"Know Thyself?" -- Know Him!

Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, would tell his charges, "know thyself."

Yet the naivete of the human mind cannot overcome the law of sin and death which wages and wars against a man. Only Christ can set us free from that bondage:

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8: 2)

Before exploring the fulness of this freedom, let us put aside the arrogant notion that a man can "know himself:

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17: 9)

We have a heart problem, one that touches to the core of man, beyond the power of his mind:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51: 10)

The Lord can great in us the heart that we need, more than just by mere thinking, or even an extended understanding of ourselves:

"And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

"That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God." (Ezekiel 11: 19-20)

When we have a new heart within us, then we can follow Solomon's advice with ease:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

Solomon's inspired wisdom told us where, or rather who to look to for wisdom -- God!

Therefore, the believer should not be spending any more time learning about himself, but rather grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3:18). The more we know Him, who He is, what He has done for us, and what He wants to do through us, then we will know ourselves:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

You Are Child of God -- Walk Like One!

One of the most meaningful quotes that I have kept in remembrance was from former Governor of New York and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller:

"You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure about you."

I have had this quote in my folder for years, yet only now am I beginning to take in what it really means for me.

This sonship is powerful. It makes me a son of God:

"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." (1 John 5: 1)

We do not enter into Sonship because we think highly of ourselves, but rather because God loved us so much:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)

Jesus Christ is this life (John 14: 6), and this life we do not live in our own efforts:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)

The firm foundation of the forgiveness of sins grants to every believer the boldness to come before the Father (Hebrews 4: 16). Never again do we have to wonder if He is for us or not.

When we have this boldness, we can face the world with confidence:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." ( 1 John 4: 17)

So if you are a child of God, why would you life at any lesser level? Paul exhorts his fellow believers:

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Ephesians 5: 1-2)

This love that we walk in is not our love for God, but His love for us:

"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)

You are a child of God, beloved -- walk like one!

We Are Not Seeking, But Receiving the Kingdom

One passage in Hebrews gives the impression that a life of faith means nothing but terror and turmoil:

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews 11: 13)

Later:

"And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

"They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

"(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." (Hebrews 11: 36-38)

In some cases, men and women of faith did not receive the promise, or in other cases not only did they not receive the promise, but they endure untold privations.

"And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

"God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11: 39-40)

What is the promise which these men and women of faith did not receive? Why, the Holy Spirit, granted to us freely because of Jesus' death and resurrection. Peter preached on the day of Pentecost:

"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

"Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." (Acts 2: 32-33)

This promise has been held forth to us from Jesus' earthly ministry:

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11: 13)

and

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12: 32)

We receive the Kingdom of God through the Holy Spirit, the promise which the Old Testaments saw by faith. which every believer in the New Covenant receives by faith:

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)

We do not have to wonder whether we will receive this promise or not, for those who believe in Jesus Christ have received the promise of the Kingdom already.

In Christ, We Have More than a Relationship with God

In many religious circles, believer talk about having a "relationship" with God.

Yet even the concept of "relationship" suggests that we the believers bring something to the association. Not only that, but the word "relationship" does not communicate the depth, the intimacy, the unity that we have with God.

He is not just our new partner, but God has given us His Son, who is our life!:

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." (Ephesians 2: 1-2)

God could not have a mere "relationship" with us, because before His death on our behalf, we were dead:

"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." (Romans 5: 10)

This is far more than any relationship.

In fact, we are now related to God, made one of many brethren through Christ Jesus:

"[Jesus ]is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature" (Colossians 1: 15)

Then a few verses later:

"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1: 18)

If Jesus is the first-born, then there must be a second-born, a third-born, and so on:

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

"Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1: 12)

If this is not enough, consider the following verses, as well:

"I and my Father are one." (John 10: 30)

and then

"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17: 23)

And of course:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

In Christ, we have more than a relationhsip with God. We are sons and daughters of God, destined to be like Jesus (1 John 3: 3), and unified with Him!

In Christ, God is Your Daddy!

Just because we are related to our family on earth, that does not mean that we may relate to each other. This mantra have I adopted for myself, convinced that some members of the family are simply not worth getting to know. Blood may be thicker than water, but the distance that family members who share one parents can be thicker still.

A friend of mine told me that he had just learned that his father had a secret life, complete with another wife and family. This secret marriage was something that he just learned about.

