Nowhere in my earthly dreams or spiritual visions did I ever consider myself a “spiritual father.” I’ve looked UP to many men in my forty-two years of ministry as strong spiritual guides and encouragers – and even at 68 years of age I still look for them and warmly receive them.

But my November, 2004, trip to India confirmed some things in me that I genuinely had not realized. Though a lot of the India pastors call me “Papa,” I’m definitely appreciative of their love – but when they say, “Papa Farrell, you are to me my spiritual father and I love you for the example you’ve been to me,” IT IS VERY HUMBLING!!

There is an awesome responsibility that is so real, so needy in mentoring, training, and equipping young men TO WALK WITH CHRIST AS A MATURING DISCIPLE AND A WINNING WITNESS.

It is filled with heartaches and disappointments as wellas great joys and distinct pleasures. There are days and weeks and months that oftentimes it is so dark and cloudy because of choices some of your spiritual sons make – decisions that blot their witness but crush your heart! Then the sun shines brightly because one son begins to look like Jesus more and more, and you rejoice.

Physically I’m the father of three sons and a daughter and I look upon them as spiritual sons and a spiritual daughter. How I pray and long that they’ve picked up the best from Sue and me – not our worst! I came into physical and spiritual parenting with a lot of baggage; a lot of unresolved conflicts; and even more basic, a lack of my true identity in Christ. And in all four, Scott, Susan, Stan, and Steve, no father could be as proud as I am of all of them. THEY DO LOVE JESUS!

Spiritually God has blessed me beyond measure. He has put into my sphere of influence even guys I didn’t know I was influencing! But then there are those that I’ve walked with, worked with, wept with – blessed a hundred-fold!

November, 2004, Coimbatore. Young university students ad graduates who were thankful for the ministry of the Word then commented, “We look to you as our spiritual father.” Mumbai, engineer-pastor, bi-vocational, “Since the first time I heard you teach eight years ago, I’ve looked to you as my spiritual father. The anointing, the Word, your spirit in Christ captured me heart.” Mumbai, a New Life senior pastor – “

Papa Farrell, I’ll always look to you as my spiritual father; a lot of India pastors feel the same way.”

I want no glory, no honor, no praise – if there is any, “Let It Go To Calvary.” But it has awakened some new and wonderful things in me. I sense a weighty, weighty responsibility on me the the “sentence of death” on me is a daily reality so “The RESURRECTION LIFE OF JESUS IS MANIFESTED IN MY MORTAL FLESH>“ I sense that passion for Christ to be all He wants to be through me. I sense a call to greater humility, greater dependance, greater hunger, more wisdom, more power than a lowly disciple could ever try to muster up on his own. I love what Paul said to the Philippians about himself – “apprehended of God” – and for God’s purposes; “apprehended of God” – and for His people; “apprehended of Go” – and for His pleasure.

It was certainly the intent of Christ Jesus in spiritual fathering. There’s the twelve He drew to Himself. There was that inner circle with such quality time with their teacher. And I do know it is WHAT He taught, but also what they “CAUGHT” from Him in those years together, and what He “WROUGHT” into their lives by Word, deed, and Holy Presence.

I remember those two disciples on the road to Emmaeus as their “hearts burned within them” as Jesus opened the Word and Spirit.

That deep bond between Paul and the Ephesian elders speaks so loud to us as we see that history of time, teaching etc., “holding back nothing that was necessary” for their spiritual health.

Does early Acts speak to you? They were together, had all things common – and they CONTINUED STEDFASTLY IN THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE AND FELLOWSHIP. Does that say anything about fathering “spiritual sons and daughters?”

From the Old Testament I’m reminded of the prophets and…”the sons of the prophets.” I see a Naomi and a Ruth. What about Elijah and tha “mantle of Elijah” that Elisha “picked up?” I look at an Eli encouraging a young Samuel, “When you hear the voice again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ “ And Samuel is raised up, prepared to serve God in a powerful way.

What was the role of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo in equipping “wise men” to look for the “Star?” And hundreds of years later the “teaching” is still going on and “wise men” from the East show up at Jesus’ birthplace to bless the newborn King!

Zacharias’ son John gets a prophetic word through his father that he’ll PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD and even be a servant of God turning the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul speaks: “You therefore, MY SON, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus…AND THE THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM ME AMONG MANY WITNESSES, COMMIT THESE TO FAITHFUL MEN WHO WILL BE ABLE TO TEACH OTHERS ALSO.” What a revelation and inspiration to training, mentoring, discipline!!

I saw in MalachI I as I was flying back from India verse 6 when God said, “a son honors his father,” yet today in far too many corners of our globe ‘sons’ (and I use that reservedly) use their fathers, accuse and abuse, ignore, circumvent his leadership, blessing and birthright, and with the Korahs, Dathans and Abirims go out on their own insisting “all are holy” and they don’t need, don’t want, and could care less about a “father’s blessing.”

I believe Jesus was very clear when in Luke 16:12, He said: “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, WHO WILL GIVE YOU WHAT IS YOUR OWN?” There are those ‘sons’ who KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FAITHFULNESS TO THAT WHICH IS ‘ANOTHER MAN’S…and they really never know the blessing that COULD HAVE BEEN THEIR OWN. Oh…they believe they have it!

