"But none of these
things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish
my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus,
to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20: 24)
Life is all about the grace of God, which we receive in Christ Jesus, and the same Son of God lives and dwells in every believer:
God's grace defines us:
"But God, who is rich
in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were
dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
God's grace disciples us:
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and
godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that
blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ; 14Who gave himself for
us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2: 11-14)
God's grace drives us:
"10But 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)
Grace is a person: Jesus Christ:
"For the law was given
by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)
When we speak of Jesus, we speak of His grace and righteousness, the two gifts which engage us to reign in life:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive
abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one,
Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
The grace of God in Christ: that's what it's all about.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
In Christ, We are No Longer Strangers
"33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33)
Jesus exhorted the Israelites of His day not to take confidence in their ethnic status as Jews, nor seek to overthrow the Roman Empire, but seek to entry into God's eternal kingdom.
This Kingdom comes to us through His Holy Spirit, which has been poured out to us now that Jesus Christ has died on the Cross and now sits at the right hand of God the Father ministering on our behalf (Romans 8: 31-32):
"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)
As further proof that the Kingdom comes to us because of all that Christ Jesus did, consider this wonderful declaration:
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Colossians 1: 13)
Where were we before we believe on Jesus? Paul relates the following to the Colossians:
"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled" (Colossians 1: 21)
and also to the Ephesians:
"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:" (Ephesians 2: 12)
Here, Paul explicitly refers to state, kingdom like citizenship.
Because of Jesus Christ, we are blessed as adopted children of God the Father:
"13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;" (Ephesians 2: 13-14)
We are now no longer strangers, or foreigners from God's Kingdom, but because we are in Christ, we now walk in His Kingdom as sons of God:
"For our conversation [lit. citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" (Philippians 3: 20)
and
"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: 17)
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)
Because we have received a new citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven through Christ, we are no longer strangers, alienated from God the Father's blessed, eternal Kingdom which He gives in His good pleasure to those who believe (Luke 12: 32)
Jesus exhorted the Israelites of His day not to take confidence in their ethnic status as Jews, nor seek to overthrow the Roman Empire, but seek to entry into God's eternal kingdom.
This Kingdom comes to us through His Holy Spirit, which has been poured out to us now that Jesus Christ has died on the Cross and now sits at the right hand of God the Father ministering on our behalf (Romans 8: 31-32):
"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)
As further proof that the Kingdom comes to us because of all that Christ Jesus did, consider this wonderful declaration:
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Colossians 1: 13)
Where were we before we believe on Jesus? Paul relates the following to the Colossians:
"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled" (Colossians 1: 21)
and also to the Ephesians:
"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:" (Ephesians 2: 12)
Here, Paul explicitly refers to state, kingdom like citizenship.
Because of Jesus Christ, we are blessed as adopted children of God the Father:
"13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;" (Ephesians 2: 13-14)
We are now no longer strangers, or foreigners from God's Kingdom, but because we are in Christ, we now walk in His Kingdom as sons of God:
"For our conversation [lit. citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" (Philippians 3: 20)
and
"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: 17)
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)
Because we have received a new citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven through Christ, we are no longer strangers, alienated from God the Father's blessed, eternal Kingdom which He gives in His good pleasure to those who believe (Luke 12: 32)
Sunday, December 29, 2013
In Christ, We are No Longer Widowed
When Jesus died on the Cross, God granted to us a husband-bride fulfillment in His Son.
God prophesied beforehand to Israel:
"And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi [My Husband]; and shalt call me no more Baali [My Lord/Master]." (Hosea 2: 16)
In Christ, we have received a new status as married to Christ:
"4Wherefore, 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. 5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans7: 4-6)
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)
In Revelation, Jesus marries the Church, His Bride, which includes you and me:
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." (Revelation 19: 7)
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17)
In Christ, you are made one with Him fully, consummate and prosperous.
