Nairaland Christian E-Fellowship

let somebody show Halelluyah

The Wisdom of God
April 24, 2009

"And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment." (1 Kings 3:28)

The "wisdom of God," as attributed to Solomon, is an awesome concept, because God Himself is omniscient.  Apparently Solomon was given a greater share of the divine wisdom than any others of his generation, and probably more than most of any generation.

God also gave him "largeness of heart" (1 Kings 4:29).  Not only did he build and effectively rule a great kingdom, but "he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five" (1 Kings 4:32).  Included in these, of course, were three divinely inspired books (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon), which are now in our Bibles.

Furthermore, he was a scientist, for "he spake of trees, . . . of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes" (1 Kings 4:33-34).

Sadly, in his old age, he also acquired a goodly portion of "the wisdom of this world" (1 Corinthians 2:6) that must "come to nought," and which led eventually to a loss of part of his kingdom.

The phrase "the wisdom of God" occurs six other times in Scripture (Ezra 7:25; Luke 11:49; 1 Corinthians 1:21, 24; 2:7; Ephesians 3:10).  In the Corinthian passages, the eternal divine wisdom is being contrasted with the very temporal and often misguided wisdom of man.

In Ephesians 3:10 is found the remarkable revelation that the angels (who themselves have tremendous wisdom--note 2 Samuel 14:20) are themselves being taught "the manifold wisdom of God." And these instructions are conveyed "by the church"--that is, by the amazing way in which God has created and redeemed man for eternal fellowship with Himself.  HMM

Special Study:

THE CONVICTION AND COURAGE OF A TRUE BELIEVER
Daniel 6:10

Daniel’s purpose earlier in life was not superficial; the strength of his firm purpose carried him through till the old age.  Though he was a captive in Babylon he was courageous, not cowardly, in standing by his godly conviction.  He did not think that when you are in Rome you must do as the Romans do.  He was as righteous in Babylon as he had been in Jerusalem.  To him it mattered not whether his actions brought him loss or gain, frown or favour, pain or pleasure, condemnation or commendation of the world.  Cost what it might, righteousness was always the best policy. Each of us needs such a spirit of decision in times like these.

Why would Daniel be so particular?  Were there not other Jews in the land who kept their religion to themselves and quietly refrained from attracting attention to their conviction?  The temptation to look at others is always strong but Daniel was not going to yield to any pressure to compromise. He was being considered for the highest position in the government.  If he was very consciencious in keeping to his conviction, would he not miss the opportunity of that special promotion?  No position in an earthly government was as important to Daniel as a place in the Kingdom of God. Some might have said ‘it is the law of the land not to pray to God’ but God’s children are under a higher law and “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).  Daniel’s heart was set and settled.  His decision was not floating in his head but deep-rooted in his heart.

1. DANIEL’S UNCOMMON DEN
Daniel 6:10,7; Amos 3:4; Hebrews 11:33; Psalm 7:1,2; Psalms 10:2-9; 57:4-7; 35:17-20; Nahum 2:11,12; 2 Timothy 4:16-18; 1 Peter 5:8,9.

The presidents and the princes conspired against Daniel.  They, by flattery and deception, perverted the king’s mind to pass an unchangeable edict. The penalty for disobeying the king’s decree was death in the lions’ den. The situation would have put Daniel in great dilemma but his first allegiance was to the King of kings and his fearless and unqualified obedience was to the law and edict of His everlasting Kingdom.  The great trial did not crush his spirit of praise.  He still “prayed and gave thanks before His God.”

The dread of the den of lions did not stop Daniel from worshipping God. The lions in the den, indeed, all the lions in all the dens on earth are under God’s control.  If he had compromised and sinned for fear of Darius’ den of lions, he could still have encountered a fiercer doom than the terror from which he shrank.  Lions could still crush and kill the compromiser       (1 Kings 13:24; 2 Kings 17:25,26; Job 3:25).  Compromising men have declined to bear a light burden and they have been constrained to bear a far heavier one.  They have fled from a lion and a bear has met them; they sought to escape from a bear but a serpent killed them (Amos 5:19).  To deny Christ because of danger is always risky, unsafe and dangerous.  It is better to go forward than to draw back.  The safest thing is to trust our souls into God’s care and do His will.  Even if there are lions in front, it is better to go ahead doing God’s will than to draw back.  “Remember Lot’s wife.”  It may be hard going forward, but it is worse going back.  If a man lost his life to save his coat he would be a fool; if a man were to lose his soul in order to save his life, he would be a greater fool.  So Daniel knew that the risk of being cast into a den of lions was nothing when compared to the risk of being cast into hell.  He chose the smaller risk and continued living for God’s glory.

