STORACALS OF PROPHECY.
Hello friends, family, and my brothers, and sisters in Christ.

This is Brother Johnny Gass.

Welcome to Bible study.

Study to show thyself to approved unto God, a Workman unashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Please share these lessons with everyone you know for the expansion of the kingdom of God.

A Tale of Two Women.

A hush fell over the royal judgment hall, and all eyes were fixed on King Solomon. His servants wondered how the young monarch would resolve this perplexing case. Two single mothers were sharing a room, and each gave birth to a baby boy at about the same time. During the night, one of the mothers had accidentally turned over and smothered her son. When she awoke early and saw her child was cold and still, the distraught woman took her roommate's sleeping baby to herself and laid her dead baby in its place. Later the other mother awoke, saw the dead baby, and began to wail with grief. But after examining the infant, she quickly realized that it was not her child. Across the room, she could see her roommate tightly clutching her baby. Now both women stood before the king, tugging for possession of the living infant. "This child is mine!" one shouted. "No, the dead baby was yours!" the other countered. How would the king determine which was the true mother? Solomon interrupted their debate and told a guard to take a sword and divide the living infant in two. At first the soldier thought the king was jesting, but Solomon began to glare at the guard's hesitation. Slowly he drew his sharp, gleaming sword and made his way toward the woman holding the baby. Suddenly the true mother threw herself at the king's feet and pleaded,?"Let her have the child, but please do not slay it!" But the other woman said, "Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it." Now Solomon knew without a doubt who was the true mother. In prophecy, a woman is a symbol of a church (Jeremiah 6:2). With so many churches in the last days, how can we distinguish the true, last-day church that has the living Son from the counterfeits? Like Solomon, we must use the sword of God's Word (Hebrews 4:12)!

1. How does Revelation picture God's true church?

Revelation 12:1, 2, 5. A _______ clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. ... And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: In Bible prophecy, God's church is symbolized by a pure woman (Jeremiah 6:2). In Revelation 12, this woman is clothed with the sun, moon, and stars--the natural light of God's creation. Jesus told the church, "Ye are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14. The sun represents the light of Jesus (Psalms 84:11; Malachi 4:2). The moon under her feet represents the types and shadows of the Old Testament sacrificial system. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so the sacrificial system was helpful because it reflected the light of the Messiah to come (Colossians 2:16, 17; Hebrews 10:1). The 12 stars above her head symbolize the leadership of the

church--12 tribes in the Old Testament and 12 apostles in the New Testament. The one who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron is Jesus (Psalms 2:7-9; Revelation 19:13-16).

2. Who is the "great red dragon," and what does he try to do?

Revelation 12:9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and _______.

Revelation 12:4 The dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: The dragon is Satan, who at the time of Jesus' birth was working through the pagan Roman Empire. Satan influenced Herod, a ruler under Rome, to try to murder baby Jesus by killing all the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).

3. What happens after Satan fails to destroy Jesus?

Revelation 12:5. And her child was caught __ unto God, and to his throne.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: After His resurrection, Jesus ascended up to heaven and to God's throne (Acts 1:9-11), where He was beyond the reach of Satan.

4. After Jesus was caught up to heaven, what did Satan do to the church?

Revelation 12:13. When the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he ________ the woman which brought forth the man child.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: When Satan could no longer vent his hatred on Jesus, he decided to hurt Jesus by turning his fury against the church.

5. Where did the woman go during this terrifying period of persecution? How long did it last?

Revelation 12:6. And the woman fled into the _________, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: The woman (God's church) fled into the wilderness (the remote places of earth) to hide from her enemies. It is a well-known historical fact that during the Dark Ages, God's people fled to the caves and solitary places of earth, including the shores of America, to seek religious freedom and protection from papal persecution. The 1,260 days (also described in the Bible as 42 months or as three and a half years) refers to the terrible 1,260-year period of persecution during which millions died for their faith. During this time period, God's church was alive but was not identifiable as an official, visible organization. (See the supplement entitled "Years of Persecution.")

6. What are two other identifying marks of God's true church?

Revelation 12:17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the ____________ of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: God's remnant church, into which He is calling all His people, will keep God's Ten Commandments (including the Sabbath). It will also have the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit, or gift, of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). God calls His end-time church "the remnant," because it is identical in doctrine and characteristics to the apostolic church. A "remnant" is the last remaining portion of a bolt of cloth. It is exactly like the first piece from the same bolt.

7. How did Jesus say that we demonstrate our love for Him?

John 14:15. If ye love me, _____ my commandments.

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we __________ his commandments.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: In our opening story, Solomon was able to identify the true mother by her genuine display of love. In the same way, God's true church will be recognized by its sacrificial love and its willingness to obey His commandments.

8. What three angelic messages will God's end-time church be preaching?

Revelation 14:7. Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his ___________ is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Revelation 14:9, 10 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: These three angelic statements represent the three urgent messages that God's church will preach before Jesus returns.

9. To whom will God's church preach these messages?

Revelation 14:6. Having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to _____ nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: God's end-time church will preach this great three-point message to every nation on earth.

10. What specifications has God given in His Word to help us positively identify His end-time church?

Revelation 12:17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the ______ of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

1. It will appear and do its visible work after it emerges from the wilderness in 1798 (Revelation 12:6, 13-17).

2. It will teach the same truths the apostles taught, and all of its teachings will agree with the Bible (Revelation 12:17).

3. It will keep the Ten Commandments, including the Bible Sabbath (Revelation 12:17).

4. It will have the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 12:17; 19:10).

5. It will proclaim God's three end-time messages with a loud voice (Revelation 14:6-14).

6. It will be a worldwide movement (Revelation 14:6).

7. It will teach the everlasting gospel, which is salvation through Jesus Christ alone (Revelation 14:6).

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: Many lovely Christians are members of churches that do not meet the above seven specifications. However, no such church can be God's remnant into which He is calling all His sincere children, because His end-time church must meet all seven specifications.

11. Jesus gives you these seven prophetic identification points and then says, "Go and find My church." What does He promise regarding your search?

Luke 11:9. Seek, and ye shall ______.

Answer : ____________________

12. How many church organizations in the world will fit these seven points?

Ephesians 4:5. One Lord, one _____, one baptism.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: Only one church in the entire world fits all of these specifications--the Seventh-day Adventist church, which is bringing you these seminar messages. It is right now preaching the great three angels' messages of Revelation 14:6-12 all over the world. Millions are responding.

13. Many denominations call themselves Christian. Does that make them God's true church?

Isaiah 4:1. And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own _______ and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: Bread is a symbol of the Word of God (John 6:35, 51, 52, 63), and apparel is a symbol of righteousness (Revelation 19:8). The seven women in this prophecy have their own bread (concept of truth) and want to keep their own clothing (righteousness). They do not want the spotless robes of Christ's righteousness. All they want is to take the name of Jesus, probably because the Bible says, "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

14. Once a person discovers God's true end-time church, is it necessary to become a member?

Acts 2:47. And the Lord _____ to the church daily such as should be saved.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: Yes, membership in God's end-time church is imperative. Notice how clearly God answers this question about membership:

--We are all called into one body (Colossians 3:15).

--That body is the church (Colossians 1:18).

--We enter that body by baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13).

It is just as imperative to enter God's church today as it was to enter the ark in Noah's day. The Lord says, "Come thou and all thy house into the ark." Genesis 7:1.

15. How many ways of escape were there in Noah's day?

Hebrews 11:7. By faith Noah ... prepared an ___ to the saving of his house.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: Jesus says that the time just before His second coming will be like Noah's day (Luke 17:26). There will be only one way of escape, just as there was only one ark in Noah's day.

16. Since there are many faithful Christians in other churches and since God has only one true remnant, what will happen to these sincere Christians?

John 10:16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall _____ my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Revelation 18:2, 4 Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. ... come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Answer : ____________________

NOTE: Jesus will call all of His faithful, honest followers to come out of Babylon. They will hear His voice, respond, and enter His one true, end-time church.

17. Jesus is calling you today to enter the safety of His great end-time church. You are very precious to Him. Will you respond now to His call?

