Firstly I rightfully do not endorse Christians trying to make money of the gospel, asking for money or any of the supposedly Christian adds, for the Bibles, books, tapes listed here for sale too.. Jesus said as you freely received so freely give. Greedy Hirelings do not do this. http://groups.msn.com/AFOLLOWEROFCHRIST/advrt.msnw
(2 Tim 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
 
     
 
(2 Tim 3:16 KJV)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
 
 
 

https://trend18.tripod.com/index1.html

Vol 1.14
Index
 
1: Bible verse for the week
(Phil 4:9 KJV)  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
2: Bible study for the week
 "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" --Prov. 20:6

A FAITHFUL PERSON is trustworthy and reliable. Some people make faithfulness a hallmark of their human relationships, but the faithfulness that matters most is the faithfulness we show towards God. NOT HOW WE TRY TO APPEAR TOWARDS OTHERS. WE ALSO DO SEEM TO HAVE THESE DAYS TOO MANY IMPOSTERS, PRETENTIOUS CHRISTIANS, THEY APPEAR TO CHRISTIANS ON THE OUTSIDE BUT ARE NOT SO ON THE INSIDE..  THEY WRONGFULLY ARE STILL NOT KIND, LOVING TOWARDS OTHERS OR , HUMBLE PERSONS

God is faithful.
He does what He promises to do. Moreover, because God is faithful, we dare have courage to trust Him and His promises. "He is faithful that promised" (Heb. 10:23). "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens: and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds" (Psa. 36:5). "Thy faithfulness is unto all generations..."--Psa. 119:90

In truth, all of God's creation depend on His faithfulness. Animals begin their annual migrations and periodic breeding cycles at certain times because nature's laws are firm. Plants send forth seed and sapling according to His faithfulness. Only human-kind has a hard time knowing whether or not to exercise faith in God.

If we are full of faith we will believe God's word and expect Him to fulfill His promises. That means we will actually live according to what we think. We judge that God, who delivered His word, is faithful (Heb. 11:11). Therefore, we commit ourselves to our heavenly Father in spite of unfair or evil circumstances. We do God's will the best we can because we trust our faithful Creator to set all things right in His time and way. "Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right."--1 Pet. 4:19 NASB

We find strength to be faithful to God because God is faithful in dealing with us.

A Fruit of the Spirit
Faithfulness is one characteristic of what the Apostle Paul calls the "fruit" of holy spirit. Paul refers to various qualities as a singular fruit because there is only one spirit which exercises a unified and consistent effect upon believers in Jesus Christ. The spirit works similarly in believers of every sort, at various times, even though each believer's individual life may be unique and their circumstances unparalleled. What is the effect of holy spirit in believers? God's spirit always works to transform those who are begotten by it so that they progressively and characteristically behave more like God.  The holy spirit works on our heart and on our mind to reveal how much better it is when we do what God would do or say what God would say. By practice over time we develop characteristics, we routinely behave as God would behave. Not because we should, or must, but because we choose to, we prefer to, because it is in our character to do so.

Faithfulness is one of those god-like traits. God is faithful, and we appreciate the effect His faithfulness has on us: we can rely upon Him. Because we appreciate reliability in others we begin trying to be more reliable ourselves. Reliability gradually becomes one of our characteristics. What was unrighteousness in us gradually becomes God's righteousness in us. It is this growth, or maturation, process that the New Testament elsewhere describes as our "new creature," our new way of thinking, living, and being god-like.

The question could be asked: "Why does God work in this indirect way?" The answer lies in what God has told us that His objectives are for us. He wants us to be His children: that is the big answer. But how, specifically, do we become His children? By learning to prefer His will, His way, and His ideas over ours. By allowing His spirit (especially in its influence upon us through the Bible) to transform our character, we are conformed to the "image" or character of His Son. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to become conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren"
 
(Rom. 8:28,29). "My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you."--Gal. 4:19

We would be egotistical to think that we could become like Jesus merely by trying. We cannot succeed on our own. WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DO THIS. We were born in sin and shapen in iniquity, yet He was "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Heb. 7:26, Psa. 51:5). That not with standing, each true believer does have the potential to behave as Jesus would behave because each Christian has within him God's holy spirit. "Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"--1 Cor. 3:16

The characteristics Paul describes are attainable because God fills us with sufficient love so as to live like Him. "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."--Gal. 5:22,23 NASB

The NASB and other modern translations indicate that the Greek noun for "faith" was sometimes used to properly express more than its primary meaning, "firm persuasion." One such example is the apostolic counsel just noted, where the translation is "faithfulness." "Firm persuasion" must itself precede the attainment of the "faithfulness" which Paul advocated. (The same principle suggests that the King James translation of Matt. 23:23 and Rom. 3:3 could be improved. Look them up.)

As believers, we meditate about God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Those thoughts reveal to us ways in which we can begin obeying them more completely, thus "abiding" in Christ, our true vine (John 15). As we study and commune with God we find ourselves ever more intent upon being like Him, living like Him, and exercising our faith in action as Jesus did. That is why Paul describes the fruit of the spirit as growing in us in proportion as we walk in the spirit rather than in the flesh. Simply put, if you want to please God then live your life so as to please Him, and not yourself.

Faithfulness is Not Optional
When two people get married they expect one another to remain faithful.

Faithfulness is a part of the marriage contractand it is  also in our realtionship with God.

Faithfulness is not an option we choose. God expects us to be faithful to Him, and He seeks men and women who will live so as to consistently carry out His will. "And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind..."--1 Sam. 2:35  We show God our faithfulness by obeying Him. His heart becomes our heart; His mind our mind; His will our will. One cannot be faithful to God if they do what they please.

God actively looks for faithfulness in His servants IN ALL THINGS TOO. It is one of the qualities on which He judges His people. Jesus tried to help us understand God's great interest in our trustworthiness. "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."--Matt. 25:21

Everyone does not have the same opportunities. Nor do we all have the same abilities. But we all have something. We have the capacity to be faithful in our own condition (Matt. 25:14-30). Yet all people do not prove trustworthy when tested. Jesus was reminding us of this very sobering fact.

