Seven Blessings
Now Playing: Are we enjoying the blessings that we have in Christ ?
Topic: Blessings
SEVEN BLESSINGS OF THE BELIEVER IN EPHESIANS 1

1-Ephesians 1:4

According as He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,that we should be holy and without blame before him.

2-Ephesians 1:5

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,according to the good pleasure of his will.

3-Ephesians 1:6

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

4-Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption thru his blood, the forgiveness of sins,according to the riches of his grace,wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.

5-Ephesians 1:9

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.

6-Ephesians 1:11

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory,who first trusted in Christ.

7-Ephesians 1:13

In whom ye also trusted,after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:in whom also after that [having believed] ye believed; ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,unto the praise of his glory.

Christ in the New Testament
Now Playing: Are we fully, daily occupied with Him ?
Topic: Devotion
CHRIST AS SEEN IN THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew - The King in Christ.

2:2 - Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.

Mark - The Servant in Christ.

10:45 - For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Luke - The Man in Christ.

5:24 - But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power upon earth to forgive sine, (He said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

John - God in Christ.

1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Acts - Power in Christ.

3:16 - And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Romans - Justification in Christ.

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

I Corinthians - Enriched in Christ.

1:5 - That in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge.

II Corinthians - Comforted in Christ.

1:5 - For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Galatians - Liberty in Christ.

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.

Ephesians - Raised and Seated in Christ.

2:6 - And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Philippians - Rejoicing in Christ.

3:3 - For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Colossians - Complete in Christ.

2:10 - And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power.

I Thessalonians - Hope in Christ.

1:3 - Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.

II Thessalonians - Glorified in Christ.

2:14 - Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Timothy - Faith in Christ.

3:13 - For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

II Timothy - Grace in Christ.

2:1 - Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Titus - Order in Christ.

1:5 - For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.

Philemon - Refreshing in Christ.

:20 - Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Hebrews - Better in Christ.

7:22 - By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

James - Doing in Christ.

2:16 - And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; not withstanding ye give them not those thing which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

I Peter - Suffering in Christ.

4:13 - But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

II Peter - Knowledge in Christ.

1:8 - For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I John - Love in Christ.

4:17 - Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world.

II John - Truth in Christ.

:3 - Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

III John - Walking in Christ.

:3 - For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

Jude - Preserved in Christ.

:1 - Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.

Revelation - Glorying in Christ.

1:5 - And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the king of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

1:6 - And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Sound of the Trumpet
Now Playing: Are we listening to hear His direction ?
Topic: Guidance
The sound of the trumpet

Numbers 10:9:

And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.


2 Corinthians 7:5

"...but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears..."


"But even this is not enough. Nehemiah tells the nobles: "The work is great and extended, and we are scattered upon the wall, one far from another: in what place ye hear the sound of the trumpet, thither shall ye assemble to us; our God will fight for us" (vv. 19, 20). To be effective, the work must be a combined effort. When the enemy appears, believers must not be found scattered, and if there is no combined resistance at the point of attack, they are sure to succumb. The adversary takes advantage of the scattered condition of the children of God, and their gathering together is what is most contrary to him, because he knows that this multiplies their strength.

And so his first concern, when he attacks them, is to sow discord and divisions among them. That is the reason why this call of God: "Assemble to us", still resounds on every side, as in the days of Nehemiah. We have a center of gathering. Let us gather together around our Head. The trumpet has already resounded so as to be heard by one and all. Let us make haste; let us not say: 'My work is enough for me'. No, our Head says, it is not enough, for if the enemy finds you isolated, he will destroy both you and your work. The danger is threatening. Let us gather together instead of scattering.

