3/21/2018

Here is an excerpt from the book, The Warnings of Jude.

Jude 1:3 (KJV) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Jude begins in this third verse by saying "I gave all diligence to write unto you." Jude was greatly troubled by what was going on in the churches. The False Teachers that had arose to pervert the gospel to lead men and women into false beliefs and away from the truth of God's word. Pagan idols had come into the churches, along with these pagan idols the teaching of Gnosticism was coming into the churches as well.

In the book A Summary of Christian History it states; "The roots of Gnosticism may be found in Jewish writings like those of Philo of Alexandria (20 BC - 40 AD)." "Gnosticism was a search for salvation through knowledge." "Gnosticism attempted to explain the nature of evil, the nature of God and his relation to the world, and the present order of existence." All of these things were coming against the newly founded churches and new Christian believers. The devil was trying to destroy the faith of new born saints, something had to be done.

When Jude speaks of giving all diligence to writing to the Christians, he is saying I have thought much, prayed much, on how to best address the problems that are among you. He then stresses the fact of a common salvation. There was much contention, each faction in the church said their belief and their ideals were the right ones. Does this remind you of the church today? Jude's epistle in this third verse is trying to bring everyone back to the knowledge that we are saved by a common salvation; common in the fact that we are all saved the very same way.

Salvation comes through repenting of our sins, the acceptance of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Jude was grieved in his heart at what was happening. Paul was also very concerned that the church was suffering from the on slot of the enemy. Paul wrote to the Galatians "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:"

Used by permissin of the author: David Wilson

3/20/2018

We believe that there is but one true and living God, creator of all things, visible and invisible, and preserver of all things. He is infinite in power, Wisdom, and goodness.

Romans 1:20 - For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Colossians 1:16 - For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Our God is a trinity in unity, manifested in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. God is infinitely perfect, being in His three person’s co-existent, co-equal, and co-eternal.

            God the Father is greater than all; the source of the word (LOGOS) and the Begetter.

John 14:28 - Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

            The Son was begotten of the Father, accepting earthly limitations, true God and true man; conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the Cross, the Just for the unjust adds a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on High as our great High Priest, and He will return again to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and justice.

Matthew 3:16-17 - ¹⁶  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: ¹⁷  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John 16:28 - I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Matthew 28:18-19 - ¹⁸  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

John 1:18 - No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Philippians 2:5-6 ⁵   Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
⁶  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

            The Holy Ghost is a Divine Person, Executive of the Godhead on earth, the Comforter sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to indwell, to guide, and to teach the believer, and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.

John 15:26 - But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

2 Corinthians 13:14 -  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

John 1:1-2 - ¹  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²  The same was in the beginning with God.

3/18/18

The true Church is the body of Jesus Christ, He being the Head.

Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Ephesians 4:15 - But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Its earthly constituents are all true believers, born again by the Spirit and by the Word      

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 Peter 1:23 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

To it is delegated the various gifts and offices of the Holy Ghost necessary for the successful, fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission to the Church, as given to the disciples in

1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 27, 28) - ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.   ⁸ For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; ⁹ To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; ¹⁰ To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: ¹¹ But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.     ²⁷ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.         ²⁸ And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Matthew 28:18-20) - ¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15-20 - ¹⁵ And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. ¹⁷ And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. ¹⁹ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. ²⁰ And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

3/15/2018

Bro. Raymond Cox sent this prayer in.

Lord Jesus, heal me. Heal in me whatever you need to see that needs healing. Heal me of whatever might separate me from You, Heal my memory, heal my heart, heal my emotions, heal my spirit, heal my body, and heal my soul. Lay Yur hands gently upon me and heal me through Your love for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

It is needful to be healed of things that God thinks need healing and not just what we want healing of. Remember what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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. 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."

We at times complain about things that happen to us and then latter when we look back we see where God used that incident for the his glory.

Lord help us to accept the things that come, blessings as well as troubles. Help us show you and your love in all the things that come our way. Amen.

C.I. Wilson

3/13/2018

When I read the following awhile back it spoke to me. May this part of an old song speak to you as well.

I would not have the restless will

That hurries to and fro,

Seeking for some great thing to do,

Or secret thing to know:

I would be treated as a child,

And guided where I go,

I ask Thee for the daily strength,

To none that ask denied,

A mind to blend with outward life,

While keeping at thy side;

Content to fill a little space,

If thou be glorified.

C.I. Wilson