The Lord's servants are stewards. They control things in their own lives which belong to God--which is everything in their life and person. One example of a stewardship God is specially interested in is the caring for and feeding of His people. This is not a judgment we have arbitrarily made. The Bible makes this judgment for us: "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."--1 Cor. 4:1,2

Biblical Examples of Faithfulness

Think of the patriarch Joseph, son of Jacob. He obeyed God even when he had difficulties. He was sold as a slave while carrying out his father's orders (Gen. 37:13-29). He was thrown into prison because he was faithful to his master, Potiphar (Gen. 39:1-20). Joseph was always faithful to God, and in due time he was set down at the right hand of Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt.
 
Moses was "faithful in all [God's] house" (Num. 12:7). What does "all God's house" mean? It means that he obediently did all God asked of him. Moses was characteristically enthusiastic for God...thus quite different from the Israelites with him. They were enthusiastic one day, grumbling the next, and idolatrous soon after. Moses did not allow the people's attitude to deter  his own obedience. He was an imperfect man like ourselves, and he, too, made his notable mistakes. Yet, he consistently did God's will the best he could.

You will recall that to others God often spoke in dreams and visions, but He did not do so to Moses. God spoke clearly to him, and He cites Moses' faithfulness as his reason for doing so (Num. 12:6-8). You and I can learn from that. If we obey, if we are faithful, that behavior enables us to hear God's voice more clearly. When our heavenly Father speaks, He expects and deserves obedience.

Daniel was faithful to God, but he had reasons of personal safety to disobey or "deny" God. He had been snatched from home, moved as a prisoner to Babylon, and enrolled in school in the king's court. But God's servant Daniel was unmoved. God honored and exalted him for that faithfulness. He was so faithful in his assignments that when enemies sought to overthrow him, they were unable to do so. Finally, they resorted to using Daniel's worship of God as a weapon against him (Dan. 6:1-5). From Daniel we learn that God honors faithfulness even in the most ungodly surroundings.

We Learn Faithfulness
 
Jesus Christ is the supreme example of faithfulness. He always did God's will and spoke God's words. He had only one desire, "...not my will, but thine, be done.--Luke 22:42

 
Jesus' obedience did not come naturally. This we are told in the Book of Hebrews. Even for Jesus, faithfulness was something to learn. "Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered..."--Heb. 5:8

We, too, can learn faithfulness. "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?"--Luke 16:10-12

As we grow more faithful in one area of our life, that faithfulness can carry over into other areas. Faithfulness toward God begins with faithfulness toward family, faithfulness on our job, and faithfulness in financial dealings. We can't wait to show our faithfulness until someone trusts us with something big. We must be faithful now with whatever has already been entrusted to us.

Let us not be too quick to say or promise anything. God judges us when we make promises: will we do the thing that we have said? "...draw near to listen [in the house of God] rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools;...  Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God...When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it, for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."--Eccl. 5:1,2,4,5 NASB

Obey God Promptly
 
One aid to developing godly characteristics is to develop the habit of obeying God promptly. When we delay we are really only saying, "God, I want to have my will for a while. I'll obey you when I'm good and ready." But, of course, that isn't obedience at all!
 
We can start by obeying the revelation that we already have in the written Word of God. Ready obedience to God's Word will set us apart as one whom God can trust to carry out His will. "Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way [NASB margin, "a way of integrity",] he shall serve me."--Psa. 101:6

Strive to become a man or woman whom God can trust to carry out His instructions. Serve God now with all your heart in single-minded obedience. Do not wait for life's big challenges before learning faithfulness. Start now, with life's littlest details, and learn faithfulness so that you will be ready for greater tests to come.

Abide in Christ! Allow His words to dwell richly in you. Please God in your words and actions, rather than pleasing your own heart. If you do, you will fully manifest a godly and christlike character through the fruit of the spirit, which spirit dwelleth within us.--Rom. 8:11

http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/fbf/faithful.html
 
3: Tips on praying for the week.
  (Phil 4:6 KJV)  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
 
(Col 2:7 KJV)  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
 
(Col 4:2 KJV)  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
 
IT SHOULD BE CLEAR THAT THANKS GIVING SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN OUR PRAYERS.
 
   One phrase in the apostle Paul's writings forcefully describes our present culture, and provides a basic clue to the deterioration of morals and animosity toward Christians. 
 
The phrase is found in Romans 1:21: "Because that knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks."    Neither gave thanks!

            What a simple thing, to give thanks, and yet this is the watershed of the human race: on one side the self-sufficient ones whose end is death, and on the other, those who consciously depend upon the Father, give Him thanks in all things, and whose goal is eternal life in His image.
Sadly Christians seem to be also guilty of this too..

            Despite all our knowledge and the abundant gifts lavished on us, generally speaking, we are an ungrateful people.  Even the poor among us are rich compared to three-fourths of the people in the world, people who cannot
even imagine the lifestyle that is normal for our nation.  Instead of being noted for ardent gratitude to God, we are famous for complaining.

The progressive result of such ingratitude is described by Paul as those who professed themselves to be wise but became fools so that God gave them up to vile passions and all unrighteousness.  This shameful degeneration describes our decadent society, as proclaimed from media headlines every day (Rom. 1:18-32).  Men not only have failed to give thanks, but now our government seeks to ban such gratitude from public life under the false claim of
separation of church and state.

            As in other things in relation to God, our example in giving thanks is found in our Lord Jesus Christ.  At the tomb of Lazarus, before He raised him from the dead, "Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, Father, I thank you that you heard me.  And I know that you always hear me, but because of the multitude that stand around I said it, that they may believe that you sent me" (Jn. 11:41,42).

