This article is based on the message "Seek Him Early. Seek Him First" by Pastor Arthur Green at RiverALIVE in Gainesville, TX on April 26, 2020. To listen to this message as it was presented by Pastor Green, go to the RiverALIVE Online Audio/Video library at  https://riveralive.org/media.

"Man doesn’t live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Mt. 4:4) This verse used to confuse me because I saw lots of people living by bread alone. Then it dawned on me. They weren't really living. Not the way Jesus was talking about. God’s Word gives nourishment to both our spirit and soul and is health unto all our flesh. (Prov. 4) Jesus says the words that he speaks “are spirit and they are life.” (Jn. 6:63) The Greek word used to describe the kind of life Jesus was referring to is “zoe”. Zoe refers not only to biological life but to the divine spiritual life that comes from God through faith in Jesus Christ. In John 5:26 the scripture actually reads, “As the Father has [zoe] in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have [zoe] in himself.” Jesus came so we could have this same zoe in us and have it more abundantly. (Jn. 10:10)

The word used for “abundantly” is interesting too. It’s the Greek word "perissos" and it literally means: superabundance, excessive, overflowing, surplus, over and above, more than enough, extraordinary, and more than sufficient. The zoe life of God is the eternal abundant life of the kingdom of God. Eternal life is more than a length of time reserved for the future. It's a quality of life made possible by God’s grace through Jesus Christ and it is available now. All things pertaining to the life of God have already been given to us through God’s Word. I think this is one of the reasons Jesus said what he said about not living by bread alone. I think he was saying the life of God we experience is tied to the revealed knowledge we have of him. The greater revelation of God we have the more grace and peace is multiplied to us and the more we can partake of His divine nature. (2 Pet. 1:2-4) This means we should no longer see ourselves as trying to get something from God. Instead, what we need is a revelation of what God has already given us in Christ. Such promises should cause everyone of us do as Pastor Green says and seeking God early and seek God first.

Relationship with God isn't about whether you're "good or bad" or "right or wrong." It's about whether you're alive or dead. If you've been born again, you have the life of God living on the inside of you and you're alive. We have to seek God in order to figure these things out. The same life of God that dwells in the Lord Jesus Christ dwells in us. Sad to say, a large majority of Christians hardly know anything about that; much less tapped into it. Many follow right along with the rest of the world living and thinking the same way they do, and wonder why things aren't working out in their life.

One of the fundamental truths of the Bible we need to understand is, with God is better than without God. Both situations generate certain expectations in us. The bible describes living without God as evil and the expectation of death comes with it. Living with an expectation of death is plagued with constant worry and fear that something bad is going to happen. On the other hand, living with God is described as good and there is a certain expectation of life and blessing in it. This expectation of good comes only through Jesus Christ.

Jesus' life and death was one of substitution and accomplished much for us. First, he lived for us the life we couldn't and perfectly fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law that God commands. Secondly, his death paid for our sins and everything we’ll ever do wrong. This satisfied forever the wrath of God against us for our sin and paved the way for reconciliation between God and us. This is the good news of peace with God the angels were proclaiming at Christ's birth. Jesus took our sin and gave us his righteousness. It’s his righteousness that justifies us in the sight of God, not ours. This sovereign act of justification by grace from God, qualifies those who confess Christ to receive all the advantages, rewards, and privileges that result from perfect obedience to the Law. As if this wasn’t enough, we also have the gift of the Holy Spirit. One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to enable us to experience the spiritual blessings God has given us in Christ. (Eph. 1:3 with Jn. 16:15) Our relationship with God needs to be based on these truths. The better we understand these crucial elements of the gospel, the more it will protect us against unrealistic expectations from God.

God wants us to know His plans for us are good and that they're outlined for us in His Word. It’s impossible for God to lie; therefore, we can know exactly what to expect from God in terms of our relationship with Him. (Heb. 6:18) God says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jer. 29:11) It’s obvious from this verse that God has expectations for us. His plans for us are good. It is unrealistic of us to expect anything less. It’s time we raise our expectations of God. Instead of believing that God won’t bless us, we need to believe that He will. God wants us to believe more, pray more, know more, experience more, and expect more from our relationship with Him through Christ.

Some find themselves able to enjoy the presence of God at church but lack any real experience with God throughout the rest of the week. Sadly, this is simply the result of not seeking the Lord. Instead of seeking the Lord, many are preoccupied with looking to other things and people to either justify or validate their lives. Neither of these are capable of producing any real life in us and the reason none of us are truly living to the degree Christ spoke of.

