"Rewards in Eternity"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article # 20 – “Rewards in Eternity”

            The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords, and King of kings, will return to gather His Church.  His Church consists of everyone who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

 “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:14-17)

The Church is the bride of Christ, the body of believers.  Jesus, at His own perfect time, will gather all of the believers together in Heaven.  Afterwards, we will come with Him, as His bride, back to earth as He comes to set up His Kingdom on earth.  And, we will spend the rest of eternity with Him.

            While we do not know the day or the hour of His coming, we should be expecting it to happen at any time and should be ready.  We, in our present life, are preparing in all that we do and say, for the time to come when we will spend eternity with Him.  We are to conduct our lives in such a way as to not be embarrassed when we come face to face with Him.  “Now, little children, 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 2:28)  To abide in Him would mean for us to maintain a loving fellowship with Him.  In having continuing fellowship with Him would mean that we would be confident to stand before Him.  However, if we do not abide with Him, there is the distinct possibility that we would be ashamed to stand in His presence.

There is even more reason for conducting ourselves in a way that would please Him.  We will come before Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  At that meeting, we will be judged according to our conduct as believers.  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (1 Cor. 5:10)  This does not mean that our entry into eternity is in jeopardy but our rewards are at stake.  The judgment of what we have done will determine the quality and quantity of our rewards.   What kind of deeds we have done in this life preparing for the next life will determine what kind, if any, rewards we will receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish

"Be Ambassadors"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #19 – “Be Ambassadors”

            Those who believe, have a responsibility to represent Christ in the world.  We are His ambassadors!  “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20)  What an awesome responsibility we have.  We must tell others about Him.  But, that is not all; we must also live a Christian lifestyle.  Others should recognize a Christian by his words and deeds, or fruits. 

            Jesus said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matt. 16:24)  There are three points contained in this verse which a disciple of Christ must try to follow.

            First, we must “deny ourselves”. This simply means that we must put aside anything which would interfere with our service to Him.  To deny ourselves would mean to become less self-centered and more Christ-centered.

            Secondly, we must “take up our cross”.  Christ already bore His cross at Calvary where He shed His innocent blood to pay for our sins.  Now, we must carry our cross for Him.  This means we must take a stand on moral issues and speak out against all forms of evil.  This is not a comfortable position to take.  It is much easier to stay clear of many issues confronting society today such as; the whole LGBT movement, abortion, divorce and remarriage, and many other hot-button issues of the day.  But, we must take a stand which often will cause us insult, sacrifice, and rejection.  This is the cross we are to bear for the sake of Christ.

            Thirdly, we must “follow Him”.  In following Christ, we must always seek to do His will in all things.  This means we must learn from His word what His instructions to us are, and then follow those instructions.

            We are instructed over and over in the Bible about how to follow Christ.  The Apostle Paul pretty well summed it up by saying, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Col. 3:17)

            If you are going to be in the ball game, you have to take your turn at bat.  Even if you strike out, and we all do from time to time, you still should be up there swinging instead of just standing there with the bat on your shoulder.  Much of the New Testament is written to point out sinful behavior.  Even though we are believers in Jesus Christ does not make a Christian perfect in this life.  It takes a lot of effort to live a good Christian life and there are many failures as we attempt to do that.  However, we must keep as our goal and our focal point, the Lord Jesus Christ and do everything we are capable of to serve Him.  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:10-12)

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish

"Saved Through Faith"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article # 18 – “Saved Through Faith”

There are so many ways for people to be confused about Christianity.  This is certainly nothing new.  Confusion about the qualifications of Christians began not long after the Church came into existence.  The Jews questioned the validity of the Gentile converts.  The Jews believed the Gentiles must first be circumcised and could not eat certain foods.  The Apostle Paul had a real confrontation with the Council at Jerusalem over these issues. (Acts 15)  The issue was settled then and should remain settled.  There is only one requirement for being a child of God’s.  You must believe in Jesus Christ through faith.  “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40)  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8, 9)

           