Answer : ____________________

Supplemental Study

Years of Persecution
The 1,260 years of tribulation is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible, because historically it was the worst ever to face God's people (Matthew 24:21). It is referred to as 1,260 days, 42 months, and three and one-half times, or years (Revelation 12:6, 14 13:5 Daniel 7:25). Using the Jewish calendar, which had 360 days in a year, all three add up to the same amount of time - 1,260 years. One prophetic day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6 Numbers 14:34).

History clearly shows that the papacy was the power which persecuted for 1,260 years. The period began in A.D. 538, when papal power became supreme in Christendom according to the decree of Roman Emperor Justinian. In it, he acknowledged the bishop of Rome as the head of all churches. This letter became a part of Justinian's Code, the fundamental law of the empire. The period ended in 1798 when Napoleon's general, Alexander Berthier, took the pope captive. At least 50 million Christians died for their faith during this period of persecution.

Three Crucial Points
Three facts of utmost importance to God's people are established in Revelation 12:10-12. These facts are:

1. Jesus defeated Satan, the accuser of the brethren, at the cross.

2. All of us can overcome him through the blood of Jesus and by sharing our testimonies.

3. The devil is infuriated because he knows that his time is short. We cannot expect him to behave like a gentleman. He is our bitterest enemy.

The message is that Jesus, who has defeated Satan, offers His matchless power to us as a free gift. With Jesus' power in our lives, we cannot fail. Satan's fury need not affect us. He is a defeated foe. He was defeated in the war in heaven and cast out. He was defeated by Jesus at the cross and lost his dominion. He will be defeated legally in his case in the judgment, and he will again be defeated when he attacks God's holy city. Finally, he will suffer the defeat of being blotted from the face of the earth in the lake of fire. And, most wonderful of all, Jesus promises that he will be defeated in his bitter fight to destroy you and me. What a tremendous message of hope from Jesus!

To learn more about our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and the Sabbath, please visit your local Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Or please visit us at Rossville Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 1737 Mission Ridge Road, Rossville Georgia 30741

Pastor; Greg Hudson

Services start at 11am on Saturday (Sabbath) morning.

AMAZING FACTS
Daily Devotionals

A Touch of Eden

April 17th, 2026

It’s been called the world’s largest natural flower garden. The Dubai Miracle Garden not only provides a stunning display of over 60 million flowers, it’s a miracle in itself because it sits in the hot, arid desert. The garden opened in 2013 and attracts up to 1.5 million visitors each year.

Over 86,000 square yards of displays greet visitors who are tired of malls, concrete, and steel. Floral structures—including a life-size replica of the Emirates Airbus A380—are covered in beautiful flowers seven months of the year. The 104-degree temperatures make it too challenging to grow flowers in the summer.

When the Lord presented the Garden of Eden to our first parents within the perfect environment of our world, untarnished by sin, it must have been a jaw-dropping sight. God created our planet to communicate His love for humanity. “The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed” (Genesis 2:8).

The Lord’s creatorship shows that He is Father of all people. “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” (Malachi 2:10). It makes all humans brothers and sisters and eliminates any room for racism, bigotry, and other forms of discrimination.

Creation also establishes our responsibility to care for the earth. “God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’ ” (Genesis 1:28). Even the dignity of manual labor is seen from the beginning, for the Lord asked Adam to “tend and keep” the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15).

Though our world is filled with evil and sin has marred the creation, it was not that way in the beginning. The Bible says, “His work is perfect” (Deuteronomy 32:4). Everything God made was pronounced “good” (Genesis 1:10, 12, 17, 21, 25). When you visit a flower garden, look closely and you will see glimpses of our first home.

Apply It:

Visit a flower garden or purchase a bouquet of flowers for someone you love. As you enjoy them, think of the very first garden-home given to us by God.

Dig Deeper:

Job 12:7–10; Psalm 24:1; Colossians 1:16, 17

Key Bible Texts
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31 KJV)

Good evening, brethren.

1. Evening devotion for today.

i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
(COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

*DATE:*
THURSDAY 16TH APRIL, 2026

*SUB-THEME:*
THE CROSS: CULMINATION OF GRACE.

*TOPIC:*
REQUIRES TOTAL ALLEGIANCE

*TEXT:*
ACTS 4:16-20
16. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.
17. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18. Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges!
20. As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

*TOPIC:*
REQUIRES TOTAL ALLEGIANCE

*THE MESSAGE:*
Jesus had assured the disciples of the presence of the Holy Spirit whenever they faced opposition from the authorities (Mt. 12:11-12). The priests, temple guard, and the Sadducees brought Peter and John to the Jewish council after healing a lame man. Though unable to deny the miracle, the leaders attempted to silence them to prevent the spread of the Gospel of Christ. However, Peter and John responded, "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (v. 20). Following Christ demands total allegiance to God above all earthly authorities. Today, Christians are facing similar threats from ungodly authorities and hostile communities. Our obedience to God must supercede human opposition. God called believers to prioritise His command over fear, pressure, or persecution and declare God's truth regardless of the cost.

*REFLECTION:*
Do not submit to threats.

*PRAYER:*
Lord Jesus, help me to stand my ground without fear. Amen.

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:*
COLOSSIANS 2:15.
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

*TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
1 CHRONICLES 6-10.

ii. Skip to content
Dalily Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth

Posted onApril 16, 2026 by Editor
Surrendered
Christian Applications Store:: Christian devotional App Store; Explore Recommended Christian Books and Devotionals
Complete surrender,
Surrendered absolutely.
– not in your strength but in His,

Absolute yielding,
Yielded completely.
– remember “It is God that worketh in us….”

Full submission,
Entirely devoted.
– not for your glory, but for His.

Humble obedience,
Obedient humility.
-both to will and to do of His good pleasure”

This is the foundation of happiness,
This is the superstructure of joy.

This is the bedrock of blessedness,
This is the core of communion with Him.

Complete surrender – surrendered absolutely.
Absolute yielding – yielded completely.
Full submission – entirely devoted.
Humble obedience – obedient humility.

Only the one that lays down ALL ego, ALL self, ALL of the flesh
Will receive the fullness of Who He really is

But it requires:-
– absolute surrender;
– complete yielding;
– full submission;
– entirely devoted;
– humble obedience.

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2. Evening Prayer for today.

i. Evening Prayer

A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain. ⏤ Psalm 127:1

As is the business of tailors to make clothes and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray. ⏤ Martin Luther

Our Father, before we lay down to sleep, we thank You for protecting and providing for us, and for all the blessings of this day. We committed ourselves to Your care this morning, and You haven’t forgotten us for even a moment. We thank You for the happiness we’ve shared at home today. Father, bless our family life and make it more tender and supportive. May our home become a holier place to live and grow. May all its influences be pure, uplifting, and enriching. Fill it with Your Holy Spirit, and then it will be like Heaven.

O Son of God, who lived in an earthly home in Nazareth for many years and often visited the home in Bethany, come and dwell in our home, and bless it with Your tender grace. May we sit at Your feet like Mary did, listening to Your word and learning from You. Then, in times of sorrow, You will come to comfort us. We also want to pour out our love to You like the woman who anointed Your feet with perfume. Come, dear Master, and be our constant guest. Stay with us all the time. Help us to make our home a place where You’ll want to dwell—a home of truth, pure feelings, gentle words, and thoughtful affection.

Now, as this day ends and we prepare for rest, we entrust our whole home to Your care. Forgive us all our sins. Accept the work we bring to You—only small pieces of what we intended to do, and stained by sin. Take it as it is and let Your blessing rest on it. Keep us through the night, and prepare us for tomorrow, whether we spend it on earth or in Heaven. We ask all this in Your name, O Lamb of God. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/11/evening

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#youdevotion.

Good morning, brethren.

1. Morning devotion for today.

i. MORNING TEA
THE WORD FOR TODAY. FRIDAY APRIL 17, 2026.
"INSTRUMENT RATED (9)"

‘…Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.’  Ephesians 6:4 NIV

INSTRUMENT RATED for parenthood. Parents today face unique problems that no other generation has. But God’s Word is timeless, so: 1) Enforce discipline. ‘Whom the Lord loves He corrects…’ (Proverbs 3:12 NKJV). A famous evangelist says when he was growing up his mother had a belt that hung on the wall of their home with a text written above it: ‘I need thee every hour’. Teach your child that every decision has consequences. And don’t rescue them from their consequences, for life won’t let them off the hook when they do wrong. 2) Teach them God’s ways. ‘Train up a child in the way that he should go: and…he will not depart from it’ (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV). Give your child a taste of the things of God when they are young, and when they’re older the world won’t be able to satisfy their taste. 3) Commit them to the Lord. This isn’t easy; it’s like allowing them to take the family car out for the first time. But there comes a point where God, not you, must speak to them and guide them. They’ll either learn the easy way or the hard way. And even if they do go astray, God promises that they’ll come back again (Jeremiah 31:16-17). So pray, ‘Lord, they’re Yours now. I’ve taught them and set an example, now I give them to You. Deal with them according to Your perfect will’. Does that mean everything will be okay from that point on? Maybe, and maybe not. But like a pilot who flies according to his instruments, you must stand on the Word of God for your children.