            If Jesus recognized that it was a great privilege for God to listen to His prayer, how thankful we should be that He hears us.  Jesus was God's only begotten son, a man whom God anointed with His holy spirit without limit, who never once disobeyed the least of the Father's commands. Still He humbly gave thanks that God heard His prayer.  Compare that with those of us who have been disobedient, who have sinned repeatedly, and repeatedly found mercy and forgiveness.  Don't we have far greater cause to thank Him for hearing us?

            For Jesus to give thanks to God demonstrated His full dependence upon God.  "I can of my own self do nothing," He said (Jn. 5:30; 5:19).  As God's unique son and special agent, He could have felt that He had a right to God's special care, yet He never presumed on such a relationship.  He repeatedly reminded the disciples that His teaching was not His own, but the Father's who sent Him (Jn. 7:16; 8:23), and that it was the Father abiding in Him that did His works (Jn. 14:10).  Unlike Adam, who sought equality with God, Jesus "emptied himself" of personal pride and lived as God's servant.  "He humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:5-8).

            Jesus had long since been anointed with power to raise the dead before He arrived at the tomb of Lazarus.  Yet, in humility He gave thanks to God for hearing His prayer.  Our culture champions the idea of self-sufficiency, and we like to think that all we are and all we have is the result of our own efforts, in the spirit of the song, "I did it my way." This leaves little room for us to be humbly grateful to God.

            In His prayer Jesus said, "And I know that you always hear me." We can say the same thing, and this fact in itself is cause for great thanksgiving, to know that in every crisis and at all other times our Father not only knows our need, but also hears our prayers.

            A chief hindrance to finding joy in thanksgiving is self-centeredness. 
As long as one is focused on having his own needs met and fulfilling his own  desires, he will be unable to appreciate the magnitude of his blessings.

            It was because Jesus was totally empty of "self" that He looked to the Father in every situation, giving Him praise and thanks.  He also instructed us to do the same, to deny self and make obedience to the Father our first priority.  "Seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness," he said (Matt. 6:33).  Paul expressed the idea when he said, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in
me" (Gal. 2:20).

            We give thanks to one who freely bestows a gift, a gift that is not earned and for which no payment is required.  Some people have difficulty accepting such a gift, and instead of a simple "Thanks," may protest with remarks like, "You really shouldn't have," "This is too much," "I wish you hadn't..."  This reluctance to be a humble recipient may be a sign of pride, or a fear of being obligated.  To give thanks to God requires us to humbly lay aside our pride and acknowledge that we are ever in debt to Him.  It is only as we gladly accept this relationship that we can feel happy in giving Him thanks.

            Another significant prayer of thanksgiving was during the
Passover, the night before Christ's crucifixion.  He knew that the time had come when He was to become the sacrifice of atonement on the Roman instrument of torture, the cross.  At the age of 33 He was to be shamed, tortured and executed as a criminal in the cruelest manner.  He would suffer this shameful torture and death, not because it was His will, but because it was the Father's will.

            Completely aware of what the Father had in store for Him, "Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it ... and said, Take, eat, this is my body" (Matt. 26:26).  In like manner He gave thanks for the cup, which was symbolic of His blood about to be shed.  Jesus gave thanks in the midst of the great crisis which engulfed Him in the extreme horror of assuming man's sin and suffering its penalty of death.

            The fact that Jesus gave thanks to God during the worst time that we can imagine is an example of what Paul meant when he wrote, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (I Thess. 5:18).

            He does not say to give thanks for everything.  There is a great amount of corruption and evil for which God is not responsible, and for which we are not to give thanks.  There is a real danger that we grow bitter and cynical as we resist and oppose this evil.  What Paul says is that in everything, even in the midst of this evil, we are to give thanks.  In doing so we follow the example of God's grateful son, who gave thanks even as he  faced the worst that man could do to him, and submitted to the sacrifice as a lamb led to the slaughter.  The grateful heart will not become hard and cynical, even in the times of trouble and suffering.

            A while back a man in a state penitentiary wrote, saying, "This snake pit is an awful place.  But every day I give thanks that I was sent here, because it was only after being imprisoned that I came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Now I have fellowship with the Father and know a peace that I had never known before."  Even in times of hardship, trials, persecution, and sickness we still have fellowship with God and possess "all spiritual blessings in Christ."  These are great treasures, which cannot be taken away from us against our wills, and they give us cause for continuous thanksgiving.

            Paul wrote, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called in peace; and be thankful" (Col 3:15).  Like all of God's commands, this command to be thankful is given for our benefit.  Being thankful helps us guard against greed and makes us content with such things as we have, so that we are at peace, even in a culture that glorifies avarice and idolizes the rich and famous.  It frees us from self-pity and reduces the temptation to complain.

            People such as those described by Paul, who "neither gave thanks," are often problem centered, focusing on their failures and the faults of others.  Paul faced many problems, not only in his own life but also in the lives of those to whom he ministered.  The Corinthian Christians had many moral and doctrinal problems in their congregation, and some questioned Paul's apostleship.  To them he wrote, "I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus" (I Cor. 1:4).  Paul could face such serious challenges because he had a grateful heart.

            "As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him, and established in your faith, even as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving" (Col. 2:6,7). (1 Th 5:18 KJV)  In  every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning  you. (Psa 97:12 KJV)  Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks  at the remembrance of his holiness.
http://www.people-livinggod.org/december2000.htm
4: Christian testimony for the week
(Psa 23:1 KJV)  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
 
God wants us also to lay all on his altar, all..  Abraham and it was not easy also had to put his only son on the Altar.. I put my wife and children on God's altar longlong time ago.. about 25 years ago.
 
I was walking to work when I was trying to cross the street and a taxi cab sideswiped me, it hit my brief case and it turned me around.. the police took me to the hospital cause my arm was supposedly broken.. I asked God why he had allowed it.. He God replied that I was worrying too much about my wife and children, and he next said "supposed you were killed this morning instead, who would have looked after them next?"and " I said you would".. then God said "why are you worrying abut them so much?" I prayed God please forgive me. and show that you forgive me by in mercy healing my arm.. when the x-rays shortly  next were taken there was nothing wrong with my arm.
 
