"LORD, Teach Me Cheerfulness"

 

John 15:8-11; 16:28-33 "Herein is MY FATHER glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be MY disciples. As the FATHER hath loved ME, so have I loved you: continue ye in MY love. If ye keep MY commandments, ye shall abide in MY love: even as I have kept MY father's commandments, and abide in HIS love. These things have I spoken unto you, that MY joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

"I came forth from the FATHER, and am come into the world; again, I leave the world, and go to the FATHER. HIS disciples said unto HIM, Lo, now speakest THOU plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that THOU knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask THEE: by this we believe that THOU camest forth from GOD. JESUS answered them, Do ye now believe ? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave ME alone: and yet I AM not alone, because the FATHER is with ME. These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

     It is easy to grow discouraged and to become irritated and cast down. It is easy to get our eyes off the LORD and become focused on the wind and waves and all the troubling circumstances that surround us on our earthly journey. Even little problems can irritate us greatly, causing us to lose our joy in the LORD. One believer of long ago said, "Our joy is too easily overclouded. Our song of gladness too easily turns into a dirge. We fret ourselves needlessly and fail to rejoice always. Sorrows come over us like a flood and bury us away beneath their dark waves; our gladness is too easily turned to sadness, as life's cares and trials come upon us. We desire to be ministers of cheer to others. Forbid that we should go out with sadness in our faces, which shall cast a shadow on other lives. May we be sunshine to others. May we show to all the world what grace can do in making us messengers of gladness."

     Even though we have tribulations in this dark world, our SAVIOR tells us to "be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 pictured at top of post). Let us remember HIS admonition: "Let not your heart be troubled" (John 14:1). May we keep our heart with all diligence, for "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). We must not lose that song in our heart and the sunshine in our faces. Paul and Silas could pray and sing praises in a dungeon because they had a strong, quiet, firm faith in their SAVIOR. May the LORD rescue us from disheartenment, no matter how difficult or perplexing the circumstances around us may be. Let us allow the joy of the LORD to be our strength as we cast every burden upon HIM (Nehemiah 8:10 pictured above; 1st.Peter 5:7 pictured above). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"GOD's Peace and Ours"

Isaiah 26:3 "THOU wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on THEE: because he trusteth in THEE."

     GOD is "the GOD of peace," as noted five times in these Scriptures:

"Now the GOD of peace be with you all. AMEN." (Romans 15:33 pictured above)

"And the GOD of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you. AMEN." (Romans 16:20)

"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in ME, do: and the GOD of peace shall be with you." (Philippians 4:9 pictured below)

"And the very GOD of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray GOD your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST." (1st.Thessalonians 5:23)

"Now the GOD of peace, that brought again from the dead our LORD JESUS, that GREAT SHEPHERD of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant," (Hebrews 13:20).

Peace, as defined in Webster's 1828 Dictionary, is "a state of tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of mind." The Pulpit Commentary records these insightful thoughts: "GOD's peace is the result of HIS inward harmony. There are no conflicts within HIM . . . In HIM is perfect peace, because there is harmony . . ."

     This peace of the GOD of peace may be ours also. JESUS CHRIST, the PRINCE of PEACE, speaking to HIS disciples, promised the following: "Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). In today's text, we encounter another wonderful promise of peace. Re-read this verse and take note of these uplifting observations:

(1) The source of peace is GOD HIMSELF - "THOU wilt keep him in perfect peace."

(2) Security of peace is promised, for HE will keep us (guard, protect, maintain).

(3) Stability in HIS peace is ours because it is "perfect peace" (literally "peace peace").

(4) The safety of peace is observed in the WORDs "stayed on THEE" (to prop, to lean hard).

(5) The stanchion of peace is in the phrase "trusteth in THEE" (we may be bound to HIM as to a snubbing post to keep us close and safe).

(6) Finally, it is the obedient servant who received this promised, perfect peace - the one "whose mind is stayed on THEE."

Allow this divine peace that surpasses all human comprehension to guard your heart and mind as you lay hold of the grace of GOD in the midst of a world full of turmoil (Philippians 4:6-7 pictured below). JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

 

"GLORY in the Church"

 

Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now unto HIM that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto HIM be glory in the church by CHRIST JESUS throughout all ages, world without end, AMEN."

     The Apostle Paul directs his prayer to "HIM that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (v.20 pictured above). All too often, we fail to realize just how much the LORD wants to bless us and how mightily HE would work through us if only we were totally yielded to the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. The low expectations we often have for ourselves as Christians reveal themselves in what we ask of GOD in prayer and in what we believe HE will actually bring to pass in our walk and witness. How sad it is that we expect so little when GOD wants to do so much ! What blessings we would experience if we took seriously what HE has promised ! We have no power in ourselves, but we have immeasurable strength through GOD. HE is able to do abundantly above all that we could ask or think. Are we willing to ask HIM for such strength ?