If this is you, Pastor Green has a simple plan of action for you that's guaranteed to fix this disconnect. Make your relationship with God a higher priority and take time to seek Him early and seek Him first. Naturally, when people hear this, they immediately think of seeking God in the early morning hours. That’s good but what about seeking Him early in terms of the onset of life’s circumstances and daily situations? Many times this is the difference maker between victory and defeat. Don’t wait. Seek Him first before everyone, everything, and every other responsibility you have. Make it your number one priority. Jesus says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Mt 6:33)

Those who seek Him early and seek Him first have little to worry about. Those who don't tend to worry about everything and everyone. Seeking other things and other people's approval instead of God leads to unrealistic expectations that kill relationships, hopes and dreams, business ventures, and leads to the giving up on life-long goals. The corporate anointing at church is definitely a powerful thing to be experienced but God wants us to experience Him at other times as well, such as work, home, and even driving down the road.

In Psalms 63, David was longing to see the same power and glory of God he experienced in the sanctuary experienced in other areas of his life as well because as he put it, "its better than life." There were times when David's soul was dry and he thirst for God. He declared, "Early will I seek you...and my soul shall be satisfied." David's expectation was that if he would seek the Lord early and seek Him first, then God would be true to His word and refresh him. We need this mentality. God expects us to expect Him to be true to His word. How do we get to where we can do that? Well, first of all, we can take Pastor Green's advice and make a conscious effort to spend more time in God's word. This is the only way we can really be certain as to what we can expect from God. We also need our mind renewed to the truth that God does in fact want to bless us. Not because of our goodness, but because of His.

The blessings and curses of the Law are found in Deuteronomy 28. If we're honest, most of us expect more curses than blessings because we know the kind of life we're living. But a belief in the gospel should produce a different expectation in us than that. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says, "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God." Now that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, a believer under the new covenant of God's grace should read Deuteronomy 28 as, "And it shall come to pass, [because Jesus] hearkened diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, [because Jesus] hearkened unto the voice of the LORD thy God." While the fulness of everything Jesus provided for us is reserved for the life to come; to the degree that we can believe, we can receive. In fact, "all things are possible to him that believeth." (Mk. 9:23)

What Jesus accomplished for us forever changes what we can expect from God. We should expect God to hear us when we pray. We should expect to have what we say. (Mk. 11:24) It's not unrealistic to expect God to answer your prayers. It's not unrealistic to expect God to use you according to His purpose. It's not unrealistic to expect to be blessed. Thank God for His grace and favor towards us in Christ and develop a lifestyle of seeking Him early and seeking Him first.

God cannot be an afterthought. We'll end up dry, lifeless, dissatisfied, hungry, and frustrated if He is. Not putting Him first causes us to make bad decisions based on wrong information producing bad results. This is a recipe for disaster. God deserves the "first" of our lives.

Like David, Gideon had certain expectations from God. The Lord appeared to him and said, "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor." And Gideon said unto him, "Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?" Gideon didn't say this out of disrespect to the Lord but out of expectation. Gideon expected victory if God was with him and he was right. Deliverance is exactly what God had in mind and the reason He came to Gideon in the first place. (Judges 6:12-14)

Lastly, let's quickly look at King Joash in 2 Kings Chapter 13. Joash, the king of Israel came to visit Elisha the prophet when Elisha was on his death bed. Israel was under attack by Syria at the time. Elisha told Joash to go get a bow and arrow and open the window. So he did. Elisha told him to put his hands on the bow. So he put his hands on it. Elisha reached up and put his hands on the king's hands and together with Joash, drew back the bow. Then Elisha told him to shoot the arrow out the window; and he shot. He told Joash, "that is the arrow of the Lord's deliverance." 

That arrow represented the power of God unto salvation. The shooting of the arrow of deliverance meant salvation had gone out from the Lord. Next, Elisha told Joash to take some arrows and hit the ground with them. Joash took the arrows and struck the ground with them three times. Elisha got mad because he only hit the ground three times. Then explained that if he would've struck the ground more, he would've experienced greater victory. King Joash failed to ask enough. Don't make the same mistake. Seek Him early. Seek Him first.

This article is based on the message "Rare and Valuable" by Pastor Arthur Green at RiverALIVE in Gainesville, TX on April 5, 2020. To hear this message as it was presented, please visit RiverALIVE on YouTube.

One morning during rush hour in 2007, the famous violinist Joshua Bell opened his case and pulled out his famous Stradivarius violin at the metro station in Washington D.C. as an experiment for the Washington Post. He was asked to play his rare violin to those passing by in order to observe their response. He played many intricate musical masterpieces with his valuable violin that morning but the commuters paid him little to no attention at all. Just two days earlier, he played at the Boston Symphony Hall to a sold out crowd at $100 per ticket. Video cameras captured the experiment at the metro. The video showed that out of the 1,097 people who passed by, only seven lingered for any period of time to listen and only one recognized him. It was clear the metro station crowd neither recognized nor appreciated the gifted musician and his rare and valuable violin.