You will never find God's peace and rest till you all on the altar of God's sacrifice lay.
 
5: Recommended Christian computer software
         Music Software and MIDI Files http://www.seriousd.com/music.htm
 
 
6: Difficult Bible Question answered for the week.
   THE SEVEN-FOLD HERITAGE  OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD

ROMANS 5:1-11

I want you to know, and understand, that if you, by faith, have received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior from sin, death and hell, you have a seven-fold heritage (birthright) and nothing or no one can take it away from you. This seven-fold heritage of the child of God is seen in Romans, chapter five, verses 1-11.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 ¶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

When you by faith through the working of the Holy Spirit, by means of the Word of God received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior from sin, death and hell, you were declared by God to be innocent/not guilty/ justified. All charges of sin against you were found to be false. You were found to be innocent of any wrong doing.

Now this declaration of innocence was possible because Jesus Christ took upon Himself all of your sins. Your sins were imputed/given to Jesus and His righteousness was then imputed/given to you.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says. "For He (that is God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

Romans 4:6-8 tells us that blessed is the man to whom God does not impute sin, BUT RATHER imputes to him righteousness.

PEACE WITH GOD is the FIRST of the seven-fold heritage of the one who has been justified by faith. "Therefore being justified by faith we have PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." (Romans 5:1)

Now the Bible mentions several kinds of PEACE.

FIRST, there is WORLD PEACE - peace between men, families and nations. The United Nations since its conception has worked for and toward world peace, as did the old League of Nations. Man has sought after, strived and prayed for peace among men, but it has not happened, nor will it happen.

Jesus, In Matthew 10:34 says,

"Think not that I come to send (bring) peace on earth: I came not to send peace. but a sword."

Beloved, as long as there is sin in the hearts of men, there will be no peace in the world. Peace will not come to the world until Jesus, the Prince of Peace returns. Then, He will bring PEACE ON EARTH.

Therefore, world peace is not the peace of which Paul speaks in Romans 5:1.

SECONDLY, there is peace which is known as the TRANQUILITY OF THE SOUL. This tranquility of the soul is the peace of which Jesus speaks when He said to His disciples in John 14:27,

"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you."

This peace, is a peace that only comes to the believer who is trusting and resting in the Father and doing the Father's will.

This is that peace which Paul in Philippians 4:7 says,

". . . passeth all understanding."

However, as we said this peace only come to the believer, the disciple, who is ordering the course of his daily life according to the ways of God. The one who is resting in God.

Neither is it the peace of the tranquility of the soul, the peace of which Paul is referring to in Romans 5:1.

The PEACE the Apostle Paul is talking about, which he lists as the first of the sevenfold heritage of the child of God is "PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."

This peace is the peace that comes to the one, who knows and has Jesus as his Savior and, also, knows that, because of the redemption that is in Christ Jesus that God no longer has any charge against him. This peace comes to the one who knows he is no longer guilty. He knows that God, who, was against him in the past because he was a sinner, is now FOR him because Jesus became sin in his place as his substitute. He knows that he has eternal salvation, full and free.

This is the peace that comes because of sins forgiven at Calvary. And because, NOW, everything is right between him and God. Beloved this is wonderful peace.

Let me explain it this way. When man (Adam and Eve) sinned in, the Garden of An Eden, NOT ONLY did man run away from God, finding himself alienated from the life of God, having no capacity for God and no inclination to turn to God; BUT, ALSO, BECAUSE MAN WAS NOW A SINNER, GOD HAD TO TURN AWAY FROM MAN.

Then, when Christ died on the cross as the object of God's wrath against sin, God turned around, so that now a Holy God could say to a lost sinner, with His arms outstretched, "COME," "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

Beloved, this is PEACE, the rest of redemption.

Oh, let us understand GOD IS RECONCILED. You don't have to do anything to reconcile. Him. God is reconciled.

There are many who believe that you must shed tears or do something to reconcile God; to appease God; to satisfy God's justice. Beloved the good news of the Gospel is that God is reconciled; sin has been appeased at Calvary.

2 Corinthians' 5:19, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

1 John 2:2, And he (Jesus) is the propitiation (appeasement) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Now, the invitation of the Gospel is, therefore, "Be ye reconciled to God." Beloved when you accept fully and completely his salvation, then you experience PEACE, that your sins are forgiven.

There are many believers who do not know this peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. They are laboring under a load of guilt, trying to please God with righteous living and they find no peace, no rest from their guilt.

Beloved, the place of God's grace is at the CROSS, for here guilt - was removed. Peace that comes from Calvary is the first of this wonderful SEVENFOLD HERITAGE that is the possession of the child of God.

There is a beautiful hymn that expresses what I have been saying. It Is called "Wonderful Peace" and goes like this:

Chorus:

Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace, Coming down
from the Father above;

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.

What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul;

So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll.

I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus' control;

For I'm kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul.

Ah! soul are you here without comfort or rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?

Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark;
Oh, accept this sweet peace so sublime.

Are you resting in this wonderful peace with God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus? Are you resting-sweetly, in Jesus' control? Is this treasure of peace buried deep in the heart of your soul?

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior? Are you trusting, In Him? If so, oh, let this peace, this wonderful peace with God, sweep over your soul. Be reconciled to God. He is for, you! Amen?

If you don't know Jesus as your Savior from sin, death, and hell. If you are here in this life without comfort or rest, without Jesus, marching down the rough pathway of time, oh, I urge you, I beseech you. I beg you, make Jesus yours now, make Jesus your friend. Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart. Oh, ask Him to come in and take control. If you will, His glory will flood your soul. Don't put it off, today is the day of salvation.

THE ACCESSIBILITY OF GOD'S GRACE is the SECOND of the seven-fold heritage. This is seen In Romans 5:2a where it says, "BY WHOM ALSO WE HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE WHEREIN WE STAND."

