2009 08 August

In Genesis 2:15, Adam was commanded to dress and keep the garden. Most commentators agree that "dress" means to cultivate, and"keep" means to be the protector and guard it. Evidently, Adam let down his guard and the Tempter, Satan entered and:

(1) persuaded the woman to look, that is to satisfy the "lust of the eyes" (I John 2:16).

(2) Satan talked Eve into handling the forbidden fruit, to satisfy the lust of the "flesh" and

(3) he lied to her and said they would be as gods knowing good and evil, the "pride of life."

These three temptations have been successful for six thousand years and Satan has not had to change his tactics to this day. He tried the same three basic sins on our Savior as recorded in Matthew 4: 1-11 where Christ was tested and defeated Satan. It is Satan's design to lead us into sin with these three temptations, unless we are being lead by the Holy Spirit moment by moment, we will succumb and fall into his clutches.

These three lies of Satan are the foundation of all present-day apostasy in the cults of today. Mary Baker Eddy says to her followers "ye shall be gods" and from her book, Science and Health with key to the Scriptures in the 1894 edition, page 330. "The material blood of Jesus was no more efficacious to cleanse from sin, when it was shed upon "the accursed tree," than when it was flowing in his veins, as he went about his Father's business." That is pure blasphemy! Several years ago a book was published regarding another American cult; it was titled "The God Makers."

When Jim Jones led his followers to commit mass suicide in the 1970's by drinking cyanide, laced orange juice cocktail, he led them straight into hell. When Marshall "Do" Applewhite, in April of 1997, led his followers to suicide believing they were going to ride the tail of a comet into heaven, they too were led straight into hell. Satan is the author of death and has the power of death. Scripture: Job 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. God restricted Satan, in that he could not take Job's life. Beware of the cults!

There used to be a phrase, "Let your conscience be your guide" If our conscience is trained in the ways of the world, we have a worldly conscience. If our conscience is trained in the ways of the Bible, then the Scriptures guide our conscience. People living in different areas of the world have different social orders and are guided by their society, even among Christians in other parts of the world.

Cain and Abel were well trained! Their father, Adam, had instructed them to bring an offering to God, but Cain's offering was an offering of works and Abel's offering was a blood offering. Just as Adam's first covering was of leaves or works; God had to instruct Adam and Eve that their covering was to be product of a blood sacrifice; an atonement. An animal had to die in order to give them coats of skin.

Our Text: Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Many commentators have taught that the words, "sin lieth at the door" pictured a lamb lying just outside the door and was there to be a sacrifice for a sin offering. In another line of thought, sin crouches at the door to devour the sinner inside. Arthur Pink, former professor at Moody Bible Institute, offers an explanation, "If thou doest well" having reference to the bringing of a proper offering to the Lord. In case Cain was willing to do this the Lord asks "Shalt thou not have the excellency" (margin), which means, Shalt thou not retain the right of primogeniture over Abel? "And if thou doest not well sin lieth at the door," which we understand to mean, if you refuse to bring the required offering sin lieth (Hebrew, "sin is crouch-ing") at the door, and like a wild beast is ready to spring upon you and devour you. The remainder of the verse referrs back to the matter of Cain's rights by virtue of being the first born. God's requirements are not the result of the conscience, but heavenly directions from God. Make sure you are in the will of God in all things.

As we continue to look at this age, we see clearly that man has failed in his attempts to do goodor to be good. There are some people who seem to think that there is a "little good" in all of us, but the Bible is clear, "There is none righteous, no not one." As mankind was allowed by God to let his conscience guide him, he failed miserably, and our text today shows what happened. God saw that the wickedness of man was great. In fact, the wickedness was so great that the Bible also records, "that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

God is a loving God as this is His very nature. But He is also a just God and must punish sin. "The wages of sin is death" and so we see the consequences for sin in Gen. 7. God brought judgment upon a sinful and wicked people, and only 8 were saved (Noah and his family) as God brought the worldwide flood.

Is not this a clear picture of where so many people are today? All men are sinners and are worthy of death. We have all failed God's righteous and holy ways. The world's social, moral, and spiritual conditions are becoming worse and worse. Yes, God is a loving God, but He is a just God and must punish sin. God is also rich in mercy and grace and gives people a way to be saved from the wages of sin. "God would that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance." God, in the days of Noah, had proclaimed judgment on mankind, and had told Noah to build a boat, and then mercifully gave the people over 100 years to repent, which they did not. Today, God also has provided the way for man to live, through the payment of Christ's death on the cross and that is the merciful message of the gospel. Sadly, most people reject this message of grace and mercy, just as in Noah's day and show their utter rebellion towards God and their unwilling hearts to follow and obey the will of God. Thus we have the continuing decline of mankind and ultimately the wages of sin, death, (not annihilation) which is eternal separation from God, in eternal judgment in Hell. The sad part is, just by not choosing God, people automatically choose Hell. It's your Free choice.

"Dear Heavenly Father, we need You. Forgive us of sin. Help us to make the right choice in following You in obedience. Amen."

Genesis 9:1

In many respects, we have a new beginning. The wicked, pre-Noahicworld has been destroyed and with eight souls, God begins to rebuild the human race in a flood cleansed world. This family of eight is responsible to multiply and replenish the earth. Noah was also to govern for God and the one unconditional condition is the theme of today's devotional.

Unfortunately, the race is still in a sinful condition, therefore, God makes a covenant with Noah as to the blood of mankind. Following are seven references to blood that we need to examine.

(3) Gen. 37:22, 26, 31, Joseph's coat was dipped in the blood of a slain animal. The blood of the son is presented to the father. What a beautiful type! The antitype is where Jesus presents His blood to the Father. The songwriter wrote, "When I see the blood I will pass over you."