There are still some who question what you must do to be saved.  Some feel you must be baptized to be saved.  Others think you must speak in tongues.  I am sure there are many other man-made requirements.  I read once where a person, when asked if he was going to heaven responded; “I am surely going to hell because I have lost my baptism certificate.”  It is sad that there is so much confusion about such a simple plan of salvation set forth by God.  We are not under laws such as circumcision, baptism, diets and others.  Those laws are imposed by man.  Paul’s confrontation with the Council at Jerusalem was to point out that Christian liberty depends on understanding that salvation is by grace alone, through Christ alone received by faith alone. (Eph. 2:4-9)  Where does faith come from, from the word of God.  “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the work of Christ.” (Rom 10:17)

            Baptism does not make you a Christian.  There are millions of infants baptized a few weeks after birth.  That does not save them.  When they come to the age of accountability, that is when they come to the age where they can understand the gospel, they will then have to believe in Jesus Christ to be saved.  Baptism should follow conversion not precede it.  Speaking in tongue is no sign you are save, the pagans spoke in tongues.  There is only one thing that can reconcile you with God, that is, believe in Jesus Christ. 

            God has a perfect plan of salvation, one which is so simple that anyone who desires will find it.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish

"Be On the Alert"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article # 17 – “Be On the Alert”

            When we believe in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross, we are forgiven of our sins and promised eternal life with Christ.  This is the greatest act of forgiveness we could ever know, one which delivers us from eternal death to eternal life.

            That is not where forgiveness ends.  We are commanded by Christ to forgive one another.  There is constant strife in the world and too often, conflict within the church.  This sometimes results from a statement made with no malice intended.  It also can come from a difference of opinion on a certain subject.  Regardless of the reason for feeling offended, we are to forgive, reconstruct our relationship, and move on in a positive direction.  When Jesus was asked by Peter, “’Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?  Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’” (Matt. 18: 21, 22)

            There should be few disagreements and no animosity between believers.  We may not agree on every little thing, but it must not cause separation as we are brothers and sisters in Christ.  The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Corinth wrote, “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and that there be no division among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Cor. 1:10)  Any difference can and must be faced up to and worked out.

            We must be forgiving to our brothers and sisters in Christ, because we are commanded to forgive all men.  “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matt. 6: 14, 15)

            Let us remember; “Now the deed of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and the things like these of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, hoy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Gal. 5: 19-23)  When we are offended, let us go out of our way to resolve the difference so that it does not fester and get out of hand.  Then, let us always guard ourselves against the possibility of offending others.  “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.  Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. (Eph. 4:25-27)  We must always be careful with our behavior as the Lord advises us in His word; “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8)

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish

"More of God's Will"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article # 15 – “More of God’s Will”

Article #12 was written about “God’s Will For you”.  It was felt that more could be pointed out regarding this most important subject.  Most of us go about wondering, what is God’s will for me?  His will is revealed to us through the word He has given us.  The only way we can find His will then, is by reading the Bible.

            Romans chapter 12 contains instructions of what God’s will is for His children and how to accomplish it. “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  That you may prove what the will of god is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom 12: 1, 2)  So, God’s will is that we should not be conformed to the world, but transformed by a renewing of our mind.  Romans 12, goes on to inform us that we are to love one another, abhor evil and pursue what is good.  We are to be devoted to one another in brotherly love, fervent in spirit serving the Lord, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.  These are only a few things pointed out in this chapter which we can do to carry out God’s will.

            There are countless instructions in the Bible concerning God’s will for you and me.  “And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.  See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men.  Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything five thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5: 14-18)

            These are but a sample of the instructions we can follow in performing God’s will.  We must read, study, pray, and apply the word of God to our daily lives.  You may have said by now; I know these things but cannot seem to apply them, how do I accomplish these things?  It is not an easy task.  I believe that the great Apostles had a daily struggle against the forces of evil, and it is no different for us today.  We are confronted daily with two forces, those of evil and those of good.  But, it is as the Apostle Paul stated in Romans, we must be transformed by a renewing of the mind.  The more good we put into our minds the more good comes out, and the less room we have for evil.  “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:2)  The more of God’s word we can put into our mind the closer we will walk with the Him.

            This subject goes on and on, but I will close by encouraging you to read Ephesians 4: 17-24 and 6: 10-17 for a further view of what each of us must strive to do, which is God’s will for you and me.

