The Carpenter's Chapel (4)

Dan Todd · Jun 9, 2004

Amen!

Jim1999 · Jun 9, 2004

Indeed, when I am weak, then am I strong, yet not me, but Christ in me, the hope of glory. The most frequenly asked question is, Why? It is when we learn the other words, Thank you, Lord, that we will move on in victory day by day.

Thanks for the reminder, Roger.

Cheers,

Jim

following-Him · Jun 9, 2004

Thank you Roger, we all need to be more "God dependent".

Blessings

Sheila

Jim1999 · Jun 9, 2004

Thursday, June 10, 2004

1 Corinthians 15:25

“for he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.”

In vse 20 we have “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the
firstfruits of them that slept.” Unlike other religions, the Christian religion includes
the promise of things to come; a life after death, the final enemy to be put under
foot. He, in His resurrection, gave new life to those who had gone before, and He
assures us that we will also benefit. Other saviours died and were buried. They may
have great monuments of remembrance, but they do not live. Jesus died. He has a
great monument too; an empty tomb. He lives and He reigns over His kingdom
now. Satan has been bound. That is, the parameters of his operations have been
limited by the resurrection. A dog is put on a fifteen foot chain, and if we stay 16
feet away, he cannot bite. So it is with the Devil. If we keep our distance, he cannot
harm us. The trouble is, too many believers skirt with danger and flirt with the Evil
One. I firmly believe that the Devil gets more credit for wrong doing than he
deserves. We fail to own up to our own responsibilities. We have the duty to be holy
as He is holy. We have the duty to seek His face in time of trouble. We have a duty
to put sin behind us, and get on with holy living.

At the moment, Jesus cannot surrender the kingdom to the Father. He is the
firstfruits, and he has begun a good work in us. His work continues in the hearts
and minds of all his elect. The gospel is to be proclaimed throughout the world
because Jesus reigns now. If a king is removed from a kingdom, that very kingdom
is apt to fold. This kingdom has an eternal King; it cannot end. Yet, Paul says, in vs
24 “then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even
the Father...”

When Jesus comes again salvation is completed and there is no more hope for those
left behind..the last enemy is death. But we shall live forever with Him. This
thought should be enough to drive us forward in the presentation of the gospel; in
the living of an holy life.

Lord, make us to be responsible every moment of our human lives, that we may
glorify His name, the precious name of Jesus, the king we claim over our lives.

Cheers,

Jim

Dan Todd · Jun 10, 2004

Jim,

Great analysis of Satan and believers blaming all too much on him.

Dan

NaasPreacher (C4K) · Jun 10, 2004

"make us to be responsible for every moment" is a prayer we should always pray.

NaasPreacher (C4K) · Jun 11, 2004

Friday, 11th June, 2004

One thing I would not let slip; I took notice that now poor CHRISTIAN was so confounded, that he did not know his own voice. And thus I perceived it: just when he was come over against the mouth of the burning pit, one of the wicked ones got behind him, and stept up softly to him; and whisperingly suggested many grievous blasphemies to him--which he verily thought had proceeded from his own mind. This put CHRISTIAN more to it than anything that he met with before, even to think that he should now blaspheme him that he loved so much before! Yet could he have helped it, he would not have done it; but he had not the discretion neither to stop his ears, nor to know from whence those blasphemies came.

When CHRISTIAN had travelled in this disconsolate condition some considerable time, he thought he heard the voice of a man, as going before him, saying, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me" (Psalm 23v4).

Then was he glad; and that for these reasons:

First, because he gathered from thence that some who feared God were in this valley as well as himself.

Secondly, for that he perceived God was with them, though in that dark and dismal state; and why not with me, thought he, though, by reason of the impediment that attends this place, I cannot perceive it? (Job 9v11)

Thirdly, for that he hoped (could he overtake them) to have company by and by. So he went on, and called to him that was before; but he knew not what to answer, for that he also thought himself to be alone. And by and by the day broke; then said CHRISTIAN, "He hath turned the shadow of death into the morning" (Amos 5v8).
Click to expand...

Wednesday we looked at the comfort that is found in the knowledge that we need not walk in our own strength. As we read today’s section from Pilgrim’s Progress we see that Christian is comforted by another truth, “Thou art with me.”

I want to focus on the second of the reasons why Christian found comfort in those words, “he perceived God was with them, though in that dark and dismal state; and why not with me, thought he, though, by reason of the impediment that attends this place, I cannot perceive it?” and he uses Job 9v11, “Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.”

We all face times in our life when it is possible to forget that God is with us “by reason of the impediment.” The impediments vary greatly, they may be financial, physical, family, disease, death, or a combination of them all. No matter what the impediment we are to remember that we are promised the presence of God as Christians. Remember these words.

“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”
“I will never leave thee or forsake thee”
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
“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”
“I will not leave you comfortless”
“I am with you, saith the LORD.”

When faced with the impediments of life, when faced with the blasphemies of mind that suggest that God is not there, we must remember the promises of the God who cannot lie. We must also remember one of our Lord’s great name - Emmanuel – God with us!

