Author: Pastor Carroll Parish

Calling himself a “wretch” who was lost and blind, John Newton recalled leaving school at the age of eleven to begin life as a rough, debauched seaman. He was a heavy drinker and eventually engaged in the practice of capturing natives of West Africa to be sold as slaves to markets around the world. But one day in a terrible storm, in fear for his life, Newton began to read The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a’ Kempis. God used the book to lead him into a dramatic change in his life through a relationship with Jesus as Lord of his life.

Feeling a call on his life for ministry, he began to study and prepare for it. John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield greatly influenced him. He later became an ordained minister in the Church of England.

During his life, he wrote many hymns. Perhaps the one he is most noted for is Amazing Grace. It is a story about God’s grace that was revealed in his life.

There are two ways the grace of God is seen toward man. The first is through what Jesus did for us on the Cross. The second is His divine ability in us continually that allows us to be and do what He wants.

Grace is most often thought of as the unmerited favor and mercy of God revealed to mankind through the work of the Cross. The forgiveness of sin, regeneration and work of God in the heart and life of a sinner is a good example of God’s grace. Without this manifestation of grace all of life would be futile and hopeless. But God in eternity past knew that man would reject Him so He provided a way to forgiveness and restoration.

The first mention of grace is found in Genesis 6:8 which says, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Noah found mercy, compassion, and unmerited favor. Not because of any greatest of character on his part, but because of God’s great love, compassion and plan that He had for the human race.

We find the Bible is very explicit that no one can receive forgiveness, justification or any other thing from God except through His grace. Notice the following passages:

Romans 3:24 says, “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” These verses reveal that even though sin abounds, the grace of God revealed in Jesus provides a way of forgiveness and restoration back to God to everyone who will accept it and make Jesus the Lord of their life.

There is another manifestation of God’s grace that we need to see also. This area of grace is often overlooked by many evangelicals. This area is what the Apostle Paul mentioned in Romans 5:17 when he said, “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.” Paus shows us that it is the will of God that believers in Jesus Christ should reign in life. This reigning is possible because of God’s grace-His divine ability that He has put in us. Too many Christians seem to think that after they get saved God leaves them to live their life on their own. While they may not say this outright, but by the way they live it seems apparent that down in their spirit this is what they believe.

But God has not left us alone. He gives us His grace-His ability to be and do-so that we can accomplish what He has planned for us to do. He promised us in Matthew 28:20, “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Notice the following passages:

Ephesians 3:7 says, “Of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.”

Ephesians 4:7 says, “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

In these verses Paul is showing us that he was an apostle by the mercy and favor of God and because of God’s ability in him to be one. He further states that each of us has grace to be whatever the gift of God in us requires. Whatever your station in life, God’s grace is sufficient for you in that position.

The Apostle Paul knew what he was taking about. There was a time in his life when everything seemed to be against him. He went to God about it and God said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” God was telling Paul that His grace was sufficient to take him through the difficulties victoriously. He was not telling him to grin and bear it but to depend upon God’s ability in him to do what was necessary to come through it. When we are weak God’s strength is more easily seen. When we depend upon Him then He gets the glory when we are victorious.

Horatio Spafford was a successful attorney in Chicago. He was the father of four daughters, an active member in the Presbyterian Church, and a loyal friend and supporter of D. L. Moody. Through a series of calamities, including the fire of 1871, much of his extensive real estate holdings were wiped out. He decided to take his family to Great Britain for a time of refreshing while he helped with the Moody-Sankey meetings there. His family went on ahead by boat. Their ship was hit by an English vessel and sank in twelve minutes. All four daughters died but his wife was one of the very few who escaped. Later when Spafford came to the approximate spot where his four daughters died, he received great comfort from God that enabled him to write the hymn It Is Well With My Soul. Great grace enables one to deal with great problems successfully!

Fanny Crosby, blinded by a medical accident at six weeks of age, overcame her handicap and wrote over 8000 hymns during her ninety-five years. She was known as the “queen of gospel music.” Among her best known hymns is Blessed Assurance. She was determined to obey what she believed to be God’s direction in her life to write hymns out of the overflow of His grace.

You have probably known individuals who accomplished great things in spite of handicaps or hardships. Or perhaps looking back on your own life you can see where the hand of God has been upon you and enabled you to do what otherwise would have been impossible. The grace of God is not only unmerited favor, it is also the ability of God to be the person we should be, and to do what we should be doing.

The fact that God’s grace has been given to us does not mean that we automatically see its potential manifested. There are some things we need to do to cooperate with God as He brings His will to pass. John 1:16 says, “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” God’s fullness which is manifested in Jesus Christ has been given to each of us. As a result of that it is expected that we will reign in this life. Everyone, saved or lost, is a recipient of God’s grace. But only those who have made Jesus their Lord and Savior will know the fullest expression of that grace. That grace is experienced as we walk with God in obedience. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” There is an abundance of grace for every believer to do what God wants him to do!