            You can have victory in Jesus!  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish

"Our Substitute"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #14 – Our Substitute

            In the beginning, God created the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all that is in them.  He then created man, Adam, in God’s own image and He said “it was very good”.  Then, Adam disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  That original sin of disobedience created a separation between God and man.  Man was left with no way back to God.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)  However, God promised in Genesis chapter 3, that someone was coming that would defeat Satan and death, and give man the opportunity to be reconciled to God.

            “The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end’”. (Luke 1:30-33)  He has come to bruise the head of Satan, to destroy him and to defeat death.  The angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds, “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”. (Luke 2:10, 11)  The someone whom God promised in Genesis chapter three, some six thousand years earlier, has come.  This is the reason for the celebration over Christmas and should be celebrated every day.  This should be a message of peace and joy and blessings to all at all times of the year.  We should all be jumping for joy that God the Father in Heaven has given us a way or a path back to Him, to fellowship, love, peace, and joy in His eternal presence one day in the future.

            Why did Jesus come?  “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)  Because of the sin of Adam in the Garden of Eden, all mankind since then has been born into sin, separated from God.  The penalty for that is eternal condemnation, separation from God.  But, God gave us the perfect gift, the only one that really counts, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:16, 17)  Jesus came to give Himself as a substitutionary death to pay the price we owed.  “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor. 5:21)  What a simple plan of salvation but it was not without a terrible price, humiliation, torture, and death on the cross for you and me.

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish

Your Inheritance

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #14 – Your inheritance

There is a bumper sticker seen occasionally that reads, “A Christian is not perfect, just forgiven”.  This is a great statement, but one which should not be used to cover up a sinful way of life.  We know that we cannot become perfect in this world.  The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Philippians stated that he had not obtained perfection but, he would press on toward it, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. (Phil. 3: 12-16)  We will not reach perfection in this life but, we are instructed to keep striving toward it so that each day we may come closer than the day before.  This requires Bible study, fellowship, prayer, and a desire to become better than before.

Forgiven might well be the most important word in the Bible.  We are born in sin and separated from God, but Christ died on the cross that our sin might be forgiven.  Without forgiveness from God, there is only eternal condemnation.  If you do not believe, by faith, that Jesus Christ is the living Son of God, you are not forgiven and the penalty of this sin is death.  (Rom 6: 23)

In our world today, young men cannot wait to inherit from his family and, old men want desperately to leave a large inheritance for his children.  Most people spend a lifetime trying to fill their bag with all they can possess, but end up with an empty one.  A young man whose bag was full of material things was spoken of by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, “… it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matt. 19: 24)   Think of all the effort which has been expended to find material wealth when the unmeasurable, eternal wealth and glory awaits all, just for the asking.  There is no cost for the ticket to heaven.  It is a free gift by the grace of God.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  (Eph. 2: 8, 9)  If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He came to save the world from sin, then God will forgive you of your sin and the gift of eternal life will be yours.  You will be a fellow heir with Christ to the Kingdom of God (Rom. 8:16, 17).  The eternal inheritance will be yours and you can begin to enjoy it right now.

You can have victory in Jesus!  More will follow.

Lowell Parrish

Who Will Be Saved?

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #13

            There is a great account found in chapter ten of the book of Acts.  This is a tremendously important message of Cornelius seeking God, and of God, preparing Peter to put aside prejudices that he might present the gospel to the Roman centurion and his household.  God set up the circumstances in which Peter could present the gospel; the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The gospel which Peter presented must be revealed before an unbelieving sinner can be saved.  The unbeliever must understand what Christ has done for him.  For it is by the grace of God through faith that we are save.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”(Eph. 2: 8, 9)  Where does that faith come from?  “So then faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10: 17)  Cornelius had to believe in Jesus Christ through faith in order to become a child of God, which he did.  This is a great illustration of the magnificent grace of God in carrying out His perfect and simple plan of salvation.