Watchman · Jun 11, 2004

Amen. Thank you Roger.

following-Him · Jun 11, 2004

Thank you Roger. A very comforting and reassuring message that we are never alone, He is always there with us.

Blessings

Sheila

Watchman · Jun 12, 2004

Saturday, June 12, 2004

"The Lord says to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for your feet.'"
(Psalm 110:1)

Today I am using a passage that I have used before, back on the, "Three questions" devotional of May 29th. As you may recall, Jesus asked the Jews about the Messiah and whose Son He would be. After replying, "The son of David", the Lord Jesus quoted this verse as proof that the Messiah was to be a lot more than just the son of David. It is this very passage I would like for us to zero-in on and look at today.

The 110th Psalm is one of the most significant of the so-called Messianic Psalms, prophesying of Christ a thousand years before He came. This verse should completely settle the question as to whether or not the Old Testament teaches that there is only one Person in the Godhead, since it recounts an actual conversation with at least two Persons of the Godhead.

This verse is quoted, in whole, or in part, at least five times in the New Testament; one of which I have mentioned when the Lord spoke of it as proof of His divinity.

God The Son, the Lord Jesus Christ went to earth, born of a virgin by a miracle of the Holy Spirit to save His people, but was (and is), repudiated by His enemies on earth. Accordingly God The Father has Him back in heaven for a time, at His right hand until it is time for Him to return to earth to rule.

Now, although this prophecy applies specifically to the Second Coming and the future conversion of Israel, there is a beautiful secondary aplication used in Scripture for His people right now.
" Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-which is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God."
(Col 3:1)

NaasPreacher (C4K) · Jun 12, 2004

Amen - looking upward!

Jim1999 · Jun 12, 2004

There is an old saying: "You know who your friends are by your enemies." Jesus was often identified by His enemies.

"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Doth His successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more."

Cheers,

Jim

Dan Todd · Jun 12, 2004

Thankyou Roger and Charles for Friday and Saturday's devotionals!

Watchman · Jun 13, 2004

Sunday June 13, 2004

"And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness."
(Gen. 1:26a)
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
(Mt.28:19)
"Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, We speak that We do know, and testify that We have seen; and ye receive not Our witness."
(John 3:11)
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
(2Cor. 13:14)
"John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the Seven Spirits which are before His throne; And from Jesus Christ..."
(Rev. 1:4 & 5a)

The doctrine of the Trinity.
It is regarded by some as the belief in three gods. The cults will adamantly deny it. Muslims, if I recall correctly, say that belief in it is the unpardonable sin. This doctrine is unique to Christianity.

There is only one God, yet three Persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-each equally, fully, and eternally God.

In these passages, and others, all three Persons are mentioned in the same context, and each one deals with a significant aspect of the Christian life. There is, first of all, the provision of salvation "...the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God..." (Hebrews 9:14) Then follows regeneration, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father." (Galatians 4:6)
Salvation and regeneration are then publicly testified in baptism, as in Mt. 28:19 above.

The chief resource for the believer is prayer, and this also involves all three Persons.
"For through (Christ) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Ephesians 2:18)
The believer must also continue to learn of Christ, and to bear witness of Him.

Finally, as we see in these passages, we have eternal assurance in the tri-une God.

Perhaps all of the passages at the start of this devotional was overkill, so to speak. But one thing I wanted to show was that this doctrine is consistantly taught in God's word, from the very beginning in Genesis, to the very end in Revelation.

Dan Todd · Jun 13, 2004

Just a thought - I consider prayer to be the believer's second offensive weapon - the other of course is the Word of God!

Thank you Charles!

NaasPreacher (C4K) · Jun 13, 2004

Thanks Charles for the reminder of our wonderful Tri-une God!

Jim1999 · Jun 13, 2004

Merci beaucoup, m. Charles.

Always good to have a reminder of the great doctrines of God.

Cheers,

Jim

Jim1999 · Jun 14, 2004

The devotional thoughts for to-day come from 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with love."

My hands are very sore this morning and I am having a very hard time typing. I shall return to the devotional in the day. Thank you, Jim

NaasPreacher (C4K) · Jun 14, 2004

Amen - will pray about your hands Jim.

Jim1999 · Jun 14, 2004

For expedience to-day, I bring you this offering by C.H. Spurgeon: Proverbs 16:3 "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."

A godly child had a ring given him by hos mother, and he greatly prized it, but on one occasion he unhappily lost his ring and he cried bitterly. But recapturing his composure, he stepped aside and prayed; after which his sister laughingly said to him, "Brother, what is the good of praying about a ring - will praying bring back your ring?"

"Perhaps not, " said he, "but praying has done this for me; it has made me quite willing to do without the ring if it is God's will; and is not that almost as good as having it?"

Thus faith quiets us by resignation, as a babe is hushed in his mother's bosom. Faith makes us quite willing to do without the mercy which once we prized: and when the heart is content to be without the outward blessing, it is as happy as it would be with it; for it is at rest.

I like that.

Cheers,

Jim

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