Does God Use You Because You Are Special in and of Yourself, Have Never Sinned Since Being Saved (haha), Or Have a Seminary Degree?

Can God still use you? If so, why? How?

First off, if you are reading these words, you are “desperately wicked” and not wonderful. Jesus is the “Wonderful” One! (Isaiah 9:6-7)

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

Memorize Romans 7:18 today!

“If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Psalms 130:3

In a certain sense, the LORD uses us in spite of, not because of us!!!! “ALL of our righteousness are as filthy rags,” right? (Isaiah 64:6)

God first found and saved us in spite of us while we were yet sinners, right? (Romans 5:6-8; 1 John 4:9-10, 19) And, if you truly trust and obey Him, He will use you IN SPITE OF you NOT BECAUSE OF you! (Titus 3:3-7)

“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7

If the beloved king David, who sinned greatly for a season, can repent and find full restoration with the LORD, so can we!!! Read Psalm 51 today.

LIKE MANY OF YOU, this pauper is LEARNING AND KNOW MORE AND MORE DAILY WITH PAUL THAT THERE IS “NO GOOD THING” IN ME EXCEPT JESUS AND HE CANNOT AND WILL NOT REIGN IN MY LIFE UNLESS I CHOOSE TO DIE!!! LEARN THESE VERSES AND THE DIVINE TRUTH OF THEM (PSALMS 39:4-5; ROMANS 7:18, 24). WRITE THEM ON INDEX CARDS AND MARK THEM IN YOUR BIBLE.

Is God Unable to Use You Because You’ve Sinned?

GROWTH IS NOT ALL AT ONCE: One brother in Christ testifies: “I see the change in me. From last year to today. I’m so far from where I want to be in Christ. But I’m so far from where I used to be when I was deceived.” Spiritual Growth

“By little and little (little by little) I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.” Exodus 23:20

The answer to the above question is YES when you confess and draw close to Him in an abiding relationship (Psalms 51; Lamentations 3:19-26; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 4:6-11; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:1-2, etc.).

So you sinned? Join the club! One thing’s for certain and that is that it was my fault when I chose to sin and not God’s who “cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” (James 1:13-15) Yet, when I acknowledged and confessed that sin in drawing back nigh to Him in intimate fellowship, my sins were washed away “as far as the east is from the west.” (Psalms 103:12)

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:12

So, is your past sin greater than Christ’s cleansing blood applied when the transgressor repents/confesses?

If we think that our past sin is greater than the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, should we not repent of this idolatry of lifting sin above Jesus and at once get the precious blood of Jesus up highest? Confess it, turn from it, and march on saint! Learn these truths well – Philippians 3:13-14; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 1:3-2:2; Isaiah 44:22; Micah 7:18-19, etc.

Friends,  if this doesn’t encourage you, I don’t know what will!

“JACOB WAS A CHEATER, PETER HAD A TEMPER, DAVID HAD AN AFFAIR, NOAH GOT DRUNK, JONAH RAN FROM GOD, PAUL WAS A MURDERER, GIDEON WAS INSECURE, MIRIAM WAS A GOSSIPER, MARTHA WAS A WORRIER, THOMAS WAS A DOUBTER, SARA WAS IMPATIENT, ELIJAH WAS MOODY, MOSES STUTTERED, ZACCHEUS WAS SHORT, ABRAHAM WAS OLD,… AND LAZARUS WAS DEAD…. NOW, WHAT’S YOUR EXCUSE? CAN GOD USE YOU OR NOT? GOD DOESN’T CALL THE QUALIFIED, HE QUALIFIES THE CALLED.”

All have sinned and we all must reap what we have sown (Romans 3:23; Galatians 6:7-8). Yet, when we repent, returning to our LORD on HIS terms, submitting our lives to Him afresh, He will do a work in us (James 4:6-10).

Divine grace empowers!!!!!

Paul wrote “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

God’s grace is “manifold” according to 1 Peter 4:10-11. Scripture defines divine grace as the LORD’s divine influence on our hearts and His operational power, His divine ability in us to do His will and be used of Him!!! This is exactly why Paul could say here in 1 Corinthians 15:10 that he “laboured more abundantly than they all.” He said that it was “yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Yes, the apostle was extremely diligent and yet, when all is said and done, it’s God’s ability in us who are surrendered in true repentance to Him that brings Him praise and produces the fruit that is to His eternal glory!  (Ephesians 3:7; 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10-11)

Coming Boldly

Christ’s perfect sacrifice alone made every divine blessing available to us!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest (Jesus Christ), that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly (with full confidence) unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

We can come boldly because of the blood of Jesus Christ. You must be deepened in this understanding! | The Blood of Jesus Christ

His grace and mercy sure are amazing aren’t they? Yes, because He is amazing and freely offers His forgiveness and restoration to those who fear Him (Psalms 103:11).

It’s when we are weak in self, broken, contrite in heart, and fully fallen upon His sheer mercy, that the LORD can raise us up in His grace and power.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

BEING USED OF THE LORD IS NOT ABOUT LEARNING SERMONS OR GOING TO SEMINARY OR BIBLE COLLEGE. THOSE METHODS CAN BE FULL OF WASTE. THEY CAN BE THE FLESHLY WAY TO BE PREPARED AND CAN ACTUALLY LEAD US AWAY FROM BEING USED OF THE LORD. IT SEEMS FROM OUR READING OF SCRIPTURE THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE GOD USED THROUGHOUT HISTORY, THEY WERE PREPARED IN HUMILITY, BROKENNESS, REPENTANCE, AND GIVING HIS BLESSED WORD FIRST PLACE IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.

