General Articles

Victory In Jesus :: By Grant Phillips

Published on: by RR7

This past year (2019) for our family was riddled with death. Four times it came calling. It doesn’t matter how you slice it, death is cruel and ugly. This is what sin has ‘gifted’ all of us. If death is all we have to look forward to in this life, then “…we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:19b)  But there is another gift of a different kind, a gift through Jesus Christ. It is available to all who will receive it.

“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.

And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.

For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.

So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:12, 15-21 NLT)

Our inheritance of original sin from Adam has given us nothing but death. We didn’t even have to work to receive it. We all have been born with it. As the above verses clearly state, all who are willing have an alternative, and the alternative is eternal life through Jesus Christ. There is one caveat to this free gift from God. It can only be obtained by belief in His Son, Jesus Christ. All the glory goes to Him.

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT)

Even though death comes down hard upon us all, it has no power over us if we have put our faith in Jesus. On the other side of the grave is our home, and the glories Jesus has provided are beyond description to these earthly minds.

If we are a child of Almighty God through His Son Jesus, we have everything to look forward to, and nothing to fear – not even death. Even in the here and now He is always with us; comforting, strengthening, loving us, guiding us and answering our prayers. With all that had transpired in our lives last year we could have just given up on God and blamed Him for a tough year … but why? He did nothing wrong. To the contrary, He was and is with us through the valleys just as He is on the mountain tops.

Probably everyone reading this article has had the same experiences. I just pray you haven’t given up on the One who really cares for you more than anyone else. Real peace and true happiness can only be found in Him.

Many of you are going through experiences that are choking the life from you. Your circumstances are much worse than ours, but nothing is too hard for God. Even the apostle Paul had problems he could not handle alone.

“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT)

January, March, October, and December of last year brought death knocking on our family’s door, along with all the other problems we face. Original sin has brought nothing but misery upon us all, but Jesus said through the apostle Paul the following:

“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NLT)

Life is tough enough without going it alone. Walk with God and He will walk with you. You may even feel Him holding your hand. Jesus also said:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

A Year of Joy :: by Holly Spate

Published on: by RR7

As we wave goodbye to the year now behind us and set our gaze on the new year before us,  let’s take a moment to thank God for all our past blessings. Let’s reflect on God’s greatness and His merciful, amazing gifts of salvation, unconditional love, joy, peace, forgiveness, relationship. And, with hearts of hope, let’s step into a new year confident that the Creator of all, Almighty God, the King of Kings, has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives.

To many, the idea of a new year is associated with a fresh start…a new beginning. It’s about a new chapter…a chance to change oneself, one’s circumstances, or simply a chance to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. It’s about letting go, learning from mistakes, cherishing memories, and moving forward. It’s about forgiveness, both forgiving ourselves and forgiving others. It’s about learning from the past and, in many cases, leaving the past behind.

A new year can spring forth the feeling of something new and exciting ahead lavishing us with feelings of hope and joy, or it can bring a sense of anxiety and uneasiness concerning the unknown.

For Christians, a new year should bring a sense of joy. Why? Because an unknown future lies in the capable hands of an all loving, all knowing God. The One who knows our story from beginning to end. The same God who declared in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The same God who said in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

The same God who conveyed in Lamentations 3:22-25, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”

2020 isn’t just about entering another new year; it’s about another year with Christ. Another year to become more like Him… to be His hands and feet to a lost world. Another chance to learn from mistakes, repent from past wrongs, and receive the blessings of His forgiveness and mercy. Another year to share the Good News, grow closer through studying His Word, sharing His grace, praying, and fellowshipping with other believers.

It’s a time to be reminded of the truth we all share when we come to Christ: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

I could list verse after verse after verse concerning God’s merciful nature, His all-consuming love for His creation, and the many blessings He gives His children.

We are blessed because we have a relationship with the Savior. We are blessed because we can place our trust in the very One who created us and promises to guide and direct our every step and to illuminate our path. We are blessed because He’s the Alpha and Omega…the Beginning and the End. He knows all, sees all, and holds all. He is sovereign, faithful, and worthy of all our trust and praise.

He’s provided salvation. He continually provides, guides, and unconditionally loves us. And, He promises to prepare a place for us…a place waiting for us when we take our last breath on this earth and enter into His presence for all eternity. A place of perfection beyond our wildest dreams or imagination.

This beautiful promise is mentioned in John 14:1-3, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 goes on to say, “However, as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

Praise God! A wonderful future awaits us. The very best is still yet to come!!

And, while we’re reminded of this beautiful promise to all believers, He also wisely sets before us important reminders as we live out our lives here on earth:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

As we meditate on these scriptures, let’s allow God to mold us, to teach us, and to work in us. Let’s give Him the praise and glory that’s due Him. Let’s make Psalm 51:10-12 our heart’s prayer for the new year: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”

As you step into 2020, be encouraged!  Remember, your joy as a believer is not conditional. As long as you have Jesus, you have joy. And, because of Jesus, you have everything.

Happy New Year!

hspate@verizon.net