J.A. Matteson
Forget about supernatural intervention to deliver you from the lusts of the flesh, God has given you a mind and a will to choose the right. "But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself ...." (Dan. 1:8). God will not do for us what He has empowered us to do for ourselves. Daniel knew the right and soberly determined to pay any price to be pleasing to God, rather than yield to that which he determined to profane His name. Joseph made up his mind before Potiphar's wife seduced him to lie with her, that he would not perform such wickedness. Peter, knowing that disobedience before the high priest and council would invoke their wrath, made up his mind that imprisonment or death was a small price to pay rather than deny the One by who's name he had been forgiven and given eternal life. Temptation to sin greet every believer at the start of each day. God has given you a will to choose the right; use it. Consider those sins into which you become so easily entangled. Are you tired of asking for forgiveness for the same things for which you are now ashamed? Make up your mind this day not to give an inch of ground to the flesh, the world, and the devil. In doing this you will be surprised how God delights strengthening you inwardly in response to your obedience; but He will not hold you up until you resolve to stand. Then when temptation arrives it will not catch you unawares and, having expected it, you will stare it in the face, endowed with the full armor of God, and resolutely proclaim, "No!"
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Friday, December 5, 2014
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Into the Joy of His Eternal Light
J.A. Matteson
Revelation, inspiration, perception, understanding, awareness, these things are dependent upon the Word of Life and the light of His glory, filling that which was darkness, dispersing blindness with the dazzling clarity of faith. "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (1 Jn. 1:5). To believe in Him is to be in Him. To be in Him is to be enveloped in the brilliant glory of His presence, perfect light, peace, contentment. Concern, confusion, restless anxiety are of the darkness, but the perfect Light of Christ disperses all things contrary to His Person so that all who have fellowship with the Father through Him might abide in the Light of Peace. And the Light is eternal, self-sustaining, above all, through all, and in all who He is pleased to call His brethren. In the world darkness advances, but in Christ we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us, having called us out of darkness into the joy of His eternal Light. Rejoice, therefore, in Christ Jesus, the Light of the World.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Revelation, inspiration, perception, understanding, awareness, these things are dependent upon the Word of Life and the light of His glory, filling that which was darkness, dispersing blindness with the dazzling clarity of faith. "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (1 Jn. 1:5). To believe in Him is to be in Him. To be in Him is to be enveloped in the brilliant glory of His presence, perfect light, peace, contentment. Concern, confusion, restless anxiety are of the darkness, but the perfect Light of Christ disperses all things contrary to His Person so that all who have fellowship with the Father through Him might abide in the Light of Peace. And the Light is eternal, self-sustaining, above all, through all, and in all who He is pleased to call His brethren. In the world darkness advances, but in Christ we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us, having called us out of darkness into the joy of His eternal Light. Rejoice, therefore, in Christ Jesus, the Light of the World.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Friday, November 7, 2014
The Throne of Grace
J.A. Matteson
The power of prayer and the prayer of power is in its object, Jesus Christ. "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace...." (Heb. 4:16). Believer, You heard His voice in the day He called you from darkness to light. Are you hearing Him today? Are you weak?, He is strong. Are you uncertain?, He is wisdom. Are you fearful?, He is faithful. The throne of grace, what is it and where might you find it? Abraham found it while gazing into the night sky as he considered his posterity would be as the stars. Moses found it on Mt. Sinai in the presence of a bush burning that was not consumed. Jacob found it while slumbering under a canopy of stars where a ladder from heaven descended to earth. Peter, James, and John found it on the holy mount as Jesus was transfigured before them. John found it on the isle of Patmos through the vision of the revelation of Jesus Christ. And the time would fail us to numerate an exhaustive list of additional saints who, by faith, approached the throne of grace. The throne is the presence, mercy, empowerment, love, faith, rest, and joy of the Lord, given to His children as an earnest and foreshadow of the glory to come. The throne is found anywhere and anytime believers cry out to Him, "Abba Father!" As Jesus revealed to the Samaritan women at the well the throne of grace is not locational, it is found by all who by faith come to Jesus Christ in worship to exalt Him in spirit and truth. It is there He exchanges our fears for His power, our weakness for His faithfulness, our confusion for His wisdom. Today if you hear His voice come at once without delay.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
