A Tender Vine

A Tender Vine 

A Poem to the Beloved Remnant

(by Sean and Preethi Morris)

He made you, oh righteous Branch, plucked out from the fire, (John 15:6, Zech 3:2)
A noble seed, a tender vine, holiness unto GOD did He once inspire. (Ps 105:6, Ezek 17:4-5, Jer 2:3)
When all was lost, broken, dismayed, and self-decayed, (Phil 3:7-8, Luke 19:10, Rom 5:8)
Then He did raise you up a new creature to follow Christ upon this narrow way. (2 Cor 5:17, Matt 7:14)

Long you had stumbled the course of false religion, (2 Tim 3:5, 1 Cor 15:9)
Walking aisles and saying prayers, a strong delusion of a "saving decision". (Prov 15:8)
Yet saved you were when grace did unveil Holy Words, (2 Cor 3:16, 1 Pet 1:23)
Upon your face before just wrath, a single righteous act your strength could not afford. (Eph 3:4, Gen 6:5, Rom 3:10-12)

Thus He has shown you His irresistible grace, (Eph 2:8-9, Rom 9:16)
That you, Oh man, would walk closely with Him beholding His glory with open face. (2 Cor 3:18)
He called you to Himself and betrothed you in love, (Hos 2:20)
By the bond of His blood Covenant made by the living High Priest sent from above. (Heb 10:20, Matt 26:28)

And now, behold, salvation is told - God lives in thee! (John 17:23)
To make you "perfect in One" to proclaim the Son - Bride-n-Trinity! (John 17:23, Eph 4:13)
The world to see Christ's reign - now-to-infinity! (Ps 145:13)
The Church here below proclaiming the Word - no timidity! (Acts 4:31, Phil 1:28)

But hearts have turned astray; your love has waxed so cold, (2 Pet 2:15, Rev 2:4)
You have forsaken the freedom purchased of old and wandered from the Shepherd's fold. (John 8:34, Rom 6:16, Jer 2:20)
Now you lust and war for carnal things here and now, (James 4:1-3)
Your mind is earthly, your walk unworthy, you are enslaved by corrupt doctrine somehow! (Rom 8:6, Phil 3:19, Matt 25:30, Gal 4:9)

Strict lines are now blurred by words of atoning mercies, (Jude 1:4, 8)
With the lines of true conversion hazed you resort to mere religious courtesies. (Rev 3:17)
The very fruits which reveal a man is in Christ... (John 15:5, 1 John 2:10, 24, 29, 3:10, 14)
They're neglected, and for what? Mental assent to God's promises do now suffice. (Jer 7:4, Rev 3:1)

You do not mourn and weep over your soul’s tragic loss, (James 4:9, 2 Cor 7:11)
For you call Biblical "fear" a grace-less crime for which many are from "assurance" tossed. (Is 30:10)
The Person of Christ stands calling out lest you die! (Rev 2:16, 3:2, 19)
Your Lord is provoked but you, by outward shows of peace, His wrath disguise! (1 Cor 10:9, Ezek 13:16)

Christ reigns on High, His judgment throne is fiercely set! (Jam 4:12)
To render to every man according to the double-edged SWORD He will whet! (Rom 2:6, Rev 19:13-15)
Therefore did Paul fear to become a castaway reject! (1 Cor 9:27)
Cause God did not spare the Natural Branches, what will He do to a Last Days "Christian" Sect? (Rom 11:21)

He will come, degenerate Vine, for a pure and spotless Bride, (Jer 2:21, Rev 21:2)
Whose heart is one, whose eyes are single, whose feet do now onward with hearts upward stride. (Jer 31:22, 2 Cor 11:2)
A foolish virgin’s extinguished flame, He will not accept! (Matt 25:8-12)
She who presumes upon promises while a spiritual sloth, she is by false peace inept! (2 Pet 2:10, Heb 6:12)