            There is another message contained in this same account of Cornelius.  Cornelius was, “a devout man, and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people, and prayed to God continuously.” (Acts 10: 2)  Cornelius was an extremely religious person, but he did not have Jesus Christ in his life.  Regardless of his continual prayer and his generosity, without a saving knowledge of, and belief in Jesus Christ, there can be only eternal condemnation.  Even a religious person without Christ is lost.  Before a person can enter into the Kingdom of God, he must believe, “He who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” (Rom. 4: 25)  Good works are not enough.  Regular church attendance or church membership is not adequate.  Being a good person does not do it.  The only way is, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” (Acts 16: 31)

            There are millions of people in the world today, who are devout religious people like Cornelius.  People who attend church regularly, give generously, and work feverishly in the church, but who do not have a personal relationship with the Lord.  This is, to a great extent, failure on the part of the church.  This failure is by pastors and lay people who put too much emphasis on appearance and ceremony rather than on Christ.  But, the ultimate responsibility is on the individual.  It is not necessarily a good person who goes to heaven; it is only one who believes in Jesus Christ.  Conversely, it is not necessarily a bad person who goes to hell; it is everyone who rejects Jesus Christ.

            Therefore, Jesus said, “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks find, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.”  (Matt. 7: 8)  Jesus was speaking of an eternal treasure which can only be found in Him.  If you are not absolutely sure that when you die you will go to heaven, then do as Cornelius.  Seek the Lord diligently and He will be revealed to you.

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More will follow.

Lowell Parrish

"God's will for you"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #12

            What is God’s will for you?  I spent a great deal of time through several years trying to answer that question for myself.  I know that He wanted more of me than just attending church one hour each week, but I couldn’t seem to find the answer.  I am certain that most Christians experience the same confusion in trying to discover God’s will.  Through the Scriptures, God has revealed what His will is for all of His children.  His will is revealed page after page in the Bible.

            If we are really concerned about how we are to serve God or how we can do what He wants us to do, we cannot just sit and wait for Him to speak to us through a burning bush.  He does not speak to us today as He did to Moses, the Prophets, and other important people in the Old Testament.  He speaks to us today through His Word, the Scriptures.

            The Bible is like the operator’s manual you get with your car.  If you follow the manufactures instructions contained in the manual, you get the best possible results in operating the vehicle, you are less likely to have a break-down.  The same is true in following the instructions laid out by God through the manual He has given us.  If we do as we are instructed in the Bible, we will be doing His will and we will have fewer break-downs.  Again, this is not unlike your car, in that if you wait until after your car has fallen apart. It can be very costly to put it back together or, is not of much value.  We must read the manual in order to prevent this costly repair.  The same is true in doing God’s will.  Paul says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2)  We must first read and study our operator’s manual, the Bible, as a preventive measure to insure proper operation and avoid costly mistakes in the way we live.  If we do not follow the Bible’s instructions, we will most likely be of little or no value to Him.  Too often, when we read the instructions, we still fail in many areas.  But, if we do not read and try our best to follow His instructions, we do not have a chance in accomplishing what we want so much to do, to serve Him and carry out His will. 

            The Bible states, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequately equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17)  It is important that we read the Bible instead of trying to rely on someone else to tell us what it says and what it means.  If we do that we will find ourselves in the position of what Paul warns of; “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by the craftiness in deceitful scheming.” (Eph. 4:14)  Instead, we are to be like the Bereans, “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More will follow.

Lowell Parrish

Despair

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article # 11 – “Overcoming Despair”

            Often we feel depressed and that things have really fallen in on us.  This is not an uncommon situation.  There is job pressures, financial pressures, family pressures, and just general social pressures.  It is easy to experience this kind of pressure with the world being as it is.  It can result from either a mental or physical condition.  The challenge is, how do we pick ourselves up from those feelings of despair?

            To avoid this or to overcome it, we must become aware of the continual presence of God.  The author of Hebrews wrote, “Let your conduct be without covetousness: and be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’  So that we may boldly say:  ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?’” (Heb. 13: 5, 6)  Psalms 139 speaks also of the presence of God where ever we are.  Knowing this, we should be able to gain victory over any depression we may experience.

            The victory we experience may not be one of overcoming a physical problem or a problem of another nature.  Our victory is an inner peace and fellowship with our Lord.  God allows suffering to come into our lives that we might become stronger through them.  He uses these trials to test our faith (1 Pet. 1:6-9).