For this wonderful promise, Isaiah prophesied:
"4Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
God prophesied beforehand to Israel:
"And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi [My Husband]; and shalt call me no more Baali [My Lord/Master]." (Hosea 2: 16)
In Christ, we have received a new status as married to Christ:
"4Wherefore, 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. 5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans7: 4-6)
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)
In Revelation, Jesus marries the Church, His Bride, which includes you and me:
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." (Revelation 19: 7)
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17)
In Christ, you are made one with Him fully, consummate and prosperous.
For this wonderful promise, Isaiah prophesied:
"4Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
5For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called." (Isaiah 54: 4-5)
You see Jesus as your Husband, and not only is the same of widowhood removed from you, but in Him you receive the inheritance of the entire world:
Saturday, December 28, 2013
In Christ, We are No Longer Orphans
When Adam sinned against God, He died and so did the rest of the human race:
"Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." (Romans 5: 14)
So that Adam and Eve would not eat the Tree of Life and live forever doomed to eternal separation, God sent His creation out of the Garden of Eden.
When Jesus died on the Cross, He removed from us the Orphan Spirit.
Before He died on the Cross, Jesus comforted His disciples:
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14: 18)
When He died on the Cross, Jesus released His 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." (Romans 8: 15)
and
"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." (Galatians 4: 6)
With Jesus' Spirit living in us, we have this Comforter with us at all times, the Spirit of God who convicts us of our righteousness in Christ (John 16: 8-11), who transforms us from glory to glory to be more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3: 17-18)
We have a sure Spirit of Sonship, and we receive God as our Father, our Daddy!
We never have to suffer as orphans ever again, and it's all because of Jesus!
"Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." (Romans 5: 14)
So that Adam and Eve would not eat the Tree of Life and live forever doomed to eternal separation, God sent His creation out of the Garden of Eden.
When Jesus died on the Cross, He removed from us the Orphan Spirit.
Before He died on the Cross, Jesus comforted His disciples:
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14: 18)
When He died on the Cross, Jesus released His 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." (Romans 8: 15)
and
"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." (Galatians 4: 6)
With Jesus' Spirit living in us, we have this Comforter with us at all times, the Spirit of God who convicts us of our righteousness in Christ (John 16: 8-11), who transforms us from glory to glory to be more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3: 17-18)
We have a sure Spirit of Sonship, and we receive God as our Father, our Daddy!
We never have to suffer as orphans ever again, and it's all because of Jesus!
Friday, December 27, 2013
Jesus: The Gift of Grace Who Prospers Us
"A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth." (Proverbs 17: 8)
The gift that prospers anyway one turns it -- that gift is Jesus.
His greatest prayer for us is that we prosper:
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)
Our soul prospers as we walk in the truth (3 John 3-4), and this truth is defined by the grace of God in Chirst:
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)
and
"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2: 11-14)
and
"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)
Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3: 18), and thus His gift of grace will abound to you in greater measure (Romans 5: 17; 2 Peter 1: 2)
The gift that prospers anyway one turns it -- that gift is Jesus.
His greatest prayer for us is that we prosper:
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)
Our soul prospers as we walk in the truth (3 John 3-4), and this truth is defined by the grace of God in Chirst:
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)
and
"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2: 11-14)
and
"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)
Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3: 18), and thus His gift of grace will abound to you in greater measure (Romans 5: 17; 2 Peter 1: 2)
Thursday, December 26, 2013
What Makes the Word Come Alive
As long as we approach the Bible with the idea that we need to "do
things for God", we are going to miss out on Himself, and all that He is for us,
all that he has for us, and that He does for us, that we may in turn love and
serve Him and His creation.
Paul outlines this problem in the third chapter of Second Corinthians:
"14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away." (2 Corinthiains 3: 14-16)
"Moses" represents the law, the Old Covenant in which the Israelites were placed under "guardianship" before the fulness of time (Galatians 2: 23-25). Under that Covenant, the Israelites had to obey God and commit sacrifices to atone for their sins. Under the New Covenant, in which Jesus is the final sacrifice, there is no further need for the children of men to obey the Lord in order to obtain righteousness, for by Christ's death man is set free from the law of sin and death. Jesus' death pays for all our sins forever, and by His death the Law is fulfilled, as He had promised (Matthew 7: 14).
