Vol. 36, No. 11  November, 2012

      THE MANY-SIDED GRACE OF GOD
                 By Dr. George Mills

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold Grace of God.” (1Peter 4:10).

The word ‘MANIFOLD’ in this text means ‘MANY-SIDED’. In other words, there is a side of the Grace of God that will meet any need that you have. The most meaningful word in the language of men is the word GRACE. It soars higher, it reaches lower, it extends further than any other word. Nothing can do for us what the GRACE of God can do. Every one of us who have received The Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour have received an abundance of gifts. Just to mention a few, the Gift of Eternal life, the Gift of forgiveness of sin, the Gift of the Holy Spirit, the Gift of GRACE, and so many more, far too many to mention. Today let me share with you just a few things about the MANY-SIDED Grace of God.

1. THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SALVATION.
In the Book of Titus, Paul tells us of our condition before we were saved by the Grace of God; “For we ourselves were sometimes

foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers
lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy,
hateful and hating one another.” (Ti. 3:3). That was our condition BEFORE we were saved. Verses 4,5,6 tell us HOW we were saved. “But after that the kindness of God our Saviour toward man appeared.” (V4). Paul is careful to remind us that we are NOT saved by some work or works we can do; “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.”(v5-6). “That being Justified by His GRACE we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (v7). Justified by His Grace simply means that there is absolutely nothing we can do to add to salvation’s great plan. Justified means “to be declared ‘just’. “Just as if I’d never sinned.” And everything we have is by and through that wonderful word; GRACE! The GRACE of God even gives us the FAITH we need in order to receive Christ. “Well preacher, I’m not so sure about all that, it seems to me that there is something I must do.” Not so, my friend, salvation is not DO, but DONE! This is God’s plan of salvation and since it’s God’s plan, we must “DO” it God’s way! We are not saved by stopping, starting, quitting, turning or changing, we are saved by Grace and Grace alone. There is enough of the Grace of God to change every life that will trust Him.

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SCOPE.
Titus 2:11 says, “For the GRACE of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL MEN.” That’s the SCOPE, ALL MEN! Not some men, most men, or many men, not black men, white men, yellow men, young men or old men, BUT ALL MEN! If you take the letter “G” away from Grace, what you have then is “race.” That’s the way man sees it. But GRACE includes ALL MEN. When God said “All are sinners,” that included me, and when God said that Grace is for ALL MEN, that too included me, and you and everyone, whoever, and wherever, and however you may be.
In John 4 there was a fallen woman, one who had five husbands, and was living with a man. She met the Grace of God in the Person of Jesus Christ at a well in Samaria. Grace touched her heart and life. She ran back to her town and brought many to Christ. Grace changed her life as only Grace can do. In John 8 there was another woman caught in the act of adultery. She was brought to Christ. The men who had trapped her wanted to stone her. When Jesus dealt with the men who brought her to Him, Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Being convicted by their own conscience left one by one, leaving her alone with Jesus. Jesus said, “Where are thine accusers. Hath no man condemned thee? She said, no man Lord. And Jesus said unto her neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more.” (Jn 8:1-11). Grace was there that day.  The thief on the cross met Grace next to him and said, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy Kingdom. Grace replied, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” On and on we could go with examples of Grace. Paul felt that he was the chiefest of sinners, but Grace was sufficient for Paul, for me, and for you. John Newton was a wild, wicked sea captain. He dealt in the slave trade. He would imprison men and sell them for slaves. He was vile and wicked to say the least. One day John Newton met the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace found John Newton and Grace changed his life. He later wrote the beloved Hymn;

      “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
          That saved a wretch like me,
        I once was lost, but now I’m found,
          Was blind but now I see.”
It matters not what your life may be like. If you are morally bad, or vile, or sweet, or just plain rotten. If you are on drugs or alcohol, or some vile habit or lifestyle. Or maybe you have done none of the above, ALL MEN everywhere are sinners and in need of the Saviour. There’s enough of God’s Grace to go around. Thank God for this wonderful side of Grace called SCOPE.

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SEPARATION.
“Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. And will be a father to you and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”(2Cor. 6:17-7:1). God calls His people out of this world’s system. “Be ye separate.”  Someone has lied to this generation. The thinking today is “we must be like the world in order to win the world.” Many have tried this way and it doesn’t work! God’s people are not to be a part of this world system. We are NOT to act like, think like, be like, look like the world. When the world sees us the world should know that we are different. GRACE enables the christian to live that separated, dedicated life while we are here on this earth. In the worst part of history, when man was at his worst, when God threatened the world with judgment at the time of the flood, (Gen. 6). There was a man by the name of Noah. Noah was not part of that world system..he lived separate from it, and unto God. In that evil, wicked time, it it recorded that, “Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the Lord.” GRACE enabled him to live separate, different, and to be a witness to that generation. He found GRACE enough, and sufficient. In the Book of Titus 2:11-13 teaches us that GRACE is all we need in this generation. “For the GRACE of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto ALL MEN. Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” GRACE teaches us and enables us to live for God in this godless society. Hebrews 4:15 tells us about the Throne of GRACE where we can find GRACE to help in time of need.