Most of those I know who have seminary degrees have no clue of the Scriptural truth revealed on this page. They have traded knowing Christ by His Word alone for the cheap substitute, accolades and approval of mere sinful men.

Oswald Chambers well captures this poverty of spirit the LORD is looking for:

Andrew Murray wrote:

“The great secret of abiding in Christ is the deep conviction that we are nothing, and He is everything.” Andrew Murray, Abide In Christ, p. 160

“Jesus never taught His disciples how to preach, only how to pray. To know how to speak to God is more than knowing how to speak to people. Power with God is the first thing, not power with people. Christ loves to teach us how to pray.” Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer, p. xxiii-xxiv

Jesus’ disciples never ask the LORD “Teach us to preach” but rather “Teach us to pray.” Right? (Luke 11:1) Did they realize something so many today have no clue about?

Jesus sure did send His original twelve  and us forth to “Go … preach.” (Mark 16:15) Yet, He never taught them how to preach such as we have today in seminaries (homiletics). If we are in His Word daily, walking in the Spirit and not the flesh, we will be “instant in season and out of season” to “preach the word.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

Your usefulness to the LORD has to do with your poverty or poorness of spirit, utter humility, obedience, and also your knowledge and application of His Word in daily living (2 Timothy 2:20-21).

***I am memorizing a series of verses now. Wrote them on index cards. … Ezra 9:13-14; Ps. 103:10-11 …. Go see why!

Some wonder: “But why am I not growing faster? Why does the spiritual maturity seem so slow or gradual?”

NOT WHERE YOU WANT TO BE SPIRITUALLY?

The LORD has a reason for delivering His people “little and little” which means little by little.  Exodus 23:29-31 says: “I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. 30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. 31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.”

THIS TRUTH IS RESERVED ONLY FOR THOSE WHO TRULY FEAR THE LORD. AND, ALL WHO TRULY FEAR THE LORD ARE DAILY SEEKING HIS HOLY FACE AND OBEYING HIM. ANY PERSON WHO BELIEVES THEY ARE SAVED AND ISN’T SEEKING THE FACE OF THE LORD DAILY AND DILIGENTLY, HAS ALREADY FALLEN AWAY AND IS LUKEWARM AND APOSTATE.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with ALL your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

“God is Greater than Our Hearts”

To those who still feel ashamed …

“And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” 1 John 3:19-21

• “God is greater than our heart, and …” – Think on this: Is your own heart and the thoughts of it greater than God? No.
• “God … knoweth all things” – He’s not surprised by anything.
• The LORD desires to grant His children a clear conscience and that will occur as we choose to go about things His way – “Now the end (divine goal) of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” (1 Timothy 1:5)

Remember how Peter openly denied Christ three times? Is it not a denial of Christ that we commit if we choose to sin – That is, when we deny Him the place of reign in our lives? Did Jesus forgive Peter?

When Jesus foreknew that Peter was going to sin, what did He tell Peter? Did Jesus say “Peter, I know you are going to sin and when you do, I’m going to be done with you”? No.

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted (restored), strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22:31-32

JESUS just as easily could have said that He was going to condemn Peter after he sinned. Yet did He? No. No, instead He restored Peter, His son.

KNOWING PETER WAS GETTING READY TO SIN YET AGAIN BY DENYING HIM THREE TIMES, COULDN’T CHRIST HAVE SAID: “PETER, NOW I AM DONE WITH YOU! I ALLOWED YOU TO WALK ON WATER AND YOU TOOK YOUR EYES OFF OF ME AND DENIED ME WHILE WE WALKED ON THAT WATER AND SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THAT. YOU ARE GOING TO CUT OFF THE EAR OF MALCHUS AND I’M GOING TO HAVE TO PUT THAT EAR BACK ON HIM TO HEAL THE HURT YOU BROUGHT TO HIM! THEN, YOU ARE GOING TO GO SO FAR AS TO TRY TO STOP ME FROM GOING TO THE CROSS, THE VERY REASON I CAME TO THIS EARTH. AND NOW, YOU JUST CURSED AND OPENLY DENIED ME BEFORE OTHERS, VIOLENTLY REJECTING ME! I’M DONE WITH YOU! NO MORE MERCY! YOU ARE SHUT OUT OF MY KINGDOM FOR GOOD NOW!”?

Yes He certainly could have but did Christ say any of these things? Nope!

Has Jesus changed? – “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”(Hebrews 13:8)

So if Jesus didn’t condemn Peter when he deserved it fully and Christ hasn’t changed, just what makes you think He is done with you?

AFTER SINNING AND BEING RESTORED, PETER WAS SHORTLY AFTERWARD USED OF THE LORD TO WIN 8,000 PRECIOUS SOULS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD! (ACTS 2-3) GOD USED PETER AFTER HE SINNED AND THEN REPENTED. GOD USED MOSES TO LEAD MILLIONS OF HIS PEOPLE AFTER MOSES MURDERED A MAN. GOD USED DAVID AFTER HE COMMITTED ADULTERY, DECEIVED, LIED, AND MURDERED. THE LIST GOES ON … CAN GOD STILL USE YOU?

If the LORD can use a donkey, or worse yet, even me, just WHO among us can He not use? (Ephesians 1:6)

Who among us is sinless perfection or would even dare tout such a lie?

“If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” Job 9:20

“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9

I got rebuked by a guy this week who is part of the Mike Desario cult. As usual, he was totally self-righteous, acting as if and teaching that we can decide to never sin again and accomplish such by our own will, without Jesus. Total devils.

“God be merciful to me a sinner” is what I must declare (Luke 18:9-14).

