Praise His Name for b-u-t!!! part 8

From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Praise His Name for b-u-t!!! part 8

(If you haven't read part 1 of this series, you need to read at least the first 2 paragraphs of it before proceeding with this message, so you will understand its premise.)

But he giveth more grace. (James 4:6a) No matter how great the temptation we face, no matter how strong the pull, we have this b-u-t to remind us HE gives us superabundant grace, more than enough to take us through, as we are told in Romans 5:20. God never gives too little, too late; His measuring cup of grace has been "super-sized." Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12) What a blessing it is to live in New Testament times, where we can see and receive the awesome fulfilled promises of our God and Father! What a gift HE has given to us. We don't have to ponder and wonder about when, how, or if they will be fulfilled. No, we have the fulfilled promise(s) before our eyes. Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (1 Peter 1:23) The payment Jesus made to free us from the wrath of God on our sins was not made by a check or in some currency whose value fluctuates with the stock market. No, our salvation was paid for in the always rock-steady value currency of the Word of God. Silver and gold are normally highly valuable, but their value declines whenever large sources of them are discovered and mined. Not so the Word of God, it's value never fluctuates, excepting the fact it's value may go up the more of it we have, or the more desperately we may need it. It is always sufficient. Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you (1 Peter 1:25) All the glory and value of men fades and dries up, just like the grass of the fields, but not so the Word of God, which we heard, believed, and are thereby saved through. It's value and glory lasts eternally. We can believe and be established on it forever and ever. We will endure because it endures. Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:10) The mystery of God making the nation of Israel His chosen people is unfathomable. I do not understand it at all, but I do realize HE has done just that and that makes it law. For reasons only HE knows, HE has chosen them for special blessing and as His own special people. The law was given to them, the prophets were given to them, Messiah was born in to their race, and many special promises are given to them alone. All other peoples (Gentiles) were "outside the loop" as relating to God, but, HE in His sovereign grace opened the door to allow us to join in to these blessings. Those of us Gentiles who hear the Word given to the Jews and believe and receive it are spiritually transformed to become part of that chosen people. We become the spiritual seed of Abraham, the father of the Jews. Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. (Galatians 3:7-9 (ASV) How marvelous is God's grace towards us! Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!