THE LIGHTSTREET JOURNAL

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But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ..... - 2 Corinthians 11:3

 

 VOL. VI  NO. II January / February 2009 - Updated last 06.15.09 22:42 Contact information
Believe The Gospel of The Grace of God: 1. God’s Son Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of your sin (past, present and future), He was buried, and gloriously rose again for your justification (1 Cor. 15:1-4)!  2. Not only did Christ die for the debt and penalty of your sin but at the moment you take God The Father at His Word concerning the finished and all-sufficient cross-work of Christ His Son, you take on His (Christ’s) very righteousness (justification) Rom. 3:21-26! 3. As a result of just simply believing the above (1 Cor. 15), God The Holy Spirit tabernacles in you, forever (Eph.1:13) until we die (to be with Christ) or meet Him in the air (1 Thes 4:16-20).  4. No strings attached, no outward expression of faith, no incremental forgiveness since it was taken care of all up front, no kidding!  
Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon

 

 

Acts

 

This book of the bible is frequently and erroneously referred to as the start of "The Church, The Body of Christ". 99.44% of fundamental, bible-believing teachers and pastors embrace this falsity as truth! The fact is, The Book of Acts is primarily about the unbelief of Israel and God's postponement of her program.

 

These books of the bible are where believers in this dispensing of God's grace should go for their day-to-day doctrine on living. These books contain the revelation of the mystery, otherwise known as the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Bible Commentary updated with some regularity....and always new!!!

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For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!  For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.  What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.   

1 Corinthians 9:16-18

 

The Lightstreet Journal 2009 Edition.......

January / February

May / June

July / August

September / October

November / December

REMEMBER, THE FOUR SYNOPTIC GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST WERE WRITTEN TO ISRAEL UNDER THE LAW:

  • Matthew 5:17

  • Mark 7:24-29

  • Luke 18-18-27

  • John1:29-31 (especially verse 31)

SINCE PROPHECY IS SUCH A HOT TOPIC THESE DAYS, DID YOU EVER WONDER WHAT THE TRIBULATION SAINTS WILL STUDY AFTER THE BODY OF CHRIST IS RAPTURED?

Doctrine for The Tribulation Saints after the rapture of the Body of Christ: Here Israel is now back at the forefront under the law against the imminent judgment and earthly return of The Messiah, Jesus Christ.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory - Ephesians 3:1-13

 

 

"IF I MAY SAY"; I wholeheartedly disagree (Part II....) Part I

Note To The Reader: This is the second installment of an article dedicated to defending the faith in which we will be specifically addressing comments made by J. Vernon McGee (posthumously) on an October 31st, 2008 broadcast of "Thru The Bible". This bible study program goes through the bible in an iterative, five year period. While I enjoy most of the programs taught by the late teacher and preacher, I did take exception to this broadcast which re-aired late on October 2008. I have included the archived link from the website and will be addressing each of the comments made. If you click on the McGee image you will be taken to another site and be able to listen to this broadcast by clicking on the "Ephesians 3:1-13 - 10/31/2008 audio clip (sponsored by www.oneplace.com). Please note as the days pass by, you will have to navigate backward to get to the date of the broadcast.

"Through The Bible" is an excellent resource to help people through a 5-year bible expository covering the entirety of God's word. The only major downside to this program is that no one on its current staff or Board of Governor's will tamper with Dr. McGee's original teachings...whether he was right or wrong.  It is with this understanding that as eternal bible students (and with all bible expositions) we are to "eat the meat, and spit out the bone"...