This story has many applications. One is the fact that unrecognized value and beauty is all around us. There’s also a lot of people who relate to this story. Many who, for whatever reason, see themselves similarly out of place and playing for the wrong crowd in their own sort of "metro station" life. God has something better than this for you. God wants you in the right place, at the right time, doing the right things, with the right people. He wants you perfectly fitted to use the gift He’s given you on the stage of His will. There is a sort of spiritual stage in the kingdom of God for each of us and it is ours to pursue. God’s purpose and plan includes His people shining as a light to the world. How is it that such a gifted musician as Joshua Bell and his Stradivarius is overlooked, unappreciated, and ignored? In a similar fashion, how is it that the things of God and His people can be esteemed common? Jeremiah the prophet asked the same question.

How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out on the top of every street. The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! - Lamentations 4:1-2

Gold nuggets stand out from common stones. If someone finds one, he rejoices because he knows how rare and valuable it is. God’s people are the precious stones of Zion in this verse. They are like rare and valuable stones standing out from that which is common. How is it then that these precious stones of Zion are esteemed no greater than common stones? Many times it is from a lack of respect and appreciation of the gift within us by others, as well as ourselves. We forget sometimes we need to stir up the gift of God within us. God is setting a stage for the people of God and like the days of Daniel, people will look to the Church for answers.

In Daniel Chapter 2, we are told of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon dreaming a dream. The dream troubled him and he asked his magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers to tell him the meaning of the dream. There was one problem. Nebuchadnezzar couldn’t remember the dream. He demanded that the sorcerers and magicians not only tell him the dream’s meaning but to also tell him what he dreamed. The sorcerers and magicians respectfully told the king he was crazy for asking such a rare thing from them. The king became angry and gave a decree that they should all be put to death. When Daniel heard about it, he approached the king and asked to be given a little time and he would tell him the dream and interpretation. Daniel had an excellent spirit within him. He went to his house where he, and his companions Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego sought the Lord about the matter. God revealed to them both the dream and its interpretation. Daniel then went and told the king all the revelations the Lord had revealed concerning the dream and the lives of the people were spared.

In many ways, we find ourselves on a similar stage in time. Daniel 11:32-33 has been quoted many times and bears repeating ...the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.  And they that understand among the people shall instruct many… It’s important that we come into understanding of who God has created us to be in Christ. Those who hold the testimony of Jesus Christ are considered by God to be rare and valuable. You don’t have to tell everyone you're rare and valuable; just be rare and valuable. This is what God is trying to relate to His children. God wants you to know who you are in Christ and who He’s created you to be.

Sometimes like Joshua Bell in the metro experiment, the crowd around us doesn’t appreciate our gift. When those around us are not on the same page as us they may not recognize us or our gift. They may try to discredit you treating you as something common. Not everyone will receive instruction and some may scorn our witness. We would do well to heed the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:6 and give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

It is important to God that we be around like minded believers. Not only like minded with each other but also like minded according to Jesus. In the same way that there were some who did recognize Joshua Bell in that metro station, there will be some who recognize God’s gifts within us even if we’re out of place, but never to the degree God desires.

God wants you to come out and be separate because He’s placed something inside you that’s rare and valuable. What’s in you is like a treasure hidden in a field or a pearl of great price. Jesus once compared the kingdom of heaven to a net that was cast into the sea and gathered in every kind of fish. After it was drawn in, they gathered the good into their vessel but cast the bad away. He explained to his disciples that this is what it will be like at the end of the world. He asked them if they understood and they told him they did. Jesus compared them to householders that should distribute out of their goods both old and new because they understood his revelations of the kingdom of God. (Mt. 13:44-52) Revelation of God is a treasure and those who hear and understand are to share those treasures with others.

Joseph was another rare and valuable instrument of the Lord. He too, found himself in what he thought was the wrong place at the wrong time. He was wrongfully sold into slavery, and later cast into jail. However, it’s while he was in jail that he learned many things in preparation for the stage God had for him. God brought Joseph out of jail and gave him revelation knowledge that resulted in Pharaoh setting him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh recognized Joseph had the Spirit of God. Joseph learned faithfulness is the key. (Gen. 41) God has a plan to stand each of His precious children on the stage He has prepared them for. Joseph found himself front and center on the world’s stage with Pharaoh because Pharaoh recognized the rare and valuable gift in Joseph.

Trust the process. What you're going through is accounting for where God has brought you and where He is leading. Many are about to step onto the stage of God’s design. The gift that God has placed in you is rare and valuable. Surrender it to God and say, not your will, but God’s will be done. Proverbs 18:16 says A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. A gift will open doors and take you to places you will never get to on your own. You are not a common stone but a gold nugget, an oyster with a pearl, a precious stone, and God has great plans for the gift within you.

If Joshua Bell would have judged the value of his gift by the people's response, he might have thought he wasn't gifted at all and just another common musician. This same experiment was reenacted seven years later. This time the metro station was packed. The Stradivarius violin Joshua Bell was playing was originally designed by Antonio Stradavari in 1713 and considered by many to be one of the best ever made. Joshua Bell is said to have purchased it for $4 million dollars and is estimated to be worth $10 million dollars. Unfortunately, it was later stolen. Even though that rare violin is out of the master's hand, it doesn't make it any less valuable. It is just in the wrong hands. This is exactly what the devil wants to do to us all. He wants us out of the Master's hands. Jesus, the Good Shepherd who seeks and saves that which is lost, will never give up looking for you. God will watch for you like the father of the prodigal son of old. Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is in you. It is a rare and valuable thing.