Remember His saving voice that first came to you, dear Bride! (Ps 119:41, Eph 1:13)
He showed you the depths and heights of justice & love, undeserved grace, a Cleft in which you might hide! (Eph 3:18, Phil 3:9)
A new creature you were made and former things gone, (2 Cor 5:17)
Because decisionalism you then knew with pure certainty was damningly wrong. (John 15:16, Rom 9:16)

But now conversion, and the fruits it did wondrously contain,
Are presently far off, and yet, by unconditional security you do your state explain. (Jer. 7:4-8)
And you expect your face before Him to maintain? (Prov 6:17)
But no carnal mind, no double heart, or lukewarm devotee will before Christ's throne remain! (Rom 8:6, James 4:4, Rev 3:16)

If the righteous depart from right and do evil,
His past righteousness will not save him; he will die with faith dead and soul feeble. (Ezek 3:20, 33:13)
You will not live if you refuse what Heaven speaks, (Heb 12:25)
Not from Sinai's heights but from His throne above through prophets who do show your deceit. (Heb 3:7-8)

You must be known by Him to enter Heaven's Gate, (Matt 7:23)
You must by fervent love and holy fear with wise and ready soul awake! (1 Cor 15:34, Eph 5:14)
But you chose to practice "Free Grace Theology" above His way, (Is 28:15)
Arguing and murmuring over words and deeds, you have from His judgments been swayed. (1 Tim 1:6, 6:5, Jude 1:16)

Scheme after ploy, the former things you justify, (2 Pet 2:20-22)
Trusting in "promises", broken cisterns, you do of His light’s absence testify! (Jer. 2:13, 6:14, Is 8:20)
You do now the least of His ordinances defy, (Matt 5:19, Jam 2:10)
Brokenness and contrition --trembling at His WORD-- is where true hope lies. (Ps 51:17, Is 66:2)

Repent oh wretched daughter of my LORD's people! (Jer 6:26, 9:1, 14:17)
My eyes do run down with tears as I behold the strong turn into the feeble! (Lam 2:11, 3:48)
I lift up my hands again and cry in the night, (1 Tim 2:8)
For you His children who now faint and pine away at the head of all streets in sight! (Lam 2:19)

Turn, LORD, and remember Your Covenant by blood, (Ps 90:13, 135:14, Ps 106:45, Ezek 16:60, Luke 1:72, Heb 10:29)
Release from the chains those sentenced to the impending, fiery, and melting flood! (Ps 79:11, Jas. 5:20, 2 Pet 3:7)
Resurrect dry bones; make elect souls come alive! (Ezek 37:4-7, Luke 15:24, Rev 3:1)
Before You return with Sword and sickle in hand to judge all mankind from the skies! (Rev 14:14, 19:13-15)

My heart is torn, bound up in the life of her, (Rom 9:1-3, Lam 3:48)
For I cannot with their false promise of peace & security concur! (Ezek 13:10-16)
For they be far from Christ who first judges His House! (1 Pet 4:17)
Alas, if I be scarcely saved, what spiritual adultery can God's justice allow!? (Jer 11:15, Jas. 4:4, 1 Cor 16:22)

Unity # 40: The Discernment of the Saints

Unity # 40: The Discernment of the Saints

Dear Father,

     Please help us to receive Your Word and treasure Your commandments within us, to make our ears attentive to wisdom, and to incline our hearts to understanding. For if we cry for discernment, lift our voices for understanding, seek for her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures, then we will discern the fear of You, Lord, and discover Your knowledge. Lord, You give wisdom and from Your mouth comes knowledge and understanding. You store up sound wisdom for the upright. You are a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and preserving the way of Your Godly ones. Then we will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter our hearts and knowledge will be pleasant to our souls; discretion will guard us and understanding will watch over us. (Prov 2:1-11).

