A FEW MORSELS FOR YOU FROM CHARLES WOODRUFF

                                             UNIVERSALISM ANYONE?
A Universal Notice- “God ---now commandeth all men everywhere to Repent.” Acts 17:30.
 
A Universal Necessity-----“As it is written, there is none righteous,
no, not one.” Romans 3:10 (cp. With Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1).
 
A Universal Neglect----“There is none that understandeth, there is
none that seeketh after God”. Romans 3:11(cp with Psalm 14:2
and Psalm 53:2).


                                                GOD'S  SOVEREIGNTY
“ We say again, God’s sovereignty is never meant to destroy
man’s responsibility. We are to make diligent use of all the means
which God has appointed for the salvation of souls. We are bidden to preach the gospel to ‘every creature’. Grace is free; the invitation is broad enough to take in ‘whosoever believeth’. Christ turns away
none who come to him. Yet, after we have done all, after we have
planted and watered, it is God who ‘giveth the increase’ and this he
does as best pleaseth his sovereign will.”
The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross, Chapter 2   “The Word of Salvation”---A.W Pink

                       SCRIPTURES THAT AIN'T SCRIPTURES
“God helps those who help themselves.”
“Give God a chance.”
“Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
“Prayer changes things.”
“You take the first step--God will do the rest.”
“Let God save you today.”
“Money is the root of all evil.”
“He who builds a bridge will have to cross it one day.”
All of the above sayings are mistaken for Bible quotes. Some are distorted quotes, some not even near quotes of true scriptures. Not all of these sayings are bad, or grossly untrue, just not in the Bible.
                                
                              PROFOUND THOUGHTS
The Old Testament is an account of a nation.
The New Testament is an account of a MAN.
The Nation was founded and nurtured of God,
To bring the MAN into the world.
Quoted from: Halley’s Bible Handbook. Great words, I would only add this:
The MAN spoken of is the GOD-MAN, Jesus Christ.
 
                     REFLECTIONS FROM LUTHER
Three A.M. February 18, 1546---Martin Luther’s dying words:   “We are beggars, this is true. God is free, utterly free in His grace, and we are beggars, ‘pray-ers’. That is how we live. That is how we study, so that God gets the glory, and we get the grace.”

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
 
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever. 

ENEMIES OF THE CHRISTIAN THAT RISE UP AGAINST HIM

BY CHARLES WOODRUFF
 
We know that the world, the flesh and the devil are our enemies. We may have our worst problems with the flesh, though that very flesh may lead us to say “the devil made me do it”. The flesh brings the believer these problems:

1. Indifference= spiritual coldness.
2. Ingratitude= unthankful to God.
3. Inconsistency= unstable in all our ways.
4. Inactivity= Not interested in the things of God.
5. Indecency= Immorality, sin, rebellion.
The remedy can be found in Psalm 3:3, 4

-If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself (Augustine of Hippo).

-A preacher finished the service one morning by saying, “Next
Sunday, I am going to preach on the subject of liars. As a preparation for my sermon, I would like you all to read Mark 17.” On the following Sunday, the preacher rose to begin. Looking out at the congregation he said, “Last week I asked you all to read Mark 17. If you have read the chapter, please raise your hand.” Nearly every hand in the congregation went up. Smiling, the preacher said, “You are the very people I want to talk to. Mark has only 16 chapters”. (Compiled by Charles Woodruff )

IF OUR GOSPEL BE HID--CHARLES WOODRUFF

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4)

Does it seem to us that the gospel is hidden? We see it clearly, but the average person does not seem to do so. It appears to be hidden away from them. You can try to witness to a person, but it often gets bogged down like you are speaking a different language than that lost person. He, or she, doesn’t seem to hear you. It is as their ears were closed, and also their eyes. The apostle had our answer, and wrote it here in 2 Corinthians nearly 2000 years ago. He declared clearly that the gospel is hidden for those who are lost. He also makes it crystal clear that the one doing the hiding is the god of this world. That god is Satan! Satan has blinded the minds of them which do not believe so that they cannot comprehend this truth; this truth that Jesus Christ has paid the price in full for our salvation. The devil does all he can to blur, and distort this truth.

These early Christians were bold. They spoke out, even though they risked imprisonment and even death for speaking out. Paul says “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we faint not” (2 Corinthians 4:1). They were much bolder than most modern people. They knew declaring this gospel was a serious thing. They knew that their lives were being risked. They also knew that unless their hearers believed the gospel, they would remain lost for eternity. Christ had met each one of them with this truth, and redeemed them, so they felt the obligation to spread the word, regardless of the cost. That is why God’s word has been handed down to us in the 21^st century, so that we may share it. Oh, that we would have their boldness; their faith and love. Their determination and commitment to the truth, as it is in Jesus Christ.