I remember a young evangelist about twenty-five years ago who used to preach on “You may get what YOU WANT, but not want what you get!” That is so on target! Even Jesus Himself said, “You are of your father the Devil, for his works you do.” And how disappointed Jesus must have been with the eloquent professors who never possessed one ounce of earnestness of faith and obedience to the “SPIRIT of OUR FATHER!”

You may not know the name Frederick Faber, but he was a discouraged Anglican minister who had left that church to become a part of Roman Catholism.And there he found an emptiness of strong hymns of faith and the joy of singing, so he began to write “new songs.” He was so fearful of “new religious movements” and new attitudes of ‘discipleship’ that looked only at the experience of the moment, immediacy of the moment, that left a void of devotion to relationships. One of his hymns says:

“Faith of our fathers! Living still In spite of dungeon, fire and sword; O how our hearts beat high with joy When’er we hear that glorious word!….Faith of our fathers, HOLY FAITH! We will be true to You till death.”

And I wondered if Faber had been in the role of “spiritual fatherhood” and had his heart broken over ‘immediacy,’ ‘all are holy,’ ‘I do it my way,’ ‘I have things I want to accomplish’ – leaving a father in despair as wayward sons manufacture self-appointed ‘ministries’ and begin to build their own little kingdoms.

In the matter of “spiritual fathers” and sons in training there are certain principles of RELATIONSHIP, RIGORS IN TRAINING, AND, YES, RELEASE – but far too many ‘sons’ want relationship without the rigors of training and certainly not ‘RELEASE’ because that interferes with the ‘me, my, mine’ philosophy. It’s why Steve Farrar wrote in “Finishing Strong,” (p39), “…the qualification for having a public ministry is not ‘giftedness.’ The qualification for ministry is PROVEN CHARACTER.” And Jesus told some that they ought to make friends for yourself who have ‘deep pockets,’ because when you fail they can take care of you, inferring He’s not going to. Why? No faithfulness in little things, no faithfulness in handling money in a godly fashion, and no faithfulness to the nurturing father!! That’s Luke 16 if you need it!! And sometimes you wonder, “Who will be true till death” in relationships?

I want us to examine as thoroughly as possible “RAISING SPIRITUAL SONS” from a biblical perspective:

Let’s look FIRST at THE FATHERS AND THE PRODIGALS: And what God’s Word is telling us is that some sons are intent on leaving the father’s presence and living a self-centered, self-willed, self-indulgent life. And try as the father may some are ‘hell-bent’ on ‘me, my, my way, my choices, my decisions,’ and they end up wasting so much of their lives, potential, and possessions with prodigal living. Life choices like that brings one to a “spent all” style of living with a loss of not only any possessions but any small degree of ‘family heritage’ he may have possessed.

It always leaves these sons of personal choice beginning to be in want! He stoops to swine-slop and no one seems to care. But in Luke 15:17 God’s Word tells us, “when he came to himself.” That is so very good. And we all rejoice because finally he decides, “I will arise and go to my father’s house.”

But in the midst of all this I’m wondering, “What’s going on with the Father?” And I begin to say, “Father, as you’ve given us roles and ministries to fulfill as earthly fathers and spiritual fathers, how do we relate to WAYWARD SONS?” And I learn several things:

One, God has built into us all the will of self-determination. He has not, will not, violate the free will of man in choosing his destiny over the will of the Father. The loving Father is not interested in ‘puppets on a string’ or electronic robots, but sons desperate for the father’s love, the father’s blessing, and the father’s intent.

Secondly, even the son who stayed, ‘the elder brother,’ missed the ‘spirit’ of the father. Close proximity is no guarantee of the spirit of a father’s heart. Sometimes the need is never sensed until one FINDS himself at the end of the road.

Third, the father’s heart never changes. He’s “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Sorrowful, but wise as to the need of one discovering who he is and what he needs. Able, but unwilling to force the issue. Loving, whether the son stays or oes into the “wild, black yonder.” Forgiving because He understand illumined sons have greater potential than blinded sons.

Fourth, a loving father’s eyes are never off “the road of return and restoration.” Compassionately he waits, energetically he prays, with vision he plans, with anticipation he prepares for “the party.”

Fifth, He did not run after the son – he patiently waited because “the ball is in the court” of the son, not in the court of the father!!

Secondly, look at the spiritual fathers and the ‘John Marks’ as the ‘fathers’ relate to the sons’ fears, frustrations, failures and fallabilities.

And the one thing I want you to grasp is, that whether it’s sons or disciples, our walk RELATES TO THE CROSS – our Lord’s cross and our own. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”

In Mark 14:51-52 I believe our Lord is giving us insight into the pattern a lot of sons set for their lives. We see this picture of John Mark’s early steps, however fault-ridden, into the beginning of his ‘becoming.’ And I believe later in life John Mark is telling about himself!!

“Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him…and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.” When the ‘cross’ is omitted in a son’s life it always leaves him in a state of ‘spiritual nakedness.’

But something is going on in John Mark’s life. Don’t know about his natural father, but we learn in Acts 12 that Peter came to a certain house after the iron gate of the prison was opened and Peter was freed. What house did he come to?

Acts 12:12, “…he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.” John Mark had a powerful witness from a praying mother and a grandmother!

Verse 25 of that same chapter says, “Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.”