Jesus Christ, who has become to us wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor 1:30), in His Name we pray, Amen

Dear Beloved,

     God has brought us here to the last unity letter. Henceforth I feel the Lord’s leading for my writing to be devoted towards individuals. Presently, there are scores of people who have come my way whom the Lord would have me to preach the Gospel to, disciple, or to encourage/exhort in the Lord. And my writing ministry will be turning towards them. I may write to you all from time to time as He leads.

    

     This letter is about the discernment of the saints, His beloved ones. The state of the present age is one of spiritual chaos. Spirits, both good and evil, dwell in the heavenly realms. Deceptions reign in the midst of the church buildings and the public arena of our nation. Many will be falling away from us. Many will be pressing on in a powerless Gospel. Many will slander us and the other saints. The Truth is thrown to the ground. Godlessness is the ocean in which the people drown even now. But He is our Breath of Life. God writes His Word to us in 1 John concerning those who are trying to deceive us. As for us, the anointing which we received from Him abides in us, and we have no need for anyone to teach us; but as His anointing teaches us about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught us, we abide in Him. Now we, the little children, must abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. (1 John 2:26-27).

     It is the last hour, and just as we heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. But we have an anointing from the Holy One, and we know all. We do know the Truth and no lie is of the Truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies that Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. As for us, let that abide in us which we heard from the beginning. If what we heard from the beginning abides in us, we also will abide in the Son and in the Father. (1 John 2:18-24)

    Oh dear saints, our gracious Father will grant us discernment that we may not be deceived unto damnation. God tells us that if any of us lack wisdom, let us ask of Him, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5). King Solomon prayed that God would grant His servant an understanding heart to judge His people to discern between good and evil. He understood the awesome task of judging the great people of God. (1 Kings 3:9) God gave King Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore (1 Kings 4:29). Similarly King David commended Abigail by calling her discernment blessed, for it kept him from bloodshed and from avenging himself by his own hand (1 Sam 25:33).

     Those who worship idols and who do not have the Holy Spirit are not a people of discernment, therefore their Maker will not have compassion on them. And their Creator will not be gracious to them (Is 27:11). They claim to be wise, but once again God will deal marvelously with them, and the wisdom of the wise men will perish, and the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed (Is 29:14). We too were as them at one time, but in His New Covenant, the mind of the hasty will discern the Truth, and the tongue of stammerers will hasten to speak clearly (Is 32:4).

¹⁰ Who is among you that fears the Lord,
That obeys the voice of His servant,
That walks in darkness and has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
¹¹ Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
Who encircle yourselves with firebrands,
Walk in the light of your fire
And among the brands you have set ablaze.
This you will have from My hand:
You will lie down in torment.

     We must be ready to discern those among us for many will join us in hypocrisy (Dan 11:34). Christ told us to beware of the false prophets, who come to us in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. He promised that we WILL know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes not figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, we will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Him, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of the Father in heaven will enter. Many will say to Him on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name, and in Your Name cast out demons, and in Your Name perform many miracles?’ And then He will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS’. (Matt 7:15-23)

     Dear saints, there is a greater and more perfect discernment that we must have. Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil (Heb 5:14). For many will speak about Christ, and seemingly cast out demons and perform miracles, but He never knew them. For the sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment. Their Godlessness is obvious and their coming judgment is evident to all. For others, their sins follow them. They are among us with an aura of spirituality, but they do not belong to us. Christ is not exalted in their hearts. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed. (1 Tim 5:24-25)

     The discernment of the saints is theirs and will not resonate with those who lack the Spirit, yes, even many among the modern day groups of professing believers. For we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining Spiritual thoughts with Spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are Spiritually appraised. But he who is Spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ! (1 Cor 2:6:16)

Truths about Discernment from Scripture

1.     Those who are born of God practice righteousness. It is not as though they are morally perfect here in this earthly life, but they have a life’s practice of righteousness, a harvest of the fruit of the Spirit (as cousin Nirmal reminded us yesterday). God tells us to abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. If we know that He is righteous, we know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. (1 John 2:28-29) Whoever is wise, let him understand these things: whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them. (Hos 14:9)

