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ASSURANCES

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ASSURED OF KNOWING GOD

“’It is not everyone who keeps saying to me ‘Lord, Lord’ who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the man who actually does my Heavenly Father’s will” (Matt 7:21, PHILLIPS).

“Repentance, forgiveness, water baptism, and reception of the Spirit comprise the basic pattern of conversion” ESV Study Bible (ref#125, p2080, [Acts 1:5]).

My FATHER, I understand repentance, forgiveness, and water baptism but receiving the SPIRIT is difficult to verify. I assume because I repent, am assured of pardon, and am baptized the SPIRIT will reside in me. But that is a blind jump of faith that I must resist. A joyful peace will not come unless I am convinced for sure that the SPIRIT of GOD lives in me.

How great it is that Scripture does not leave me wondering. The Bible tells of ways a person behaves when the SPIRIT lives within. These facts become my assurances. Many days this year this blog site will post questions from Scripture. The more “Yeses” I accumulate the more assured I will be.

O FATHER, to be absolutely assured! What joy and peace that will bring me!

ASSURANCES

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ARE YOU REALLY SURE?

If I say I “know” I am saved, how do I know? How would I assure someone else that I am assured of my salvation?

It is true that some who are true Christians are not assured of their true status:

“One may say that he is persuaded that nothing present, or to come, can separate him from the love of God (Rom 8:18). Another comes but this far, ‘Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief’” (Mark 9:24) Puritan Daily Devotional Chronicles (ref#225, Oct 15th).

And it is also true that some who are not Christians are assured that they are:

“Many have lived in an outward profession; they have put on Christ with external garb, have talked well of Him, have been baptized in His name, have given liberally for His cause…” Octavius Winslow (ref#135, Aug 10th).

ASSURANCES

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THREE WAYS TO CHECK

“You should be looking at yourselves to make sure that you are really Christ’s….You ought to know by this time that Christ is in you, unless you are not real Christians at all….” (2 Cor 13:5-8 Phillips)

The FATHER has included in His Book many suggestions of how I can assure myself of His salvation. He makes Himself perfectly clear so I can be perfectly clear that I belong to Him.

“The famous Westminster Assembly of the 1640’s concluded that there are three grounds of assurance of personal faith: one primary ground – the promises of God; and two secondary grounds—evidences of grace and the witness of the Spirit” John Calvin (ref#164, Nov 2nd).

The paths of assurance are three entities. And when they all agree they provide firm evidence that I am GOD’s child and always will be.

The three paths are:

The Word of GOD: “…The sure word of God lays down certain signs and marks of true grace, and witnesses these signs to be good evidences…” Puritan Daily Devotional Chronicles (ref#225, p136).

Our conscience: “…or our own spirit, witnesses that these signs are sound…” (ref#225, p136).

GOD’s own HOLY SPIRIT: “…God super-adds the witness of His own Spirit which enables us yet more fully to know the things which are freely given us of God” (ref#225, p136).

ASSURANCES

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TEST YOURSELVES

“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay…” (2 Cor 13:5-9 MSG)

The Apostle Paul said to Timothy, “I know whom I have believed…” (2 Tim 1:12 ESV). The Apostle couldn’t be surer of his salvation.

I need solid assurance that I am a child of GOD; it will give me boldness. Take Martin Luther:

“It was because he knew he had eternal life that he could defy all those enemies the way he did, and all those who have this hope in them can say the same thing” Martyn Lloyd-Jones (ref#189, Dec 19th).

So let me test myself. On this year’s blog posts will pose questions taken from GOD’s Word. They will consist of activities where GOD demands a “Yes” answer.

Of course, since I am a sinner I will not score all “Yeses,” but as the year goes on I’ll slowly surmise whether CHRIST is active in my life—whether I enjoy obeying or whether I find the questions more and more irritating (revealing my lack of relationship with CHRIST). Before the year ends I should firmly know if I am a true Christian or faux Christian.

SUPPLICATION

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GENERAL TRIBULATION

[We all can think of a Christian sister or brother experiencing so much affliction they may not be able to pray for themselves. Here’s an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.]

REASONS FOR AFFLICTION – SCOURING AWAY EVIL

…FATHER, You are presently sustaining ____ with the bread of adversity and the water of affliction (Isa 30:20). It makes (him/her), LORD, weep with grief (Ps 119:28). But sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us draw closer to You. Pain that hurts has the ability to chase evil from our hearts (Prov 20:30). Your sharp reproofs that sting our conscience scours away evil (ref#16, [Prov 20:30]).

May ____ understand the good that comes out of humility caused by affliction, yet FATHER, in Your discipline do not give (him/her) over to (his/her) enemy (Ps 31:8). You tell (him/her) You will not hide Yourself when You afflict (him/her) (Isa 30:20). You will cause (him/her) to hear You saying, “This is the way, walk in it”, when (he/she) turns to the right or to the left (Isa 30:21).

FATHER, in Your time, You will draw (him/her) out of the net You have caused (his/her) enemy to lay for (him/her); therefore, gladly into Your hands I commit ____’s spirit (Ps 31:4-5). Make (him/her) be glad and rejoice in Your mercy and steadfast love—because You have seen (his/her) affliction—because You have taken note of (his/her) distresses—because You will never give (him/her) into the hand of the enemy (Ps 31:7-8).

THANKSGIVING

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“God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it” (Num 23:19 NRSV)?

“I made the earth, and created humankind upon it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host” (Isa 45:12 NRSV).

“God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them” (Rev 21:3 NLT).

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, (Ps 92:1-2 NKJV).

“…I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, My God of mercy” (Ps 59:16-17 NKJV).