 

Ephesians 3 :1-21                         

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 

We last left off somewhere around the 12:00 to 16:00 minute mark of the program. Again, I re-played the message and commentary given by the late pastor / teacher from Ephesians 3 (text above) and "wrote my complaints" to what was said, noting the minute mark for reference.Some major points of disagreement include the comment from McGee that there were more divisions in the bible after Pentecost and that anyone that believed such nonsense was a hyper-dispensationalist (with a dismissive implication). One of the disadvantages I realized about ministries that were "post-humus"  was that no one who still operated the day-to-day activities would comment on any doctrinal disagreements! It was as if these types of ministries "canonize" these late teachers regardless of errors that may occur. I partly understand that I guess... but in fact its up to each of us to search the scriptures to assure if those things spoken be true. While there is still much to glean from ministries like Thru The Bible, they like all of us are not perfect.  But this article addresses the attack on those that would differ from McGee more than anything. With all of that out of the way let's pick up on the rest of the broadcast....

12:00 to 16:00 - During the teachings and commentary between the minutes of the Ephesians 3 study, McGee had some very good points about Paul and "the mystery". While McGee makes it clear that Paul is only continuing the ministry of others before him McGee cannot see the forest through the trees because his statements about the uniqueness of Paul's ministry are a direct contradiction of the teaching "that Paul continued the same ministry of those apostles before him"! Let me explain further:

 

  • McGee referenced that Paul spoke of the mystery...yet did any other NT writer speak of the mystery as Paul did and as frequently?

 

  • McGee correctly referred to "the one new man" concept of the church and said it was not revealed before (13:40).

 

  • At the 14:00 minute mark of the broadcast, McGee correctly calls out Romans 16:25 and Colossians 1:26 regarding the passages of the uniqueness of the mystery and that no OT writers had ANY insight what God had hid in Christ!

 

  • At 14:47, he correctly says that church and its one body concept was not made known...

 

  • McGee even correctly chastised those (many) people that would in fact believe that you could see "the mystery" back in the OT writings and additionally at 16:00, McGee states that no one in the OT has ANY knowledge or glimmer of hope in understanding the church "body of Christ" concept.

 

So....what I can't understand is how Thru The Bible did not (and does not) acknowledge that Paul himself was uniquely set aside by the risen Lord Jesus Christ to preach a different good news message. Clearly in Galatians 2, we read that two groups of men were to each go to the Uncircumcised (Gentiles) AND Circumcised (Jews). To me it appears that (when speaking about Paul) McGee is describing a rose, speaking of its red color, speaking of its lovely petals, its distinctive thorns and fragrance while acknowledging that its really a sunflower....

 

  • McGee misses the mark on clearly distinguishing salvation "of the Gentiles" from past Gentiles who were in obeisance to Israel from Gentiles Paul was the minister TO. It is true that Paul himself referred to the fact that God in the OT writings spoke of a prophetic time when the Gentiles would come to saving knowledge, but this had nothing to do with the current administration of God's grace. We today are in a "mystery" dispensing from God.....a mystery from Satan not meant to be a mystery form us! We must not confuse "prophecy" with mystery" for they are each unique.

 

  • Interestingly, at 19:00 minutes McGee goes on a rant about saying that the churches at Pentecost are the same churches today...which is the main point of confusion and denominationalism today!!!

 

  • McGee then says Paul's ministry has no place of superiority and calls Paul a helper.  Funny, I read something different: in Romans 11:13 - For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office

 

  • McGee wrongly says that God simply plucked Paul from one dispensing and dropped him into another this after describing for25% of this particular program how what Paul preached had never been taught before. I am amazed how McGee did not come to understand the grace of God as he should have when it was apparently presented to him.

 

On many an occasion, Dr. McGee stated that he was fallible and often mused about those that would "straighten him out". This is not about me or anyone else straitening things out but God making straight what was crooked through correct partitioning of His Word.

 

4 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 

 

I believe there are many things to glean from ministers like Dr. McGee but as bible students we must keep our doctrinal processors focused on right division and our eyesight and studies from a Pauline perspective above anything else.

 


 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 

GRACE - God's Riches At Christ's Expense.......

BIBLE - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.......