In the end, we do not have to worry about our relatives. I do not worry about my bloodlines. In fact, I am learning more and more about my adoption into the family of God through Jesus Christ.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus declared His deepest intimacy with His Father:

"And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt." (Mark 14: 36)

I believe that the Holy Spirit directed Mark to record Jesus address God the Father as "Abba" or "Daddy" so that we would appreciate not only how much God loved His Son, but also how much He would love us, for:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

Yet, we have further proof in Scripture that we now enter into the most intimate of relationships with God the Father:

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8: 15-17)

To the Galatians, Paul emphasized their sonship in Christ, as many of them had strayed from their standing to attempt to earn righteousness through the law:

"To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

"Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (Ephesians 4: 5-7)

The same Holy Spirit who convicts the believer of righteousness (John 16: 9) also convicts us of our most intimate sonship before God the Father. We are heirs of all things promised to Christ Jesus, who sits in highest honor and authority at the right hand of the Father. Our new standing in Christ grants us this boldness to come before our Daddy and ask for anything that we need:

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4: 16)

Do not come to God as if He is some distant and imperious figure. In Christ, God is your Daddy!

You Are a Child of God -- Because His Spirit Says So

One of my favorite quotes, which I keep in my folder, comes from former  Governor of New York and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller:

"You are a child of God. You're playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure about you."

I have kept this quote in my folder for years, yet only recently have I taken the time to really ponder what this means.

Do  I have the authority based on Scripture to call myself a child of God? Yes!:

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

"Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1: 12-13)

We become sons of God when we believe on Him whom the Father has sent: His Son Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave His life for us:

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)

Therefore, John declares earlier in his letter:

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. " (1 John 3: 1-2)

Yet we live in a shaky troubled world that denies God and would deceive us into doubting our new identity. What is our basis for truth within us? The Holy Spirit:

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. " (Romans 8: 15-17)

How do we know that we have the Spirit of God in us? By our confession:

"Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." (1 John 4: 13-15)

The Spirit of God lives in us because we have declared in heart and mouth that Jesus is Lord. By the Spirit of God, we receive the adoption into the Family of God!

Be Heaven Minded -- The Only Earthly Good

One religious leader used to tell people:

"Don't be so heaven minded that you are no earthly good."

Despite the good intentions of this advice, the notion that heaven is separate and far away for the believer is not true:

"Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3: 2)

and

"And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17: 20-21)

For the believer who has received the Kingdom of God (synonymous with "The Kingdom of Heaven"), we ask God to open our eyes even more to receive the revelation of all that God has given to us:

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12: 32)

and then

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)

Indeed, Paul himself wrote by inspiration that we are to be heaven-minded:

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" (Philippians 3: 20)

and

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3: 1-3)

The life we live, we live by the faith of the Son of God in us (Galatians 2: 20). Nothing could be more heaven-minded than that, and yet in no other way can we do any earthly good:

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 4-5)

You are a heavenly citizen, seated in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 2: 6), and His life in you lives out to the world (Philippians 2: 12-13).

Be heaven-minded, because you are already there, and only then can you be any earthly good.

How Do You Love a Spouse? Jesus Does It!

Men and women enter into a holy union when they marry. The two become one flesh (Ephesians 5: 31).

Whether a believer is married to another person or not, we are certainly married to Christ. We are one with Him, more than even a married couple can be one:

"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17: 23)

and

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 3: 28)

We are certainly married to Christ, too:

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7: 4)

and

"For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11: 2)

Now, we believers were dead in our trespasses (Ephesians 2: 1), so there is no discussion of what we did to enter into this new covenant except to know and believe in His love for us.

This same love motivates a man to love his wife as much as a wife to submit to her husband:

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." (Ephesians 5: 22)

Now, how do we submit to the Lord? By giving Him all of our cares:

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7)

To humble ourselves, to submit ourselves does not mean that we throw on sackcloth and ashes and rend and humiliate ourselves, but rather that we present our bodies to Christ as a living sacrifice and He lives through  us (Romans12: 2).

As for the husbands, to love their wives is not a tall order, if they let God love through them:

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

"That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5: 25-27)

Christ loved the Body of Believers by giving Himself and then His Holy Spirit to live and thrive through. As husbands grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, they then allow the Spirit of God to bear forth His love and lead the husband to love his wife.

We love because He first loved us -- this is true for spouses as much as for anyone still single!

Ask Jesus into Your Heart -- and More!