Romans 12:6 says, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith…” The gifts we possess are determined by the grace that God has given to each individual. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” We are responsible to be good stewards of His grace.’

In one word – SIN!

Adam and Eve disobeyed God and by their disobedience they plunged themselves and all those who come after into sin, with a propensity to do likewise (Genesis 3, Romans 5:12-21).

Another word – SATAN!

Before Adam one of the angels fell, Lucifer, was cast out of heaven and began his reign of terror against God and those who follow Him (Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:1-19).

Yet, another word – FLESH!

All of us, even those born again, have some flesh! The Greek word is “sarx” meaning those areas of our life that are not yet submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And that flesh, when yielded to, has the ability to act contrary to the nature of Christ within (Galatians 5:13-15, 16-21).

Jesus came and lived as a person perfectly obedient to the Father and qualified to be our Savior, died for and as us. All of our sin was put upon Him. He brought forgiveness and eternal life to us. We are recipients of His grace (Ephesians 1:7,  2:8-10).

To win the battle over the flesh, we need to recognize that it was crucified with Jesus (Romans 6:6-12, Galatians 2:20, 5:24, 6:14).

CONSISTENTLY LIVE IN THE SPIRIT OF GOD

Now that we are born again, we are instructed to stand fast in the liberty given to us by the work of Jesus on the Cross and Resurrection (Galatians 5:1). We are instructed to walk in the Spirit and we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-18, 25). Our lives will either reveal the fruit of the Spirit or the works of the flesh, determined by which one we yield to.

We all face problems, some of which may be different from others. Yet, there are some problems that are common to all of us. First,one of the basic ones is that as long as we live in this world, we all age. Second, there is coming a day when we all will stand before the Lord. 

OUR ATTITUDE

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing (decay), yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light (easy) affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Seeing the plan of God, and His hand working for and with us, enables us to look beyond what we see in the natural realm to that which is from the dimension of the Spirit which is far greater.

OUR MORTAL BODY

2 Corinthians 5:1-4 says, “For we know that if our earthly house (body, structure), this tent, is destroyed (disintegrated), we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven. If indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.”

The life that exists and is waiting for the redeemed child of God is an immortal body. It is not subject to sickness, disease, death or any such thing. Mortality will be swallowed by the divine life of God (1 Corinthians 15:50-56).

GOD’S PLAN

2 Corinthians 5:5-8 says, “Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to present with the Lord.” There is within us a desire to be in His tangible presence unhindered by natural time, space, understanding, etc.

During the trials of life, we are often tempted to look at ourselves and our problems. When we do this, things look dark, dim, and difficult. But if we see them from God’s perspective, they look more manageable because He has not left us alone. He is with us every step of the way. He knows all about the problem, who and what is behind it, and how to navigate through them. We should meditate on the promises of God instead of thinking and talking about how difficult our problems are. Reading, declaring, and acting on God’s word releases faith and a positive outlook. And soon we will see the victory manifested!

Genesis 6:1-8 says, “Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the Lord said, “My spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” There were giants (nephilim, fallen or mighty ones Numbers 13:28-33, 2 Pet.2:4-5, Jude 1:6-7) on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came into the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said , “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

There are many strange beings in our world. The New Testament gives many accounts of Jesus and His disciples casting out demons (Matt. 8: 16-17, Mark 16:17). And this ministry continues even now. I have been involved in it for over fifty years!

Frequently scientists and others give accounts of unusual things happening on the earth and in the atmosphere and space. Some believe they are aliens from far away places. Others believe they are mere anomalies that are not presently explainable.

Some people have given testimony of having had sex or being raped by aliens or demons. This is known as succubus. The further a generation moves away from belief in Jesus and His Word – the Bible – the more we see the manifestations of evil taking control of people and situations.

Scripture tells us that as it was in the days of Noah (Matt.24:37-39) so it will be in the end times. So we should not be surprised when seeing some of these things in our world today.

Could some of these unexplainable things be the result of another dimension clashing with ours?

SO WHAT CAN WE DO?

Be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Get involved in a Bible believing, preaching church.

Get right with and stay right with the Lord through His Word, Worship, and prayer.

Keep the armor of the Lord on! (Ephesians 6)

Do not fear the unknown, but believe the promises of God.

Genesis 1:28 says, “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

There are three basic positions on this question. 1) Those who believe it is still one hundred operational today, 2) Those who believe it is partially operational today, 3) Those who believe it will only be operational again in the millennium and/or new heavens and new earth.