“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20  

Personally, it seems that the more open I am about this as was Paul Romans 7, the more victory takes place in my life. Jesus is able – through the daily cross life (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

Check out and get to know these: Ecclesiastes 7:20; Job 9:20; Proverbs 20:9

May God have mercy on us in Jesus’ name, and make us holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

What About When Others Condemn Me For What I’ve Done?

First off, one way to look at the condemnation of other mere men, is that when someone is condemning you, they’re giving someone else a break! Think on this.

What about the judgment of others? God’s Word assures us that “the wrath (condemnation) of man worketh not the righteousness of God” and that those who are heavy handed at condemning others (in attitude and/or word) are full of sin themselves – which they seek to hide from men but God sees it (James 1:20).

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3

Ever Felt Forsaken?

Have you ever felt like you just sinned your last sin and that God was surely done with you?

How often are the LORD’s mercies renewed?

Lamentations 3:17-26

“And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace (“I feel forsaken”): I forgat prosperity. 
18  And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD (“I feel deflated”): 
19  Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. 
20  My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. 
21  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 
22  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 
23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 
24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 
25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 
26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.”

The Bottom Line – The Real Score

When we do things our own way instead of God’s, there will be consequences that are going to cost us much (Galatians 6:7-8). We certainly will reap what we sow. Yes the LORD says “Be ye holy for I am holy” and yet, God’s not interested in anyone seeking to be holy unless they are approaching Him in the clear realization of their own sinful depravity and hopelessness and on the basis of His sheer mercy and to be in an abiding, saving relationship (John 15:1-6; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

“For in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.” Isaiah 60:1

“O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. ” Hosea 13:9

We have destroyed our own lives by sin. You and I are no different at all than Israel whom the LORD was specifically addressing above. Yet, in Him is our help, our hope, our salvation!

We have made ruin and a huge mess out of the lives He gave us and yet in Him is our hope and help! – Only in Him!

IN HIS HEART THE HELL BOUND SELF-RIGHTEOUS DEVIL BELIEVES HE IS INHERENTLY RIGHTEOUS AND THEREFORE BETTER THAN OTHERS. SO, HE BELIEVES IT’S OKAY TO HAVE A CONDEMNING ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS WHO ARE OF COURSE, LOWER THAN HE IS. SUCH A PERSON HAS NO CLUE AS TO THE DEPRAVITY OF MANKIND (INCLUDING HIMSELF) AND THE SHEER DIVINE MERCY THAT WAS DISPLAYED IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST (TITUS 3:5-7).

The humble servant, who realizes his own depravity and utter need for divine mercy, hangs his head in shame and says in his heart: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13) The God-less, hell bound self-righteous religionist goes before God touting the sham of his own righteousness. He says in the attitude of his heart: “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:11)

IT’S CERTAIN THAT SIN IS A CHOICE WE HAVE MADE THAT WE DIDN’T HAVE TO MAKE AND THAT SIN IS NOT GOOD AND THAT IT WILL SEPARATE US FROM GOD WHO IS “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.” (ISAIAH 6:3; REVELATION 4:8) YET, THAT’S NOT THE END OF THE STORY! IT’S ALSO JUST AS TRUE THAT THE LORD DESIRES TO RESTORE AND NOT TO CONDEMN US – YET HE WILL IF WE DON’T COME TO HIM IN HOLY FEAR TO BE RESTORED (ROMANS 11:20-22; 2 PETER 2:20-21; HEBREWS 10:26-39, ETC.).

The Door Is Open Not Closed!

To His own people who were at the time backslidden and in imperative need of repenting, Jesus says:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man (backslidden) hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Will we answer the door? Will I answer His call to come to Him with an honest heart?

Does God wish for you or any one of His children to perish? Is God trying to condemn you? Is it His ultimate will to shut you out of His kingdom?

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward (toward His own people), not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Are you ready? Is it time to take a few moments alone with the LORD? Pray this to the LORD with everything that’s in you….

PRAYER: Father, in Jesus precious name, I come confidently before Your blessed and holy throne of grace in order to receive Your mercy for my sins. And to be empowered by Your blessed, enabling grace! I here and now openly acknowledge, admit, confess that I am utterly impoverished outside of Your saving grace granted exclusively through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ! I am hopeless without Your help. Please forgive me for _______________ …… LORD, please restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and fill me with Your Holy Spirit afresh, strengthening my inner man by Your Spirit. I love You LORD Jesus. Thank You for coming to this earth, born of a virgin, for living a sinless life, for dying on that cross for me, and that You were raised from the dead for my justification! In Jesus’ name! Amen.

Victory in Jesus (life-changing audio message)

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“LESS THAN THE LEAST OF ALL SAINTS”???? Me argue with the apostle Paul? Yes, you bet! And I can tell you right now that I am right and he is wrong!!! (Okay, read on before you conclude that I am a heretic.) PLEASE HIT SHARE – Bone to Pick with Paul?

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The Power of the Blood
by Andrew Murray
CHAPTER 1
What the Scriptures Teach About the Blood

“Not Without Blood”-Heb. ix. 7 and 18.

GOD has spoken to us in the Scriptures in divers portions and in divers manners; but the VOICE is ever the same, it is always the WORD of the same GOD.

Hence the importance of treating the Bible as a whole, and receiving the witness it gives in its various portions, concerning certain definite truths. It is thus we learn to recognise the place these truths actually occupy in Revelation, or rather in the HEART OF GOD. Thus, too, we begin to discover what the foundation truths of the Bible are, which above others demand attention. Standing as they do, so prominently, in each new departure in God’s revelation; remaining unchanged when the Dispensation changes, they carry a divine intimation of their importance.