Paul said that we have this ministry as we received mercy, we faint not. In other words, we are no better than you are. It is because of Gods mercy that we have redemption. We have been placed in this work by God’s grace. The call of God is a divine gift. It is an experience that has its beginning, its sustenance, and its ending in God. His eternal purpose is being displayed in His work that we are called to do. So, even the fact that we come to you is solely because of sovereign grace. We come to you as agents of God with His powerful word. In verse two the apostle says we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty. In other words, this is God’s orderly and divine work. It is “up front’ and completely honest. As he says, not walking in craftiness. It is simply straightforward and absolutely honest. It is God’s holy truth to us. We must hear it that way. It is a vessel of God’s sovereign mercy to us.

He goes on to say that it is not handling the word of God deceitfully. It is true, and not dishonest. That is enlightening when so many today attempt to deceive us. The gospel of Christ is not a fraud. It is the genuine article! The enemy is so desperate to convince people of his own slant on the word of God. The enemy has a warped view of the gospel, designed to distort and deceive.

Paul goes on to say but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Again, the word of God is complete, and it is honest. It has been distorted in our day so much that people can claim it supports everything, and opposes almost nothing. Just today, a very famous preacher said that a man who had a wife with Alzheimer’s disease could go ahead and divorce her, and remarry another to obtain a “better life for himself”. What? What about till death do us part in the wedding ceremony? Doesn’t that count?

To get at the heart of our study, and determine why so many won’t hear the gospel, we need to look at verse four very closely. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) Who does the apostle say caused this blindness in those unbelievers? He says The God of this world, as I mentioned previously. He is the culprit of deception who has done this evil deed. He had at that time blinded the minds of those being witnessed to. Let me say that he is still doing the same thing nearly 2000 years later! He is successfully blinding the minds of those who would believe, keeping their hearts veiled from the truth that can save them. This is keeping them from the gospel of salvation. Yes, it is because their minds are blinded! They have in them no desire to seek God. If it was not for God’s sovereign deliverance, none would be saved! Their minds have been blinded and the situation is  Lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. It will not shine on them whose minds are blinded. Unless God intervenes, they will be damned!

God has not designed to save every soul who was ever born, as some teach. The teaching of the Bible is that God has chosen some, and bypassed others, according to the good pleasure of His will. Some do not like this. Many do not believe it. But remember, God will have mercy on whom He will. It is not up to you. It is not up to me. It is all by His own choice. It is clear He has shown mercy on many, and that His generosity is great. He is a merciful God. But, do not be deceived. He will not let you ignore Him, and live after your wicked desires, and then save you at the end. If you go on in your sin, ignoring all the warnings, you will be lost forever.

 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6) So it is evident here that God has the power to overrule Satan in these matters of the soul. He commands the light to shine, and it shines. It is as the difference between night and day when God sends the light. When you are enabled to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, then you will never be in the dark again. “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5)

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

 (2 Corinthians 4:7-9) Though we still have struggles in this life, we do not have to face them alone. God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost oversees our lives from now on. Hallelujah!

Published by Charles Woodruff- email: oursong2000@yahoo.com             

WHICH IS THE GOSPEL?--CHARLES WOODRUFF

We have recently studied several things about the gospel regarding the definitions of it. There were several good points which I left out, so I thought that today I would expand just a little. About as good a summation of What is the Gospel as you will see was stated by my friend Brother Miles McKee, a missionary to Ireland. He says “The Gospel is summed up in one word ....CHRIST.....He is the gospel. It is not just the good news, or the Matthew, Mark, Luke and John's words in the New Testament. It is about the fact that Christ lived a sinless life, died a sinless substitute and rose from the dead so that we could have the hope and certainty of everlasting life.”  This is a good, sound explanation of the gospel. It is Christ the Lord!

Noah Webster had a correct definition of “gospel” in his 1828 dictionary. Here is the first part.

GOS'PEL, n. {L. evangelium; a good or joyful message.}

The history of the birth, life, actions, death, resurrection, ascension and doctrines of Jesus Christ; or a revelation of the grace of God to fallen man through a mediator, including the character, actions, and doctrines of Christ, with the whole scheme of salvation, as revealed by Christ and his apostles. This gospel is said to have been preached to Abraham, by the promise, "in thee shall all nations be blessed." Galatians 3:8. 

It is called the gospel of God. Romans 1:1.

It is called the gospel of Christ. Romans 1:16.

It is called the gospel of salvation. Ephesians 1:13. 

(This is a very good definition. Why change the meaning?)

If we say nothing else regarding the gospel, we must say that Jesus Christ is the gospel. He is the Good News. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. He is the Altogether Lovely. He is the Bright and Morning Star. He is the Bread of Life. He is the Water of Life. He is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. He is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. There is so much more in scripture that we could say regarding Him. The main point being, He is God’s answer to this world of sin. Without Him, all men and women are lost!