Bible In A Year: Dan 8-10, Ps 103:13-22, Pro 10:14. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation.

*To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.* .

ii. FREE ACCESS TO GOD'S THRONE

"In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." - Ephesians 3:12

One of the greatest privileges a Christian has, is free access to God the Father. This means that we, who have a relationship with God through Jesus, have access to God 24 hours a day, yes, every minute.

Lucifer tried to overthrow God to get the throne himself, but the Almighty God has defeated Lucifer. Hebrews 10:12 says that Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father. Through Jesus we have access to God's mercy seat.

A gap between God and man

Previously, in the Old Testament, there were only a few people who had limited access to God. Abraham was such a man and was called God's friend. Moses was a man who was in contact with God. God has always wanted to live among people, but this was impossible because of sin. Sin separates man from God. There came a gap between God and man since Adam and Eve, who first lived in perfect harmony with God, became disobedient.

Free access for everyone

Since God wanted to be among His people, Moses was instructed to build a tabernacle (tent). God would then reside in the Holy of Holies. There was only one person who could enter the Holy of Holies once a year. There was an important condition attached to this. He had to take blood (from an animal) with him when he entered. Entering without that blood would mean immediate death for the high priest.

When Jesus' blood flowed on the cross, the curtain, which was blocking the access to the Holy of Holies, tore open. Access became free for everyone to approach God each second of the day.

Paul says in Romans 5:1-2: 'Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.'


https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

2. Morning Prayer for today.

i. Morning Prayer

Rejoice in the Lord always: [and] again I say, Rejoice. ⏤ Philippians 4:4

We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and bring its power down to earth. ⏤ Andrew Murray

O God, our Father, we thank You for this bright morning. We want to share in the joy that’s all around us. All of Your creation praises You, and we want to join in that praise—not just with our lips, but with our hearts and lives. We want our lives to be like songs that bring joy to those around us. Help us live victoriously today, not letting our cares and trials get the best of us, but keeping Your praise in our hearts even in the darkest times and toughest challenges. Breathe Your Spirit into our souls this morning so that we can go out and live with cheerfulness all day. Don’t let the hard things discourage us or take the joy out of our hearts and the brightness out of our faces.

We thank You that You’ve promised to give us what we need. We know that while You are always with us, You come even closer to us when we’re in trouble; that while You always give us strength, You give us even more when we’re feeling weak. Come to us today in exactly the way we need.

Sometimes we get discouraged and frustrated. Keep us today from falling into these negative moods. Help us live among our neighbors in such a way that they see that we have God helping us. Keep us from worry and anxiety. Teach us to cast all our cares on Jesus, who cares for us. May we trust You so completely that no matter what happens, we can be happy and strong in You.

We pray for everyone in our home. Prepare us for all the duties, tasks, and responsibilities of the day. Keep us safe from accidents and bring us back together again in the evening. We ask all these things, along with the forgiveness of our sins, in the Savior’s precious name. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/12/morning

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.
Good evening, brethren.

1. Evening devotion for today.

i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
(COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

*DATE:*
THURSDAY 16TH APRIL, 2026

*SUB-THEME:*
THE CROSS: CULMINATION OF GRACE.

*TOPIC:*
REQUIRES TOTAL ALLEGIANCE

*TEXT:*
ACTS 4:16-20
16. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.
17. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18. Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges!
20. As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

*TOPIC:*
REQUIRES TOTAL ALLEGIANCE

*THE MESSAGE:*
Jesus had assured the disciples of the presence of the Holy Spirit whenever they faced opposition from the authorities (Mt. 12:11-12). The priests, temple guard, and the Sadducees brought Peter and John to the Jewish council after healing a lame man. Though unable to deny the miracle, the leaders attempted to silence them to prevent the spread of the Gospel of Christ. However, Peter and John responded, "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (v. 20). Following Christ demands total allegiance to God above all earthly authorities. Today, Christians are facing similar threats from ungodly authorities and hostile communities. Our obedience to God must supercede human opposition. God called believers to prioritise His command over fear, pressure, or persecution and declare God's truth regardless of the cost.

*REFLECTION:*
Do not submit to threats.

*PRAYER:*
Lord Jesus, help me to stand my ground without fear. Amen.

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:*
COLOSSIANS 2:15.
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

*TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
1 CHRONICLES 6-10.

ii. Skip to content
Dalily Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth

Posted onApril 16, 2026 by Editor
Surrendered
Christian Applications Store:: Christian devotional App Store; Explore Recommended Christian Books and Devotionals
Complete surrender,
Surrendered absolutely.
– not in your strength but in His,

Absolute yielding,
Yielded completely.
– remember “It is God that worketh in us….”

Full submission,
Entirely devoted.
– not for your glory, but for His.

Humble obedience,
Obedient humility.
-both to will and to do of His good pleasure”

This is the foundation of happiness,
This is the superstructure of joy.

This is the bedrock of blessedness,
This is the core of communion with Him.

Complete surrender – surrendered absolutely.
Absolute yielding – yielded completely.
Full submission – entirely devoted.
Humble obedience – obedient humility.

Only the one that lays down ALL ego, ALL self, ALL of the flesh
Will receive the fullness of Who He really is

But it requires:-
– absolute surrender;
– complete yielding;
– full submission;
– entirely devoted;
– humble obedience.

Post navigation
Previous Post
Previous
Christ’s Comforting Words
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2. Evening Prayer for today.

i. Evening Prayer

A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain. ⏤ Psalm 127:1

As is the business of tailors to make clothes and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray. ⏤ Martin Luther

Our Father, before we lay down to sleep, we thank You for protecting and providing for us, and for all the blessings of this day. We committed ourselves to Your care this morning, and You haven’t forgotten us for even a moment. We thank You for the happiness we’ve shared at home today. Father, bless our family life and make it more tender and supportive. May our home become a holier place to live and grow. May all its influences be pure, uplifting, and enriching. Fill it with Your Holy Spirit, and then it will be like Heaven.

O Son of God, who lived in an earthly home in Nazareth for many years and often visited the home in Bethany, come and dwell in our home, and bless it with Your tender grace. May we sit at Your feet like Mary did, listening to Your word and learning from You. Then, in times of sorrow, You will come to comfort us. We also want to pour out our love to You like the woman who anointed Your feet with perfume. Come, dear Master, and be our constant guest. Stay with us all the time. Help us to make our home a place where You’ll want to dwell—a home of truth, pure feelings, gentle words, and thoughtful affection.

Now, as this day ends and we prepare for rest, we entrust our whole home to Your care. Forgive us all our sins. Accept the work we bring to You—only small pieces of what we intended to do, and stained by sin. Take it as it is and let Your blessing rest on it. Keep us through the night, and prepare us for tomorrow, whether we spend it on earth or in Heaven. We ask all this in Your name, O Lamb of God. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/11/evening

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#youdevotion.

INTO THE STORM

“As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’ So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.” —Mark 4:35–37 NLT

In Mark 5, we find an interesting story in which Jesus invites the disciples, some of whom were seasoned fishermen, to join Him on a little boat trip across the Sea of Galilee. On the way across, they encounter a violent storm. Bad timing, some might say. On the contrary, it was perfect timing.

The circumstances of the story beg the question: Did Jesus know that a storm was coming when He said, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake” (Mark 4:35 NLT)? The answer is undoubtedly yes.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:15–16 NLT). The One who is supreme over all creation doesn’t need a forecast to know when a storm is coming.

In fact, it’s likely Jesus planned the outing because of the storm. You might even say it was part of His curriculum that day. Jesus was teaching His disciples to believe what they claimed to believe.