It is my object, in the chapters which follow this introductory one, to show what the Scriptures teach us concerning THE GLORIOUS POWER OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS, and the wonderful blessings procured for us by it; and I cannot lay a better foundation for my exposition, nor give a better proof of the superlative glory of THAT BLOOD AS THE POWER OF REDEMPTION, than by asking my, readers to follow me through the Bible, and thus see the unique place which is given to THE BLOOD from the beginning to the end of God’s
revelation of Himself to man, as recorded in the Bible.

It will become clear that there is no single scriptural idea, from Genesis to Revelation, more constantly and more prominently kept in view, than that expressed by the words-“THE BLOOD.”

Our inquiry then is what the Scriptures teach us about THE BLOOD.

FIRST, IN THE OLD TESTAMENT;
SECONDLY, IN THE TEACHING OF OUR LORD JESUS HIMSELF;
THIRDLY, IN WHAT THE APOSTLES TEACH; and
LASTLY, WHAT ST. JOHN TELLS US OF IT IN REVELATION.

I. LET US LEARN WHAT THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHES. Its record about THE BLOOD begins at the gates of Eden.
 

Into the unrevealed mysteries of Eden I do not enter.

But in connection with the sacrifice of Abel all is plain. He brought of “the firstlings of his lock” to the Lord as a sacrifice, and there, in connection with the first act of worship recorded in the Bible, blood was shed. We learn from Hebrews (xi. 4) that it was “by faith” Abel offered  an acceptable sacrifice, and his name stands first in the record of those whom the Bible calls “believers.” He had this witness borne to him “that he pleased God.” His faith, and God’s good pleasure in him, are closely connected with the sacrificial blood.

In the light of later revelation, this testimony, given at the very beginning of human history, is of deep significance. It shows that there can be no approach to God; no fellowship with Him by faith; no enjoyment of His favour, apart from THE BLOOD.

Scripture gives but short notice of the following sixteen centuries. Then came THE FLOOD, which was God’s judgement on sin, by the destruction of the world of mankind.

But God brought forth a new earth from that awful baptism of water. Notice, however, that the new earth must be baptised used also with blood, and the first recorded act of Noah, after he had left the ark, was the offering of a burnt sacrifice to God. As with Abel, so with Noah a t a new beginning, it was “NOT WITHOUT BLOOD.”

Sin once again prevailed, and God laid an entirely new foundation for the establishment of His Kingdom on earth.

By the divine call of Abram, and the miraculous birth of Isaac, God undertook the formation of a people to serve Him. But this purpose was not accomplished apart from the shedding of THE BLOOD. This is apparent in the most solemn hour of Abraham’s life.

God had already entered into covenant relationship with Abraham, and his faith had already been severely tried, and had stool the test. It was reckoned, or counted to him, for righteousness. Yet he must learn that Isaac, the son of promise, who belonged wholly to God, can be truly surrendered to God only by death.

Isaac must die. For Abraham, as well as for Isaac, only by death could freedom from the self-life be obtained.

Abraham must offer Isaac on the altar.

That was not an arbitrary command of God. It was the revelation of a divine truth, that it is only through heath, that a life truly consecrated to God is possible. But it was impossible for Isaac to die and rise again from the dead; for on account of sin, death would hold him fast. But see, his life was spared, and a ram was offered in his place. Through the blood that then flowed on Mount Moorish his life was spared. He and the people which sprang from him, live before God “NOT WITHOUT BLOOD.” By that blood, however, he was in a figure raised again from the dead. The great lesson of substitution is here clearly taught.

Four hundred years pass, and Isaac has become, in Egypt, the people of Israel. Through her deliverance from Egyptian bondage Israel was to be recognised as God’s first-born among the nations. Here, also, it is “NOT WITHOUT BLOOD.” Neither the electing grace of God, nor His covenant with Abraham, nor the exercise of His omnipotence, which could so easily have destroyed their oppressors, could dispense with the necessity of THE BLOOD.

What THE BLOOD accomplished on Mount Moorish for one person, who was the Father of the nation, must now be experienced by that nation. By the sprinkling of the door frames of the Israelites with the BLOOD of the Paschal lamb; by the institution of the Passover as an enduring ordinance with the words- “When I see the BLOOD I will pass over you,” the people were taught that life can be obtained only by the death of a substitute. Life was possible for them only through THE BLOOD of a life given in their place, and appropriated by “the sprinkling of that blood.”

Fifty days later this lesson was enforced in a striking manner. Israel had reached Sinai. God had given His Law as the foundation of His covenant. That covenant must now be established, but as it is expressly stated in Hebrews ix. 7, “NOT WITHOUT BLOOD.” The Sacrificial BLOOD must be sprinkled, first on the altar, and then on the book of the Covenant, representing God’s side of that Covenant; then on the people, with the declaration, “This is THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT” (Exodus xxiv).

It was in that BLOOD the Covenant had its foundation and power. It is by THE BLOOD alone, that God and man can be brought into covenant fellowship. That which bad been foreshadowed at the Gate of Eden, on Mount Ararat, on Moriah, and in Egypt was now confirmed at the foot of Sinai, in a most solemn manner. Without BLOOD there could be no access by sinful man to a Holy God.

There is, however, a marked difference between the manner of applying the blood in the former cases as compared with the latter. On Moriah the life was redeemed by the shedding of the blood. In Egypt it was sprinkled on the door posts of the houses ; but at Sinai, it was sprinkled on the persons themselves. The contact was closer, the application more powerful.

Immediately after the establishment of the covenant the command was givers, “Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them ” (Exod. xxv. 8). They were to enjoy the full blessedness of having they God of the Covenant abiding among them. Through His grace they may find Him, and serve Him in His house.