When Adam and Eve fell into sin all of mankind and the earth were adversely affected. They were kicked out of the Garden as a result of their disobedience and the earth and humanity suffer because of it (Romans 8:18-23). But in Jesus’ redemption, there appears to be a lifting of at least part of the curse (Romans 5:17).

Let’s look at some passages in Romans 5 to find some answers.

Adam was a type of Jesus (Genesis 5:14) what he did affects us all. Even so in Christ, the price He paid for our redemption affects those who repent and believe in Him.

Romans 5:15 says, “…For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.”

Romans 5:16 says, “…for the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses (trespasses) resulted in justification.”

Romans 5:17 says, “For if by one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:18-19 says, “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience any were made sinners, so also by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”

Romans 5:20-21 says, “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Summation: Because of sin many died – removed from the presence of God thereafter born with a propensity to sin. But in Christ His grace is made known to us all. Because of sin all were condemned, but the free gift results in justification. Death reigns, but those who receive the abundance of grace along with the gift of righteousness will reign in life through Jesus Christ.

Our body is the house or tent on this earth (2 Corinthians 5:1). But our spirit is the dwelling place where Jesus, Holy Spirit dwell (John 3:6, 1 John 4:4, Romans 8:9) Since the fall our human bodies no longer experience the life that Adam and Eve had. But in the resurrection this mortal body will put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:52-54). 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 says, “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is apparent to me that we now in our redeemed spirit have the eternal life of God within us to anoint, lead, bring healing, and guide us. But the fulness of the FIVE FOLD MANDATE WILL BE EXPERIENCED AT THE RESURRECTION AND BEYOND FOR ETERNITY. Our life now has purpose, but the fulfillment of that purpose also has a continuation into eternity!

While reading and studying Scripture (the Bible) it is very important that we examine the context in which it is found. To whom was the author speaking? What covenant was in force at the time? Mosaic? New covenant? If it was in the Mosaic Covenant, has it been fulfilled or is it applicable in the New? All of these things are important in determining whether a passage of Scripture as given is in force today. Below I have given a few examples of this.

In Luke 24:49, right before Jesus ascended back to heaven, He told His disciples to “tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Most of us, when reading this passage, would know today we do not have to be in the city of Jerusalem to receive the promised Spirit of God. But often, some think they must tarry for a period of time begging God to send the promised Spirit to them personally. They are begging God to do what He has already done! The reason they had to tarry was because the Spirit had not yet been poured out, so that part of the promise is not applicable to us today as it was in the first century. Lots of times we hear people praying for God to pour out His Spirit as Joel prophesied and as it happened on the day of Pentecost. He, the Spirit of God, has already been given, all we need to do today is believe and receive. 

Another example of the same thing is being born again. When a sinner recognizes that he needs a Savior, Jesus does not have to come and die on the Cross for him again. No, all the sinner needs to do is repent (turn) from his sin, believe the Gospel by faith and be saved (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10) Jesus died once for all time, and has provided forgiveness of sin for all those who will believe. When we believe the promises of God, we can receive what they promised. We can be born again with all our sins forgiven, or we can have our personal pentecost and be filled with the Spirit’s power! The same principle applies to God’s promises found in the Old and New Testament. In the Old Testament, was the promise fulfilled in what Jesus did in His first coming? (Matthew 5:17), will it be fulfilled in His Second coming? In one way or another, Moses either in type or shadow was speaking about Jesus! (John 5:39, 46, Luke 24:44).

We have been given everything we need for life and godliness (2 Pet.1:3-4). We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). Let us appropriate these and similar promises now in this life so that we may live victoriously! Let’s stop begging God to do what He has already done!

Congratulations on being chosen to lead our great country for the next four years! Millions of Americans believe that you should be our president for the next four years, as evidenced by the overwhelming vote.  Many Christians have been praying for you that our Lord would protect, and guide you into this office and into the way He wants our country to go. You have been given an opportunity to complete the good things that you started during your first term in office. Obviously our enemy, the devil, doesn’t want you to be successful as evidenced by the assassination attempts. However, I believe the Lord has protected you so that you can fulfill His plans.

As a Pastor, there are some things that I believe you can do that will enable more citizens to go along with your agenda. A bullying, arrogant attitude may be at times needed in the secular business world, but is less acceptable in the office of President, especially to the Christians who are praying for you. That is not to say that you need to be an easy pushover by those who would bend you to their belief systems. A great leader is one that can be both strong and humble when he realizes his source of strength and position comes from Almighty God and not his own abilities. These characteristics are  best expressed by one’s words.

I would encourage you to develop a lifestyle of reading the Bible, especially the New Testament, which will give you insight into the will and mind of God and His plans for mankind on the earth. This activity will open your eyes to many truths that will guide in decision-making as well as a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus!