A movement of some alarm has sprouted up recently. The "Don't Ask Jesus into Your Heart".

The concern is understandable, as many people simply ask Jesus into their hearts, but then their lives do not change.

We need more than just to ask Jesus into our hearts. We need a new heart altogether:

"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

"These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man." (Matthew 15: 19-20)

But through the Holy Spirit, every believer can receive a new heart, with God's laws of life and love written upon them:

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

"And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more."  (Hebrews 8: 10-12)

When we have received a new heart, one rooted in the Gospel of all sins forgiven (Ezekiel 11: 18), replacing a stony heart bent on trying to keep the law, which no man can keep (Romans 3: 20)

The key element to the New Covenant is that through Christ blood's, we receive remission of all our sins:

"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 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." (Romans 3: 23-26)

The only reason why "Asking Jesus into Your Heart" in itself can lead to bondage is only if the person asked to believe does not understand that Jesus is He whom the Father hath sent to redeem us from our sin and restore us to sonship before the Father.

After every believer passes from death to life:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5: 24)

We are then invited to ask God to open the eyes of our understanding (Ephesians 1: 18) that Christ may indeed dwell in our hearts:

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

"May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3: 17-19)

Indeed, let us ask Jesus to dwell in our Hearts, that we may understand the forgiveness, the acceptance, and the power that we receive through Him living in us!

No Need to Talk to Yourself

There is no further reason to challenge ourselves to be obedient– we receive the blessed message of our Lord and Savior, whose blood cries out forgiveness:

"And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (Hebrews 12: 24)

While Abel's blood cried out for vengeance (Genesis 4: 10), the Blood of Jesus grants us everlasting righteousness (Hebrews 9: 24) and oneness with Him, and heirs of God the Father:

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3: 29)

What is this promise? The Holy Spirit:

"Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." (Acts 2: 33)

This Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16: 13), convicting us of righteousness (John 16: 10)

Let us listen to the message and witness of the Holy Spirit within us, not our sense of right and wrong. For the blood of Jesus Christ once and for all has done this:

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9: 14)

Here, "dead works" speaks of our own efforts to make ourselves right before God, which none of us can do.

So, we must no longer talk to ourselves, saying "I have to do something" or "What if. . .", because such thinking is not in line with the truth, that we are made forever righteous before God, filled with His life by the Holy Spirit, who leads us in the paths of righteousness.

Don’t Try to Keep the Rules: Let the Ruler Keep You

May people are not aware that believers are not called by God to live the Ten Commandments. The law was given through Moses (John 1: 17), but not for us to keep.

"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 19-20)

"Every mouth stopped" -- why? So that man would no longer have any excuses, have no further recourse to justify himself. The standard of the law is absolute:

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

"For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law." (James 2: 10-11)

Did the law serve a greater purpose than damning mankind in self-despair? Yes, indeed:

"But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

"But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Galatians 3: 23-25)

For the Jews before the coming of the Messiah, they were kept under the law to their best efforts, which failed, as daily sacrifices were needed to atone for their sin – although the sacrifices could never wipe away their sin entirely (Hebrews 9: 9)

Now , for the believers, we are kept in Christ:

"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:" (Jude 1)

We are led by the Spirit:

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 8: 14)

We are favored by God the Father:

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)

and

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1:3-6)

God has impressed His laws into our hearts and minds (Hebrews 8: 10-12)

Instead of trying to keep the rules, the Ruler in His love keeps us:

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 21)

This love that we are kept in, this love leads us to fulfill the law:

"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13: 10)

Do not strain to keep the rules, for we are dead to sin, and now live in righteousness. Walk in love (Ephesians 5: 8), as His beloved child!

Christ is Our Promise Keeper

One movement that emerged recently in the Body of Christ emphasizes that men need to keep promises, honoring Jesus Christ in all that they do. The emphasis of this movement is on the “manhood” of the believer.