This is the concluding article based on the message "The Gospel" preached by Pastor Arthur Green April 5, 2020. To hear this message as it was presented live, please visit us on Facebook @RiverALIVEchurch.

So what is the gospel? Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, the gospel he preached was the good news that Christ died for our sins, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. The next forty days Jesus appeared to His disciples after his resurrection and proved by many “infallible proofs” that he was alive and explained the scriptures to them about the kingdom of God before his ascension. He now lives to make intercession for them that believe and bring them completely into the salvation He provided. The goal in preaching is to get people to believe and respond to the gospel, not through deceit or manipulation, but by power and revelation of the Holy Spirit. Those who hear and believe will be saved.

With that in mind, let's consider Romans 6:1-6 and see what this means to us. The gospel so completely frees us from sin that it leads to the obvious question; should we continue to live in sin once we’re saved? The answer is no. We're given two reasons why. One reason is because it’s no longer our nature to live in sin. When we were saved we were baptized into Jesus’ death. Death in its simplest terms means separation. Jesus took our sins in his own body and became sin for us on the cross. The death that Jesus died, He died to sin. This means Jesus separated from our sins and now lives unto God. Likewise, before faith in Christ, we were dead in our trespasses and sins and separated from God. When we were saved, we were also separated from sin and made alive unto God. Prior to faith in Christ, we were sinful by nature. We were "children of wrath" with a rebellious spirit of disobedience. (Eph. 2:1-3) This sinful spirit dominated us and influenced our minds and bodies through the lust of our flesh to produce death and other ungodly fruit. But now, being dead to sin and alive to God, we have the nature of God and the Holy Spirit's influence to produce godly fruit unto holiness. Jesus said every good tree produces good fruit; but a corrupt tree produces evil fruit. This doesn't mean we won't ever mess up and sin again. In Micah 7:8, the prophet doesn't say “if” he falls, but "when" he falls. It does mean that it’s no longer our nature to live in sin and sin can no longer hold us and keep us down. The power of the gospel enables us to walk in newness of life; knowing that the old indwelling man of sin within has been crucified with Christ. We no longer have to serve sin. This is great news! The other reason we don’t continue to live in sin is because it gives Satan the opportunity to steal, kill, and destroy what God is doing in our life by grace. (Jn. 10:10 with Rom. 6:16)

We can better understand this by looking at the physical act of circumcision in the Old Testament. Circumcision was the sign of the blood covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants according to the flesh. (Gen. 17:10-12) Covenants with God are always made with blood. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. (Heb. 9:22) It was later incorporated into the Old Testament Law of Moses that every male child had to be circumcised eight days from his birth. This identified them as God’s people. Likewise, under the new covenant, our relationship with God is through a "spiritual" circumcision of the heart. (Col. 2:10-13) The gospel is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. It pierces the heart of the hearer and divides between soul and spirit. (Heb. 4:12) With circumcision in mind, try to imagine your corrupt sinful spirit being cut off (circumcised) and cast away so that like Christ, you die to sin. The Holy Spirit overshadows you and symbolically you're buried with Him. The Holy Spirit then quickens you together with Christ and your spirit is reborn and recreated in the righteousness and true holiness of God. (Eph. 4:24) God having forgiven ALL of your sins, past, present, and future, graciously makes you just as if you’d never sinned. The prophet Ezekiel spoke of the day God would cleanse us from sin and give us a new heart, a new spirit, and put His Spirit within us. (Ezek. 36:24-27) This is what Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about in the third chapter of John and referred to it as being "born again". All of this takes place when we hear and believe the gospel and all of this is from God.

Jesus prayed for those who’d believe. His prayer was that those who hear and believe the gospel would be one with him, even as He and the Father are one, so that the world would know that the Father truly sent him. This prayer is recorded in John 17. The apostle John spoke of the witness that would come from this union again in 1 John 5:6-8 saying,

This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 

The three that bear witness in earth are just as much one as the three who bear witness in heaven. God has made them one through Christ. In Jesus’ Great Commission, Jesus gave water baptism as the response to the gospel that would testify to our faith in Him. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. When we're buried with him in the waters of baptism, the blood of Jesus is symbolically applied by the Spirit and we come out of a watery grave alive to God in a covenant of unbroken fellowship more excellent than Abraham or Moses had in the flesh.

Jesus said he'd send the gift of the Holy Spirit after his death, burial, and resurrection. (John 16:7) Pentecost brought with it the outpouring of the Holy Spirit Jesus promised. (Acts 2) The Holy Spirit came in such manifested power that it caused many to ask what they should do. Peter stood up in the midst of thousands and explained what they were witnessing was the fulfillment of what the prophet Joel said about God pouring out His Spirit on all flesh. Peter told them to repent and believe the gospel and be baptized in the name of Jesus. If they would, they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is still true for us today.