THE ACCESSIBILITY OF GOD' S ABUNDANT GRACE IS YOUR HERITAGE AS A BORN-AGAIN CHILD OF GOD AND IS PROOF THAT YOU ARE STANDING IN GOD'S GRACE.

Now, FIRST OF ALL we want to see that this grace of God " wherein we stand" is simply this: GOD IS FOR YOU! Beloved, God Is for you.

It cannot get any better than this. God is for you and because God is for you, the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter eight verse 32 says,

"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS.''

Beloved, I want you to know and understand that God is not holding out on you. The abundant grace of God "wherein you stand" is that GOD IS FOR YOU."

Your heritage, because God is your father, is YOUR ABILITY TO ENTER INTO ALL OF GOD'S GRACE. Your accessibility into God's abundant grace is your heritage, your possession. It is your birthright.

Secondly, we want to see that the abundant grace of God "wherein we stand" is expressed in the compound names of God in the Old Testament.

God's nature; God's disposition is grace. God is grace. And because God is grace, when we through the new birth in Jesus Christ have our standing in God's grace, the grace "wherein we stand" is as broad, and as deep, and as wide, and as high as God, Himself. This grace of God is sufficient, much more than sufficient for all our needs.

The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:19, says by the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit,

"But my God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ."
  • God is Jehovah-Tsidkunu, The Lords our Righteousness.
  • God is Jehovah-M'Kaddesh, The Lord, our Sanctifier, the One who sets us apart for Himself.
  • God is Jehovah-Rophe, The Lord, our Healer
  • God is Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord, who sees our need and then meets that need.
  • God is Jehovah-Rohi, The Lord, our Shepherd, Guide and Protection.
  • God Is Jehovah-Shalom, The Lord, our Peace, Security, and our Comfort.
  • God is Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord our Banner, our Victory.
  • God is Jehovah-Shammah. He is present everywhere. Wherever we are, God is there.

    • Thirdly, we want to see that this abundant grace of God "wherein we stand" is accessible BY FAITH TOWARDS GOD.

    Hebrews 11:6, "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."

    God's grace is accessible to you, and that which gives you this accessibility into His abundant grace is FAITH. It is believing, that is knowing without doubting, and experiencing in your daily life that God is who He says He is. It Is knowing and experiencing the reality of what the compound names of God express Him to be.

    God is who He says He is, and He wants you to experience in your life, His grace. He wants you to experience who, He is. "He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek. Him." God is for You!!!

    Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

    Faith brings into reality, makes real to us the grace of God "wherein we stand." By faith we experience, in our life, that God is our righteousness; that He has set us apart for Himself; that He heals our sickness and infirmities; that He provides for our needs; that He is our protection and peace; that He is the one who brings us victory; and that He is always with us.

    Experiencing the reality of God in our life is proof that we truly are in God's grace and then, we can move from faith to faith, experiencing more and more of this wonderful grace of God.

    The second of this wonderful SEVEN-FOLD Heritage that is your possession, your birth-right is, then, the ACCESSIBILITY OF GOD'S ABUNDANT GRACE IN CHRIST JESUS.

    BOASTING IN THE HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD is the THIRD of the seven-fold heritage which is your birth-right.

    Romans 5:2b, ". . . rejoice (lit. boast) in hope of the glory of God."
    Part of your heritage as a child of God is your right and privilege to boast in the hope of the glory of God.
    Let us first answer the question. WHAT IS GOD'S GLORY?
    In general, God's Glory is the REVELATION AND MANIFESTATION OF ALL THAT GOD IS AND DOES.
    John 12:28 , (Jesus speaking to the Father in heaven) "Father, glorify thy name. Then came a voice from heaven saying, I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."

    God's glory is the glory of His name, the glory of His name which is then revealed in His compound names. Thus the REVELATION of the glory of God is the revelation of Himself through His names.

    First of all, God's names reveal the glory of Who He is according to His character. He is RIGHTEOUS and all that implies.

    Secondly, those names of God which speak of what He does, reveal the glory of what He does.

    Now according to John 17:5 and Hebrews 1:3, Jesus is the manifestation/the showing forth of God's Glory. We read,

    "And now Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." (John 17:5) "

    (Jesus) . . . who being the brightness (the shining forth) of His (God's) glory . . . " (Hebrews 1:3)

    Jesus is the "shechinah" glory of God. He is the visible (through the church) manifestation of God's glory. He is the visible presence of God.

    The revelation of God's glory through Jesus is seen In the works of Jesus; in the things which He did.

    John 1:14 concerning this says of Jesus,

    "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. (And we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth."

    The disciples of Jesus saw God's glory through the things which Jesus did.

    John 2:11 referring to Jesus turning the water into wine has this to say,

    "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested forth His glory . . ."

    John 11:4 says that,

    ". . . when Jesus heard this (that Lazarus was sick) He said, this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God . . ."

    John 11:40 sees Jesus at the grave of Lazarus speaking to Martha,

    "Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, That, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God."

    Then Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave.

    Next we want to see that the glory of God is made manifest in the fruit of believers.

    John 15:7-8, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified. that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."

    That fruit, in verse eight, which glorifies the Father, is identified in verse seven, as receiving from God that which you ask of Him. Thus God's glory is that which He does for His children.

    Once again, the glory of God, is the self-revelation and manifestation of God, as to who He is, and what He does, through Jesus Christ.

    Therefore, our heritage as a child of God is boasting in the HOPE that God will Glorify Himself in our Lives.

    Now this hope is a sure and confident Hope, a hope which has its foundation and reality in Faith towards God, faith that is believing, trusting and experiencing the absolute faithfulness, of an absolute trustworthy and faithful Father God.

    This confident hope that God will glorify Himself in our lives is according to Hebrews 6, the anchor of our soul; it is that which gives stability to our lives.