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SERVICE.
“And He said unto me, my GRACE is sufficient for thee for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2Cor. 12:9). Paul had a thorn in his flesh. He thought that this thorn hindered his work, so he asked God to remove it. Three times he prayed and God said in answer to his prayer, “MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE No doubt that Paul thought that this thing,(whatever the thorn may have been) if this was removed, I could do great things for God. But God said, “it’s there for a purpose, you must learn to rely upon the GRACE of God. I have heard many say, “Oh, if I had more talent, more ability, more education, etc, I could really do something for God.” Learn to rely upon the GRACE of God. GRACE will bring out abilities in you. People all over the world are serving God. They never believed they had the ability to do what they are doing, BUT FOR HIS GRACE! God has always poured His GRACE into weak, earthen vessels. All that He asks of us is to present to Him a clean vessel for His use.

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SECURITY.
“For by GRACE are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, Not of works lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9).
I would not waste my time on a salvation that I have to try to hang on, or hold to, or hold out. Thank God for His gracious hand that holds us. I did not do one single thing in order to be saved. I did not quit, stop, join, refrain, reform, turn over a new leaf, I did not help, try, I did not hope, think, I did not do one single thing, absolutely nothing, in order to be saved. Jesus did for me what I could never do. He paid for my sin on His cross. The only thing I could do was to RECEIVE HIM! That’s GRACE! And if you are saved today, the same thing is true in your life. We were saved by GRACE plus and minus nothing. Since the day I was saved back in August, 1960, I have not lived one single hour good enough to keep myself saved, and neither have you. If we are saved, it is by GRACE ALONE, and that same GRACE will keep us. NOTHING ELSE! We do not live good enough to keep ourselves. It is BY GRACE ALONE. That’s God’s part! In his beautiful Hymn, John Newton further wrote;

   “Through many dangers toils and snares,
       We have already come,
    ‘Tis GRACE hath brought me safe thus far,
       And GRACE will lead me home.”

It is all by His wonderful GRACE. If my security had been determined by my faithfulness, I would have lost out many years ago.

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE  CALLED THE SECOND COMING.

Again, Titus 2:11-15. GRACE teaches us to look for that “Blessed hope and glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.” We are not to look for the tribulation period, or for the antichrist or for world programs, we are to keep looking for The Lord Jesus Christ. GRACE teaches us to do many things, among these are…

To deny ungodliness.
To look for the Saviour.

We do not need rules, laws, how-to’s. We rely upon His GRACE.
“Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SUFFICIENCY.

“My GRACE is sufficient for thee.” Sin abounds today. Sin engulfs society, it effects every life. Paul said in Ro. 5:20, “But where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound. Sin is powerful, but there is the super abounding reign of GRACE. Now I know there are questions. Questions like; “How do I get in on the GRACE of God, or how do I partake of His GRACE?
God gave us three wonderful avenues. This is nothing new. Just a reminder of some basic principles of the Christian Life.

THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you know Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in you. He came in at conversion. You have an honored guest living in you. Treat Him graciously. Christ told His disciples that He would take up his abode IN us. (Read John 16:16-24). He is that still, small voice in you that seeks to guide you in all things. Learn to listen to Him. He will give you individual instruction and minister GRACE to you. The Bible says, “Be filled with the Spirit.” That simply means, “be controlled by the Spirit. This comes by a daily yielding ourselves to Christ. Don’t look for some emotional experience, or some “feeling.” This is a matter of fact of the Word of God.

THE WORD OF GOD. What a wonderful Book. As you read the Bible, (KJB) you are partaking of His GRACE. You are getting stronger in Faith.  As you read the Word, you can see and understand human nature. We see the Mind, and Plan of God. We see how God has moved in the lives of others, and that He wants to do the same in our lives. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” AS you partake of the Word of God you are partaking of Christ, (Jn. 6:30-48). You are getting stronger in faith and growing in GRACE as you read

PRAYER. I know this is basic, but in order to win you must stay with the basics. The very moment you were saved you became a child of God. Along with becoming a child of God, certain privileges came with that fact. One of these privileges is ACCESS TO GOD.(Eph. 2:14-18) Jesus bought that access for you on the Cross of Calvary. You can go to God anytime, night or day. Every believer should see daily answers to prayer. God delights in YOUR prayer. Prayer and access does not mean that you are going to get everything you ask for, it does mean that God will give what is best for you. Because you have access to God, you do not have to get someone to do your praying. You do not have to dial some “800” number, or dial some religious TV program, or some religious headquarters. There are no “super christians” who can get to God before you can. Your access to God is not through some earthly media. “Let us therefor come boldly unto the throne of GRACE that we may obtain mercy and find GRACE to help in time of need.” God bless you. Remember, there is a side of the GRACE of God that will meet your need. After all, it is the MANIFOLD (MANY SIDED) GRACE of God..

And you, my dear friend. If you have never trusted Christ as your Saviour, this message probably does not mean quite so much to you. Why not, right now, tell God in your own words that you believe that Christ died for your sin, that He was buried, and that He arose from the dead, and lives in heaven for you now. Tell Him in your own words that you receive Him. He is there, where you are, in the person of the Holy Spirit. He will hear the cry of your repentant heart.

