Jacobs Altar \u2013 El-elohe-Israel
\nAnd he erected there an altar, and called it El\u2013elohe\u2013Israel (Genesis
\n33: 20).<\/p>\n
After more than twenty years Jacob returns to the place he fears the
\nmost. His last memory of this place was his brothers oath to slay him
\nand each step he takes he knows his brother is thundering towards him
\nwith four hundred men. But God has instructed him to go there and has
\nalso prepared both him and those before him for this journey. Jacob is a
\nchanged man. He does not attempt to arrange things or try to make things
\nappear as something they are not. He comes toward his brother as he is;
\nfully exposed, unguarded, and unprotected. He does not come to his
\nbrother in battle formation but with tokens of grace and good will.<\/p>\n
At last, he sees his red headed brother and as he moves toward him he
\nbows himself to the ground seven times. In true humility he comes to
\nEsau not knowing how things will go. To his surprise Esau leaps off his
\nhorse and runs to his brother and embraces him in tears and kisses. Esau
\nseeing his brother, and sensing his true affection, tells Jacob to keep
\nhis gifts; that he has plenty. But Jacob urges him to keep them saying
\nthese words to his brother, \u201cI pray thee if now I have found grace in
\nthy sight, then receive my present at my hand; for therefore, I have
\nseen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou was
\npleased with me.\u201d (Genesis33: 10) What a statement of Gods sovereign,
\nloving rule for Israel. When I saw your face appeased I saw it as the
\nface of God.<\/p>\n
Leaving his brother, Jacob finds a small place to rest and there he
\nbuilds an altar. He calls the altar by this name, Elelohe-Israel. The
\nname is a compound of words and as near as I can translate them have
\nthree declarations.<\/p>\n
The Mighty God rules in Israel.
\nThe Mighty God rules for Israel.
\nThe Mighty God rules through Israel<\/p>\n
All three are true and all are the experience and confession of true
\nIsrael. What a glorious and loving rule is the rule of Christ that
\ngoverns all things in order to give eternal life to those given to him
\nby his Father before the world began. May God be pleased to inscribe
\nElelohe-Israel upon the altar of our hearts that we may worship our
\ngreat King.
\nDarvin Pruitt.<\/p>\n
TREASURES FROM TIPTAFT
\n“Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world
\nhates you.” 1 John 3:13<\/p>\n
You will be much despised and cast out for Christ’s
\nsake, and nothing will offend more than separating
\nyourselves as much as possible from carnal people.<\/p>\n
It is ‘the life’ which condemns the professing world.<\/p>\n
When the world sees you unmoved by the riches
\nand the pleasures which it so much adores; when
\nyou are led by the Spirit “to count all things but
\nrubbish for the excellency of the knowledge of
\nChrist”; when you have a single eye to God’s glory,
\nyou must expect then to bear reproaches from
\nthe Hagar race.
\nDo you have the blood-mark?<\/p>\n
The following is from Spurgeon’s sermon,
\n“THE GREATEST WONDER OF GRACE”<\/p>\n
Then the glory of the God of Israel rose up from
\nbetween the cherubim, where it had rested, and
\nmoved to the entrance of the Temple. And the Lord
\ncalled to the man dressed in linen who was carrying
\nthe writer’s case. He said to him, “Walk through the
\nstreets of Jerusalem and put a MARK on the foreheads
\nof all those who weep and sigh because of the sins
\nthey see around them.”
\nThen I heard the Lord say to the other men, “Follow
\nhim through the city and kill everyone whose forehead
\nis not MARKED. Show no mercy; have no pity! Kill them
\nall- old and young, girls and women and little children.
\nBut do not touch anyone with the MARK. Begin your
\ntask right here at the Temple.” So they began by
\nkilling the seventy leaders. Ezekiel 9:3-6<\/p>\n
After the executioners had begun at the sanctuary, it is to be observed
\nthat they did not spare any, except those upon whom was the MARK.