Now that the Law is fulfilled, the vail is done away in Christ, and so we are called not to obey the rules through our own efforts, but rather we believe on Him whom the Father sent to die for us, and His Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and knowledge.
This same Spirit grants to us righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14: 17), and in this Spirit the Word of God is opened to us.
By walking, by reading by faith, we then see and believe and receive the promises outlined and depicted throughout the Old Testament, because everything is made manifest through His Son Jesus, who lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, in whom we have the hope of glory (Colossians 1: 27)
When we rest in the truth that all of our sins are forever forgiven, when we lose the sin conscience which indicts us for not doing enough for the Kingdom of Heaven, we can then rest at east and receive from Him, that we may in turn serve and comfort others.
Believe on Him whom He has sent (John 6: 29), and the Word of God will open to you in all fullness, as you will see Jesus Christ, from beginning to end, just as He showed to the two traveling on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 25-27)
Paul outlines this problem in the third chapter of Second Corinthians:
"14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away." (2 Corinthiains 3: 14-16)
"Moses" represents the law, the Old Covenant in which the Israelites were placed under "guardianship" before the fulness of time (Galatians 2: 23-25). Under that Covenant, the Israelites had to obey God and commit sacrifices to atone for their sins. Under the New Covenant, in which Jesus is the final sacrifice, there is no further need for the children of men to obey the Lord in order to obtain righteousness, for by Christ's death man is set free from the law of sin and death. Jesus' death pays for all our sins forever, and by His death the Law is fulfilled, as He had promised (Matthew 7: 14).
Now that the Law is fulfilled, the vail is done away in Christ, and so we are called not to obey the rules through our own efforts, but rather we believe on Him whom the Father sent to die for us, and His Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and knowledge.
This same Spirit grants to us righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14: 17), and in this Spirit the Word of God is opened to us.
By walking, by reading by faith, we then see and believe and receive the promises outlined and depicted throughout the Old Testament, because everything is made manifest through His Son Jesus, who lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, in whom we have the hope of glory (Colossians 1: 27)
When we rest in the truth that all of our sins are forever forgiven, when we lose the sin conscience which indicts us for not doing enough for the Kingdom of Heaven, we can then rest at east and receive from Him, that we may in turn serve and comfort others.
Believe on Him whom He has sent (John 6: 29), and the Word of God will open to you in all fullness, as you will see Jesus Christ, from beginning to end, just as He showed to the two traveling on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 25-27)
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Jesus, The Gift Who Gave Us All
"A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth." (Proverbs 17: 8)
Jesus is the precious stone, the cornerstone rejected who holds all things in place for those who believe on Him:
"So honor will come to you who believe, but for the unbelieving, The stone that the builders rejected-- this One has become the cornerstone," (1 Peter 2: 7)
and
"15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1: 15-17)
Jesus is the gift which God gave to the entire world (John 3: 16), and for those who have believed on Him, Christ Jesus invites us to keep receiving from Him:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
Because Jesus is all things for us, since He made all things, and all things are made for Him, and without Him nothing was made, we can trust that through Him we receive all things:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He 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? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who 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: 31-34)
This Christmas Day, celebrate that Jesus gave everything that we might receive everything through Him, and that He wants us to keep receiving from Him every day!
Jesus is the precious stone, the cornerstone rejected who holds all things in place for those who believe on Him:
"So honor will come to you who believe, but for the unbelieving, The stone that the builders rejected-- this One has become the cornerstone," (1 Peter 2: 7)
and
"15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1: 15-17)
Jesus is the gift which God gave to the entire world (John 3: 16), and for those who have believed on Him, Christ Jesus invites us to keep receiving from Him:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
Because Jesus is all things for us, since He made all things, and all things are made for Him, and without Him nothing was made, we can trust that through Him we receive all things:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He 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? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who 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: 31-34)
This Christmas Day, celebrate that Jesus gave everything that we might receive everything through Him, and that He wants us to keep receiving from Him every day!