In reading the account of Job in the Old Testament, we see that Job experienced the loss of family, the loss of material things, his friends accused him, and he suffered from physical problems.  All these things but, in the midst of all his suffering he continued to trust God, knowing He would not depart from him.  We, like Job, must remember that the Lord is always with us and in complete control of all things.  “Trust in the Lord with all you heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3: 5, 6)

There are many other examples in the Bible we should look to and follow.  While ministering in Lystra, the Apostle Paul was stoned, dragged out of town and left for dead.  What did Paul do?  He got up, walked back into Lystra, and continued to bring glory to God. (Acts 14: 19, 20)

When we find ourselves in the pits of despair and there seems to be no way out, remember the suffering that Jesus went through for our sakes that we might have eternal life through Him.  Jesus, through His suffering, brought glory to God the Father.  We, with a proper attitude, can also bring glory to God in our suffering.

If you are a Christian and are currently suffering, read 2 Corinthians 4: 6-18.  God loves you and will never forsake you!  Let us follow Paul’s example; get up and get going, so that we may become an example someone else would want to follow.

You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish                                                                                                         

Cause of Suffering?

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #10 – “Cause of Suffering?”

            I heard an interview on television of a person who had experienced a terrible tragedy in her family.  She pointed out that she blamed God for the loss of her child and was completely turning away from Him.  The child was killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken driver.  A person might say, how can a loving God cause such a thing to happen?

            It is my personal belief that God, even though He has control over all things, does not cause bad things to come into our lives.  Adams failure in the Garden of Eden, by allowing himself to obey Satan rather than God, is the cause of suffering in the world. It was man who failed God, not God who failed man. (Gen. 3)  It is man’s disobedience that brought continual deterioration of all creation, including man.  Ever since that time, Satan has been busy trying to control the world and influence what happens to man.  Therefore, Satan is the cause of the sufferings and misery in the world.

            In the account of the suffering of Job, God said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job?  For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” (Job 1:8)  God then allowed Satan to test Job that Job might prove himself devoted to God.  In the New Testament, there are many examples showing the most devoted Christians suffering.  Stephen, a servant of God was stoned to death for preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Paul, the greatest evangelist the world has ever known, was beheaded.  And, the Apostle Peter was crucified for preaching Christ.  Why would God cause suffering and death to come upon His most faithful and trustworthy servants, surely not to punish them, for they were His faithful servants.  Satan is the enemy, not God.

            I believe God allows, not causes, suffering among believers for three main purposes.  One, we might prove ourselves faithful to God.  Two, the body of Christ might be strengthened.  The third reason would be to discipline His children, because He loves us. “’For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.’  It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Heb. 12: 6, 7)

            Therefore, when we find ourselves in a state of suffering or depression, let us not concentrate on ourselves and our afflictions, but focus our attention on heavenly things rather than earthly things. (Col. 3: 1-4)  Let us try to understand what God is trying to teach us through our trials.  “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom. 5:3-5)

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More will follow.

Lowell Parrish

Why Tribulation?

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article # 9 – “Why Tribulation?”

The Supreme Court of the United States has announced recently that it is okay to have prayer at a public meeting such as a City Council meeting.  Also, recently, a young man was suspended from high school for reading his Bible in school.  Each of these situations has caused many people a lot of grief, or tribulation.  There are situations that we are confronted with each and every day that cause us great tribulation.  Some are extreme and some are not quite so extreme.  How are we to see such tribulation?

            Everything that enters into our lives should cause us to look to God for wisdom in handling tribulations.  God tells us in His Word, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; perseverance proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom. 5: 3-5)

            It is difficult, to say the least, to understand how a person can be suffering and at the same time be extremely joyful.  First we must understand that God uses tribulations to build our faith and trust in Him; to improve our character; and to help mold us into the image of His Son.  If a Christian has a proper attitude during a period of suffering, God will make these things a reality in his life.  With a proper attitude during these trials, the believer also brings glory to God.

            The Holy Spirit was given because of the tremendous love of God.  Each Christian, the exact moment he believes in Jesus Christ, is given the Holy Spirit to dwell within the heart of the believer.  He is given by Christ to the child of God to carry out many ministries:

1.     He teaches the believer. (1 John 2: 27)

2.     He helps the believer. (John 14: 16, 17)

3.     He empowers the believer for witnessing. (Acts 1: 8)

4.     He regenerates the believer. (Titus 3: 5)

5.     He helps the believer to pray. (Rom. 8: 26)

6.     He gives assurance of Salvation. (Rom. 8: 16)

7.     He conforms the believer into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3: 18)

8.     He administers the spiritual gifts given by Christ. (Eph. 4: 7, 8)

There are other functions of the Holy Spirit in the Church.  His most important function is not to exalt Himself, but to place Christ above everything else in the heart of each child of God.  Christ is to be the very center of our lives.