He Himself gave, with the minutest care, directions for the arrangement and service of that house. But notice that THE BLOOD is the centre and reason of all this. Draw near to the vestibule of the earthly temple of the Heavenly King, and the first thing visible is the ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING, where the sprinkling of blood continues, without ceasing, from morning till evening. Enter the Holy Place, and the most conspicuous thing is the golden
altar of incense, which also, together with the veil, is constantly sprinkled with the BLOOD. Ask what lies beyond the Holy Place, and you will be told that it is the MOST HOLY PLACE where God dwells. If you ask how He dwells there, and how He is approached, you will be told “NOT WITHOUT BLOOD.” The golden throne where His glory shines, is itself sprinkled with THE BLOOD, once every year, when the High Priest alone enters to bring in THE BLOOD, and to worship God. The highest act in that worship is the sprinkling of THE BLOOD.

If you inquire further, you will be told that always, and for everything, THE BLOOD is the one thing needful. At the consecration of the House, or of the Priests; at the birth of a child; in the deepest penitence on account of sin; in the highest festival; always, and in everything, the way to fellowship with God is through THE BLOOD alone.

This continued for fifteen hundred years. At Sinai, in the desert, at Shiloh, in the Temple on Mount Moriah it continued till our Lord came to make an end of all shadows by bringing in the substance, and try establishing a fellow ship with the Holy One, in spirit and truth.

II. WHAT OUR LORD JESUS HIMSELF TEACHES ABOUT THE BLOOD.

With His coming old things passed away, and all things became new.

He came from the Father in Heaven, and can tell us in divine words the way to the Father.It is sometimes said that the words “NOT WITHOUT BLOOD” belong to the Old Testament. But what does our Lord Jesus Christ say? Notice, first, that when John the Baptist announced His coming, he spoke of Him as filling a dual office, as “THE LAMB OF GOD that taketh away the  sin of the world” ; and then as “the One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.” The outpouring of the BLOOD of the Lamb of God must take place, before the outpouring of the Spirit could be bestowed. Only when all that the Old Testament taught about THE BLOOD has been fulfilled, can the Dispensation of the Spirit begin.

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself plainly declared that leis death on the Cross was the purpose for which He came into the world ; that it was the necessary condition of the redemption and life which He came to bring. He clearly states that in connection with His death the shedding of His BLOOD was necessary.

In the Synagogue at Capernaum He spoke of Himself as “THE Bread of Life”; of His flesh, “that He would give it for the life of the world.” Four times over He said most emphatically, “Except ye . . . drink leis BLOOD ye have no life in you.” “He that drinketh my BLOOD hath everlasting life.” “My BLOOD is drink indeed.” “He that drinketh my BLOOD dwelleth in me and I in him” (John vi.). Our Lord thus declared the fundamental fact that He Himself, as the Son of the Father, who came to restore to us our lost life, can do this in no other way than by dying for us; by shedding His blood for us; and then making us partakers of its power.

Our Lord confirmed the teaching of the Old Testament Offerings-that man can live only through the death of another, and thus obtain a life that through Resurrection has become eternal.

But Christ Himself cannot make us partakers of that eternal life which He has procured for us, save by the shedding of His blood, and causing us to drink it. Marvellous fact! “NOT WITHOUT BLOOD” can eternal life be ours.

Equally striking is our Lord’s declaration of the same truth on the last night of His earthly life. Before He completed the great work of His life by giving it ” as a ransom for many,” He instituted the Holy Supper, saying-“This cup is the New Testament in MY BLOOD that is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. Drink ye all of it.” (Matt. xxvi. 28). “without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.” Without remission of sins there is no life. But by the shedding of His BLOOD He has obtained a new life for us. By what He calls “the drinking of His blood ” He shares His life with us. The blood SHED in the Atonement, which frees us from the SIN, the guilt of sin; and from death, the punishment of sin; the blood, which by faith we drink, bestows on us His life. The BLOOD He shed was, in the first place FOR us, and is then given TO us.

III. THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES UNDER THE INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

After His Resurrection and Ascension, our Lord is not any longer known by the Apostles “after the flesh.” Now, all that was symbolical has passed away, and the deep spiritual truths expressed by symbol, are unveiled.

But there is no veiling of THE BLOOD. It still occupies a prominent place.

Turn first to the Epistle to the Hebrews, which was written purposely to show that the Temple service had become unprofitable, and was intended by God to pass away, now that Christ had come.

Here, if anywhere, it might be expected that the Holy Spirit would emphasise the true spirituality of God’s purpose, yet it is just here that the Blood of Jesus is spoken of in a manner that imparts a new value to the phrase.

We read concerning our Lord that “by His own blood he entered into the holy place” (Heb. ix. 12).

“The Blood of Christ-shall purge your conscience” ( ver. 14).

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. x. I9).

“Ye are come-to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling” (xii. 24).

“Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood suffered without the gate” (xiii. 12, 23).

“God-brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus-through the blood of the everlasting covenant” (xiii. 20).

By such words the Holy Spirit teaches us that the blood is really the central power of our entire redemption.

“NOT WITHOUT BLOOD” is as valid in the New Testament as in the Old.

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, shed in His death for sin, can cover sin on God’s side, or remove it on ours.

We find the same teaching in the writings of the Apostles. Paul writes of “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus . . . through faith in his blood” (Rom. iii. 24, 25), Of “being now justified by his blood” (v. 9).

To the Corinthians he declares that the “cup of blessing which we bless is the communion of the Blood of Christ” (I Cor. x. I6).

