"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." (Isaiah 32:17)

 According to our text, this "assurance for ever," together with true peace of soul and quietness of spirit, are products of the "work of righteousness."

The New Testament exposition of genuine righteousness makes it clear that we who have received Christ's work of righteousness by faith have been made the righteousness of God in him . To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Thus, salvation is the priceless possession of those to whom Christ's work of righteousness has been imputed, through faith. On the other hand, the assurance of salvation, accompanied by quietness and peace of heart, is "experienced" only by saved believers who practice the work of righteousness in their daily walk with the Lord. If we truly have salvation, then we ought to manifest the "things that accompany salvation.

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." (John 15:11)

The word "fun" is never mentioned in the Bible, and "entertain" is used only in reference to being hospitable. Such activities as "reveling" and "playing" receive nothing except condemnation in the Scriptures (with the exception of little children at play).

Yet there is growing emphasis today in many churches and parachurch organizations on providing "entertainment" and "fun times" for their members--especially for teenagers and young adults. This is the way to reach them and keep them for the Lord, so they say. Perhaps so, but one wonders why neither the Lord nor the apostles nor the prophets ever told us so. Is this a program kept in reserve by the Lord just for the young people of this generation?

Actually, Christians can have something far better, more effective, and more lasting than fun and entertainment. In Christ, they can have heavenly joy! "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine," the Bible says, where the word for "merry" is more commonly translated as "joyful" or "rejoicing."

While the Bible never mentions "fun," it has many references to "joy" and "rejoicing." Here are just a few. "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts"

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11)

The English word "content" can bring up thoughts of indifference and mild temperament. Modern usage tends to give "content" a negative connotation, as though such an attitude has little ambition or drive.

Not so of the Greek term that the Holy Spirit chose for this passage. It is composed of the pronoun for "self" and the noun for "sufficiency." Both in Scripture and in secular Greek literature, the word demands an ability to conquer whatever circumstances that may oppose one's purpose or goal and to continue through in spite of difficulties.

The context of our text is a prime example. Paul had experienced hunger and satisfaction. He knew what it meant to be obscure and to be a celebrity. There were times when he had more than enough resources to accomplish what he understood God had called him to do, and other times when resources were very scarce. In whatever state he found himself, Paul had learned to be self-sufficient.

Our problem is that we often are looking only at the physical and circumstantial issues and have not learned that our Lord Jesus provides grace that "is sufficient for thee

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus." (Hebrews 10:19)

In the ancient tabernacle only the High Priest was allowed to enter the "holy of holies" to commune with God, and that only once a year, on the great day of atonement. This most holy place was separated from the rest by a very heavy veil. When Christ died, however, as the one final and perfect sacrifice, "the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom".

This miraculous rending of the veil was intended by the Lord to symbolize the wonderful truth that we now have open access to come into the very presence of God, "By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh". Thus, as our text says, we no longer must go by way of priests and sacrifices to come to God. We can enter directly "into the holiest by the blood of Jesus."

Because of what Christ has done for us, we can come boldly (not arrogantly or presumptuously, however) into God's presence in prayer. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need"

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9)

The term "Godhead" occurs three times in the King James translation. Each time it translates a slightly different Greek noun, all being slight modifications of the Greek word for "God" (theos, from which we derive such English words as "theology"). It essentially means the nature, or "structure," of God, as He has revealed Himself in His Word.

We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. Men have been guilty throughout the ages of trying to model" the Godhead, but this leads quickly to idolatry, whether that model is a graven image of wood or stone or a philosophical construct of the human mind.

What man cannot do, however, God has done, in the very structure of His creation. "The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead. His tri-universe (space, matter, and time, with each component unique in definition and function, yet permeating and comprising the whole) perfectly "models" His triune nature (Father, Son, Holy Spirit--each distinct, yet each the whole).

This analogy can be carried much further, for this remarkable triunity pervades all reality. The tri-universe is not God (that would be pantheism), but it does clearly reflect and reveal the triune nature of His Godhead.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

This little verse gets quoted out of context a lot. It is used to justify bizzare plans and dreams, as well as to suggest that every Christian should be rich and healthly all the time. Not only are such applications without any support in Scripture, they are completely out of the context of this passage.

In the previous verses, Paul lists a variety of circumstances that he had faced, from proverty to wealth, learning to be "content" in each of these developments. Then he notes that he "can do all things" through the strength that the Lord provides during conflicting circumstances.

The "do" of this text is the prevailing of the power of God in which and by which we minister. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament.

The early church experienced a stunning growth in converts as it preached and testified of the resurrected Christ. This result, however, is due to the fact that the Word of God grew "mightily .

Our fight is not a physical one. We wrestle against the great spiritual powers of wickedness that have their source in the heavenlies.

"But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us." (Luke 19:14)

In this parable, the nobleman who had gone into a far country to receive his kingdom is a picture of Christ in the interim between His first and second comings. The "citizens" of His kingdom, however, refuse His Kingship. Nevertheless, He is the King, and when He returns, those "enemies, which would not that I should reign over them" (v. 27) will be slain. How much better to accept Him now!