We don’t want to make light of what the disciples were experiencing, because this was a very severe storm. Several on board had experienced storms on the Sea of Galilee before. The fact that they were gripped by fear says something about the storm’s ferocity. Mark 4:37 says that high waves were breaking into the boat. Sinking seemed to be a very real possibility.

The disciples were afraid, but they didn’t have to be. Jesus had made a significant statement—one that apparently the disciples had missed: “Let’s cross to the other side” (NLT). When God says, “Let’s cross to the other side,” it means you’ll get to the other side. He didn’t say it would be smooth sailing. He didn’t say it would be an easy trip. But He did say, “Let’s cross to the other side.”

God’s people become gripped by fear and cease to think logically when we forget His promises to us. That’s exactly what happened to the disciples. But Jesus was on board with them. He was there to see them through. And He’s there to see us through, too.

The Lord still wants to take His followers to the other side. Outside their comfort zone. Away from those who would hold them back. Beyond their limited perception of who they are and what they’re capable of.

The journey involves risk. It will be scary at times. But the Lord is greater than the obstacles and challenges in the way.

God bless you!

Good morning, brethren.

1. Morning devotion for today.

i. MORNING TEA
THE WORD FOR TODAY. THURSDAY APRIL 16, 2026.
"INSTRUMENT RATED (8)"

Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love…’  Ecclesiastes 9:9 NIV

INSTRUMENT RATED for marriage. Today, Christian marriages are falling apart at the same rate as non-Christian marriages. And those who go through it need our love, not our condemnation. But clearly, something’s wrong that needs to be put right! Two of the leading causes of divorce are financial stress and pornography. When you become overextended by purchasing things you can’t afford and don’t need, you’re heading into trouble. And when you open your mind to sexual fantasy, you entertain images your mate can’t live up to, and your relationship begins to deteriorate. Solomon writes, ‘Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes’ (Song of Solomon 2:15 NKJV). Notice the word ‘tender’. When we fail to treat one another tenderly, graciously, lovingly, considerately, and with respect, the plane we’re flying in together takes a nosedive. A neglected partner is vulnerable to anyone who comes along. Resentment wells up and takes over. If God’s Word doesn’t work in your home and in your marriage, then it won’t work anywhere else! An instrument-rated Christian understands that the secret of having a good marriage is not just in finding the right person but in becoming the right person. And that can only happen when you make a daily commitment to living by the principles of God’s Word and demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The story is told of one spouse who said to the other, ‘I never knew what real happiness was until I married you - now it’s too late.’ Unless you want that to be your story, start tending the home fires.

Bible In A Year: Ps 118:19-29. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

*To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*.

ii. WHO IS JESUS?

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." - John 1:1,3-4,14

The Word was with God and the Word, Jesus, was God. Many did not know who Jesus was and often wondered: 'Who is this fellow…? Who can forgive sins but God alone?' (Luke 5:21).

The Pharisees and teachers of the law did not know nor understand that Jesus was God. The worst sinner could come to Jesus. This is the most beautiful message we preach around the world today. Jesus is the Son of God. He really is the Son of God. Do you know Him?

When the Lord Jesus asked His disciples: 'Who do you say I am?', Peter responded: 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered that Peter was blessed because of those words. 'This was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven' (Matthew 16:17).

Only God can reveal Jesus through His Holy Spirit. This is why we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. While the crowd did not know who Jesus was, there was one - John the Baptist - who recognized Him. John was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth.

My prayer today is that the Holy Spirit will show you who Jesus Christ really is. The Word is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who has been crucified for your and my sins. He can forgive sins.

He is the great Savior and Healer. He is the Lion of Judah. He is the Creator of heaven and earth. He is the Most High and He will come back. He is our Redeemer and Shepherd. He is everything we need. He is the One we preach.


https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

2. Morning Prayer for today.

i. Morning Prayer

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ⏤ Proverbs 3:5-6

The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays. ⏤ Soren Kierkegaard

O God, our heavenly Father, we can’t go into this day without Your blessing and help. We are blind and can’t see where to set our feet, so we need to be led by Someone who knows all the paths. We place our hands in Yours this morning. Show us the way, for You know every step of it.

Tell us what You want us to do today. You have a plan for our lives. There are things You’ve prepared for each of us to do today. May we find those things, and may we have the grace to do them all. Keep us from being so focused on our own plans and ambitions that we miss Your plan and fail to do Your will. Even if it’s hard for us to follow Your way, even if it disrupts our cherished hopes and desires, help us always to say, "Your will be done."

We ask You to give us the grace to live today as we should. Life isn’t easy for us. Our burdens are heavy. There are temptations at every turn. Help us to speak only words that will build others up. Help us to be honest in all our business dealings. Help us to be thoughtful and kind to everyone we meet. Help us to be a source of strength to many and a discouragement to none.

Please bless all the work we do today. Without Your blessing, there can be no true success. Just as flowers need the sun and dew to grow, our lives need Your grace and love to become what they should be. Breathe on us now as we bow before You, and fill us with Your Spirit as we go out. Then we’ll be blessed and ready for a day filled with love, peace, and joy.

We ask all these favors, along with the forgiveness of our sins, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/11/morning

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#youdevotion.


Good evening, brethren.

Evening devotion for today.

i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
(COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

*DATE:*
WEDNESDAY 15TH APRIL, 2026.

*SUB-THEME:*
THE CROSS: CULMINATION OF GRACE.

*TOPIC:*
ENDS HOSTILITY.

*TEXT:*
EPHESIANS 2:14-20.
14. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
15. by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,
16. and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.
17. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
18. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household,
20. built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone.

*TOPIC:*
ENDS HOSTILITY.

*THE MESSAGE:*
Racial and religious differences caused deep hostility and separation between the Jews and Gentiles. However, the death and peace of Christ have broken down the dividing wall between these nations, reconciling them into a new family. Besides, Jesus fulfilled the demands of the law, which once served as a barrier. Through His death, Christ created unity and ended hostility, granting both groups access to God through the same Spirit. The Gospel has the power to bring reconciliation between individuals and God and among formerly divided people.
Are you living in hostility with anyone?
Christ Himself is peace, so the one who believes in Him receives grace to live in peace with all categories of people. Do not erect barriers in the household of God and society.

*REFLECTION:*
In Jesus, all barriers are destroyed.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, help me to destroy every trait of barrier in my heart. Amen.

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:*
COLOSSIANS 2:15.
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

*TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
1 CHRONICLES 1-5.

ii. Skip to content
Dalily Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth

Posted onApril 15, 2026 by Editor
Christ’s Comforting Words
Christian Applications Store:: Christian devotional App Store; Explore Recommended Christian Books and Devotionals
JESUS SAID:

I am meek and lowly of heart
I bought you.
I paid for you.

You are Mine.
You will grow more like Me, your Master and Lord..
– through cooperation with me or chastisement from me.

But, are you really willing to eat from My dish ?
Are you really ready to drink of the cup of bitterness that I drank ?
Are you really prepared to walk the way of suffering and death that I walked ?

As with Moses, so with you My child.
No man can see My face and live.

For your-self must die in My presence,
The original ‘OLD’ creation’ must shrivel away in My company.

The ‘NEW’ life must grow and mature,
Growing and maturing is painful,
Growing and maturing is a lifelong agony,
Growing and maturing means moulding and conforming,

Moulding means cutting, chiselling carving,
Conforming means refining, purifying perfecting.

It means sacrifice of the person to conform to the Type.
It means sacrifice of self to conform to Christ’s likeness

This is not My labour alone, but yours
This is a work that requires cooperation..
– yours and Mine.

I will complete the work – but you must permit ME to do it, in you,
It is the recognition of the selfish ‘you’ in your desires…
– your actions
– your words
– your thoughts
– your hopes
– your motives
– your attitudes
– your-SELF

It is a work that requires cooperation..
– Mine and yours

It is a work that brings a deep sense of failure..
– disappointment and sorrow
– embarrassment and shame
– persecution and pain
– deprivation and loss.

It is a work that causes dismay..
– for as it proceeds, the more you realise has to be done.
Shortcomings that you once scarcely recognised..
– now cause trouble and dismay.

Courage..
Courage – to face your-self is a sign of progress.

Patience..
Patience – not only with others…
– but patience even with yourself, is advancement.

