"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
John Adams, second president of the United States of America (1735–1826)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Remain Vigilant
J.A. Matteson
Pilgrims of the LORD are a peculiar people for they do not walk as the world walks. "You shall not follow the customs of the nation which I will drive out before you, for they did all theses things, and therefore I have abhorred them" (Lev.20:23). That which is esteemed by the world is detestable to the LORD. An inverse relationship exists between the world system and the kingdom of God and pilgrims must remain vigilant so as not to defile themselves by engaging in the behavior of the culture. That which one puts his hand to or observes with the eye or listens to with the ear or tastes with the mouth or pursues with the feet, all may be a snare, a sticky web of entanglement whereby sin catches its prey. But the LORD has not abandoned His people to walk in solitude, He is near, and pilgrims enjoy the distinct privilege of abiding with Him who is able to keep them from stumbling. It is only through abiding that victorious living is realized. Every day and in manifold settings sin is offered by the world as excitement and gain. Yet it yields the bitter fruit of regret and dismay. Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you. Commit you way to Him and He will direct your path. Defer to Him and He will provide righteous counsel. The LORD will be with you and the world will take note that you walk to a different Master. Some will inquire with interest while others will reject you with contempt. Rejoice when you suffer in righteousness knowing your praise is from God and not men.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Pilgrims of the LORD are a peculiar people for they do not walk as the world walks. "You shall not follow the customs of the nation which I will drive out before you, for they did all theses things, and therefore I have abhorred them" (Lev.20:23). That which is esteemed by the world is detestable to the LORD. An inverse relationship exists between the world system and the kingdom of God and pilgrims must remain vigilant so as not to defile themselves by engaging in the behavior of the culture. That which one puts his hand to or observes with the eye or listens to with the ear or tastes with the mouth or pursues with the feet, all may be a snare, a sticky web of entanglement whereby sin catches its prey. But the LORD has not abandoned His people to walk in solitude, He is near, and pilgrims enjoy the distinct privilege of abiding with Him who is able to keep them from stumbling. It is only through abiding that victorious living is realized. Every day and in manifold settings sin is offered by the world as excitement and gain. Yet it yields the bitter fruit of regret and dismay. Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you. Commit you way to Him and He will direct your path. Defer to Him and He will provide righteous counsel. The LORD will be with you and the world will take note that you walk to a different Master. Some will inquire with interest while others will reject you with contempt. Rejoice when you suffer in righteousness knowing your praise is from God and not men.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Friday, February 8, 2013
Face to Face
J.A. Matteson
Love is characterized by preference, presence, and promises. "I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will be their God" (Ex. 29:45). Love is by nature volitional, voluntary, it cannot be commanded..."I will...." Love is preferential by nature in selecting from the population the object of its affection..."the sons of Israel....". Love earnestly desires the presence of its object..."dwell among....". Love's intent is for the welfare of its object through promises..."will be their God." Tender and precious is this statement by the LORD to the children of Israel. The love expressed then by the LORD for His people has by no means diminished. In the present hour the LORD is performing an astounding work, as He continues to build His Church. Precious to the LORD is His Bride and jealous is He for her affections. He favors His children over all others on the earth, desiring their presence, faithfully bringing to pass His wonderful promises concerning them. Rejoicing in His intimate presence pilgrims of the LORD endure trials and hardship, for the indwelling Spirit of the living God is their portion. Inexpressible is their desire for that Day when they shall gaze face to face into eternity and behold their Redeemer. Divine love extended is returned to its Author, that in all things He may receive all the glory. To the praise of His holy name.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Love is characterized by preference, presence, and promises. "I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will be their God" (Ex. 29:45). Love is by nature volitional, voluntary, it cannot be commanded..."I will...." Love is preferential by nature in selecting from the population the object of its affection..."the sons of Israel....". Love earnestly desires the presence of its object..."dwell among....". Love's intent is for the welfare of its object through promises..."will be their God." Tender and precious is this statement by the LORD to the children of Israel. The love expressed then by the LORD for His people has by no means diminished. In the present hour the LORD is performing an astounding work, as He continues to build His Church. Precious to the LORD is His Bride and jealous is He for her affections. He favors His children over all others on the earth, desiring their presence, faithfully bringing to pass His wonderful promises concerning them. Rejoicing in His intimate presence pilgrims of the LORD endure trials and hardship, for the indwelling Spirit of the living God is their portion. Inexpressible is their desire for that Day when they shall gaze face to face into eternity and behold their Redeemer. Divine love extended is returned to its Author, that in all things He may receive all the glory. To the praise of His holy name.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Marvelous Deliverance
J.A. Matteson
Servants of the LORD enjoy a particular covering and favor established by God for His glory and their welfare. "...the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel" (Ex. 11:7). Names have significance in Scripture and Egypt means "temple of the soul of Ptah", the creative god associated with Memphis, the ancient city of Egypt. Israel means "he that striveth with God", and is the name extended to Jacob and his descendants. As the name implies the people of Egypt offer homage to a false deity who neither sees, hears or speaks. Israel describes a people who know and walk with the living God....who strive with Him, not against Him. For further clarification regarding this unique people the apostle Paul makes the distinction that not all Israel is Israel, beyond the nation state there is a spiritual Israel; that is, those spiritually redeemed who are effectually called and regenerated by the Spirit unto salvation. In the case of the exodus it was the nation state which received deliverance or salvation from Pharaoh's cruel bondage. The exodus is a picture of the spiritual release from bondage Christ accomplished for His people. They could not free themselves, but were set free by a power beyond themselves. Further, it was God who initiated the plan of salvation, Jacob's descendants were passive recipients of divine favor. It is into this marvelous deliverance from bondage to sin and its consequence of death, physically and spiritually, that the servants of the living God sing Halleljuah to the Lamb!