“…Nothing is too difficult for You, who shows lovingkindness to thousands, but repays the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them, O great and mighty God. The Lord of hosts is His name; great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds;” (Jer 32:17-19 NASU).

“’It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. ‘It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him” (Dan 2:21-22 NASU).

 “to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen” (Rom 16:27 NASU).

CHRISTMAS POST 2017

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CHRISTMAS

The celebration of CHRIST’s birth brings to an end the 1st covenant between GOD and His people—the tiny nation, Israel. No more will sacrificing and rituals be the way to GOD (Luke 2:32,34-35). No more can Israel rest on the fact that they are heirs of Abraham and thus GOD’s people (Luke 3:8-9).

John the Baptist first announces the 2nd covenant: He proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins instead of animal sacrifices (Luke 3:3). JESUS was about to challenge all men, Jew as well as Gentile.

One thing that stands out in reading the four Gospels is how the actions of JESUS create a visible distinction between people whose hearts are hard toward him (chaff) or receptive toward Him (wheat). CHRIST shook people up; they either loved or hated Him!

John the Baptist said of Him, “…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire” (Luke 3:16-17 ESV).

“Whether being baptized ‘with the Holy Spirit and fire’ will be positive (involving the coming of the purifying fire of the Spirit at Pentecost, Acts 1:8; 2:3) or negative (involving the divine judgment of fire; Luke 9:54;12:49;17:29) depends on the response of the individual person” (ref#125, p1953, [Luke 3:16]).

In our day JESUS speaks just as defining-ly through the written Word. His Presence now with us demands a response. No more assuming we are GOD’s people.

FATHER, am I wheat or chaff? If I’m ever to rest in peace I must know.

Beginning in 2018 this blog plans to address the topic of assurances of salvation. It will continually ask the question, “Am I going to heaven?”

As I celebrate CHRIST’s birth today, I thank Him for coming to earth not only to provide a way of everlasting life for me but also that I might know for sure NOW whether or not I have everlasting life.

JESUS has come. His presence divides. Am I chaff or wheat?

THANKSGIVING

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Chord Progression:  (C  Dm  G7  C)  (Em  Am  Dm  G7)

YOUR TESTIMONIES ARE WONDERFUL

“Your testimonies are wonderful

[far exceeding anything conceived by man];…” (Ps 119:129 AMP).

“Your righteous testimonies are everlasting

and Your decrees are binding to eternity;…” (Ps 119:144 AMP).

 

“Your word is very pure (tried and well refined);…” (Ps 119:140 AMP).

“Your decrees are very trustworthy;…” (Ps 93:5 ESV).

“You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;…” (Heb 1:9 NKJV).

“…holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore” (Ps 93:5 ESV).

 

“You are the God Who does wonders;

You have demonstrated Your power among the peoples” (Ps 77:14 AMP).

“For you bless the righteous, O Lord;

you cover him with favor as with a shield” (Ps 5:12 ESV).

 

“You…have led forth…whom You have redeemed;

You have guided them in Your strength…” (Ex 15:13 AMP).

“You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,

And abundant in mercy to all…who call upon You” (Ps 86:5 NKJV).

 

“Before the mountains were born

Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting,

You are God” (Ps 90:2 NASU). You are GOD!!

ADORATION

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Chord Progression:  (Cmaj  Dm7  Em7 Dm7)  (Em7  Fmaj  Ddim7  Fdim7)

GOD STRENGTHENS MY SOUL

To You wise GOD, be glory forevermore

through CHRIST!

Through CHRIST I praise You,

the incomparably wise GOD (Rom 16:27).

 

You are gracious, LORD,

and righteous altogether, Yes,

and merciful, compassionate,

and kindhearted (Ps 116:5).

 

When I call You answer;

You strengthen me with might—

making me inflexible to temptation

so my strength of soul is increased (Ps 138:3).

 

Engage me to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,

announcing Your love each daybreak,

and singing of Your faithful presence

all through the night (Ps 92:2).

 

SUPPLICATION

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CHRISTIAN

[Because we are Christians and live in the world we will always need prayer for our walk and for witnessing to others about CHRIST. Here’s an opportunity to pray for others or even ourselves. Fill their name or your name in the blanks.]

SHARING IN PRETENSE OR TRUTH?

“Some…preach Christ from envy…, but others from good will” (Phil 1:15 ESV).

FATHER, it’s not that ____ consciously preaches CHRIST out of envy; but, (he/she) can be envious unaware, therefore, I pray (he/she) set (his/her) thoughts on searching for the real reason (he/she) finds joy in telling people about CHRIST. (His/Her) actions can be simply acting the part, while (his/her) motives may not be purely good will. Some preach CHRIST so that they themselves can seem important (ref#56, p1719 [Phil 1:15-18]). And humanly ____ is capable of desiring to be important.

In Matthew 7:21-23, LORD, You tell us we can be a service to Your Gospel and yet be shut out of eternal fellowship with You. Because of the gravity of that Scripture portion, I desire, FATHER, that You search ____’s heart for self-honoring sin. Is (he/she) sharing the Gospel or performing any other Christian service in pretense (Phil 1:18)?

Your Word, through the Apostle Paul, paints a picture of Christians accomplishing service to You in truth and in good will. He writes in Philippians 1:27-29: “…let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that…I may hear…that you are standing firm…and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign…of your salvation…For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,…” (Phil 1:27-29 ESV).

The HOLY SPIRIT gives ____ power and love and self-control (2 Tim 1:7). I want the SPIRIT to work Himself out in ____’s life. I want ____ to stand firm in power; I want (him/her) to love opponents and not be frightened by them; I want (him/her) to exercise self-control in (his/her) suffering. I want (him/her) to preach CHRIST from good will—thinking only of Your advancement, FATHER, and oblivious to any benefit for (himself/herself).