Yet in the Body of Christ, these divisions do not exist, or at least the distinction of male and female dissolve within his body:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3: 28)

In fact, Jesus makes it clear that manhood is irrelevant in heaven, as is womanhood:

"For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." (Matthew 22: 30)

Movements which emphasize manhood or womanhood, which press people to live up to standards, no matter how moral, will end up creating bondage, not freedom:

"The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." (1 Corinthians 15: 56)

The law is manifested every time there is a demand placed on us, for in Christ the law is fulfilled:

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." (Matthew 5: 17)

and

"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8: 3-4)

Jesus is our righteousness and our peace (Ephesians 2: 14). He lives His life in every believer(Galatians 2: 20; Colossians 1: 27). Paul disdained without reserve any system of living apart from the Spirit of God:

"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

"Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. " (Galatians 4: 6-7)

We have a new identity in Christ, which has accorded to us adoption as sons of God. There is no set of rules to follow in order to receive this inheritance. Therefore, Paul then writes:

"But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" (Galatians 4: 9)

Since we are children of God, we receive promises from the Father, and He keeps these promises for us, not we ourselves:

"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." (1Corinthians 1: 20)

We are not Promise Keepers, but rather Promise Receivers:

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3: 29)

and

"That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel." (Ephesians 3: 6)

Receive the Promises through His grace, and let Him answer the prayers of others through you!

No Need To Rush -- He's Got Your Back (and All Around)

"For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward ." (Isaiah 52: 12)

We have no need to rush. God has got our back, and He has our front, too.

"The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul." (Psalm 121: 7)

and

"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." (Psalm 91: 7)

Later in the same psalm, David writes:

"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." (Psalm 91: 11)

Now, Satan originally quoted this verse to tempt Jesus to throw Himself from the roof of the temple. Yet this verse just as well applies to every believer, that we have angels given charge over us, as well.

We have  a greater assurance that God is for us. He is not lavishing His love on us out of pity, but out of justice and righteousness:

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1: 9)

This cleansing cannot be stopped, once we receive it, as indicated two verses previous:

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1: 7)

What do we receive as a result of our sins being completely forgiven?

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

We are not just made "righteous", but we receive, we are made "the righteousness of God" in Christ. God the Father sees us in His Son, the firstborn of many brethren. We are adopted into the family:

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)

We are made sons of God, after the likeness of the firstborn from the dead, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1: 18), and therefore we will be like Jesus (1 John 3: 3). We also have His authority, honor and protection on this earth, for:

"As He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

He watches out for us, His angels care for us wherever we go. We have no reason to rush or worry. Instead, like Jesus we can be spirit led, and He will lead us to where He wants us to go ever time!

Reign in Life Like Joseph, not Jacob

Jacob the grabbing Patriarch faced severe trials in his life. If he had trusted in the Lord, living as the prince that God called him to be, he would never have struggled within while reiging without

First, he took his rightful blessing by deceit, instead of trusting the Lord to provide what was prophesied to be his. (Genesis 27). He then had to flee from his brother Esau, who wanted to kill him (Genesis 28).

Jacob vowed to let the Lord by His God, provided that God provided for him:

"And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

"So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:" (Genesis 28: 20-21) 

God answered this promise, and more, forg God answers our prayers beyond what we ask or think (Ephesians 3: 20).

Even when He prayed to the Lord for help when his brother was coming to him (Genesis 32: 9-12), and even though Jacob still depended no himself (Genesis 32: 13-21), yet God  helped Jacob, because he received the blessings from Abraham and Isaac, and God granted him favor with his brother Esau

Jacob had twelve children, and their families. He was blessed with goats, cattle, and all kinds of wealth.

He even blessed Pharoah, who reigned above Jacob's beloved Joseph, yet Jacob had this to say:

" The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

"And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh." (Genesis 47: 9-10)

Jacob spoke falsely, yet the text manifests him as "Jacob", one who felt that he had to grab for everything.

In contrast, Jacob's beloved son Joseph endured immense privations, yet not once did he admit to any bitterness. When he interpreted the dreams of Pharoah, he went from the prison to the palace in one hour, married and then  had two children, of which he said:

"And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

"And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." (Genesis 41: 51-52)

While Jacob prospered in all that he did, he saw himself as a loser. Joseph knew that the Lord was with him, and rejoicing in his prosperity he praised the Lord for all that He had done.

Beloved, God wants us to love life and see many days. He wants us to prosper, even as our soul prospers. Be like Joseph, see yourself as one to whom all things are added through Christ, and you will prosper and know it and not feel any sorrow over any loss or hardship endured along the way!

When it's Rainy, His Rainbow of Grace Will Shine

When it rains, we can believe also that the rainbow will appear, which the Light of Jesus shining through, displaying the promise that God is no longer angry with us.