The power of prayer and the prayer of power is in its object, Jesus Christ. "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace...." (Heb. 4:16). Believer, You heard His voice in the day He called you from darkness to light. Are you hearing Him today? Are you weak?, He is strong. Are you uncertain?, He is wisdom. Are you fearful?, He is faithful. The throne of grace, what is it and where might you find it? Abraham found it while gazing into the night sky as he considered his posterity would be as the stars. Moses found it on Mt. Sinai in the presence of a bush burning that was not consumed. Jacob found it while slumbering under a canopy of stars where a ladder from heaven descended to earth. Peter, James, and John found it on the holy mount as Jesus was transfigured before them. John found it on the isle of Patmos through the vision of the revelation of Jesus Christ. And the time would fail us to numerate an exhaustive list of additional saints who, by faith, approached the throne of grace. The throne is the presence, mercy, empowerment, love, faith, rest, and joy of the Lord, given to His children as an earnest and foreshadow of the glory to come. The throne is found anywhere and anytime believers cry out to Him, "Abba Father!" As Jesus revealed to the Samaritan women at the well the throne of grace is not locational, it is found by all who by faith come to Jesus Christ in worship to exalt Him in spirit and truth. It is there He exchanges our fears for His power, our weakness for His faithfulness, our confusion for His wisdom. Today if you hear His voice come at once without delay.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Unstable Souls
J.A. Matteson
With great charity and grace leaders in the church are to bear with and correct those who oppose sound doctrine, to the extent that their opposition is of ignorance accompanied with a teachable spirit. By contrast those opposed to sound doctrine with a strong spiritual undercurrent of malice are to avoided. "Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching" (2 Tim. 4:15). These are tares amidst the wheat, self condemned, heaping up for themselves judgement in the day of God's wrath. Blind and deaf to spiritual truth they are unstable souls, forever learning but never coming to the truth which is the Word of God preserved in Scripture. Pulling together their spiritual understandings from every corner of human wisdom they are tossed to and fro, ships in the harbor without anchor drifting about, unsettled souls who agitate the peace of others by the heresies they confidentiality proclaim as divine truth. Undisciplined, unrepentant, unwilling to submit to sound doctrine they viciously undermine the tireless work of God's workers in sewing, watering, and reaping the word of life. Therefore, take note of them, mark them, avoid them, as they were appointed for the just retribution to be delivered upon the unjust according to the righteous fury of the LORD.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
With great charity and grace leaders in the church are to bear with and correct those who oppose sound doctrine, to the extent that their opposition is of ignorance accompanied with a teachable spirit. By contrast those opposed to sound doctrine with a strong spiritual undercurrent of malice are to avoided. "Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching" (2 Tim. 4:15). These are tares amidst the wheat, self condemned, heaping up for themselves judgement in the day of God's wrath. Blind and deaf to spiritual truth they are unstable souls, forever learning but never coming to the truth which is the Word of God preserved in Scripture. Pulling together their spiritual understandings from every corner of human wisdom they are tossed to and fro, ships in the harbor without anchor drifting about, unsettled souls who agitate the peace of others by the heresies they confidentiality proclaim as divine truth. Undisciplined, unrepentant, unwilling to submit to sound doctrine they viciously undermine the tireless work of God's workers in sewing, watering, and reaping the word of life. Therefore, take note of them, mark them, avoid them, as they were appointed for the just retribution to be delivered upon the unjust according to the righteous fury of the LORD.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Kindred Spirits
J.A. Matteson
Had the excellencies of God's mercy in our personal redemption and the hope of His calling been the limit of His grace, it would be immeasurably beyond what we deserve; that being hell. Notwithstanding the glorious sweetness of His fellowship, the LORD has further blessed His saints with the company of hearts and minds of like affection, kindred spirits saved by grace, growing from faith to faith, looking to the blessed hope of His return and deliverance. "We give thanks to God always for all of you...." (1Thess. 1:2). In His eternal goodness the LORD has providentially placed in our lives shadows of His essence, reflections of His kindness, echos of His radiance, as brought forth by the fruit of His Spirit in the lives of the saints around us, to encourage, strengthen, and yes, when needed, lovingly rebuke. What a ghastly place this fallen world would be without them, if in solitude we were to tread our pilgrims path! It is fitting and proper, therefore, that in remembrance of these gifts from heaven we give thanks to the LORD on High, Jesus Christ our Redeemer, by whom and through whom we can do all things, by His power that works in us, and in the saints of His choosing who are dear to us.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
Had the excellencies of God's mercy in our personal redemption and the hope of His calling been the limit of His grace, it would be immeasurably beyond what we deserve; that being hell. Notwithstanding the glorious sweetness of His fellowship, the LORD has further blessed His saints with the company of hearts and minds of like affection, kindred spirits saved by grace, growing from faith to faith, looking to the blessed hope of His return and deliverance. "We give thanks to God always for all of you...." (1Thess. 1:2). In His eternal goodness the LORD has providentially placed in our lives shadows of His essence, reflections of His kindness, echos of His radiance, as brought forth by the fruit of His Spirit in the lives of the saints around us, to encourage, strengthen, and yes, when needed, lovingly rebuke. What a ghastly place this fallen world would be without them, if in solitude we were to tread our pilgrims path! It is fitting and proper, therefore, that in remembrance of these gifts from heaven we give thanks to the LORD on High, Jesus Christ our Redeemer, by whom and through whom we can do all things, by His power that works in us, and in the saints of His choosing who are dear to us.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
Sunday, October 5, 2014
In All Things
J.A. Matteson
Has it occurred to you that your circumstance is ordained by God in order that you might bear witness to the gospel?
