Yes, I have purposely placed a question mark after those three words! While everyone saying “Happy New Year” is expressing wishes for prosperity … I AM WONDERING IF THT IS ACTUALLY WE WE CHRFISTIANS NEED.

More “happiness?”

Now remember happiness can be quite different from joy. The Holy Spirit gives us joy, but not necessarily worldly ease! Or prosperity!

Here’s a better New Year’s Greeting … “Fruitful New Year!” In the Lord I mean. And I pray it for you my Christian Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

May 2021 be a year in which we grow more than ever in “love, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.” Along with the abiding joy these graces bring!

We should too ask the Lord to give us “lost souls” in the months ahead. Because really we do not know how many months are ahead! Salvation, humanity’s greatest need!

So … here we go … MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU WITH A FRUITFUL NEW YEAR, THE MOST FRUITFUL YOU’VE EVER EXPERIENCED AS A CHRISTIAN!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Some of that Fruit of the Spirit “Cluster” can only be reproduced in some rather (in the eyes of lost mankind) “unhappy” situations!

One simple example … “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” Romans 5:3

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I told Debbie yesterday that last night’s Sermon made nine times I’d preached in four days. She was aware!

I am tired this morning.

It’s in my heart to write a Lesson on those two verse in the Title, Hebrews 4:12-13. But honestly, verbally analyzing those two magnificent Verses is (right now) much easier than writing (typing, proofreading, etc.) about them.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:12-13

The Bible is a living Book!

The Bible is a discerning Book!

The Bible is a precise Book!

The Bible is a militant Book!

The Bible is a necessary Book!

Tonight’s Bible Study, called our Evening Meditation will, the Lord willing, discuss these Verses in some detail.

I am sorry some of you dear readers are not able to get the videos. That depends partly on the Internet service you have, its quality.

Therefore … I invite each of you to do something. Sit down with your Bible, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you a new (fresh) Truth from this short Text! I strongly suspect He will!

After all, the same Holy Spirit Who teaches one Christian is the Same Holy Spirit Who teaches another Christian! (If he can show me little Bible nuggets from time to time He can do the same for you!)

Enjoy one of His Classes this morning!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

It happened in Hebrews chapter 4, so it is an ongoing Illustration I’d say. God teaching us to “rest,” not simply 8 hours a night, either. (Though that’s not a bad idea!) But to “rest” all the remaining time we have on earth! Lifelong rest!

I heard one Preacher call this “victorious Christ life” one of practicing (what he termed) the “faith-rest” technique!

As one navigates his or her life, from the Point of Salvation (being born again) to the Point of entering Heaven (in Jesus’ Presence) we must learn to fight many a battle, spiritual battle.

So we have choices.

Worry and fret (maybe even grumble a little bit too) and exert all the human effort we can … to defeat the devil.

OR … and this is a big OR …

Rest your faith in one of God’s 7,000 Promises in the Bible, trusting the Lord God Almighty to help you and deliver you and give you peace (even in the storm)!

Now comes the Illustration … “And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.” Hebrews 4:5

God worked … then God rested!

We Christian are to work (for Jesus) “striving to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil … by adorning whole armour of God, wielding the Sword of the Spirit, pursuing intercessory Prayer, fleeing evil lusts, etc.

Yes that is work.

But this work (faith in Jesus’ Promises) will result in REST!

Resting your faith 24/7 in Confidence that GOD IS ABLE!

Jesus stated it best I think: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find REST unto your souls.” Matthew 11:29

Take His Yoke … that’s work!

Really learn of Him … more effort, work!

And then … a Promise … He will give us REST!

Oh, to live one’s days in peace and serenity and rest (no matter the outward circumstances) RESTING in the Arms (the Promises) of the Lord!

God said … THAT’S THE WAY I DID IT. WORK THAT LED TO REST!

Now … FOLLOW MY PATTERN!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Get you a handful of Promises today and have at it!

By the way, we’ve been discussing this whole Concept on our nightly Evening Meditations, if you’re interested in further details.

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This week in Revival Meeting (near Nashville, Tennessee) I am preaching Verse by Verse through Psalm 45. It is well known (correctly classified) as a “Messianic Psalm.”

That’s for sure, because Hebrews 1 quotes Psalm 45 in some detail … and directly applies the Passage to Jesus! (Hebrews 1:7-8 using/interpreting Psalm 45:6-7, to be precise.)

I love this 45th Psalm for a number of reasons. One being the beautiful portrayal of Jesus it presents …

Jesus is seen as Man, perfect Man, “fairer than the children of men!” (Psalm 45:2 is the Verse to which I refer.)

Then Jesus is seen as a Warrior (last night’s Revival Sermon), a Victorious Warrior! (“Gird thy sword upon Thy thigh …” Verse 3 and following.)

Next Jesus is seen as King, the Righteous King! Verse 6 beginning that description … “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.”

Then lastly, and for the Bulk of the Psalm, Jesus is Bridegroom, a Glorious Bridegroom! Verses 8 through 17 depict a Royal Wedding, even describing the Bride Of Christ! The whole Passage is too lengthy to print here, so just read it on your own. Yes, a Groom, the Bride (here called a Queen) and her attendants! “All thy (the Groom’s) garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. Kings’ daughters (maidens, attendants) were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen (the Church) in gold of Ophir.”

Wow!

Jesus as Man, Warrior, King and Groom!

No wonder Christians for centuries have loved this golden Psalm!

Study it some today.

I think in fact, if you’re interested, you can go to the Facebook Page of Family Baptist Church in Lebanon, Tennessee and still view these Sermons.

But if not, the Holy Spirit can teach you right there in your home. Open your Bible and invite Him to do so …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Normally we think of God’s mighty WORKS. But today I’d like to invite you to learn more about God’s RESTS! Yes, plural … rests!

I have learned of three such conditions of REST our great God has made available to us.

Rest … past and present and future!

Past tense REST … that was given us the moment we asked the Lord to save us. You can now REST in the face that your sins are gone! “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Future tense REST … we who have been washed in Jesus’ Blood are going to Heaven! Heaven, the place of eternal REST! Both these “rests” are gifts. Neither is subject to being taken away! Yes, the Believer in Christ is that secure! “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours.” Revelation 14:13

Are you today resting in your salvation?

Are you right now at peace, at rest, in your heart … knowing your future one of “no more pain, no more sorrow, no more trials!”

But now, that middle rest!

Present tense rest!

That’s a rest one must earn, well receive … by trusting daily in the Promises of God! By staying faithful! And if we do not serve God diligently … we can lost this rest! “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Yoke? That implies plowing, laboring! This is not rest given but rest found! I’ve quoted Matthew 11:29.

Every met any fretful Christians? Who have not “found” this everyday rest in Jesus?

Now … I’ve just given you the basic structure of God’s three RESTS. Now if you’d like to watch last night’s Evening Meditation you can get a much fuller discussion.

And I sincerely invite you to do so …

Let’s learn God’s Word together!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Both on YouTube and Facebook under my name.

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