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
God the Father Loves You as Much as God the Son
Yet the greatest reason that God loves us, because we are in Christ, is that He loves as much as He loves His Son:
"23I 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 how long has God the Father loves His Son?:
"24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world" (John 17: 24)
It's important that we know our Father.
Yet how best to know the Father? By knowing the Son:
"8Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." (John 14: 8-10)
and
"Who [God the Father] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:" (Colossians 1: 13-15)
and
"2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord," (2 Peter 1: 2)
Know who you Father is, and you know how much He loves you when you know Jesus: who He is, what He has done, and how much He loves you.
"23I 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 how long has God the Father loves His Son?:
"24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world" (John 17: 24)
It's important that we know our Father.
Yet how best to know the Father? By knowing the Son:
"8Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." (John 14: 8-10)
and
"Who [God the Father] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:" (Colossians 1: 13-15)
and
"2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord," (2 Peter 1: 2)
Know who you Father is, and you know how much He loves you when you know Jesus: who He is, what He has done, and how much He loves you.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Daddy God Cares About You in Every Way
You have "Daddy" in heaven who cares for your, not just an absentee Dad who sometimes thinks about you:
"17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" (Psalm 139: 17 [17 is the number of victory!]
and
"6Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12: 6-7)
More importantly, because of our standing in Christ Jesus, we can expect the following from our Daddy:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He 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? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who 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: 31-34)
He is for us. Imagine that: the very Creator of the Universe is your Redeemer and Father, too. He gave up His first born Son, that you would receive His standing before God the Father as Father. You can be assured that any need you have, He is more than ready to provide. He justifies us, now, actively, and forever, with an everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9: 24) which declares: "You are my beloved son, in whom I am well-pleased." (Matthew 3: 17) We have this assurance because we are in Christ, not in ourselves.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4: 13)
and then
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4: 19)
Our Daddy supplies according to, not merely out of his riches. He cares about you in every way.
"17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" (Psalm 139: 17 [17 is the number of victory!]
and
"6Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12: 6-7)
More importantly, because of our standing in Christ Jesus, we can expect the following from our Daddy:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He 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? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who 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: 31-34)
He is for us. Imagine that: the very Creator of the Universe is your Redeemer and Father, too. He gave up His first born Son, that you would receive His standing before God the Father as Father. You can be assured that any need you have, He is more than ready to provide. He justifies us, now, actively, and forever, with an everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9: 24) which declares: "You are my beloved son, in whom I am well-pleased." (Matthew 3: 17) We have this assurance because we are in Christ, not in ourselves.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4: 13)
and then
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4: 19)
Our Daddy supplies according to, not merely out of his riches. He cares about you in every way.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Your Daddy in Heaven Cares About You
"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)
Do you know that you have a Father in heaven who cares about you?
How much does He care about you?
Here are some verses to consider:
"4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
God sees you in His Son, Jesus!
For this reason, Paul writes:
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8: 29)
Jesus is the firstborn, which necessarily implies that there is a second-born, a third-born, and so own.
John explains who these other "borns" other:
"1Behold, 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. 2Beloved, 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. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3: 1-3)
Now, let's learn a little more about this Spirit which we receive, the Spirit which informs us at all times that we are children of God:
"8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)
and
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1: 7)
The Spirit of Sonship which we receive from God gives us power, reminds us of His love, and grants us a sound mind, one which is settled and calm, not frazzled and stressed, wondering about God's love and wandering from His peace.
Do you know that you have a Father in heaven who cares about you?
How much does He care about you?
Here are some verses to consider:
"4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
God sees you in His Son, Jesus!
