Some Clear Convictions
Foundation Stones for the Human Spirit

—OUTLINE

I am convicted to put forward some of the clear convictions that have formed in my own heart and mind over the past several decades. These have helped form the foundation of my own spiritual life. What else could I write except what I know from the Word of God, quickened to me by His Spirit, and what the Spirit has taught me personally as I’ve walked with the Lord well over six decades “in the light of His Word.”

Without my trying to hold on to these convictions, they have remain in my heart and mind as the foundation of my spiritual life. Our spiritual foundation is the most important part in anyone of us. What has happened with me is because of the Holy Spirit’s determined work of mercy. Therefore, I can say at each point that will follow: They have been tested and proved for their value over many a rough road, often over wide chasms where there were no bridges.

I’ve not taken any of the following points from others. These point of conviction have been tested and proved in my own life. Others will have points of their own to add. It is my hope to open a forum of discussion as we all work through the foundations that will make us into overcomers. It is my prayer that each point will prove of value to you personally as we together are facing a time like we haven’t known before.

Some of what I present I have shared before; much I have not. What has been presented before I expect to examine with you, with an eye from where I am—and we are—now.

These points are in the order they came to the surface of my mind. The order in which they came is, in a general way of speaking, the order in which the Lord established them in me through my years of knowing Him.

I shall briefly state each point of conviction and then follow up each one with a more thorough investigation. They could find a different order for you. Some may seem strange, or new. But I beg of you, let those you can receive become yours as you are able to comprehend what I lay out. If there are other convictions that have laid hold in you, make sure they are tested, by Scripture and by personal experience. If you wish to share them, let us know.

For months—quite a few actually—I have been continually studying God’s Word as it seems to unfold for this hour. I like to remember something an old friend once told me: There is Scripture pointing to the last years of this age. There is other embracing the last days. And there is other—much other—reaching for the last hours. We need it all.

On thing more to say before moving on toward the end: These introductory articles will run on through several issues. Try to lay hold on each one. They will prove to be a good foundation for what will follow—God willing—as we continue learning from God’s Word regarding the closing of this age.

An Outline of Spiritual Foundations
 for the Times of Testing

What has settled into our spiritual foundation may be all we will have to sustain us—to hold us up—when the spirits of anti-Christ assault us.

(Each point through this rather lengthy introduction begins with a brief introduction from personal convictions that have formed in my own life.)

1] THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION—Some of you will have a more outstanding testimony of salvation than mine. But, I trust that in yours you will find the same foundation I have found. It is in Jesus Christ, in Him only. The older I become—and that’s pretty old—the more firmly convinced I am that other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. That on which we are settled as the foundation for our life is what will be beneath as we enter the fight to take the Kingdom from the vile person as this age comes to its close.

Upon our foundation which is Christ Jesus, other spiritual “stones” must be placed. Our purpose is to help lay those stones carefully in place, seeking to make sure they are secure. If some things we present seem strangely distant, follow on with us as best you can. Please let what you have in addition to Christ go through a Scriptural check with the help of the Holy Spirit and perhaps with others with whom you are in fellowship.

It is important to know after we are secured in a salvation founded on Jesus Christ that the Word of God has much more to add in us. Above all, we must get to know Him with a continuing confidence, not based on emotion, that He has entered our life to remain in us through every trial, through everyone of every day. Make sure your assurance of salvation is not the matter of an emotional feeling. In most of us emotions can run up and down like a roller coaster throwing us from good feeling to ill feeling in an instant. Knowing the abiding presence of Jesus can stabilize us, no matter what may happen. But, we must know we know Him. Through all the ups and downs of your life, let there be an assurance day by day that you are kept in His hand. Read John 10:28. Try memorizing it.

2] THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT—After I was saved there came a time when I was filled with the Holy Spirit. My life was changed to the point that the Lord Jesus became a living Being inside of me. It was then He began to be the real Lord of my life, the Source for my daily living.