Acts 2:41 tells us there were many who responded to Peter’s preaching of the gospel that day and were baptized. They received the faith that came from hearing the Word of God. They chose to believe, repented, and then responded in the act of water baptism. It took some action, a work, some effort on the part of those who heard the Gospel in order for them to receive salvation. As we discussed earlier, nothing they did earned anything from God but what they did was the positive response to the gospel that God was looking for. There were 3000 people saved that day.

The gospel is the greatest love story ever told. Jesus Christ loved us so much that he gave his life for us. Not because we were doing everything right. Quite the contrary. Christ died in our place when we were right in the midst of sin and doing everything wrong. All of us have sinned. Each of us have lived in our own way completely opposite of how God wanted us to. God wants the world to know the great love He has shown us and has chosen through the foolishness of preaching the gospel to do it. Choose to believe. Repent and ask God for the forgiveness of sins that Jesus provided. Chances are, the moment you do, the devil, the world, and even your own heart will try to condemn you. The truth is, if you’ll confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved and carry on in the name of Jesus Christ. There is no other salvation than that which comes through Jesus. (Acts 4:12) There is no better deal than this. How shall we escape if we neglect it?

Christ is still extending his hand of mercy saying, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Math. 11:28-30) I hope today you are one who says How beautiful are the feet are those who preach the gospel. 

This is the first article based on the message "The Gospel" preached by Pastor Arthur Green April 5, 2020. To hear this message as it was presented, please visit us on Facebook @RiverALIVEchurch.

The gospel is so very important. Part of Jesus' end time prophecies include the gospel being preached in all the world and then the end shall come. This gospel has indeed been preached but no more so than in our current day. This is what Jesus said His followers would and should be doing like never before as we see the day of His return approaching. We are to be up and about the Father’s business and that business is the gospel. God didn’t send Jesus into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. The gospel must be preached.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. - Mark 16:15

Jesus told his disciples to preach it. Preach it to everyone everywhere without discrimination. What does it look like to you when you see someone preaching the gospel? Isaiah describes it as a beautiful thing. The apostle Paul later quoted Isaiah 52:7 in his statements on how important preaching the gospel is when it comes to salvation.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! - Romans 10:14-15

The bible says in Romans 10:8-17 when the word of faith is preached, it brings salvation and the forgiveness of sins. If we'll confess the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved. God promises that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The gospel is for everyone. When you ask for forgiveness you are on the road of salvation, and God will keep you on it and lead you into His perfect plan.

Opening your mouth and asking God for the forgiveness of your sins is an important part of that plan. God is faithful to all and promises to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we will. It doesn't matter who we are or what we’ve done. God's plan of salvation isn’t just a one time experience. It’s ongoing throughout our entire life. That's why the apostle Paul, speaking to believers in Philippians 2:12, told them to work out their salvation.

The Greek word for salvation is “soteria.” The word implies deliverance, preservation, soundness, prosperity, happiness, rescue, general well-being. Salvation is both physical and spiritual. It is a present tense possession with a fuller realization in the future. Paraphrasing Romans 5:9-11; we’re saved, we’re being saved, and we shall be saved in the future. The Greek word for saved is “sozo” and means to save, heal, cure, preserve, keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction, to deliver. We are saved from physical death by healing and from spiritual death by being forgiven of sin and its effect. On the road of salvation, we're conformed more and more into the image of Jesus the farther we go.

Faith for salvation comes by hearing the word of God but sadly, not all who hear will believe. It sounds crazy to some, but it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching the gospel to save those who’ll believe. God has ordained that someone has to preach it if people are going to be saved. Preaching is part of God’s plan of salvation. You’re blessed if like Isaiah you can say, “How beautiful are those who preach the gospel and how ready I am to receive it.” That's the right attitude to have. To receive the preacher of the gospel is to receive Jesus. Jesus says He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me. Matthew 10:40

Therefore, let’s take it seriously and preach the gospel so people can receive Jesus while the promise of salvation stands. The gospel is being preached to the whole world but it’s of no value to those who refuse to believe it. It’s important to believe Jesus came, died, rose again and ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven and will one day judge the living and the dead. It's important to believe the blood that Jesus shed on the cross has the power to cleanse us from all sin and it’s important to know how to respond to it. To believe without a response is not saving faith.