Today's World News

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

Philippi, Macedonia - The bible makes it clear that Satan has transformed himself into an angel of light and that we should not be surprised that he has transformed "ministers of righteousness" to deceive many. With these "wolves in sheep's clothing" across our churches today, let's examine what Paul had to say to the saints at Philippi.  Read the text in verses 1 through 10 in the chapter of Philippians first, then make sure to go back and read the rest of the chapter!


1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Paul tells the saints at Philippi to do one of the most fundamental things that we as Christians overlook on a day-to-day basis: rejoice in The Lord! And if I might add, there is plenty to be joyous about while thinking of what Jesus Christ has accomplished for us on our behalf at Calvary. With joy as the main theme in this wonderful book of the bible, Paul quickly moves to a stern warning starting in verse 2. I do not think that Paul had a particular breed of dog in mind or was referring to our canine friends at all. The "dogs" he was referring to were contemptible men, shameless individuals who were bold in trying to get believers to stray from trusting in the sufficiency of Christ for their day-to-day living. Paul grouped these men in with two other types: evil workers and those of the concision.

These evil men would cause harm to the point of destruction throwing caution to the wind from a moral perspective to get what they want. They were poisonous, troublesome injurious and wicked. The concision were those that would mutilate or cut up. In case you haven't realized it yet, these are some pretty harsh words the apostle was using.

 

But I find it interesting that Paul is not mentioning physical locations or areas that people should be staying away from. These are people in "religious" circles that Paul is warning us about friends. If anyone reading this article has yet to experience the collateral damage from the above types of individuals, consider yourself fortunate. Not to add further paranoia but most of  the problems in churches today occur while they smile at you in plain view and pretend to be your friend. In some cases, while during the meetings in the back rooms, when you're not there they are plotting your demise.

 

In verse 3 Paul describes members of The Body of Christ as "the circumcision" that worships God in spirit and rejoices in Christ Jesus, while having no confidence in the flesh.... with the "confidence in the flesh" being the main issue here.

 

I have found if you are one that magnifies the grace of God as Christ instructed us to do, you will find yourself in conflict very quickly. We are to have no confidence in this flesh beloved. We are instructed to crucify the old man but in many instances we attempt to rehabilitate the old men that was crucified with Christ. I am truly blessed to have just a few people to share this sound biblical truth with (one being my wife of 25 years), but I can tell you that in most instances, you won't find Paul's truth taught in large fellowships that have found their strength and sufficiency in entertainment, programs and legalism. Logically and biblically, from Gideon to David, through Christ to Paul, God does his best work in small numbers so only that He would be lifted up not the accomplishments of man!

 

In verses 4 through 6, Paul humbly uses himself as the example of what NOT to do. He was one of those people that found sufficiency in his own accomplishments prior to his conversion. But we must not make the same mistake while already saved friends. If this is not the case, why would Paul be bringing this up to believers? Isn't' the book of Philippians to believers?? Certainly Paul speaks of his qualifications and lineage as a Pharisee...one trained at the feet of Gamaliel. Socially, ethically and morally...he was blameless but the problem here was that he was righteous in his own accomplishments and strengths. Later in verses 7 and 8 he confessed to what he really was able to comprehend as the fundamental problem for all believers to be able to do:

 

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

 

Although we are in a justified standing (righteous as Jesus Christ Himself) through the operation of the faith of God, we still battle the flesh since we have an attraction to sin and self!

 

Our high calling? To be found in Him or realizing we are found in Christ Jesus! How??? By counting all things as loss in exchange for the superior knowledge of Christ. The apostle was our human example for this at he gave up his Pharisaical position and influence for the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is why he could proclaim; Follow me as I follow Christ! Jesus Christ was our heavenly example to demonstrate the perfect life as the God-man so we wouldn't have to fly around saying WWJD.