A spirirtual father, Paul the apostle, is now in the strong circle of influence of John Mark. Acts 13:5 says that as Barnabas and Saul are sent out on a new mission that they have a “helper” named John Mark! Then verse 13 of Acts 13, please see it, “John left them and returned to Jerusalem.” Is fear a reason? Is faithlessness a guiding factor? Is human fallability rather than divine identity a controlling influence? Does frustration capture a son because he wants a greater role and believes he has a better vision?

It was so very, very serious that the spiritual father, Paul, does not want John Mark on another ministry with him – the mission is too vital! In Acts 15:37-38, “And Barnabas was desirous of taking John, called Mark, along with them…But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.”

In fact, verse 39, says: “there arose such a sharp disagreement that Barnabas and Paul separated from one another…” And Barnabas took John Mark with him.

How wrong was Paul? He wasn’t wrong at all! The mission was too vital, the call was too clear, the danger too imminent to have to be consumed with one who could walk away again! But, thank God, for “sons of encouragement” who are willing to “diaper-rize” spiritually infant sons who ought to be spiritual, vibrant sons already.

But then look at 2 Timothy 4:11!! He’s writing Timothy and says, “Only Luke is with me. Get MARK and bring him with you, FOR HE IS USEFUL TO ME FOR MINISTRY.”

The ministry was and always is uppermost in a spiritual father’s life and plans. And sometimes someone else has the role of spiritual encourager to bring a ‘son’ along.

And get this – the day came when John Mark ‘probably’ penned the first Gospel. Thank God, for team effort that brings us all along where the Father truly wants us to be!!

Third, look at the spiritual fathers and their relationship to ‘sons’ who struggle with opposition, persecution, and doubts. Who might that be? Do you think maybe Paul and Timothy?

My New King James Bible opens 2 Timothy with a statement: “Prison is the last place from which to expect a letter of encouragement,” but that’s what it is because Paul somehow has learned the plight or position his young spiritual son finds himself in. Paul’s in prison, the opposition is very intense, persecution abounds all around him, and Timothy is wondering, “Is this walk of faith worth it?” He’s even been weeping about it!

Without a doubt I believe Timothy was on the verge of walking away! Remember Peter? “I’m going back to fishing.” I don’t know what Timothy might have done if Paul, his spiritual father, had not sent him that letter of encouragement. [ I remember calling the home of a “fallen son” and he never returned my call. And I don’t know his spiritual health to this day. Heartbreaking. I did hear he trashed me all over his area for ‘interfering.’]

I was flabbergasted when I read Farrar’s book “Finishing Strong” and he told about John Bisagno’s future father-in-law telling him that it had been his observation “that just one out of ten who start in full-time service for the Lord at 21 are still on track by the age of 65.” He said, “they’re shot down morally, they’re shot down with discouragement, they’re shot down with liberal theology, they get obscessed with making money….but for one reason or another NINE OUT OF TEN FALL OUT.” (p6)

No wonder Paul wrote to the Ephesians (4:1-2), :I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called…with all lowliness and gentlness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.”

When you read 2 Timothy 1:8 you realize the battle that Timothy was in as he must have been wrestling as to whether or not devotion to Christ was really worth it. Paul said, “..do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.”

And then Paul hit’s a homerun when in verse 9 he reminds Timothy that God “has SAVED US and CALLED US WITH A HOLY CASLLING, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was GIVEN TO US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE TIME BEGAN!!!”

That is so awesome! And how it needs to be spoken by spiritual fathers to struggling, unsure sons – “You’re SAVED, Washed In The Blood Of The Lamb, Called Of God to a distinct ministry and gifting, GIVEN TO US Before Time Had Even Begun, THE CHOSEN AND ELECT OF GOD, …AND YOU CAN’T WALK AWAY!!!”

Encouragement from spiritual fathers? Paul reminds Timothy he’s “a good soldier” of Jesus Christ; he reminds him he’s “a strong athlete” with a gold medal awaiting him; and he reminds him as a “profitable farmer” he gets to enjoy the abundance of the harvest!

Encouragement from spiritual fathers? “Defeat, Timothy, is not a stumbling block – it’s a stepping stone. Doubt, Timothy? It’s the door to certainty and confidence; Fear, Timothy? It’s a step away from the greatness and ableness of God!!”

Henry Ward Beecher put it like this: “It is defeat that turns bone to flint, and gristle to muscle, and makes people invincible, and forms those heroic natures that are now in ascendancy in the world. Do not, then, be afraid of defeat. You are never so near to victory as when defeated in a good cause.”

Fourthly, look at spiritual fathers who give their sons lofty and significant goals for their lives and not a sense of shortsightedness. Come to Colossians 4:17 where Paul challenges Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

Two things to note here: One, ministry received “in the Lord.” I have no doubts that some men are shoved into places they should never be by thoughtless and unspiritual men. But true ministry is ‘in the Lord.’ It’s not an option I have – it’s a conviction God holds for one’s life.

And, two, ministry is to be fulfilled! What did Paul say in 2 Timothy 4:7-8? “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

What greater example than Christ Himself? In John 17:4, He said to the Father, “…I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” Pressing in, laying hold, finishing the work is a Call we cannot run from! Break the tape, cross the line, then….rest in the arms of Jesus! Not now will I stop short; not now will I slow down in the race; not now will I R & R in the time of the battle of the ages. Not now – WE’RE GOING ON, WE’RE GOING IN!!

