J.A. Matteson
TRUTH 1:
THERE IS A GOD
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God!’” (Psalm 14:1)
“A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil….” (Proverbs 14:16)
How do you think God might consider you, as a wise person or a fool?
TRUTH 2:
GOD IS HOLY AND JUST
As a righteous judge God weighs the intent and actions of people against the precepts of His Law. Wrong doing and wrong thinking violate His Law and are subject to the consequences set forth in the Law. If a human judge fails to enforce the Law he is an unrighteous judge and is corrupt. God is altogether righteous and perfectly enforces His Law. "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before your face" (Psalm 89:14).
In any decade within the United States there are acts of murder where the murderers are never caught and brought to justice. These are unsolved crimes. If God were to turn a blind eye to those murderers, then He would a corrupt judge. But being good and just, He is rightfully angry with those who have taken the lives of others, and He will punish murderers, rapists, etc., all who violate His Law.
This is the teaching or message of the Bible—that God will "by no means clear the guilty" (Numbers 14:18). He "will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14), "God is angry with the wicked every day" (Psalm 7:11). God is holy and just; sinners are guilty before Him of violating His Law.
TRUTH 3:
THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH
"...sin is transgression of the Law" (1 John 3:4) and “…the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)
Wages refer to what a person deserves, what they are entitled to, or what they have coming to them. According to God’s Law, sinners (Law breakers) are sentenced to death. God’s Law is summarized in the Ten Commandments; Have you kept His Law—perfectly? Before we look at God’s Law consider this: “For whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all” (James 2:10). And ignorance of the Law is no defense.
“You shall have no other gods before Me” (Have you always loved God above all else?)
“You shall not make for yourself a graven image” (Have you made a god in your mind that you're more comfortable with, a god to suit yourself, rather than the one true living God revealed in the Bible?)
“You shall not take God's name in vain” (Have you ever used God's holy Name as a cuss word?)
“Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy” (Have you always observed a weekly day of rest to worship God and reflect on His goodness?)
“Honor your father and mother” (Have you ever disrespected your parents by speaking to them in anger?)
“You shall not murder” (God considers hatred to be as murder, have you ever hated someone?)
“You shall not commit adultery” ("Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart" Matthew 5:27-28; this also includes sex before marriage known as fornication)
“You shall not steal” (Have you ever stolen anything? the value of the item is irrelevant)
“You shall not lie” (Have you lied even once? Including answering these questions?)
“You shall not covet” (Have you ever jealously desired what belongs to others?)
Some people mistakenly think the Law deals only with actions. The reality is that the Law also deals with wrong thinking and motives, thoughts that are unrighteous according to the Law. And these God will punish accordingly.
“The Lord knows the thoughts of man….” (Psalm 94:11)
God says, "For I know their works and their thoughts….” (Isaiah 66:18)
What would a person look like who kept the Law as God requires? From birth they would have loved God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, glorifying Him supremely in every thought and action. They never would have given the allegiance of their heart to anything or anyone before God, all pursuits and relationships would always have been subordinate to Him. Not once would this person have ever used—or thought without speaking it aloud—the Lord’s name in a careless way or as a cuss word. This person would have never missed one week during their life of revering the Lord’s Sabbath day of rest for contemplating His goodness and provision. Not once during their life would this person use a word or commit an action or even entertain a thought that would dishonor their parents. Not once in their life would this person have ever hated another person or been angry at them for selfish reasons. This person would have never in their life entertained a lustful thought towards another person, or engaged in any illicit sexual relationship, including any form of intimate relations before marriage or outside of marriage. Not once in their life would this person have ever taken something not belonging to them, such as a paper clip from school or work, or penny candy from the corner grocery store, or even wasting another persons time, or accepting credit and praise for another persons achievement, or taking credit for another persons ideas or thoughts, or even thinking of doing these types of things but not actually doing them. Not once during their life would this person have ever told a lie or even slightly shaded the truth or even thought of doing so. Not once would this person have ever enviously desired something or someone belonging to another, such as a material possession, a relationship, vocational position, recognition, achievements, finances, social standing, education, or any similar thoughts. Let’s be honest—this does not describe any of us! However, there is one Person who actually did perform the Law of God perfectly, the Lord Jesus Christ. He lived a sinless life, unlike the rest of us.