 

To be further wary of wolves in sheep's clothing, recall in Paul's other letters how we are to renew our mind in order to have the mind.... of Christ!  We are to be unified in doctrine, in "the faith" and in Jesus Christ:

 

Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

1 Corinthians 2:16 - For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

Ephesians 4:23 - And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

 

Starting in verse10, Paul tells us that the key this excellent knowledge starts with is suffering because at this point, we are broken down to our lowest level where we have no choice but to lean on Christ as our sufficiency. Our entire Christian life will be this process: getting to know Christ and the fellowship of his sufferings. Friends, I'm not talking about self-inflicted suffering either or that we should do something stupid because we are to maintain our testimony as believers, as ambassadors for Christ. But practically speaking and let's be honest....are we more likely to think on the things of God when circumstances are going well?

 

In this sin-cursed world we can most assuredly expect trials, troubles and afflictions but yet friends, this is our most opportune time to experience what Paul calls the "fellowship of His sufferings" (...that superior knowledge I was mentioning a moment ago..). How??...by being made conformable (agreeable, suitable) unto His death through the sufferings we experience.  We can understand through our trials and troubles what Jesus did for us. In addition, the best witness for unbelievers is for them to see how we react under difficult circumstances. Not that we should hope for it or want it, but to know that god will use this difficult times for his glory so that we can say with Paul:

 

2 Corinthians 12:10 - Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

...."We are to have no confidence in this flesh beloved. We are instructed to crucify the old man but in many instances we attempt to rehabilitate the old man that was crucified with Christ".....

Believe It!

 

 

 

COFFEE CORNER

 

REBELLION AGAINST PAULINE AUTHORITY
by Cornelius R. Stam
 

One of the chief reasons why so many sincere religious people are left in doubt and uncertainty as to salvation is because the organized Church has rebelled against a distinct and important revelation from God to us who live in this present age. This revelation is found in the inspired words of Paul, in Rom. 11:13:
"For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles. I magnify mine office."
Many minimize that which the Word of God magnifies here. They insist upon following Peter rather than Paul, failing to see that Peter’s authority concerned the now-rejected kingdom of Christ on earth over Israel and the nations. Our Lord had said to His twelve apostles:
"Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, YE ALSO SHALL SIT UPON TWELVE THRONES, JUDGING THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL" (Matt. 19:28).
Surely there are no twelve tribes in the Church today, nor was any provision, specific or implied, made by our Lord for "apostolic succession." This dogma is built upon the unscriptural assumption that the Church today is the kingdom which Christ established when on earth, and that our ministry today is but a perpetuation of that which the twelve began.
The fact is that the ministry of the twelve was halted by the rejection of the King and His kingdom and that the apostles themselves finally agreed to turn their proposed Gentile ministry over to Paul, that other apostle, to whom had been committed "the gospel of the grace of God" (Read carefully, Gal. 2:2-9 and Acts 20:24).
If only the confused religious masses could see that when Israel joined the Gentiles in rebellion against God, when the world’s sin had risen to its height and all was ready for judgment, God revealed "the exceeding riches of His grace" by saving Saul, the chief of sinners, and sending him forth as both the herald and the living example of His grace! Thus he writes:

"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound, BUT WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND: "THAT AS SIN HATH REIGNED UNTO DEATH, EVEN SO MIGHT GRACE REIGN, through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5:20,21).




 

Question Box
by the Berean Bible Society

 

Q: “Were Satan to ask God for forgiveness, would He grant it?”

A: We feel God would not, but not because He is unkind. He would not because He could not. It must be remembered, thereare things God cannot do. For instance, because of His holy nature, He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Similarly, His holiness and sense of infinite justice demand that He cannot forgive sin that has not been justly paid for by His Son (Rom. 3:24-26). Our Lord paid for the sins of men when He was “made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death...that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9). However, Universalists who teach that even Satan will be saved should consider that the same provision could not be made for the devil, because he is a fallen angel. Since angels cannot die (Luke 20:36), the Lord could not become an angel to die for angels (Heb. 2:14-17).
Lest the reader feel sorry for Satan, it should be pointed
out that he would never ask forgiveness. If a thousand years in the pit of hell (Rev. 20:3 cf. Isa. 14:15) does not cause him to ask it (Rev. 20:7-9), nothing will. — Pastor Kurth

 

 


THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
by Cornelius R. Stam

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22,23).