Under the New Covenant that God has made, Jesus is the divine substitute. He is the Saviour. He is the sacrifice. He is the answer for all our sins. Do you realize that there is absolutely no other way of salvation given but Him? He said it clearly “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) He also said “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37) Men and women laugh about this remedy that God has provided. It is sad, for God will have the last laugh. Over 2000 years ago God sent His only Son, with the only answer for the rebellion of Adam and us; Adam’s children. It seems that so few hear the word today, but those who do will be with God for eternity. Those who do not will be in hell for eternity. Think about this, my friend. You see, there is only one true gospel message. There are a number of imitations. Truly the devil has devised a dubious scheme to bewilder the souls of multitudes. There are other methods he offers. There are other songs he sings. There are other ways he offers. Don’t be deceived! Jesus is the only way; the only saviour; the only Lord. The only true choice.Trust Him!

Satan will tell you a lie. He will tell you that it is all a fairy tale; that you don’t need anyone. Remember, the same devil will tell you that you will never die, or at least it will be many years before you do. There are people dying every day, old and young. You and I will have to die much sooner than we think. If we fail to trust Christ, we have been deceived. The devil will also try to convince you that you are not a bad person. If that doesn’t work, he will agree that you should be saved, but wait a little while. You haven’t sown enough wild oats yet. You have lots of time. The word of God has many warnings such as the following “We then, as workers together with him, plead to you also that all of you receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he says, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2; UKJV) The apostle was speaking of today being the day of salvation. He is speaking of your repenting now!

 Sinners must not toy with God. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.” (Hebrews 3:12-16) In other words, there are many who heard, but did not heed the word of God.

God’s word tells us in so many places that this is no joke. We can’t expect to spend eternity in heaven with the Lord after rejecting Him here. There are so many that are deceived. He tells us clearly “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) All lost sinners will collect those wages after their deaths. Those who received Christ’s gift of eternal life will go to be with Him. Which is it for you?

When Jesus first came to earth, he was about speaking the word of God to sinners. On the trip he was on at about 12 years old, He went to the synagogue to discuss the gospel truths with the elders. He fascinated them with his knowledge of the word. (Read Luke 2:40-50).Then, when He was grown, He went to be baptized by John the Baptist. One of His first messages was to Nicodemus in John 3, where He told Nicodemus “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7) That message was not only for Nicodemus, who evidently received it, and became a Christian (see John 19:39). That is what we must also do. There is only one way of salvation; the new birth. The gospel is real, and everlasting. Jesus is real and everlasting. There is no other saviour! “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Published by Charles Woodruff- email: oursong2000@yahoo.com             

GRACE ACTIVE

Grace! 'Tis a charming sound,

Harmonious to the ear;

Heaven with the echo shall resound,

And all the earth shall hear.                       

O God, may Thy Spirit speak in me that I may speak to Thee. Lord Jesus, great high priest, Thou hast opened a new and living way by which a fallen creature can approach Thee with acceptance.

Help me to contemplate the dignity of Thy Person, the perfectness of Thy sacrifice, the effectiveness of Thy intercession.

O what blessedness accompanies devotion, when under all the trials that weary me, the cares that corrode me, the fears that disturb me, the infirmities that oppress me, I can come to Thee in my need and feel peace beyond understanding!

The grace that restores is necessary" to preserve, lead, guard, supply, help me. And here Thy saints encourage my hope; they were once poor and are now rich, bound and are now free, tried and now are victorious.

Every new duty calls for more grace than I now possess, but not more than is found in Thee, the divine treasury in whom all fullness dwells. To Thee I repair for grace upon grace, until every void made by sin be replenished and I am filled with all Thy fullness.

May my desires be enlarged and my hopes emboldened, that I may honour Thee by my entire dependency and the greatness of my expectation.

Do Thou be with me, and prepare me for all the smiles of prosperity, the frowns of adversity, the losses of substance, the death of friends, the days of darkness, the changes of life, and the last great change of all. May I find thy grace sufficient for all my needs.

From The Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett, via  http://www.oldlandmarks.com/puritan.htm

Of course, this is Labor Day weekend in America. Many of us will be on vacation, and relaxing as we seek to honor the workers of our country. The history of Labor Day is interesting, because it began as an expression of fairness toward workers who were being  exploited by bosses. Today, most in our land simply regard it as a holiday. 

I thought it fitting to call us to prayer, and reflection of God's goodness and mercy to us. There are many things wrong that need correction. Frankly, this country is in great need of revival, and that can only come by God's grace. The effort of Arthur Bennett in England over 30 years ago to spread around some Puritan thoughts has been well received. It is with that in mind that I quoted these words for you. It is my prayer that they speak to you. May God choose to bless it to you and yours.

By Charles Woodruff, editor. Email: oursong2000@yahoo.com

Snail mail: 90 Raymond Ray St., Newnan, GA 30265-1611

Blog site:  http://cyberwordoftruth.blogspot.com/   September 2, 2011