Fifth, consider Jesus and Judas! There is BETRAYAL; there is DENIAL; and there is REFUSAL TO TAKE A BIBLICAL PATH TO RESTORATION. In spiritual parenting there is always the path of brokenness, deep sorrow, and fearfulness over one you relate to who turns on you, betrays your trust, out for what the ‘son’ can get on his own. He’ll even publicly kiss you and then put a knife right into your heart. Because his consideration is, “What can I gain?’ rather than “What can I give?”

Judas’ want to hold the purse strings. Judas’ want the majority vote. Judas’ have “legitimate” explanations for betrayal and denial – and even if it dawns on them they’ve been wrong, a noose is better than the Good News of repentance toward God and faith in the finished work of Christ. They go it alone and abandon even their fellow disciples and choose Pharisees. Judas’ are down on spiritual extranagance like the woman with the expensive perfume pouring it all over Jesus, washing His feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. Judas’ are guided by, “That doesn’t sell,” as if discipleship and ministry are marketable products. “God, help us. Where have we come to in the American church?”

No wonder James Boren said, “It’s hard to look up to a leader who keeps his ear to the ground.” Judas’ are political poll watchers who put their finger up in the air to see which way the wind is blowing rather than “Follow Me.” Judas’ measure their devotion by the visible not the invisible and they never become a part of seeing the impossible accomplished. They are “nickles and dimes” folk and not ministry or servant hood focused.

Remember Judas’ approach to Jesus? He’s going to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver by way of a ‘kiss.’ But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come here?” HOW AWESOME! Do you doubt Jesus knew what was about to happen? But He still called him, “Friend…”

I’m ith Peter – ‘let’s cut off some ears,” but thank God that Jesus says, “Put your sword in its place!” Yes, Lord; but I sure would like to tanny some fanny! Yes, Lord; but will those faithless sons pay? Yes, Lord; but can I call down a little fire and brimstone? And ‘In His Time’ there is an accounting of one’s stewardship of trust in the “purse strings” of responsibility and relationship – and the FATHER will work it out.

The only problem I see in spiritual fathers and “sons” relationship is what is going on in a son’s heart? It was John Ruskin who said: “When a man is wrapped up in himself, he makes a pretty small package.” Big God Himself has a major problem getting even into “small packages.”

It’s why Josiah Gilbert Holland cried out: God give us men. A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands.

Men whom the lust of office does not kill, men whom the spoils of office cannot buy, men who possess opinions and a will, men who love honor, men who will not lie.”

Whether a spiritual father or a growing, maturing spiritual son, Paul has inspired advice when truthfully he said in Philippians 3:12-14, (TLB),

“I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be…..

No, dear brothers, I am still not at all I should be but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us.”

That is my passionate heart-cry for myself and for anyone our Lord has put in my path to influence, inspire, encourage – whatever; so that we all might come into the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rise up, fathers! Rise up, sons! BE ALL CHRIST SAVED YOU TO BE! Hold on, fathers, to that high and holy calling of nurturing, mentoring, and training! Hold on, sons, until the ‘father’s release!’

BY: J.FARRELL FISHER, September 4-5, 2018

There is an anointed explanation to the title of this message and the subsequent Scriptures, validation of it found in Hebrews 4:9-12, “There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into God’s rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us labor therefore to ‘enter into THAT REST’, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The following statement came out of the old “Baltimore Sun” paper and was quoted in “The Encyclopedia of Religious Quotations”, edited and compiled by Frank S. Mead in Fleming H. Revell Company’s publication in 1965, p.446, that says: “Nations and men are much alike. They seldom appeal to God unless they are getting licked.” And “getting licked” by Satan, by the world, and by one’s own sin-nature is not the testimony of “overcomers” in and through Christ’s Presence within them AND His victory over everything we all have faced in our life-walk- tempted, tested, tried, and troubled by the world, the ‘flesh’, and Satan or his demons!

Charles Spurgeon was really wise, truthful, and on the true mark, when he once said: “Some temptations come to the industrious, but all temptations attack the idle.” Idle temptations, idle tales, idle-producing temptations, and idle troubles?” YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!

Luke 24:1-17 is absolutely so amazing and so encouraging and so uplifting and inspiring! It says: Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they (the women in the previous chapter, and one named Joseph) came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which had been prepared, and certain others with them.

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. And they entered in, and found the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments; And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, ‘Why seek you the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen; remember how He spoke to you when He was yet in Galilee,

Saying, the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words, And returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things unto the eleven (remaining), and to all the rest.

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Then arose Peter, and ran to the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was to come to pass.

And, BEHOLD, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaeus, which was from Jerusalem about three-score furlongs (or 7 miles). It came to pass, that, while they communed together, and reasoned, JESUS HIMSELF drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him. And He said unto them,

“What manner of communications are these, that you have one to another, as you walk, and are sad”? RESURRECTION MANIFESTATION AND RESURRECTION PRESENCE AND RESURRECTION UNVEILING OF ETERNAL TRUTH, AND YOU’RE SAD?! BUT…examine Luke 24:25-27, followed by Verses 29b-32:

Luke 24:25-27, And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulcher, and found it even so as the women had said: but Him they saw not. (But) Then Jesus said to them, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter God’s glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He explained unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Then Verses 29b-32 tell us: “…And He went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and having broken it, gave it to them.