Ultimately, the great conflict was between “the laws of his God”, “the LORD that changeth not” (Daniel 6:5; Malachi 3:6) and “the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not” (Daniel 6:8,12b,15).  It was a conflict between the everlasting King and an earthly ruler.  Daniel knew that God is greater and disobedience to His law carries eternal punishment.  The penalty in the den was temporary and brief, the punishment in hell will be endless and eternal.  It would have been foolish to fear the den and risk being cast into the eternal lake of fire.  There was a choice to make and Daniel, strengthened by habitual prayer and faith in God, made the right choice.

2. DANIEL’S UNCOMPROMISING DECISION
Daniel 6:10; Ruth 1:11-18; Nehemiah 6:9-16; Esther 3:1-4; 4:10-16; Job 13:15,16; 27:3-6; Acts 5:27-29; Acts 20:19-24; Psalms 119:51,83, 109, 141,143,157.

Daniel’s decision was the decision of a single-minded believer.  He knew his duty towards God and he did not waver or confer with flesh and blood. He did not seek the advice of worldly-minded people.  His faith was steadfast, his composure was calm and unruffled, his conduct remained consistent with his conviction.  His conscience affirmed obedience to God above allegiance to any man on earth.  God’s Word, not the decree of earthly kings, was his guide in life.  He had decided for the truth and he was not going to sell the truth at any price.  Oh for a heart like Daniel’s to follow and obey Christ at all hazards.  To be a real Christian and be steadfast till the end, a man must possess such decision of character.  So many people fail and falter, they fall from the Christian race because of lack of a firm purpose.  They start with great enthusiasm and glowing testimony, then they allow themselves to be diverted from their purpose.
 
A man of unswerving decision learns to keep his mind on the Lord. Keeping our eyes on eternal things makes sin and compromise lose their attractions.  A firm commitment to God and His will, whatever may arise, keeps us standing for the truth at all times.  Such a firm decision keeps our hearts at rest and we leave the outcome in God’s Hands. The great thing for us is to know the will of God and do it.

Decisions make the man.  Firm decisions make firm men with strong backbone.  Break a man’s ability to take decisions and you break and destroy the man.  It was Babylon’s determination to break the will and overthrow the faith of the three faithful worshippers of the true God. Babylon failed and the old-time faith was purified and preserved in the fire.  It was Medo-Persia’s determination to destroy or weaken the resolve of Daniel.  Daniel’s commitment to the law of God was stronger than their determination.  Because of the faithfulness of believers who have lived before us and their willingness to be cast into the furnace or into the lions’ den, “the faith once delivered unto the saints” still lives.

3. DANIEL’S UNCONDITIONAL DEVOTION
Daniel 6:10; 3:15-18; Job 1:8-12,19-22; 2:3-10; Psalm 27:1-4; Isaiah 50:5-10; Acts 4:19,20; 21:10-14; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10;   Romans 8:35-39.

Daniel’s devotion took him to the lions’ den but also brought him in contact with an angel of God in the lions’ den.  His consistent devotional life was the result of his fearless disposition of heart.  He was about 90 years old at this time and his purpose of heart as a young man was still vibrant in his old age.  His heart was fixed.  No decree of man could swerve him from his devotions to his God.  Compromisers are never open and above-board.  They conceal their real character.  Daniel’s commitment to God was well-known before the decree and that commitment continued during the period of the decree.  Daniel and his devotion to God outlived all his persecutors and their decree.  The decree could not conquer his spirit of devotion, neither could the lions crush the bones of his body.