For this reason, Paul writes:
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8: 29)
Jesus is the firstborn, which necessarily implies that there is a second-born, a third-born, and so own.
John explains who these other "borns" other:
"1Behold, 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. 2Beloved, 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. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3: 1-3)
Now, let's learn a little more about this Spirit which we receive, the Spirit which informs us at all times that we are children of God:
"8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)
and
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1: 7)
The Spirit of Sonship which we receive from God gives us power, reminds us of His love, and grants us a sound mind, one which is settled and calm, not frazzled and stressed, wondering about God's love and wandering from His peace.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
We Mature by Being More Dependent on Christ
We do not mature by becoming more independent of God, but rather by seeing that everything that we have, that we are, that we do depends on Jesus Christ
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" (Colossians 1: 15-16)
The more that we know Jesus, the more that we draw from Him, the more that we mature.
For this reason, John would write:
"13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning." (1 John 2: 13)
Fatherhood or maturity in Christ has everything to do with Jesus as everything in our lives.
If you find yourself struggling in some area of your life, if you find that you wish you were doing, having, or being more, the answer is not to put on the shoes, wear the hat, and carry the burden on your own.
The answer is to see Christ, for you and I are in Him:
"1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 1-4)
and
"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)
Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of faith (Hebrews 12: 2) and you will be transformed to be more like him, from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" (Colossians 1: 15-16)
The more that we know Jesus, the more that we draw from Him, the more that we mature.
For this reason, John would write:
"13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning." (1 John 2: 13)
Fatherhood or maturity in Christ has everything to do with Jesus as everything in our lives.
If you find yourself struggling in some area of your life, if you find that you wish you were doing, having, or being more, the answer is not to put on the shoes, wear the hat, and carry the burden on your own.
The answer is to see Christ, for you and I are in Him:
"1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 1-4)
and
"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)
Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of faith (Hebrews 12: 2) and you will be transformed to be more like him, from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
Friday, December 20, 2013
We Grow Up By Growing in Grace
"I wanna grow up and big, just like my Dad!"
A child often says this when he is young. Sometimes, he will put on their father's shoes, pick up (or rather drag) his suitcase and where his hat, then walk out the door.
After that, though, where does the child go?
In a similar way, Christians try to grow up in the Lord through their efforts, doing things that will please God or give the impression that they know what will please Him. They try to act in a mature fashion, wearing the right clothes, or saying the right words.
Yet just like the little child who stumbles along in his father's shoes, and cannot carry the briefcase, and the hat blinds his way, and he arrives at the threshold of his home with nowhere to go, so too everyone of us who tries to mature in Christ in our own efforts will find that our immaturity becomes more manifest.
So, how do we grow up?
We grow up as we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3: 18)
"For 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)
Everything that we have, everything that we do, everything that we are is based on God's grace, which we receive through Christ:
"17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
and
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 6)
"Accepted" also means "graced" or favored.
"31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4: 31-32)
A child often says this when he is young. Sometimes, he will put on their father's shoes, pick up (or rather drag) his suitcase and where his hat, then walk out the door.
After that, though, where does the child go?
In a similar way, Christians try to grow up in the Lord through their efforts, doing things that will please God or give the impression that they know what will please Him. They try to act in a mature fashion, wearing the right clothes, or saying the right words.
Yet just like the little child who stumbles along in his father's shoes, and cannot carry the briefcase, and the hat blinds his way, and he arrives at the threshold of his home with nowhere to go, so too everyone of us who tries to mature in Christ in our own efforts will find that our immaturity becomes more manifest.
So, how do we grow up?
We grow up as we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3: 18)
"For 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)
Everything that we have, everything that we do, everything that we are is based on God's grace, which we receive through Christ:
"17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
and
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 6)
"Accepted" also means "graced" or favored.
"31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4: 31-32)
Thursday, December 19, 2013
We are Humble When We Allow Him to Serve Us
And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. 8Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries." (2 Chronicales 12: 7-8)
The people of Judah were held accountable for abandoning the law of the Lord.