Humility..
Humility of heart.
Humility – the most difficult to acquire..
– yet humility is the characteristic I so desire in all My children.
For I AM humble of heart and I AM lowly of spirit.

You will see progress,
Slow progress, upward progress,
– but you will see progress.
And so onward and upward and forward – you and I together.

Remember, I AM with you – even to the end of the age.
I will uphold you – with My righteous right hand.
I, your Lord and Master
– I am with you,
– I am beside you,
– I dwell within your heart.

Remember, I AM your Captain,
I AM your Helper,
I AM meek and lowly of heart,
– and you will find rest for your soul, in Me.

Oh yes My beloved child – we cooperate….
And remember the good work I started in you? – I will complete it…

As I share your troubles..
– your failures
– your difficulties
– your disappointments
– your heartaches
– your pain…

You will share in My Humility
– My patience
– My courage
– My strength
– My hope
– My joy
– My love

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2. Evening Prayer for today.

i. Evening Prayer

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ⏤ 1 John 1:9

Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer. ⏤ John Bunyan

O God, our Father, we come to You now at the close of this day with our evening prayers. Please accept us and our worship, and grant us Your mercy. We placed ourselves in Your care this morning, and You’ve kept us through all the experiences of the day.

We bring our day’s work to You. It’s not what it should have been. We haven’t lived as well as we knew we should. We’ve done many things we didn’t mean to do, and we’ve failed to do many things we intended to do. Our own hearts condemn us, and You, who are greater than our hearts, have seen even more of our sins today than we have noticed. We plead with You for forgiveness.

Yet, we ask You to accept what we bring to You, imperfect and stained as it is. You know how frail we are. You remember that we are made of dust. Have pity on our weakness and teach us how to grow strong. Accept the mere fragments of our living that we bring to You tonight, and use them for Your glory and the blessing of the world.

Whatever has been good and acceptable in our life and work today, please take it from our hands and use it to bless others. Bless the influence we’ve had on others today. If we’ve hurt any of Your children, please forgive us and heal the wounds we’ve caused. If we’ve discouraged others by our words, actions, or example, making life harder for them, we ask for Your forgiveness, and we pray that we may live in a way that is always a help and inspiration to others. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/10/evening

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.

Good evening, brethren.

Evening devotion for today.

i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
(COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

*DATE:*
WEDNESDAY 15TH APRIL, 2026.

*SUB-THEME:*
THE CROSS: CULMINATION OF GRACE.

*TOPIC:*
ENDS HOSTILITY.

*TEXT:*
EPHESIANS 2:14-20.
14. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
15. by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,
16. and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.
17. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
18. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household,
20. built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone.

*TOPIC:*
ENDS HOSTILITY.

*THE MESSAGE:*
Racial and religious differences caused deep hostility and separation between the Jews and Gentiles. However, the death and peace of Christ have broken down the dividing wall between these nations, reconciling them into a new family. Besides, Jesus fulfilled the demands of the law, which once served as a barrier. Through His death, Christ created unity and ended hostility, granting both groups access to God through the same Spirit. The Gospel has the power to bring reconciliation between individuals and God and among formerly divided people.
Are you living in hostility with anyone?
Christ Himself is peace, so the one who believes in Him receives grace to live in peace with all categories of people. Do not erect barriers in the household of God and society.

*REFLECTION:*
In Jesus, all barriers are destroyed.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, help me to destroy every trait of barrier in my heart. Amen.

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:*
COLOSSIANS 2:15.
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

*TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
1 CHRONICLES 1-5.

ii. Skip to content
Dalily Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth

Posted onApril 15, 2026 by Editor
Christ’s Comforting Words
Christian Applications Store:: Christian devotional App Store; Explore Recommended Christian Books and Devotionals
JESUS SAID:

I am meek and lowly of heart
I bought you.
I paid for you.

You are Mine.
You will grow more like Me, your Master and Lord..
– through cooperation with me or chastisement from me.

But, are you really willing to eat from My dish ?
Are you really ready to drink of the cup of bitterness that I drank ?
Are you really prepared to walk the way of suffering and death that I walked ?

As with Moses, so with you My child.
No man can see My face and live.

For your-self must die in My presence,
The original ‘OLD’ creation’ must shrivel away in My company.

The ‘NEW’ life must grow and mature,
Growing and maturing is painful,
Growing and maturing is a lifelong agony,
Growing and maturing means moulding and conforming,

Moulding means cutting, chiselling carving,
Conforming means refining, purifying perfecting.

It means sacrifice of the person to conform to the Type.
It means sacrifice of self to conform to Christ’s likeness

This is not My labour alone, but yours
This is a work that requires cooperation..
– yours and Mine.

I will complete the work – but you must permit ME to do it, in you,
It is the recognition of the selfish ‘you’ in your desires…
– your actions
– your words
– your thoughts
– your hopes
– your motives
– your attitudes
– your-SELF

It is a work that requires cooperation..
– Mine and yours

It is a work that brings a deep sense of failure..
– disappointment and sorrow
– embarrassment and shame
– persecution and pain
– deprivation and loss.

It is a work that causes dismay..
– for as it proceeds, the more you realise has to be done.
Shortcomings that you once scarcely recognised..
– now cause trouble and dismay.

Courage..
Courage – to face your-self is a sign of progress.

Patience..
Patience – not only with others…
– but patience even with yourself, is advancement.

Humility..
Humility of heart.
Humility – the most difficult to acquire..
– yet humility is the characteristic I so desire in all My children.
For I AM humble of heart and I AM lowly of spirit.

You will see progress,
Slow progress, upward progress,
– but you will see progress.
And so onward and upward and forward – you and I together.

Remember, I AM with you – even to the end of the age.
I will uphold you – with My righteous right hand.
I, your Lord and Master
– I am with you,
– I am beside you,
– I dwell within your heart.

Remember, I AM your Captain,
I AM your Helper,
I AM meek and lowly of heart,
– and you will find rest for your soul, in Me.

Oh yes My beloved child – we cooperate….
And remember the good work I started in you? – I will complete it…

As I share your troubles..
– your failures
– your difficulties
– your disappointments
– your heartaches
– your pain…

You will share in My Humility
– My patience
– My courage
– My strength
– My hope
– My joy
– My love

Post navigation
Previous Post
Previous
Our Just Dessert
Proudly powered by WordPress.

2. Evening Prayer for today.

i. Evening Prayer

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ⏤ 1 John 1:9

Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer. ⏤ John Bunyan

O God, our Father, we come to You now at the close of this day with our evening prayers. Please accept us and our worship, and grant us Your mercy. We placed ourselves in Your care this morning, and You’ve kept us through all the experiences of the day.

We bring our day’s work to You. It’s not what it should have been. We haven’t lived as well as we knew we should. We’ve done many things we didn’t mean to do, and we’ve failed to do many things we intended to do. Our own hearts condemn us, and You, who are greater than our hearts, have seen even more of our sins today than we have noticed. We plead with You for forgiveness.

Yet, we ask You to accept what we bring to You, imperfect and stained as it is. You know how frail we are. You remember that we are made of dust. Have pity on our weakness and teach us how to grow strong. Accept the mere fragments of our living that we bring to You tonight, and use them for Your glory and the blessing of the world.

Whatever has been good and acceptable in our life and work today, please take it from our hands and use it to bless others. Bless the influence we’ve had on others today. If we’ve hurt any of Your children, please forgive us and heal the wounds we’ve caused. If we’ve discouraged others by our words, actions, or example, making life harder for them, we ask for Your forgiveness, and we pray that we may live in a way that is always a help and inspiration to others. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/10/evening

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.

I see a theme in the greeting in the New Testament. All verses are from NKJV.
Romans 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints;
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosseum; Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The last section of 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ;
I will continue this later. Do you see the pattern so far?

THE FIRST 15.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”

Ephesians 1:7

Grace is one of the most astounding and life-transforming aspects of God’s character. From the beginning of time God has chosen to lavish grace upon us instead of wrath. Time and time again, we’ve turned our backs on him. And time and time again he demonstrates the depth of his desire for us through the giving of his boundless grace. In his grace we are afforded a life not only apart from his wrath, but lived in the glory of relationship with our Creator through the redemption of Jesus.

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Let’s look at a few of these ideas today and let them stir our affections for God. Allow God to speak through his word to the places of your heart where the grace of God hasn’t been given the opportunity to abound yet.

