May 12, 2001

From A to Z
By Staff Writer Dianne Miller

ALPHA

The Beginning

A - Adoption
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba Father."

In the culture of that day, a father could disinherit a true son, but one who was adopted could never be disinherited. Oh, praise the Lord for that truth. We are His eternally.


B - Bride
Rev. 21:2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

I heard a sermon once that made it so clear to me regarding John the Baptist, and how he was the best man, announcing the bridegroom;then of course the bride, the church. Oh, how wonderful to look forward to that great Wedding Supper.


C - Called
Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

He called us, He brought us to faith in Christ, we answered His call. How could we not? What a joy! What a privilege-to be called the children of the living God.


D - Death
I Cor. 15:54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?

Death is swallowed up in victory. My Dad's death was the last piece in the puzzle so to speak that the Lord used in bringing me to Himself. So, even in his death, I can praise the Lord. And ultimately, if the Lord hadn't died, we would not be victorious. We would still be in our sins.


E - Excellence
Philippians 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.


F - Followers
John 10:4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.


G - Glory
Colossians 1:27,28 Them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.


H - House
Psalm 27:4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek; That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.

This verse had such an impact on my life as a new believer. I was so exuberant in my faith, I couldn't stay away from any church gatherings. I had to be near other believers and around the preaching of God's Word. I know that ultimately the meaning is far greater, but at the time, this meant church!


I - Imputationn
Psalm 32:1,2 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.

Romans 4:20-25 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore it was accounted to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.


J - Jealousy
II Cor. 11:2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.


K - Kingdom
Luke 17:21 Nor will they say, "See here!" For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.

L - Light
Gen.1:3 Then God said, "let there be light."
John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.


M - Mystery
Col. 1:26 The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.


N - New
II Corinthians 5:17 Old things have passed away. All things have become new.

He made all things new. New name written down in Glory. New song. New Creature. New Heavens and New Earth. New life. New birth. A new thing.New wine. New Commandment. New Covenant.


O - Offering
Heb.10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.


P - Prayer
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.


Q - Quietness
Isaiah 30:15 For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved;(In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.)But you would not.

Oh, I wish that I could learn this lesson. quietness..Someone did a test not too long ago with some friends and they had to be still and not talk for one hour. Could I actually do that? Hmmm. I wonder.


R - Redemption
Eph. 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth --in Him.


S - Sanctification
I Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.


T - Throne
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

What a promise we can cling to....that He hears our prayers, and desires that we pray...and gives us mercy and grace. O how thankful we should be.


U - Uttermost
Heb.7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Not just a little, or partially, or kind of...but uttermost...now that is extreme! How wonderful. How perfect.


V - Value
Matt.6:26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

I was cleaning out under a holly shrub today, and found a nest that is in the process of being built by a mockingbird. I was actually thinking of how God provides even for the birds from the scraps of leaves and string and dried moss, in order for them to care for their young, and keep them safe from the elements. I didn't have the heart to disturb them. I will trim the shrub later after the young are hatched and grown.


W - Wipe
Rev. 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

I can hardly wait for that day. It is a truth we can't even fathom, but look forward to with great anticipation.


X - Xpectation
Sorry, I couldn't help myself!
Psalm 62:5 My soul was silent for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.

This was another verse that had such great impact on my life as a new believer. I was going through great trial, with much fear, and worry. When the Lord gave me this verse to meditate upon, my life had such peace from then on.


Y - Yoke
Matt. 11:30 For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.

When I embraced the Lord I had such a burden lifted from my being. I could really relate to this verse. Indeed, that's probably why David leaped with joy. I actually did too, when I realized what He had done for me. My son came running out into the kitchen where I was, and wondered what was wrong with me. He was 5 at the time. I grabbed him up into my arms, and said "nothing, nothing," and kept on jumping with joy in Him.


Z - Zealous
Gal. 4:18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.

Zeal. I think we can all relate to the zeal a new believer has. It is almost overpowering and overwhelming to the receiver! I bowled over many a person with my newfound faith in Christ. Is it somewhat like the First Love...do we lose it to a fault? I wonder.

The End

OMEGA

God IS Like...
Submitted by Bobby Lewis

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results:

GOG is like BAYER ASPIRIN ... He works miracles.

GOD is like a FORD ... He's got a better idea.

GOD is like COKE ... He's the real thing.

GOD is like HALLMARK CARDS ... He cares enough to send His very best.

GOD is like TIDE ... He gets the stains out that others leave behind.

GOD is like GENERAL ELECTRIC ... He brings good things to life.

GOD is like SEARS ... He has everything.

GOD is like ALKA-SELTZER ... Try Him, you'll like him.

GOD is like SCOTCH TAPE ... You can't see him, but you know He's there.

GOD is like DELTA ... He's ready when you are.

GOD is like ALLSTATE ... You're in good hands with Him.

GOD is like VO-5 HAIR SPRAY ... He holds through all kinds of weather.

GOD is like DIAL SOAP ... Aren't you glad you have Him. Don't you wish everybody did?

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