(5) Judas' clothes are said "to be washed in the blood of grapes" is a type of Martyrs in the Tribulation, Revelation 7:14b "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

(6) Exodus 4:9, The Nile River was turned into blood, teaching us that blood is the symbol and expression of God's judgment. And

(7) Ex. 12:13, The blood provided a covering and shelter for Israel. Even so the Blood of Christ provides a cleansing of all sin for us. 1 John 1:7 "if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

Human Government was given the responsibility to punish the murderer by taking his life, because he has shed the blood of a person made in the image of God. This responsibility has never been rescinded. The modern humanistic world culture and society is trying to rescind it, but it's still in God's Book, the Bible, and as Bible believers, we are responsible to obey it regardless of our social and cultural teaching.

The teaching of Biblical history is that most people rebel against God and even among those who profess faith; in time the vast majorities give way to apostasy. When Noah and his sons left the ark, there were no apostates. However, after a new beginning it is not long before we find the majority united in apostasy.

We don't have time to study the circumstances surrounding the tower of Babel for the purpose of our study here, but the tower of Babel involved idolatrous worship. In most false or apostate religion today, you will find various element of this ancient Babylonian idolatry. In short, it involves a spiritual elite guiding people as they seek to work their way to their own salvation.

The stewardship of human government turned from defending life and property to providing for the needs of people. Church and state were married in an unholy idolatrous alliance. Goodness, by definition, is founded on religious values. A state cannot provide for the needs of people without crossing over the line from the use of force to control criminal behavior to the use of force to compel religion. As humanity organizes human government, it is not long before God's good purpose is corrupted and the state becomes the tool of evil. At the tower of Babel, we find humanity united against God seeking to provide for the needs of people and eliminate the need for God. Note the language of Genesis 11:6. Here we read that nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. As we approach the end of the church age, we are seeing that this is happening. Only instead of blessing, the world that man without God produces will resemble the nightmares of science fiction. Without God, there will be no heaven on earth. According to Bible prophecy, at the end of this present church age, we find a corrupt one-world government supported by a corrupt one-world religion. These institutions are led by a corrupt satanic man, who seeks to destroy God's people from the face of this earth. In this account, we find an important spiritual principle. That is the diffusion of power. By dividing the people, the result was cultural, linguistic and racial diversity that helped slow the progress of this evil. The old saying, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely has Biblical support.

Why would God do such a thing as to scatter a seemingly successful people? Wrong question! Here is the true question to ask! Why would so many people disobey the clear instruction of the Lord and seek their own way instead of God's?! This happens so often. People are spiritually blind and go their own way and seek their own doings, rather than obeying God's clear commands to follow and obey Him. "Be sure your sins will find you out." Sure enough, God is always watching and yes, there are always consequences for sin. We don't always get what we deserve, but it is only because God is gracious and merciful.

During this time period at Babel, the people had again been commanded to multiply and fill the earth. Instead, they pridefully gathered together in rebellion against God. God, who is sovereign, and in His grace and mercy, caused the confusion and dispersion of the people throughout the earth. In other words, God's will and purpose will always be accomplished. The thing to realize is that God gives us a free (volitional) choice of whether or not we will obey Him and be used of Him or, if we will instead decide to do things our own way. Isaiah says, "Every man has turned to his own way." That is also why God, who is rich and mercy, provided the way for us to be with Him in heaven. Mankind's moral condition could not be any worse. Just as the people at Babel were wrong in not obeying God and were dispersed, we too, are all sinners and totally deserving of damnation and total separation from God for eternity. But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love for us, died on the cross to save us from the penalty of sin. All we have to do is make the right choice. God has made it so easy and yet, so many people miss it. Why, you ask? It's because of the deception of sin, because of the pride of life and because Satan is the direct enemy of God and he is fighting, like a roaring lion, to lead as many folks as he can away from God. Following God seems an easy choice, but many people miss the most important opportunity that God gives, and many good moral people will go into an eternity without God and not make it to heaven, mainly because they chose to do things their way. May this not be said of those reading these words today!

"Dear Lord, we need Your Holy Spirit to convict us of sin and of righteousness. Help us to obey! Amen."

In the Bible, Egypt is a type of the world. God did not want his people to go to Egypt. However, in times of need, Abraham and later Jacob moved the entire family to Egypt. God uses Joseph to preserve His people. Joseph is conscious of God's hand and purpose in his life and so he does not give way to bitterness. We read in Genesis 50:20 where he says to his brothers, "ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

It was not that God could not have taken care of their needs. It is just that His special blessings are reserved for those who walk the path of faith and obedience. The family as a whole was walking in the flesh at the time God brought them to Egypt. God often uses sin, as its own punishment. The picture here is consistent with the teaching of the Bible. Those who walk after the flesh and seek the pleasures of this world will find that sin is no servant, but a terrible taskmaster.

When we see God's people receiving the law at Mt. Sinai, they are returning from the path of terrible bondage and sin. This is an important point to remember. At the time of Adam and Eve and Noah, the whole earth was full of the knowledge of God. When people live in bondage and savage conditions, it is not for a lack of opportunity or ignorance. It is because of their rebellion and apostasy.

Thank God for His great mercy. He does not leave us to the bondage of sin as we deserve. He ever seeks to bring us back to Himself and preserves to Himself a faithful remnant. As we find all of God's people in Egypt, the failure couldn't be any more complete. Yet, this is the very thing that God uses to forge a new nation. We ought not to give way to despair. It is simply not possible for sin to carry us beyond the reach of God's grace. It is as the apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:20"where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" God is able to take our sin and failure and use it for our good and His glory. So it is from the ashes of the cruelest Egyptian bondage, He calls Moses and begins the process of building a new nation. A nation that will be a testimony to this world that blessed are those people whose God is the Lord.