2.     Everything that is of God is centered on Christ and the Gospel. The Person and work of Christ are not a peripheral to what comes from Him, but rather, they are the basis and foundation for all good things. All good things bring glory to and exalt Christ. All such things makes much of Christ and the Gospel. Whenever the focus of a person’s message or work is not ultimately on the Person and Work of Christ, there is something amiss. For in all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. (Eph 1:8-10)

3.     Every inclination in us that is of God involves the fleeing of the soul from the world and the gazing and clinging of the soul to Christ. Prov 14:7 tells us to leave the presence of a fool, or we will not discern words of knowledge. We must not be conformed to this world, but must be transformed by the renewing of our mind, so that we may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:2)

4.     The transformation by renewing of our mind by the Spirit and Word of God results in discernment. (Rom 12:2)

5.     The abounding of Christ’s love within us results in discernment. Paul prayed for the Philippians that their love would abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that they may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Phil 1:9-11)

6.     It has been granted to us to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. When the disciples asked Jesus why He spoke to the people in parables, He answered them saying that to them has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to others it has not been granted. (Matt 13:10-11, 14-16) In the latter case, the prophecy of Isaiah was being fulfilled, which says,

‘^[f]You will keep on hearing, ^[g]but will not understand;
^[h]You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
¹⁵ For the heart of this people has become dull,
With their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes,
Otherwise they would see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.’

7.     We are abundantly blessed to see and hear Christ. Christ told us that blessed are our eyes, because they see; and our ears, because they hear. For truly He says to us that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what we see, and did not see it, and to hear what we hear, and did not hear it. (Matt 13:16-17)

8.     Outcomes over time will reveal more to us. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him (Matt 13:12). There are some professing believers who do not seem to understand core doctrine properly today. Are they saved? Are they false converts? They preach a repentance-less Gospel. Are they wolves in sheep’s clothing? In many cases, we will know by observing the fruit of their lives over time and their responsiveness to the Word when it is taught. Are they growing in knowledge and understanding of the Truth? Are they becoming more like Christ? Christ said that His sheep will hear His voice (John 10:16). Do they respond in humility and repentance when taught the Truth or are they hard-hearted? Do they desire to know the Truth? Jesus said that everyone who is of Truth hears His voice (John 18:37). Even if they do not understand today, do the seeds of Truth which have been sown take root in their lives over time?

Tears for the Present and Love Forever inChrist,

Preethi

Some Links:

Transcripts of my last two Awana Messages (no, I did not know at the time that they were the last, but God knew)

1.     Faith and Hope: the Anchor that Enters Within the Veil  4/10/13

2.     Christ in us, the Hope of Glory 4/17/13

The Letter to New Life in 2006

Video of Anand Preaching the Gospel to Neethi

Unity # 38: My Savior

Unity # 38: My Savior

Dear Father,

    You have made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become Your righteousness in Him. For He Himself bore our sins on His own body on the tree that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness. By His stripes we are healed and born again. You have crushed Your own Son for my sake. He was abandoned and forsaken for all of my rebellion against You. You are God, Jesus, the God of the universe. No one can forgive my sin but You alone. And You have surely forgiven and pardoned all of my offenses that I may walk before You in the land of the living. You have qualified us to share in the inheritance of Your saints by Your blood.

