Approved Newsletter #311 - September 2004 Most Christians seek approval from those they love.

Christians should also seek to be approved by our Father. Whether we are approved by Him, or not, determines whether we spend the eternity with God or end up in the lake of fire. How we gain His approval should be very important to all of us. We learn how to gain Father's approval in His Word. Open your Bibles to the Book of James. God wants you to meet His approval; however, there will be tests. Will you pass? James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. Loving God is a prerequisite to meeting His approval. If you endure the temptation, or testing, and love Him, He has promised you the crown of eternal life. James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: Don't ever accuse God of placing evil temptations before you. That isn't His way of doing things. God promised those who accuse Him of placing burdens on them that He would forget and forsake them (Jer. 23:38-39). God will allow us to be tested by Satan, but He isn't the One who brings evil upon us. We do a pretty good job of that ourselves, especially with Satan's help. James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed, is Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Those who allow themselves to be drawn away from God's Word by the ways of the world are on a one-way trip to hell. They are destroying themselves. James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren, 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. All gifts from God are perfect. One gift God has given Christians is power over all of our enemies, including Satan, in the name of Jesus Christ (Luke 10:17-19). God will not tempt you with evil; rather, He has given you power over evil. Do you utilize that power? James 1:18 Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. Firstfruits are an example to others of what it means to be blessed of God. Does that mean His firstfruits never have any trouble? No. But, God's firstfruits know how to take care of trouble utilizing His gifts. Let's turn to I Corinthians Chapter 3 as we continue our study. If you are building your approval, what do you want to build it upon? What is important? God is the Judge. You had better build your approval on Jesus Christ. He is the way. 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. The foundation Paul is referring to is Jesus Christ. This is your invitation to build on that foundation. 1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. There is no other power that will give you the victory over Satan. Don't be afraid of trouble. Stand up to trouble, and be prepared to utilize the power in the name of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). Our works will be made known on judgment day. Those who build their approval on the Word of God will have works of gold, silver and precious stones. Those who play church and build with the ways of the world will have works of wood, hay and stubble. When tried by fire, the latter burn quickly. 1 Corinthians 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward, 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. All who build on the foundation of Jesus Christ will be saved; however, some will have earned rewards, and others will be just getting by. Turn with me to I Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians 2:1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. How did Paul suffer? They scourged him and threw him in prison. Why did God allow Paul to suffer such treatment? He knew Paul could cut it and be an example to us of how a true child of God stiffens their backbone in the face of trouble. God is looking for those who have put the gospel armor on and are willing to stand against the fiery darts of Satan. That requires backbone. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, Which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness, God is witness: The word "allowed" in verse 4 means "tested, and so approved". Paul didn't sugarcoat the gospel to be more palatable to men. He taught the Word straight up in truth. Paul was much more concerned with meeting God's approval than meeting man's approval. Today we hear from the pulpit . "You don't have to understand the Book of Revelation, you're going to be gone." Who's approval are they concerned with? Learn from Paul! 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ, 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. There is nothing wrong with teaching truth gently, but that doesn't mean it is alright to teach malarkey. Being gentle with Christians doesn't mean you should be gentle in the face of trouble, or Satan. Utilize the power! Let's continue our study in Jeremiah. There is nothing new under the sun. Preachers have been trying to sugarcoat the Word of God to please men for centuries. Jeremiah 11:18 And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings. Jeremiah knew there were false prophets telling Judah they didn't have to worry. They weren't going into captivity. God showed Jeremiah the malarkey being taught. Jeremiah 11:19 But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered." If you think you are going to teach truth and be well-received by all, forget it. False teachers will seek to destroy you. They wanted to kill Jeremiah. Jeremiah 11:20 But, O LORD of hosts, That judgest righteously, That triest the reins and the heart, let me see

Thy vengeance on them: for unto Thee have I revealed my cause. Jeremiah was seeking justice from the Lord. Do you ever do that today? You should. If someone offends you, it is just like they stuck their finger in God's eye. God is the Judge. Only He approves and disapproves. Jeremiah 11:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, "Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:" Anathoth was a priests' city. The priests are telling Jeremiah to stop speaking the truth from God, or die. Jeremiah 11:22 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, "Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine: 23 And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation." The famine of the end times is not for bread, but for hearing the Word of the Lord (Amos 8:11). The truth of God's Word isn't being taught from very many pulpits today. Judgment begins at the house of God (I Peter 4:17). I wouldn't want to be in the false teachers' shoes on judgment day. Our Father approves, and our Father disapproves. He is the Judge. Why? God knows you. In conclusion, let's turn to Psalm 139. Psalm 139:1 O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. The word "searched" in verse 1 is "chaqar" (khaw-kar') in the Hebrew language. It means "to penetrate; hence to examine intimately". When God looks upon us, His look pierces through to our inner being and emotions. Psalm 139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, 0 LORD, Thou knowest it altogether. God knows you this well. Why? Because He loves you. You are His child. He may or may not approve of what you are doing, but He does love you. Psalm 139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before. And laid Thine hand upon me. God's protecting hand goes before you and after you. That should alleviate any fears you might have. Psalm 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it. His love for us is beyond me. How can we miss? I'll tell you how. Lose sight of Him, or fail to utilize the gifts He has given you to win against Satan, and Satan will have you for breakfast. Stand up! God protects you! Psalm 139:7 Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. We should also take comfort from this fact. Where ever we might be, God is there also. Psalm 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall Thy hand lead me, And Thy right hand shall hold me. ii If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me;" Even the night shall be light about me. God knows you. He will be there to protect you, if you use the power He has given you and do things His way. Our Father is the One Who approves and disapproves on judgment day. Make sure you are approved by sticking with God's Word, not the words of men.

In His Service, Arnold Murray