When they humbled themselves and recognized that the Lord is righteous, and only He, then God's wrath was turned.
We need His righteousness more than anything else, and we receive this gift when we believe on Jesus Christ, who became sin that we would become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
Part of being humble is allowing God to serve us, to work in our lives.
God clearly state that they would be servants of the King of Egypt so that they would know God's service.
Man just will not relax, will not rest and let Him work.
Yet time and again, God would offer to His people Israel to rest, that He may work:
"Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest." (Jeremiah 31: 2)
and
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)
Jesus Christ is our rest, for He has fulfilled all things for us by dying on the Cross, rising from the dead, and representing us at the right hand of God the Father as our High priest forever.
He wants us to receive from Him:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 11: 45)
We are humble when we allow God to serve us.
The people of Judah were held accountable for abandoning the law of the Lord.
When they humbled themselves and recognized that the Lord is righteous, and only He, then God's wrath was turned.
We need His righteousness more than anything else, and we receive this gift when we believe on Jesus Christ, who became sin that we would become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
Part of being humble is allowing God to serve us, to work in our lives.
God clearly state that they would be servants of the King of Egypt so that they would know God's service.
Man just will not relax, will not rest and let Him work.
Yet time and again, God would offer to His people Israel to rest, that He may work:
"Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest." (Jeremiah 31: 2)
and
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)
Jesus Christ is our rest, for He has fulfilled all things for us by dying on the Cross, rising from the dead, and representing us at the right hand of God the Father as our High priest forever.
He wants us to receive from Him:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 11: 45)
We are humble when we allow God to serve us.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Humility is About His Righteousness
6Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.
7And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak." (2 Chronicles 12: 6-7)
King Rehoboam struggled with pride throughout his reign. When things went well in his life, he strengthened himself and forsook God's law.
In reality, the moment that any king of Israel would forsake God's law, the people stopped offering animal sacrifices, and thus they were exposed to curses and condemnation, because without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9: 22).
Yet when they humbled themselves, then God turned away His wrath.
Most people believing that humbling oneself means screaming and crying and telling everyone how bad we are.
This verse says otherwise.
When the king and the rulers of Israel declared that God is righteous, then His wrath was turned.
The biggest issue for all of us is not that we get angry with God, or that we sin.
The one issue that upset God more than anything else is our insistence on our own efforts to right with God.
We need to depend on Him fully for all things, nothing less.
Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15: 5). He is our life, and we are dead without Him (Colossiasn 3: 1-4). Christ living in us is our hope of glory, and nothing else will suffice or surpass His gifts of righteousness and grace to us (Romans 5: 17)
Humility starts and ends with recognizing that God is good, God is great, that every good and perfect gift comes from Him, and in Him we find all things that we need.
Receive His righteousness (Matthew 6: 33), and all other things are added unto you!
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
We Serve Him When We See Him Doing All Things
"And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath." (Job 42: 7)
When I had read this passage, I assumed that all of Job's statements, ramblings, and outright complaints had presented Job as right-standing spokesman for God.
Not at all.
What did Job say that was right concerning God?
"I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
When I had read this passage, I assumed that all of Job's statements, ramblings, and outright complaints had presented Job as right-standing spokesman for God.
Not at all.
What did Job say that was right concerning God?
"I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42: 2-6)
Job acknolwedged that God can do everything, and that there is no thought hidden from Him
He knows us, and He knows us fully, yet like Job, everyone of us can speak to God and know that He knows and hears us.
We have this beautiful standing before God because we are in Christ:
"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)
Job understood that God is not only all-knowing, but that no man can understand all that He is doing, and that we have no business, no right to judge Him.
"33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller? 35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." (Romans 11: 33-36)
Because we are in Christ, we can have the mind of Christ, and He can speak to us through His Spirit:
"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)
Now, God called Job "his servant", even though he had done nothing for nine months besides bemoan his circumstances and maintain his own righteousness, until the very end.