Daniel’s conscience would not allow him to keep his conviction and devotion secret.  He was too honest to live under false pretense.  He was not ashamed to confess and serve his God openly.  Faithful as Daniel was to the king, there was a point at which his earthly interests stopped.  Once earthly relations and authorities demanded that he should disregard or dishonour God, he was instantly inflexible.  No desire for worldly recognition and no fear of royal punishment could lessen his consecration or devotion to God.  This has ever been the mark and moral strength of all true children of God in all the ages.  The world may try to frighten us with edicts and decrees or entice us with promises and privileges but they will try in vain.  Nothing will diminish our love for our God and our Saviour.  Let us prayerfully trust and obey our God and the fear of man which brings a snare will have no hold on our hearts.

* * * * * * * *
Congregational Song:

O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED

1. O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou for ever near me,
My Master and my Friend:
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my Guide.

2. O let me feel Thee near me;
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

3. O let me hear Thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
To hasten or control;
O speak and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.

4. O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee,
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow
My Master and my Friend.

For the free downloading of the audio and video message click on the link below and go into the "current Bible Study" hyperlink.

http://www.dclm.org/Resources/ResourcesDirectory/tabid/130/Default.aspx
http://www.dclm.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Whosoever Will May Come
April 27, 2009

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call." (Joel 2:32)

"God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34).  Yet in the above "whosoever" passage of the Old Testament, it is clear that those who "call on the name of the LORD" were the same as "the remnant whom the LORD shall call."  Those who call on the Lord have first been called by the Lord.  He accepts all those who call on Him from every nation, but no doubt their geographical location to a large extent determines whether they will even hear of Him, and "how then shall they call on Him . . . of whom they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14).

Theologians of great intellect have wrestled with these questions for centuries, without resolving them, at least to the satisfaction of those of different mental persuasion.  On the practical level, however, the Holy Spirit led Peter to quote this passage in his great sermon on the Day of Pentecost: "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21).

Peter was still speaking only to Jews, of course, but they had assembled at Jerusalem "out of every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5).  But then Paul made it forever plain that "whosoever" applied to everyone when He also quoted Joel.  "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:12-13).  The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, on the very last page of Scripture, says: "whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17).  So, whosoever will, may come! One can contemplate later, with deep thanksgiving, the mysteries of the divine call, but first he must come, and if he so wills, he may! HMM

Life's Uncertainties
April 29, 2009

"Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" (John 14:5)

Many times along life's way we fact uncertainties, opposition, and even doubt; when we do, it is helpful to recognize that those who lived with Christ when He was here on earth faced the same perplexities.  His answers and assurances to them in John 14 are meant for us as well.

"Let not your heart be troubled," He said (John 14:1)--an emphatic command which could be rendered: "Don't continue to be troubled." The solution: "Ye believe in God, believe also in me."  We believe God can supply all the answers to our troubles.  But Christ is God!  He is the solution.  He is "the way, the truth, and the life" (14:6), and is the only solution, for "no man cometh unto the Father, but by |Him|."

He is the Way: "In my Father's house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. And . . . I will come again, and receive you unto myself" (14:2-3).  Whatever else may befall us, our destiny is sure.  His reputation is at stake, for He has promised a place in the Father's house.

He is the Truth: Peter had just been informed of his coming denial (13:38), that he would openly assert a lie.  Jesus said He is "the truth."  "The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but of the Father that dwelleth in me" (14:10).  Words and thoughts not in accordance with His are not "truth," we can be sure of that.

He is the Life: Speaking of His imminent death, Christ said, "Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards" (13:36), indicating their own eventual persecution and martyrdom.  Yet their ultimate victory, as well as comfort (14:16-18), were assured.

How can those things be?  "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name," Christ said, "that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (14:13).  JDM

@OLAADEGBU,

Thank you for your unfailing prayers - I saw your short email, and beg your forgiveness for not having replied until now. Just want to acknowledge and say a personal thanks, and God bless you everyday.

Shalom, it is well.

CAN: Putting Papal Ground Into Use
By PAUL OKAFOR (NAN)

The turnout was large and amazingly awesome as the Catholic faithful gathered fervently for a memorable occasion on an expansive land provided by the FCT Administration at Kubwa.


The late Pope John Paul II, visiting Nigeria in 1998, had been billed to celebrate an open Mass on the ground, dubbed the Papal Ground.


