July 13, 2016

A shirt, some reflection and a decision by Gary Rose


A healthy self-assessment is a good thing. In fact, I was born in the late 40's, I have lost my gall bladder and half a thyroid and I am getting forgetful. Unpleasant thoughts, but true. But what about my attitudes and actions? Do I think like God wants me to and do I really do what God wants me to do? Hopefully, yes. However, sometimes, we can all justify reality to our own liking. That needs to STOP.

Consider...

Haggai, Chapter 1 (WEB)
In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day, the word of Yahweh came ⌞through⌟ Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, 2 “Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘This people says, “⌞The time has not come to rebuild the temple of Yahweh⌟.’ ”  3 And the word of Yahweh came ⌞through⌟ Haggai the prophet, saying,  4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your houses that have been paneled while this house is desolate?”  5 And so then, thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘⌞Consider your ways⌟! (emp. added GDR) 6 You have sown much but have harvested little. You have eaten without being satisfied; ⌞you have drunk without being satiated⌟; you have worn clothes without being warm; the one who earns wages puts it in ⌞a pouch with holes⌟.’  7 Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘⌞Consider your ways⌟! (emp. added GDR) 8 Go up the mountain and bring wood and build the house so that I may be pleased with it and honored,’ says Yahweh.  9 ‘You have looked for much, and look! It came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?’ ⌞declares⌟ Yahweh of hosts. ‘Because my house is desolate and you are running each to your own house!  10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld the dew and the earth has withheld its produce.  11 I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil, on what the soil produces, on human beings and wild animals, and on ⌞all their labor⌟.’ ”

The chosen people of God took care of themselves first and ignored God's chosen temple; that was wrong!!  The ministry of Haggai was a success, as the Jews finally did what God wanted them to do- so, sometimes people DO LISTEN!!! 

Today, are you and I really following God? I hope so. If not, start the very moment. Start with who you are, what you have (or in my case- what I have left) and who you will listen to. I plan to purpose my life in becoming a better disciple of Jesus!!! 

What's your goal?

Bible Reading July 13 by Gary Rose


Bible Reading July 13 (WEB)

July 13
1 Chronicles 1-3

1Ch 1:1 Adam, Seth, Enosh,
1Ch 1:2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,
1Ch 1:3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
1Ch 1:4 Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
1Ch 1:5 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
1Ch 1:6 The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Diphath, and Togarmah.
1Ch 1:7 The sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
1Ch 1:8 The sons of Ham: Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
1Ch 1:9 The sons of Cush: Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raama, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba, and Dedan.
1Ch 1:10 Cush became the father of Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
1Ch 1:11 Mizraim became the father of Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,
1Ch 1:12 and Pathrusim, and Casluhim (from whence came the Philistines), and Caphtorim.
1Ch 1:13 Canaan became the father of Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
1Ch 1:14 and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,
1Ch 1:15 and the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
1Ch 1:16 and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.
1Ch 1:17 The sons of Shem: Elam, and Asshur, and Arpachshad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
1Ch 1:18 Arpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.
1Ch 1:19 To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.
1Ch 1:20 Joktan became the father of Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
1Ch 1:21 and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
1Ch 1:22 and Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
1Ch 1:23 and Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
1Ch 1:24 Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah,
1Ch 1:25 Eber, Peleg, Reu,
1Ch 1:26 Serug, Nahor, Terah,
1Ch 1:27 Abram (the same is Abraham).
1Ch 1:28 The sons of Abraham: Isaac, and Ishmael.
1Ch 1:29 These are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
1Ch 1:30 Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,
1Ch 1:31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
1Ch 1:32 The sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan.
1Ch 1:33 The sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.
1Ch 1:34 Abraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau, and Israel.
1Ch 1:35 The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah.
1Ch 1:36 The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek.
1Ch 1:37 The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
1Ch 1:38 The sons of Seir: Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan.
1Ch 1:39 The sons of Lotan: Hori, and Homam; and Timna was Lotan's sister.
1Ch 1:40 The sons of Shobal: Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah, and Anah.
1Ch 1:41 The sons of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hamran, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
1Ch 1:42 The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, and Zaavan, Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz, and Aran.
1Ch 1:43 Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before there resigned any king over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
1Ch 1:44 Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.
1Ch 1:45 Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
1Ch 1:46 Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith.
1Ch 1:47 Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
1Ch 1:48 Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place.
1Ch 1:49 Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.
1Ch 1:50 Baal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai: and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
1Ch 1:51 Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,
1Ch 1:52 chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
1Ch 1:53 chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
1Ch 1:54 chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.

1Ch 2:1 These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,
1Ch 2:2 Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
1Ch 2:3 The sons of Judah: Er, and Onan, and Shelah; which three were born to him of Shua's daughter the Canaanitess. Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh; and he killed him.
1Ch 2:4 Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.
1Ch 2:5 The sons of Perez: Hezron, and Hamul.
1Ch 2:6 The sons of Zerah: Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara; five of them in all.
1Ch 2:7 The sons of Carmi: Achar, the troubler of Israel, who committed a trespass in the devoted thing.
1Ch 2:8 The sons of Ethan: Azariah.
1Ch 2:9 The sons also of Hezron, who were born to him: Jerahmeel, and Ram, and Chelubai.
1Ch 2:10 Ram became the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah;
1Ch 2:11 and Nahshon became the father of Salma, and Salma became the father of Boaz,
1Ch 2:12 and Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse;
1Ch 2:13 and Jesse became the father of his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimea the third,
1Ch 2:14 Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
1Ch 2:15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh;
1Ch 2:16 and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.
1Ch 2:17 Abigail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.
1Ch 2:18 Caleb the son of Hezron became the father of children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth; and these were her sons: Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon.
1Ch 2:19 Azubah died, and Caleb took to him Ephrath, who bore him Hur.
1Ch 2:20 Hur became the father of Uri, and Uri became the father of Bezalel.
1Ch 2:21 Afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he took as wife when he was sixty years old; and she bore him Segub.
1Ch 2:22 Segub became the father of Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead.
1Ch 2:23 Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them, with Kenath, and its villages, even sixty cities. All these were the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.
1Ch 2:24 After that Hezron was dead in Caleb Ephrathah, then Abijah Hezron's wife bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.
1Ch 2:25 The sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron were Ram the firstborn, and Bunah, and Oren, and Ozem, Ahijah.
1Ch 2:26 Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam.
1Ch 2:27 The sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker.
1Ch 2:28 The sons of Onam were Shammai, and Jada. The sons of Shammai: Nadab, and Abishur.
1Ch 2:29 The name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail; and she bore him Ahban, and Molid.
1Ch 2:30 The sons of Nadab: Seled, and Appaim; but Seled died without children.
1Ch 2:31 The sons of Appaim: Ishi. The sons of Ishi: Sheshan. The sons of Sheshan: Ahlai.
1Ch 2:32 The sons of Jada the brother of Shammai: Jether, and Jonathan; and Jether died without children.
1Ch 2:33 The sons of Jonathan: Peleth, and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel.
1Ch 2:34 Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha.
1Ch 2:35 Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant as wife; and she bore him Attai.
1Ch 2:36 Attai became the father of Nathan, and Nathan became the father of Zabad,
1Ch 2:37 and Zabad became the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal became the father of Obed,
1Ch 2:38 and Obed became the father of Jehu, and Jehu became the father of Azariah,
1Ch 2:39 and Azariah became the father of Helez, and Helez became the father of Eleasah,
1Ch 2:40 and Eleasah became the father of Sismai, and Sismai became the father of Shallum,
1Ch 2:41 and Shallum became the father of Jekamiah, and Jekamiah became the father of Elishama.
1Ch 2:42 The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
1Ch 2:43 The sons of Hebron: Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.
1Ch 2:44 Shema became the father of Raham, the father of Jorkeam; and Rekem became the father of Shammai.
1Ch 2:45 The son of Shammai was Maon; and Maon was the father of Beth Zur.
1Ch 2:46 Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bore Haran, and Moza, and Gazez; and Haran became the father of Gazez.
1Ch 2:47 The sons of Jahdai: Regem, and Jothan, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph.
1Ch 2:48 Maacah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah.
1Ch 2:49 She bore also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena, and the father of Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.
1Ch 2:50 These were the sons of Caleb, the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim,
1Ch 2:51 Salma the father of Bethlehem, Hareph the father of Beth Gader.
1Ch 2:52 Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim had sons: Haroeh, half of the Menuhoth.
1Ch 2:53 The families of Kiriath Jearim: The Ithrites, and the Puthites, and the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; of them came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites.
1Ch 2:54 The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, and the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.
1Ch 2:55 The families of scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, the Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came of Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.

1Ch 3:1 Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;
1Ch 3:2 the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;
1Ch 3:3 the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife:
1Ch 3:4 six were born to him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years;
1Ch 3:5 and these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel;
1Ch 3:6 and Ibhar, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,
1Ch 3:7 and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
1Ch 3:8 and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
1Ch 3:9 All these were the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.
1Ch 3:10 Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,
1Ch 3:11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
1Ch 3:12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
1Ch 3:13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
1Ch 3:14 Amon his son, Josiah his son.
1Ch 3:15 The sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.
1Ch 3:16 The sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.
1Ch 3:17 The sons of Jeconiah, the captive: Shealtiel his son,
1Ch 3:18 and Malchiram, and Pedaiah, and Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
1Ch 3:19 The sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel, and Shimei. The sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam, and Hananiah; and Shelomith was their sister;
1Ch 3:20 and Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, Jushab Hesed, five.
1Ch 3:21 The sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah, and Jeshaiah; the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shecaniah.
1Ch 3:22 The sons of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. The sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, and Igal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six.
1Ch 3:23 The sons of Neariah: Elioenai, and Hizkiah, and Azrikam, three.
1Ch 3:24 The sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, and Eliashib, and Pelaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, and Delaiah, and Anani, seven.


Jul. 12, 13
Acts 9

Act 9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
Act 9:2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Act 9:3 As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
Act 9:4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
Act 9:5 He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Act 9:6 But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Act 9:7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
Act 9:8 Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
Act 9:9 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
Act 9:10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!" He said, "Behold, it's me, Lord."
Act 9:11 The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,
Act 9:12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight."
Act 9:13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
Act 9:14 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."
Act 9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
Act 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake."
Act 9:17 Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Act 9:18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.
Act 9:19 He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
Act 9:20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
Act 9:21 All who heard him were amazed, and said, "Isn't this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!"
Act 9:22 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Act 9:23 When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
Act 9:24 but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,
Act 9:25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
Act 9:26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
Act 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
Act 9:28 He was with them entering into Jerusalem,
Act 9:29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.
Act 9:30 When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
Act 9:31 So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Act 9:32 It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
Act 9:33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.
Act 9:34 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!" Immediately he arose.
Act 9:35 All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Act 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
Act 9:37 It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.
Act 9:38 As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
Act 9:39 Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
Act 9:40 Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Act 9:41 He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
Act 9:42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Act 9:43 It happened, that he stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner. 

I Will Build My Church by J. C. Bailey


http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Bailey/John/Carlos/1903/Articles/iwillbui.html

I Will Build My Church

This, my friends, is the statement of the Saviour in Matthew 16:18. In this article we intend to ask, and with the Scriptures answer, certain questions.
God is a God of order, plan and design. In the working of nature, we see this amply demonstrated. "Let everything produce after its kind" was and is a fundamental law. By miracle He created the first oak tree but from that time forward the acorn produces the oak and the oak produces the acorn. The maple produces after its kind, and so with all nature. Man was given dominion (Genesis 1:26). He may produce different varieties within a class, but he cannot set aside God's law of reproduction.
David said, "The heavens declare the glory of God." So perfect is His system that man as he studies can foretell to the very minute when there will be an eclipse.
The God who thus controls the universe also has a fixed purpose in regard to the church. We ask the question and propose to answer it from the New Testament: What is God's purpose in regard to the church?
We shall begin our study in Ephesians 2:11-21. We find under the old law that there was a partition between the Jew and the Gentile. The Israelites were God's chosen people. The Gentiles were strangers, separate from Christ, without God and having no hope. In Christ Jesus we have been made near by His blood. Christ broke down the partition (law of commandments) on the cross, and in one body He proposed to reconcile both (Jew and Gentile) to God. In Ephesians 1:22, 23 we learn that the body of Christ is the church. So God's law is that all men are to be reconciled to Him in the body (church) of Christ. Denominations do not exist in the divine plan of God.
"Mark them that are causing divisions" (Romans 16:17). Christ died for the purpose of reconciling the world in one body (church). Man has set up human institutions. Are you a member of the body of Christ or of a man-made body? Christ purchased the church with His blood. He did not purchase a denomination. Jesus gave himself for the church (Ephesians 5:25). Christ is the head of the church as the husband is the head of the wife (Ephesians 5:23). The church is one body (not many bodies as some teach). There is no scripture that intimates that these various denominations are part of the body of Christ. Quite the reverse is true. These denominational churches are independent bodies (not a part of the body). They are additions to God' plan. Read God's condemnation in II John 9.
The apostles tell us further, the two shall become one flesh, and he said he speaks of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:31, 32). Are you trusting in God's law or do you think that God is going to sanction and endorse spiritual adultery by adding or joining many bodies to Christ? God forbid.
It is God's purpose that through the church the manifold wisdom of God is to be made known. Man regards this command (Ephesians 3:10, 11) with indifference. Are you trusting in God or man? Is it not time that all human dross were removed from our religion and we proclaimed only the wisdom of God? Peter says (I Peter 4:11), "If any man speaketh, speaking as the oracles of God...." When men speak only as the oracles of God, then all human institutions will cease to be and human societies will no longer encumber the work of Christ. The church will shine in all its beauty as the bride of Christ.
The next Scripture we wish to consider bears out much of what we have already adduced. "Unto him be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ unto all generations forever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:21). Are we obeying God's law or are we following man? Are you hoping God will set aside His law and accept your disobedience? Read Hebrews 10:28, 29; Hebrews 2:1- 4.
One more passage as to God's purpose in the church. It is the pillar and ground of the truth (I Timothy 3:15). Pilate asked the question, "What is truth?" but didn't wait for an answer. Jesus said in His prayer to His Father, "Thy word is truth." The church, therefore, is the pillar and ground of the Word of God.
How did Christ build his church? What is the foundation? It was to be a rock. The foundation is Christ (I Corinthians 3:11). The rock is Christ (I Corinthians 3:10). On Pentecost this fact is proclaimed (Acts 2:36). We are added as living stones (I Peter 2:5). Those who believe, repent, and are baptized are added to the body of Christ (see Acts 2:38, 41, 47). Acts 18:8 tells us that the Corinthians heard, believed, and were baptized. They thus are named the church of God (I Corinthians 1:2). We are baptized into one body (I Corinthians 1:13). He cleansed and sanctified (set apart) the church by the washing of water with the word (Ephesians 5:26).
Where are the records? The church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven (Hebrews 12:23). Are your name and mine written there?
Is my name written there
On the page white and fair?
In the book of thy kingdom
Is my name written there?
J. C. Bailey, 1936, Ogema, Saskatchewan
This article was published in the first issue of The Gospel Herald, March 1936.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)