Paul says that in Jesus we have “redemption through his blood.” Have you thought about the nature of your redemption at length before? Colossians 1:19-22 says, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” Such is the grace of your heavenly Father that there is not a single thing between you and him. You, who at one time stood apart from God, have been brought into the family of God, redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

Not only have you been redeemed once and for all, but you are forgiven both now and forever. Paul writes that we as believers have “the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7-10) Where in your life do you need forgiveness today? What do you feel is separating you from unveiled relationship with your heavenly Father? When you confess your sins, God offers you his forgiveness for anything you have done. “According to the riches of his grace,” which was made perfectly evident in the death of Jesus, you are being offered forgiveness. If God would send his Son to die in order to have restored relationship with you, you better believe he will forgive any trespass that seems to stand in your way now.

God doesn’t operate the way the world does. He doesn’t make you pay the penalty for your own sin. Instead, he offers perfect grace. In story after story in Scripture God turns the systems of the world on their head through the concept of grace. In the story of the prodigal son, the father allowed the son to dishonor him, set aside his rightful punishment, and threw a huge party for his wayward child returned home. He didn’t wait. He didn’t make him work for his redemption. He immediately offered him forgiveness freely in grace. God offers you the same today. Don’t attempt to pay for your own sin by separating yourself from the fullness of relationship with God. Jesus paid the only price necessary by his own death. Live in light of God’s grace. Offer your heart to God freely. Let him work out redemption in every area of your life that you might more fully experience the wonderful relationship you have available to you with God.

1. Take time to reflect on the amazing grace of God.

“He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!” Psalm 111:9

2. Talk to God about any area of your life you feel separated from him through sin or a lack of understanding. Where in your life do you not feel grace? What part of your thinking is dominated by condemnation or negativity?

3. Ask God for forgiveness and understanding of his grace in those areas of your life. Receive the freedom that comes from his presence and forgiveness

God works tirelessly to lead you into the fullness of relationship with him because he loves you. You are his child. He knows everything about you; he’s created you, and he loves spending time with you. May your affections be stirred towards him today. May you know and experience his love in mighty and transformative ways. May you spend your day in God’s presence, changed and empowered by the reality of his boundless grace.

Extended Reading: Ephesians 1

A NUGGET OF TRUTH.
READING.

Can a Saved Man Choose to be Lost?

By; Joe Crews

Introduction

The power of choice is a wonderful gift from God. Yet there is one choice God never allowed man to exercise. No one can choose whether or not to be born with a sinful nature. The decision which affects our lives the most was made long, long ago by our forefathers. We have absolutely no choice about the kind of nature we possess at birth. It is a sinful nature. If unchanged it will lead to eternal death. But even though we are born with a fallen nature, God gives us a choice about changing that nature. It is a personal, sovereign choice that no one can take away from us. Without doubt it constitutes the most important decision that any person faces during his lifetime. The choice is whether we yield to that sinful nature and die eternally, or receive a new nature through faith in Christ and live eternally. Much disagreement exists over the kind of choice offered to each one of us. Millions believe that God opens the door for only a once-in-a-lifetime decision and then closes that door forever. It is as though God says, “I’m going to give you only one decisionabout changing over from your doomed condition. Once you decide to be saved you can never choose to be lost again. When you accept Jesus as your Saviour, it will be the final choice you will ever make about your eternal destiny. If you change your mind later and repudiate your decision, it will be too late. No matter how deeply and sincerely you desire to be lost and repent of your repentance, you cannot escape from eternal life. No amount of bitter rebellion, deliberate blasphemy, or iniquitous living can change that once-for-all decision to be saved. I will not allow you any further choice after you accept Jesus as your Saviour.” Basically, this is the belief of a large segment of Christians who advocate the doctrine of eternal security. Another equally sincere group of Christians believes that God leaves the door open for us to change our minds at any time. They believe that salvation is not predicated upon only one irrevocable act or choice of the past, but upon a continuous, personal relationship of the believer with Christ. When the decision to break the love-relationship is made by willful disobedience, the believer ceases to be a true believer and forfeits any assurance of salvation.

Millions of Souls at Stake

The fantastic implications of this issue are overwhelming. If there is an unconditional future security for all believers, it has to be the most wonderful doctrine in existence: but if it is not true, it surely is one of the most dangerous heresies in the world. Millions could be saved or lost over the decision they make on this one point. Let me give you an example of how it influences the destiny of people day by day. At one of my crusades there were more than one hundred people attending who had been steeped in the belief of eternal security. They were thrilled by the revelation of Bible truth as they listened. The seventh-day Sabbath particularly excited them because they had never before understood it. All were completely convinced that Saturday is the true Sabbath of the Scriptures, and they eagerly accepted the great prophetic doctrines also. But of those hundred people only a very few made any decision to obey the truth. Practically all of them had Sabbath problems connected with their jobs. It would have meant inconvenience, economic hardship, and possible loss of employment for them to follow the truth all the way. Each one who rejected the message gave me the same explanation – “We are already saved,” they said, “and we cannot be lost. Why should we run the risk of losing our jobs by keeping the Sabbath? We would not be any more saved by keeping the Sabbath than we are right now, and we certainly cannot be lost by breaking the Sabbath.” Do you see how their argument was consistent with their doctrine? To them salvation was not connected with obedience, or advancing in spiritual growth. It all focused on a past moment when they made a decision for Christ. Whether they obeyed or disobeyed any subse- quent revelation of truth could have no influence whatsoever on their final destiny. They could break the fourth commandment, the seventh commandment, or all of them, and still feel eternally secure in the promise they had claimed “when they were saved.” To be sure, these people believed that their disobedience might affect the joy and peace of their relationship, but never the assurance of ultimate salvation. Obviously, this doctrine needs to be deeply examined. Too many eternal consequences hinge upon its acceptance or rejection. We need to answer questions like these: Can we change our minds about being saved? Do we give up our power of choice when we are converted? Does salvation consist of one grand, holy moment of decision, or must we continue in the saving grace of Christ after that decision? Can God take defiling sins into His holy kingdom? Fortunately, the Bible has hundreds of beautiful, clear texts to answer these questions. We will look at them together, and also examine a few texts which have been interpreted to uphold the doctrine of “once saved, always saved.”

No Sin in Heaven

Speaking of the New Jerusalem, John said, “There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth.” Revelation 21:27. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8. Paul repeatedly wrote about the exclusion of sinners from heaven. Sin is the only thing that defiles in the sight of God, and no one who willfully practices sin will ever enter into His kingdom. Paul wrote, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, . . . nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10. Nowhere in the Bible is entrance into God’s kingdom tied to a momentary – or even temporary – faith experience of the past. Salvation is a dynamic, growing relationship with the only One who has eternal life to bestow. It requires continuing contact in order to receive it. The very life of God can be shared with men but NEVER APART FROM A LIVING UNION WITH CHRIST! “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:12. Just as the constant creative energy of God is necessary to sustain the universe and to hold atoms together, so His divine power is constantly needed to maintain spiritual life in the soul. When a person willfully chooses to separate from God, the contact is broken, and the spiritual life ceases to flow. God will not violate the will of anyone in making that choice either. For proof that Christians can lose their connection with Jesus and be lost, read John 15:1-6. There Christ explains one of the great mysteries of eternal life. “I am the vine, yeare the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” Verses 5, 6.

The Secret of Continued Life is Continued Abiding

Notice that the secret of continued life is continued abiding. If a person does not abide in Christ, he withers, dies, and is finally burned up. This proves that the relation of a believer to Christ is never a static thing based only on a past experience. It is a current, mutual sharing of a common life which is drawn from Him “who is our life” (Colossians 3:4). When the branch is separated from the vine, the source of life is gone, and only death can result. These words of Jesus are too clear to be misconstrued. Even believing, trusting Christians who areconnected to the living vine may choose to separate from the vine. When they do, they die and will be cast into the fire and burned. Nothing can wither and die that has not previously been alive. Security is eternal only for those whose faith is eternally fixed on Jesus, and whose life is connected to the one who is our life. Obviously, we can choose to be lost no matter how saved we once were. Everything depends on maintaining the divine connection with the true vine. Jesus taught the same solemn truth about losing eternal life in the parable of the sower. In explaining the seed which fell among the thorns and the rocks, Jesus said, “Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” Luke 8:12, 13. There are several things to note about this parable. First, only one class will finally be saved – the ones who brought forth much fruit. The groups represented by the wayside and rocks will not be saved. In verse 12, the wayside hearers did not have a chance to “believe and be saved,” but in the next verse the stony ground hearers do “for a while believe.” What kind of “believing” is this? According to verse 12, it is the kind that saves. So the ones who believed for a while were saved for a while, but in time of temptation they fell away. Eventually, of course, they were lost along with all the others, except the fruit-bearers. Here is an unequivocal teaching of our Lord that people can have a saving faith for a while, and yet lose it and be lost.