The ground was later given to the Catholic Church after the papal visit.


But other Churches under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), FCT chapter, asked the administration for land as an association.


Although such a request may not have been fully met by the authorities, the fact that the Deeper Life Bible Church ended its FCT crusade on April 3 on the ground has, for the first time, demonstrated that CAN is part owner of the facility.


The request led to the sharing of the Papal Ground into two — one part exclusively for the Catholic Church and the other for CAN.


However, over the years, only the Catholic Church has put its own part of the land into use.
The altar, which the late Pope used for celebrating the Mass during his visit, has been expanded and renovated.


A few structures, including a house for priests, has also been erected.


Catholic faithful have elevated the ground to a quasi parish where Mass is said regularly, while virtually all other activities of a full-fledged parish take place there.


Only the part belonging to the Catholic Church has been cared for and kept clean with trees planted and maintained.


However, this section caters to needs of different church organisations which hold programmes there.
In the past, CAN members have had to organise their programmes in the section owned by the Catholic Church, leaving the other part bushy and unattended.


Observers were, therefore, stunned when Pastor W.F. Kumuyi,the leader of the Deeper Life Bible Church, preached to the faithful from March 26 to March 27 from the CAN section of the ground.
Putting that section into use has made a difference, as it marked the first time CAN members would use their portion of the ground instead of relying on the Catholic Church section, the observers say.
Preparatory to the crusade, the bushy CAN section was cleared by the Deeper Life.


One of the crusade worshippers, Ogeh Ude, lauded the effort of both the Catholic Church and the Deeper Life for making the entire ground usable.


According to him, the entire land provides enough space for big crusades within the FCT.
“The venue is very convenient. Everybody is properly accommodated and we have the Catholic part of the premises where there are well planted trees under which we park our cars.


“I wish they could develop the place further so that other programmes by the various denominations of the Church can take place there,’’ she said.


Another worshipper, David Ogunlade, said: “I hope CAN will not allow the place to be overgrown by weeds again.


“Now that it has been opened, let other members of CAN continue to organise more events and develop the place so that God’s blessings will continue to flow,’’ he said.


Mrs. Alice Udom, a trader who sold beverages and other items during the crusade, noted that the organisers did not charge her and other traders any money for selling their wares.


According to her, “whenever such crusades are organised traders usually pay some money for selling at such venues but here there is nothing like that.


“This is the first time I have received such a wonderful treatment and we are all happy.
“I believe it is because this is the Papal Ground. You know the Catholics are more or less the landlord here and they ‘no de too put money for their things’.


“I am a member of the Living Faith Church but each time we have big programmes I pay for the space I use for selling, though I am a member,’’ she said.


Rev. Fr. Willy Ojukwu, the current Chairman of the FCT chapter of CAN, says the association will soon start to develop the land.


“We agreed to organise a fundraising ceremony towards developing the place.


“We intend to construct our secretariat there and other structures, including a guest house and a worship ground, ’’he says.


It is Ojukwu’s belief that CAN members will be glad if the land is developed as it will provide a spacious worship ground for them.


Besides, the ground can host other programmes.


Christians say that if this done, and urgently too, winning more souls for Jesus Christ will be a less arduous task in the evangelism crusade.

http://www.nigerianobservernews.com/30042009/features/features3.html

How are you doing, Image123? Nothing really happened, just busy with quite a lot until recently. I hope you're doing okay? More blessings to you.

The Believer's Judgment
April 30, 2009

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17)

There is a terrible day of judgment coming for those who reject Christ, but for those who do believe the gospel and trust the Lord Jesus for salvation, "there is therefore now no condemnation |i.e., judgment|" (Romans 8:1).  Yet our text tells us that judgment actually begins with those who obey the gospel!  This apparent contradiction vanishes when one realizes that it is merely for the purpose of preparing those who are already saved to serve Him in eternity.

When a believer sins, he should judge and confess that sin.  "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (1 Corinthians 11:31), and God will forgive (1 John 1:9).  If he does not, however, the next phase of judgment is the chastening of God.  "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world" (1 Corinthians 11:32).  The classic passage on the believer’s chastening (Hebrews 12:5-11) concludes with the assurance that its purpose is to yield "the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:11).