The first title ascribed to Him was King of the Jews. Long before that, however, He was King of creation. "For God is the King of all the earth, a great King above all gods.The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land..

He is also King of redemption, providing salvation for the world He created. For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. The Father hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

He is not only King of all the worlds, but also King of all the ages.

"And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights." (Genesis 7:12)

There are nine forty-day periods in Scripture, but on only five of these the notation "and forty nights" is added. On the other four occasions (the spies in Canaan, Goliath's challenges, Jonah in Nineveh, and the post-resurrection ministry of Christ) we can assume that the activity ceased at night. But on these five it continued unabated.

The first of these was the great Flood. The most intense rains ever experienced on the earth poured torrentially, night and day. One can visualize the stress-filled nights for Noah's family, with the cries of the dying outside, and no light of the sun or moon to pierce the outer darkness. But, of course, they were all safe in God's specially designed Ark.

Many years later, Moses twice spent forty days and forty nights in the awful presence of God on Mount Sinai, receiving the divinely-inscribed tablets, with the Ten Commandments and all the laws of God. The mountain was intermittently quaking and breathing fire and smoke while he was there, and the nights were surely more awesome even than the days, but God was there!

Elijah spent forty days and forty nights traveling back from Beersheba to Sinai, even though this relatively short journey would not normally require forty days. Evidently Elijah experienced great hardships and obstacles along the way and many sleepless nights, but God met him again at Sinai, and it was worth it all.

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11)

The only sure and lasting foundation, for either a Christian institution or an individual Christian life, is the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is vital, therefore, to build on the foundation that Christ Himself has laid. This is laid in three courses, each of which is essential for its permanence. First of all, we must acknowledge with the apostle that: "Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands. He is the Creator of all things, and therefore Lord over all.

Second, we must acknowledge with Peter that we have been "redeemed by the precious blood of Christ . . . Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world. His foreordained work of redemption thus was foundational even to the foundation of the world!

Then there is the Word of God, which is foundational to everything beyond creation and redemption. "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them.

"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." (Ephesians 3:20)

This amazing assurance of God's unlimited ability to answer our prayers is related to a unique "power Greek dunamis that worketh in us." Paul had used the same word twice before in this same epistle, speaking of "the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe," and "the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Effectual working" in the original is one word, energeia, from which we get our word "energy."

Such power working in us is actually nothing less than the presence of God Himself. Its very first occurrence is in the model prayer. "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever." It is this "power of God unto salvation" which is received when we first believe on Christ through the gospel . It has been so ever since the fulfillment of Christ's promise when He told His disciples that "ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you".

This remarkable power of God is thus imparted to us and energized in us by the Holy Spirit. Because of this, we can be filled "with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:14).

There are a number of significant references to the work of all three Persons of the Trinity in the great work of salvation. Note the implicit reference to the Trinity in our text: "The blood of Christ . . . through the eternal Spirit offered . . . to God.: "For through Christ we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

The promise of Christ to send the Holy Spirit is a high point of the Gospel of John. "I will pray the Father," said the Lord Jesus, "and he shall give you another Comforter" (Greek parakletos, meaning "one called alongside"), "that he may abide with you for ever. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.

It seems very clear from such Scriptures that all three--Father, Son, Holy Spirit--are each distinct persons. Yet that the three together are one God is also clear from the fact that they are identified by name as One. Converts are to be baptized "in the name |note the singular--one name| of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"

"And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" (Luke 17:17)

Ten lepers, hopeless and incurable, had come to Jesus, begging for His help, and He had miraculously healed them. All ten should have fallen down to worship and thank Him, but only one praised God and thanked Jesus for His marvelous deliverance, while the others rushed away.

We are at first amazed at such ingratitude, until we realize that not more than 10 percent of even those people who know about Christ ever stop to give Him thanks for His innumerable blessings--life, freedom, food, shelter, health, family, and especially easy access to the Bible and His gracious offer of salvation--far greater in value than the gift of special healing received by the ten lepers.

The thankful leper received a much greater gift than all the others. "Thy faith hath made thee whole". They had received an outward cleansing of the body, he an inward cleansing of the soul! These words spoken by Christ are found four other times in the New Testament

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2)

Paul's "charge" to young Timothy, just before the great apostle's martyrdom, was urgently needed by Christians in those early days of persecution and incipient apostasy, and his words are even more appropriate today.

The admonition to "be instant" is worth special note. The Greek word ephistemi is translated in various ways . The main idea is simply to be there, doing what needs to be done at the time it is needed. In this particular context it is stressing the Christian's responsibility to be there with the right words from  God words of exhortation, of doctrine, of reproof if needed, yet words given patiently, even when rebuffed by the hearer. "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man".

The apostle could rightly issue such a charge because he had set such an example. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience"

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

This precious promise is rooted in the "garrision guard" that God will set around our hearts and minds through His peace. Imagine the war circle of angels "full of horses and chariots of fire round about" that Elisha spoke of..