"...knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:16). We go along our way day to day with grandiose ideas of how we will glorify God. The LORD will have none of that; rather, He raises up refining stones to buffet our sense of order, challenging our misguided delusion of personal sovereignty. Know this: within every high and low the LORD is in the midst. Amongst every travail and victory He is there. As the LORD sets in motion the heavenly bodies, guiding their paths according to the good pleasure of His will, does He not in like manner guide you daily course by His hand of providence? Indeed, He does, and for His glory and your sanctification. In all things, pleasant and distressful, know that He has appointed you for each occasion for the defense of the gospel. Let the fruit of His spirit burst forth from your mouth in praise as His grace gives you utterance.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Has it occurred to you that your circumstance is ordained by God in order that you might bear witness to the gospel?
"...knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:16). We go along our way day to day with grandiose ideas of how we will glorify God. The LORD will have none of that; rather, He raises up refining stones to buffet our sense of order, challenging our misguided delusion of personal sovereignty. Know this: within every high and low the LORD is in the midst. Amongst every travail and victory He is there. As the LORD sets in motion the heavenly bodies, guiding their paths according to the good pleasure of His will, does He not in like manner guide you daily course by His hand of providence? Indeed, He does, and for His glory and your sanctification. In all things, pleasant and distressful, know that He has appointed you for each occasion for the defense of the gospel. Let the fruit of His spirit burst forth from your mouth in praise as His grace gives you utterance.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Monday, September 8, 2014
Planted Firmly
J.A. Matteson
How may we know our path is acceptable and pleasing to the LORD? "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life" (Prv. 4:23). Listen to the words from your mouth, do they dispense blessing or bitterness? Inspect the meditations of your heart, are they inclinations of trust in God or doubt? From the heart we may examine the the condition of our soul, all pretense is gone before the eyes of Him with whom we will give an account. The word of God reveals the state of the inner man. Confronted with sin he either confesses it and repents or hardens his heart by turning away to his own harm. Goodness, thankfulness, hope, mercy, faith, truth, gentleness, these are the things which spring forth from the wellspring of a heart dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty. The presence of the antithesis of these things indicates we have wandered from the straight and narrow way of life. Forsake the way of death and return to the path of life. Humble yourself before the mighty king of glory and He will lift you up and establish you as a firmly planted tree beside refreshing waters, whose leaf shall never wither and whose fruit will forever endure.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
How may we know our path is acceptable and pleasing to the LORD? "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life" (Prv. 4:23). Listen to the words from your mouth, do they dispense blessing or bitterness? Inspect the meditations of your heart, are they inclinations of trust in God or doubt? From the heart we may examine the the condition of our soul, all pretense is gone before the eyes of Him with whom we will give an account. The word of God reveals the state of the inner man. Confronted with sin he either confesses it and repents or hardens his heart by turning away to his own harm. Goodness, thankfulness, hope, mercy, faith, truth, gentleness, these are the things which spring forth from the wellspring of a heart dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty. The presence of the antithesis of these things indicates we have wandered from the straight and narrow way of life. Forsake the way of death and return to the path of life. Humble yourself before the mighty king of glory and He will lift you up and establish you as a firmly planted tree beside refreshing waters, whose leaf shall never wither and whose fruit will forever endure.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
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