But when such chastening fails to work, the next judgment may even be physical death.  "There is sin unto death" (1 John 5:16).  "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (1 Corinthians 5:5).

Finally, all Christians must "appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10), where "every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).  There, some "shall suffer loss." Nevertheless, each person at this judgment "shall be saved" (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).  But, as our text continues, "if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?" (1 Peter 4:18). HMM

Thanks for the condolence, she has now entered into His eternal rest.  I have also missed your Rhema words.  May the good Lord help us to continue the battle as He strengthens us on a daily basis, until we finish our course.

Shalom.

Conformed to His Image
May 2, 2009

"And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." (1 Corinthians 15:49)

One of the most amazing promises of the Word of God is that those who "love God" and are "the called according to His purpose" are those whom "He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:28-29).

Adam and Eve were created in His image physically in the beginning.  "So God created man in his own image . . . male and female created He them" (Genesis 1:27).  Presumably this means they were created in the physical form that God knew He would assume when, in the fullness of time, He would become man Himself, in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ.

That image was marred when Adam (and, in Adam, all men) sinned.  Nevertheless, it can be restored spiritually when we receive Christ and "have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him" (Colossians 3:10).

But this is not all.  As our text reveals, we who have been made in God's earthly image (both physically and spiritually) will also, in due time, receive His heavenly image.  This will take place when Christ returns.  At that time, "we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye . . . and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

In what way shall we be changed?  The Lord Jesus Himself "shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body" (Philippians 3:21).  His body, after His resurrection, was still His physical body, but it was no longer subject to pain or death and was able to pass through walls and to speed rapidly from earth to Heaven.  That is "the image of the heavenly" to which we shall be conformed some day soon!  For "we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).  HMM

Do you remember Dr. David Livingston?

http://www.hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk/2009/04/23/african-backing-for-our-livingstone-campaign-51525-23449811/

Grow in Grace
May 4, 2009

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and for ever.  Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)

These last words of the apostle Peter urge us to grow in each of two important phases of the Christian life--grace and knowledge.  Such growth up into Him in all things (Ephesians 4:15) will indeed give glory to Him, now and forever.

When we first become Christians, we are newborn babes (Greek brephos, 1 Peter 2:2).  Our spiritual birth has been by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23) on the basis of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).

As the Christian life began with the Word, it can only grow on the Word.  "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).  Here, "of the word" is the Greek logikos, elsewhere used only in Romans 12:1, where it is translated "reasonable."  It is the source of our English word "logical."  New Christians must feed on unadulterated, logical truth if they are to grow, and this can be found only in the Holy Scriptures.

There is another word used for babes: Greek nepios, "without speech."  This word is used for toddlers, old enough to walk, but not yet able to speak plainly or to act unselfishly.  It is used for "carnal" Christians.  "I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat" (1 Corinthians 3:1-2).

Carnality in Christians is arrested growth at the "babes-in-Christ" stage, and is clearly abnormal.  Such stumbling, quarrelsome babes need to be fed with meat, as well as milk, if they are to grow: "For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe" (Hebrews 5:13).  May the Lord enable us to grow in His grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! HMM

Special Study:

THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES OF THE LIVING GOD
Daniel 6:25-27
                                                                                        
The triumph of Daniel’s faith produced a great testimony to the power, care and love of the living God for His own.  It was faith in God that made Daniel dare the decree of the king.  It was faith that made him remain calm under life-threatening trouble and trial.  It was faith that brought assurance that all would be well at the end.  It was faith that breathed peace and patience to his heart in the hour of danger and probable death.  It was faith that moved God’s heart; to send His angel into the den to shut the mouths of all the lions.  God recognises faith and responds to its call and petition.  “No manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God” (Daniel 6:23).  The deliverance of Daniel brought a great discovery to Darius, the king.  He saw God as the living God, having personality, love, affection, heart of compassion, power, kingdom, dominion, majesty and glory.  The great God is not just a great, mighty force, He is the living God.  He is not an impersonal powerful substance or entity like electricity or thunder, He is the living God.  And He is not like man, living and growing, who passes from infancy to manhood in life, He is the unchanging God.