The rainbow speaks of God’s grace, not condemnation:

"And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

"And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. " (Genesis 8: 20-21)

Later, God promised:

"I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

"And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

"And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

"And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

"And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth." (Genesis 9: 13-17)

In the endtime revelation recorded by John, the apostle identified the rainbow around the throne of grace:

"And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." (Revelation 4: 3)

The flood is a type of baptism, in which we die with Christ, then rise again in resurrection life (1 Peter 3:21). The rainbow speaks "no condemnation", a covering which reminds God never again to rain down condemnation on the earth.

When times are tough, when there are nothing but clouds above us, let us remember that He is still shining, that His favor is shining on us. Even meteorologists will confirm that there must be a sun, or else there would be no clouds in the first place!

Just the same, lest us rest assured and rest in the favor of God’s love for us, because:

“As He is , so are we in this world” (1 John 4: 17)

The Son is Shining, Even when It’s Cloudy

“Every cloud has a silver lining.”

People share this phrase with others in other to encourage others to look at the bright side of every bad situation.

James writes that we should rejoice during hard times:

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. "(James 1: 2-4)

Paul also tells us to rejoice in suffering:

(Romans 5: 1-5)

That any afflictions we endure are nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in us.

For the world, their hope in that silver lining is faint. For the believer, Christ in us is our hope of glory (Colossians 1: 27). For the believer, Jesus Christ is our Sun of righteousness:

"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

"And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 4: 2-3) 

Indeed, Jesus brings to us healing and victory, for in Him we are more than conquerors (Romans 8: 37)

While the world waits for the sun to shine again, we have His love forever shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit living within us (Romans 5: 5)

And this love has already been proven to us, not something that we have to wait for:

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)

and

"And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. " (1 John 4: 16)

He is always shining, reigning over all, seated at the right hand of the Father, and we are in Him:

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (Romans 8: 12)

and

"Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" (Ephesians 5: 8)

The Son shines in us, and therefore we have better than a silver lining, even when it's cloudy!

Meditate Away the Dross and the Evil in Your Life

Meditation  ("Hagah" in Hebrew) means to memorize, rehearse, repeat, and take in the full meaning of God’s Word.

Meditation helps us to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3: 18). Meditating on God’s Word helps us to prosper in all that we do:

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. " (Joshua 1: 8)

and

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Psalms 1: 1-3)

Meditation specifically helps us to cast out evil in our lives, too:

"Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

"Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness." (Proverbs 25: 4-5)

In these two verses, “take away” is the word “hagah” , which means “meditate or mutter” the same letters!

When we rest in our redemption, represented by silver, then the dross which impedes us in our flesh is slowly removed and cast away.

Because we are kings as well as priests in Christ (1 Peter 2: 9), we meditate and thus drive away all evil from our midst.

If you struggle with any evil, with hardships in your flesh, rest in the Word of God, meditate on His Word:

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (John 15: 3)

By God's Word, which is Spirit and Truth (John 6: 63), we are transformed from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3: 18)

Meditate on God's word, and watch the evil and the dross be removed from your life!

We are a Royal Priesthood, According to the Order of Melchizedek

One well-know passage in the New Testament identifies in a two-fold revelation our new and glorious status in Christ:

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" (1 Peter 2: 9)

Let us learn more about the glory and grandeur of this calling given to us in Christ.

In the Psalms, Jesus is identified:

"The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." (Psalm 110: 4)

Who was this Melchizedek? He appeared once, ministering to Abraham after the Father of Faith routed the enemy king who had spoiled Lot:

"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

"And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

"And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. " (Genesis 14: 18-20)

This king appeared once and never again as Himself. I believe that this "King of Righteousness" (the literal translation of "Melchizedek") is a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus,  the King of Kings, who has made us the righteousness of God in Him. Melchizedek came from Salem, which means "peace", and Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2: 14)

Now, Melchizedelk, which means “King of Righteousness”, served as both King and Priest of the most High God. Since as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4: 17), and Jesus is the first-born of many brethren from the dead (Colossians 1: 18), we can boldly declare that we too are priests in the order of Melchizedek, reigning in life through the King of Kings, by whose death we have been made the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5: 21).

I Can’t – But He Can (Even in Believing)

When my mother was trying to quit smoking, she found herself completely unable to break free of the habit.

One afternoon, she recounted getting down on her knees and admitting to God:

“I have  no faith in myself, and I have very little faith in you. Please help me to break free of smoking.”

From that point on, she never smoked again. She never had to try to keep free, and she never relapsed.