The gospel doesn't require a minimum standard of holiness in order to properly respond to it. Thankfully, we are not saved by how good we are or how good a life we live. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us its God’s grace that saves us through faith. Salvation is a gift. Take it or leave it. If you decide to take it, the only demand of the gospel is that you believe. Anyone can believe. A rich person, a poor person, male and female, old and young alike can believe. But what does it look like to really believe? To believe requires a change of mind, a change of heart, that results in a change in the direction of your life from sin towards God and faith in Christ. It takes a conscience effort to truly believe the gospel. To believe requires a response of the will not just a mental acknowledgment. Choosing to believe is a costly decision. A decision that gives up personal desires and ambitions in order to please the One who saves us. This isn’t double-talk. There’s a big difference between doing something trying to get something from God and responding to something God has already done.

Those who believe are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God foreordained before the foundation of the world. Life does have a purpose. 1 Corinthian 12 compares those who believe to different parts of a body. Just as our physical body has many parts, each having its own function, so is the body of Christ.  God gives each member a measure of grace to accomplish the good work for which He created them. These good works are the fruits that come from a relationship with God, not a means to a relationship with God.

Read The Gospel Part 2 for the conclusion of this article.

The following article is based on the message "Reprogram Your Mind" by Pastor Arthur Green April 1, 2020.

Churches everywhere are relying more and more on technology given our current situation of isolation and social distancing due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Many churches have resorted to prerecorded services and live-stream. Some for the first time ever and it can be complicated. Nevertheless, churches all over the world who physically used to reach hundreds are now reaching thousands across various media outlets on the internet.

The more I watch online the more likely I am to run into the "circle of death". The "circle of death" is a little spinning graphic wheel that shows up on my computer screen whenever my computer is "thinking" about doing something. This usually happens when my internet connection is bad or my computer is trying to run multiple tasks in the background of what I'm telling it to do making my computer unresponsive. It's basically a communication error. Sometimes the only solution is to reboot it and allow the computer to reprogram itself.

When it comes to computers, there's none greater than the human mind but it's also susceptible to its own type of circle of death. Thanks to our fast paced society of multi-tasking and relatively zero down time many of us find ourselves overloaded and stuck in a similar communication error with God. This error prevents us from hearing God and doing what He's telling us to do. A solution to this personal "circle of death" can be found in Romans 12:1-2.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Romans 12:1-2 outlines for us how to become all God has called us to be. Nothing will transform our life faster than submitting to the Lord and reprogramming our mind to the Word of God. Lining up our thinking with God's word will lead us to do the right things. Doing the right things will lead to us to develop right habits and right habits will develop our character. Having the character that comes from God's Word will lead to the fulfillment of that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God for our life. This Holy Spirit inspired plan is guaranteed to work. The steps outlined for us are: (1) know God, (2) get into the Word of God, and (3) call on the name of the Lord. There's no particular order. Just pick one and start the process. It's that simple. I'm not saying it's easy but it is exactly that simple. The truth is, the hardest thing we'll ever do is reprogram our mind to the Word of God but it's also the greatest thing we'll ever do. The good news is we're not in this alone. The Holy Spirit will help us. (John 14:26)

First, let's look at the impact knowing God can have on our life. In Judges 6-8 we find the story of Gideon. Gideon's life reveals to us that knowing God leads to discovering who we are and what God has called us to do. Gideon belonged to a nation of fearfully oppressed people. When we're first introduced to Gideon, we're given the impression Gideon had an identity problem. We find him threshing wheat in a wine press when the LORD appeared to him. Now a wine press is no place for threshing wheat.  It's been said before that it's kind of like washing your clothes in your dishwasher. The LORD appeared to him and said "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!" (Judges 6:12) Valor means great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. There's not a chance in the world Gideon thought of himself as a man of valor. How could he? He was hiding from his enemies threshing wheat in a wine press!  The truth is, Gideon felt forsaken by the LORD in view of his present circumstances. He felt weak, scared, incapable, and alone. Definitely not courageous. The LORD continued to talk to Gideon and eventually convinced him that He would indeed be with him in order to accomplish what He was calling him to do. This made all the difference in Gideon's life. Gideon found peace and a new sense of security from his relationship with God and knowing God was with him. This is what enabled him to become the mighty man of valor God called him to be. God reprogrammed Gideon's mind and transformed his identity from the pitiful image he had of himself into one of Israel's greatest judges and deliverers.

When it comes to hearing the Word of God, Samuel is second to none of the prophets. In Samuel Chapter 3, we learn the importance of not only hearing the Word of God but also being able to properly discern God's voice. Samuel was the answer to his mother's prayer. His mother Hannah was barren. She prayed to God that if He would grant her a son then she would lend him to the LORD's service. God granted her request. When Samuel was just a young boy, Hannah kept her promise and left him to serve with Eli the priest in the tabernacle of the LORD. Samuel didn't know the LORD nor had the Word of the LORD been revealed to him. It was rare to hear the word of the LORD in those days and there wasn't any widespread revelation of God. It came to pass one night as Samuel was lying down that the LORD called him by name. God did this three times and each time Samuel thought it was Eli. The third time it happened Eli told Samuel it was the LORD and if it happened again he should answer and say "Speak LORD for your servant hears." (1 Samuel 3:9) The LORD called again. This time Samuel answered the LORD as Eli told him. This was the first of many times Samuel would hear the voice of the LORD. Samuel learned to recognize the voice of God and grew up to become a mighty prophet. The Lord let none of his words fall to the ground. (1 Samuel 3:19) This means God fulfilled every prophetic word that Samuel ever spoke!    