In the Epistle to the Galatians he uses the word “CROSS” to convey the same meaning, while in Colossians he united the two words and speaks of “The Blood of his Cross” (Gal. vi. 14 ; Col. i. 20).

He reminds the Ephesians that “We have redemption through his blood” and that we “are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph. i. 7 and ii. I3).

Peter reminds his readers that they were “Elect . . . unto obedience and sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus” (I Pet. i.2), that they were redeemed by “the precious blood of Christ” (ver. 19).

See how John assures his “little children” that “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John i. 7). The Son is He “who came not by water only but by water and blood” (v. 6).

All of them agree together in mentioning the blood, and in glorying in it, as the power by which eternal redemption through Christ, is fully accomplished, and is then applied by the Holy Spirit.

IV. But perhaps this is merely earthly language. What has Heaven to say? WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE BOOK OF REVELATION CONCERNING THE FUTURE GLORY AND THE BLOOD?

It is of the greatest importance to notice, that in the revelation which God has given in this book, of the glory of His throne, and the blessedness of those who surround it, the blood still retains its remarkably prominent place.

On the throne John saw “A Lamb as it had been slain” (Rev. v. 6). As the Elders fell down before the Lamb they sang a new song saying, “Thou art worthy . . . for thou vast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood” (vers. 8 and 9).

Later on when he saw the great company which no man could number, he was told in reply to his question as to who they were, “They have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Then again, when he heard the song of victory over the defeat of Satan, its strain was, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” (xii. 11).

In the glory of heaven, as seen by John, there was no phrase by which the great purposes of God; the wondrous love of the Son of God; the power of His redemption; and the joy and thanksgiving of the redeemed; can begathered up and expressed save this-“THE BLOOD OF  THE LAMB.” From the beginning to the end of Scripture; from the closing of the gates of Eden, to the opening of the gates of the Heavenly Zion, there runs through Scripture a golden thread. It is “THE BLOOD” that unites the beginning and the end; that gloriously restores what sin had destroyed.

It is not difficult to see what lessons the Lord wishes us to learn from the fact that the blood occupies such a prominent place in Scripture.

i. God has no other way of dealing with sin, or the sinner, save through the blood.

For victory over sin and the deliverance of the sinner God has no other means or thought than “THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.” Yes, it is indeed something that surpasses all understanding.

All the wonders of grace are focused here-the Incarnation, by which He took upon Himself our flesh and blood; the love, that spared not itself but surrendered itself to death; the righteousness, which could not forgive sin till the penalty was borne; the substitution, by which He the Righteous One, atoned for us the unrighteous; the atonement for sin, and the justification of the sinner, thus made possible; renewed fellowship with God; together with the  cleansing, and sanctification, to fit us for the enjoyment of that fellowship; the true oneness in life withthe Lord Jesus, as He gives us His blood to drink; the eternal joy of the  hymn of praise, “Thou hast redeemed us to God”; all these are but rays of the wonderous light which are reflected upon us from “THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS.”

ii. The blood must have the same place in our hearts which it has with God.

From the beginning of God’s dealings with man, yes, from before the foundation of the world, the heart of God has rejoiced in that blood. Our heart will never rest, nor find salvation, till we too learn to walk, and glory in the power of that blood.

It is not only the penitent sinner, longing for pardon, who must thus value it. No –the redeemed will experience that just as God in His temple sits upon a throne of grace, where the blood is ever in evidence, so there is nothing that draws our hearts nearer to God, filling them with God’s love, and joy, and glory, as living in constant, spiritual view of that blood.

iii. Let us take time and trouble to learn the full blessing and power of that blood.

The blood of Jesus is the greatest mystery of eternity, the deepest mystery of the divine wisdom. Let us not imagine that we can easily grasp its meaning. God thought 4,000 years necessary to prepare men for it, and we also must take time, if we are to gain a knowledge of the power of the blood.

Even taking time is of no avail, unless there is definite taking of sacrificial trouble. Sacrificial blood always meant the offering of a life. The Israelite could not obtain blood for the pardon of his sin, unless the life of something that belonged to him was offered in sacrifice. The Lord Jesus did not offer up His own life, and shed His blood to spare us from the sacrifice of our lives. No, indeed but to make the sacrifice of our lives possible and desirable.

The hidden value of His blood is the spirit of self-sacrifice, and where the blood really touches the heart, it works out in that heart, a like spirit of self-sacrifice. We learn to give up ourselves and our lives, so as to press into the full power of that new life, which the blood. has provided.

We give our time in order that we may become acquainted with these things by God’s Word. We separate ourselves from sin and worldly-mindedness, and self-will, that the power of the blood may not be hindered, for it is just these things that the blood seeks to remove.

We surrender ourselves wholly to God in prayer and faith, so as not to think our own thoughts, and not to hold our own lives as a prize, but as possessing nothing save what He bestows. Then He reveals to us the glorious and blessed life which has been prepared for us by the blood.

iv. We can rely upon the Lord Jesus to reveal to us the power of His blood.

It is by this confident trust in Him that the blessing obtained by the blood becomes ours. We must never, in thought, separate the blood from the High Priest who shed it, and ever lives to apply it.

He who once gave His blood for us, will, oh I so surely, every moment, impart its efficacy.

Trust Him to do this. Trust Him to open your eyes, and to give you a deeper spiritual insight. Trust Him to teach you to think about theblood as God thinks about it. Trust Him to impart to you, and to make effective in you, all that He enables you to see.

Trust Him above all, in the power of His eternal High Priesthood, to work out in you, unceasingly, the full merits of His blood, so that your whole life may be an uninterrupted abiding in the sanctuary of God’s presence.