Whether she realized it or not, she had communicating a telling element about faith in God:

"For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." (Philippians 3: 3)

God is not moved by our efforts, but by our faith in Him, no matter how small:

"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matthew 17: 20)

Jesus spoke this chiding to His disciples and those whom they were trying to serve. The root of their unbelief lies in the preceding verse:

"And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him." (Matthew 17: 16)

The people thought that the disciples could heal their son -- only Jesus heals, and only in His name, by His authority, as He is in us, can we do anything.

The faith of Jesus Christ is  manifest as the preeminent element with another man, who struggled to believe:

"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9: 23-24)

The 23rd verse would be better translated thus:

"And Jesus said to him, 'If thou art able to believe! all things are possible to the one that is believing" (Young's Literal Translation)

Jesus was not referring to the distraught father's faith, but His own when He said "All things are possible to Him who believes!"

And in the following verse, the father cries out that Jesus would keep helping his unbelief.  Even when our faith does not measure up perfectly, Jesus' faith makes it all work out!

Let us trust, therefore, in His faith, for believers are called to live by His faith:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)

His faith and His grace live through us, and Paul made a point not to frustrate this grace through His own efforts. He warned the same for his fellow believers in Galatia:

"For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Galatians 5: 3-4)

In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17: 28). Let us rest in Him, then:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengeneth me “ (Philippians 4: 13)

In the original language, the verse actually reads “I am strong in all things through Christ.”

No matter what you may be facing today,  see Jesus as your strength through you to see you through!

Let His Grace Work -- No Vanity to Fret About

As every believer grows in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3: 18), we learn that in Him we are more than conquerors (Romans 8: 37), that we are kingly priests (1 Peter 2: 9) who can boldly enter the throne of grace (Hebrews 4: 16)

When I remarked to an acquaintance that I have favor wherever I go, he snidely retorted:

“Better watch the Vanity.”

I have come to believe, however, that to the extent that believers do not live out the glory which God has given us through the death and resurrection of His Son (Colossians 1: 27), to that extent we are still living under works (Galatians 5: 4), taking pride in our effort, and thus frustrating the grace of God in our lives (Galatians 2: 20)

We are more than conquerors in Christ. It is vanity to trust in our own efforts, or to deny who we are as believer in the name, by which we can all be called Sons of God.

Solomon defines vanity thus:

"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

"What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? " (Ecclesiastes1: 2-3)

"All his labor" spells it out -- we are called to rest from our own labors, and let God work through us!

 If we struggle to accept this, it is because we do not know that we are “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1: 6), and therefore that God has blessed with all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1: 3)

God gives us the power to get wealth, too (Deuteronomy 8: 18). Who are we to deprive God of His power working through us? I

Indeed, the only vanity, the one bemoaned by Solomon, is living our life through our own effort, depriving ourselves of receive God’s grace. Paul speaks of the glory of God's grace flowing in us through Jesus Christ:

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)

Here, Paul illustrates how easy a believer can forget that it is God's grace that works through us, not our own efforts, for apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15: 5)

We rest in His grace, which establishes our hearts (Hebrews 13: 9), and we can trust that trusting in His grace is not a vain thing:

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

The Lord is Your Rest and Your Comforter

God promised  comfort to His people Israel -- and through Christ, our First-born brother, to every believer:

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

"Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins." 9(Isaiah 40: 1-2) 

Later, Isaiah prophesies the word of the Lord:

"I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass." (Isaiah 51: 12)

This rest is granted to the believer through Jesus Christ

“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. “(Matthew 11: 28-30)

Here, Jesus indicates not only that He gives rest, but more accurately he states "I will rest you".

He is our rest! The writer of Hebrews explains in greater detail:

"For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

"For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

"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: 8-13)

Here, "Jesus" refers initially to Joshua, yet the successor to Moses was in many ways a type of our Savior, one who led those who believed into the Promised Land. In Christ, we have ceased from our own dead works (Hebrews 6: 1), for the life we live is His life (Galatians 2: 20) We enter this rest by meditating on God's Word, which cuts through anything that smacks of fleshly self-effort, which would tempt us out of the rest which God gives us through His Holy Spirit.


By rightly divide the Word of God (2 Timothy 2: 15), I realized that by His death, I have remission of all my sins, and the Holy Spirit now lives in me, and by His Work, Christ is now in me, my hope of glory (Colossians 1: 27), is also my rest, and in that every believer finds the supreme comfort.

