrain:
We walk by faith, but not alone,
Our Shepherd’s tender voice we hear,
And feel His hand within our own,
And know that He is always near.

We walk by faith; He wills it so,
And marks the path that we should go;
And when at times our sky is dim,
He gently draws us close to Him.

We walk by faith, divinely blest;
On Him we lean, in Him we rest;
The more we trust our Shepherd’s care,
The more His love is ours to share.

And thus by faith till life shall end
We’ll walk with Him, our dearest Friend,
Till safe we tread the fields of light,
Where faith is lost in perfect sight.

We Walk By Faith by Fanny J. Crosby; Published 1885

Time

I came across this in a magazine many years ago (author unknown).  I modified most of it to hopefully help it to flow better and to apply it to our Christian walk.

Here it is —

A Bank Account Called Time

Imagine your bank credited your account each morning with $86,400.  At the end of the day, the balance went to $0.00, whether you used it all or not; there is no carry-over to the next day.  If you knew that, you would withdraw/spend/invest the entire $86,400 every day, wouldn’t you?  Of course, you would!

Well, you have such a bank account, and its name is “Time.”  Each day your account opens up with a balance of 86,400 seconds.  If you fail to fully invest that time, whatever remains is completely gone.  None of it is carried over to the next day.

Beloved, we must live in the present – on today’s “deposit.”  So, we may as well draw out and invest every bit of each day’s deposit in our bank account called “Time.” 

A portion of that time should be invested in spending time with God daily, should it not?

These verses come to mind –

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”  (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  (Ephesians 5:16)

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”  (Colossians 4:5)

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”  (Romans 13:11)

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”  (Psalm 90:12)

The Lord Jesus is our great example…..do you think He ever wasted a minute – no, a second – while he walked among men seeking to do his Father’s will?

Moments we have daily are precious, so we need to and should treasure each one.

The clock is running – may we make the most of today!  And remember, time waits for no one. 

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery.  But, today is a gift; that’s why it is called “the present.”

We are not promised tomorrow, just today. 

In the days that remain, might we make sure to spend time daily “at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ,” desiring to learn more of Him –

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

Refrain:

More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.

More about Jesus, in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.

More about Jesus on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of Peace.

More About Jesus by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt; Published 1887

The B-I-B-L-E

B-asic

I-nstructions

B-efore

L-eaving

E-arth

I love this acronym.  The Bible is our roadmap for life.  It is where our faith originates from –

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (Romans 10:17)

The central theme throughout the Bible is that of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As others do, I also think of it as “God’s love letter” to man.

Here are some interesting facts about the Bible –  (from factretriever.com/bible-facts)

Approximately 100 million Bibles are sold annually….

The Bible is the best-selling book in history, with total sales exceeding 5 billion copies.

China is the largest producer of Bibles.

The full Bible has been translated into 532 languages. It has been partially translated into 2,883 languages.

The King James Bible (1611) contains 788,258 words, 31,102 verses, 1,189 chapters, and 66 books.

The last word in the Bible is Amen.

More Bible Facts – (from allaboutgod.com/bible-facts)

The Bible has two major sections – The Old Testament and the New Testament.

The Old Testament has 39 total books, of which 17 are Historical, 5 are Poetical, and 17 are Prophetic.

The 17 Historical Books are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

The 5 Poetical Books are: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

The 17 Prophetic Books are: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

The New Testament has 27 books total – 4 Gospels, Acts, 21 Epistles, and Revelation.

The 4 Gospels are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The 21 Epistles are: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude.

The Bible contains 1189 chapters – The Old Testament has 929 chapters and the New Testament has 260 chapters.
The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119, and the shortest is Psalm 117.
The longest verse is Esther 8:9, and the shortest is John 11:35.

The Bible was written:

over a 1500 year span (from 1400 B.C to A.D. 100).

over 40 generations.

by at least 40 authors from many walks of life (i.e. – kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars).

in different places (i.e. – wilderness, dungeon, palaces).

at different times (i.e. – war, peace).

in different moods (i.e. – heights of joy, depths of despair).

on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe).

in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek).

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”  (Luke 21:33)

“Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119.89)

“But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”  (1 Peter 1:25)

Pain and Suffering

It’s human nature to not want any sickness, pain and suffering of any kind in our lives.  Yet, we all experience it.

There are some who believe that the Christian should not suffer illness.  The scripture that is often used to make their case is – “But he was wounded (pierced) for our transgressions, he was bruised (crushed) for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”  (Isaiah 53:5)

This is an obvious prophetic reference to the Lord Jesus Christ and the sacrifice of Himself for our sins. 

Taking a careful look at that scripture, “healed” does not refer to what is physical, but spiritual.