Security is Eternal Only for Those Whose Faith is Eternally Fixed on Jesus

Those who read the record of the Gospels carefully will find repeated authority from Jesus to renounce the doctrine of eternal security. In Luke 12:42-46 Christ described in another parable how a faithful servant could turn into an unfaithful one. After asking, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household . . . ?” Jesus answers His own question: “That servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing . . . he will make him ruler over all that he hath.” Then Christ explains how that servant could lose his reward. “But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.” Verses 45,46. Here is a perfect example by the Master Teacher as to how a faithful and wise servant can be punished with the unbelievers. Jesus was talking about a man whom He had seen faithful enough to trust with heavy responsibilities. Undoubtedly, this servant represents those who carefully served the Lord as true believers. But what happened? That very faithful servant departed from the path of faithfulness and reaped eternal ruin and death. Does this not also remind us of the words of Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” The servant in the parable, who was a believer, is now punished with the unbelievers. The faithful can draw back to perdition.

Salvation Can Be Forfeited

One more parable of Christ spotlights the fact that continued forgiveness is conditional for the believer. The story is found in Matthew 18:21-35, and revolves around the forgiveness of God. A certain king responded to the pleas of his servant and forgave him a large debt. That servant went out and found a fellow servant who owed him a small amount and showed no mercy, throwing him in prison because he could not pay. When the king heard what had happened, he rescinded his cancellation of the large debt and had his servant thrown to the tormentors till he paid in full. No one can deny the obvious teaching of this parable. Even though God graciously forgives those who apply for it, that forgiveness is not without conditions for the future. We can lose that forgiveness by being unmerciful to others. This is in harmony with the words of the Lord in Ezekiel 33:13, “When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.” The principle is repeated in verse 18, “When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.” The secret lies in maintaining the righteous relationship with the Source of salvation. Jesus said, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13. No one will be saved finally who does not hold out against a course of deliberate sin in the power of God. Those who do not endure to the end will have their names blotted out of the book of life. Advocates of eternal security deny it could ever happen, but read the frightening possibility for yourself in Revelation 3:5, “He that overcometh . . . I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.” The implication is clear that those who are not overcomers – who do not endure to the end – will have their names blotted out. All these verses are really saying the same thing. Willful sin shatters the relationship by which eternal life is obtained. There is an eternal “if” in every consideration of eternal security. “If we walk in the light . . . the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. “If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.” 1 John 2:24. “If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38. “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch.” John 15:6. “If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” John 8:51. “If thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22. “If ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10. “For we are made partakers of Christ, If we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” Hebrews 3:14. “If we endure, we shall also reign with him: If we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Timothy 2:12 (RSV). “If we sin willfully . . . there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” Hebrews 10:26. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15. “Ye are my friends, If ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14. “If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.” Romans 8:13.

Danger of Being a Castaway

Paul recognized the fearful possibility of being cast out of God’s presence in the end unless he curbed the fleshly propensities to sin. Said he, “. . . lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27. The word Paul used – castaway – is very interesting. It is the Greek word “adokimos,” which is translated “reprobate” in other places. In fact, 2 Corinthians 13:5 declares that Jesus Christ cannot dwell in the heart that is reprobate (adokimos). Titus 1:16 speaks of the abominable and disobedient who are “unto every good work reprobate (adokimos).” Surely Paul had nothing else in mind but that he could be lost if he allowed sin to recapture his life. Paul also speaks of the possibility of born-again believers suffering damnation because they receive the Lord’s Supper unworthily. “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself.” 1 Corinthians 11:29. No one can deny that these people were committed Christians partaking of the symbols of their redemption. Could they fall into damnation and be lost? Paul said they could. What is damnation? The same Greek word (krima) is found in 1 Timothy 5:12. “Having damnation (krima) because they have cast off their first faith.” How plain it is that believers can “cast off their first faith” and go into final damnation. I have listened many, many times to an explanation of eternal security based upon the analogy of sonship. “My child is born into my family and he will always be my child. He cannot be unborn. Whether obedient or disobedient, he will always be my child.” This reasoning avoids the central issue. The question is not whether a child can be “unborn,” but whether it can sicken and die. No doctor admonishes new parents about the dangers of the baby getting unborn, but he has much to say about proper care to keep it from dying. In fact, if the baby is not fed, it will soon die. In the same way, Jesus said, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” John 6:53. What was He talking about? In verse 63 He explained, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Unless the Christian lives by the Word of God, he cannot continue to partake of the spiritual life derived from Him. Have we clearly established that continued obedience is necessary to ultimate salvation? Paul wrote, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey?” Romans 6:16. When a man chooses to obey Christ no longer and obeys the devil instead, he no longer belongs to Christ, but to Satan. “He that doeth righteousness is righteous . . . He that committeth sin is of the devil.” 1 John 3:7, 8. The writer of the book of Hebrews gives scores of specific admonitions against falling away from the faith. Hebrews 10:23 opens up a line of argument against the once-saved, always-saved position that no one can refute. The passage begins this way: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.” And after that, admonition is given those who might be tempted to absent themselves from the assembly of the believers. Apparently, this is one of the first signs of slipping backward. The author of this epistle, and I think it was Paul, includes himself in the warning. He writes, “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” That is from verses 26 through 29. The people described herehad been sanctified by the truth, but fell away into willful apostasy. Now the last few verses of the chapter warn against the casting away of their confidence. Notice this carefully! “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. . . . Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Verses 35 to 39. Now how could anybody state any more clearly the fact that one’s eternal salvation is conditional on his remaining steadfast to the very end? Unless there were a possibility that one might cast away his confidence, that he might draw back unto perdition, why would this man of God sound such a warning as he did? In Hebrews 6:4-6 we find another striking statement. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Now I think it would be very difficult to describe more fully a person who had been born again but who later rebelled against God and rejected Christ and spurned the Holy Spirit. He has placed himself out of God’s reach by his own actions. Therefore, there is no possibility that such a man can be saved as long as he continues to crucify Christ by his disobedience.