This dispensation did not begin at Mt. Sinai as most commentators teach, but rather on the night of Passover in Egypt where they were first called a "congregation," Ex. 12:3. It was from that night that the Jewish nation began its history. Previous to Passover night they had no existence as a nation, they were a disorganized crowd of slaves. When they arrived in Egypt they were a family; now they are a nation. Passover night they were called an "assembly," Ex. 12:6. Even their calendar was changed. This was to be the first month of the year to them. Tradition has crept into the church for centuries and even we who call ourselves fundamental have followed tradition, rather than the Scriptures. This is the third longest dispensation recorded. There are two longer and we are now living in the longest: from Calvary to the Rapture. Many teach that the New Testament began with Matthew 1:1, but actually it began when our Lord cried two last phrases,

(1) Luke 23:46And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

(2) John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished" and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The church did not start with John the Baptist nor did it start when Jesus gave the Beatitudes to the Jews; it began on the Day of Pentecost. There was a marked difference in the dealings God had with Israel after Sinai, but between Passover and Sinai there was a time of transition from the Abrahamic Covenant to the Mosaic Covenant. Even so there was a time of transition between the Dispensations of Law and Grace, fifty days from Passover to Pentecost. As we study the Scriptures, there is always a transitional period of time between all the dispensations and covenants. This would make a study in itself as we see God's long suffering with mankind and His desire to lead them into a closer walk with Himself. RJS

In God's ongoing plan for mankind, we are in the dispensation of Grace, even as we read this. This time period started with the descent of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts, and will last until Christ returns again. This time period is also known as the time of the Church age, where God the Son, Jesus Christ, started the church, through His apostles and continues it today through those who have placed their faith in Him to save them. The "saved" people are literally known as the church, "Christians." The "church" is not a building. Rather it is "born-again believers" of Jesus Christ. Faith. Forsaking All, I Trust Him.

The Bible gives us such a clear picture of the fact that man is in sin. We are all born into sin. "There is none righteous, no, not one." These simple truths refute what many people falsely believe in that they were always "Christians." Also we know that the Jewish nation had been given the original privilege of spreading the gospel to others, but they refused and when Christ had come and they didn't recognize Him as Savior, that privilege was taken away and given to the saved Gentiles. Folks, if you are a "saved" Gentile, you have been given a most wonderful opportunity and privilege; a command by God, no less, to go and spread the gospel to every creature, to go and make disciples. To be witnesses for the Lord wherever you live! Folks, the sad truth is, today most people who profess the name of Christ, are missing the most wonderful blessings. They are missing the most wonderful opportunities and yes, the most wonderful eternal rewards, simply because they will not obey the clear command of God to carry His simple plan of salvation to the world. Why not? God has made it clear, we are to go! God has given us everything we need for life and for godliness! God has given us, as believers, the command! Why will we not go? It is simply because many do not have any fear of God as their Savior and as their Redeemer. Quite simply, many "professers" of Jesus Christ are not "possessors." There are many who are not saved, even though they profess the name. There is no evidence of a changed heart and a changed life. Even James said there has to be clear evidence of the profession. James 2:17-20 shows us the clear statement.

"Dear Lord and Savior, we repent of sin. May there be clear evidence in our lives of a changed heart. Amen."

The messages to the churches found in the book of Revelation are incredible in scope. First, they were literal churches that existed at the time that John wrote. However, this is not all. They also reflect the general conditions of the professing church throughout the present church age. At the end of the church age we find Jesus Christ pictured outside the church knocking on the door. In Revelation 3:20 we read where Jesus says, Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. In other words, at the end of this age, the professing church will have become so corrupt that God will withdraw His presence.

If anything ought to be clear from this study, it is that sinful humanity, as a whole, finds it impossible to walk the path of faith and obedience with God for long. Therefore, it is not long before men rebel against God and turn to their own way. This is apostasy, and is no different in principle than what happened when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. All of us are sinners by nature and choice.

One of the lessons we see from history is that we do not learn from history. In recounting the failure of God's people under the old covenant, we read (1 Corinthians 10:11) "all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. " In Romans 11:17, 20 we read, "some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree? Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear" The failure of Israel opened the door of God's grace to the Gentiles. Sadly, the present church age will end in the same failure as that of every other dispensation. At this time, God will again work His purpose on this earth primarily in and through the nation Israel. This time is the seventieth week of Daniel, the tribulation or the time of Jacob's trouble. There are no signs for the church. The signs we are seeing related to Israel. Thus, the end of the present church age is very near. Are you ready?

On four different occasions God dealt with Israel in a period of 490 years. We do not have the space to deal with the first three, but today's devotional brings out the three divisions of the last 490 years. This short dispensation (7 years) runs from the Rapture of the Church to the Return of Christ to establish His kingdom and rule on earth for 1000 years, the Millennium.

Daniel 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. "from the going forth of the commandment (Please take time to read Nehemiah 2:1-9) to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be 7 weeks, and 62 weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after 62 weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince (antichrist) that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolation's are determined. And he (the antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the over spreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. This period of time is also known as "Jacob's Trouble,"Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Note that some of Jacob (Israel, the Jews) will be saved and survive the Great Tribulation. The Holy Spirit will still be here, though not in the same sense as we know Him in the church. He will bring both Jews and Gentiles to salvation. I'm glad the Born Again ones in the church will not be here to go through the 70^th week of Daniel. We look for Christ in the clouds, not the antichrist.

15th

The Grace of God in Great Judgment

Matthew 24:14-22

It is my observation that fallen humanity does not like to recognize the hand of God. Whether we see it or not, God is constantly working all around us. He is working to glorify Himself, and He is working to call out a people to Himself. According to our text, the most difficult time in the history of this world will take place during the tribulation, or the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy.