May we have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the assemblies. It is all very well to build in front of one's home, but it is the general interests of the people of God which claim all our energy in view of our brothers. That is why the trumpet calls us together. Soon, when the battle is over, the trumpet will gather us for the last time where there is no more question of building or of self-defense, but where we will enjoy eternal rest in peace!"
Dr H L Rossier, Nehemiah

Restoration
Now Playing: Has our soul been restored and are we a help to others ?
Topic: Restoration
A WORD ON RESTORATION;

"My brethren, if any among you should err from the truth, and one turn him back, let him know! that he that turned back a sinner from the error of his way shall save a [or, his] soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins" (vers. 19, 20).

One of the saddest results of spiritual weakness among Christians is the rarity of restoration. Discipline even in extreme degree is no less due to our Lord, to our sacrificed Lord (1 Cor. 5: 7, 8), than requisite in the best interests of the saints.

For true love of our brethren is inseparable from loving God and keeping His commandments
(1 John 5: 1, 2).

But our God attests often and clearly and strongly His deep concern in the recovery of the straying and fallen; where selfrighteousness displays its bitterness and indifference. Zeal for the credit of a sect or party and anxiety to stand well morally are as far as possible from the love we owe to Christ's body and every member of it.

For we are exhorted to forgive (or, show grace to) one another, as God also in Christ forgave us (Eph. 4: 32); yea, to be imitators of God, as beloved children, and to walk in love, even as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. But this love divine is meant to arm us against fellowship with the ways of darkness, seeing that we are light in the Lord to walk as children of light, the fruit of which is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth (Eph. 5: 79). Hence the spiritual, in a spirit of meekness, are to restore one taken in some fault, "considering thyself lest thou also be tempted."

Hardness is unworthy of a Christian.

"If thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he should sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times return to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him" (Luke 17: 3, 4).

So here, if one brought back him that erred, or was led astray from the truth, let him know that in such a recovery he that brought him back from his way of error should "save a soul from death." Here it is not a striking answer to the prayer of faith, but a rich cheer to the love that sought and won the wanderer. To have the sick healed and raised up as the fruit of prayer may strike the eye more; but how blessed to "save a soul from death"!

Thus would our God encourage a spirit of grace in the thankful knowledge that love has its victories in a world of self and hatred and evil; and this, not only in regard of him that erred from the truth and its way, but in furnishing occasion, for that which is so pleasing to God in His government to "cover a multitude of sins."

If love does not flow, wrongs multiply, and God chastens, it may be severely; for where is Christ in such a case? But if love prevail through His grace, God is glorified, and love covers a multitude of sins, which otherwise must draw out His rebukes.
James 5:19-20
William Kelly

Perfect Storm
Now Playing: Are we looking to Him in our troubles?
Topic: Guidance
The Perfect Storm (composed by D. Hopkins)

Matthew 14: 24-33; "But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

"And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, 'It is a spirit';
and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, 'Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.' And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.' And He said, 'Come'.

"And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, 'Lord, save me'. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, 'O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?'

"And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came
and worshipped Him, saying, 'Of a truth thou art the Son of God'."

"The ship"; the vessel of testimony as typologically depicted in Acts 27

"The midst of the sea"; (Revelation 13:1), the turbulent mass of unsettled nations in anarchy and confusion, Isaiah 57:20. Tossed with the waves, for the wind was contrary;

Ephesians 4:14: "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about
with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" The disturbance may be instigated by people (the sea) promulgating their views / doctrines (the contrary (1 Timothy 1:10) wind) thus destabilizing the ship, creating fear for those onboard.

"Fourth watch of the night"; between 3-6 am in the midst of darkness (1 Thess 5:5, Colossians 1:13), He was watching from on high, (verse 23) when all seems hopeless, the chaos is enveloped in darkness.

They did not go to Jesus, Jesus went to them, walking upon the sea! (Psalm 77:19: Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.) The chaos cannot prevent His steps nor turn Him away from that which distresses the heart of His beloved, He walks upon the very source of our distresses they have no choice but to bow
beneath His steps.

His presence is mistaken, causing FEAR, often our lack of faith will put the Lord in a light in which we fail to recognize The Saviour, coming to save.