And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They then said one to another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures?” AND THERE WERE THOSE WHO “RESTED” IN HIS LIVING AND ETERNAL WORD OF RESURRECTION LIFE, RESURRECTION POWER, AND RESURRECTION HOPE!

One might dare to ask: “Are YOU one who “lives” in the REALITY of His “promised rest”, OR are you still “struggling in ‘flesh’s, even best effort, but falling short’, which always happens to “strugglers” and not “trusters”!! It was Joseph Addison, in his writing, “Spectator” (p.215), that said: “What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul,” but ‘bodies’ that ‘try’ to carve out Christ are blinded to the reality one’s old sin-nature WAS “crucified with Christ”, and the only hope spiritually in earthly existence is accepting one’s death with Christ, but beyond that, ACCEPTING HIS FREE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE, A NEW HOPE, AND AN ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM IN HIS KINGDOM THAT HAS ALREADY COME, AND IS FULLY ESTABLISHED!!

There IS such eternal difference between ‘fleshly existence’ and a “new-born Life in Christ”! I love what Michelangelo said: “Heaven-born, the soul a heavenward course must hold; beyond the world she soars; the wise man, I affirm, can find no rest in that which perishes, nor will he lend his heart to aught that does on time depend.” Do YOU understand that? “self-effort or Sovereign trust”, natural-life education or Spirit-birthed Presence of the Indwelling Christ, simply ‘self-seeking’ for religious reality or the Sovereign invasion of the soul allowed, as confronted, repenting and “resting” in His abiding Presence?

It’s amazing what Solomon wrote in the “Song of Solomon”, Chapter 2,Verses 1-4, speaking of the Promised Messiah’s saying related to, yes, Christ and His ‘soon-to-be- blessed church body and family of repentant, re-born friends’ through the blood of the Lamb of God: “I AM the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among the thorns, so is My love among the daughters.

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is My beloved among the sons (of true faith!). I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love.”

There IS ‘life without God’, ‘life without the Son’, and ‘life without the Spirit’, the blessed three in one, that loves fallen humanity, and determined before the world was ever in its present state and even seeing the ‘fallen’ with a heart of love, compassion, forgiveness, and able to do abundantly above all we ask or think, wanting voluntarily, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to guide us into all Truth, and birth the Heavenly generations in the midst of unbelieving, unrelenting, yes, resentful folk who willfully resent, deny, and if known, oppose ‘amazing grace’, seeing themselves OK without the Savior and Lord!

But, in Isaiah, the prophet SAW the “last days” of existence apart from God and the “new days” of PROMISED “Resurrection Presence”, never to leave but to abound and be revealed in and through “new-birthed disciples” of “Amazing Grace”! Isaiah 1, God, concerned about ‘religious activity’ apart from “repentance and faith” in the Son’s finished work At and Through Christ’s sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection, that the “last days” of acceptable recognition of ‘trying’ without “TRUSTING” were over, done with, unacceptable apart from “blood Atonement”!! So Isaiah proclaimed, Verses 15-19, “And when you spread forth your hands (in ‘religious pretense’?), I will hide My eyes from you; yes, when you make many (fleshly-birthed) prayers, I will not hear you: your hands are full of blood.

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet (because YOU repent!), they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. IF YOU be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”

In Luke 6:46 Christ Jesus said: “And why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?” Obedience IS NOT AN OPTION in the age of grace, mercy, and love of God – IT IS TRUE SALVATION’S EVIDENCE OF A “BORN-AGAIN- LIFE IN CHRIST ALONE”, not an imitation, not a pretense, not ‘trying’,but trusting His Word of the blessing of true repentance and the “Resting” in His finished work: “New birth, a new creation, a new thing, a new name, a new man, a new spirit, and, yes, according to Romans 6:4, it’s “walking in the newness of life in Christ”! Are you sure?

Look at Romans 6:4! “Knowing THIS, that our old man (old sin-natured, devilish-deceived, darkened life!) IS CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST, that one’s ‘body of sin’ might be destroyed, that henceforth we should (no longer) be servants of sin, the sin-nature, or the old ‘Satan-deceived, Satan-bound’ imprisoned life in the sin-nature, but “new-born” through repentance toward God and faith in Christ’s finished work at the Cross and the empty tomb! In Him we’re “clothed with the righteousness of God Himself”! In Him we’re “baptized under His shed blood and raised to walk in newness of life”, and celebrating daily God’s very Word, Revelation 21:5-6, “Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto John, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And, again, He said unto John, “I AM Alpha and Omega; and I will be the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is (spiritually) thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.”

SO, do you hear, receive, trust, rest in, rely upon, accept the “new life, the eternal purpose, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to Guide You into All Truth, submitting, surrendering, celebrating His promises of the Overcoming Life, victorious over Satan, over sin, over the world influences, and daily taking the sentence of death daily to the old man that the “new life in Christ” may be manifested victoriously day by day over His enemies and yours”?

THERE IS “THE REST”! THERE IS “THE RELEASE FROM THE OLD LIFE OF SIN AND DEATH”, AND THERE IS THE EVIDENCE OF NEW-BIRTH WHEN THE SPIRIT OF REJOICING BECOMES A WAY OF LIFE, AND REJOICING IN HIS PROMISE OF REMAINING, HIM WITH US AND US WITH HIM, EVEN AFTER DEATH’S DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED, BECAUSE:

“TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD!!!” In the old Broadman Hymnal of 1940, published by Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, is a hymn by Frank C. Huston, entitled, “It Pays To Serve Jesus”. It says: “The service of Jesus true pleasure affords, In Him there is joy without an alloy; It’s heaven to trust Him and rest on His words; It pays to serve Jesus each day.