\nOld and young, men and women, priests and people, all were slain who
\nhad not the sacred sign; and so in the last tremendous day all sinners
\nwho have not fled to Christ will perish. There will be only one of two
\nthings – they must either be saved, because they had faith in Christ, or
\nelse the full weight of divine wrath must fall upon them. Either the MARK of
\nChrist’s pen, or of Christ’s sword, must be upon every one. There will be
\nno sparing of one man because he was rich, nor of another because he was
\nlearned, nor of a third because he was eloquent, nor of a fourth because he
\nwas held in high esteem. Those who are MARKED with the blood of Christ
\nare safe! Without that MARK all are lost! This is the one separating sign-
\ndo you wear it? Or will you die in your sins? Bow down at once before the
\nfeet of Jesus, and beseech him to MARK you as his own.<\/p>\n
We must all bear the MARK of Jesus Christ. What is that? It is the MARK of
\nfaith in the atoning blood. That sets apart the chosen of the Lord, and that
\nalone. If you have that MARK then in that last day no sword of justice can
\ncome near you. Did you read that word, “But do not touch anyone with the
\nMARK.” Come not even near the MARKED ones lest they be afraid.<\/p>\n
The grace-MARKED man is safe, even from the near approach of ill.
\nChrist bled for him, and therefore he cannot, must not, die. Let him alone,
\nyou bearers of the destroying weapons. Just as the angel of death, when he
\nflew through the land of Egypt, was forbidden to touch a house where the
\nblood of the lamb was on the lintel and the two side posts, so is it
\nsure that
\navenging justice cannot touch the man who is in Christ Jesus. Who is he
\nthat condemns since Christ has died? Have you, then, the blood MARK?
\nYes, or no. Do not refuse to question yourself upon this point. Do not take
\nit for granted, lest you be deceived. Believe me, your all hangs upon it.
\nReader, are you cured of the awful disease of sin?<\/p>\n
Are you marked with the blood-red sign of trust in the atoning blood?<\/p>\n
Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?<\/p>\n
If not, the Lord have mercy upon you!<\/p>\n
Bearing our Cross
\n\u201cHe that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of
\nme.\u201d \u2013 Matthew 10:38<\/p>\n
Mere professing Christians loudly and proudly like to speak of \u2018bearing
\ntheir cross.\u2019 What they mean by that is going through some sort of
\ntrouble or suffering. If that is what it means then the whole world is
\nbearing some sort of cross. But that is not what is meant by bearing the
\ncross.<\/p>\n
The Lord Jesus Christ was put on a cross because of what He said. He was
\ncrucified by men (according to God\u2019s will and purpose), because of His
\nclaim to Sovereignty, His claim to being the only way, truth and life.
\nThey crucified Him because He claimed to be God. And the Lord said that
\neveryone who truly believes and confesses Him will also be hated by the
\nworld and if lawful, will kill them. They would put every believer on a
\ncross for confessing Christ to be Who He is . . . not just a man, but
\nvery God of very God, the Sovereign Lord and Creator, the Judge of all,
\nthe giver and taker of life, the One with the keys of Hell and death,
\nthe One before Whom we stand to be accepted or rejected, the only Way to
\nGod, the only Truth of God (all else a lie) the only Life (he that hath
\nnot the Son hath not life), the only Mediator, High Priest, Tabernacle,
\nSin Offering, Messiah, Saviour, Intercessor, Righteousness, Builder of
\nthe church, Foundation, Prophet, Priest, and King, yea . . . all and in
\nall!! All other gods, jesuses, christs, messiahs, mediators, prophets,
\npriests, ways, words, religions. . . are a lie!<\/p>\n
Just as Christ was crucified \u201cwithout the camp,\u201d all who confess Him
\nwill have to go \u201cunto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.\u201d Those
\nwho truly follow the Lord will be partakers of His sufferings. The man
\nor woman who follows Him, it will follow them to be \u201ccrucified to the
\nworld and the world to (them).\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep
\nfor the slaughter\u201d \u2013 Rom.8:36
\nPaul Mahan.<\/p>\n
Sufficient Grace
\nAnd he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is
\nmade perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in
\nmy infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me\u20132 Cor. 12:9.<\/p>\n
When Paul was given a special messenger of Satan to buffet and beat him
\ndown in the flesh he asked the Lord Jesus Christ for immediate relief (2
\nCor. 12:8)). Instead of removing the thorn in the flesh, the Lord in His
\ninfinite wisdom instructed and encouraged Paul that His grace was
\nsufficient or enough to sustain him in the time of trial.<\/p>\n
Surely this is true for all of the Lord’s people, although we often
\nthink in our time of despair and doubt that there is no way we can
\nsurvive our trouble, heartache, grief and pain. Yet, the answer of the
\nLord is always the same, “my grace is sufficient.” His grace is
\nsufficient to choose us unto salvation (Eph. 1:3-6). His grace is
\nsufficient to save us by His mighty power (Acts 15:11; 2 Tim. 1:9). His
\ngrace is sufficient to keep us from falling (1 Peter 1:5; Jude 1:24).