     The enjoyment of the fullness of GOD's blessing and the realization of all we have in CHRIST are "according to the power that worketh in us," (v.20b pictured above). Paul prayed for those believers who would receive edification through the reading of his epistle - and that certainly includes you and me ! He prayed that they would experience, in greater measure, the riches of JESUS CHRIST and the fullness of GOD's enabling grace. These blessings will be ours when we yield to the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT, allowing HIM to do "exceeding abundantly" in making the FATHER's will our own heartfelt desire as well.

     Finally, our worship and service will flourish when we tap into GOD's mighty power. "Glory in the church" will be a blessed reality when its members are sincerely walking "by CHRIST JESUS" (v.21 pictured above) in the fullness and strength of the HOLY SPIRIT. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"How to Be Strengthened with Might"

 

Ephesians 3:16-19 "That HE would grant you, according to the riches of HIS glory, to be strengthened with might by HIS SPIRIT in the inner man; that CHRIST may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of CHRIST, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of GOD."

     Notice the first verse of our text; the Apostle prays that GOD would grant the believers a full measure of the HOLY SPIRIT's power. Consider the fact that he does not pray for them to be given the ability to work miracles or heal the sick. Rather, he requests the internal working of the SPIRIT whereby they would be strengthened in the inner man (v.16). It takes the mighty power of GOD to produce the gentle and peaceable fruit of the SPIRIT (Ephesians 5:9 cf. pictured above; Galatians 5:22-26 pictured below). Prayer is essential in order to abundantly bring forth such godly fruit. We cannot do it by our own self-efforts.

     Next, Paul prays for steadfastness in the faith, which is so sorely needed if we are to withstand the fiery darts of the adversary. Once again, it takes the HOLY SPIRIT's enabling in order for us to "hold fast" (2nd.Timothy 1:13-14 pictured below). "That CHRIST may dwell in your hearts by faith" (v.17) speaks of the walk in the SPIRIT whereby the believer maintains daily communion with his LORD, uninterrupted by harbored sin or a willful spirit. If we are to be rooted, grounded, and established in the faith, then GOD's grace must be fully operative in our heart. But keep in mind that all of these blessings are integrally linked to regular, believing, intercessory prayer. The Apostle Paul realized this fact. Do we ?

     Finally, Paul prays that they might comprehend the vastness of CHRIST's love and experience the very "fulness of GOD" (vv.18-19). Is the Apostle Paul referring here to the so-called "charismatic gifts" ? Absolutely not ! GOD's fullness is for the one who is obedient to the WORD and yielded to the SPIRIT; this taps into the power of GOD, which can make every believer what HE wants him to be - like HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"HE Came, HE Went Back, HE Will Come Again !"

 

HE is the most important person who ever lived.

*HE CAME

His first coming was so important that even now, over 2,000 years later, we plan for the celebration of HIS birth by a month of feverish activity. We call HIS birthday Christmas. HE was killed at the early age of 33. Before HIS death HE had spent only three years speaking to the people. Why is HE so important ?

*HE WENT BACK

Three days after HIS death, HE arose from the grave and was seen on many occasions, for 40 days, by a total of over 500 people. Then HE physically ascended into Heaven ! How could all this be ? What is HE doing now ?

*HE WILL COME AGAIN

On many occasions during HIS life and after HIS resurrection HE clearly stated that HE will come again. Since everything predicted about HIS first coming has come true, and everything that HE said has come true, it is certain that HE will return.

Obviously, all this could not happen to a mere man. And these events are important to know simply because JESUS CHRIST is both GOD and MAN.

HE CAME*

HE came the first time to solve the basic problem of mankind: the sin-problem which separates GOD and man.

HIS teachings are wonderful. You can read the story of HIS life in 2 hours in one of the short books (called Gospels) written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 

But more important than what HE said is what HE did. Although HE was perfectly good, without sin, HE took the punishment due us because of our sins. HE died for us. Those who accept HIM as their substitute will not have to pay for their sins. This is GOD's plan for rescuing mankind.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . . .For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4).

GOD showed HIS approval of JESUS' work by raising HIM from the dead. Death is the result of sin. By conquering sin, JESUS defeated death ! Mankind is a born sinner and as such he is in need of a personal SAVIOR - JESUS fills that need in full ! 

HE WENT BACK*

After proving beyond any doubt that HE was physically alive, JESUS returned to HIS FATHER in Heaven. HE is there now. HE watches as HIS church, the body of CHRIST, spreads throughout the whole world. HE helps HIS followers. HE rules everything - every nation and person and event - to guide history to the point where HE will return.