It pays to serve Jesus whate’er may betide, It pays to be true whate’er you may do; It’s the riches of mercy in Him to abide; It pays to serve Jesus each day.

Tho’ sometimes the shadows may hang over the way, And sorrows may come to beckon us home, Our precious Redeemer each toil will repay; It pays to serve Jesus each day.

It pays to serve Jesus, it pays every day, It pays every step of the way; Though the pathway to glory may sometimes be drear, You’ll be happy each step of the way.”

My only comment? “Happy each step of the way”, OR “Blessed each step of the way?”

“Happy because you’re ‘poor in spirit’, OR because, acknowledging one’s poverty in spirit AND turning to Christ alone opens the Door to “richness in His abiding Spirit in you”!

“Happy because you ‘mourn over your spiritual condition without God’, OR because, having mourned, “God Himself comforts you”?

“Happy because you are independent, unteachable, wise in your own mental capacities, OR because you choose ‘meekness’, you learn God’s lessons on inheriting His blessings”?

“Happy because ‘you feel satisfied’ with a highly earthly mentality, OR because ‘hungering and thirsting after God’s righteousness, YOU ARE FILLED”?

“Happy” OR “blessed”? “Blessed are the merciful, for they obtain the mercy of God”! “Blessed are the pure in heart”, washed in the blood of the Lamb of God, “for they SEE GOD”! “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they’re then called, “children of God” ‘birthed by the Spirit’!”

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; BECAUSE their citizenship is the Kingdom of Heaven on earth in their hearts!”

“Blessed they are when ‘fleshly men’ revile them, persecute them, speak evil against them falsely, honoring Christ and His kingdom-allegiance”! It’s the “heavenly calling” to:

“Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before them.”

Hear me!! “In Christ”, as YOU let Jesus be Jesus in you and through you, you’re declared by Him to be “the salt of the earth”! You’re declared by Him to be “the light of the world”!

And, because you ARE “in Christ”, He says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your GOOD WORKS, AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.”

I’m telling you: “If YOU are “in Christ” and “Christ is in you”, it is to be a daily life of singing the “Hallelujah Chorus”, rejoicing in, releasing, and moment by moment celebrating His Abiding Presence!!

Do you not remember what Romans 6:6-7 tells us? “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth, we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” WERE “YOU” CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST? If so, what does Romans 6:17-18 tell you? “But God be thanked, that you WERE the servants of sin, BUT you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you.

Being then MADE FREE FROM SIN, YOU BECAME THE SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS”, followed by Romans 6:22-23 which says: “But now being MADE FREE FROM SIN, and BECOMING SERVANTS OF GOD, you have YOUR FRUIT UNTO HOLINESS, AND THE END EVERLASTING LIFE. For the WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE “THROUGH” JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!”

“Best efforts” OR “Blessed Presence”? A “Self-Motivated Religious Expression” OR a “Grace-given, Christ-Resurrected-Presence In you and Through you”, Yes, “The Master-ing of Christ in you the hope of glory”? “A Self-Religious Will” OR “A Single Life Living Under the Sovereignty of God, the Savior’s Resurrection Presence, and the Holy Spirit’s Unending Power and Authority and Fruit Of Heaven’s Abiding Glory?”

Dare I tell you? Believe I will!! Romans 7:4-8:1 says: Romans 7:4 and following: “Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that you should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, THAT WE SHOULD BRING FORTH FRUIT UNTO GOD.

For when we were in the flesh (your old sin nature), the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death (spiritual death, spiritual separation from God, with ‘fruit unto death the “gift”(?) of Satan’!). BUT NOW we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein WE WERE HELD; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence (Or, ‘ardent, usually sensuous longing, or sexual desire, or lust.’). For without the law sin was dead.

For I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found it to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

For we know that the law is spiritual; but I (in my sinful nature) am carnal (‘fleshly’), sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not; but what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it

do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that, when I is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh-nature) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

For the good that I would I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do. NOW if I do that I would not, it is no more I that would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man;

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 8:1-2 then declares: There IS therefore NOW no condemnation to them which are IN Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh (or old sin-nature), but after he Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life IN Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Rev. E.A. Hoffman and Rev. J.H. Stockton, in the old “American Hymnal” of 1938, published by The Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, wrote the hymn entitled, “Glory To His Name.” It says: “Down at the cross where my Savior died, Down where for cleansing from sin I cried, There to my heart was the blood applied, Glory to His name.

I am so wondrously saved from sin, Jesus so sweetly abides within; There at the cross where He took me in; Glory to His name.

Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin, I am so glad I have entered in; There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean; Glory to His name.

Come to this fountain so rich and sweet; Cast your poor soul at the Savior’s feet; Plunge in today, and be made complete ; Glory to His name.

Glory to His name,…Glory to His name;…There to my heart was His blood applied; Glory to His name.” What’s your song? “Glory to your flesh, your old sin-nature OR Glory to His name, my Lord, my Savior, my Master, who reigns in me and through me to glorify the God of heaven in my earthly redeemed temple of Resurrection Presence!!!