\nSurely, His grace is sufficient to sustain, comfort and bless us in the
\ntime of trial (Isa. 41:10; 43:1-7; John 16:33; Rom. 8:28).<\/p>\n
The essence of this is that the Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient, He is
\nenough, “Christ is all and in all” (Col. 3:11). The Lord’s salvation and
\nstrength is perfect and complete at all times but especially in and for
\nour time of need and weakness (Psalm 46:1; Phil. 4:19). He instructs us
\nto come boldly unto His throne of grace. Why? The Lord’s grace is
\nsufficient. Read this precious promise found in Heb. 4:16, “Let us
\ntherefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
\nmercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”<\/p>\n
The Lord Jesus Christ is our all-sufficient Saviour. He does give us
\ndaily grace and daily strength for each trial. We realize and appreciate
\nthis the most when we know and confess our own weakness, frailties,
\ninabilities and sinfulness. Paul says, “Therefore I take pleasure in
\ninfirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in
\ndistresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2
\nCor. 12:10).
\nTom Harding.<\/p>\n
NEVER AFFLICTED ALONE
\nAny child of God suffering affliction can take comfort from the truth
\nthat no child of God suffers affliction alone. \u201cIn all their affliction
\nhe was afflicted\u201d (Is. 63:9). When a child of God suffers affliction,
\nChrist our Savior suffers affliction with us. He personally feels the
\naffliction of His people because believers are the body of Christ. This
\nis why the Lord said to Saul \u201cSaul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME?\u201d
\n(Acts 9:4). Our great High Priest is touched with the feeling of our
\ninfirmity (Heb 4:15) so He not only comforts, but He sympathizes with us
\nin our affliction and delivers us from it. God said \u201cI have seen the
\naffliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their
\ngroaning, and am come down to deliver them\u201d (Acts 7:34).<\/p>\n
This passage is also translated \u201cIn all their affliction, there was no
\naffliction.\u201d Trials never come accidentally. Trials are always sent by
\nthe purpose of God. Trials are also never sent to punish God\u2019s children.
\nA believer\u2019s sin has already been punished in Christ our Substitute so
\ntrials are always sent for our good and our learning. Any trial that
\nincreases faith in Christ is for our good, no matter how painful the
\ntrial may be at the time. This is what enabled the apostle Paul to say
\n\u201cFor our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a
\nfar more exceeding and eternal weight of glory\u201d (2 Cor 4:17).
\nFrank Tate, pastor Hurricane Road Grace Church, Ashland, KY<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jacobs Altar \u2013 El-elohe-Israel And he erected there an altar, and called it El\u2013elohe\u2013Israel (Genesis 33: 20). After more than twenty years Jacob returns to the place he fears the most. His last memory of this place was his brothers oath to slay him and each step he takes he knows his brother is thundering […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bulletin-editions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4134"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4134\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4138,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4134\/revisions\/4138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}