            Thank God for the tribulations He allows to come to us to strengthen our faith and character.  And, thank God for the love He has proven by giving us the Holy Spirit who dwells in our heart and controls our lives as a new creation in Christ Jesus our Lord, if we allow Him.

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More will follow.

Lowell Parrish

The Perfect Sacrifice

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article # 8 – “The Perfect Sacrifice”

One of the greatest verses in the Bible is found in Romans, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)  Beginning in the Garden of Eden, man has turned his back on God.  Man has not honored God and has placed other things before Him. (Rom. 1:18-25)  Placing above God such things as; money, social recognition, power, pride, and so on.  But, because of God’s tremendous love for us He turned back to man, giving us an opportunity to be reunited to Him through offering the perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sin.  Now man can turn back to God through believing in that sacrifice, the death on the cross of His only begotten Son.  Those who choose to believe in Jesus and His tremendous act of love have been justified by faith. 

            “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” (Rom. 8:9)  Therefore, those who believe will not come under the judgment of God.  There is coming a period of time in which God will pour out His wrath upon all unbelieving sinners.  “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.  Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” (Matt. 24:21, 22)  This will be suffering beyond any that man has ever known.  A time of suffering which we cannot begin to imagine, when Satan is allowed to have complete control over the earth.  All the power and wealth of this world cannot buy for you a safe place from the coming wrath of God upon unbelieving man.  “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3: 36)

            Another benefit of justification is that we are reconciled to Him. “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Rom. 5:10)  Through the death of His Son we are reunited with God, we are restored to harmony with Him.  Through this we become sons and daughters of His through adoption (Eph. 1:5).  We become heirs of God, fellow heirs with Christ.  “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Rom. 8:16, 17)   

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More will follow.

Lowell Parrish

God Chose Abraham?

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #6 – “Atonement for Sins”

               Why did God choose Abraham?  God chose Abram, later to be known as Abraham, to father a new nation.  This would become the Nation of Israel, the Jewish nation.  He developed this nation to show the rest of the people of the world His power, His love, grace, mercy, and His other many attributes through His people.  Through all of the Old Testament times, there was only one way the Jews had to cover all of their sins.  It could only be done by the slaughter of animals, the shedding of the animal’s blood.  This atoning sacrifice could only be accomplished by one person, which was the Jewish high priest.  Before he could atone for the sins of the people, he had to atone for his own sins.  This sacrifice had to occur within the Holy of Holies.  No one but the high priest could even enter the holy of holies.  The high priest was the only one who had access to God for making amends for the sin of himself and the people.

               Now, as the result of the sacrifice of Jesus by the shedding of His blood on the cross for our sins, He has washed our sins away.  Jesus is now our eternal high priest.  “For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” (Heb. 7:26, 27)  He died on that cross once for all sin and for all people, once for all.

               By believing in Jesus Christ, we now have free access to our Heavenly Father through Christ who is our eternal high priest.  Each believer has obtained free admission to the throne of God through Jesus Christ and his/her sin can be forgiven by simply asking.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)  We have a hot-line to heaven, no longer do we have to sacrifice animals for our sins to be covered.  We now have Jesus as our intercessor, our mediator between us and our heavenly Father.  We, also, have the Holy Spirit who intercedes for us.  “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom. 8:26, 27)  The saints, mentioned above, are all who have believed in Jesus Christ.  Like the song says;

                              What a friend we have in Jesus,

                              All our sins and griefs to bear!

                              What a privilege to carry

                              Everything to God in prayer!

               You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  God bless you and yours.  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish

Easter Rocks!

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #7 – “The Gospel”

This article was written for Easter weekend which is one of the two greatest weekends in the entire year.  This is an event or a special time which should be celebrated every week.  Friday through Sunday is a special time we can reflect on the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus.  The Apostle Paul wrote, “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.” (1 Cor. 15: 1, 2)  This is the time for us to reflect on the gospel being carried out.

