History: Not By Chance.

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.

(Isaiah 46:10)

I had a professor that always said, “God has His hand on the pulse of time.”

Many believe that things just happen, but I want you to know that there never was or is a point in history when God wasn’t God and He wasn’t in control. As the text says, “Declaring the end from the beginning…the things that are not yet.”

Don’t be fooled. History is not by chance (see on Dan. 4:17; Isa. 14:24, 26, 27; 43:13). God has a purpose for our world, and that purpose will prevail (see on Isa. 45:18, 19).

It seems odd that Jesus would say to His disciples, "lo, I am with you always," since he was about to ascend into heaven. However, as we recall what He had told them not long before, we understand why.

He had said, “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me,” (John 16:7; 15:26).

There you have it, His promise to be with us always, through the power of the Holy Spirit. This promise is assured to all who obey Him. Scripture says, “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him” (Acts 5:32).

God has not left us alone. His presence is real through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Walk as if He is with you as you spread the gospel by your life today. Amen.

Peace and safety are the words spoken by those who have not prepared themselves for the Lord’s return. They look at their inner tranquility and external security, and are satisfied with their current state of affairs. Their calm, however, is unjustified as disaster is near at hand and striking those in distant lands. But the true Christian is watchfully; ready for last-day events. His eyes are fixed in sky, looking for his Lords return. He isn't worry with the distress all around him, for he knows, that the Lords return is preceded by universal chaos and calamities (see Luke 21:25, 26).

Today, my friends, Jesus is about come -- are you ready? Or, are you looking for peace and safety now?

Wednesday, February 12, 2003

God the Son

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2).

As we have been looking at the Godhead, here is another text that shows the pre-existence of Christ. Many have argued that He was the first creation of God. However, Micah clearly states His pre-existence before His birth in Bethlehem Ephratah. He said, "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

One great writer said, "From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father" (see Desire of Ages, p. 19). Moreover, Scripture clearly annunciates, "In the beginning was the Word" (see on John 1:1–3). He has always been! He will always be! "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Heb. 13:8)

Friday, February 7, 2003

Prayer - Love - Mercy

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 20, 20)

As we look at the doctrine of the Godhead, we see how Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) works through prayer, love and mercy.

Here Jude, the brother of Jesus, wanted the true believe to understand that they were to build themselves up in the "most holy faith" or the Christian faith. Paul expressed how this faith is built on the foundations of the apostles, the prophets and with Jesus Christ being the chief corner (See Eph. 2:20).

Jude further pointed out, the manner in which we are to carry out this task. He said, "Praying in the Holy Ghost." Now this doesn't mean that you run around the place shout and screaming, but rather, praying in accordance with the Holy Spirit's directives which includes faith and truth. One cannot say he is praying in the Spirit if he disobeys God's law. Scripture say, "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him" (Acts 5:32).

As Jude closes, he reminds us that we are to resist the devil. He says, "Keep yourselves in the love of God." Now we all know that it is the power of God that keeps us (1 Peter 1:5, John 17:11). However, we have a part to play. We are told to resist the devil and draw close to God (James 4:7, 8), to resist unto the blood and strive against sin (Heb. 12:4). And James said that pure religion consisted of keeping self "unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). As must as God keeps us, we must do our part.

Finally, we must never fail to look for the mercy of our Lord, His glorious appearing (see Titus 2:13, Romans 8:19), because the way in which we stay ready is the way in which He will find us.

This morning, walk with the Lord today and be a blessing to some.

Tuesday, February 4, 2003

Access Given!

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

(Ephesians 2:18)

As we look at the doctrine of God this month, one fact must come to light. We as erring humans, both Jew and Gentile, must have access to Him. For without access, we have no chance at salvation.

You see, the true purpose of all true religion is to show man how to access God. But how do we find Him? And how do we communicate our desire once we do? This text helps us to see just how the Godhead works for the saving of mankind.

It starts by telling us that Jesus, the Him, came to give us access, a way of approach or an introduction to the Father. He said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:9).

Once we find Him, the Spirit steps in to aid in our communication. Scripture says, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26). So even when we don't know how to phrase our designs, the Spirit, knowing our hearts, intercedes on our behalf, whether we be Jew or Gentile.

This morning, as we diligently search for access to the Father, let us look to His Son, believe in His Spirit and be saved.

Walk with the Lord today and be a blessing to some.