In Jesus Christ’s Name,

Amen

Dear Beloved,

    This unity series will be finished at Unity # 40, so there are two more after this one. This letter is about Christ as my Savior, not just the Savior of all His people, but my personal Savior who has borne my very own guilt and shame and has resolved me completely of all sin. For if we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

     It is of utmost important that each of us who call ourselves as His children ponder upon the sacrifice for salvation that Christ has made for each one of us personally. Indeed the transformation of grace only comes with one’s own personal acknowledgement of the imputation of our sin onto Christ as He poured out His life on the cross and the imputation of His righteousness on His own people, yes, even on my own soul. It is specifically our hearts’ belief in the atonement of Christ for personal sin that results in the cleansing of our consciences from dead works to serve the living God (Heb 9:14), and the purification of ourselves for Him as people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds (Tit 2:14), that we may love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19), that we may be rescued from the dominion of darkness (Col 1:13), that we may no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died and rose for us (2 Cor 5:15), that we may live with Christ according to the Spirit (Rom 8:4), that we may consider ourselves to be dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:11), that we may be controlled by His love (2 Cor 5:14), and that we may no longer be slaves to sin (Rom 8:6).

     When one has truly believed, by the gift of regeneration, resulting in true saving faith, in the sacrifice that Christ has made for him personally, there is great power over sin, great joy, and great love for God and men. You must believe that He died for you. You must believe that He poured out His life for you. You must believe that His blood was shed for you. You must believe that He was raised for you. He was delivered over because of my transgressions, and was raised because of my justification (Rom 4:25).

     All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death. Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Rom 6:5-11).

     When Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb 9:11-14)

     Christ gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds (Tit 2:14). Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Rom 8:1-4). For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:13-14).

     What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom 8:31-35) Thus, the love of Christ controls us, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. (2 Cor 5:14-15) We love, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). May we look for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus (Tit 2:13). Jesus Christ is the faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. He loves us and released us from our sins by His blood! (Rev 1:5)

Love in Christ,

Preethi

From Wilbur Teale's Biography:

Earl 22 & lost was dying & at his bedside Earl's mother (who he never saw pray) was praying for God to save her son. Earl said, "mother, get out of my room. Go pray for yourself". Turning to [Wilbur's] father, he said, "You are the only one who knows how to pray for a dying man, uncle Will. Pray for me just as loudly as you can, I'm slipping into the flames". Father & the pastor prayed earnestly for Earl. However, the last words he ever spoke were: "It's too late. I'm slipping into the flames"! and our cousin was gone. Oh what a sad funeral ...a warning to our precious young people and prayerless parents. - Wilbur Teale

Unity # 37: The Sympathizing High Priest

Unity # 37: The Sympathizing High Priest

Dear Father,

     You are working Your wondrous plans for Your people. You are our Shield, our Glory, and the Lifter of our heads. We see You reigning in righteousness. You have ascended on High, and have defeated the power of sin and death. Thank You for the sure hope that we have in Your promises. We do not fear man, nor need we fear anything else, for Your loving-kindness endures forever. Please comfort our hearts with the truth that You, Jesus, are our sympathizing High Priest .

In Jesus Christ’s Name,

Amen

Dear Beloved,

    This letter is about our sympathizing High Priest. Have we not often blocked our minds and hearts off from His loving-kindness, as if we could bear the weight of our own guilt for those things that deem us unworthy to receive it? Have we not often forgotten in the midst of our grief and strivings for our own needs to be met, that there is One who knows what we need before we ask of Him? Or would we doubt His goodness and the New Covenant that He has made with us, by which He does not turn away from us to do us good? Jesus told us not to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear. For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for our heavenly Father knows that we need all these things. But He told us to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added to us. (Matt 6:31-33)

 

     Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:14-16) Jesus, in the days of His flesh, offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Heb 5:7-10)

     For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the Author of their salvation through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I will proclaim Your Name to My brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” And again “I will put My trust in Him”. And again, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me”. Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all of their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted (Heb 2:10-18) No temptation has overtaken us but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that we will be able to endure it. (1 Cor 10:13)

    Dear saints, our Christ is full of compassion. He says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). When He saw the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd (Matt 9:36). When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick (Matt 14:14). He called His disciples to Him and told them that He felt compassion for the people, because they had remained with Him for three days and had nothing to eat; and He did not want to send them away hungry for they might faint on the way (Matt 15:32). When the Lord saw a woman weeping over her dead son, He felt compassion for her, and told her not to weep (Luke 7:13).