Of this time, Jesus himself said, (Matthew 24:22) "except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. In other words, sinful man would destroy himself from off the face of the earth, if God left him to himself. This should not be hard for us to believe or understand. I marvel how man can look to a big ball of matter and a big bang as a beginning. Where did the ball come from and why did it explode? Without the answer to these questions, we don't have a beginning. Why are so many people content to ignore such important questions? It is because the answer takes them straight to the idea of eternal power and God. So too, we know the universe is winding down. As surely as there was a beginning, there will be an end. Yet, man in sin is equally content to ignore the end as the beginning. Furthermore, he takes hold of a world without God. We read in 2 Peter 3:4 of the confidence that for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. We go on to read of a willful blindness to the evidence of catastrophic judgment on this earth.

It is a blessing to read of God's great grace even in this most difficult hour. A good deal of Biblical discussion centers on the 144,000 we read of in the book of Revelation who are sealed. Who are these 144,000? Why are they sealed? God has never left this earth without a witness to the truth. There have always been those who faithfully serve God. As God's people will become the special target of the enemy, He will supernaturally preserve these preachers during this most difficult hour. They will survive the entire tribulation period as an important testimony to the truth of God's grace. They will reap an incredible harvest of souls. God works differently at different times in the history of this world. Do you know what He is doing today?

081503dw

16th

The Kingdom Dispensation

Psalm 2,11; Acts 15:14-17

At the end of the 7 years of tribulation, there will be the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to the earth with His church to reign for 1000 years until the Great White Throne Judgment. This is known as the Millennium, and also known as the Kingdom Dispensation. The church, of course, is made up of only those people who have repented of sin and have genuinely asked Christ to save them. They are the ones whose lives give clear evidence of obedience and of a changed heart. They will have already been raptured and been given glorified bodies to live and reign with Christ during the Millennium and also for eternity. All others, who are alive, will enter the tribulation years, a most horrible thought indeed. At the beginning of the Kingdom Dispensation, the people who have accepted Christ during the tribulation will be the only ones who are left alive on the earth and we see that their state will be under the personal reign and earthly rule of Jesus Christ. Can you imagine being under the earthly rule of a perfect and sovereign king?! It will be a most wonderful time. We see that man's responsibility and submission will be solely to the King, who is Jesus Christ, to worship Him acceptably. But think of this. There will be many people, who at the end of the Millennium will in fact, turn away from Christ and will side with Satan, the evil one himself, when he is released from the bottomless pit for a time. In other words, even under the most perfect of governments, with God the Son, Jesus Christ as the earthly King, there will be people who will not be true believers, only professing hypocrites and they will not obey God. They will go their own way and in the end will receive their just recompense and their just reward, being thrown screaming, with weeping and gnashing of teeth, into the Lake of Fire which is the second death. Folks, why do people feign and fake allegiance to God? Why do many people just fake obedience and speak untruths about their true spiritual conditions? Satan has many people deceived. Many people are just too prideful to admit that God is right; they are sinners in need of a Savior. Question is; where do you find yourself today in the light of the true and living Word of God? May you be found today as an obedient Christian, living a life that is pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ. "O God, we are so undeserving! Guide us in Your truth for Your names sake."

081603dm

17th

The Kingdom Dispensation, #2

The Consequences of Man's Failure

Revelation 20

This dispensation, as the proceeding dispensations, ended in man's failure. At the beginning of the 1000 years Satan is cast into the bottom-less pit, (Rev. 20:2-3). At the end of the 1000 years Satan is loosed for a little season to deceive the nations upon the earth. One would think that after 1000 years of peace, harmony and bliss, the people would no longer be enticed by Satan. Human nature being what it is, despotic and sinful from birth, does not change. Most of the world's population that enters the Kingdom Age will live through it to the end, but all that time, human nature will not change. We may show some signs of being a chameleon, but truly the leopard never changes his spots.

At the close of this glorious age of Christ's ruling on earth, man's sinful nature is still fallen and unrepentant. No matter how good the social environment or how peaceful the relationship between nations, families, and what have you, man's sinful desires are still prevalent, rebellion still rules in his heart. The unsaved is unsaved still! The human heart is still desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) and rebellious regardless of outward or inward circumstances.

Once again we see God's Mercy! Following the Great White Throne Judgment, Satan and all Christ rejecters are cast into the lake of fire forever and ever for eternal torment. Divine mercy now opens the door to eternal freedom from sin and depravity and the saved of all ages will ever be with the eternal Godhead.

John the Apostle receives the vision of a new heaven and a new earth, wherein is no sin. Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. What glory awaits the believers and now we see through a glass darkly, but then we shall see face to face and we shall be like Him, our Savior. Hallelujah!

081703rjs

18th

The Purpose of God

Colossians 1:18-23

God does not move without purpose and plan in this world. His plan has ever involved important spiritual leaders. In every age, there are common elements. There is an important covenant in the godhead. God the Father has made an important covenant with the Son. According to our text, He is working through Christ to redeem all things to Himself.

He is working to help us understand our need. Fallen man is unable to keep any conditional covenant God makes with him. In one way or another, these involve works. If we do well, we will live. The problem is we cannot do well. We are hopelessly in bondage to a corrupt sinful nature. It is only through faith that we can find the power of God and escape inevitable damnation. We all have the power to choose, but our choices will determine our destiny. We must either choose to look to God in faith and hope or experience growing corruption to damnation.

Sadly, some choose evil. From Pharaoh to the religious leadership who opposed Christ to the Antichrist, evil is empowered in the lives of people. Just as we can choose the path of faith, we can open our hearts to all evil. However, in spite of all the choices of evil people and the power of all the forces of darkness, the right will prevail. The covenants and various stewardships God gives to man mean little next to human depravity and the power of God. In each age, God offers freely his covenant of grace through faith.