Branches Can Be Cut Off

In the eleventh chapter of Romans, Paul is discussing the fact that many of the physical seed of Israel rejected God’s Son and were thus cut off. The illustration is used of an olive tree. The branches were the children of Israel, but because of their unbelief, they were broken off, as you will read in verses 17 to 20. Then, some wild olive branches were grafted in, which represents the Gentile Christians. Now note this admonition: “For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, IF THOU CONTINUE IN HIS GOODNESS: OTHERWISE, THOU ALSO SHALT BE CUT OFF.” Verses 21 and 22, emphasis added. Please note that any security for those branches depended entirely upon their connection with the tree. The security was conditional. Let’s see whether Peter agrees with these sentiments of Paul. In his second epistle, the first chapter, are listed a number of virtues which should be manifested in the life of every Christian. These are mentioned in verses 5 to 7, and notice that he is writing to “them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Verse 1. Then they had been given “all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” Verse 3. It is very apparent that Peter is addressing these remarks to those who have been converted. But notice the warning he gives: “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” Verses 9 and 10. Surely this indicates that Christians can fall from grace. They can turn back from following Jesus. They can even become apostates in the truest sense of the word. In the third chapter, Peter goes on to say, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” Verse 14. “Seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” Verse 17. So we see that Peter does agree with Paul that Christians need to be on guard constantly lest they be led astray, and he indicates the sad fate of those who turn back into sin after they are converted. One of the strongest texts in the Bible that proves a person can turn away from Christ and be lost even after he has made a profession of being saved is 2 Peter 2:20-22: “If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” The lesson here is obvious. Now, those who take a position for unconditional security say that God’s sons cannot be represented by dogs and sows. Well, maybe they can’t, but Peter did – and it is the most apt of illustrations. The proverb is painfully plain. They had escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. They had been converted. They had joined Christ on His side. They had turned their lives over to Him, but they remembered the world and the “wallow” of sin. Like the Israelites coming out of Egypt, they remembered the “flesh pots,” the “leeks and onions.” They remembered the pleasures of sin; so, leaving Christ they went back into the world like the hog returns to its wallow in the mire. Certainly no Christian should imitate the habits of a hog, but Peter’s proverb shows that it is possible. The Spirit of God is not silent on this point. Listen: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” 1 Timothy 4:1, emphasis added. When will this happen? When will some depart from the faith? In the latter times. That would be right now, wouldn’t it? That would be the times in which we are living and the times immediately before us. If you haven’t thought of it before, these are dangerous times. And if you are still unconvinced, thoughtfully read the headlines of tomorrow’s newspaper. On this point “the Spirit speaketh expressly.” Just what does that mean? It means the Spirit speaks plainly, clearly – so clearly it is impossible to misunderstand. All right then, what would some do? Some would depart from the faith. So, it is possible to leave the faith, isn’t it? Some do it. They have been in the faith, they have worshiped with the brethren, they have attended church and prayer meeting. They have been actively promoting the gospel, they have given of their means, they have been pastors, officers of the church, and leading laymen; nevertheless, they leave the faith. They are not steadfast and faithful. In the last days come perilous times, with persecutions and serious difficulties, and some do not stand. They are tempted by the things of the world and are seduced by spirits of devils. Sad to say, they give up their allegiance to the Man of the cross. They were on Christ’s side, but now they side with His enemy. Please don’t missunderstand. If you want unconditional security, you can have it. It is in Christ, on a day-by-day, moment-by-moment basis. When you take Christ and stay by, you will persevere. There is, and can be, no failure on Christ’s part. He will not fail; He is faithful. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” Psalm 55:22. He will stand by you as long as you stand by Him. Jesus said of Himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6. And John wrote of the Lord, “This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:11, 12. Many non-Christians think they have security. They will tell you they believe God will admit them to heaven. They will say, “I am as good as people in the church,” or “I feel I will be saved without going to church.” But the truth is, no man is saved on the basis of his feelings. He may be sincere, but his sincerity will not save him. He may be honest, truthful, moral, and a first class citizen, but that won’t save him. He may be liberal, a supporter of the church and a giver to the needy, but neither will that save him. No man is saved by his works, good as they may be. Remember this, and please never forget it: Christ is the Saviour, not your gifts, not your works. He offers you salvation as a free gift. It is in Christ, and when you receive Christ, you have salvation. “He that hath the Son, hath life.” 1 John 5:12. But if you don’t have the Son, you don’t have life, and you cannot have eternal security until you have and keep Christ the Son.

What Does It Mean for the Christian to Leave His “First Love”?

“Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy FIRST LOVE. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4, 5, emphasis added. For the Christian to leave his first love, is to backslide, to fall away, to leave the Lord and His service, and to go over to the service of sin, Satan and the world. The Lord calls upon all such to repent and do their first works (the fruits of love), or else – else what? “I will take thy candlestick out of his place.” This is an ultimatum from the Lord. If the sinner responds, repents, returns to his first love, and does his first works, all is well and good – he will be saved. But it is his to choose. If he does not do this, his light is removed, goes out, and the backslider is lost.

Does the Backslider Always Return to the Lord Before Death?

No, far from it. That was the case of the first king of Israel, Saul. It is written of Saul that he was “turned into another man.” “And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be TURNED INTO ANOTHER MAN.” 1 Samuel 10:6 emphasis added. Yet Saul backslid from his high and exalted position, disobeyed the Lord, and at last took his own life (1 Samuel 31:1-6). It cannot be said in this case that Saul was not converted, because God says that he was. Yet, he took his own life with no opportunity of repentance.

No Man Can Pluck Out

Finally, let us look at the text which has probably been quoted more than any other to support the doctrine of eternal security. Jesus said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28, 29. What a tremendous promise this should be for every trusting child of God! At first glance, it does seem to guarantee some sort of immunity against spiritual loss, but we have not read the entire text. Verse 27 is an integral part of the thought, and it lays down a specific condition for the fulfillment of the promise in verses 28 and 29. “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life.” Please notice that it is only God’s true followers who nestle safely in His protecting hand. He gives eternal life only to the faithful sheep who hear and follow Him. It is this hearing and following which provides immunity against being plucked away by the devil or his agents. The protection is from enemies without who seek to carry off the sheep, but not from unfaithfulness of the sheep who might choose not to follow any longer. No one can pluck them out of the Father’s hand, but they may choose to jump out at any time. God never even hints that He will interfere with the freedom of choice of His followers. Christians can choose to be lost just as surely as sinners can choose to be saved. Just think how useless would be all the hundreds of biblical warnings against apostasy if it were impossible to experience it. Why would the Spirit have led Paul, Peter, and all the others to pen such solemn threats and admonitions against eternal loss if they were in no danger of suffering it? And if it is true that the “once saved” are eternally secure, surely the devil would know it. Therefore, he would never waste any time on believers, knowing how impossible it would be to cause them to be lost. Yet, we all know by experience that Satan works even harder to pull away the saints from following Christ. We have to conclude that salvation does not consist of a single, irrevocable commitment, whether past or present. Being saved is the experience of living Christ’s own life by divine imputation and impartation. It is never a reality except in continual, dynamic relationship with Jesus, the source of eternal life. Being saved must be spoken of in all three tenses of time in order to be completely biblical. It has happened, it is happening, and it will happen. Perhaps, this illustration by Glenn Fillman will help explain it.

Saved – Past, Present and Future

Bill Jones is fishing several miles out in the ocean. His boat capsizes and sinks to the bottom. He is unable to swim to safety. Just then, another fishing boat comes along, but it is so heavily loaded that it is impossible to take on another passenger. Because they want to rescue the doomed man, however, the crew throws him a rope. “Here, take this rope,” they say. “We will tow you to shore.” As he takes the rope, Bill Jones says, “Thank God, I am saved!” And he is saved, as long as he holds on to the rope. Salvation is his, but he has a part to play in it. If he should at any time release his grasp on the rope and refuse to take it again, he would be lost. So it is with a person who has been rescued from sin. He remains saved as long as he holds on to the hand of Christ. If he should decide to release that hand and clasp the hand of the devil, he would be lost. His salvation depends on his decision and his action. Actually, one can properly speak of salvation in three tenses – past, present, and future. He can say, “I have been saved” when he takes the rope, “I am being saved” as he is being towed to shore; and “I shall be saved” when he plants his feet firmly on shore. A converted person -has been saved- from the penalty of sin. We call that justification. He -is being saved- from the power of sin, and we call that sanctification. He -shall be saved- from the presence of sin when Christ comes, and that will be glorification. All three of these tenses are used in the Bible in connection with being saved. In Romans 8:24 is the expression, “We are saved by hope.” Weymouth is a more accurate translation. He says, “We have been saved,” past tense. The Revised Standard Version correctly renders the phrase in 1 Corinthians 1:18 as “To us who are being saved.” Then Acts 15:11 states, “that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.” So you see past, present, and future. Now let’s make sure that no one gets the wrong impression from our illustration of the man being rescued from drowning. Does the fact that he must cling to the rope to be saved, mean that we can earn our salvation by our own works? Absolutely not, a thousand times no! Remember that he was being towed by a power other than his own. He was merely cooperating with that power. He was holding on to the rope. He had to do that in order to be pulled to safety. As Christians we must confess our faith in Christ, we must remain steadfast to Him, we must bring forth the fruits of obedience; that is our part in holding on to Christ. He will never let us go. The only way we can separate ourselves from Him is to cut ourselves off deliberately and disconnect ourselves from Him, but we have the power to do that. We are still free moral agents. Our will has not been removed merely because we have become Christians. At any point in our Christian life we can decide to turn back, to choose the things of the world rather than the things of God and heaven. We are saved only through faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour. “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. However, we show our faith by our works. It is a manifestation of our love for Him. Keeping God’s commandments and doing right are merely the result of His Holy Spirit dwelling in the heart. These are the fruits of the Spirit. We do these things, not in order to be saved, but because we are saved, and as long as we love the Lord with all our heart, we are going to be obedient to Him. We will not let go of the rope. We will continue to cling to Christ as our only hope.