By J. FARRELL FISHER, APRIL 10, 2017

In Proverbs 25:25 we read, “As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country.” I clearly understand that, because for 25-30 years I traveled 3-6 months a year, 3 weeks to 3 months at a time, equipping, encouraging, and, I pray, inspiring pastors in their ministries, plus proclaiming the Gospel in crusades and youth ministries, and at times I needed the cold water for a weary soul.

There are times when disciples of Christ become “weary souls”, but, thank God, for the encouragers rather than the “bad news bears”! In Genesis 27:46, Rebecca said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, like these who are the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?”

At the same time some become wearied, yes, even from “bad, sad, maddening news”, but they are those who understand that the “good news” CAN overcome bad circumstances and events and, for others, it’s “news” that totally disheartens them, good news or bad news. But in fact, in Galatians 6:9, Paul wrote: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” In life’s journeys, some lose heart because they major on “bad news” rather than the “good News” of God’s grace, mercy, and love!

In Genesis 24:27 “the man” said: “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.” How interesting do you personally find that! “As for me, being in the way, the Lord led me…”? Dare I say to you in beginning, “To not be in the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ, is to be traveling on the highway of “bad news”, yet, at the same time, some have committed to the True Way of “good news” yet willfully wander or are deceived by “the powers of darkness” and choose “rough roads” rather than the “Welcome Highway” of goodness, graciousness, and gentleness of Spirit, even satisfied, at times, to ‘taste’ the “bad news” from their “fleshly choices”!

Be assured! Holy God does not Author the “bad News” of one’s life unless that person lives with “my way” to the point he/she doesn’t care for God’s “Amazing Grace” because he/she is wedded to “what I want, not what God declares AND demands”! How many do you know who favor their own ‘religious conceit’ to the divine will of God?

“Bad News” is consistency and devotion to one’s fallen sin nature, to the “stubborn will” of what one desires and not what God commands, to the ‘false peace’ of the godless, world-citizens, who write and observe their own constitutions, void of the will of God!

There are fleshly, devilish, worldly wedges called ‘self-pride, self-will, or self-justification and approval’ of “Who I am and what I desire apart from anything your God demands,” so they willfully choose the “bad news” of “My way – I do it my way – not what your God expects!” “Bad News”? “I’m deeply in love with my natural virtues and passionate about the ways of my godless world!” “There’s nothing evil about my ‘evil thoughts’, just a little bit of the beastly and lots of the demonic that makes my godless life fun, pleasurable, and enjoyable – you Christians ought to try it sometime!” I don’t know how some see it and say it without shame, but they do: “Most of humanity spends its best hours choosing between evils that are rampant all around them – jump in, have fun,” not knowing that’s a leap into the pit of Hell with the devil’s crowd!

“Bad News”? When you turn to the Book of Revelation, in Revelation 2, the heading of my New King James Version of the Bible, entitles Revelation 2:18 and following as “The Corrupt Church”. Certainly it fitted Thyatira, but it also can be an inspired Word of conviction for any compromising church, group of Christians, or even one professing disciple of Christ! Hear it!

Revelation 2:18-29 are words from the angelic messenger over Thyatira, And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: “These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass. ‘I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. NEVERTHELESS I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.

Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who ‘commit adultery’ with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

Now to you I say, and to the rest in (Thyatira), as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ – as I have also received from My Father, and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says TO THE CHURCHES.”

“Bad News”? My dear friend, fellow classmate and football teammate at Baylor University, from 1956-1958, seminary classmate at Southwestern Seminary also, sent me a message about 8 years ago that was Vance Havner’s sentence about the ‘average Baptist church’ that I feel now is the right time to share it with you! Havner said: “If an airplane had as many useless parts as the average Baptist church, it’d fly about as fast as a canary with a sack of wheat tied to its tail!” But dare I say it? ‘Useless parts of any church today across the USA defined with a tied tail trying to fly that bag of wheat’?

“Bad News”? THERE IS LITTLE PROCLAMATION OF “EXCEPT YOU REPENT, YOU WILL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH!” In fact, most in our modern day simply say, “Join our church – and everything will be OK!” What you see across, around, within most churches today is what Walter Chantry, in his book, “Today’s Gospel – Authentic Or Synthetic?”, wrote about: “in love for souls, true evangelicals invariably present some profound truths in their witnessing. Yet by THE UNCONSCIOUS OMMISSION OF ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS OF THE GOSPEL, many fail to communicate even that portion of God’s Word which they meant to convey. When a half truth is presented as the whole truth, it becomes an untruth.”

“REPENT!” Really? Is that in a church’s ‘salvation’ presentation? “FORSAKE!” Really? Isaiah 55:7-9 clearly says, God Himself speaking, proclaiming, informing: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; LET HIM RETURN TO THE LORD, and He (the Lord Himself) will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, now are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heaven are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” AND THE FLESHLY PROUD UNBELIEVER SHAKES HIS FIST AGAINST HOLY GOD, AND TURNS TO HIS SINFUL WORLD TO SATISFY HIS ‘FLESH’ OR OLD, ADAMIC SIN-NATURE! And the fleshly sinner turns away from Holy God’s merciful invitation, trying to be ‘happy’ in himself rather than knowing “the Joy of the Lord”!