We're a lot like Samuel when it comes to knowing the Word of God and hearing His voice in that we have to learn it. Jesus clearly said "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" (John 10:27) This means the problem isn't hearing God's voice as much as it is discerning God's voice. There are a lot of different voices in the world. If you're home more with your family these days, why not invest the extra time in reprogramming your mind to the Word of God and practice hearing His voice?  

Finally, let's look at the benefit of calling on the Lord as it relates to transformation. In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, we find a man named Jabez who was so named by his mother "Because I bore him in pain." Jabez was more honorable than all of his brothers because he called on the LORD. He made three request from God. First, that God would bless him "indeed". To be blessed "indeed" means to be blessed truly and certainly. The use of the word "indeed" tells us Jabez wanted such a heightened awareness and expectation of the blessing of God on his life that he would be shocked if he didn't see it. Secondly, he asked God to enlarge his territory and that the hand of the LORD would be upon him. Enlarging his territory referred to prosperity and increase in every area of his life. This included authority and dominion. Thirdly, Jabez asked God to keep him from all evil and the way of the wicked so he wouldn't cause anyone else pain. Jabez prayed for transformation and God granted him his request. God transformed Jabez from someone who brought pain to his mother into a man blessed by God "indeed".

When the circle of death shows up on our computer we tend to wonder why it isn't working. When the circle of death shows up in our life we tend to ask the same type of questions. Reprogramming your mind takes time and discipline but it's worth it. Seek to know God, get into the Word of God, and ask the Lord to change your life. It's the most honorable thing you can do. In these times of isolation we ought to refuse to take another step without hearing from God. Many have tried to live apart from God and have failed. My grandmother used to say "Let go and let God." This is a great time to do just that. Be blessed indeed.

To hear this message as it was presented live by Pastor Arthur Green on April 1, 2020, please visit us on Facebook @RiverALIVEchurch.

This following article is based on the message "Suddenly" by Pastor Arthur Green March 25, 2020.

It’s easy to feel alone and displaced in these times of social distancing, shelter-in-place, and quarantine not to mention a little confused. In times like these, it’s good to consider a familiar verse: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) In this verse, Jesus is the Shepherd. In fact, Jesus said He is the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11) who cares for us. He tends to us, feeds us, leads us, and protects us from harm. All of our needs are met through Christ our Shepherd. In Him, we are refreshed and renewed in times of uncertainty.

The world outside of Christ will always be anxious and taken by surprise by end time events and Christ’s coming; but not us. Jesus said the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night and many will be unprepared. There are those who walk in darkness without light of the revelation of God or His Word. They neither see nor hear the times in which we live. Sadly, many will find themselves unprepared at the coming of Christ and it will overtake them SUDDENLY as a pregnant woman going into labor. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

The signs of Christ’s coming will get noticeably closer and closer together. This is what labor pains do right up to the time of delivery. In Noah’s day, people were consumed with life as they knew it, right up until the time the flood came. They were unprepared. God doesn’t want you, me or anyone to be unprepared. Jesus wants us to make sure we’re spiritually ready because when He comes, He will come SUDDENLY at a time people won’t expect. (Matthew 24:36-44) We are not like the children of the night who walk in darkness but are children of the day who walk in the light of God’s Word. We know what time it is. Therefore, let us be sober minded and holy in our conduct, walking in the light as He is in the light in all godliness praying for all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. This we can do, even during times of social distancing.

God has a way of working SUDDENLY. In Chapters 28 and 29 of 2 Chronicles, we’re told King Ahaz was a very ungodly king. He committed great sins. He forsook the Lord and made sacrifices to pagan gods. This was the ruin of him and the people of God. He desecrated the temple, shut up the house of the Lord, and made altars to pagan gods in every corner of Jerusalem. After he died, his son Hezekiah reigned in his place. Unlike his father, Hezekiah did what was right in the sight of the Lord. He immediately cleansed the temple and reopened the doors to the House of the Lord and reinstated temple worship. He called the people back together and they all rejoiced and worshiped and praised God for all He did. For the thing that God had done was done SUDDENLY.