Believer, you who have come to the knowledge of the precious blood, hearken to the invitation of your Lord. Come nearer. Let Him teach you; let Him bless you. Let Him cause His blood to become to you spirit, and life, and power, and truth.

Begin now, at once, to open your soul in faith, to receive the full, mighty, heavenly effects of the precious blood, in a more glorious manner than you have ever experienced. He Himself will work these things out in your life.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | THE BLOOD OF JESUS | Blood Atonement | PEACE with GOD | Christology (the study of Christ) | Christ Crucified | Was Jesus the “One and Only Son”? [podcast] | The Remission of Sins

Beware of the Blasphemous Blood Bashers [podcast]

Why the Blood of Jesus Matters So Very Much There is LIFE and Power in the “Precious BLOOD“ of Jesus Christ Beware of all who deny the redemptive, purifying power of the “precious blood“ of Jesus Christ. Beloved saints of Christ, whatever you do, make it your immediate action and life goal to study all that the Bible, the Word of God says about Christ’s perfect blood sacrifice for the sins of the world. “Of how much sorer (more severe) punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted […]

The Gospel Centers Upon Christ’s Blood

The Importance of Blood Sacrifice [podcast] A Blood-Less Gospel is a False Gospel! “The aprons of fig leaves speak of man’s attempt to save himself by a bloodless religion of good works.” William MacDonald As the first man and woman quickly discovered after they sinned, the fig leaves of good works are not honored of God, will not cover sin from the eyes of He who is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) Blood sacrifice is essential in divine redemption. “Without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22 SATAN wants people trusting in water and not the BLOOD […]

Made Nigh by the Blood of Christ [podcast]

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13 By the blood of Jesus, we are made one with the Father, Son, and body of Christ! Ephesians 2, 4 Only Jesus could have satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem, to forgiven men – and He did just that – when He shed His perfect, precious, sinless blood on Calvary’s cruel cross for our sins. “It is finished” means the price to bring us back to God, to forgive us, is now “paid in full” (John […]

Abide in Christ
by Andrew Murray

AND YOU SHALL FIND REST TO YOUR SOULS

“Come unto me, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; and ye shall find rest to your souls -MATT.11:28-29

REST for the soul: Such was the first promise with which the Saviour sought to win the heavy-laden sinner. Simple though it appears, the promise is indeed as large and comprehensive as can be found. Rest for the soul-does it not imply deliverance from every fear, the supply of every want, the fulfilment of every desire? And now nothing less than this is the prize with which the Saviour woos back the wandering one-who is mourning that the rest has not been so abiding or so full as it had hoped-to come back and abide in Him. Nothing but this was the reason that the rest has either not been found, or, if found, has been disturbed or lost again: you did not abide with, you did not abide in Him.

Have you ever noticed how, in the original invitation of the Saviour to come to Him, the promise of rest was repeated twice, with such a variation in the conditions as might have suggested that abiding rest could only be found in abiding nearness. First the Saviour says, “Come unto me, and I will give you rest”; the very moment you come, and believe, I will give you rest-the rest of pardon and acceptance-the rest in my love. But we know that all that God bestows needs time to become fully our own; it must be held fast, and appropriated, and assimilated into our inmost being; without this not even Christ’s giving can make it our very own, in full experience and enjoyment. And so the Saviour repeats His promise, in words which clearly speak not so much of the initial rest with which He welcomes the weary one who comes, but of the deeper and personally appropriated rest of the soul that abides with Him. He now not only says, “Come unto me,” but “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me”; become my scholars, yield ourselves to my training, submit in all things to my will, let your whole life be one with mine-in other words, Abide in me. And then He adds, not only, “I will give,” but “ye shall find rest to your souls.” The rest He gave at coming will become something you have really found and made your very own-the deeper the abiding rest which comes from longer acquaintance and closer fellowship, from entire surrender and deeper sympathy. “Take my yoke, and learn of me,” “Abide in me”-this is the path to abiding rest.

Do not these words of the Saviour discover what you have perhaps often sought in vain to know, how it is that the rest you at times enjoy is so often lost. It must have been this: you had not understood how entire surrender to Jesus is the secret of perfect rest. Giving up one’s whole life to Him, for Him alone to rule and order it; taking up His yoke, and submitting to be led and taught, to learn of Him; abiding in Him, to be and do only what He wills-these are the conditions of discipleship without which there can be no thought of maintaining the rest that was bestowed on first coming to Christ. The rest is in Christ, and not something He gives apart from Himself, and so it is only in having Him that the rest can really be kept and enjoyed.

It is because so many a young believer fails to lay hold of this truth that the rest so speedily passes away. With some it is that they really did not know; they were never taught how Jesus claims the undivided allegiance of the whole heart and life; how there is not a spot in the whole of life over which He does not wish to reign; how in the very least things His disciples must only seek to please Him. They did not know how entire the consecration was that Jesus claimed. With others, who had some idea of what a very holy life a Christian ought to lead, the mistake was a different one: they could not believe such a life to be a possible attainment. Taking, and bearing, and never for a moment laying aside the yoke of Jesus, appeared to them to require such a strain of effort, and such an amount of goodness, as to be altogether beyond their reach. The very idea of always, all the day, abiding in Jesus, was too high something they might attain to after a life of holiness and growth, but certainly not what a feeble beginner was to start with. They did not know how, when Jesus said, “My yoke is easy,” He spoke the truth; how just the yoke gives the rest, because the moment the soul yields itself to obey, the Lord Himself gives the strength and joy to do it. They did not notice how, when He said, “Learn of me,” He added, “I am meek and lowly in heart,” to assure them that His gentleness would meet their every need, and bear them as a mother bears her feeble child. Oh, they did not know that when He said, “Abide in me,” He only asked the surrender to Himself, His almighty love would hold them fast, and keep and bless them. And so, as some had erred from the want of full consecration, so these failed because they did not fully trust. These two, consecration and faith, are the essential elements of the Christian life-the giving up all to Jesus, the receiving all from Jesus. They are implied in each other; they are united in the one word-surrender. A full surrender is to obey as well as to trust, to trust as well as to obey.