     Have we sinned? He tells us to rend our heart and not our garments, to return to the Lord our God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving-kindness and relenting of evil (Joel 2:13) Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon (Iss 55:7). When we repent, the Lord our God will restore us from captivity, and have compassion on us, and gather us again from all the peoples where the Lord our God has scattered us (Deut 30:3). Our Father is like the father in the parable of the prodigal son who saw the son from a long way off and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him (Luke 15:20) For the Lord will vindicate His people, and will have compassion on His servants, when He sees that their strength is gone, and there is none remaining, bond or free (Deut 32:36). He redeems lives from the pit, and crowns His people with loving-kindness and compassion (Ps 103:4) Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him (Ps 103:13). For how can He give up or surrender His people? How can He destroy them as He destroyed His enemies? His heart is turned over within Him, and all His compassions are kindled. (Hos 11:8). He could have stepped on us and burned us completely, but He tells us to rely on His protection and to make peace with Him through His Son. Let us make peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ! (Is 27:4-5)

     Our God understands us. He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust (Ps 103:14). He Himself will make all His goodness pass before us, and will proclaim the Name of the Lord before us; He will be gracious to whom He will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom He will show compassion (Ex 33:19). The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness and truth (Ex 34:6) The Lord our God is a compassionate God; He will not fail us or destroy us nor forget the Covenant with our fathers which He swore to them (Deut 4:31). The Lord longs to be gracious to us, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on us.  For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him (Is 30:18). Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on His afflicted. (Is 49:13). For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but His loving-kindness will not be removed from us, and His Covenant of peace will not be shaken (Is 54:10). He has betrothed us to Himself forever in righteousness, justice, loving-kindness, and compassion (Hos 2:19).

     God, in His great compassion, does not forsake us in the wilderness; the pillar of cloud does not leave us by day, to guide us on our way, nor does the pillar of fire by night, to light for us the way in which we are to go. Christ, His Word, is our Light (Ps 119:105)! Yes, He is our Way (John 14:16)! His compassion and loving-kindnesses are from of old (Ps 25:6). He will not withhold His compassion from us; His loving-kindness and Truth will continually preserve us (Ps 40:11). The Lord answers us, for His loving-kindness is good; according to the greatness of His compassion, He turns to us (Ps 69:16). He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and the lives of the needy He will save (Ps 72:13). For the Lord will judge His people and will have compassion on His servants (Ps 135: 14). He looks down from heaven and sees from His holy and glorious habitation; He is full of zeal and He does mighty deeds. The stirrings of His heart and His compassion are restrained towards us! (Is 63:15)

We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. James 5:11

Love in Christ,

Preethi

Koinonia Church of Woodbury:

   In the midst of great joy and deep sorrow, this past Sunday, 4/18, we met for the first service of the new church, “Koinonia Church of Woodbury” The service lasted for three hours including about an 1 hr of prayer, 20 min of communion, 15 min of hymn singing, and a long message from the Word. My favorite part was the prayer time. We could feel the Presence of Christ so strongly. I also felt His compassion and grace poured out on us. I felt that He was telling us, “I am with You. I am here”. We were encouraged by the truth that where two or three are gathered in His Name He is there. We are praying for God to bring more people that we may have a true fellowship of saints and also that God will provide love, boldness, time, and means for us to evangelize, study the Bible, and pray during the weekday evenings. It is far better to be with a few saints who love Christ and are willing to take all of His Word to heart, than to be in a place where Christ is not honored. Thank you Anand and David Christensen for making the website: www.koinoniawoodbury.org.