Before we were saved, our spirits were “broken,” not allowing for fellowship with God.  The Lord Jesus has made them “whole” because of what He went through at Calvary as our Substitute.  This is the spiritual healing of our spirit, not the physical healing of our body. We have peace with God which resulted from the punishment that was placed on Him.  That allows us to communicate and have fellowship with Divine Persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Think of Timothy for a moment.  There was a time when he was having stomach and other health issues.  Paul, the apostle, told him, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.”  (1 Timothy 5:23)

Paul was suggesting to Timothy to drink a little wine, in addition to water, for his stomach and frequent illnesses he had been having.

If anyone should have been exempt from illness, one would think Paul would.  Consider that he was in prison often, was flogged and was close to death a number of times – “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.  (2 Corinthians 11:24-27; NIV)

Yet, despite all of the hardships and sufferings that Paul went through, he was given a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7).  He pleaded with the Lord three times to have it removed, but, as far as we know, it never was.  “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Another point to consider – the verse in Isaiah 53 says we are healed.  That is past tense.  So, future sickness or illness does not apply.  Again, this indicates that the verse refers to what is spiritual, that is, our soul has been made whole by what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us at Calvary.  This spiritual healing is a one-time event and happened the moment we received Christ as our Lord and Saviour.

Whenever we suffer in a physical way, we have a source of help and strength – the Lord Himself and His grace – allowing us to deal with it, as Paul did.  It is God’s choosing as to whether we are physically healed or not.

The thought of the Lord Jesus being wounded for our transgressions, as we read in Isaiah 53, so that we could be healed spiritually and be made “whole,” reminds us of that hymn –

He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions

He was wounded for our transgressions
He bore our sins in His body on the tree
For our guilt He gave us peace
From our bondage gave release
And with His stripes and with His stripes
And with His stripes our souls are healed

He was numbered among transgressors
We did esteem Him forsaken by His God
As our sacrifice He died
That the law be satisfied
All our sin and all our sin
And all our sin was laid on Him

We had wandered we all had wandered
Far from the fold of the Shepherd of the sheep
But He sought us where we were
On the mountain bleak and bare
And brought us home and brought us home
And brought us safely home to God

Who can number His generation
Who shall declare
All the triumphs of His cross
Millions dead now live again
Myriads follow in His train
Victorious Lord victorious Lord
Victorious Lord and coming King

He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions by Thomas O. Chisholm; Merrill Dunlop. 

© 1941, renewed 1969, Singspiration Music/ASCAP.

How to Tell If You Are Born Again

First, let’s define “born again.”

You may recall that “There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee.  After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”  (John 3:1-4)

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”  (John 3:6-8)

Clearly, the Lord Jesus was saying to Nicodemus that what was needed was not another physical birth.

Being descendants of Adam, and because of sin, we are born into this world spiritually separated from God.  Remember Adam tried to hide from God after he sinned in eating the forbidden fruit?  Our spirit is dead.  Once we receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are “born again,” given “newness of life” and our spirit is made alive so that we can enjoy fellowship with God! 

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,”  (Romans 8:16).

The Bible says to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove (or test) yourselves.”  (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Sometimes a doubt comes in that causes us to question whether or not we truly are born again.

To help answer that, I would suggest that we ask ourselves some questions:

Do we have a desire to

Read the Bible?

Pray?

Be with the Lord’s people?

Meditate upon and study the scriptures?

Tell others about the Lord Jesus and share the gospel with them?

The Lord said, “For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also”  (Matthew 6:21).

That begs the question, “Where is our treasure?”

Listen to the words of the Lord Jesus – “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.”  (Matthew 6:19-20)

“Will you set your eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”  (Proverbs 23:5)

Should not, then, our “treasure” be in heaven, where our Lord Jesus Christ – the Lord of Glory, is?

Paul, the apostle, says, “Since ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead (to this life), and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3)

We need to judge ourselves – to examine ourselves – as to whether we are showing evidence of “new life” by some of the things mentioned above, to answer, if indeed, we are genuinely “born again.”

In the end, “…The Lord knoweth them that are His… (2 Timothy 2:19).

Heaven is where the Lord Jesus Christ is.

The Lord Jesus Christ is appearing before the Father on our behalf… “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”  (Hebrews 9:24)

He is seated in heaven – at God’s right hand – “… when [God] raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,” (Ephesians 1:20).  See also Hebrews 8:1 and 12:2.

We are seated in the heavenlies with him…. “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”  (Ephesians 2:6)

He told the disciples that he had to go away, but promised to come back —  … “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”   (John 14: 2-3)  

This is the Christian’s hope, “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”  (Hebrews 6:19-20).

Because He lives, our future is bright!!!!!!

Because He Lives*

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

*Because He Lives by Bill & Gloria Gaither. © 1971 by William J. Gaither, Inc.