IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RENEW THEM

For the longest time I have wanted to research Hebrews 6:4-6 to confirm for myself if this applies to you and to me, those who have received grace and the gift of salvation. If we fall away? Can we even fall away? These questions have come up many times in our Bible study sessions, most say we cannot fall away, a few others seem support the prospect that a saved person can fall away and be lost forever. Here is the scripture as the NASB reflects:

(Heb 6:4) For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

(Heb 6:5) and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

(Heb 6:6) and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Jesus is recorded in John 10: 27-29 saying:

(Joh 10:27) "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

(Joh 10:28) and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

(Joh 10:29) "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

A very important question is then posed, and answered here:

(Rom 8:35) Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

(Rom 8:38) For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

(Rom 8:39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Unless I have missed something, scripture tells me that our wondrous gift of salvation is permanent and forever. The evidence of this is repentance, true repentance (the change made in us by Christ).

Since this is so, once drawn by God, once delivered, once accepted, we are His forever! Who then are those that have tasted of the heavenly gift? Partook of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word of God?

Biblical history and even today the landscape is littered with those of great intellectual abilities who have studied deeply the Gospel. Despite these studies, understanding, and even embracing the very tenants of the Word of God, they keep this knowledge sequestered as an intellectual only product, never once opening themselves to the spiritual. Promising but never committing. Accepting through the head and not through the heart, the soul. Salvation (conversion) never being had;

(Heb 10:26) For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

(Heb 10:27) but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.

I think I now understand Hebrews 6: 4-6 and its relation to those who failed to repent, to change, to accept with the spirit and not just with the head.

It would seem that when God offers His gift, there may not be an unlimited period of time for redemption. That topic will be a study for another time.

Have you read your Bible today? All of this and more is in The Book!

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RENEW THEM

For the longest time I have wanted to research Hebrews 6:4-6 to confirm for myself if this applies to you and to me, those who have received grace and the gift of salvation. If we fall away? Can we even fall away? These questions have come up many times in our Bible study sessions, most say we cannot fall away, a few others seem support the prospect that a saved person can fall away and be lost forever. Here is the scripture as the NASB reflects:

(Heb 6:4) For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

(Heb 6:5) and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

(Heb 6:6) and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Jesus is recorded in John 10: 27-29 saying:

(Joh 10:27) "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

(Joh 10:28) and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

(Joh 10:29) "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

A very important question is then posed, and answered here:

(Rom 8:35) Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

(Rom 8:38) For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

(Rom 8:39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Unless I have missed something, scripture tells me that our wondrous gift of salvation is permanent and forever. The evidence of this is repentance, true repentance (the change made in us by Christ).

Since this is so, once drawn by God, once delivered, once accepted, we are His forever! Who then are those that have tasted of the heavenly gift? Partook of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word of God?

Biblical history and even today the landscape is littered with those of great intellectual abilities who have studied deeply the Gospel. Despite these studies, understanding, and even embracing the very tenants of the Word of God, they keep this knowledge sequestered as an intellectual only product, never once opening themselves to the spiritual. Promising but never committing. Accepting through the head and not through the heart, the soul. Salvation (conversion) never being had;

(Heb 10:26) For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

(Heb 10:27) but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.

I think I now understand Hebrews 6: 4-6 and its relation to those who failed to repent, to change, to accept with the spirit and not just with the head.

It would seem that when God offers His gift, there may not be an unlimited period of time for redemption. That topic will be a study for another time.

Have you read your Bible today? All of this and more is in The Book!

ITS THE LORD

So many times I think we get so wrapped up in service projects and human programs what we THINK in our hearts that we are doing the will of the Lord. Oswald Chambers hit me right between the eyes this morning with his “re-adjustment” of my way of thinking. Perhaps I need to re-examine my motivation while serving. Am I serving the SYSTEM, or am I serving HIM?

“It Is the Lord!”

"Thomas answered and said to Him, ’My Lord and my God!’"

—John 20:28

Jesus said to her, ’Give Me a drink’ ” (John 4:7). How many of us are expecting Jesus Christ to quench our thirst when we should be satisfying Him! We should be pouring out our lives, investing our total beings, not drawing on Him to satisfy us. “You shall be witnesses to Me . . .” (Acts 1:8). That means lives of pure, uncompromising, and unrestrained devotion to the Lord Jesus, which will be satisfying to Him wherever He may send us.

Beware of anything that competes with your loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for Him. It is easier to serve than to pour out our lives completely for Him. The goal of the call of God is His satisfaction, not simply that we should do something for Him. We are not sent to do battle for God, but to be used by God in His battles. Are we more devoted to service than we are to Jesus Christ Himself? {Oswald Chambers}

FATHER, grant us wisdom through the Holy Spirit on a daily basis in order that we might see with our eyes and hear with our ears and think with our minds that which is pleasing to you, not of ourselves. Let us serve you and you alone and be ready to do your bidding at all times. In the name of JESUS of Nazareth, Amen.