    Now, our heritage is OUR BOAST IN THIS HOPE that God will manifest forth His glory in our life. Thus, our boast is that God is our Healer, our Provider, our Shepherd, our Peace, our Victory, and that God is there wherever we may be in all His power and glory as our Father.

    Beloved, this is our BOAST, It is not just wishful thinking. It is our BOAST. To boast in the Lord is our heritage.

    Beloved, Jesus is saying to you, ". . . IF YOU WILL ONLY BELIEVE YOU SHALL SEE THE GLORY OF GOD."

    VICTORY OVER TRIBULATION is the FOURTH of the seven-fold heritage of the child of God. " And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:" Romans 5:3-4.

    And because we have Victory over Tribulation we not only have a place of boasting in the hope of the glory of God, BUT ALSO, the Apostle Paul says in verse three of Romans chapter five that we, also, because we are children of God through the new-birth in Jesus Christ, we have as our possession, as our birth-right, as our heritage - a place of boasting in affliction.

    Beloved, when trials and testing, tribulation and afflictions come, and they will come, instead of letting them get you down, bringing feelings of anger, frustration, depression and feelings of hopelessness (the God don't love me any more and doesn't care what happens to me attitude), God your Father, wants you to know and understand that when they come that yours is the VICTORY IN THESE TRIALS, TESTINGS, TRIBULATIONS AND AFFLICTIONS. God, your Father, wants you, also to know and understand, that NOT ONLY do you have the victory, BUT ALSO, He wants you to know and understand that you have a PLACE OF BOASTING in the midst of these trials, testings, tribulations and afflictions.

    Let us now, note carefully, what Paul is saying here about boasting in tribulation. He says that our boast is IN tribulation, IN affliction and NOT BOASTING THAT WE HAVE TRIBULATION or AFFLICTION. Thus we don't boast, or give glory or rejoice that we are afflicted, BUT RATHER, we can boast in our afflictions because we know that the affliction or trouble, whatever it may be, is WORKING, that is, is EXERCISING OUR PATIENCE. And as our patience is exercised we will then experience the absolute faithfulness of God's absolute faithfulness in our life. We will experience the reality of our boast in our hope of the revelation and manifestation of God's glory and enter into (access) God's abundant grace "wherein we stand."

    In other words, God will intervene in our time of need and will meet that need according to His riches in glory in Jesus Christ and we will have the VICTORY OVER THE AFFLICTION, THE TRIBULATION, THE TRIAL, OR THE TEST.

    Isaiah 40:31, ". . . they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and  not faint."

    Therefore our boast is not - Praise God, I am being afflicted with this or that affliction or trouble. Rather our boast as children of God is "Praise God I know that in this tribulation, as I patiently wait on God, that God will give me the victory over the tribulation."

    Beloved, praise God, that affliction whatever it might be will serve to exercise your patience and as your patience is exercised - that is, as you wait upon God - you will experience in your life the revelation and manifestation of God's glory and the abundance of His grace. Why? Because you are a child of God and your Father will give you the-victory over affliction as you wait on Him. And because you have the victory, your faith towards God will be even stronger, your hope will be even more secure and there will be even more stability in your life.

    Therefore boast and praise God in affliction.

    Beloved, in affliction we can say as Joseph did in Genesis 50:2, " . . . you thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good . . ."

    Now, let us talk about affliction for a few minutes. First of all let us understand that affliction will come simply because we are still in the world. Beloved you can expect afflictions, troubles, tribulation to come your way. There is no way to sidestep them. Affliction of some kind is inevitable.

    Affliction came upon all men through the sin of Adam. Genesis chapter three, verses 14 through 19 speaks of this affliction which came then upon mankind because of the sin of Adam. Beloved, affliction is inevitable.

    However, the thing we want to see, is yes, afflictions and tribulations, trials and testings will come, BUT, because we are children of God, GOD IS FOR US. And because God is for us, God, "who spared not His only Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

    Beloved, God is for you. He is for you even in the time of your most severe trails and afflictions. Oh, know and believe that God has not abandoned you in your time of need and that He will never abandon you because you are His own very special dear child. God is for you.

    Now, because God is for you, He allows you to go through affliction, so that, you will be strengthened in faith towards Him and through that faith, come to the place of total and complete resting in Him as to who He is and what He does. And, as you come into the place of rest you will experience in your life the reality of His manifold, abundant grace.

    God your Father wants you to know Him from experiencing Him in your life and needs. He doesn't want you to just know Him intellectually, only having head knowledge about him.

    God our Father wants us to experience Him as:

    • Jehovah-Tsidkunu, our Righteousness
    • Jehovah-M'Kaddesh, our Sanctifier, the One who sets us apart for Himself
    • Jehovah-Rophe, our Healer
    • Jehovah-Jireh, the One who sees our need and then meets that need
    • Jehovah-Rohi, our Shepherd, Guide, and Protection
    • Jehovah-Shalom, Peace, Security, our Comfort
    • Jehovah-Nissi, our Banner, our Victory
    • Jehovah-Shammah, He is present every where. Wherever we are, God is there.


    So don't despair when troubles come. But, rather let the spirit rise up within you and boast and praise God that your Father God will give you the victory in the tribulation through your Lord Jesus Christ. This is your heritage, your birth-right.

    NO SHAME OR DISAPPOINTMENT is the FIFTH of the seven-fold heritage. WHY? ". . . hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given."

    Your boasts in your confident hope that the glory of God will be revealed, manifested in your life in your time of need will never put you to shame; neither will it disappoint you! Your boast that God is your:



    WILL NEVER PUT YOU TO SHAME. IT WILL NEVER CAUSE YOU TO LOSE FACE. IT WILL NEVER DISAPPOINT YOU.

    WHY? Because the Holy Spirit which is given, is pouring out upon you the love of God. God's love will always meet your need.

    Let us look at a couple of examples of this in the Word.

