HOW I ASCERTAIN THE WILL OF GOD---GEORGE MULLER

George Muller was a man with a reputation. It was a good reputation. His reputation was that he trusted God. In all the years of his orphanage in Britain, this brother, who was a Prussian immigrant, trusted in Christ. How did he know God's will? This is what he said:

1. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that
it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter.

Nine-tenths of the trouble with people is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.

2. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling of
simple impression. If I do so, I make myself liable to great
delusions.

3. I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection
with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined.
If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word I lay myself open to
great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will
do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.

4. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These
often plainly indicate God's will in connection with his Word and
Spirit,

5. I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.

6. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and
reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best
of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and
continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accord-­
ingly.

In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective.

THE NOT NEW GOSPEL--W. F. BELL

SCRIPTURE MEDITATIONS

Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:20

What is it to truly preach the gospel? This question is asked by each new generation, and rightly so. So the question is now being asked again here, and we wish to give you the forthright answer from the infallible Word of God. It really comes down to mainly five things, all delineated plainly in Scripture: (1) The Cross, (2) God's Kingdom, (3) The Word, (4) Heartfelt Assurance, and (5) God's Grace. Look at these wonderful truths with us, remembering "What is true is not new." So here is the old, old story of Jesus and his love, "the not new gospel."

The Cross of Christ is central to all gospel preaching. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18). "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men" (v. 25). The Cross is the good news of God's gospel. It is the only hope for all bankrupt sinners. The gospel is for sinners only, and if you do not feel guilty of sin, there is nothing but "bad news" for you. "Being NOW justified by his blood" (Romans 5:9). The blood of Christ effectually saves and justifies all of the elect of God. What glorious news this is! Nothing ever told or heard by mortal man equals or surpasses this news. Christ's blood alone "redeems" us (Ephesians 1:7), and God has "made peace" between himself and sinners "through the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20). "Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). There is forgiveness of sin no other way, but "the way of the cross." None, never!

The Kingdom of God (the domain of the King) is loudly proclaimed in gospel preaching. "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him" (Acts 28:30-31). It is God's Kingdom that we emphasize, not the kingdoms of men, which are sure to perish. Christ is truly Lord of his church, and King in Zion, with no rivals or vice-regents. All saints bow to Christ's holy authority! "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power" (I Corinthians 4:20). We enter this spiritual kingdom by a new birth from above (John 3:3).

If the word of God is ever sent to us "in power, and in the Holy Spirit," it will also bring us "much assurance" (I Thessalonians 1:5). In true gospel preaching, "the word" (2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 4:12) is brought forth, and in clear language we learn that Christ Jesus is the only Saviour of sinners, the Holy Spirit is our Convincer and Comforter, and God's grace alone has sovereignly sought us, bought us, and taught us! "Chosen in Christ." "Bought with a price." "And they shall be all taught of God." "To the praise of the glory of his grace." We only know these things from the revealed fountain of all truth, the inspired Scripture, which must never be added to, or nothing taken from.

At the close of Revelation, it is no wonder that John "heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God" (19:1). By grace alone, may we humbly join in singing the same to the worthy Lamb of God, "declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4). This is "the gospel of God," and our only desire is to proclaim it in all its fulness, in all its sweetness, and in all its power. All hail King Jesus!

BEFORE AND DURING THE CALL---CHARLES SPURGEON

"It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, l will hear" (Isaiah 65:24).

Quick work this! The LORD hears us before we call and often answers us in the same speedy manner. Foreseeing our needs and our prayers, He so arranges providence that before the need actually arises He has supplied it, before the trial assails us He has armed us against it. This is the promptitude of omniscience, and we have often seen it exercised. Before we dreamed of the affliction which was coming, the strong consolation which was to sustain us under it had arrived. What a prayer-answering God we have! The second clause suggests the telephone. Though God be in heaven and we upon earth, yet He makes our word, like His own word, to travel very swiftly, When we pray aright we speak into the ear of God. Our gracious Mediator presents our petitions at once, and the great Father hears them and smiles upon them. Grand praying this! Who would not be much in prayer when he knows that he has the ear of the King of kings? This day I will pray in faith, not only believing that I shall be heard, but that I am heard; not only that I shall be answered, but that I have the answer already. Holy Spirit, help me in this! (From Faith's Checkbook for August 13th)

ESSENTIALS OF CHRISTOLOGY---CHARLES ROSSON

My dear friend in Arkansas has many years under his belt, serving the Lord. You can email this gentleman, and he will put you on his email list. He rounds up some very good material, and writes a lot of his own. Recommended cw.

From time to time all wise believers in Jesus Christ will want to review
these basic, fundamental truths about the eternal, preexistent second
Person of the holy trinity aka as the triune Godhead: God the Father,
God the Son and God the Spirit. (Ephesians 1:3-14)

1. His virginal (supernatural) conception
2. His virtuous (sinless) life
3. His vicarious (substitutionary) death
4. His victorious (sensational) resurrection
5. His vigilant (strengthening) intercession
6. His visible (spectacular) return

Let's Tell others

Jesus Christ came and
(I Timothy 1:15-17) that
He is coming again.
(I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Most believe neither of these truths ...
I believe both and hope you do, too.


Forwarded to Help You Help Others
Charles Wayne Rosson - Serving Jesus Christ Since 1953
Pastor / Evangelist / Chaplain / Bible Teacher / Friend of Sinners
1323 West Stultz Road / Springdale, AR 72764 USA
479-750-3636