His Love Is Active, Moving, Involved

God is Love (1 John 4: 16), and we do Him a disservice is we conceive of His love as limited or static:

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4: 18)

His love is actively pushing away anything that would be the cause of fear in our lives. Let us trust and rest in this love.

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

"And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3: 1-3)

This is a love which transforms us from dead people in trespasses to sons of the living God, seated in heavenly places with His Son Jesus Christ:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world."(1 John 4: 17)

Because we have taken on the identity, the very Person of Christ Jesus, then God's love is perfected! Receive this identity -- receive the glorious promises which come with it:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6: 12)

In the original Greek, the verse actually reads"the wrestling", for the fight is not ours, but the Lord's, and He has received certain victory over every enemy:

"But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Hebrews 1: 13)

God the Father has indeed brought His Son -- and us! -- far above all troubles, trials, and enemies:

"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

"Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

"Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. " (Ephesians 1: 20-23)

Even as His enemies are at His feet, and so they are for us, Jesus in His love for us is ministering on our behalf:

"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 34)

His love for us is active, moving, and very much involved. Receive the knowledge and truth that God. who never leaves us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13: 5) is on our side working for us (Philippians 2: 13)

Rhema is Running all over – Just Read the Word

In the older Charismatic circles, believers were convinced that they had to wait for a movement of the Holy Spirit into their specific situation before they could “Receive” a Word from the Lord.

If we ask for Wisdom - anytime, in faith, we will receive it:

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

"For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1: 5-8)

Believers do not have to worry about being doubled-minded, as long as their keep the eyes of their understanding (Ephesians 1: 18) on Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father (Colossians 3: 1-3):

"For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2: 16)

In fact, we have not just the mind of Christ, but Christ Himself, who is made to us wisdom (1 Corinthians 1: 30), and through His Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we have all knowledge (1 John 2: 20, 27)

Whereas in Proverbs, Solomon told us to seek wisdom, for the believer, we have received Him, and now He lives in us by faith. Christ has been made for us wisdom, that is the first thing.

God's Logos-Word lives in us already:

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3: 16)

As our minds are renewed to the truth of God’s Word (Romans 12: 2; Ephesians 4: 23), we receive fresh revelation from the Holy Spirit for every situation that we face in our lives:

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 16: 13)

 The rhema is God’s Word made relevant and present to us in our circumstances, which we receive through His Spirit.

 No greater movement of the Holy Spirit is needed to make the word real to us than our reading and receiving His word in our lives, for God Himself has promised:

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."" (Isaiah 55: 11)

and

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6: 63)

His Words are spirit and life, and through the Holy Spirit, when we ask for wisdom in faith, we can know and believe that God's eternal Logos will be transformed into specific rhema to inform us as to what to do or say in any situation.

Are You Confused? Feed on His Love!

Confusion is rampant in the world today, even in the Body of Christ, where foolish doctrines that teach us that we must do something in addition to believing on Him whom He hath sent (John 6: 29)


These issues are disputed first by recognizing that Jesus Christ did not just die for our sins, but that He gave us His life:

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;" (Ephesians 2: 1)

Paul then explains the blessed standing that we have in Christ, which we receive by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast that he did anything to save himself (Ephesians 2: 4-8)

Later in the same Epistle, Paul writes:

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4: 14-15)

How do we avoid being "carried about with every wind of doctrine"? Not by knowledge alone:

"Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." (1 Corinthians 8: 1)

It is love, God's love which establishes us. "God is love" (1 John 4: 16) separates every train of thought, religious sentiment, or any other attempt at the truth.

In fact, God's love is our anchor in stormy times. Whenever we have questions, doubts, fears, or tumults of any kind, let us pray the same prayer that Paul extended to the Ephesians:

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

"Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

"May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height

"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3: 14-19)

Paul wanted us to know and believe in a greater revelation God's love for us. In this love we are "rooted and grounded", never again to be tossed about by differing ideas and dissenting opinions. God is love, and He lives in us through the Holy Spirit, who reveals Christ in us, our hope of glory (Colossians 1: 27)

This perfected love  always brings us to the central them of Scripture, Jesus Christ and Him Crucified, the dissolver of doubts (Daniel 5: 12), the Truth who sets us free (John 8: 32):

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

Know and believe in His love in a greater revelation, witness your fears and doubts disappearing, for this love was manifested for us forever thus:

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)

Meditate on the Cross, and that His death has done for you, receive His life, and reign over every doubt and disturbance!