“But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.”

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THINK ABOUT IT…There is POWER in the Name of Jesus…

POWER to attract. His Name is like a magnet. It draws men to God.

POWER to dispel. Forces of evil scatter at His Name.

POWER to surmount. Every obstacle can be overcome at the mention of His Name.

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                 FROM MY HEART
                   By Mildred Mills

“BACK WHEN” WE HAD CONVICTIONS

I have a hard time understanding where the convictions went and why. Only one explanation–we have back-slid. Shouldn’t we as Christians be growing stronger in our walk with God instead of becoming weak and not caring? If we had convictions “BACK WHEN” then our convictions should be even stronger now after we have walked with Him and listened to His Word, and have experienced His blessings, His healing and absolute goodness to us. Where did our convictions go? Why are some things OK now that were not OK “BACK WHEN?” Seems as though anything and everything goes these days and no one has a problem with it. I guess we just don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings these days, but “BACK WHEN” we didn’t have a problem with speaking and living our convictions. Of course our convictions have to come from the Word  and just plain ole common sense! I believe we need to be reminded that the Church building is the House Of God, the place where we meet to worship Him and to  fellowship with our sisters and brothers in Christ. We need to respect His House and dress in a manner that is pleasing to Him. Where have our convictions gone? Not only God, but people, lost and saved are watching the Church and what do they see? Can they see any difference in the ones coming out of the Church than they do the ones coming out of the bar? “BACK WHEN” we would know a Christian by the way they were dressed, now it’s hard to know by looking at them so we have to ask and if they say “yes” we then wonder where their clothes are. I’m just saying, “BACK WHEN” we had some convictions and was bold enough to let our convictions be known. Let’s repent of our slackness, remember our convictions and get back to the “BACK WHEN” days.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8).

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           TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
                  By Ashley Stevens

As teenagers it is in our very nature to ask, “why.” We are left with so many questions to the difficult situations that we face throughout our life. “Why did I not make the team?” “Why do I get picked on at school?” “Why is my family going through such a difficult time?”
In the Bible there are many examples that show us that these difficulties we face are all for His glory. The Israelites were held in captivity for many years in Egypt so that God could deliver them from slavery into the Promised Land. The Apostle Paul was sent to prison for preaching the Gospel and suffered many hardships all so that the power of Jesus could be seen through him. Even Jesus Himself asked his Father as He lay dying on the Cross, “Why hast thou forsaken me?” As you can see, the Lord has showed His glory and strength in many times of despair and darkness. So I ask you the next time you are facing a trial or test in your life not to ask God “why” but ask God how He can be glorified and praised through it. The lyrics to an old Christian song tells the message so clearly;

“Just remember when you’re standing in the valley of decision, and the adversary says give in.
Just hold on our Lord will show up, and he will take you through the fire again.”

Until next time                          Ashley Stevens

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                            DON’T QUIT
                         (Author unknown)

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
   And the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
   When the funds are low and the debts are high,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
   Rest if you must, BUT DON’T QUIT!

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY AMERICA!
                   November 22, 2012
                  Pastor George Mills
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God. It is He that hath made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING and into His courts with praise, be THANKFUL unto Him and bless His Name. For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His Truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalm 100).

The Psalms are filled with thanksgivings unto Almighty God. “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His Mercy endureth forever.”
(Psa. 136).

Today, with the Palmists, let us express our gratitude, our THANKSGIVING unto our God, the Lord of all lords, and the King of all kings, our Wonderful Lord Jesus Christ. It is good that this nation has set aside a day to express Thanksgiving. This has been true since the beginning. Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that the last Thursday in November be a day of Thanksgiving. This day was observed until 1939 when Franklin Roosevelt made the fourth Thursday in November as that day of Thanksgiving. Congress made that date official in 1941.
It is recorded in Romans 1:21, “Neither were they thankful.” Man began with a full revelation of God, but man was not thankful for that. “They did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” I believe that ingratitude is a base sin. Our degree of service for God is determined by our Gratitude for what God has done. Today, allow me to share with you some things for which I am grateful. There are so many…

SALVATION. I am thankful for the Plan of Salvation. This great plan included me. Man excludes, or limits salvation to some, or a few, or a chosen few. I believe that Jesus Christ offers Salvation to anyone who will receive Him, (John 1:12).(Jn. 3:16, 5:24, 6:37, Romans 10:13). We are sinners without hope, but Christ died for our sins. I thank God for the day in my memory when I asked Jesus to come into my life, AND HE DID!

SOUL WINNERS. I am Thankful for the Soul winners who were instrumental in leading me to Christ.
My wife prayed for me. She encouraged me to go with her to Church. She did all she could to make me see my need of the Saviour.
A small community Free Will Baptist Church prayed for me. The Pastor came to my home to speak to me about my need of Christ.
Their prayers were answered in August, 1960!

SPIRIT. I am Thankful for the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT in my life. The HOLY SPIRIT used the Word of God to convict me of my sin and to birth me into the family of God. Since that day The HOLY SPIRIT has taken abode in my heart and has been my Guide, Power, Strength, and Teacher. There is so much more the Blessed Comforter of God does in the life of the believer. I am thankful for His indwelling presence in my life.

SCRIPTURES. I am Thankful for the Holy Bible, (KJB). What a wonderful Book.

INSPIRED. “All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God.” God inspired men, common men, to write His Words. Without this Bible we would have no idea where we are in world history. But the Bible is right on time and up to date. We know, what, who, and where we are because of the Bible

PRESERVED. Men quarrel over these two words; Inspired, and Preserved. NOT ME! I will not join in with their arguments. God INSPIRED  the original authors to write, and God PRESERVED what they wrote. INSPIRATION and PRESERVATION are God’s Business. Psalm 12:6-7, “The Words of the LORD are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of fire purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them O LORD, thou shalt PRESERVE them from this generation for ever.” Now, take a look at what we have. We have a Book given to the English speaking people of the world that has had God’s approval over 400 years. This Book, (KJB) has been the foundation of our Great nation and other nations and societies. God has confirmed this Book since the beginning, and without any promotional programs, has been accepted as God’s Word. God has so confirmed this Book.
On the other hand we have about two hundred “versions” since 1889 (ERV). New versions keep coming. The thing  is, they don’t agree with each other, but they do agree that they don’t like the Book God gave. Don’t be carried away with all of this “stuff” on the market today  God is not in all of this confusion. Thank God for His Work in INSPIRATION, and PRESERVATION.

SUPPLICATION. Supplication is a long word for Prayer. What a privilege we have. As Christians we can go to God any time in Prayer and He hears us. He delights in the prayers of His people. Jesus bought our access to God by His finished Work on the Cross and His Glorious Resurrection, and His ascension into Heaven to be our eternal High Priest. (Eph 2:14-22), Thank God for the privilege of prayer.

SERVANTS. So many, many wonderful SERVANTS OF GOD, down through the years have helped me, encouraged me, prayed for me, and in ways I am not aware of helped me. Teachers, preachers, and just plain old God fearing people have, in their own way, been my helper. I thank God for each and every one. I choose not to use any name because I could not get them all in and I am sure that I would miss someone and I would not want to do that. Thanks  to God who has used you, wherever you are, to be my helper, my encourager.

SERVICE. I am thankful that God has used me in His SERVICE, small, though it may be. I did not have some glorious experience, or vision of some kind, but I just knew that God was calling me into His Service. I did not know much when I started. I have learned some things, and I have much to learn. I thank God that He saw fit to place His call in my heart. The WILDERNESS Ministries have been used in homes, churches, schools, jails, prisons, in other publications, on the internet. “The Church In The Wildwood Broadcast” which began in 1966, and so many wonderful things that all I can say is THANK YOU LORD  for allowing me a place in your service.

SECOND COMING. I am Thankful for the promise of the Second Coming of Christ in the Rapture of the Church. Any day the clouds could burst asunder, and there stands the Lord Jesus Christ calling His Church Home. “Come up hither.” What a day, what a promise

SWEETNESS. I am thankful to God for the sweet things in my life. As I have said many times, “My life is filled with sweetness and good things. I am thankful for my family, my home, my ministry, my health and strength. I am thankful that I live in America. I thank God that I have the promise of Heaven, a place reserved for me.

“What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards me?” (Psa 116:2)  How can I show forth my gratitude?

TELL GOD. Begin the day in prayer. Express to God your gratitude for the things we have discussed, and for others things. Remember, there were 10 lepers cleansed, but only one stopped to give Glory to God.

SHOW GOD. By the way you live, let the world know that you belong to God.

PROVE GOD. Prove Him in the winning of others. Reaching the unsaved around our neighborhood, in our city, state, or wherever we may be is the greatest way I know of  to PROVE GOD.

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“That I may publish with the voice of THANKSGIVING and tell all Thy wondrous works.” (Psa. 26:7)

“O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD…FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER
                        (Psa. 136:1)

                By Pastor George Mills

O My God, with Great Gratitude…

I praise Thee for blessings that could only come     from Thy Great Hand,
For protection from enemies that would destroy all the comforts and course of this great land.

For tender mercies manifest, and deliverance in each daily care,
We are a people richly blessed, and your kindness is displayed everywhere.

For Calvary’s Great Love where God alone could so richly display,
His Great favor for those who believe and will His Commandments obey.

For Thy Holy Word preserved through ages of trial and kept pure from the enemy’s blast.
In our time of great need we thank Thee O God for Thy Great Grace to help us as in all ages past.

We will Publish to those near and in every land and with grateful hearts we will confess,
“This is from our Father’s Great Hand,
His Great Hand of Righteousness.”

When the ‘gods’ of this world are so highly praised,
Only to the God of the universe could our voices be raised.
To the Great Giver who is always and ever the same,
The Lord God Jehovah is His Great Name.

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Vol 36, No. 10  October, 2012

    THERE…THEY…CRUCIFIED…HIM

“And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, THERE THEY CRUCIFIED HIM…” (Lk.23:33).

This message was first published in the WILDERNESS in Vol. 2,No. 5, May, 1977. Parts of this message have been used in editions since then. This original edition is for posting on our web-site.

I believe with all my heart the Lord led me to bring this message from these FOUR WORDS. As He began to speak to my heart I said to myself that this will not be difficult, after all, only FOUR WORDS, what’s so difficult about that? As I began to study the Scriptures, (KJB) and read various commentaries, I began to change my mind. I saw that man in his human understanding can never comprehend the depth of these four words, THERE, THEY, CRUCIFIED, HIM. Today, if you are saved, I believe you will love the Lord Jesus better because we examine these FOUR WORDS. If you are not saved, I trust that you will listen to the Holy Spirit as you read and that you will receive Christ as your Saviour in these moments. Now, let us examine these FOUR

WORDS with the emphasis on each word individually…

1. THERE. “THERE They Crucified Him” Where is THERE? And what does THERE mean?
Luke 23:33 calls “THERE” Calvary. Mt. 27:33 calls “THERE” Golgotha, “A place of a skull.”

“THERE” is an appointed place. In Genesis 22 when Abraham offered his son Isaac in obedience to God, he took his son Isaac to Mount Moriah to offer him as a burnt offering. Of course this was a test of Abraham’s faith. When they arrived at the APPOINTED PLACE Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb?” meaning where is the lamb to be offered. Abraham replied, “God will provide himself a lamb.” As you read that account you will see that a ram was caught in a thicket by his horns, and the ram was offered. I do sincerely believe that the very spot where Isaac was to be offered is the very spot where Christ died for our sins. “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” The Temple at Jerusalem was built on Mount Moriah. Calvary was just outside the city wall on Mount Moriah.

“THERE” is an appointed time. “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son.” (Gal. 4:4).Jesus was born at the right time in God’s plan of redemption.
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Ro. 5:6). As

Christ was born on time, He died on time.
“THERE” Calvary, was outside the wall of Jerusalem. Outside the wall is symbolic of man’s position before God. Man sinned against God in the Garden of Eden and God drove man away from the Garden and since that time man has been “outside.” Jesus came here to die for man so He died for man, OUTSIDE. “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood suffered WITHOUT THE GATE. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing His reproach.” (Heb. 13:12-13). THERE is symbolic of man’s position.

“THERE” Calvary, was near some thoroughfare. Many passed that way, “And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads.” (Mt. 27:39). Those who would enter the city of Jerusalem, the City of God, must pass that way. God has placed Calvary along the thoroughfare of life and all who would enter that Heavenly city of God must go by way of Calvary.

“THERE” Calvary, was visible from afar. “There were also women looking on AFAR OFF.” (Mk. 15:40)(Lk. 23:49). God has so placed Mount Calvary that those AFAR OFF, (Eph. 2:11-13) those unto the uttermost part of the earth can clearly see. It is not that we see with our physical eyes, we see through the eyes of faith. The song writer says, “I have been to Calvary, through the witness of His Word.” Thank God all can see from AFAR OFF, little children, those in heathen darkness, the very rich and the very poor can see. We see The sinless Son of God, high and lifted up, dying for our sin. We MUST see that.

“THERE” Calvary, is Green in color. Green reminds us of eternity. Only at Calvary, this place can we have eternal Life. The Hymn writer wrote so beautifully,

     “There is a Green Hill far away,
          Without a city wall,
       Where the Dear Lord was Crucified,
          Who died to save us all.”

2. THEY. “There THEY Crucified Him.” Who are the THEY who crucified Him? On and on the debate goes about who crucified Him. Some place the blame solely on the Jews and others blame religion. Let’s examine “THEY” for a few moments.

SOLDIERS had a part in His crucifixion. “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered Him with the whole band of soldiers.” (Mt 27:27). I believe that it is clear from the remainder of the text that soldiers had a part in His crucifixion.

ROME was responsible for His crucifixion. The Governor who had power to release Him did not, but released a murderer instead and washed his hands, but, with the soldiers, he is guilty.

JEWS were there. They had a part in the crucifixion. They cried out, “His blood be upon us and on our children. Let Him be crucified.(Mt. 27:23-25).

RELIGION crucified Him. Religion was there with all of it’s rottenest worse. Religion screamed for His crucifixion and then saying, “Let’s get this mess all cleaned up. Tomorrow is a day of worship.”(Jn 19:31-36).

SATAN had a part in the crucifixion. Genesis 3:15 says that Satan would “bruise His heel.” Satan had all of the imps of hell stir up the crowd that night. He had tried to stop the Saviour’s birth. He had tried since the Saviour’s birth to kill Him, now, at last he has his way. Still there are others to share the blame.

GOD THE FATHER had a part in the crucifixion. That’s right! He is God’s Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him.” (Isa. 53)

YOU and I, WE had a part in the crucifixion. We were not there physically, but our sin was there. I believe that had I been alive and there that night I would have done the same thing. Human nature does not change. Yes, we all had a part in an event that happened two thousand years ago. Our sins nailed Him to the cross. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Soldiers, Rome, Religion, Jews, Satan, God, and YOU and I, all had a part in the Crucifixion of our Lord. We share the blame. We were there!

3. CRUCIFIED. “There They CRUCIFIED Him.” What is crucifixion?
Crucifixion was the worse possible death. I find it very difficult to describe the horrors of that awful event. I realize that with this subject I am on Holy Ground…that I am human and frail and my understanding is vague. I believe that only when we see Him face to face and He lifts the veil from our eyes, then we can see the depths of the crucifixion…how He suffered physically, mentally, emotionally. Spiritually for you and me, It was not just the physical suffering. That is why I say it is so hard to understand it all. I read the following in a Bible Encyclopedia…”Crucifixion was preceded by scourging. This was to hasten impending death. The victim bore his own cross. When he was tied to the cross nothing further was done and he was left to die of starvation. If he was nailed to a cross a stupefying drink was given to deaden the agony. A tablet on which his feet rested seems to be a part of the cross to keep the wounds from tearing through. The suffering was intense in hot climates. Severe local inflammation  coupled with significant bleeding of the jagged wounds produced traumatic fever which was aggravated by the exposure to the heat and sun and the strained position of the body. Insufferable thirst caused the victim to die a thousand deaths. The length of the agony was wholly determined by the constitution of the victim. Death was sometimes hastened by the breaking of the legs and a hard blow delivered under the armpit before the crucifixion.”
Christ alone could have bore those hours on the Cross! Oh, what a Saviour! Bless His Holy Name!!! “We preach Christ CRUCIFIED. Unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the POWER of God and the WISDOM of God.”(1Cor 1:23-24).

4. HIM.  “There They Crucified HIM.”
Who? Who is the HIM they crucified?

NO! Not just another criminal dying for his crime.

NO! Not just another good man dying for a good cause.

HIM. The Great Creator, humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. (Phil. 2:5-8).
“For ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”

THERE, at Calvary, WE, you and I had a part in the crucifixion of the Lord of Glory.
But He waits with out-stretched arms to welcome those of us who receive Him as Lord and Saviour! He will hear your heart’s cry if you will call upon Him, TODAY! Begin TODAY to live FOREVER!…Because of Calvary!

                MY BEST
                  G. Mills

      How can I but give my all,
         To One who loved me so?
      Can I give less that He who gave,
         His life, who came so low?

       O Saviour now I give myself,
          My best, my all to thee,
       My life I give to thy Great cause,
          Thou gavest Thine all for me.

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   THERE…THEY…CRUCIFIED…HIM
           By Pastor George Mills
“And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him.”

     THERE, upon a Roman Cross,
         THERE, on Calvary’s rim,
     THERE, to suffer for our loss,
         THERE, they crucified Him

     THEY would not yield to One God sent,
         THEY rejected One, so fair.
     THEY refused Him when the veil was rent,
         THEY crucified Him there.

     CRUCIFIED by wicked men,
         CRUCIFIED without a word,
     CRUCIFIED to take our sin,
         CRUCIFIED they, the Lord.

     HIM, the One who came to save,
         HIM, they all denied,
     HIM, the Victor o’er the grave,
         HIM, they crucified.

     THERE to meet the Law’s demands,
          THEY saw the Lamb of God,
     CRUCIFIED by wicked hands,
          HIM, whose blood poured on the sod.

     THERE in all that wrong I share,
          THERE I should have died,
     THERE, my sin, the Christ did bear,
          THERE, where He was crucified.

     THERE, I see One in my place,
          THERE, my debt was paid,
     THERE, where God poured out His Grace,
          THERE, on Christ all sin was laid.

     THERE where peace with God is made,
        THERE on Calvary’s rim,
     THERE, God’s Mercy is displayed,
        THERE, they crucified Him.

     I claim that place this very day,
         Where the Law was satisfied,
     THERE He took my sin away,
         Where THERE He was crucified.

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                FROM MY HEART
                   By Mildred Mills

                     LET’S PAINT

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Pr. 25:11).

What a beautiful picture! I’m not an artist but I can paint this picture, and so can you!
We get up in the mornings with a “Good Morning Lord.” instead of “Lord, it’s morning,” and we have already made our first stroke on the canvass as we attempt to paint this beautiful  painting. We give our loved ones a big hug and tell them to “have a good day” as they leave for work or play. As we go through our day we are sure to meet someone along the way with a “good morning.” and later we meet another with “hello, how are you today?” We get a call, we listen to someone’s problems and we let them know we care with words like, “I’m sorry and I’ll be praying for you.” (Oh, our painting is getting more beautiful with every stroke!) Later in the day we remember a “not so fitting word” that we spoke, so we call and ask for forgiveness—another beautiful color added to our canvass. Our loved ones return home and we greet them with a hug and words like, “I missed you” or “how was your day?” I think maybe a few more words like “Thank you” and “You are so kind and thoughtful” will really add some more beautiful colors to our painting.
At the end of the day we thank God for His goodness to us and then we stand back and look at our art work. How did we do? It’s very pretty, but not complete. We need one more stroke of the brush. The words “I LOVE YOU” come to mind and now our beautiful painting is complete.

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THINK ABOUT IT…Someone has said, “There is a cross in the way to every crown that is worth wearing. There is no winning without warring, there is no triumph without trouble.

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          TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
                     By Ashley Stevens

             SHOWING YOUR FAITH

In James 2:17 we are told that if we have faith without works, then our faith is dead. It is very easy to say that we have faith and believe in God, but only through our works can we prove that. We must live the way that Christ did and follow His example. There is a song from years back that exemplified this message;

“What you are speaks so loud that the world can’t hear what you say. They are looking at your walk, not listening to your talk;They’re judging from your actions every day.”

God isn’t saying that you have to start visiting the elderly or start handing out pamphlets or even go to a foreign land to show your works. I am not saying that this kind of ministry is not important, but demonstrating faith with works can begin right in your home, at your school, or on your job. A witness for faith means that you are showing others your faith in Jesus Christ, by walking each day with Him. Trusting in His Words to guide you, praying each day to be closer and more like Him, showing everyone that you have a tower of strength that comes only from believing in the Lord. This message was demonstrated by Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Superstar Tim Tebow when he told reporters, “I don’t want to be another guy who’s walking down the street. I want when people see me they say, “Hey, there’s something different about this guy and that’s because he has a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Until next time,                  Ashley Stevens.

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HOW BEAUTIFUL HEAVEN MUST BE!
“For he looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God.” (Heb. 11:10).

As the years of youth pass by so swiftly, as we have to say our last goodbye to our loved ones who have gone on, we think more and more about eternal things. We think about Heaven, the home of the Redeemed ones. Heaven should be in our thoughts daily. After all, that’s home! That’s where we will live through the eternal ages. Let’s get used to thinking about the sweetness of Heaven. In the days past, Saints of God would sing songs of hope…songs about Heaven….
   “On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand
       And cast a wistful eye,
    To Canaan’s fair and happy land,
       Where my possessions lie.”

And of course….

     “How beautiful Heaven must be,
          Sweet home of the happy and free,
      Fair Haven, a rest for the weary,  
          How beautiful Heaven must be.”

The thought of Heaven should get sweeter every day. Let me share with you some of the beauties of Heaven as revealed in God’s Word…

1. THE CITY OF HEAVEN. Heaven is a City. A city as real as any city. A city as real as Jacksonville, or Dallas, or Chicago. This is the city of God. “And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth, for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes…” (Rev. 21:1-4).
This is a PREPARED city for a PREPARED people. You prepare for this city by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the  Sons of God.” (Jn. 1:12). There are two “Receives” in the Gospel of John; (John 1:12, and John 14:3). Jesus said “If you receive me, one day I’ll receive you into Heaven.” The price of entry there has been paid. Paid in full at the Cross of Calvary!.Yes, Heaven is a City, a real place. By the way, when you write down the name of a certain city you always capitalize, because that is grammatically correct. Always capitalize Heaven, Heaven is a real place! The Apostle John saw Heaven and did his best to describe what he saw, but mere words cannot describe what he saw.. After his revelation of Heaven, John said, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
Paul saw Heaven, (2Cor. 12:1-4). Paul said “I saw and heard things not describable in the language of men, That’s where I will glory.”

2. THE COMFORT OF HEAVEN. In John 14 our Lord Jesus spoke words of comfort to His disciples. Their hearts were troubled. As Job said, “Man is of few days, and full of trouble.”

HEAVEN FOLLOWS DEATH FOR THE CHILD OF GOD.  Actually “death” is a bad choice of words, because the Christian just goes on to be with Christ when his earthly life is over. Paul said “To depart and be with Christ is far better.” (Phil. 1:23). So when we leave this life, we just step over into paradise.

CHRISTIANS WILL KNOW ONE ANOTHER IN HEAVEN. . King David said concerning his child who had died, “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2Sam. 12:23). In Matthew 17, Moses and Elijah were recognized. They had passed from this life many years before, but they were recognized. John knew the Lord Jesus in His Glorified body, (Rev 1-3). I believe that in Heaven when all things are made new we will have no trouble recognizing our loved ones. Partial knowledge will pass to perfect knowledge.

CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NOW IN HEAVEN KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING ON EARTH.  I do not know to what extent they know, but I believe they help make up that great cloud of witnesses in Heb. 12:1-2. Jesus said, “Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth,” (Lk. 15:10). Since there is joy in the presence of angels, that joy must be from our loved ones there.

IN HEAVEN THERE ARE SEVEN “NO MORES.” Read Rev. 21-22.

NO MORE DEATH.  (Rev 21:4) Rev. 20:14; “And DEATH and hell were cast into the lake of fire, this is the second death. The second death has no power over the child of God. The power of death is forever defeated, (Rev. 20:6)

NO MORE SORROW. (Rev 21:4) Sorrow pictures the inward hurts. No one else knows some of the sorrows that pierce your heart, but God knows! One day He will explain all things to you and you will see that God knew best. No sorrow will enter Heaven.

NO MORE CRYING. (Rev  21:4).Crying is the outward manifestation of an inward hurt. One day in Heaven, God will take His towel of Grace  and dry every tear. Heaven knows no tears.

NO MORE PAIN. (Rev 21:4) Man has been trying for years to find the perfect pain killer. While we live here on earth we live in a frail body that knows decay and pain. But in Heaven; No Pain!

NO MORE CURSE.(Rev 22:3). At the fall of Adam, God places a curse upon the Man, the woman, the serpent, and nature itself, Gen. 3:1-20).The Old Testament ends with the word, “Curse.” The New Testament ends with “No more curse.”

NO MORE NIGHT. (Rev 22:5). Night reminds us of evil and sin. “For they that sleep, sleep in the night, and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate  of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of Salvation.”(1Thess 5:7-8). The child of God has passed from the darkness into His Glorious light.

NO MORE SEA. (Rev 21:1). The sea speaks of restlessness and trouble. “But the wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace saith my God to the wicked.” (Isa 57:20-21).

BUT THE COMFORT OF HEAVEN IS THE “NO MORE’S” THERE.

3. THE CONTINUATION OF HEAVEN. Heaven continues because of it’s foundation. This is the city of twelve foundations whose builder and maker is God. The City is foursquare; fifteen hundred miles wide, fifteen hundred miles deep, fifteen hundred miles high, (Rev 21:16). The wealth of this world could not buy one of the gates to the city of God. The pearl reminds us of the sufferings of Christ and the price He paid for us at Calvary.

AMPLE WATER SUPPLY (Rev 22:1) Pure water, clear, free from any pollution. Just a drink of that refreshing water will add another billion years. But remember, time there is not measured in years, it is measured in forever and forever. And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely.”

AMPLE FOOD SUPPLY. (Rev 22:2) On either side of the river of life grows the tree of life.

AMPLE MEDICAL SUPPLY. (Rev 22:2) Down here the medical welfare is debated daily. The cost of medicine continues to rise, and the best medical facility has to fold it’s hands in defeat. But in Heaven; “Even so come Lord Jesus.”

AMPLE LIGHTING (Rev 21:23)”The Lamb is the light thereof.” Man has learned to build power plants for lighting. Man has built dams on great rivers in order to harness energy for lighting. But these fail and will fail.                      
4. THE CALL FROM HEAVEN. “And the Spirit and the bride say come, and let him that heareth say come, and let him that is athirst say come..”
The call from Heaven goes out to everyone. God is inviting YOU! Over 50 years ago I heard a Gospel invitation and I answered that call. I said YES to Christ. I received Him that day. He made my place in that City, when I answered the Gospel call. I hope to see you in Heaven, and I know that I will if you have received Christ. If you have not done that, tell Him now, in your own words that you receive Him, that you believe that He paid for your sin at Calvary.

CHILD OF GOD, LOOK UP WITH HOPE, PEACE, AND ASSURANCE. OUR HOME IS NOT HERE, BUT IN HEAVEN WITH CHRIST.
Psalm 75:6 says, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.” Of course, that leaves NORTH. Our promotion comes from the NORTH. In Isa. 14:12-17 Satan led his rebellion against God in the sides of the NORTH. I believe that Heaven is NORTH. Sometimes on a starlit night, look there in the heavens, and behold that glory. Look beyond the NORTH STAR. That’s where our loved ones live. There, far beyond the reach of man, there, where satanic influences can never enter, there, at the Father’s Throne.  That’s where Jesus lives. That’s HOME! See you there!!!
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My dear friend, may I ask you if you have personally received The Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour? If you have never done that, please consider these things just now…
ALL HAVE SINNED. That means me, and everyone else. All are sinners by birth, by choice, and by nature.

ALL NEED TO BE SAVED. The awful result of sin is eternal death in the lake of fire, (Rev. 20:15)

ALL ARE SAVED THE SAME Way There are not many ways. It is totally by Grace plus and minus nothing.

It is by receiving Christ. How do you receive Him? The best way is to tell Him that you receive Him He is there wherever you are. The Bible says “ASK, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE.”
He will hear the cry of the repentant heart.

 HOW BEAUTIFUL HEAVEN MUST BE
            By Pastor George Mills
“Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God.” (Rev 21:3).

‘Though the heathen ’round me rage,
    And doubters at me stare,
‘Tis in His Word from page to page,
    I shall behold the beauties there.

I shall see his Face in Glory,
   And behold that land, so fair,
Christ, who told the blessed story,
   Will guide me over there.

Gates of Pearl, walls of Jasper,
   And the street is paved with gold,
There the tree of life is growing,
   There, we never will grow old.

Sparkling jewels, towering Mansions,
   Why, one’s waiting just for me.
Although I never will deserve it,
   Yet Christ made it, ‘specially.

I shall see my friends and loved ones,
   Hand in hand we’ll stroll along.
There on Heaven’s shining pathways,
   There to sing sweet Heaven’s song.

One hand in the hand of Jesus,
   And with those gone on before,
There, forever in His presence,
   Home at last, forever more.