It is only through the power of a changed life, that God's grace is evident in the heart. We do not save ourselves. We cannot save ourselves. Therefore, it is not God's covenant of works that saves, but His covenant of grace. His covenant of grace is empowered as we respond in faith to the revelation that He makes available to us. It is only as we understand our need and look to God in faith that we are born again and transformed by the very power of God. God has not called us to save this world. This world is condemned and will pass away, but He has given us the truth that will transform the heart and life of all that will look to God in faith and hope. I wonder, have you come to the end of yourself and experienced the all sufficiency of God. If not, why not look to Him now?

081803dw

19th

Each Dispensation Ends in a World Crisis

Isaiah 53:6; Romans 1:18-32; Ezekiel 33:12-20

Let's take a look at some very interesting details:

1^st Dispensation, Innocence: Expulsion of Man from the Garden.

2^nd Dispensation, Conscience, with knowledge: The Flood.

3^rd Dispensation, Human Government: Confusion of Languages.

4^th Dispensation, Promise: Bondage of the Chosen Race.

5^th Dispensation, Law: The Cross of Christ.

6^th Dispensation, Grace: The Rapture of the Church.

7^th Dispensation, Tribulation and Judgment: The Wrath of God and

the Binding of Satan.

8^th Dispensation, The Kingdom: Fire from Heaven.

One thing that man has learned from history and that is that man does not learn from history. You would think that it would be a simple thing to take a look back and see the mistakes that were made in previous generations, whether it be in your own country, or in your own family, or even most importantly, in the ways of God for mankind from the Bible. But this simply is not the case. The scriptures proclaim that men, before salvation are totally blinded to the truth of God's Word. They are walking spiritually blind and cannot see the way, they cannot know the way, and they will never come to the knowledge of the truth unless, they are quickened by the Holy Spirit of God, the Third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit's work is to convict the world of sin and of righteousness. The Holy Spirit points people to the cross where Jesus died for the sins of the world. In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by Me." Acts 4:12, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved."

We can know the way and we can learn what God desires for us, if we will only choose to do what God has commanded us. That basic of commands is to turn from our sin in repentance and then call out to Christ to save us. When we do this, a most wonderful thing happens. We are made spiritually alive in Christ! 2 Cor. 5:17. Obediently, we begin to see where God wants us to be, and we go because our spiritual eyes and our hearts have been opened.

"Father God, help us today to make sure of where our eternal home is. Guide us in Your Truth. Amen."

20th

In Each Dispensation God comes Down to Earth

In the first "Dispensation of Innocence", God came down and visited with Adam. They had fellowship and walked together as friend with friend, but sin came in and the perfect fellowship was broken. God also came down and prepared coats of skins to cover their nakedness.

In the second "Dispensation of Conscious", God came down and instructed Noah to prepare an ark for his family and all air breathing creatures. Also, it was God who shut the door before the rain fell and the fountains of the deep were broken up.

In the third "Dispensation of Human Government", God came down and saw the disobedience of God's commands and confused their tongues so they could no longer communicate. After the tower of Babel, the human race was scattered abroad upon the face of the earth.

In the fourth "Dispensation of Promise", God came to Abraham several times and also to Moses. Abraham was promised a seed and a land. Moses was given the greatest leadership extended to mere man. God also presented Himself at the dedication of the Tabernacle and Temple.

In the fifth "Dispensation of Law", God the Son presented Himself to the Jewish nation and was rejected. Hanged on a cruel tree and died for the sins of the world. He also ascended on high to be the Mediator between God and men.

In the sixth "Dispensation of Grace", we see two descents, First the Holy Spirit came to indwell the believers and John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. And The risen Christ will return, in the clouds, for His own.

In the seventh "Dispensation of Judgment and Tribulation", Jesus comes down to wage war and judge the antichrist and false prophet, casting them into the lake of fire.

In the eighth "Dispensation of the Kingdom', Christ is still on the earth and he rules with a rod of iron, Psalm 2:9. God has never abandoned his creation, but has something better for them that love Him.

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21st

God's Ways

John 21:18-24

God works with different people in different ways and with different people at different times. In this age where equity is our god, we may find this troubling. It is critical that we understand the scripture properly. Earlier, we considered 2 Timothy 2:15. In this verse we are admonished, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. There is a right way and a wrong way to understand the Bible. In order to understand it rightly, we need to know which covenants apply to us today, and what stewardship or stewardships may apply to us.

If we miss this, we will find confusion if not outright contradiction. For example, when Jesus sent out His disciples to preach, they were to preach repentance to Israel. They were specifically commanded not to go to the Samaritans or the Gentiles. Later on, you will find that they are commanded to go into the entire world and preach the gospel. These are two different commands, which contradict because they cover two different times and purposes. They are similar in many ways, yet still significantly different.

God's purpose in this present age is to visit the Gentiles and call out a people for His name. I believe we are still under the stewardship of conscience. God has written His laws on our hearts. We are also under the stewardship of human government. We have a responsibility to support and maintain good civil government. This means giving honor and tribute. This means using all the means God has appointed to make human government fulfill His purpose in this world. However, our most important stewardship involves the Gospel. We are to respond to God's call to repentance and faith. We are to function as salt and light in this world. As such, we are to use all the means God has appointed to promote goodness and bring others to faith and salvation. As we approach the end of this age, both the home and the church is drifting from the place of blessing. Therefore, we need to do all that we can to establish and build Christ honoring homes, and we need to do all that we can to establish and build Christ honoring churches. If we miss these important points, we will fail in our greatest responsibilities.

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22nd

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth (cont.)

2 Timothy 2:15; 3:1-5, 12-17; 2 Peter 3:16

As we continue to look at Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, we need to mention 4 other areas of significant importance.