And it is a war! "But I see another law in my members," Paul wrote, "warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." Were it not for the peace that exceeds human comprehension, we would quickly succumb to the fact that "in the world we shall have tribulation;" but Jesus also said, "be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

The "peace of God" is a supernatural peace, not a false calm of meditative hypnosis or a denial of the turmoil that surrounds the "roaring lion" who seeks to devour. This peace is from our Lord Jesus and "not as the world giveth." It comes through the "things I have spoken unto you," Jesus said, "that in me ye might have peace."

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10)

The days of the early church were the days of its greatest power because they were days of its greatest unity. "They, continuing daily with one accord and singleness of heart." "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: and great grace was upon them all.". It was not long, however, before divisions, contentions, and schisms crept in. Therefore, the New Testament contains many exhortations toward a restoration of the unity and thus the power of the early church. Note the following examples:

Be of the same mind one toward another. "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God." "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." (Romans 8:9)

As we see, the Holy Spirit indwells in man or woman who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior is a true believer, or is also known as a child of God. Each believer is born again through "the engrafted word, which is able to save our souls", for "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."  My Father's word tells that his word shall not return to him void, so if you and I will just believe he said he would take care of the rest. God tells you and I in Revelation that he is standing knocking at the door of your heart, want you let him? He tells me in Matthew to bring my burdens to him and he will give me His burden for they are lite. So the real work that we have to do is believe. Yes you read it right, just believe that Jesus Christ is exactly who he said he was and that he died for your and my sins and that he is not in fact in the grave but sitting at the right hand side of the Father.  If you believe this he promises you eternal life, and that in heaven their shall be no more pain, and that he will wipe away every tear drop.  Funny we will sit in a chair and believe it will support our weight, we will fly in a plane and believe it want crash. Yet Jesus offers a guarantee off that if you but believe, their is on guarantee with that chair or the plane or that you will leave to see another day.

Oh men of God let the spirit of God shine through you daily, in the words you speak and the deeds you do. Let his love shine so brightly through that your face would be like Moses that you will have to wear a veil. "Be filled with the Spirit", in the same sense that a drunkard is filled with and controlled by wine, and to "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." These two entities equip us to be effective representatives of Him here on earth.

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12).

There is only one thing that is absolutely sure to happen to every person--every human being  will have to face God one day. Not even "death and taxes" are certain for every one, but meeting God for an accounting of one's life is certain!

Therefore, as the prophet Amos warned some 2,500 years ago: "Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel" (Amos 4:12). "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment", bottom line we have only this life time to accept the gift that Christ offers to every man and women which is His forgiveness and the blessing of eternal life, but this offers only extends as long as we are alive. I once heard it said that I would rather go through life believing in a judgement day and die and find out I was wrong. Than go through life and believe that their is no God and no judgement and stand face to face with him. For if I'm wrong and there is nothing after this I've lost nothing, but if your wrong and there is a God you've lost your eternal soul. Not a gamble I'm willing to take.

To the Christian believer, of course, there is no need to fear hell, for there is "now no condemnation that is, 'judgment' to them which are in Christ Jesus." The Lord  has paid for our sins and purchased our redemption by the  shedding of His blood. He "was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.". One day brothers and sisters we shall stand before our savior and I want to hear him say well done my true and faithful servant. However for those that die in unbelief, however, not having trusted Christ as their Savior, will face a different meeting with God. He will be your judge and a judge must rule justly, justice demands that death for sin and if you have not been covered in the blood and the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ you will be found guilty and must then be separated eternally from God.  Please remember this, God never created hell for man, it is not Jesus will nor the Father will that any human being should go there. But if you refuse to accept Christ offer to dwell with Him in heaven were else can he send you except for hell.

 I grow tired of people always asking why would God send people to hell, cause I always reply the same answer . God does not send any man to hell, they do that themselves, he offers each of us his forgiveness for our sins, if you deny and and refuse His offer then hell is the only place left for you. Sadly hell will never refuse anyone, hell is open a24/7 and the road is wide  and filled with many, who have refused Christ offer.

How long will you wait, he is calling you today, he wants to take away all the pain, all the burdens and the sins that you have committed against him. He wants to give you a fresh start, want you accept his offer today before its to late??? Accept his offer, please before its to late he want wait forever, he has been calling out to you for a while now, you have heard his voice, what do you got to loose by accepting his offer??? What you have to loose if you don't is your eternal soul, He died for you and I so that we don't have to loose our soul. Want you let him in, let him take away ever tear, ever bit of pain you ever felt, let him heal the wounds that this life has brought you.

"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

Especially as noted in the Gospel of John, Christ identified many reasons why He had been born. Consider the following sampling of verses and references. First and foremost, Christ came to redeem those who would believe: "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." But under that umbrella of redemption come many other aspects.

Jesus said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." God's will was paramount even in judgment as well as resurrection. "This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." It also governed His teaching. In everything, Christ sought to bring glory to His Father as each of us should daily. May the word of our hands bring glory to the Father, may the words from our lips come before the Father and be pleasing to him. May each step we take bring us closer to the Father and be in line with His perfect will for each of us.

Many aspects of Christ's work are to be realized in this life, for He said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"