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Servants of the LORD enjoy a particular covering and favor established by God for His glory and their welfare. "...the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel" (Ex. 11:7). Names have significance in Scripture and Egypt means "temple of the soul of Ptah", the creative god associated with Memphis, the ancient city of Egypt. Israel means "he that striveth with God", and is the name extended to Jacob and his descendants. As the name implies the people of Egypt offer homage to a false deity who neither sees, hears or speaks. Israel describes a people who know and walk with the living God....who strive with Him, not against Him. For further clarification regarding this unique people the apostle Paul makes the distinction that not all Israel is Israel, beyond the nation state there is a spiritual Israel; that is, those spiritually redeemed who are effectually called and regenerated by the Spirit unto salvation. In the case of the exodus it was the nation state which received deliverance or salvation from Pharaoh's cruel bondage. The exodus is a picture of the spiritual release from bondage Christ accomplished for His people. They could not free themselves, but were set free by a power beyond themselves. Further, it was God who initiated the plan of salvation, Jacob's descendants were passive recipients of divine favor. It is into this marvelous deliverance from bondage to sin and its consequence of death, physically and spiritually, that the servants of the living God sing Halleljuah to the Lamb!
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Friday, February 1, 2013
The Test
J.A. Matteson
Regard delay with joy as it is the test of the LORD to develop your faith. Instant gratification requires no faith, divine delay produces its desired result, your sanctification. "He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel or the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, 'Is the LORD among us, or not?'" (Ex. 17:7). It is the devils work to whisper, as he did in the garden, "Indeed, has God said...?" God has spoken and cannot lie. The test is whether you will believe Him in what He has promised. Beware of perceiving circumstances as the end of a matter; truth is not defined by circumstances but by the word of the LORD. Consider providences that delay the promise as His gift to you in order to bring you into a closer union with Him; He is tenderly teaching you His faithfulness and what it means to walk by faith and not by sight. He has promised to lead you, to go before you, to a good land flowing with milk and honey. Jesus has gone before you and is preparing a place for you and will return again for you. The pilgrims path is arid, narrow, and difficult. Beware of voices who in unbelief bid you to return to egypt, to the house of slavery. Pretenders follow only for a season and heed demonic cries of doubt, returning to bondage as a dog returns to its vomit. The LORD has promised and will not fail. Disregard the appearance of adverse circumstances and stay the course of faith like Job, who confessed, though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Regard delay with joy as it is the test of the LORD to develop your faith. Instant gratification requires no faith, divine delay produces its desired result, your sanctification. "He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel or the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, 'Is the LORD among us, or not?'" (Ex. 17:7). It is the devils work to whisper, as he did in the garden, "Indeed, has God said...?" God has spoken and cannot lie. The test is whether you will believe Him in what He has promised. Beware of perceiving circumstances as the end of a matter; truth is not defined by circumstances but by the word of the LORD. Consider providences that delay the promise as His gift to you in order to bring you into a closer union with Him; He is tenderly teaching you His faithfulness and what it means to walk by faith and not by sight. He has promised to lead you, to go before you, to a good land flowing with milk and honey. Jesus has gone before you and is preparing a place for you and will return again for you. The pilgrims path is arid, narrow, and difficult. Beware of voices who in unbelief bid you to return to egypt, to the house of slavery. Pretenders follow only for a season and heed demonic cries of doubt, returning to bondage as a dog returns to its vomit. The LORD has promised and will not fail. Disregard the appearance of adverse circumstances and stay the course of faith like Job, who confessed, though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Keep Moving Forward
J.A. Matteson
Your obedience to the LORD concerning His welfare for His people will impact them and not always be understood or appreciated. He has shared an intimacy with you foreign to them, and they do not understand the path you are following, especially in light of the increased difficulty they are experiencing as a result. "Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, 'O Lord, why have you brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me?'" (Ex. 5:22). Opposition may cause you to question your assignment. To do so is to focus on the wrong subject. You have made the thing about yourself and those around you; it's not about you or them, but the glory of God. The whole of the matter is about His glory, not your present comfort. Obedience is antithetical to the course of the world and, therefore, usually counter intuitive. What Moses thought he knew about the LORD and His ways was tested to the limit. Yet he persisted in obedience when he did not understand and when opposed by the very people he intended to help. By the time he reached Mt. Sinai his knowledge of the LORD had increased dramatically. Growth comes through trial when everything in you reels under difficulty and all you have to hold on to is the promise of the LORD that a marvelous deliverance is coming, just keep moving forward and do not draw back. This lesson of faith is the pathway God has chosen for His people. The circumstances may be different, but His purpose of glorification through your sanctification is the same.