When Job saw that God is the all-powerful Lord, He who does all things and knows all things, when he reckoned himself as nothing and God as everything, He was serving God.
In the greater way, when we see Jesus as He who ministers to us, we serve Him best:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
We serve Him when we see Him and Let Him do all things:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He 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)
Monday, December 16, 2013
See Him, and You Melt Away
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
"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. 2Beloved, 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. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3: 1-3)
John further writes:
"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)
A better translation reads: "Herein is love perfected among us."
Our love is not perfected, but our revelation of His love for us grows as we see Him, and thus we are transformed.
Then John writes:
"18There 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)
As we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, we become more like Him in our behavior, even though we are already in Christ in our spirit man.
6Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 43: 5-6)
When we see Jesus in His fullness, we become more like Him, and we see less of ourselves.
The original Hebrew in verse six reads "I melt away", for as we see Jesus more, He is made manifest in our lives.
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
John declares who we are in Christ:
"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. 2Beloved, 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. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3: 1-3)
John further writes:
"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)
A better translation reads: "Herein is love perfected among us."
Our love is not perfected, but our revelation of His love for us grows as we see Him, and thus we are transformed.
Then John writes:
"18There 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)
As we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, we become more like Him in our behavior, even though we are already in Christ in our spirit man.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Praise Him Because He is Good (and Gracious)
"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever." (Psalm 118: 1)
How do we know that God's mercy endures forever?
Because Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins.
He became sin that we would be made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
He became cursed that we would be blessed (Galatians 3: 13)
He died for all our sins:
"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;" (Colossians 2: 13)
We praise Him for paying for our sins, and His payment enacts the New Covenant:
"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:
How do we know that God's mercy endures forever?
Because Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins.
He became sin that we would be made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
He became cursed that we would be blessed (Galatians 3: 13)
He died for all our sins:
"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;" (Colossians 2: 13)
We praise Him for paying for our sins, and His payment enacts the New Covenant:
"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:
11And 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.
12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more."
Rest in His forgiveness, and praise Him for paying for everything!
Saturday, December 14, 2013
The World Hangs on Nothing -- He Holds Onto You
"He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing." (Job 26: 7)
God is everything, and this "everything" is expressed in His Son Jesus:
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And 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. 19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1: 15-20)
God is everything, and the world we walk in hangs on nothing, or in nothingness.
If this whole world depends on nothing, then it certainly does not depend on us, and we certainly should not feel as if everything does depend on us.
Instead, God invites us to depend on Him, and let everything depend on Him:
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10: 28-29)
and
""Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
Jesus Christ holds onto us, and the whole universe is held together by Him.
What makes you think, then, that you have to hold onto everything?
Thus Jesus offers to us:
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" ({Matthew 6: 25)
and
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Mathew 6: 33)
God hangs the world on nothing, yet He gave everything for you. Let Him be the Everything who holds onto you.
God is everything, and this "everything" is expressed in His Son Jesus:
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And 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. 19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1: 15-20)
God is everything, and the world we walk in hangs on nothing, or in nothingness.
If this whole world depends on nothing, then it certainly does not depend on us, and we certainly should not feel as if everything does depend on us.
Instead, God invites us to depend on Him, and let everything depend on Him:
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10: 28-29)
and
""Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
Jesus Christ holds onto us, and the whole universe is held together by Him.
What makes you think, then, that you have to hold onto everything?
Thus Jesus offers to us:
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" ({Matthew 6: 25)
and
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Mathew 6: 33)
God hangs the world on nothing, yet He gave everything for you. Let Him be the Everything who holds onto you.
Friday, December 13, 2013
We Bless Him Because He First Blessed Us
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." (Ephesians 1: 3)
We have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ, because Christ Jesus has taken our place, dying for our sins and bringing into His status before God the Father:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
The problem for all of us, for those of us as we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, is that we do not walk by faith. If we do not feel or sense this new identity, then we do not believe it.