It is not about Easter bunnies, colored eggs, and baskets of candy, it is about the gospel as spelled out by Paul, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” (1 Cor. 15: 3-5)  He then appeared to over five hundred witnesses and James.  Then forty days later he ascended to be seated at the right hand of His Father in Heaven.  This event, some two thousand years ago demonstrated the tremendous love, grace, and mercy that God poured out upon us through His Son, Jesus Christ.  If this great event had not occurred, everyone born since the beginning of man would be destined to spend eternity separated from God in a place that Jesus call Hell.  What a horrific event for Jesus and yet a glorious event for mankind.

I began by saying that Easter is one of the two greatest events; the other great event is Christmas.  On Christmas, we celebrate His birth.  Jesus was born so that He could die for us.  Jesus said to Martha after raising her brother, Lazarus, from his grave, “Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?  She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ; the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.’” (John 11: 25, 26)

What will your answer be to that question as we reflect and as we celebrate what God has done for us through His Son?  Praise God for His awesome love for us that He would send His only Son to die that we might have life through Him.

You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More will follow.

Lowell Parrish

Justification

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article # 5—Justified By Faith

            Before we can know what we have received by believing in Jesus Christ, there are a few term we must understand.  One of these is justification.  Justification is a divine act whereby an infinitely, Holy God, judicially declares a believing sinner to be righteous.

            Imagine yourself in a courtroom on trial for your very life.  You are, by God the Father, convicted of sin.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3: 23)  Then Jesus appears and takes your place and your penalty upon Himself and sheds His blood on the cross for you.  Through this substitutionary death, the one who by faith believes, is acquitted and no longer comes under the judgment of sin and death.  The apostle Paul stated, “Being justified as a gift by His (God’s) grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 3: 24)

            A second term we must understand is faith.  “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11: 1)  There is a song that says;

                        I never saw the cross He carried up to Calvary’s Hill,

                        And I never saw the precious blood that my Savior spilled,

                        And I never saw the mob that cried let Him be crucified.

                        No, I never saw it, but I believe for me He died.

            We must believe through faith, Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed?  Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believe.” (John 20: 29)

            This brings us to one of several benefits of justification.  “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5: 1)  The peace spoken of here does not mean an absence of difficulty and trouble, but is an inner peace which can only come through Jesus Christ.  It is a peace we can have in our hearts in spite of the circumstances we find ourselves in.  This peace is the result of knowing our sin has been forgiven and we will have eternal life with Him.  This comes from knowing that we stand in the presence of God with a righteousness He can accept and, only He can give through His son. 

            Oh, what love, grace, and mercy the heavenly Father has poured out through His Son upon those who believe.

You can have victory in Jesus!  More will follow.

Lowell Parrish

What is it about Jesus?

Victory Can Be Yours

(Art. 4)

               In the first three articles, it was pointed out how simple it is to be saved, to live eternally with God.  However, if you do not already understand, you are probably wondering what it is about Jesus that we should know. 

               There are a few things that we must understand about ourselves and about Jesus Christ.  The first is that we, meaning everyone born since Adam was created, are born into sin and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom 3: 23)  Everyone is separated from God because of sin, which is; lying, stealing, gossip, murder, or any offense against God or good morals.  Sin entered into this world because Adam disobeyed God’s only commandment to him which forbid him from eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Gen. 2: 15-17)  This single act of disobedience caused the separation between God and man, destroying the harmony which had previously existed.  In Romans, the apostle Paul writes, “For the wages of sin is death ….” (Rom. 6:23a)  Death is the punishment for our sin which means, separation from God.  Because of God’s tremendous love, grace, and mercy, he has provided a way in which our sins could be forever forgiven and we could be reconciled to Him.  The second part of the Romans passage states, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6: 23b)

               The second thing we need to understand is what Jesus has done to pave the way to reconciliation.  According to 1 Corinthians, the gospel (Good News) is made known to the readers of Paul’s epistle.  Paul describes the good news of Jesus Christ as the His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried and that He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures.  He then appeared to the twelve disciples and five hundred others and last of all, to the apostle Paul. (1 Cor. 15: 1-11)  Jesus then ascended into heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.

               Jesus said, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6: 40)

               You can have victory in Jesus! More to follow!

Lowell Parrish