The 1^st area is that a person must never take truth that belongs to a past dispensation and bring it up to the present!

Examples:

1. Roman Catholicism-- mixing Judaism, paganism, and Christianity-- brings the earthly priesthood of the Law up into the present dispensation.

2. Seventh Day Adventism brings the Law which was given to the Jewish people, down to this dispensation. Romans 7:4-6.

The 2^nd area is that a person should never take truth from a future dispensation and try to apply it to the present!

Examples:

1. Jehovah's Witnesses takes the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7 from the Judgment Dispensation.

2. The Church belongs to this dispensation, and Abel, Noah, Abraham, etc. do not belong to the church.

The 3^rd area is that a person is not to take statements that apply to any other dispensation and try to make them fit to the present.

Examples:

1. Genesis 6:3 --Belongs to Conscience. Luke 11:13 -- Belongs to Law. Romans 8:9 -- Belongs to Grace. John 7:27-39 -- Belongs to the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

The 4^th and last area is that a person is not to put the present into the future!

Examples:

1. The church is not going into the seven-year tribulation. Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1, 2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11.

2. This present period is connected with the Jews in Jeremiah 30:3 and Daniel 12:1.

The scripture is clear as too many who take the very words of God Himself and twist them and use them for selfish reasons. These folks are unstable and untaught and bring to themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 3:16 "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."

" Dear Lord and Savior, we are but dust and are nothing compared to Your Majesty, Glory and Holiness. Help us to faithfully study Your Word that we might be found by You complete, thoroughly equipped unto every good work! Amen."

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23rd

God's Covenants with Mankind according to the Bible

The definition of a covenant is an agreement or contract between men or between God and man. God's covenants were given to a particular people or individual. In each case it is explanatory and it can be either conditional or unconditional. The conditional covenants are dependent on man keeping his part, the unconditional are only dependent upon God keeping his part. Since God cannot lie, the unconditional covenants will last forever.

We often speak of being under grace in the Church Age, or the Age of Grace, or the Age of the Holy Spirit. All three are acceptable. Grace has always been in vogue with God, from Creation to Kingdom. It's just that we have a better understanding of Grace because of its use in the New Testament. We often speak of the Law, as being done away with, not true; rather all the points of the law were fulfilled in Christ and in that sense Grace has fulfilled the Law. Many of the Old Testament laws have not been rescinded, nor replaced, just enlarged upon. Illustration, Ex. 20:14Thou shall not commit adultery, but Jesus said in, Matt. 5:28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. This illustration makes our point and strengthens our premise. The Old Testament sacrifices were done away with when Christ went to the cross. When Jesus died on that cross the veil was rent in two (twain) from top to bottom and access into the innermost holy place (Holy of Holies) was opened for all who call on the Name of the Lord. Yes, we are a royal priesthood and can go to the Throne of Grace any time. 1 Peter 2:9, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. In the light of the above verse, we have a God-given right that only a few people in the Old Testament had, and because of that we are to live a life that is Christ honoring and God pleasing before God and man. Anything short of that is dishonoring the Lord and weakening our testimony before the world. See that you walk circumspectly before God and man. The rest of this month, we will be looking at Scriptural Covenants.

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24th

God's Covenant with Adam

Genesis 1:27-31; 2:15-17

Here, God gives man important instruction and responsibility. Part of this is dietary. It seems that providing for our food is a very important part of God's dealings with us. From the beginning, man and beast were provided a vegetarian diet, and man was given the responsibility of this earth.

This responsibility to be fruitful and have dominion over the earth is still on us. In this day, when the environment is an important topic of discussion, there are some important things to consider. First, man is the primary creature. Mankind alone is made in the image of God and given dominion over this earth. God made this earth for our benefit and blessing. We have a responsibility to God to take good care of it. The animals were made for man, not men for animals.

Those who would make animals and humans equal do not understand important truth. Second, there are those today who see an unused pristine environment as best. Try this approach the next time you try to have a garden. A garden must be constantly worked. Therefore, if we would make best use of this earth, we must work to make it healthy and productive. God's purpose was not a few people on a pristine earth. His purpose was to fill the earth with healthy productive people.

We find as Noah leaves the ark that God gives very similar instructions. It is important to note that part of this covenant is still in force and part can never be repeated. For example, it is not possible for us to eat the forbidden fruit. However, we have just as much responsibility before God to be fruitful and fill the earth with health and productivity as Adam and Noah.

In the will of God, we are to build and maintain Christ honoring families. In the will of God we are to take care of what God has given us and provide for all of our needs. Thank God He did not leave Adam alone in this important responsibility. Indeed, it would have been impossible for him to multiply without Eve, but more than that, she is an important helper to him in this responsibility. It seems that neither male nor female can do what is needed alone. It is only together that we can find the right balance in our stewardship of this earth. Thank God for His provision and blessing.

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25th

The Adamic Covenant

Genesis 3:14-19; Revelation 20:7-15

God made this Covenant for Adam, in the Garden of Eden, after the Fall to sin, but before both Adam and Eve were expelled. The promise is unconditional and consists of a curse and a promise. God did this to bring order and some semblance to life outside of the garden. We also see some interesting beings here, made by God, the first being Cherubim, representing the Holiness of God. The second is a Seraphim, representing the uncleanness of people of God.

The basic contents of this covenant are as follows:

#1. First we see the curse of Satan, vs. 14, while being in the form of a serpent. Christ will ultimately finish and destroy Satan, while Satan will only be able to cause suffering to God's children.

#2. In vs. 16, we see the judgment on the woman, Eve. She would be multiplied with pain in conception, with much sorrow in child bearing. Because Eve had abandoned Adam's leadership, she was also made to be subject to her husband, as the headship was given to the man. This then was passed to all women.