It touched the spirit of Darius that there is a Being, the living God, who could accomplish such great, supernatural act, uncommon to man since the beginning of the world.  He could not resist the urge to proclaim and publish the knowledge and revelation of the living God to “all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth.”   “Let the earth hear, and all that is therein” (Isaiah 34:1).  All those who know the true and living God, through redemption and salvation in Christ, His only begotten Son must make Him known to others, by all possible means.

1.   THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE LIVING GOD
Daniel 6:26a; Deuteronomy 32:39,40; Jeremiah 10:10; Daniel 4:34; Isaiah 40:28; Acts 14:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 1:9,10; 1 Timothy 4:10; Psalm 90:2; Revelation 4:9-11; 10:5,6; 1 Timothy 1:17.
   
The God of heaven is the living God.  He is the Fountain of life, the Giver of life.  All living creatures derive their lives from Him.  We all depend on Him, but He is independent, immutable, infinite and eternal.  “He liveth for ever” - His existence is from everlasting, as well as to everlasting.  He is without beginning, as well as without end.  How mysterious!  “Seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things, in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:25,28).
   
God “hath life in Himself ” (John 5:26).  Here Christ Himself affirms that God is the source of all life, as He is the living God.  The living God is the eternal King who had been alive before time began and who will continue to live when time shall be no more.  He is immortal and incorruptible in His essence.  He is permanent, unchangeable and eternal.  He is revealed as Almighty, eternal and supreme, He is the true God, the living God, the holy God, the righteous God, the merciful God, the faithful God, the mighty God, the eternal God.  He is the God of heaven, the God of heaven and earth, the God of the whole earth, God of the spirits of all flesh, the “God of truth and without iniquity, just and right” the LORD God of knowledge, the God of glory, the LORD God of truth, the God of all flesh, the God of peace, the God of all grace, the God of patience and consolation, the God of our salvation.  He is omnipresent: “Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:24).  He is omniscient: “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13).  He is omnipotent: “Ah Lord GOD! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee” (Jeremiah 32:17).  He is the Owner of all things: “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is” (Deuteronomy 10:14).  He is a God of unspotted and perfect purity: “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Habakkuk 1:13).  He is a God of infinite wisdom: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33).  He is good and merciful: “God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Ephesians 2:4,5).

2.   THE AUTHORITY OF THE LIVING GOD
Daniel 6:26b; Exodus 15:18; Psalms 93:1; 146:10; Daniel 2:44; 4:3,34; 7:14,27; Psalms 45:6; 145:11-13; Micah 4:7; Revelation 11:15; Jude 24,25.

It is common knowledge that the great kingdoms of the past have been destroyed.  When Nebuchadnezzar and Darius received revelations from heaven they became enlightened and awakened to spiritual realities and divine truth.  They both affirmed that only the living God, the eternal God, will have a kingdom, a dominion, which shall not be destroyed.  “He is the living God, and stedfast forever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end” (Daniel 6:26).

“Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: For all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as Head above all” (1 Chronicles 29:11).  “The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever” (Psalm 29:10).  The reign of the eternal God, the everlasting King, extends over all people in all nations from generation to generation.  God’s authority and dominion are unlimited and unrestricted.  His sovereignty is unconfined and His power is irresistible.

The Scriptures are full of the revelation of God’s everlasting dominion.  God’s dominion is not only in the world but in heaven; not only in time but in eternity.  The duration of His reign extends through eternity.  God’s dominion over men and angels will be for evermore.  All men, Pharaoh, Saul, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Alexander, Herod, Caesar, Nero, etc. came to an end and their kingdoms and dominions also came to an end.  We shall continue to see the end of man’s reign but time is not long enough to put God’s reign to an end, the eternal God shall reign for ever and ever.  The government of the eternal King shall be forever.  All His creatures, all men and angels, shall be ruled by His will and His laws.  As the Almighty God He is qualified in every way to govern and rule over all men, all things and all angels.  Dominion is His and He has supreme power to exercise it over all.  By His omnipotence He has established and sustained the earth and the heavens with all the inhabitants therein, by His infinite power and wisdom will He reign over all for ever and ever.  He is clothed with majesty and the robe of His royalty will be ever glorious.  His kingdom and dominion, His majesty and glory, His wisdom and strength will be shown in eternal splendour in the sight of saints and angels for ever and ever.