ITS THE LORD

So many times I think we get so wrapped up in service projects and human programs what we THINK in our hearts that we are doing the will of the Lord. Oswald Chambers hit me right between the eyes this morning with his “re-adjustment” of my way of thinking. Perhaps I need to re-examine my motivation while serving. Am I serving the SYSTEM, or am I serving HIM?

“It Is the Lord!”

"Thomas answered and said to Him, ’My Lord and my God!’"

—John 20:28

Jesus said to her, ’Give Me a drink’ ” (John 4:7). How many of us are expecting Jesus Christ to quench our thirst when we should be satisfying Him! We should be pouring out our lives, investing our total beings, not drawing on Him to satisfy us. “You shall be witnesses to Me . . .” (Acts 1:8). That means lives of pure, uncompromising, and unrestrained devotion to the Lord Jesus, which will be satisfying to Him wherever He may send us.

Beware of anything that competes with your loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for Him. It is easier to serve than to pour out our lives completely for Him. The goal of the call of God is His satisfaction, not simply that we should do something for Him. We are not sent to do battle for God, but to be used by God in His battles. Are we more devoted to service than we are to Jesus Christ Himself? {Oswald Chambers}

FATHER, grant us wisdom through the Holy Spirit on a daily basis in order that we might see with our eyes and hear with our ears and think with our minds that which is pleasing to you, not of ourselves. Let us serve you and you alone and be ready to do your bidding at all times. In the name of JESUS of Nazareth, Amen.

OH I LOVE MY MOUNTAINS

And I Love my Valley's Too!

I love so much those special mountain-top moments with my Lord. You know those, times when God delivers a direct blessing to you through the in-dwelling Holy Spirit. It produces that remarkable sensation of extreme peace and joy that wells up from deep inside you. Filling your whole being, your entire body with that Holy pleasure, glee, happiness, security, love and calm. (this is the only way I can describe the feeling)

Then comes the time when we must come down from the mountain top and into the valley. I should look forward to spending time in the valley. Often though, I find myself wondering aloud where are those gleeful moments that I frequently get when on the mountain top? The feeling is like being directly plugged into God because you can see for miles in all directions. Down in the valley, you can't see very far. The voice of God seems to be quiet, perhaps vacant. Its almost like the signal from God's radio station has poor reception, deep in the valley.

It is during this time, in the valley, that I sometimes become discouraged. The Holy Spirit seems less responsive. Once in a while I even question why I am here. What am I supposed to do? What is my purpose? Where am I going?

Oh yes,..... then....THEN....I remember. The fruit is not produced high atop a mountain. It is in the valley where the work is done. Through the sweat of your toil, the planting of the seeds, the nurturing of the tender plant, it is HERE in the valley where the Fruit, is produced. Praise you Jesus. Praise you Holy Spirit. Only here, deep in the valley, is the accomplished work of our Lord realized. Here is where your faith carries you through. Here, in the valley is where the harvest is taken. It is where the work is performed. It is HERE in the valley where the Lord tests you, strengthens you, teaches you, grows you. The valley is where the TRUE work of Jesus takes place. Be comforted here. Be at peace. He may be quiet, here deep in the valley, but He sees you working hard for Him. What a beautiful sight that is in His eyes.

OH I LOVE MY MOUNTAINS

And I Love my Valley's Too!

I love so much those special mountain-top moments with my Lord. You know those, times when God delivers a direct blessing to you through the in-dwelling Holy Spirit. It produces that remarkable sensation of extreme peace and joy that wells up from deep inside you. Filling your whole being, your entire body with that Holy pleasure, glee, happiness, security, love and calm. (this is the only way I can describe the feeling)

Then comes the time when we must come down from the mountain top and into the valley. I should look forward to spending time in the valley. Often though, I find myself wondering aloud where are those gleeful moments that I frequently get when on the mountain top? The feeling is like being directly plugged into God because you can see for miles in all directions. Down in the valley, you can't see very far. The voice of God seems to be quiet, perhaps vacant. Its almost like the signal from God's radio station has poor reception, deep in the valley.

It is during this time, in the valley, that I sometimes become discouraged. The Holy Spirit seems less responsive. Once in a while I even question why I am here. What am I supposed to do? What is my purpose? Where am I going?