    Job 11:6 finds Zophar, one of Jobs friends, speaking to Job. He is attempting to get Job to confess the sin which had brought upon him this affliction. Now we know that Job's affliction was not a result of Job having done some gross, or terrible sin. This affliction was rather a testing, a trying of Job's faith in God. Job was being refined in the fire of affliction. Zophar did not understand this, so he says to Job (Job 11:3) accusing him of mockery; ". . . when thou mockest shall no man make thee ashamed?"

    Job's answer to Zophar is recorded in chapters twelve through fifteen. Job's beautiful declaration of faith and boast in the Lord is recorded in chapter 13:15-18.

    "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. 16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. 17 Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. 18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified."

    Was Job justified in his boast, or was he put to shame?

    Job 42:10 shows that the victory was Job's. Job was not put to shame because he placed his hope in God. He was justified in his boast in the hope, the sure, confident hope that God would manifest His glory in his life.

    "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." Job 42:10

    James 5:11 speaking about Job bares out this truth, also.

    "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."

    We, also, see in the life of David that, ". . . hope maketh not ashamed." We see the victory was David's.

    In Psalm 25:2,3,20 and again in Psalm 31:1,17, we see the concern David had about the possibility of being put to shame because of his stand and his trusting the Lord? He prays in each of these verses, ". . . let none that wait on Thee be ashamed . . . "

    Psalm 37 verses 18,19 sees David speaking with confidence because he had experienced God. He says:

    "The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied."

    David's life demonstrates that, God never allowed him to be put to shame for trusting in God.

    "And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given." (Romans 5:6)

    Beloved, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to pour out upon God's children, GOD'S LOVE. God so loved that He gave and is still giving. God is still today pouring out His love upon His children.

    God loves you and part of your heritage is the continual out pouring of God's love in your life. Romans 8:32 say

    "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered him up for us all, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS?"

    Know it; believe it; receive it. "HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED" - GOD IS FOR YOU!

    DELIVERED FROM WRATH is the SIXTH of the seven-fold heritage. Romans 5:9, "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be SAVED (delivered), from WRATH through Him."

    WE SHALL - This is a sure promise of God to those who have their standing in God's abundant grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, to those who have been born-again.

    We shall be SAVED FROM WRATH. Notice the Word says that we shall be saved FROM WRATH - NOT SAVED (delivered, protected) IN/THROUGH THE WRATH. To be saved from wrath means that the child of God will be: rescued, taken out, delivered before the wrath comes.

    The source of this wrath from which the child of God will be saved is identified in Romans 1:18 and in The Book of Revelation, Chapter 6:16-17.

    "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;" Romans 1:18

    " And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Revelation 6:16-17


    God is the source, of this wrath. The child of God is saved from the wrath of God that will be poured put upon the ungodly.

    The purpose of the out pouring of God's wrath is the executing of the judgment on sin (all the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men).

    There are a number of examples of this in the Word of God.

    The FLOOD In the days of Noah is a prime example. The Flood was the consequence, the executing of judgment against the sin of mankind.

    "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually . . . And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth . . . but Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:5,7,8.

    This outpouring of God's wrath was a judgment upon all mankind with the exception of Noah and, his, family.

    The Flood is the first of three universal, out pourings of God's wrath on the sin of mankind.

    There, also, have been numerous local instances of God executing judgment upon sin through the out pouring of His wrath.

    We see an example of this in Genesis 18:20 Here the Lord speaking to Abraham says:

    "And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;" Genesis 18:20

    "For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it." Genesis 19:13

    "Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;" Genesis 19:24

    Also, in the Book of Amos, chapters one and two speak of God's impending executing of judgment against some cities, nations and people.

    In addition to the Flood which was a universal out pouring of God's wrath or judgment upon sin, there has been, also, a second universal out pouring of God's wrath against the sins of mankind.

    Psalms 88:7 is speaking of this second universal judgment of sin.

    "Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy ways."

    This passage of Scripture is referring to God pouring out all His wrath - wave upon wave upon wave - against sin at Calvary. Jesus Christ being the object of' that out pouring of God's wrath.

    We see this in 1 John 2:2, where speaking of Jesus, John says:

    ". . . He is the propitiation (the appeasement, the object of God's wrath) for our sins: and not for ours only, BUT ALSO FOR THE WHOLE WORLD."

    Jesus Christ took upon Himself on the cross of Calvary the punishment, the full force of God's wrath for every sin which had ever been committed or would ever be committed. The executing of God's judgment upon sin and the sinner took place at Calvary, as Jesus became sin for all mankind. God's total and complete wrath against the sins of all men for all time was directed at Jesus Christ. Thus, Jesus, truly became and is the SACRIFICIAL LAMB FOR THE WHOLE WORLD.

    But unlike other judgments of God upon sin, which brought death and the grave upon those who were the object of that out pouring of God's wrath until the Day of Judgment, God the Father through the Holy Spirit RAISED JESUS FROM THE GRAVE to show that sin has been appeased - that His justice was satisfied.

    Amen!

    Isaiah 53:11 says:

    "He (God) shall see of the travail of His (Jesus') soul, and shall be satisfied . . . "

    Beloved, sin has been appeased. Amen? And those who have been justified by faith, who have peace with God through the redemption which is Christ Jesus SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM. They shall be saved because Jesus is alive. He is risen; He is risen indeed. Jesus lives and because He lives you shall live. Amen! Thank you Jesus!

    This is your birth-right/your heritage. Believe it; trust in it; find your peace and rest in it. Praise the Lord for it.

    There will yet be a third universal out pouring of God's wrath against mankind which will take place according to the Book of Revelation during the last 3 ½ years of the Great Tribulation. But unlike the other two universal judgments, this out pouring of God's wrath will not be against the ungodliness and unrighteousness (sins) of those being judged, but rather it will be against those who have rejected Jesus Christ during the first three and one half years of the Great Tribulation. They rejected Jesus' atoning sacrifice on Calvary for their sins.

