The StarLight News: JUNE '19 - Daily On Line Edition

The Benefit of Trials

by Alistair Begg

My grace is sufficient for you.

If none of God's saints were poor and tried, we should not know half so well the consolations of divine grace. When we find the wanderer who has nowhere to lay his head who still can say, "I will trust in the Lord," or when we see the pauper starving on bread and water who still glories in Jesus, when we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in affliction and yet having faith in Christ--oh, what honor it reflects on the Gospel.

God's grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers. Saints bear up under every discouragement, believing that all things work together for their good, and that out of apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring--that their God will either work a deliverance for them speedily or most assuredly support them in the trouble, as long as He is pleased to keep them in it. This patience of the saints proves the power of divine grace.

There is a lighthouse out at sea: It is a calm night--I cannot tell whether the edifice is firm. The tempest must rage about it, and then I shall know whether it will stand. So with the Spirit's work: If it were not on many occasions surrounded with tempestuous waters, we would not know that it was true and strong; if the winds did not blow upon it, we would not know how firm and secure it was. The masterworks of God are those men who stand in the midst of difficulties steadfast, unmovable-- Calm mid the bewildering cry, Confident of victory. The one who would glorify his God must be prepared to meet with many trials. No one can be illustrious before the Lord unless his conflicts are many.

If, then, yours is a much-tried path, rejoice in it, because you will be better able to display the all-sufficient grace of God. As for His failing you, never dream of it--hate the thought. The God who has been sufficient until now should be trusted to the end.

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

Roman Road to Salvation-The Gospel of Grace

(revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ to our Apostle Paul)
Many people think they will go to heaven because they have lived a good life. Perhaps, they treat all of their neighbors fairly. Maybe they volunteer for charity work and have never broken the law. Maybe they were even baptized or go to church regularly. But the Bible, God's Word, says that no one can live up to God's standard of righteousness.
Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one ...."
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God ...."
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Salvation cannot be earned. Everyone is a sinner and deserves death, but God gives eternal life. So how can we receive God's gift of eternal life?
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth ...."
To be saved, we must believe the gospel. The word "gospel" means "good news". But before we can believe the good news, we have to know what it is.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel ... that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures ...."
This is the gospel which we must believe in order to be saved. Now, how does believing this gospel save us?
Romans 5:8-9 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
Romans 3:22-26 "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (appeasing sacrifice) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
We can be saved from the wrath of God, because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins and rose from the dead. He paid the price for us, and we are justified in God's eyes through our faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast."
There will be no boasting in heaven. We cannot be saved by our own righteousness, but only by God's grace, through faith.
Ephesians 1:13-14 "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
Once we believe the gospel, we are sealed with God's Holy Spirit. This is God's deposit, that guarantees he will redeem us, whom our Lord Jesus Christ "purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28).

Studying the Bible is an essential part of the growth of every believer. New believers should begin by reading the letters of our Apostle Paul (Romans 11:13), starting with Romans and then continuing through all of Paul's letters. Also, reading The Basics of Understanding the Bible would be helpful.

DAILY SMILE:
New Security Job

Submitted by Danny Jackson

I started a new job as a security guard last night.
Before my boss left he told me I had to make sure I watched the office all night.
I am on season 2 already but I don't know what it has to do with security.

June 22, 2019:

The Anointing Word Ministry will be remembering our beloved mother the late, Sis. Annie Lee Magee on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 12 noon at St Paul AME Church, 420 Church Street, Bogalusa, LA.
The Anointed Word aim is to give service that will bring glory and continued honor to Jesus Christ ,our Lord and Savior.. We focus on reaching out to believers and placing a continued hope in the lives of all believers. Rev. Michael Oree will bring the message and his choir will lead us in praise songs lifting up the name of Jesus. We are expecting a blessing! Come witness the power of God and give God the glory ! May God continue to endow you is our prayer.

June, July &/or August:

All Area Churches are Invited to place their Up-Coming Events, Revival, Camp Meeting, Bible Book Study, Vacation Bible School, Home Coming, Fifth Saturday/Sunday Event, etc... Any event except regular

church hours...

You write what you want to say, please include church address for those that may not know your exact location and send it to the editor...

Email to StarEditor70427@yahoo.com or

Facebook/Messenger to https://www.facebook.com/Richard.POP.Spurlock...

Crunchy Onion Chicken!!

Ingredients:
• 1 1⁄3 cups French's French fried onions or 1 1⁄3 cups French's cheddar french fried onions
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1 egg, beaten

Directions:
1. Crush French Fried Onions in a plastic bag.
2. Dip chicken into egg, then coat in onion crumbs.
3. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees until cooked through.
Courtesy food.com