#3. In vs. 17, we see the judgment on Adam in the ground being cursed for his sake, and he would have to labor with heavy toil for a living. This too, was passed to all men.

#4. Then a curse was passed on all creation in vs. 18. There will be much sorrow and hard work; weeds, thistles, and hard ground (rocks) make cultivation very difficult.

#5. Finally, we see the promise from vs. 15 where Satan will finally be defeated.

What can we conclude from this Covenant given from God to Adam and through Adam to the whole human race? We are all born into sin and thus we are all sinners and we all suffer in this sin-cursed world and in sin-cursed bodies. We all must work by the sweat of our brows to provide for our families and we, too, will suffer pain and sorrow in child-bearing and in old age until death. When will this all come to an end you ask? God tells us in Revelation 20:7-15. Satan and all those who did not follow God will be cast forever into the lake of Fire. God will do it and the curse will be lifted. The old earth and heaven will be destroyed and God will make a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. The New Jerusalem will come down from heaven. This is where there will no more tears and no more sorrow, no more death and no more crying!

"Oh Lord Jesus, come quickly! Amen!"

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26th

God's Unconditional Covenant with Noah

Genesis 8:20-9:22

When Noah disembarked from his long voyage on the floodwaters that covered the earth, he made an offering unto the Lord that was a sweet smelling savor unto the Lord, Gen. 8:21. God instituted an unconditional covenant that was guaranteed as long as the world shall stand. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease, Genesis 8:21-22. And God also gave Noah a sign that we so often see at the end of a spring shower. The sign of the rainbow is to us a reminder of the covenant God gave to Noah many centuries ago.

So often we complain about the weather, all four seasons, but remember God ordered the seasons and to this day sets the weather patterns. The following quotation read in the newspapers and seen on TV, "Mother Nature" should not be a part of the Christian's vocabulary. Our God is still in control and He numbers the hair on our heads and sees the little sparrow fall to the ground. If He can take care of these little things, don't you think He has control of the weather?

In this covenant, God promises several things;

(1) He will not again curse the ground because of man's sin.

(2) He will never again destroy all living by the waters of a flood.

(3) The natural order of the seasons shall prevail.

(4) Man is commanded to be fruitful and repopulate the earth,

(5) Mankind is to have dominion over all creation.

(6) The human race may now eat meats, but not drink the blood. The blood was to be drained from the slain animal, in other words it was to be "kosher."

(7) The law of capital punishment was established, Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. These have never been rescinded! The conclusion of the covenant is that in the future, the earth shall be renovated by fire and all the dregs of sin will be consumed.

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27th

Abraham the Father of Many Nations

Genesis 12:1-3

After the flood, the world quickly gave way to apostasy. To slow the growth of apostasy, God called Abraham to separate himself from his people. It is only as Abraham separates himself from his home and family that he is able to build a home and family that will love and worship God.

In God's call to Abraham, He promises him the land of Palestine, He promises that his family will become a great nation, and that through this nation all people of the earth will come to find God's blessings. The great religions of this world all look back to Abraham. I think this in itself is a great testimony to the fact that God was at work through the covenant He made with Abraham to call all people to Himself. This covenant is an unconditional covenant. As such, it is a part of God's purpose of redemption in this world.

People like Abraham and the nation of Israel that are a part of God's redemptive purpose in this world have great responsibility and blessing. The Biblical principle is to whom much is given shall much be required. As we considered our stewardship, we found that in the present church age God is working to call out from among the Gentile nations, a people for His name. This stewardship flows directly from the covenant God made with Abraham. Israel failed. The current church age will fail. During the tribulation, God's people, Jew and Gentile, will succeed to calling out an innumerable host from every people, tongue, tribe and nation. At this point, God's purpose in calling Abraham will be fulfilled.

This fulfillment takes place under the new covenant. The problem of sin runs deep in the human heart and soul. What the law could not accomplish, and what the Spirit of God does not accomplish, the Spirit coupled with great tribulation accomplishes. Jeremiah 31:33 "this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people". We are in the new covenant now, but there will be a positive change when the new covenant is coupled with great tribulation. Sadly, we don't appropriate faith as we ought until all other hope is lost.

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28th

The Mosaic Covenant

Exodus 23:20-33; Deuteronomy 28

Moses was the founder of the nation of Israel, just as Abraham was the father. God had made a covenant to the people of Israel, through Moses, who chose to serve the people of his nation, rather than to retain his position of honor as the son of Pharaoh's daughter.

This covenant contained four different areas.

The first area was the 10 commandments. This was the most sacred thing in the nation. These were the moral laws that showed the righteous will of God, in condemnation and death; in conduct for matters of right and wrong. These 10 commandments had 600 other laws that came out of them.

The second area was Civil Law. These judgments were given to govern the social life of the nation of Israel, including sanitary laws, etc.

The third area was the Ceremonial law, whose ordinances covered the religious life of Israel. They were given to the High Priest, who was to represent the people with God and to make sacrifices for the sins of the people. These were not given at the same time as the original ten as the people had broken the first ten before even seeing them. In their actions of breaking the first law, they in fact broke them all, as Moses also gave evidence of this in the act of breaking the tablets of stone.

The fourth area covered the Priests and the sacrifices established by command. The people deserved death, but God allowed the blood of the animals to cover their sin.

We see that the whole law was deeply spiritual. It is based on love to God and man, as we see love to God inspires the first three and love to man, the last seven. In fact, Christ didn't come to abolish the law, but rather to fulfill it. God is ever concerned for His people and has each one's best interest at heart. God promised much blessing if the people would obey Him. He also gave warning that there would be severe punishment it they did not obey. Say, as Christians today, do we not have the same God? Yes, in fact, He gives us these very same principles to follow. We are to Love Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength! We are to be telling others of His great love for them, too.