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law"
 

The "fruit of the Spirit" is that combination of graces evidenced in the lives of believers who "walk in the Spirit." Let us never make the mistake of supposing that "the Spirit," in Gal. 5:22,23, refers to "the spirit of man which is in him" (I Cor. 2:11). It refers rather to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, who indwells believers. The spiritual virtues listed above do not spring from any goodness in us, but from the Spirit of God dwelling within.
Next, we should observe that these graces are not the product of human effort. The passage above declares that they are fruit, and fruit is the natural product of life and growth. Indeed, "the fruit of the Spirit" is here contrasted with "the works of the flesh" (Vers. 19-21), and these are all bad!
Finally, it is a remarkable fact that the graces which the Holy Spirit produces in yielded believers are certainly not those which the world admires. The world admires self-confidence, self-respect, self-made men, intellectual prowess, personal magnetism, authority, etc., while the Spirit produces "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." But consider the difference. A man may have self-confidence, intellectual acumen, political or other power -- and he may still be very difficult to live with, but not so with the virtues which the Spirit produces. Of those who possess these graces the Apostle says: "Against such there is no law."
 

Check out these featured "no spin" articles found only in The Lighstreet Journal!!!

 

"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."

_________________________

I'll be singing this in heaven.....

This is my life

It's not what it was before

All these feelings I've shared

And these are my dreams

That I'd never lived before

Somebody shake me

'cause I

I must be sleeping

[CHORUS]

Now that we're here,

It's so far away

All the struggle we thought was in vain

All the mistakes,

One life contained

They all finally start to go away

Now that we're here its so far away

And I feel like I can face the day I can forgive

And I'm not ashamed to be the person that I am today

 

These are my words

That I've never said before

I think I'm doing Ok

And this is the smile

That I've never shown before

Somebody shake me 'cause I

I must be sleeping

[CHORUS]

Now that we're here,

It's so far away

All the struggle we thought was in vain

All the mistakes,

One life contained

They all finally start to go away

Now that we're here its so far away

And I feel like I can face the day I can forgive

And I'm not ashamed to be the person that I am today

 

I'm so afraid of waking

Please don't shake me

Afraid of waking

please don't shake me....

[CHORUS]

Now that we're here,

It's so far away

All the struggle we thought was in vain

All the mistakes,

One life contained

They all finally start to go away

Now that we're here its so far away

And I feel like I can face the day I can forgive

And I'm not ashamed to be the person that I am today

 

Lyrics to "So Far Away"

Staind: Aaron Lewis, Michael Mushok, Jonathan Wysocki, John April

 

"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, how that by revelation He made known unto me, the mystery".....................    

Mail Call!   While at work, Joe Smith received an e-mail about some disturbing news that stated "Due to the expiration of important certifications, your access to area XYZ has been revoked". Joe knew that this could be a major problem in that he would not be able to get his work completed without access to area XYZ! However, after further review of the e-mail, the man quickly discovered that he was not the intended recipient but instead "copied"  or "cc'd" as a reference only! As it turns out, a collogue of his was the man who lost his access! Joe, as the superintendent of area XYZ, simply needed to be aware of this. For a brief moment, Joe confused his TO mail with his CC mail. Not understanding that distinction for those brief seconds after reading the message caused severe anxiety for Joe until he realized the message was indeed TO someone else!  In a much similar example, when we read the bible, identifying our TO  mail is very important lest we make the same fundamental mistake as the person above. Without understanding the distinction between our "to" mail and our "cc" or our "reference only" mail, believers inadvertently "read themselves" into areas of the bible that God did not intend. The result when this happens: confusion! (see The Introduction of Dispensationalism)

 

Lighthouse Mystery Ministries