3.   THE ACTS OF THE LIVING GOD
Daniel 6:27; Psalms 34:7,17,19; 97:10; 2 Corinthians 1:8-10; Job 5:8-12; 9:4,10-12; 33:26-30; Psalm 40:4,5; Jeremiah 32:17-20,27; Acts 14:1-3; Romans 15:19-21; Hebrews 2:1-4.

Darius saw the supernatural act of God, His miraculous protection and preservation of Daniel just like Pharaoh, Balak, Ahab, Nebuchadnezzar, Herod saw “the miracles and the acts” of the God of Israel.  Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Moses, Elijah, all Israel, Peter, Paul, and the saints of God in all generations have also seen the mighty acts of God who is in no way limited in power and wisdom “But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which He did” (Deuteronomy 11:7).  “Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all His praise?” “One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts” (Psalms 106:2; 145:4).

Darius praised God for His mighty act which he saw and he publicized it for all people and nations in his realm to know and reverence God, to “tremble and fear before the living God”. “And men shall speak of the might of Thy terrible acts: and I will declare Thy greatness”. “To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom” (Psalm 145:6,12).  “He delivereth and rescueth.” God’s power is sufficient to govern and control all His creation - The fire, the lions, the raging tempest, the winds and the waves, the storm-tossed sea, even demons and men.  Our God will use all means at His disposal, angels, men and all His creation, to deliver His righteous children who trust in Him.  He has power to deliver and He will deliver His sons, saints and servants who are committed to His will, from troubles, temptations, trials and tyrants.  “And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible” (Jeremiah 15:21).  Though troops of messengers of danger and destruction surround us, He has promised to deliver and keep us safe and secure.  And we are “fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was (and He is) able also to perform” (Romans 4:21).

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Congregational Song:

   THE LORD JEHOVAH REIGNS

    

                         
• 1.The Lord Jehovah reigns:
        His throne is built on high,
        The garments He assumes
        Are light and majesty:
        His glories shine with beams so bright,
        No mortal eye can bear the sight.

   

                       
• 2.The thunders of His hand
        Keep the wide world in awe;
        His wrath and justice stand
        To guard His holy law;
        And where His love resolves to bless,
        His truth confirms and seals the grace.

   

                         
• 3.Through all His mighty works
        Amazing wisdom shines,
        Confounds the powers of hell,
        And breaks their dark designs;
        Strong is His arm, and shall fulfil,
        His great decrees and sovereign will.

   

                         
• 4.And will this sovereign King
        Of Glory condescend?
        And will He write His name
        My Father and my Friend?
        I love His name, I love His word,
        Join all my powers to praise the Lord.

For the free downloading of the audio and video message click on the link below and go into the "current Bible Study" hyperlink.

http://www.dclm.org/Resources/ResourcesDirectory/tabid/130/Default.aspx
http://www.dclm.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

The Crown of Glory
May 7, 2009

"She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee." (Proverbs 4:9)

There are five specific "crowns" mentioned in the New Testament as rewards for faithful service, presumably to be rewarded by Christ at His judgment seat (1 Corinthians 3:14).  These are the "incorruptible" crown (1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Corinthians 5:10); the "crown of righteousness" (2 Timothy 4:8); the "crown of rejoicing" (1 Thessalonians 2:19); "the crown of life" (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10); and lastly the "crown of glory" (1 Peter 5:4).

Although the crown of glory is mentioned only once in the New Testament, the phrase occurs four times in the Old Testament, each providing special insight into its character and scope.  The first is Proverbs 4:9: "|Wisdom| shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee."

The other three are, in order, as follows:

"The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness" (Proverbs 16:31).

"In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people" (Isaiah 28:5).

"Thou |probably a reference to the new Jerusalem| shalt also be a crown of glory in the land of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God" (Isaiah 62:3).

The one New Testament reference, in 1 Peter 5:4, is a wonderful promise to the faithful shepherds of each "little flock" (Luke 12:32) of believers: "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

We do not know exactly what these crowns will be composed of, but when we see the Lord, we shall lay each of them before His throne (Revelation 4:10). HMM