We have all "sinned" repeatedly, and therefore we have stored up God's wrath, which will be revealed on Judgment Day, “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2:5). The natural proof that we already stand guilty of violating God’s law is death which is the just punishment for breaking God’s Law; then after death comes the final judgment from God on our sin, “but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:17); and “…man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Let this soak into your mind—because God knows our every thought, word and deed, all of these will be brought forth as evidence to convict us on Judgment Day, and we will be found guilty, convicted, and sentenced. And if we are honest with ourselves, even our conscience agrees with God that we are sinners (not perfect), having violated His Law. God will meter out to us what we deserve—Hell, the place of eternal punishment an anguish that never ends. "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known" (Luke 12:2). Jesus said, “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:5). Is there any hope for us? Yes!
TRUTH 4:
GOD IS RICH IN MERCY TO ALL THAT CALL UPON HIM
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us..." (Ephesians 2:4).
The story is told of a righteous judge who had a son. One busy day during court hearings the judge’s son was brought in before him, having been arrested by the police for a serious offense. The judge was distraught to have his only son present before him, the son whom he loved. The charges were read aloud and the individual criminal counts were stated, bail was withheld due to the serious nature of the crime, and the Law prescribed the death penalty if he should be convicted. The evidence was overwhelming and the son would soon be convicted as guilty and sentenced to die. Justice had to be upheld and so all in the courtroom listened carefully to the judge, and father of the convicted, as he presented his ruling in the case. The loving father being also a righteous judge took pity on his only son whom he loved and did something extraordinary. Upholding the rule of law the father and judge stepped down from the bench and stood before his guilty son, making a motion to the court, “My son committed a serious crime, has been found guilty, and according to the Law his sentence is death. You all know me as a righteous judge, one who has performed the Law perfectly, never violating any part of it. As judge this is my verdict: in exchange for the life of my son, I offer up my own. I will die in his place to satisfy the righteous demands of the law, and my son whom I love, he will go free, and all charges against him will be dropped.”
That story is a general picture of what Jesus Christ did for sinners when He died on the cross.
“He [the Father] made Him [Jesus Christ] who knew no sin [innocent] to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
We have all broken the Law a multitude of times, but God came to this earth in the person of Jesus Christ, and took our sentence of death upon Himself, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
Jesus Christ is God in human flesh (the true meaning of Christmas); there is only one God and one way to escape an eternity in Hell and gain Heaven, and that is through God’s appointed mediator, Jesus Christ.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)—notice the word “all”, no one escapes.
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
Some may consider God’s way of salvation to be too narrow, too restrictive, too exclusive. Yes, it is, and God intended it that way. Remember, He is God (holy) and we are sinners (Law breakers), and if we are to be saved from the judgment to come, we must come to Him on His terms, not our own. And His terms are by faith through His Son Jesus Christ, our sin bearer.
TRUTH 5:
ETERNAL LIFE IS IN JESUS CHRIST
"He who hears My word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24).
The death sentence for sinners can be commuted by the One—Jesus Christ—who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). The Bible says, "He who has the Son, has life, and he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life." (1 John 5:12). But we must come to Him in faith.
By receiving (believing) His sacrifice on the cross on your behalf, and repenting of your sin (turning from your sinful ways to His righteous ways), you will pass from death to life, and from hell to heaven when this short life is over. By coming to Christ the circumstances of your life may not get easier, they may get more difficult. God does not save us from His wrath to come in order to eliminate hard times now, but His promise to you is that during hard times He will be with you, and that whatever happens to you in this life He will use it for your good. To receive God’s forgiveness offered in the Person of Jesus Christ you must accept Him as both your personal Savior and Lord (Master). You must seek to follow Him in obedience for the rest of your days. Is this your hearts desire? If so, you can talk to God directly using the model prayer below. Speaking the words themselves will not save you, God saves you, and He knows the sincerity of your heart as you speak them.
"Dear God, I understand and agree that I have broken Your Law, sinning against You. Please forgive my sins. Thank You that Jesus suffered and died on the cross in my place, taking the just punishment for my sin so that I might go free. I now repent (turn away) from my known patterns of sin and place my complete trust in Jesus Christ as My Savior and Lord of my life. Help me now, Lord, to live a holy life, pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
“…but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY’" (1 Peter 1:15-16).