Jesus speaks, (literally) "Be courageous, I AM, fear not".

"Lord, IF", Peter states, it is enough for the Saviour to welcome Peter into this new adventure,

"Come", As much as Peter desired to get to Jesus, his beloved Master, his beloved Master Jesus, desired Peter to be with Him. Peter wanted nothing else than to be with Jesus in the midst of this storm.

Peter did not realize it is difficult to walk on water, if your eyes are on the winds (not waves).

In the midst of trouble, we can walk on the water, (Ephesians 5: 26) however, when the winds of doctrine trouble the waters, our vision of the Christ is eclipsed, though he walked upon the water, he began to sink beneath the waves.

"When he saw the wind, strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried,'Lord save me'."

He took his eyes off of the Lord Jesus, which allowed him to see the strong wind, which created fear, which debilitated his faith, which impaired his walk, which caused him to begin sinking.

'As he began to sink', (if we could only learn to call upon Him early in our troubles.) he called upon the Name of the Lord, AND IMMEDIATELY, Jesus stretched forth His hand and Caught him, Ironically, the One for whom time would come to symbolize with the sign of a fish, just caught a fisherman. ( The FISH, Greek ICHTHOS(Jesus Christ Gods Son the Saviour)

"O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt".

When Jesus entered the ship, the wind ceased, doctrinal divorces cease when the Lord Jesus is
welcomed into our circumstances, because His presence will provoke the humbled saint to worship;

No comment on the storm, no comment on Peter walking on the water, no comment on the miracle of the wind ceasing,
"Of a truth, Thou art the Son Of God".

He engaged their eyes, and He raptures their hearts.

So may it be with us.

---------------------------------------
(hymn added by RKG)

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

WHY those fears? Behold, 'tis Jesus
Holds the helm, and guides the ship;
Spread the sails, and catch the breezes
Sent to waft us through the deep
To the regions, to the regions
Where the mourners cease to weep.

Though the shore we hope to land on
Only by report is known,
Yet we freely all abandon,
Led by that report alone,
And with Jesus, And with Jesus
Through the trackless deep move on.

Led by faith, we brave the ocean;
Led by faith, the storm defy;
Calm amidst tumultuous motion,
Knowing that the Lord is nigh;
Waves obey Him, waves obey Him,
And the storms before Him fly.

Rendered safe by His protection,
We shall pass the watery waste,
Trusting to His wise direction,
We shall gain the port at last;
And with wonder, and with wonder
Think on toils and dangers past.

O what pleasures there await us!
There the tempests cease to roar;
There it is that those that hate us
Can molest our peace no more;
Trouble ceases, trouble ceases
On that tranquil, happy shore.

[#290 in Hymns for the Little Flock, 1881 edition]
Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.7.

Resisting the Enemy
Now Playing: Do we stand against what is evil ?
Topic: Faithfulness
Through God's grace there was a decision to stand against the evil, and then the enemy sought to turn the attention from the real point, to the manner and ways of those who were acting.

As in the old question as to the Person of Christ some thirty years ago, so it is now; so much was made of the way the thing was dealt with, those who made that a prominent point, seeming to forget that in such struggles it is not surprising that the weakness of the flesh should be seen; but what does it prove?

Why, how incapable we were to meet such an attack, and that during the interval, between the former one and the present, there had not been "a redeeming the time," a "gathering up of strength so as to be ready," a "being clad with the whole armour of God."

Has there been the attention to that part of the armour, "the breastplate of righteousness," and have "the loins been girt about with truth"? Has there been that attitude of dependence which is shewn by "praying always" and "watching thereunto"?

Do not these circumstances exhibit failure in these respects? No real profit can accrue to us by dwelling on this or that failure, we get insensibly assimilated to it by so doing the spiritual eye discerns evil and failure by progressing in the knowledge of that which is holy and true; as in spirit John: the untrue is made apparent by the true: what is of darkness is understood in the light, and what is of Satan by what is of God.
A call to Gilgal
JND Misc writings volume 36

Plainly Spoken or Shown
Now Playing: How plainly is our testimony shown out for Him?
Topic: Choices
Exodus 21:5

And if the servant shall plainly say, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:'

Deuteronomy 27:8

And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

1 Samuel 2:27

And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, 'Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?'

1 Samuel 10:16

And Saul said unto his uncle, 'He told us plainly that the asses were found.' But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.

Ezra 4:18

The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.

Isaiah 32:4

The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.

John 10:24

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, 'How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.'

John 11:14

Then said Jesus unto them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead'.

John 16:25

These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

John 16:29

His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

Hebrews 11:14

For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Watchful Service
Now Playing: Are we seeking to be nearer to Christ ?
Topic: Service
We need to be watchful against boasting, as people do in these days; need to be still, in the presence of God. There is much independence and self will almost everywhere.

If any one speaks of separation from evil, without being humiliated, let him take care lest his position becomes simply only that which at all times has constituted sects, and produced doctrinal heresy.

Nearness to Christ would keep us from sectarianism, the most natural weed of the human heart. (Sectarianism is getting an interest in a little circle around ourselves)

Now I know, at the present time, of no service, which is worthy of Him, if it is not done in humiliation. This is not the time to speak of a place for ourselves. If the Church of God, so dear to Christ, is dishonoured, in this world; if it is scattered, ignorant, afflicted, He who has the mind of Christ will always take the lowest place. True service of love will seek to give according to the need, and because of their need, He will never think of slighting the objects of the Master's love because of their necessity.

Men taught of God, for His service, go forth from a place of strength, where they have learned their own weakness and their own nothingness. They find that Jesus is everything in the presence of God, and Jesus is everything for them in all things, and everywhere. Such men in the hands of the Holy Spirit, are real helps for the children of God, and they will not contend for a place, or a distinction, or for authority, amoung the scattered flock. The communion of a man with God about the Church will show itself in a willingness to be nothing in himself, and such an one will rejoice in his heart to spend and be spent.
JND

Quotes Part 6
Now Playing: Look around for failure; look above for guidance
Topic: Quotes
*** The only failure of an Old Testament saint recorded in the New Testament is that of Elijah making intercession to God against Israel (Romans 11:2-3).

*** The book of Proverbs gives us heavenly wisdom for an earthly pathway.

*** "The children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children" (2 Cor. 12:14), and that does not just mean money!

*** What are we in the world for, to get rich - no - we are here to learn the manifold grace and wisdom of God.

*** No ceremonial is worth a straw if the heart does not honour Christ.

*** By religious forms, man is made religious without possessing holiness. Anything that exalts man is not of God.

*** False religion will send more people to hell than anything else.

*** Christianity is not an adjunct of Judaism but an entirely separate and distinct work of God.

*** Not one thing that you know is the result of your reason; it is either testimony or experience. What do you know? - Did reason tell you or faith?

*** Faith and salvation go together. Obedience and happiness go together.

*** Do not look at the people that persecute you, but the reason why you are persecuted.

*** God never takes us out of the difficulties into which our folly has plunged us, but He will be with us in them.

*** The Christian is not a changed man, he is a new creation.

*** Are you going to the Exhibition? If you knew the exhibition that is before my soul you wouldn't ask me.

*** The moral principles of God do not change with dispensations.

*** If we delight in God's glory, we shall delight to honour those whom God honours.

*** Love your brethren, serve them faithfully, overlook all the faults you can but make none of them the object of your Christian life - let it be Christ.

*** Never disturb the peace of the assembly unless the glory of God demands it.

*** If I were asked what characterizes this present dispensation I would say the presence of the Holy Spirit as a divine Person here on earth.

*** The Lord's coming - the moment when Christ takes His bride - is the moment for which all other moments were made for the Christian.

*** It is wonderful to lay our head on our pillow at night and know that we have walked with God through the day. Keep it as a sweet secret!

*** If it gives you pleasure to speak about the failures of your brethren, you are not walking with God.

*** Do not expect righteousness from an unrighteous world.

*** When we give to the Lord [of our resources] He repays so bountifully that we are ashamed to take it.

*** When heaven was opened upon Jesus, it looked down with delight -- we look up and are changed.

*** If you could have chosen a period of time in which to have lived you couldn't have chosen a more blessed time than the present - especially with the Lord's coming so imminent.

Quotes Part 5
Now Playing: What characterizes our life and spiritual character?
Topic: Quotes
*** We should be humble and happy. Humble because we are so little like Him and happy because He loves us so.

*** If there is one thing more than another that we need to guard against, it is to watch lest the heart's affections grow cold.

*** The moment my affections grow cold, my feet are going to wander and the world is going to get into my heart.

*** The one longing desire of my heart in ministry is to so plant Christ in the affections of Christians that they will desire to live in Him.

*** It is unbelief of the goodness that is in the heart of God that is in the root of all coldness, carelessness and lack of earnestness in the things of God.

*** One of the evil fruits of long continued spiritual negligence, is the soul's ignorance of its own state.

*** From the time you open your eyes in the morning till you close them at night, everything you see and hear tends to put the world into your heart.

*** If you set your heart upon an automobile it may burn up or you may have an accident and it will be destroyed; but if you set your heart on Christ you will never lose your object

*** The deception and power of present things is of the Devil, the perception of them is of God.

*** The higher we get in this world - the closer we get to the god and prince of it. God does not train His servants in the college of brick and stone - He trains them in the school of adversity.

*** Our special mark of a "sound mind" is readiness to take counsel of God.

*** All true knowledge, all moral knowledge, begins by putting God in His place; nothing is right and true without that.

*** The world says, "You must know something of evil." God says, "Be wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil." You get just as black fighting a chimney sweep as you do hugging him.

*** The wisdom of God is not an extension of man's wisdom, it is not an improvement of man's wisdom, but in every case, it is the opposite of man's wisdom.

*** All true knowledge, all moral knowledge, begins by putting God in His place: nothing is right or true without that.


*** Are you a mother? Do not be satisfied to tell your children the way of salvation. Tell them about the beauties of Christ; give the wisdom of the Word and seek to guide their footprints through this world into that faith and faithfulness that should characterize the family of God (2 Tim. 1:5)

*** There is no such thing as "Good Luck" or being fortunate. Nothing happens by chance to the Christian. Why not say "through mercy" or "through the Lord's goodness." Why not His ordering?

*** When we get home to glory and have a backward look over our history, we will find He was doing the very best He could for us each day of our lives according to our state of soul.

*** The grandest truth that I have discovered in all the word of God is this - that God became a man in Christ, walked throughout this world as a man, died on the cross as a man, then arose from among the dead, to remain a man forever - why - that He might enjoy our companionship for all eternity. (1 Cor. 15:28)

*** The Word of God came not by the will of man but rather is addressed to all with authority from God. It is the only book in the world whose prophecies are unfailingly true, because man cannot tell the future. It is also the only book that the natural man cannot understand. It is not written so as to work on the emotions and does not record the physical characteristics of Christ or the Apostles but rather gives us their moral features. There is nothing in Scripture contrary to reason - yet it does contain what is beyond reason, and must necessarily do so, because it comes from God. It brings together the answer to the truth of Light and Love and nothing is needed outside the Word to receive life, or to walk in godliness.

*** What are we in this world for, to get rich - no - we are here to learn the manifold grace and wisdom of God.

*** Read the Word of God, the Bible, until your mind is so saturated with it that you think and act in the light of Scripture.

*** Psalm 94:12-13 is the key to the whole book of the Psalms. Isaiah 5:4 is the key to the whole of the Old Testament. John 11:52 is the key to the book of Acts. Ephesians 1:10 is the key to the whole Bible.