The Sanctuary of GOD - Refuge, Rock, Salvation

Matthew 6:19-21  "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Philippians 3:8-9  "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"

1 Timothy 6:5-11  "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.  But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

The Sanctuary of GOD - Our Refuge, Rock and Salvation

Worldly forms of refuge can come with a price but no guarantee. However, Godly refuge was paid for on the cross.  "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Heb 13:8).  This a promise to you that GOD's WORD (CHRIST) never changes and there is nothing in this world that is as solid, true, pure and sure as our Rock and Salvation.  Learn to hear GOD's Voice by studying His Letter to you, the Bible.

The world is going to tell you in oh so many ways that you need to act secular, conform and go with the flow, because that's how things roll and how you get ahead... the way everyone seems to be doing it.  The world feels and even encourages that it's okay to put worldy success above GOD.  Even many so called Christians think that the ones with more worldly success are somehow more favored by our FATHER.  That's the wrong way of thinking and it shows just how caught up a person is in the ways of the world.  For a heathen, money can actually make matters worse.  Satan is subtle and extremely clever... if worldly wealth and comfort is enough to keep an individual from turning to GOD, thinking he doesn't need Him... then the enemy is successful.  That's not to say that you can't be successful and wealthy with GOD's blessings.

Everything of the world is temporary and to associate "great gain" with worldly things (awards, positions, material belongings, etc) is an illusion.  How is it truly gain if you cannot take it with you when you die?  Eventually, it will all deteriorate or transfer into another man's hands.  Everyday, as you make it your life's purpose to gain worldly riches and comfort, your physical body is getting older and your time is running out.  For example's sake, let's say you live another 30 years... start counting from today... that's less than 11,000 days.  It's not that long, is it?

You see, when you look at things through your spiritual eyes, you will see the reality of it all.  What are you chasing?  How many times will it take for you to learn that the more you chase that thing, the farther it gets away from you?  That's all part of the master deception and game.  Running after that piece of cheese, endlessly on a treadmill, spinning your wheels, with no real purpose besides the illusion of gain. So what kind of treasures do you want to build up? 

The evil one and those who eat out of his hands will repeatedly rub it in your face, through media, other folks or gossip, how worldly people get ahead and seem to prosper.  If you are standing outside of GOD's Sanctuary, you might be envious of the wicked and foolish, because you're not looking through a set of spiritual eyes, but with the flesh eyes.  Glory be to GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST, that you will see their end when you are in the Sanctuary of the HOLY ONE.

Psalm 73

73 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

Peace in CHRIST JESUS,
Spread-the-Truth
Mr baptist.

Pastor Arnold Murray

Jeremiah 23:4  "And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD."

"Thank you Heavenly FATHER for sending us Pastor Murray to teach us Your WORD and utilizing him to help seal the minds of Your elect.  You blessed him with over 60 years of teaching and sharing Your TRUTH, the cup that runneth over, with Your children. We saw how his entire life was blessed by You, FATHER, and he set a fine example that there is only one way to live... and that's by loving and serving You and living in Your WORD.  Pastor Murray completed his mission and we will continue to press on to complete ours for Your Glory" - in JESUS Name.  Amen.

Letter below by: Long-Time Shepherd’s Chapel Student Steve Barwick

Most of you have probably heard by now that Pastor Arnold Murray passed away yesterday, apparently of a heart attack.

The Chapel has verified this information, and is asking people to relax, and take a deep breath, and praise Father for granting us such a shining example of faith, courage and service in the Word of God, for so long.

And I would add, to also pray that Dennis Murray be granted the faith, strength, courage and physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being to carry on in Arnold’s footsteps.  Perhaps Father will grant him the double-portion, as He did Elisha when Elijah was taken home. Regardless, we know Dennis will do a fine job.  Pray also for Father’s blessings on the crew at the Chapel, who keep everything running smoothly.

You will all remember from the Scriptures that when Moses was taken home by our heavenly Father, it was then time for the children of Israel to enter into the Promised Land under the direction of Joshua.  Think about that, for we have just been given a great benchmark in Arnold’s passing.

Arnold Murray was the “Moses” of our time.  I would advise you all to prepare yourselves -- mentally, physically, emotionally and most of all, spiritually -- for the journey that lies directly ahead.  That means staying firmly planted in our Father’s Word.  Arnold’s passing represents a “great shaking,” perhaps, for some.  But it is nothing compared to what is soon to come.  This is no time to be shaken, beloved.

Remember:  This is the 66th year of the planting of the fig tree in the Holy Land.  So expect much this year.

The Lord’s specific instructions to the children of Israel just before they were to enter the Promised Land were as follows:

Deut 31:6  "Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

We may have lost our flesh “Moses” of the end times.  But we have not lost the faithful and courageous example he set for us.  And always remember, it is our heavenly Father that Arnold Murray ALWAYS taught us to look to for guidance and direction, not himself.

Father has shown us by example that when “Moses” was taken home, the children of Israel were not left without guidance and direction.  Our heavenly Father was with them every step of the way.  And He will be with us every step of the way in the journey ahead into the Promised Land of the Millennium teaching period.

As it is written in the verse above, “He it is that doth go with thee, He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”  Claim those promises, beloved.  They are yours for the taking, in Christ’s name.

Also, always keep in mind that the Lord’s instructions to Joshua (representing the elect Body of Jesus Christ of these end days), were as follows:

Deut 31:7  "And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it."

Deut 31:8  "And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."

Take those words literally, and stand firm in them.  Claim them, in Christ’s name.  Be strong and of good courage.  Fear not.  Do not be dismayed.  For our job is to cause the people of Israel to inherit the land that’s been stolen from us.  That is the task that lies directly ahead -- a task that will be completed by our Lord and Savior at His Second Advent, which we now march forward to.

So as we march toward that soon-coming day, these are our instructions.  We do it God’s way, in accord with the Book.  Follow the Book.  Now, and after the antichrist arrives, when it is finally time for the election to be delivered up and for the Lord to speak through us at those trials, FOLLOW THE BOOK.  The Book says “Be strong and of good courage.”  The Book says “Fear not, nor be afraid of them.”

Let us never forget it.  Let us stand firmly in our Lord and Savior’s footsteps (“Take up your cross, and follow Me”).  And let us remain firmly rooted in His Word.  That is the legacy our dear Pastor Arnold Murray has left to us, just as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ left it to us.  Follow the path that’s already been blazed.  Make the wake others can follow in, by sticking with the straight-on truth of God’s Word.  All praise and glory to our heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.