With such misunderstanding at the outset, it is no wonder that the disciple life was not one of such joy or strength as had been hoped. In some things you were led into sin without knowing it, because you had not learned how wholly Jesus wanted to rule you, and how you could not keep right for a moment unless you had Him very near you. In other things you knew what sin was, but had not the power to conquer, because you did not know or believe how entirely Jesus would take charge of you to keep and to help you. Either way, it was not long before the bright joy of your first love was lost, and your path, instead of being like the path of the just, shining more and more unto the perfect day, became like Israel’s wandering in the desert ever on the way, never very far, and yet always coming short of the promised rest. Weary soul, since so many years driven to and fro like the panting hart, O come and learn this day the lesson that there is a spot where safety and victory, where peace and rest, are always sure, and that that spot is always open to thee-the heart of Jesus.

But, alas! I hear someone say, it is just this abiding in Jesus, always bearing His yoke, to learn of Him, that is so difficult, and the very effort to attain to this often disturbs the rest even more than sin or the world. What a mistake to speak thus, and yet how often the words are heard! Does it weary the traveller to rest in the house or on the bed where he seeks repose from his fatigue? Or is it a labour to a little child to rest in its mother’s arms? Is it not the house that keeps the traveller within its shelter? do not the arms of the mother sustain and keep the little one? And so it is with Jesus. The soul has but to yield itself to Him, to be still and rest in the confidence that His love has undertaken, and that His faithfulness will perform, the work of keeping it safe in the shelter of His bosom. Oh, it is because the blessing is so great that our little hearts cannot rise to apprehend it; it is as if we cannot believe that Christ, the Almighty One, will in very deed teach and keep us all the day. And yet this is just what He has promised, for without this He cannot really give us rest. It is as our heart takes in this truth that, when He says, “Abide in me,” “Learn of me,” He really means it, and that it is His own work to keep us abiding when we yield ourselves to Him, that we shall venture to cast ourselves into the arms of His love, and abandon ourselves to His blessed keeping. It is not the yoke, but resistance to the yoke, that makes the difficulty; the whole-hearted surrender to Jesus, as at once our Master and our Keeper, finds and secures the rest.

Come, my brother, and let us this very day commence to accept the word of Jesus in all simplicity. It is a distinct command this: “Take my yoke, and learn of me, ” “Abide in me. ” A command has to be obeyed. The obedient scholar asks no questions about possibilities or results; he accepts every order in the confidence that his teacher has provided for all that is needed. The power and the perseverance to abide in the rest, and the blessing in abiding-it belongs to the Saviour to see to this; ’tis mine to obey, ’tis His to provide. Let us this day in immediate obedience accept the command, and answer boldly, “Saviour, I abide in Thee. At Thy bidding I take Thy yoke; I undertake the duty without delay; I abide in Thee.” Let each consciousness of failure only give new urgency to the command, and teach us to listen more earnestly than ever till the Spirit again give us to hear the voice of Jesus saying, with a love and authority that inspire both hope and obedience, “Child, abide in me.” That word, listened to as coming from Himself, will be an end of all doubting-a divine promise of what shall surely be granted. And with ever-increasing simplicity its meaning will be interpreted. Abiding in Jesus is nothing but the giving up of oneself to be ruled and taught and led, and so resting in the arms of Everlasting Love.

Blessed rest! the fruit and the foretaste and the fellowship of God’s own rest! found of them who thus come to Jesus to abide in Him. It is the peace of God, the great calm of the eternal world, that passeth all understanding, and that keeps the heart and mind. With this grace secured, we have strength for every duty, courage for every struggle, a blessing in every cross, and the joy of life eternal in death itself.
O my Saviour! if ever my heart should doubt or fear again, as if the blessing were too great to expect, or too high to attain, let me hear Thy voice to quicken my faith and obedience: “Abide in me”; “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; ye shall find rest to your souls.”

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At His Feet [podcast]

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15  Job had just lost all of his children and yet held fast his integrity toward the LORD. He would not allow his wife, his friends, or any other circumstance or entity sway his thoughts. This was a man with a real relationship with the living God – one not based on circumstance. First, foremost, and separate from all else, Job loved and worshipped the LORD with his whole heart. We must come to the place where our LORD alone is […]

Biblical Prayers for You to Pray

“Thank you so much! Powerful prayers to make my walk with Jesus stronger!” Karen Cochran Disciple’s Cry Prayers…. WARNING: Satan is in danger of and will lose his grip and influence over the life of any person who prays these biblical prayers from a sincere, repentant, honest heart! Jesus is King! “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22 Only those who are given over to the LORD, offering themselves as a freewill offering daily, will be mightily used of Him.  Did you catch the last […]

His Grace is Sufficient for Thee [podcast]

“WHEN HE HAD BY HIMSELF purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3  ALL “BY HIMSELF” Jesus redeemed us, bought, brought us back to God by the shedding of His precious blood on that cross. Jesus needed no help: He alone was sufficient to propitiate, expiate, atone for the sins of mankind. The grace of Christ which saved us through His perfect sacrifice is the same and only grace that keeps us and enables His perfect will in our lives! Here’s how that works in His kingdom economy: He who died, was buried, and raised […]