Who Made You an authority?

Who Made You an authority?

Some have asked, “Who made you an authority in such matters”, as they asked Christ (Mt. 21:23); the following is a three-fold answer to that question concerning me:
Mt. 28: 19, 20 and Mk. 16:15

1. A dispensation of the Gospel has been committed unto me; (1 Cor. 9:17)

2. A Commission to the world has been assigned to me; (Mt 28:19, 20)

3. A command to the church has been demanded of me. (Mk. 16:15)


A dispensation given by God Himself;
A commission by Christ to all believers;
A a command in that same commission, also given to His own.

The Lord has made us all an “authority” in such matters as the teaching and spreading of the Gospel. It is our duty, as well as our delight; we go; we speak; we act according to the Word of God to promote His good will. We do what we do “in the name of Jesus” or, as we like to often end our prayers, “In Jesus’ name”. It is by His authority that we do what we do, and that we are what we are. So, when asked by the skeptic “Who made you an authority on the matter”, you can truly say, “I am an ambassador for Christ, and live, move, and act in His authority, and His alone”, and know that you have well answered the probing skeptic though probably not to his satisfaction.

Home is still Home

Home is still Home

Home--a place of joy; of fond memories.
Home--where joy abounds, and fears are wiped away, and sorrows forgotten.
I’m going home.

Home, where growing up was filled with wonder and adventure;
Sometimes there was sorrow--sometimes joy, but home is always home.
It was a place of love; a place of learning; a sanctuary from the storms of life.
It was a place of chastisements and mercy; of comfort, and grace.

Memories linger on; they have impressed themselves deeply into our lives, and are still very much a part of us.
There have been fighting’s and fears; smiles and tears;
There were betrayals, and friendships, follies and fears, but there was also joy and gladness.

Home was a place of security and comfort; of testings and trials; of heartbreak and laughter, but here was always love, spliced with victory.
Home--it isn’t what it used to be, things have changed; I am not what I used to be either, I have grown, and so has “home”.
It still holds a special place in my heart, and endearing place of fond memories; whatever else it may be--

Home is still home.

Our three-fold ministry:

Our three-fold ministry:

We are to:
Exalt the Savior;
Exhort the saints;
Evangelize the world.

Exalting the Savior will of necessity,
Exhort the saint; exhorting the saints will
Edify us, as well as others; and
Exonerate the sinner.


It is--
Expedient that we obey the Lord;
Exciting to serve Him;

We must;
Experience salvation;
Execute justice;
Enquire of the Lord,
Evangelize the world.

Three Expectations of Love

Three Expectations of Love
In relation to their stages.

1. Youth: Love is there; it is fresh, new, but it is a selfish love.
One might ask, “What is a selfish love?” (The same with both parties.)
Man: fleshly, physical; Lustful love.
Man asks, “What can she do for me?”

Woman: material love; “What will he give me”
Secure love; takes comfort in knowing that she will be taken care of.
This stage, for both parties, can be the hardest stage to endure.


2. Middle age: Secondly, love’s giving:
Love asks, “What can I do for him/her?” The lusty love is settling, and a new phase begins; love is more secure, more enduring.
Love is growing; it’s the same love, but has matured a bit; it still has expectations, but the focus begins to change.
This love is seen in compatibility.


3. Old age: Third, love’s harmony:
This love has come a long way; it has suffered much-but has endured the pressures of life together. Peers are no longer an issue. The focus remains on the other partner. Lust has been replaced by giving.

This is the best and easiest stage of love--the blissful love that has “endured unto the end”. It is love’s fruitfulness; the joy of the relationship when all obstacles have been overcome, and all interference is past; The two can truly become one in this stage, and love will carry them into eternity as they focus more on the love, and not the flesh.

All I need and want

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

I’ve always wanted riches,
But I’ve always needed redemption;
I’ve always wanted reputation,
But I’ve always needed reconciliation;
I’ve always wanted reliability,
I’ve always needed repentance;
I’ve always wanted restitution,
But I’ve always needed rehabilitation;
I’ve always wanted revenge,
But I’ve always needed remorse.


Christ has given me everything I Have always wanted,
And he has given all I need.

Those Dry Bones

“and, lo, they were very dry.”
Ezekiel 37:2

The words above describe a valley that the Lord showed unto Ezekiel, which we call “The valley of dry bones” (Ezekiel 37:1-14) This passage speaks of Israel becoming a nation, of course, but it can also a prophetic type for the church. We see here a resurrection from the dead. The Lord asks, “shall the dead live again?” And our answer is “yes, Lord they shall, by thy grace”. It speaks of resurrection, but it also can be about a new birth. Don’t you see, the Lord promised Israel a homecoming, just as He does the church; he promised him an opening of the graves, just as He did the church. These dry, dead bones, are as “whited sepulchers, full of dead mans bones“, but when the Spirit of God occupies them, they surely will live again. So, we see that though this passage refers to Israel in its context, there is a beneficial application for us in it. If the Word of God is not able to benefit us, then we must say we don’t need it! Don’t cut out the Old Testament, there is much practicality there for us today.

In this chapter then we see:
1. The new birth; (Jn. 3:16~ Gen I, etc.)
2. The resurrection of the dead; (Comp. 1 Cor. 15)
3. The restoration of Israel, and our restoration to our heavenly home. We seek a country, as the old saints did (Heb. 11:14), “Whose builder and maker is God”.(Heb. 11:104.
4. The growth process; the “skin,” sinews, and joints of the church comes together as we grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we become one body.

Yes, those dry bones can live again, and indeed they will, just as our dead and dried up bodies shall be renewed when we receive our new, glorified bodies; the graves will be opened, and the dead will walk, and live again.