Learn How to Rest -- He Takes Care of the Rest

If we live primarily by what we see, we may get discouraged or even fearful at the prospect of standing by and trusting God to take care of us. However, we must awake our minds to the truth that God is moving and working on our behalf, even if we do not see Him:

"For we walk by faith, not by sight:" (2 Corinthians 5: 7)

In the Old Testament, the Lord commanded His people to stand back and watch Him take care of everything:

"And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

"The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. " (Exodus 14: 13-14)

Later, when the people of Judah were surrounded by warring armies, Jehoshaphat prayed to the Lord, and He spoke comfort through one His prophets:

"Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you." (2 Chronicles 20: 17)

In the New Testament, Paul tells us to stand fast in the Liberty that we have in Christ (Galatains 5: 1), and to stand in the full of God, which is Christ in and on and all around us:

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6: 13)

We stand in Him, and He is working on our behalf. Our job is to humble ourselves enough to believe:

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7)

Jesus wants us to abide in Him:

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 4-5)

Let us abide in Him, He who made the Universe, all that is seen and unseen (Hebrews 11: 1-2)
Labor to enter that rest

We can labor to enter the rest of God:

"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 11: 4)

Learn how to rest, for God is taking care of everything for us:

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? " (Romans 8: 31-32)

A Little with Fear in Christ is More than Enough

Some proverbs can seem confusing without reading them through the Finished Work of the Cross:

"Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith." (Proverbs 15: 16)

But the fear of the Lord is not a source of poverty -- not in the slightest:

"The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether." (Psalm 19: 9)

and

"By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life." (Proverbs 22: 4)

and also

"And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure." (Isaiah 33: 6)

Why so we fear the Lord? Because He will hurt us? Not at all:

"But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." (Psalm 130: 4)

It is because we have redemption in the the blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1: 7), therefore we fear Him, and this fear is not one of terror, dread, or despair, but of awe and majesty, that He is the last word, one whose regard we respect against all others. What comes with this redemption? Paul explains:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved.

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1: 3-7)

Because of this redemption, because of his fear, we have all of His spiritual blessings, we have been chosen to be blameless and whole, adopted into the Family of God, and accepted in the Beloved, which means that God sees us as His Beloved, just like His Son:

"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17: 23)

And  of course:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

Dwell in Hope, Because That's Your New Address

We can hope in God, because He gave us His best:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." (John 14: 1)

Who is this Jesus, then, that you are hoping in?

David had a vision of God the Son glorified:

"I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

"Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. (Ps 16: 8-9)

In Christ, we become prisoners of hope:

"Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee." (Zechariah 9:12)

When Peter quoted David from Psalm 16 on the day of Pentecost, the apostle declared:

"For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

"Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope" (Acts 2: 25-26)

The English does not bring out the totality of David's hope, giving the impression that hope is a place that David drops into. More accurately, the word "rest" in verse 26 actually means "encamp, take up  quarters, or tabernacle. Hope is the final resting place, one where David has thoroughly placed himself, never to be moved.

This hope houses ever believer, for Christ Himself is our hope:

"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1: 27)

and

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. " (Romans 15: 4)

And the Scriptures speak of Jesus (John 5: 39)

So, dwell in hope, a confident expectation that nothing but good things are coming your way, because you are in Christ!

Doctrine is Person, not just a Paragraph

We are called to believe on a Person:

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6: 29)

This Person lives in us by faith:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)

In Him, we are able to produce fruit of obedience:

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. " (John 15: 4-5)

When we read Scripture, we seek more of Jesus, who lives in us (Colossians 1: 27)

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (John 5: 39)

This is confirmed in Jesus' diligent teaching to the two travelers on the road to Emmaus:

"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

"Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24: 25-27)

The righteousness that we receive is the Person of Jesus Christ:

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

It is Christ Himself who informs everything about the believer, too:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

In fact, right doctrine is Christ Himself, and all Scripture speaks to His primacy and supremacy:

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9)

Here, "transgresseth" means "to pass, to go beyond", which speaks of adding anything to the Finished Work of Jesus Christ. He is all that we need, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Therefore, the doctrine that every believer seeks and cares about must be rooted in the Person of Jesus Christ, all and all.

2 John 9