Years later, from the time of Malachi until Jesus, there was about 400 years of silence from God to His people. God told Malachi that before He comes He would send His messenger to prepare the way before Him. Then, when they seek the Lord, He would come unto them SUDDENLY. (Malachi 3:1) John the Baptist was God’s messenger who prepared the way for the Lord. When John saw Jesus coming he said “Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) SUDDENLY Christ had come into the world. Many saw Christ as the Messiah others did not. Many heard the voice of God from heaven testify of Jesus saying “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17) while others said it was only thunder. (John 12:29)

God doesn't want anyone to be without knowledge of His coming. Jesus said a lot of things that only those who had had eyes to see and ears to hear could understand. Those who didn’t understand mocked Him. Similarly, we are told in 2 Peter 3:3 that in these last days there will be scoffers who will mock the coming of the Lord. They’ll say, “People have been saying that for years.”  This certainly characterizes the general attitude of society today towards the coming of our Lord. This is another indication that Jesus’ return is getting close. We would do well to remember the days of Noah and the long-suffering of God who, in saving eight souls by water, waited while Noah built the ark. As soon as the ark was built, the waters came SUDDENLY.

When we consider our current events, it's as if the entire world woke up one day to find the Coronavirus (COVID-19) upon it and there was nothing to do but hide. It has SUDDENLY revealed our limitations. The lack of an immediate vaccine reminds us that sin and death are both very real and we cannot overcome it on our own. While the world struggles to know how to cope, let us proclaim the remedy of salvation of God through Jesus Christ.

God has a way of working in the "suddenlies". God is giving us time to seek Him. He wants everyone to be saved. It is not His will that any should perish. If we’ll seek Him, we’ll find Him. If we ask, we’ll receive Him and for everyone who knocks it shall be opened (Matthew 7:7) and God will come to us SUDDENLY.
 
To hear this message as it was presented live by Pastor Arthur Green on March 25, 2020, please visit us on Facebook @RiverALIVEchurch.

The following article is based on the message "Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name of the Lord" by Pastor Arthur Green March 22, 2020.

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord - Matthew 23:39

In these last days, end time prophecies are being fulfilled right before our eyes. Whether it be wars, rumors of wars, famine, earthquakes, or the current pestilence, one thing is for sure, Jesus said these are the beginning of sorrows. In times like these, it's easy to wonder if God is really in control? The answer is YES! Jesus is here and knows the current storm and is totally in control.

Jesus comes to us all. His desire is to draw all men unto Himself. Unfortunately, there are many who refuse Him and find themselves lost and empty inside. There is no assurance we'll make it through the storm without Him. Outside of Jesus there is no peace.  This was the case with many in Jesus' day. They saw him sure enough but they misidentified Him and refused to receive Him as their Savior.  Because of this, Jesus told them "Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Matthew 23-37-39) Those who come in the name of the Lord preach the good news of the gospel of peace. To say "Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord" is to see and receive Christ and His message. Jesus told his disciples "He that receives you, receives Me." (Matthew 10:40) We receive Jesus when we honor, trust, and welcome Jesus.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33

In today's passage we looked at a particular storm Jesus saw coming. We read in Matthew 14:22-33 of Jesus constraining His disciples to get into a ship and go before Him to the other side. The word "constrain" suggests that His disciples were reluctant to go. It's possible they saw the storm approaching too and were scared. Nevertheless, they went. The storm hit as soon as they tried to cross to the other side. The waves beat against them and the wind was severely contrary when Jesus came walking to them on the water late that night. Jesus showing that He was in full control of the storm. In Mark's account of this same instance, Mark 6:48 records that Jesus made as though He would have walked right passed them if they had not cried out to Him. The lesson here is that Jesus is always there for us but we must call out to Him in faith. It's probable the disciples were praying to God for help at the time Jesus came to them but in their unbelief they misidentified Him as a ghost.

Jesus assured them by saying "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." Peter said, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Jesus said "Come." On the basis of that one word, Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the water and walked to Jesus. Peter walked with Jesus on top of the stormy waters! This is the same storm that moments ago had the disciples afraid for their lives! A proper revelation of Jesus goes a long way when you're in a storm. Peter was almost to Jesus when he started to consider the gravity of the situation. He took his eyes off of Jesus and started looking at how bad the wind and the waves were and it scared him. He began to sink. Another lesson for us here is that sinking starts the moment we look away from Jesus. In the storm we need to keep our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and not be moved by how bad things look (2 Corinthians 4:18).  As Peter began to sink, he cried out to Jesus "Lord, save me!" Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught Him and said "Why did you doubt?" To "doubt" means to waiver between two opinions. Peter, like most of us do at some point, wavered in his ability to do what Jesus called him to do. When Jesus and Peter got back in the boat, the wind ceased and there was a great calm and immediately they were on the other side. Those who were in the boat said "Truly, You are the Son of God."

One of the most famous end time passages of scripture for us in these last days can be found in Daniel 11:32-33 "...the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many..." Likewise, when Jesus ordained Peter and the rest of the twelve disciples He told them "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher." (Luke 6:40 NKJV) In fact, the night before His crucifixion, Jesus said all those who believe on Him would do the same works He did (John 14:12). Therefore, these truths could lie at the very heart of Peter's statement, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." So shall it be with all those who are blessed and come in the name of the Lord.

To hear this message as it was presented live by Pastor Arthur Green on March 22, 2020 please visit us on Facebook @RiverALIVEchurch.