"Dear Gracious Heavenly Father, help us to be obedient, to go and make disciples, just as You have commanded us. Thank You for Your love for us. Amen."

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29th

The Davidic Covenant - David's Seed Sitting on an Everlasting Throne

II Samuel 7:8-19

This is another of the unconditional covenants and its sign is fulfilled in Luke 2:11-12.

The following promises are from the Lord God:

(1) David would have a perpetual throne and a Son of that throne.

(2) This Son was to have two natures, He would be the God-Man, Ps. 2:6,7; 45:6,7; 110:1.

(3) This King would experience rejection, suffering, death and resurrection, before He would rule, Psalm 22.

(4) This Son would have two thrones, heavenly and earthly. He would occupy His Father's throne until the time of the overthrowing of His enemy, Satan, and then he would occupy the earthly throne, Ps. 68:18 and 110.

(5) David's Son would have a twofold office, both Priest and King, Ps. 110:4.

(6) The perpetual Kingdom would include His descent from Heaven and Judgment upon His enemies.

(7) He will not only rule Israel, but all the nations of the world, Ps. 78:8-11.

Someone will say, "How can these things be when we read in Jeremiah 22:24-30 of the curse upon the Davidic line of kings, especially when we read no king shall ever again sit upon the throne of David?

Answer: David's acquiescing to Bath-sheba regarding Solomon being the next king overlooked Nathan an elder son who was of the "Royal" line of birth before Solomon. Solomon's line was the "Legal" line and was cut off when Johiakim was cursed of God in Jeremiah 22:24-30. Jesus was of the Royal line through his mother Mary, according to the genealogies recorded in Matthew and Luke. Joseph was of the legal line and none of his sons could sit on the throne of David. Jesus being the son of Mary and of the seed of God is reigning in heaven and will reign upon the earth in both the Millennium and throughout all eternity. Yes, the covenant with David is unconditional and fulfilled. Praise God!

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30th

The Palestinian Covenant

Deuteronomy 30

As we read and watch the news, day after day, and see the ongoing and continuing struggles between the two nations of Israel and Palestine, we have only to look back into the precious Word of God to see what is taking place and what God has in store for Israel, through the promises that He has given. Let us take a closer look.

The Palestinian covenant is a continuation of the Mosaic covenant. The constitution of the Covenant was given in Deuteronomy 30:1-10 and was established in view of the worldwide dispersion of the Jews, because of their disobedience.

The Covenant contains the promise of the Lords return, following the repentance of the people. This repentance will lead to a wholehearted commitment of obedience to God's commandments and the end of Israel's distress. This is the ultimate salvation of Israel by faith in Christ. It also includes the re-gathering of the people from among the nations, and their restoration to their own land, after the return of the Messiah. Restoration to the land will be in fulfillment of the promise of the covenant given to Abraham. Then, there is the promise of the conversion of Israel. Even as we look back into the Abrahamic Covenant, we see that there is the promise of judgment upon the nations, which persecuted Israel. The curses that had fallen on Israel because of disobedience will in the future come upon those nations that have enslaved the Jews. Finally, there is the promise of great blessing and prosperity for Israel. With a new heart under the New Covenant, Israel will obey all the commandments of the Lord. This will result in the Lord's blessing, which will bring greater prosperity than Israel has ever previously experienced.

Can we surmise that God wants us as His children to always do what He desires?! If we really believe that God is All-knowing, we can totally rely on His will for us. We need to repent of sin. Firstly for salvation, but secondly as believers, so that we can continue to walk in a way worthy of the name that we profess as Christians. True Christians are Christ-like, not world like! We must follow God and obey the clear path He has chosen for us to walk.

"Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us of sin. Thank You for the promises to those who love and obey You! Amen."

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31st

Ages, Dispensations and Covenants

Ephesians 1:3-11

As we have spent this month looking at various covenants and dispensations, I hope you have a better understanding of the times. In 1 Chronicles 12:32, we read of the children of Issachar that they were, "men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" We need to know our responsibility. God would not have us be ignorant. Therefore, if we rightly divide the word we can know the needs of the hour.

All the important dealings we have with one another as people are founded on agreements or contracts. The Bible speaks of these as covenants. The foundation of every important human relationship is a covenant agreement. It is quite natural therefore, that God would deal with us based on various covenants. He makes these with different people at different times with a different purpose in mind. Yet, as surely as God does not change, there are certain essential elements of His dealings with us that are the same. The character of evil does not change. The character of God does not change. However, His specific purpose for a specific people can and does change.

If we would understand God's message to us, and know what God would have us do, we must have an understanding of the times. I hope as you read and study the Bible that you begin thinking in terms of covenants, dispensations and ages. A covenant is an agreement that God makes with man. A dispensation is a stewardship responsibility that God gives to man through a covenant. An age is a world that God establishes until the corruption becomes so great that a new age must begin. We read about ages or worlds in the book of II Peter. In 2 Peter 3:6,7.10 we read, " the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Thank God rightness in this world will come.

083103dw

Please email us to share a testimony of how this ministry has been a blessing to you,

Please email us to request these devotions be sent to you daily via email!

Genesis 1:26-2:23

Genesis 9:1

Revelation 20

Each Dispensation Ends in a World Crisis

Genesis 12:1-3

Ephesians 1:3-11

Please email us to share a testimony of how this ministry has been a blessing to you, Please email us to request these devotions be sent to you daily via email!

Genesis 1:26-2:23

Genesis 9:1

Revelation 20

Each Dispensation Ends in a World Crisis

Genesis 12:1-3

Ephesians 1:3-11

Please email us to share a testimony of how this ministry has been a blessing to you,

Please email us to request these devotions be sent to you daily via email!