It was H.W.Webb-Peploe, in Kurt Bruner’s “Inklings of God”, (p.21) who said, “Joy is not gush; joy is not jolliness. Joy is perfect acquiescence in God’s will because the soul delights itself in God Himself.” Bruner closed out his book, saying, (p.193), “Every religion reminds me that I am made for more. Every religion reaches for God. Every religion offers to make the wrong right again. But only one religion, Christianity, is honest enough to tell me that I can’t solve my own problem. I can’t obey enough rules, offer enough sacrifices, or become enlightened enough to rise above the wretchedness around and within me. All I can do is humbly accept the redemption offered by the One who made me for more and who heroically sacrificed Himself on my behalf. It’s like the preacher told me when I was seven. I am a sinner who needs to be saved.”

Life without the Redeemer, the Atoner, the Savior and Lord, is a life like a bronze statue but void of God’s eternal Presence in and through Christ Jesus. Because to come to Him is to confess: “Without His Resurrection Life and Presence within me, I have no hope, no peace, no eternal purpose – I just ‘counterfeit’ what I have determined is my purpose and my chosen intent!” And Bruner, later in his book, used powerful, convicting words: (p94), “…air out of the illusion of adult omniscience.” And the problem with most of the unregenerate world? Daniel 5 tells us about “Belshazzar’s feast”, and Verses 3-4, unveils, not only an idolatrous worship then but unfolds what, I believe, the Spirit of God sees today in a lot of churches! “Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.”

Dare I tell you that that ‘religious observance’, like much across the religious world today, is like ‘another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority’ – Revelation 18:1, and the earth (the present religious systems!) is now or will be soon “illuminated with his glory.” And he cried mightily: Verses 3-8, “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury. And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and GOD HAS REMEMBERED HER INIQUITIES! [But today? Most in ‘churchianity’ profess “Glad our sins have been forgiven and that the loving God understands we can’t do anything but sin until we get to Heaven!”] HOW PHONY IS THAT, even to the words of Jesus: “Go, and sin no more!” (John 8:10-12!).

Three things out of John 8:10-12! 1. “Sin no more” because Christ Jesus says so! 2. “Sin no more” because of what sin does! 3. “Sin no more” because “sin” promotes “fleshliness” of the old sin nature that Christ took to the Cross – Christ Jesus gives, after repentance toward God and faith in His finished work at the Cross the “new life” of liberty and freedom from sin and the sin-nature bondage with His Presence within to be released as with Paul we “take the sentence of death to ourselves that His Resurrected Life will be manifested in our mortal flesh”!

False ‘religious hopes’ and ‘carnal mind-twisting of the Scriptures’, vague resemblances, cheap imitation, fleshly, fallible persuasions, a “give your best” mandate substituting what Christ did at the Cross for what one sees him/her capable of doing in one’s outer countenance and personal determination, puts many on ‘dirt roads’ rather than the Christ-constructed “Highway of Holiness”! And this ‘spirit’, this attitude, this fleshly-minded determination , may be why God inspired through Paul, in 2 Corinthians 13:5-6, to write: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves – that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified, [Paul and the co-laborers traveling with him!].

Hear me! There are blessed assurances in the Word to the true believer who “leans not (even) to his own understanding, but in all his/her ways they acknowledge their “only hope” is Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and moment by moment abiding with the true “born-again believer”, saying, “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you.” Glory!

Paul said in Galatians 1:15-16, “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and CALLED ME THROUGH HIS GRACE, to reveal His Son in me…,” with John saying in 1 John 3:24, “Now he who keeps His (Christ’s) commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”

We know! Do you? Serious assurance and confidence flows out of the child of the King because they repent, they rest in His Resurrection presence with them, in them, through them, no longer ‘self-deceived hypocrites’, but living daily, yes, even moment by moment, “Lord, what do You desire to do in me and through me – I’m Yours?” And YOU KNOW you’ve been drawn to Him because YOU KNOW that you were born again, not of the will of men, but of God!” (John 1:13). Do you understand Ezekial 36:25-27, AND receive it? The Lord God speaks! “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean (real water or the water of the Word?); I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

Glory! A walk of grace, of divine favor, of the supernatural power of the Spirit of God!

I close with a writing I assume, by Max Lucado in his book, “In The Grace of God”, (Copyright, 1996 by Max Lucado, W Publishing Group, A division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. www. Thomas Nelson. Com). It’s entitled “What a God!” (p.55):

“Ponder the achievement of God.

He doesn’t condone our sin, nor does He compromise His standard.

He doesn’t ignore our rebellion, nor does He relax His demands.

Rather than dismiss our sin, He assumes our sin and, incredibly, sentences Himself.

God’s holiness is honored. Our sin is punished… and we are redeemed.

God does what we cannot do so we can be what we dare not dream: perfect before God.”

DO YOU UNDERSTAND? GOD’S GRACE IS GREATER THAN ALL OUR SIN!

William Hunter and J.H. Stockton wrote the old hymn, “The Great Physician”. It’s found in the Broadman Hymnal of Broadman Press, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. It says: “The great Physician now is near, The sympathizing Jesus; He speaks the drooping heart to cheer, Oh, hear the voice of Jesus.

Your many sins are all forgiven, Oh, hear the voice of Jesus; Go on your way in peace to heaven, And wear a crown with Jesus.

All glory to the dying Lamb! I now believe in Jesus; I love the blessed Savior’s name, I love the name of Jesus.

Sweetest note in seraph song, Sweetest name on mortal tongue; Sweetest carol ever sung, Jesus, blessed Jesus.” AMEN?