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Your obedience to the LORD concerning His welfare for His people will impact them and not always be understood or appreciated. He has shared an intimacy with you foreign to them, and they do not understand the path you are following, especially in light of the increased difficulty they are experiencing as a result. "Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, 'O Lord, why have you brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me?'" (Ex. 5:22). Opposition may cause you to question your assignment. To do so is to focus on the wrong subject. You have made the thing about yourself and those around you; it's not about you or them, but the glory of God. The whole of the matter is about His glory, not your present comfort. Obedience is antithetical to the course of the world and, therefore, usually counter intuitive. What Moses thought he knew about the LORD and His ways was tested to the limit. Yet he persisted in obedience when he did not understand and when opposed by the very people he intended to help. By the time he reached Mt. Sinai his knowledge of the LORD had increased dramatically. Growth comes through trial when everything in you reels under difficulty and all you have to hold on to is the promise of the LORD that a marvelous deliverance is coming, just keep moving forward and do not draw back. This lesson of faith is the pathway God has chosen for His people. The circumstances may be different, but His purpose of glorification through your sanctification is the same.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Sunday, January 27, 2013
A Greater Deliverance
J.A. Matteson
Child of God, where is the LORD in your suffering? You have cried out to Him in anguish, waves of sorrow have covered you, and your petition for relief appears to fall on deaf ears as your affliction continues. Does the LORD see? Is He aware of your plight? Does He regard your suffering? "The LORD said, 'I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings" (Ex. 3:7). The LORD is intimately acquainted with the circumstances of His people, engaging them according to the dictates of His covenant. The children of Israel had been oppressed for four hundred years (Gen. 15:13-14). Consider how many generations lived and died without seeing the promise of their deliverance from bondage? They prayed for deliverance and their suffering persisted for generations. The timeline for God's intervention was predicated by covenant, not specific daily circumstances. His glory was established through Israel's suffering and the climax of their final release. Certainly the living generation of the exodus witnessed the mighty arm of the LORD through His miraculous delivery. But what about prior generations who where born as slaves and died as slaves? Their lives were miserable and hard. Sometimes it is God's will that suffering continue, not because He is uncaring, but a greater deliverance is purposed ultimately. And like the Savior the people of God learn obedience through suffering. For to learn obedience is to grow in faith. And faith does not disappoint, but results in life eternal. We may glory in suffering knowing that it establishes and proves faith, that which is given by grace to His people.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Child of God, where is the LORD in your suffering? You have cried out to Him in anguish, waves of sorrow have covered you, and your petition for relief appears to fall on deaf ears as your affliction continues. Does the LORD see? Is He aware of your plight? Does He regard your suffering? "The LORD said, 'I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings" (Ex. 3:7). The LORD is intimately acquainted with the circumstances of His people, engaging them according to the dictates of His covenant. The children of Israel had been oppressed for four hundred years (Gen. 15:13-14). Consider how many generations lived and died without seeing the promise of their deliverance from bondage? They prayed for deliverance and their suffering persisted for generations. The timeline for God's intervention was predicated by covenant, not specific daily circumstances. His glory was established through Israel's suffering and the climax of their final release. Certainly the living generation of the exodus witnessed the mighty arm of the LORD through His miraculous delivery. But what about prior generations who where born as slaves and died as slaves? Their lives were miserable and hard. Sometimes it is God's will that suffering continue, not because He is uncaring, but a greater deliverance is purposed ultimately. And like the Savior the people of God learn obedience through suffering. For to learn obedience is to grow in faith. And faith does not disappoint, but results in life eternal. We may glory in suffering knowing that it establishes and proves faith, that which is given by grace to His people.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
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