HE WILL COME AGAIN*

When JESUS comes again, HE won't come as a weak tiny baby in a poor stable. HE will come in majesty and honor ! HE won't come to be crucified. HE will come as KING of the Universe ! Everyone who has ever lived will be brought before HIM for judgment.

How will you stand in that judgment ? The key to your being acquitted or condemned is whether or not you have honored HIM in this life by believing the facts about HIM.

"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." (John 3:16).

JESUS is GOD. HE came once to conquer evil. HE will come again to reward those who believe and condemn those who reject HIM in unbelief ! Are you ready for HIS coming ?

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so CHRIST was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for HIM shall HE appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:27,28)

"Prepare to meet they GOD !" (Amos 4:12)

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com

"Paul's Prayer"

 

Ephesians 3:14-15 "For this cause I bow my knees unto the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, of WHOM the whole family in Heaven and Earth is named,"

     Paul's intercessory prayer concludes the doctrinal section of his epistle to the Ephesians and leads into the "practical," or application, portion (Chapters 4-6). In this doctrinal section, we see the glory of the LORD JESUS CHRIST revealed through the calling out of a people from among both Jews and Gentiles who believe the Gospel, who are truly one in the SPIRIT and one in CHRIST's body, and who are predestinated to be glorified together at their SAVIOR's appearing. The Apostle desires in today's text that the recipients of GOD's marvelous benefits would more fully comprehend these blessed, spiritual truths. He also prays that believers, who enjoy such a glorious position in JESUS CHRIST, would likewise experience the LORD's enabling power.

     "For this cause I bow my knees unto the FATHER" (v.14 pictured above) - notice the Apostle's reverential attitude in prayer (kneeling before GOD) and the way in which he addresses his heavenly FATHER. This was not simply a feigned piety with which he was trying to impress other believers through his prayer life. The Apostle Paul realized that intercession was essential and instrumental in bringing to pass the perfect will of GOD in the lives of those for whom he prayed. Prayer does, indeed, make a tremendous difference; it seeks to magnify the LORD's will not only in our own life but also in the lives of others.

     "Of WHOM [JESUS CHRIST] the whole family in Heaven and Earth is named" (v.15 pictured above) - a family relationship exists between all who are "in CHRIST" (Ephesians 1:1 pictured above), including all believers today as well as those in times past. If we truly care about and have concern for others, we will come to the LORD in fervent, intermediary prayer on their behalf. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Minister"

 

Ephesians 3:1-13 "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of JESUS CHRIST for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of GOD which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation HE made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of CHRIST) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto HIS Holy Apostles and Prophets by the SPIRIT; that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of HIS promise in CHRIST by the Gospel: whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of GOD given unto me by the effectual working of HIS power.

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of CHRIST; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in GOD, WHO created all things by JESUS CHRIST: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of GOD, according to the eternal purpose which HE purposed in CHRIST JESUS our LORD: in WHOM we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of HIM. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulation for you, which is your glory."

     Today's text details the role and character of the "minister" (v.7) of the "mystery" (v.3). It is vital that the bearer of the Good News be properly equipped. Why was this man who ministered the truth concerning the Gospel now in prison ? It is because Paul fearlessly and uncompromisingly proclaimed this mystery to "you Gentiles" (v.1) - if he had limited his ministry to the Jews only, perhaps he might have averted some persecution. But the glorious message was for Gentiles as well, and the Apostle could not keep quiet about this. He realized the necessity of preaching the Gospel to everyone. GOD has no favorites, for HE "so loved the world" (John 3:16 pictured above) !

     The LORD entrusted Paul with a "dispensation" to proclaim HIS grace to whoever would hear and heed (vv.2-3), and he was to accomplish this ministry by humbly realizing that what GOD had commanded, HE would enable to be accomplished by HIS grace (vv.7-8). Remember, dear believer, the LORD has called and commissioned each of us to be an ambassador for JESUS CHRIST, beseeching the lost, in CHRIST's stead, to be reconciled to GOD (2nd.Corinthians 5:20-21 pictured above). We are only able to fulfill this ministry by the "effectual working of HIS power" (v.7). GOD is still seeking loyal ministers just like Paul.

     Were all the tribulations the Apostle was called upon to bear worth it ? Yes, they most certainly were ! "My tribulations," Paul says, are "for you, which is your glory" (v.13 pictured above). The power of GOD working through Paul's suffering and trials resulted in the edification and encouragement of believers. The Apostle would endure anything, as long as JESUS CHRIST was glorified and others were being saved and built up in the faith. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation