There is more than one type of prayer for believers to lift up to the Father, and in his letter to Timothy, Paul covers several of them specifically. He urges Timothy to lift up “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving.” This admonition is for you and me as well.  A request is a need, a deep desire for something we don’t have—something that only God can supply. We acknowledge our helplessness before the throne and call upon God to fulfull his promise of provision. A prayer is a word of praise and adoration. A more accurate translation of this word from the original Greek might be to “worship in earnest.” We glorify God and acknowledge his majesty and glory, both in heaven and on earth. Intercession is praying on behalf of others. Throughout Scripture we are encouraged to put the needs of those around us ahead of our own. Our prayers should regularly reflect this kind of selfless lifestyle. Thanksgiving involves remembering those past prayers that have already been answered, acknowledging that we not only trust God’s supremacy and involvement in our life but also see how his hand has moved and guided us in the past. We thank him for his love, his faithfulness, and his mercy, and for all that he is and does. Developing a complete and fulfilling prayer life demands that we not only understand our need for God’s wisdom and direction in every area of life but that we also desire to interact with the Father on many different levels—and in many forms. Human nature will often cause us to focus on ourselves and our earthly wants and wishes, but God wants more from us. And he wants more for us.  When we pray effectively, we do more than communicate with God—we commune with him. We become one in mind and spirit and purpose. Today, let the focus of your prayer time be to connect with God in a very real and personal way, not as a slave would petition his master, but as a son would enjoy the company of a loving and gracious father.

Today’s Reading Matthew 6:5-13; 1 Timothy 2:1

Reflection What kind of prayers does God reward? In what way is Jesus’ prayer a model for us in our own times of prayer?

This devotion read in:

Title : Embracing Eternity: Living Each Day with a Heart Toward Heaven Edition : First Copyright : © 2004 by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. All rights reserved. Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 2004, QuickVerse, a division of FindEx.com, Inc.

IN HIS GRIP

Chuck Howi

“Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Beware of refusing to hear the call of God. Everyone who is saved is called to testify to the fact of his salvation. That, however, is not the same as the call to preach, but is merely an illustration which can be used in preaching. In this verse, Paul was referring to the stinging pains produced in him by the compelling force of the call to preach the gospel. Never try to apply what Paul said regarding the call to preach to those souls who are being called to God for salvation. There is nothing easier than getting saved, because it is solely God’s sovereign work—“Look to Me, and be saved …” (Isaiah 45:22). Our Lord never requires the same conditions for discipleship that he requires for salvation. We are condemned to salvation through the Cross of Christ. But discipleship has an option with it—“If anyone …” (Luke 14:26). Paul’s words have to do with our being made servants of Jesus Christ, and our permission is never asked as to what we will do or where we will go. God makes us as broken bread and poured-out wine to please Himself. To be “separated to the gospel” means being able to hear the call of God (Romans 1:1). Once someone begins to hear that call, a suffering worthy of the name of Christ is produced. Suddenly, every ambition, every desire of life, and every outlook is completely blotted out and extinguished. Only one thing remains—“… separated to the gospel … .” Woe be to the soul who tries to head in any other direction once that call has come to him. The Bible Training College exists so that each of you may know whether or not God has a man or woman here who truly cares about proclaiming His gospel and to see if God grips you for this purpose. Beware of competing calls once the call of God grips you.

IN HIS GRIP

Chuck Howi

This devotion was read in:

: My Utmost for His Highest Edition : First Copyright : Copyright © 1992 by Oswald Chambers Publications Association, Ltd. Original edition copyright © 1935 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1963 by Oswald Chambers Publications Association, Ltd. United States publication rights are held by Discovery House Publishers, which is affiliated with RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512. All rights reserved. Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1998, Parsons Technology, Inc.

The Priestly Service of the Gospel of God

The Heart of Paul

Lately my son, Tim has written a series of being a Disciple and all that being a Disciple is. It has brought a challenge to my heart and to step-up to the plate, a baseball term, and make sure it’s covered. After all, if we are Children of God we should be all that God wants us to be and nothing short of that would be God’s Will. In reading God’s Word I came across a familiar passage and His Spirit opened up a whole new meaning that I fill fits right in with what Tim has been writing about. Understanding what God has blessed Tim with, I would like to give my testimony of how God has blessed me in conjunction with the light that God has given me through what my son has written.

Romans 15:14(NASB) 14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.

As Paul grew in the grace, he strived in the Spirit of God and recognized his service as being a minister of the Gentiles and those who were lost and without Christ. He always looked after his flock and studied their growth as they grew in the Lord. In the 15^th chapter of Romans his confidence in his brothers and sisters in Christ was encouragement as he saw them growing in the Lord.

Full of goodness and filled with all knowledge
2 Peter 1:5-8(NASB)
⁵ Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
⁶ and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,
⁷ and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, goodness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A child of God knows that his actions either represent the Spirit or the Flesh. There should not be any mistake of where his actions are. We are Children of the Most High God and a Temple of the Holy Spirit. Paul knew what his position was and where he stood in the service of his Lord.

Able to admonish, instruct, one another

Jude 1:21-25(NASB)

21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.  22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Christ said, Go and make Disciples!  Thy Word have I hid in my heart. We must come along side and teach the Word of God until His Word becomes heart knowledge and not just head knowledge.

Romans 15:15-16(NASB)

15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God,  16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 

We as Children of God are more than children; we are a Holy People chosen by God, ministering as a priest the gospel of God. Go ye forth and make disciples.  Because of the love of Christ, we have no other choice.

In 1 Corinthians we read this account:

1 Corinthians 1:4-9(NASB)

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,  5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,  6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,  7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,  8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have been called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We have no other choice; we must Preach the Gospel and make Disciples of all who will hear His call.

1 Corinthians 8 states it this way;

1 Corinthians 8:6(NASB)

6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. We have no other choice.

In Matthew 28 we are commanded:

Matthew 28:18-20(NASB)

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

As Always

IN HIS GRIP

Chuck Howi

Just last week we came home to a wonderful message on our answering machine. A woman from our church—my wife’s good friend—called to say that her tumor was benign. She didn’t have cancer after all. We’d been praying for such a miracle, and now those prayers had been answered. “God is so good,” she said excitedly. We agreed aloud and thanked him for his kindness. Answered prayers have a way of lifting us all a notch or two. We love sharing stories of God’s miraculous intervention in our life—and that’s a good thing. Yet even as I write these words this morning I wonder to myself, What if God had chosen not to heal her? Would he be any less wonderful? Would we still be praising him for his power and goodness? Is God still good and merciful, even when our prayers go unanswered? Paul wrestles with that question in his letter to the Corinthian church. “I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud,” Paul confides in his brothers and sisters in the Lord. “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away” (2 Corinthians 12:7-8). Paul didn’t just pray for help, he pleads for it, begging repeatedly.  And what was God’s response? “My gracious favor is all you need” (2 Corinthians 12:9). In a word, God’s answer was no to his most faithful and trusted servant. God wouldn’t even heal a simple problem? Unbelievable! That’s what I would think. But Paul has a different response: “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses …. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). In the midst of suffering and unanswered prayer, Paul continues to preach about God’s goodness and power. God refuses a simple request, and Paul still praises his name. He still has the thorn but glorifies God in spite of it. What does Paul understand that so many of us seem to have missed?  Paul knows that grace is all he really needs. He knows that answered prayers are nice, but they have little to do with the big picture. He knows that God has already given him more than he ever deserved—more than any of us dare ask for. And he knows that thorns are just diversions from our real purpose—temporal problems that won’t even be remembered in eternity. It’s great to praise God for miracles. But let’s not forget to praise him in his silence.

Today’s Reading 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Reflection Why was Paul given a “thorn in the flesh”? What allowed him to “boast in his weaknesses”? Is there a “thorn” that keeps your mind off of God’s purpose for you?

Read from Devotional; EMBRACING ETURNITY.

As Always

IN HIS GRIP

Chuck Howi

 “… the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

We should battle through our moods, feelings, and emotions
into absolute devotion to the Lord Jesus. We must break out of our own little
world of experience into abandoned devotion to Him. Think who the New Testament
says Jesus Christ is, and then think of the despicable meagerness of the
miserable faith we exhibit by saying, “I haven’t had this experience or that
experience”! Think what faith in Jesus Christ claims and provides—He can present
us faultless before the throne of God, inexpressibly pure, absolutely righteous,
and profoundly justified. Stand in absolute adoring faith “in Christ Jesus, who
became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and
redemption …” (1 Corinthians 1:30). How dare we talk of making a sacrifice for
the Son of God! We are saved from hell and total destruction, and then we talk
about making sacrifices! We must continually focus and firmly place our faith in
Jesus Christ—not a “prayer meeting” Jesus Christ, or a “book” Jesus Christ, but
the New Testament Jesus Christ, who is God Incarnate, and who ought to strike us
dead at His feet. Our faith must be in the One from whom our salvation springs.
Jesus Christ wants our absolute, unrestrained devotion to Himself. We can
never experience Jesus Christ, or selfishly bind Him in the confines of
our own hearts. Our faith must be built on strong determined confidence in Him.
It is because of our trusting in experience that we see the steadfast impatience
of the Holy Spirit against unbelief. All of our fears are sinful, and we create
our own fears by refusing to nourish ourselves in our faith. How can anyone who
is identified with Jesus Christ suffer from doubt or fear! Our lives should be
an absolute hymn of praise resulting from perfect, irrepressible, triumphant
belief.

For me to live is Christ, and to die would be GLORIOUS GLORY.

IN HIS GRIP

Chuck Howi

Title : My Utmost for His Highest
Edition : First
Copyright : Copyright
© 1992 by Oswald Chambers Publications Association, Ltd. Original edition
copyright © 1935 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1963 by
Oswald Chambers Publications Association, Ltd. United States publication rights
are held by Discovery House Publishers, which is affiliated with RBC Ministries,
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512. All rights reserved. Electronic Edition STEP Files
Copyright © 1998, Parsons Technology, Inc.

1 Peter 2:21-25(NRSV)

21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his
steps.

22    “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.

24He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

25For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Here lately I have been thinking of how I have been allowing my thoughts to be expressed as I speak and not really putting serious
thought in what I am saying. What I’m saying is, we have a way of talking in our Christian jargon without putting serious thought In every word that that we speak. In 1 Peter 2:21-22 we read:

 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

22    “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

The scriptures state, For to this you have been called, so that you should follow in his steps. We have—- a set way—- in which we
should walk and how we should speak. To those around us; brothers and sisters in Christ, and also to the lost, we have a way to act.     “He committed no sin,      and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.

24He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

I know there have been times in my life I will get a crosshair in my feelings and before I know what is happening I will speak
before my thoughts are in control. I will say something judgmental, and I’m sorry I said it. In Verse 23, He says it best; no abuse, and  when He was threatened he did not threaten back. We Have Christ in us and we must allow Him to be in control of us, not
the other way around. We are to entrust ourselves to the one who judges justly.

24He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds£ you have been healed.

If Christ shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. We have such a freedom in Christ and we should live in that freedom rather than in bondage. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness.

Through Christ we have been freed from sins; Through Christ, because He has left us an example to walk and to talk with everyone
around us and encourage and lead the way we should, as Christ leads us. Let us walk through Christ justified. For by his wounds you have been healed.

25For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

In My next talk we will continue in:

 Do it Yourself
2 Corinthians 10:5-6(ASV)
⁵casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; ⁶and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full.

As Always

IN HIS GRIP

Chuck Howi

It seems to me that when we first accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we take that about face and start striving to rework our lives all over again from square one and striving to put into place what is already there. We need to relax in Him and let Christ direct us in this new life we have, and allow the Spirit of God to have full control in the New Life we now possess. We have become New Creations in Him and as the scriptures states; “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him”. That sounds simple when you say it, but you have to realize that now you have the power of the Spirit and the Leadership of the Comforter to direct you in this new found life. Let us go to the Word and get the directions we desperately need. Let us first look at who Christ is. God chose to dwell in Christ. And in Him we have been made complete.

Colossians 2:9-10(NASB)

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 

10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority. 

Now we can start, because we have been made complete in Him, to start walking as we have received Him. And there is more to come. 

Colossians 2:11-14(NASB)

11and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 

12having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 

13When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 

14having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  

When Christ was on the cross He made the statement,” it is finished”, it was complete and He left nothing undone. Now we can start to understand to walk in Him as we received Him, and yet there is more. 

In verse 7,” having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith”

 we are starting to understand. In Ephesians 3: 14-21; we continue to see how Our Heavenly Father has grounded and rooted us in His Love through Christ.

Ephesians 3:14-21(NASB)

14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 

15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 

16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 

17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 

18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 

19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

20Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 

21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

In Ephesians 4:1-3; and in vs.7 Paul consummates this walk as we are called in Christ. 

Ephesians 4:1-3(NASB)

1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord,

 implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 

2with all humility and gentleness,

with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 

3being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Paul reminds us that God has given to us, with all the gifts He has endowed us to serve Him, in this walk with which we have been called; that He has given us the Grace to carry out our service as we praise Him. 

 7But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 

We can by Gods’ grace walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. Please read; Ephesians 4: 20-24 and Colossians 1:9-23. God has given us His Word to establish and give us all that we need to serve Him and He will bless us with His Grace as we walk in His Will. 

As Always Until He Calls Us Home,

IN HIS GRIP

Chuck Howi

So many times in my life time I have seen the sufferings of my Christian brothers and sisters and my heart is burdened. With tears, as in this flesh I stand, the only hope I have as I have been told by God’s Word, to bear the burdens of others is to drop on my knees before Almighty God and lift up these sufferings and burdens to the only One who can give us our deliverance. As I go to His Holy Word for relief and comfort God will open up by His Spirit the refreshing words I seek and will lift me up to a level of deliverance I have felt before and set my spirit free.

Because sin has been condemned in the flesh, the final deliverance will be when we shed this robe of flesh and forever be with the LORD. I am sure that is accepted by everyone who is in Christ. But wait a minute; if I am still in this flesh, is there not deliverance for me now? Let us go to God’s Word and by His Spirit find the answer to this very important question.

Not only do I intercede for the sufferings of ones I love in Christ, but I am reminded; we do not know how to pray as we should. Jesus said I will not leave you as orphans; I will never leave you or forsake you. What is so neat about that is we have all Three. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit Intercedes For Us 

Romans 8:26-27(NASB)

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning’s too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

When the Holy Spirit prays, I believe He prays in a spiritual tongue that only the Father can understand. Groaning’s too deep for words. And He, God, Who searches our Hearts, knowing what the mind of the Spirit is, knows that the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. What we often forget is the Father knows and understands and will come to us with deliverance right where we are at. God also gives us deliverance because:

 We are called according to His Purpose 

Romans 8:28-30(NASB)

28 And we know that £God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 

30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 

Whatever the case may be, God has His way and causes all things to work together for good to those who love God. He has predestined us to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. It is good to know that we have been Glorified in Jesus. If we are so blessed by God and if we’re blessed in Jesus: 

He Will also with Him Freely Give Us All Things. 

Romans 8:31-34(NASB)

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?  

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 

33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 

34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was £raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 

God went all the way. He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? There is no one to bring charges against God’s elect. God is the One who justifies: there is no one to condemn for Christ Jesus is He who died for us and has been raised and sits at the right hand of God. And speaking of deliverance:

Jesus Also Intercedes For Us: see Romans 8:34.

We have such a Mighty God who loves us, cares for us, and takes us all the way. Our sufferings and pains are real, but with brothers and sisters: and we do not always know how to pray as we should; but you have Godly Intercession; the Holy Spirit, who intercedes for the saints according to God’s Will; and Jesus Christ our Savior.    There is Deliverance with Power.    The rest of the scripture is just extra blessing.

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 

 Romans 8:35-39(NASB)

35 Who will separate us from the love of £Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

36 Just as it is written,      “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;     We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May my deliverance always be in Christ

As Always                  IN HIS GRIP

Chuck Howi

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 

So many times as I study the Word of God, I will return time and time again to certain scriptures. To me the words draw me back, because of the volumes of knowledge within the words speak to me over and over, and differently than the time before. Such is Ephesians 1:3. We all have read of the assurance of the all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. As before, my visit this time, added another layer, or should I say more knowledge than I had opened my mind to in the past. Sometimes I need to slow down and read word for word. This time let us not only look at the blessings, but also look at our Heavenly Father. Let’s go to the Word of God.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I always, when I read His Word, I think of my Heavenly Father. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5(NASB)

 3 Blessed be  the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.  

Father of mercies and God of all comfort 

I could go from one end of the Bible to the other but Psalms 136. KJV. Covers it all. Our Heavenly Father is the Father of mercies. All of the creation cries out; HIS MERCY ENDURES FOR EVER. 

1 Peter 1:1-5(NASB)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 

2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 

5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  

In 1 Peter 1(One);

We are chosen  according to the foreknowledge of God the Father         

By the sanctifying work of the Spirit

To obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

To obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 

Who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

Again I Repeat; All creation cries out, His Mercy endures forever. 

A God of Comfort or Consolation. 

God in all of His Mercy and Knowledge has everything covered. He blesses us in all of the areas of our lives through Jesus Christ our Lord and leaves nothing to be desired but fulfills all through His Grace. As Jesus said on the cross, “it is finished.” I find it interesting that through our experiences God enables us to give back the comfort that we receive through our comfort that we have from God through His Grace. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-7(NASB)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 

4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 

6 if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 

7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort. 

We as Christians are to follow Christ’s Example 

Romans 15:1-13(NRSV)

1 We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

 2 Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. 

3 For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 

5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 

6 So that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.   

8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 

9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name”;

10 and again he says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”;

11 and again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”;

12 and again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.” 

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In closing let me say this; when Christ was here and in talking about fulfilling the Law He stated that, “Loving the Lord with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your strength; and the second was like unto it, you were to love your neighbor as yourself. In this you would fulfill all the Law.  God has put our neighbor and our love for that neighbor in the same arena as keeping all the Laws of God. We as Christians are to enclose our neighbors with same love that Christ gives to us. Put up with the failings of the weak; Please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor, and that in Christ Jesus;

We are to take the insults, if any are given, as Christ took our insults upon Himself.

All of the scriptures are written down and was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. We are encouraged by the God of steadfastness and encouragement to grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

In Romans 15:8-9 we read,  “For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.” On the cross, Christ canceled out the enmity of the Circumcised and the Gentile. That wall is gone and we in Christ are one family in God through Christ. Once again with Paul I will repeat:

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As Always

IN HIS GRIP

Chuck Howi

Galatians 6:17-18(KJV)
¹⁷From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 
¹⁸Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

As I read the scriptures daily, so many times I read phrases that catch my eye but continue to read and not think much about what I have read. Sometimes as I read praying for understanding, the Spirit will make me stop and ponder what I have read and make me research for more scriptures to substantiate a meaning I never thought about before. Even deeper I am allowed to understand the true meaning of the phrase in its entirety. Such was the phrase of Galatians 6:17. What does it mean,” for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. “Let’s go to the Word of God. 

Isaiah 44:5-8(NASB)

5    “This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’S’; And that one will call on the name of Jacob;     And another will write on his hand, ‘Belonging to the LORD,’ And will name Israel’s name with honor.

6    “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel  And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:     ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.

7    ‘Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it; Yes, let him recount it to Me in order,From the time that I established the ancient nation. And let them declare to them the things that are coming And the events that are going to take place.

8    ‘Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it?  And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none.’” 

Ezekiel 9:3-6(NASB)

3Then the glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub on which it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen at whose loins was the writing case. 

4The LORD said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst.” 

5But to the others He said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him and strike; do not let your eye have pity and do not spare. 

6“Utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women, but do not touch any man on whom is the mark; and you shall start from My sanctuary.” So they started with the elders who were before the temple.  

There is no doubt, we are the Lord’s. And we belong to Him, body; soul; and spirit. To deny any or part is short of a full commitment. And in God’s way, it’s all or nothing.

Let’s go back into the Old Testament and look at the Passover Lamb.

Exodus 12:3-7(NASB)

3“Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household. 

4‘Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons in them; according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb. 

5‘Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 

6‘You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. 

7‘Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 

Exodus 12:12-13(NASB)

12‘For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD. 

13‘The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

We all know that when we are saved, we are washed in the blood of the Lamb and though our sins be like crimson they shall be as white as snow. The blood is our mark.

 ‘The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you. Our houses (the tents we live in now).

We are marked by the Spirit of God.

2 Corinthians 1:20-22(NASB)

20For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. 

21Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 

22who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

Having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His.”

2 Timothy 2:19(NASB)

19Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” See also: John 3:33; 1 Cor.8:3; John 10:14 

John 3:33(NASB)

33“He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.  

John 10:14(NASB)

14“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 

 1 Corinthians 8:3(NASB)

3But if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 

Revelation 14:1(NASB)

1Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.

It is interesting to note that Paul in; 

Galatians 1:15-16(NASB)

15But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 

16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood. 

Doing my research I noticed only in two other places where the phrase was used,” who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb”. In Isaiah and Jeremiah the same words were used.

Isaiah 49:1-3(NASB)

1    Listen to Me, O islands, And pay attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He named Me.

2    He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me;   And He has also made Me a select arrow, He has hidden Me in His quiver.

3    He said to Me, “You are My Servant, Israel, In Whom I will show My glory.” 

Jeremiah 1:4-9(NASB)

4Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,

5    “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you;  I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

6    Then I said, “Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I am a youth.”

7    But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak.

8    “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

9Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. 

I believe as it says in Jeremiah,” Behold, I do not know how to speak,Because I am a youth.”

7    But the LORD said to me,  “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak.

8    “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

9Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

God has given us the Good News to tell our neighbors about Christ. He has put His words in our mouth to tell others. If we have accepted Jesus our Lord as our Lord and our Savior we have been marked by Jesus and our Father, having His name and the name of His Father written on our foreheads.

And as with Paul, the apostle we can say, “From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

As Always:

IN HIS GRIP

Chuck Howington