Other churches that preach the Word in this area:

Christ Redeemer Church of Woodbury

Redeemer Baptist Church of Oakdale

Bethlehem Baptist Church of Minneapolis

17 General Signs of a Carnal Church:

1. No weekly prayer meetings

2. Contentment in an annual event to fulfill the Great Commission

3. No teaching of the core doctrines of substitutionary atonement, regeneration, sanctification, evidence of true conversion, assurance of salvation, final judgment, the nature of God, etc.—and no congregational heartache over this

4. When the majority of the congregation (without using Spiritual discernment) thinks that the majority of the congregation is saved 

5. When the facebook profiles/walls of the congregation reveal carnality and the absence of God in their thoughts…a greater interest in everything except God

6. When programs and books in place of the unadulterated Word of God are emphasized

7. When there is no true unconditional, sacrificial, and forgiving love for one another

8. When there is no church discipline

9. When leadership is not concerned about the Spiritual needs of the congregation

10. When there is no exaltation of Christ in worship and messages, but rather an emphasis on perishable things; pervasive mindsets that perishable things are the means by which God’s Kingdom will be built

11. No dependence on God

12. No zeal, labor, or diligence for the Kingdom of God

13. No repentance

14. No Spiritual tears

15. No persecution from the wicked

16.

14 Justice is turned back,

And righteousness stands far away;

For truth has stumbled in the street,

And uprightness cannot enter.

15 Yes, truth is lacking;

And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey.

Now the Lord saw,

And it was [g]displeasing in His sight that there was no justice.

16 And He saw that there was no man,

And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;

Then His own arm brought salvation to Him,

And His righteousness upheld Him. Is 59

17. When most of the congregation is comfortable and complacent with a form of godliness that denies God's power while unknowingly awaiting damnation

Unity # 36: Christ in us, the Hope of Glory

Unity # 36: Christ in us, the Hope of Glory

Dear Father,

      Your throne, O God Christ, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions. You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundations of  the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands; they will perish, but You remain; they all will become old like a garment, and like a mantle You will roll them up; like a garment they will also be changed, but You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end. (Heb 1:8-12)

In Jesus Christ’s Name,

Amen

Dear Beloved,

     If it is true that Christ has surely worked for us such a great salvation, and that He truly is who He says that He is, then to each person, He must be everything or He has no place in our lives. How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? How is it that many hold Christ as a peripheral Presence within their lives, rather than the true and exclusive source of illumination of all things great and small? If He is not our only hope, can we say that we have died with Him, and have been raised with Him and seated in the heavenly places with Him?

 Where is our hope?

     Do we hope for those momentary pleasures, securities, and reliefs? Do we hope to acquire something visible, some placement within the fading ranks of this world? Or is our hope in Christ? If He is not everything to us, then He is nothing to us and we are damned. Our great salvation is comprised of our justification and our regeneration. And if the latter has happened, then Christ has become everything to us. Yes, even for us, our lives fall short of His perfection, but our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. All other ground is sinking sand. It is a hope that changes everything. It is a sure hope, not in something that perchance may not be fulfilled, but in an unshakable God, yes, even an unshakeable Kingdom. And faith, true faith, is the assurance of things that we have hoped for. This is the only saving faith, and it changes everything. The Christian’s hope is entirely in Christ. He looks forward to only Christ. His heart’s cry is, “That I may know Him!”

     This letter is about Christ in us, our hope of glory. The mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory. (Col 1: 26-27) Dear saints, if we are truly His, Christ is in us, and He is the hope of glory! So then, may the eyes of our heart be enlightened, so that we will know what is the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power towards us who believe. (Eph 1:18)  For the saints, their blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed them with every Spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph 1:3). In the ages to come He will show us the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:7). What will happen to the saint from the moment he is regenerated until the day that he sees Christ Face to face is incredible. The process of the saint realizing the desires of his regenerate heart, realizing that Christ is in him, and that the faith granted to him by the Father is an unshakable one, is glorious. As earthly time passes, the regenerated saint is realizing that Christ is in him! For with every trial, every testing, every fall, every persecution, he comes forth again and again. Why? Because Christ is in him! And he hopes for Christ to reveal His glory more and more and more and more.

What kind of hope do we have?

     Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for us, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet 1:3-5)

Faith that Remains through Trials

     In this we greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, we have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of our faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though we have not seen Him, we love Him, and through we do not see Him now, we believe in Him, and greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of our faith the salvation of our souls. (1 Pet 1:6-9)

Seeing that Christ is in us

     Paul tells the Galatians, “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—“ (Gal 4:19) What does Paul mean that he was in labor until Christ was formed in the Galatians, as if Christ would leave them or be destroyed within them. Certainly not. He never leaves us forsakes us, and He has died one death, rose to life, and is never to die again for death has no hold on Him. Paul referred to the return of their thoughts to Christ, to the realization that Christ was in them, that He is their only hope of righteousness, their only joy, their only glory, their only source of love…the return to the subjection of their heart, soul, mind, and strength to the Lord of the Gospel. This is the transformation that occurs by the renewing of their minds back to who Christ is and who they truly are in Him. Therefore if we have been raised up with Christ, we must keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. For we have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:1-3) Paul tells the Colossians not to lie to one another, since they have laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him. (Col 1:9-10) Indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed towards us. (2 Cor 13:4)

“Test ourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” ( 2 Cor 13:5)

     If Christ surely is in us, He is our hope of glory, and when we test ourselves, we will find that He is in us. He is faithful to reveal to our souls that Christ is in us. May we never be afraid to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith, to examine ourselves carefully. If Christ is in us, we have nothing to fear. He will be formed in us again and again, that is, the Spirit will testify with our spirits that we truly are the children of God. He will take from what is Christ’s, His glory, and disclose it us again and again. Remember, He is our hope of glory!

     And if Christ is not in you, as He very well may not be, then you must seek Him with all of your heart that He may be found by you. He will not turn away any who come to Him. His will is that all who behold the Son are granted eternal Life, and they will never perish, but will have the Light of Life! You cannot come to Him unless it has been granted you by the Father (John 6: 65). You cannot choose to have saving faith on your own. You cannot choose to repent on your own. He must grant them to you. So turn to Him! Seek Him and live! Turn to Christ! When He is lifted up He draws all of His people to Himself.

Christ in us, the Hope of Glory: the Morning Star

     We have the prophetic word made more sure, to which we do well to pray attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in our hearts (2 Pet 1:19). Christ is the Morning Star! He said, “I am the Root and the Descendant of David, the bright Morning Star” (Rev 22:16). We must pay attention to the prophetic word so that we do not drift from it (Heb 2:1) For those who fear His Name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and we will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. We will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of our feet on the day the Lord of hosts is preparing. (Mal 4: 2-3) To those who overcome, He promises to give them the Morning Star. Yes, He promises to give us Himself if we overcome by not drifting away. And it is His power, the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony, the result of His gracious gift of faith bought with His blood, by which we will overcome. When Christ who is our life appears, we also will appear with Him in glory (Col 3:4). If our hearts have truly believed that He is raised from the dead, the effect of our understanding of the implications of His resurrection is infinite, transcendent, glorious, and life-changing. Our Christ is alive!

     Beloved, everything in His Word is certain. It is true. God has crowned His Son with glory and honor, and has appointed Him over the works of His hands; He has put all things in subjection under His feet. In subjecting all things to Christ, He left nothing that is not subjected to Him. (Heb 2:7-8) You must kiss the Son, lest He be angry and we perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled; blessed are all who take refuge in Him (Ps 2:12).

Excellent Messages

The Prayer Meeting Sermon by Bob Jennings

Knowing God as Father Sermon by Charles Leiter

Victory over Sin Sermon by Nathan Rages

Sermons by Rick Steen We met Pastor Steen this past Sunday after he preached at Anand’s church on Hebrews 1-2 about not drifting away, but rather clinging to the Gospel of Christ. 

The Narrow Way of the Regenerate by Paul Washer (9 min; please see)

Love in Christ,

Preethi