“For this is the love of God [how we demonstrate love for God], that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)
If you have sincerely repented and trusted in Jesus Christ, then you are now a partaker of the blessings of "the New Covenant." Here are just a few of God's exceedingly great and precious promises:
You have now passed from a sentence of death to one of life. (1 John 3:14)
God promises to supply all of your needs (not necessarily your wants) according to His riches. (Philippians 4:19)
No matter how difficult life may get, Jesus promises to be with you and will never leave you. (Matthew 28:20)
God’s Holy Spirit now lives in you and He will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13)
You now stand before God the righteous Judge as righteous because when He looks at you He sees the righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ, covering your sin by His shed blood. (Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 103:12)
As you seek Jesus Christ each day through prayer and His Word (Bible), pursuing obedience, you will see your life begin to change by the power of God in you, becoming more and more like your Savior. (John 15:5)
By reading your Bible daily the things of God will become alive to you and your wisdom will increase. (2 Timothy 3:15)
When you pray according to His will, God will hear you and answer your prayers. (1 John 5:14)
The cross will be continual evidence of God's unending love for you. (Romans 5:8)
God will "keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of His glory, with exceeding joy." (Jude 1:24)
Develop the habit of a daily quiet time with God through prayer and His Word (Bible reading); seek out a Christ-centered Bible believing and teaching church; then commit yourself to that fellowship as you grow in your new life.
“The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Copyright (c) 2010 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Lord's Wisdom
01.21.10
J.A. Matteson
“…And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.” Luke 17:14
Two observations may be made with regard to this text; that the Lord tests the faith of His people, and that thankfulness for His grace revealed in response to obedience is pleasing to Him.
First, testing of the would-be follower of Jesus Christ unto obedience characterizes the Lord’s wisdom in strengthening their faith as well as ferreting out the sincere from the disingenuous, “Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” (Lk. 6:46). On pilgrimage saints repeatedly encounter stretches of difficulty where the path ahead is ominous, uncertain, confusing by means of natural reason. Herein is the crux of faith; the Lord has spoken, will the pilgrim believe Him or not?
Faith is active with her fruit known by deeds. The activity of faith to the natural man is an enigma and he does not understand or accept it, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). The Law of Moses required a man cleansed from leprosy to present himself to the priest so that his healing may be verified, thus enabling him to rejoin the community. The ten who called out to the Lord for mercy were instructed to commence their trek to visit the priest prior to being cleansed. By their departure they demonstrated that their faith in the word of the Lord, as spoken to them, was genuine. Their action demonstrated they were legitimate children of faith in the likeness of Abraham who, in the instance of having been instructed by the Lord to sacrifice Isaac, “reasoned that God could raise the dead” (Heb. 11:19). With certainty in their hearts they left the Lord’s presence as the perplexed crowd watched, and by their obedience received the promised blessing of healing.
To this supernatural infused faith the writer to the Hebrews by inspiration of the Holy Spirit states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Oh Beloved, consider how many blessings are forfeited by pilgrims due to a lack of faith in the word of the Lord? Moses was denied access the Promised Land due to unbelief; Joshua burdened Israel for generations with the presence of idolatrous pagans among God’s by failing to obey the Lord in not making a covenant of peace with them; David brought misery to his family and Israel by failing to obey the Lord in the area of sexual fidelity, heaping sin upon sin; Solomon experienced the bitter fruit of intermarrying with the native women of the land who drew his heart away into idolatry; king Uzziah finished his course a disgraced leper by usurping the office of the priesthood; Demas abandoned the apostle Paul and became unfruitful having cast his gaze and attention upon that which is temporal rather than that which is eternal. All these, along with many others, forfeited blessings because during their pilgrimage they, at some level and some point failed, to believe the word of the Lord.
Second, the encounter further instructs the pilgrim to express gratefulness to the Lord for His blessings and answers to prayers and petitions. Of the ten cleansed only one, a Samaritan, returned to express thanks. Beloved, let us never take for granted the mercies of God, but day by day present an offering of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord through whom we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is pleasing to the Lord and the pilgrim owes Him nothing less. As the pilgrim sojourns, when the pathway becomes narrow and difficult, and his strength begins to wane, and the former times of ease seem as a distant memory, he need look no further than the present day, for in so doing, even in the midst of suffering, the goodness of the Lord will bring to mind His providential hand of grace in times past and present. And to this marvelous grace the pilgrim’s heart will sing with joy inexpressible.
Copyright (c) 2010 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
“…And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.” Luke 17:14
Two observations may be made with regard to this text; that the Lord tests the faith of His people, and that thankfulness for His grace revealed in response to obedience is pleasing to Him.
First, testing of the would-be follower of Jesus Christ unto obedience characterizes the Lord’s wisdom in strengthening their faith as well as ferreting out the sincere from the disingenuous, “Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” (Lk. 6:46). On pilgrimage saints repeatedly encounter stretches of difficulty where the path ahead is ominous, uncertain, confusing by means of natural reason. Herein is the crux of faith; the Lord has spoken, will the pilgrim believe Him or not?