Mr.President, most Americans, especially Christians, want to see you be successful as the Leader of the USA and the free world, because we know that when America is blessed by God His blessings will be experienced by many, many others.

God bless you, Mr. President, and may His richest blessings be on you, your family, and staff, and God bless the USA!

Pastor Carroll Parish

At least very few of them. Our family has been affiliated with New Life Church Louisville for over 43 years and in that time we truthfully have had very few Church Problems! What we have had are problems brought to church by individuals who have had problems, thereby, to some degree, making it our problem. As I think about those incidents I can see that most of them were because of Ignorance or Disobedience. They either did not know the Word well enough to know how to deal with their problems or they were purposefully disregarding the statements of Scripture and disobeying what it says!

If only our eyes were open to see what all Jesus has provided for us through His atonement (Ephesians 1:16-23) we would have even fewer problems! In this life, in our fallen world, we are going to have problems, difficulties, persecution, etc. Jesus knew that and that is why the atonement, His Word, and His plans have been given so that we would know WHO we are IN Him and WHOSE we are in this life. We are His Ambassadors working with Him to advance His Kingdom on earth today!

The source of many of our problems is not only Satanic attacks but the flesh. By flesh we mean areas of our life not yet submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and all of us have some of these areas. Example: worry, doubt, fears, anger, grudges and the list goes on. And when we participate in the church, or society in general, we bring all these things, and their derivatives, to the church and our environment. But surrender to Jesus and the application of His Word through the work of the Holy Spirit can deliver, and free us which then positively affects all those around us!

All of us face difficulties in this life. Sometimes, it may seem that nothing goes as you expected. One failure after another seems to be your lot in life, and there may appear to be no reason to continue. But there is, God is still on the throne and His Word, Power, and Authority rule over everything in this life.

Notice what God said to His people through David. Psalm 30:5 “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” And then he said in verses 11-12, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. To the end that my glory (soul) may sing praise to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.”

In Numbers 23-24, we have the account where Balak called for the prophet Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. He was promised many things if he would do this. It seems that because of that promise he wanted to do it. But the Lord had told him that he could only speak what He told him to say. Each time Balaam opened his mouth he spoke blessings on the Israelites which made Balak furious.

In Deuteronomy 23:5 Moses tells us why it occurred this way. “Nevertheless the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your God loves you.”

Joseph’s brothers betrayed him when they sold him into slavery. But the Lord turned it around for his benefit and even for the benefit of the descendants of his brothers. Genesis 50:20-21 says, “But as for you, you meant it for evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now, therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones. And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

As God has done for others, He can and will do for you. Let’s get our focus off ourselves and put it on His promises in Scripture. He loves us with everlasting love and always keeps His promises!

There are many things that affect our lives, but ONE stands out as greater than all the rest. What we know or believe about that one thing is worth our time and attention to get it right. There are many lesser things that are important but none equal this one thing. All of us in many ways have allowed  other things to influence our life  rather than this one thing! What is this ONE thing? It is what we believe about GOD!

But what if there is no God? That belief will affect  all your life for time and eternity! If you are among those who take the position that ‘my life is my own and I can do with it whatever I want to do’ then you have rejected the revelation of God to humanity and will suffer the same consequences as the one who does not believe in God at all! Believing in God, and what we believe about Him affects every aspect of our lives!

ONE RELIABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT GOD

God has revealed Himself to us in different ways, among them is creation (Romans 1:20). But the most reliable source is the living Word of God – Jesus  (John 1:1-4, Hebrews 1:1-4) and the written Word of God- the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). What you believe about Jesus as revealed in the Bible affects every aspect of your life! Is the Bible just a compilation of human writings or was it given by Divine inspiration? This is important! Was Jesus a mere man or was He the Savior sent by the Father to be our sacrifice to redeem us back to God? (Ephesians 1:3-14, 2:13, Colossians 1:9-18). Jesus is the ONLY way back to the Father (John 14:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17-19). The Holy Spirit draws us to Jesus as we hear the Gospel presented (John 6:44,63). When we believe IN Jesus and His resurrection we have salvation and His life IN us (Romans 10:9-10, Colossians 1:27, 1 John 4:4).

NOW, WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

Read and meditate  the Word of God – the Bible. Start in the Gospels and read the New Testament. Read some every day. Think about what it says and means and how it is applicable to your life.

Get involved in a Bible believing church. You can’t do life victoriously on your own. You need a body of believers to encourage, disciple, walk along beside you as you grow in knowledge and spirituality.

Develop a life of prayer. As a new believer, learn to pray by praying the Model prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.

Have your own personal Pentecost.  You cannot live the life that God expects without the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1-2, Acts 2:33-39, Luke 24:46-49)

Share what you have learned from the Word with family and friends as you live out the Gospel in your life.