The Holy Spirit comes to us as the very Life of God, by which Jesus lived whenHe was here. Thus, as He dwells within us, His presence and the reality of Who He is becomes known. From God’s Word it seems He expects us all to receive the infilling of His Spirit. See Ephesians 5:18.                                                                                 

3] HOLDING A LOVE OF THE TRUTH—Receiving a love of the Truth was one of the most stabilizing experiences that ever came to my life. As I’ve shared this matter with others, it has had a strong effect on them. II Thessalonians 2:10 makes mention of this. This Word from Paul is awesome. It should put enough godly fear into the hearts of lukewarm believers to cause anyone to ask for, and receive, this amazing love into their hearts.

4] KNOWING GOD’S COVENANT FAITHFULNESS—God’s Covenant with David may present a note with which many are not familiar. For some years after I became a born again believer, this was so with me. I learned of this Covenant through a brother in the Lord who has now passed on. What he taught years ago made a lasting impression on me. Seeing it and understanding its precepts provide vital understanding for the latter days.  You may read it in II Samuel 7:12-16. But much of the important understanding regarding this Covenant lies in a thorough and deep study of God’s Word, often looking into the Original language. In the Covenant lies the foundation for God’s Kingdom on the earth. Take note of Psalm 2 (meditate on this Psalm until it becomes a part of you) and of Revelation 22:16 and think of their importance. And remember that Jesus did come in the world as the Son of David –Matthew 1:1.

5] KNOWING WHO CHRIST IS IN US AND WHO WE ARE IN HIM—Paul’s teaching about our identification with the Lord Jesus in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God has left an indelible stamp on my heart and mind. What a wonder is the understanding coming through Paul, particularly in Romans 3—8 and Ephesians 1—3! Embracing his understanding by anyone can give a wondrous sense of security in the time of trouble.

6] INSTEAD OF LIVING FOR CHRIST, ALLOWING HIM TO LIVE FOR US—It’s been heavily impressed on me in the last year or so that I cannot live or move about, or minister in Jesus Name, without His living in me and moving through me as I touch the lives of others. When my ability to believe grows small, or is nonexistent, I am brought to the place of remembering that we who are believers can live by the faith of the Son of God. Paul gave clear testimony of this in the following Scripture.

7] BECOMING SETTLED IN WHAT GOD WANTS FOR EACH OF US—Clearly, a help to me have been two different words of prophecy that came over me as elders gathered around me, praying for me and allowing the Lord to use them in speaking words of clear guidance for my life. From over forty years, those words have remained as a strengthening force in me.

This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.
I Timothy 1:18

For most, it is often not quite so clear as a prophecy. That is why we have learned to pray...

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Ephesians 1:17,18

8] KNOWING GOD’S WORD CONCERNING THE END—I am also thankful that the Lord has written clearly in my heart and mind a prophetic Word of hope that came through Daniel. It’s the Word that came to him in the midst of a passage telling of the anti-Christ’s last day stand against the saints. It is in the last hour that anti-Christ’s demeanor and wrath shall be more fierce against us than ever. But take note of Daniel 11:32b,33a.

More will be added. For the present this seems the outline to follow. I’m not presumptuous to think I have all the answers. If you have some points to add, I want to hear them. Perhaps we can consider them with you. I believe there’s much yet to unfold to us in the days ahead. Every time I go into the Word of God, more and more keeps coming to my attention that should be in the foundation of our spiritual lives. Please stay with us as we grow on together. And, do all you can to get others signed up to move along with us.

It’s my desire to listen for all the Lord will open to us on each of the preceding points—points to be enlarged on in the succeeding issues. This we trust will come as we move on in succeeding issues of Maschil.

I’m praying this: that the Lord will help me take the deep things of His Word and make them simple. I still remember the day He spoke to me that I was to take the simply profound Truth of His Word and present it in a profoundly simple manner. I want this to be my own personal motto as we proceed. I may not reach this point every time, but it is always in my heart to make that my goal. In doing this, I may often have to tell what has become real in my own life—with the deep conviction it can become real in your life also.

Sometimes we may have to tell of matters toward which we are still reaching, trusting we can reach together one with the other. Together, we wait for an awakening in our understanding and in our walk with the Lord.