Faith is active with her fruit known by deeds. The activity of faith to the natural man is an enigma and he does not understand or accept it, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). The Law of Moses required a man cleansed from leprosy to present himself to the priest so that his healing may be verified, thus enabling him to rejoin the community. The ten who called out to the Lord for mercy were instructed to commence their trek to visit the priest prior to being cleansed. By their departure they demonstrated that their faith in the word of the Lord, as spoken to them, was genuine. Their action demonstrated they were legitimate children of faith in the likeness of Abraham who, in the instance of having been instructed by the Lord to sacrifice Isaac, “reasoned that God could raise the dead” (Heb. 11:19). With certainty in their hearts they left the Lord’s presence as the perplexed crowd watched, and by their obedience received the promised blessing of healing.
To this supernatural infused faith the writer to the Hebrews by inspiration of the Holy Spirit states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Oh Beloved, consider how many blessings are forfeited by pilgrims due to a lack of faith in the word of the Lord? Moses was denied access the Promised Land due to unbelief; Joshua burdened Israel for generations with the presence of idolatrous pagans among God’s by failing to obey the Lord in not making a covenant of peace with them; David brought misery to his family and Israel by failing to obey the Lord in the area of sexual fidelity, heaping sin upon sin; Solomon experienced the bitter fruit of intermarrying with the native women of the land who drew his heart away into idolatry; king Uzziah finished his course a disgraced leper by usurping the office of the priesthood; Demas abandoned the apostle Paul and became unfruitful having cast his gaze and attention upon that which is temporal rather than that which is eternal. All these, along with many others, forfeited blessings because during their pilgrimage they, at some level and some point failed, to believe the word of the Lord.
Second, the encounter further instructs the pilgrim to express gratefulness to the Lord for His blessings and answers to prayers and petitions. Of the ten cleansed only one, a Samaritan, returned to express thanks. Beloved, let us never take for granted the mercies of God, but day by day present an offering of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord through whom we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is pleasing to the Lord and the pilgrim owes Him nothing less. As the pilgrim sojourns, when the pathway becomes narrow and difficult, and his strength begins to wane, and the former times of ease seem as a distant memory, he need look no further than the present day, for in so doing, even in the midst of suffering, the goodness of the Lord will bring to mind His providential hand of grace in times past and present. And to this marvelous grace the pilgrim’s heart will sing with joy inexpressible.
Copyright (c) 2010 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Counsel of the Lord
01.14.10
J.A. Matteson
"Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “who take counsel, but not of Me, who devise plans, but not of My Spirit that they may add sin to sin.”
Isaiah 30:1
As the people of God we are spiritually distracted in our day and the consequence of our neglect of piety is evidenced by the dire state of spiritual apathy. Any desiring to be much like Him must by necessity tarry long with Him. On the mount the transformative nature of the Son of glory is revealed and too often the eyes of the curious become weak and heavy prior to His disclosure of Himself and the resultant miscalculation by the impatient as to His will predictably ends in many sorrows.
The distraction of busyness presented in the form of technological allurements has induced as state of disobedient slumber to many naming Christ as Lord. Agitated minds given to constant external stimulation risk the danger of losing the capacity to wait in quiet upon the mount of the Lord. A pseudo faith defines much of biblical faith in our day as those naming Christ attend manifold conferences, read an endless list of books rather than The Book, download endless mp3’s and engage in various activities in the fleeting hope of discovering the present reality of God, their minds have become numb and their hearing dull; their eyes do not perceive the providences of the Lord all around them. Seldom do they take counsel of the glorious beauty of Jehovah, constant noise and sights tickle the mind, giving expression to the delights and lusts of the old nature. Diligent study and meditation upon the Word of God is tragically ignored to the harm of those so malnourished.
Something is indeed horribly wrong in the church today. And when the Word is read or studied it is seldom done so with a view toward obedience and self-denial, whereas knowledge too often has become the end rather than the means to the end; namely, knowing the Word of God so as to know the God of the Word. There is so much noise today amplified in the minds of men and so few places where one can escape it and wait upon the Lord in solitude and silence. Technological advancements have become a curse to the Lord’s people, a source of stumbling, a source of false security, and certainly a diabolical substitute for His presence, these tend to lead the church away from those things that result in increased faith and dependence on the mercies of the Lord.
Blessed is the saint whose eyes have been opened by the Lord to the subtle dangers of technology that blinds the mind and dulls spiritual discernment. This is the age of microwave faith where instant results are expected by parishioners who have not sought the mind of God to their circumstances because they are too distracted by their technological allurements to seek His face or hear from Him. As the cycle intensifies more will seek solace and answers second hand from every source but the primary source, the Lord Himself. The Lord Jesus rightly asked if He would find faith upon the earth at His return.