    The severity of this out pouring of God's wrath is seen in the length of its duration (3 ½ years) and the intensity of the suffering. Revelation 9:6 says,' concerning the Intensity of the suffering, that men in those days shall ". . . seek death, and shall not find It; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them."

    Like in the other out pourings of God wrath, there will be no saints in this Judgment of God as the saints will first be taken out.

    BOAST (JOY) IN GOD is the SEVENTH of the seven-fold heritage. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Romans 5:11.

    First we need to, note that, in this verse the word translated "joy" in the KJV, is literally, once again, as was "rejoice" in verse 2 and "glory" in verse 3 the Greek word for BOAST. We need to also note that the word translated atonement is literally the Greek word for EXCHANGE.

    Therefore the literal translation of this verse goes like this:

    "...we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by, whom we have now received the exchange."

    Beloved, because your sins were exchanged for the righteousness of Christ Jesus, you have your boast in God.

    Your, boast, then, is not only in the hope of God's glory, and in tribulation, since yours is the victory, BUT, also, Paul says, because your sins have been imputed to Jesus and His righteousness has been imputed to you; because of this great exchange which has brought about God's reconciliation to you; since the barrier of sin has been removed, YOUR BOAST is in GOD, HIMSELF.

    Your boast is in who God is and because you can boast in who God is, you, then, can boast in what God has done and is doing and wants to do in your life.

    Because your boast is in the person of God; is in who He is, you then can boast in your inheritance, in your heritage, your birth-rights.

    You can boast that you, ". . . have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

    You can boast that you, ". . . have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand . . ."

    You can boast ". . . in hope of the glory of God."

    You can boast ". . . in tribulation . . . knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience experience; and experience, hope."

    You can boast ". . . hope maketh not ashamed; be cause the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us . . ."

    You can boast that you ". . . shall be saved from wrath through Him (Jesus)."

    You can make all these boasts in what God does because your boast is in WHO GOD IS.

    And who is God? He is all the Bible says He is and so very much more. Put simply God is LIFE itself and apart from Him there is no life, only death.

    This life of God dwells in you, bringing you life because the risen Savior, Jesus Christ lives in you. And the Jesus living in you, giving you life, wants you to have the abundant life which is yours as you access by faith your seven-fold heritage.

    God has given you this heritage that you might have life and have that life more abundantly.

    One more thought, your boast is in reality, your confession of faith and just as God is pleased when you believe, have faith in who He is and believe that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6), it also pleases God for you to make your boast in Him and in what He does.

    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

    POSTSCRIPT

    My prayer for you is that you have seen from God's Word as recorded in Romans 5:1-11 what God in His abundant grace has given you, as your heritage, your birthright. I pray that you have come into a fuller realization and understanding that you, simply because you are a born-again child of God, have this wonderful, marvelous heritage from your Father God. And that you also, are beginning to grasp the reality of specifically what that heritage is that Father God has given you. And, finally, I pray that you have received your heritage by faith and have begun to draw upon and put to use in your life these truths from God's Word.

    Beloved, simply having intellectual or head knowledge of who you are and what your heritage is will be of no benefit to you, as it will only allow you to give mental assent to these truths.  If you are to receive the benefits of who you are in Jesus Christ and receive the benefits of your heritage, then you must, not only, give mental assent to the truth of your heritage, but you also, must let the realization of that truth be seeded, planted deep in your heart so that the birds of prey will not steal them.  Beloved, these seeds of truth about your heritage must be planted by faith, that is believing and trusting that God, your Father through the Word, the Bible, is saying to you His child: "My dear child, I have given you, because you are my child, a heritage and I want you to make use of it in your life." If God says it, believe it, receive it and do it. Amen?

    Hebrews 4:2 says:
    "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the Word preached did not PROFIT THEM, NOT BEING MIXED WITH FAITH in them that heard it."

    If you are to profit from your heritage as one who has through the redemption in Christ Jesus been ushered into the family of God ( as a child and heir of God and as a joint-heir with Jesus Christ) you must plant these seeds of truth by faith. You, must cover these seeds with the soil of Faith. Amen?

    Let me illustrate what I have been saying in this way, so that, can clearly see the difference between giving mental assent and walking in faith.

    This illustration makes this distinction clearly. The illustration is about a man, a circus performer who performed as a tight rope walker. The man was very good at walking a rope or cable. As a publicity stunt, a cable was strung across Niagara Falls and the man began walking back and forth across on the cable. When a crowd had gathered, he took a wheelbarrow and pushed it across on the cable as he walked across. Now having done this without mishap, he asks the crowd which had gathered, if they believed that he could push the wheelbarrow across the cable with a person in it. The crowd shouted, "we believe you can do it." The man then, asked, "Which one of you will get In the wheelbarrow."

    No one was willing to risk their life and get in the wheelbarrow even though they believed that he could push the wheelbarrow across the cable with someone in the wheelbarrow.

    You see, they had given mental assent to the fact that he could perform the feat, but none were willing to trust their life to what they believed. Their belief was only mental assent, not faith. Faith would have allowed them to get in the wheelbarrow. Amen?

    Beloved, faith in God's Word that you have a heritage will bring about a performance of that truth in your life.

    Let us turn to Luke, chapter one, verse forty-five. Here we find Mary, the mother of Jesus, before Jesus' birth visiting with her cousin Elisabeth. When Mary comes into the presence of Elisabeth, Elisabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks a word of prophecy to Mary. The last part of that prophecy shows the truth of what we have just said:

    ". . . blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."

    Beloved, if you have by faith planted the seeds of God's truth about your heritage, your birth-rights there will be a performance of those things in your life. Amen. Thank you Jesus.

    IN SUMMARY: The seeds of truth concerning your heritage which you are to plant by faith deep in your heart are these:

    May our gracious Lord bless you with an understanding of these truths. Amen!

    http://www.bibleinst.com/BibleSchool/HERITAGE.htm

        
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    (Isa 1:18 KJV)  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
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