Oh yes,..... then....THEN....I remember. The fruit is not produced high atop a mountain. It is in the valley where the work is done. Through the sweat of your toil, the planting of the seeds, the nurturing of the tender plant, it is HERE in the valley where the Fruit, is produced. Praise you Jesus. Praise you Holy Spirit. Only here, deep in the valley, is the accomplished work of our Lord realized. Here is where your faith carries you through. Here, in the valley is where the harvest is taken. It is where the work is performed. It is HERE in the valley where the Lord tests you, strengthens you, teaches you, grows you. The valley is where the TRUE work of Jesus takes place. Be comforted here. Be at peace. He may be quiet, here deep in the valley, but He sees you working hard for Him. What a beautiful sight that is in His eyes.

Expand your horizons in 2016

When I woke this morning there were a few emails awaiting. Most were the Happy New Year greetings, but two had the Holy Spirit as attachments. One was from a woman who had just lost her husband of 47 years in the month before Christmas. His birthday celebration would have been December 23^rd. She struggled through this holiday and only this morning did it appear that her road might be a little straighter, a little smoother. I reminded her of God's love and compassion. That she is never alone, His strength walks with her no matter where her feet might trod. She will be clutching her Bible a little bit tighter in the days ahead.

The other Holy Spirit driven email (actually......they all are Holy Spirit Driven, we just seldom notice). This from a wonderful friend who served in the Army with me. We had been exchanging our opinions and views on world events, especially the huge up-tick in terror related violence, and the persecution and killing of Christians. He lost the love of his life several years ago, but carries her deep in his heart every day.

The dialog between us was clearly focused on the end times, and events taking shape before our eyes and their Biblical connection. I recommended to him a certain named study Bible that held a very high position of respect among others who are starting their personal relationship with God's Word. What struck a cord in me was discovering that his departed wife owned that very named study Bible and that it was in his house. I paused to Praise the Lord. It is awesome the way our Lord, our Jesus does His work, right before our eyes!!!

I despise New Year's Resolutions but permit me to Recommend a commitment, a personal promise, a sign on the dotted line agreement to read through the Bible in ONE YEAR, Genesis to Revelation, starting today. It's going to take some work, discipline, stick-to-it-ness, and management of your time. The benefit to everything in your life, will be extraordinary, wondrous, beautiful and absolutely satisfying. Along the way you will learn things you never knew, revisit that which you may have forgotten, and strengthen your ability to remain strong as the end times and the prophesy unfolds before us.

Here is an online resource that will greatly help you during this year's progress:

https://dgahdd04o9y11.cloudfront.net/assets/site/pdf/YearBiblePlan.pdf

Read with me this year. Read every day. Finish the Race. God Bless you and your family throughout this new year. May the love of our Lord Jesus fill your heart with peace and strength, AMEN.

Expand your horizons in 2016

When I woke this morning there were a few emails awaiting. Most were the Happy New Year greetings, but two had the Holy Spirit as attachments. One was from a woman who had just lost her husband of 47 years in the month before Christmas. His birthday celebration would have been December 23^rd. She struggled through this holiday and only this morning did it appear that her road might be a little straighter, a little smoother. I reminded her of God's love and compassion. That she is never alone, His strength walks with her no matter where her feet might trod. She will be clutching her Bible a little bit tighter in the days ahead.

The other Holy Spirit driven email (actually......they all are Holy Spirit Driven, we just seldom notice). This from a wonderful friend who served in the Army with me. We had been exchanging our opinions and views on world events, especially the huge up-tick in terror related violence, and the persecution and killing of Christians. He lost the love of his life several years ago, but carries her deep in his heart every day.

The dialog between us was clearly focused on the end times, and events taking shape before our eyes and their Biblical connection. I recommended to him a certain named study Bible that held a very high position of respect among others who are starting their personal relationship with God's Word. What struck a cord in me was discovering that his departed wife owned that very named study Bible and that it was in his house. I paused to Praise the Lord. It is awesome the way our Lord, our Jesus does His work, right before our eyes!!!

I despise New Year's Resolutions but permit me to Recommend a commitment, a personal promise, a sign on the dotted line agreement to read through the Bible in ONE YEAR, Genesis to Revelation, starting today. It's going to take some work, discipline, stick-to-it-ness, and management of your time. The benefit to everything in your life, will be extraordinary, wondrous, beautiful and absolutely satisfying. Along the way you will learn things you never knew, revisit that which you may have forgotten, and strengthen your ability to remain strong as the end times and the prophesy unfolds before us.

Here is an online resource that will greatly help you during this year's progress:

https://dgahdd04o9y11.cloudfront.net/assets/site/pdf/YearBiblePlan.pdf

Read with me this year. Read every day. Finish the Race. God Bless you and your family throughout this new year. May the love of our Lord Jesus fill your heart with peace and strength, AMEN.