O may the grace of the Lord be granted to this generation in repentance. May the Lord look upon His people with compassion and lead them in the paths of humility and righteousness. Let us lay aside the allurements of the world which so easily beckon to replace the sweet presence and counsel of the Lord. As the Apostle Paul was alone with the Lord in Arabia, let us seek Him in the desert places. As Jesus was alone with His Father on the mount when His disciples sailed upon the sea, let us seek Him on the mount during the early morning watches. As the Apostle John was alone in exile on Patmos due to the testimony of the Word of the Lord, let us seek Him while enduring isolation. When Stephen was alone in his stoning as result of bearing witness to the Truth, let us seek Him should the gate of hell be opened upon us, standing fast in the knowledge that it shall never prevail against the Rock and Fortress of our faith Who is the Chief Cornerstone of the Church, for our Redeemer lives and is ever with us.
Beloved, let us silence the technological noise of our day and seek the counsel of the Lord while He may be found, by His Spirit, through His immutable Word.
Copyright (c) 2010 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “who take counsel, but not of Me, who devise plans, but not of My Spirit that they may add sin to sin.”
Isaiah 30:1
As the people of God we are spiritually distracted in our day and the consequence of our neglect of piety is evidenced by the dire state of spiritual apathy. Any desiring to be much like Him must by necessity tarry long with Him. On the mount the transformative nature of the Son of glory is revealed and too often the eyes of the curious become weak and heavy prior to His disclosure of Himself and the resultant miscalculation by the impatient as to His will predictably ends in many sorrows.
The distraction of busyness presented in the form of technological allurements has induced as state of disobedient slumber to many naming Christ as Lord. Agitated minds given to constant external stimulation risk the danger of losing the capacity to wait in quiet upon the mount of the Lord. A pseudo faith defines much of biblical faith in our day as those naming Christ attend manifold conferences, read an endless list of books rather than The Book, download endless mp3’s and engage in various activities in the fleeting hope of discovering the present reality of God, their minds have become numb and their hearing dull; their eyes do not perceive the providences of the Lord all around them. Seldom do they take counsel of the glorious beauty of Jehovah, constant noise and sights tickle the mind, giving expression to the delights and lusts of the old nature. Diligent study and meditation upon the Word of God is tragically ignored to the harm of those so malnourished.
Something is indeed horribly wrong in the church today. And when the Word is read or studied it is seldom done so with a view toward obedience and self-denial, whereas knowledge too often has become the end rather than the means to the end; namely, knowing the Word of God so as to know the God of the Word. There is so much noise today amplified in the minds of men and so few places where one can escape it and wait upon the Lord in solitude and silence. Technological advancements have become a curse to the Lord’s people, a source of stumbling, a source of false security, and certainly a diabolical substitute for His presence, these tend to lead the church away from those things that result in increased faith and dependence on the mercies of the Lord.
Blessed is the saint whose eyes have been opened by the Lord to the subtle dangers of technology that blinds the mind and dulls spiritual discernment. This is the age of microwave faith where instant results are expected by parishioners who have not sought the mind of God to their circumstances because they are too distracted by their technological allurements to seek His face or hear from Him. As the cycle intensifies more will seek solace and answers second hand from every source but the primary source, the Lord Himself. The Lord Jesus rightly asked if He would find faith upon the earth at His return.
O may the grace of the Lord be granted to this generation in repentance. May the Lord look upon His people with compassion and lead them in the paths of humility and righteousness. Let us lay aside the allurements of the world which so easily beckon to replace the sweet presence and counsel of the Lord. As the Apostle Paul was alone with the Lord in Arabia, let us seek Him in the desert places. As Jesus was alone with His Father on the mount when His disciples sailed upon the sea, let us seek Him on the mount during the early morning watches. As the Apostle John was alone in exile on Patmos due to the testimony of the Word of the Lord, let us seek Him while enduring isolation. When Stephen was alone in his stoning as result of bearing witness to the Truth, let us seek Him should the gate of hell be opened upon us, standing fast in the knowledge that it shall never prevail against the Rock and Fortress of our faith Who is the Chief Cornerstone of the Church, for our Redeemer lives and is ever with us.
Beloved, let us silence the technological noise of our day and seek the counsel of the Lord while He may be found, by His Spirit, through His immutable Word.
Copyright (c) 2010 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
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