The fact remains that we cannot sense this new life, because Jesus has already died on the Cross, has already risen again, and because He lives in a redeemed body, He cannot die again.
Either we accept the record in His Word, or we do not.
So, because Christ Jesus has taken us from dead in our trespasses to alive and seated in heavenly places, we grow in grace and knowledge of all that He has done for us.
We accept that He has taken care of everything, and thus we learn to rest in His Finished Work.
"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: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 21-23)
So, Jesus Christ has blessed us with all spiritual blessings.
Therefore, let us bless Him at all times:
"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34: 1)
We bless Him because He first blessed us.
Of course, John could not have written it more simply:
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
We have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ, because Christ Jesus has taken our place, dying for our sins and bringing into His status before God the Father:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
The problem for all of us, for those of us as we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, is that we do not walk by faith. If we do not feel or sense this new identity, then we do not believe it.
The fact remains that we cannot sense this new life, because Jesus has already died on the Cross, has already risen again, and because He lives in a redeemed body, He cannot die again.
Either we accept the record in His Word, or we do not.
So, because Christ Jesus has taken us from dead in our trespasses to alive and seated in heavenly places, we grow in grace and knowledge of all that He has done for us.
We accept that He has taken care of everything, and thus we learn to rest in His Finished Work.
"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: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 21-23)
So, Jesus Christ has blessed us with all spiritual blessings.
Therefore, let us bless Him at all times:
"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34: 1)
We bless Him because He first blessed us.
Of course, John could not have written it more simply:
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Don't Know What To Do? Praise Him!
"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34: 1)
David sang this psalm in the Cave of Adullam ("rest" in Hebrew)
He was hiding from King Saul, the monarch who had lost his mind, who was hunting David, even though he was himself sore hunted by an evil spirit.
David did not have strong friends, counselors, or any kind of support with him.
"And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men." (1 Samuel 22: 2)
One could say that David was a sore loser surrounded by losers.
David had been anointed king of Israel to replace Saul, and the people of Israel celebrated his slaying tens of thousands compared to Saul's thousands.
Yet for all the fame, for all the glory, he was on the run, and he had even pretended to be crazy before the king of the Philistines to protect himself.
He was down, but not out, He was perplexed, but not crushed.
How can this be, and how can this be so for us?
We must never judge God's love for us based on our circumstances, never!
We judge God's love for us in that He has anointed us with His Holy Spirit, that we have received the Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8: 15)
We do not judge God for this evil world, for in Christ we have overcome the world (John 16: 33), and He is greater than anything we may face (1 John 5: 4-5)
Praise Him for His mercy, His grace which endures forever. Recall that Jesus became the biggest loser at the Cross that you may be a winner in Him (2 Corinthians 5: 17-21)
David sang this psalm in the Cave of Adullam ("rest" in Hebrew)
He was hiding from King Saul, the monarch who had lost his mind, who was hunting David, even though he was himself sore hunted by an evil spirit.
David did not have strong friends, counselors, or any kind of support with him.
"And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men." (1 Samuel 22: 2)
One could say that David was a sore loser surrounded by losers.
David had been anointed king of Israel to replace Saul, and the people of Israel celebrated his slaying tens of thousands compared to Saul's thousands.
Yet for all the fame, for all the glory, he was on the run, and he had even pretended to be crazy before the king of the Philistines to protect himself.
He was down, but not out, He was perplexed, but not crushed.
How can this be, and how can this be so for us?
We must never judge God's love for us based on our circumstances, never!
We judge God's love for us in that He has anointed us with His Holy Spirit, that we have received the Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8: 15)
We do not judge God for this evil world, for in Christ we have overcome the world (John 16: 33), and He is greater than anything we may face (1 John 5: 4-5)
Praise Him for His mercy, His grace which endures forever. Recall that Jesus became the biggest loser at the Cross that you may be a winner in Him (2 Corinthians 5: 17-21)
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
When We Call, He Brings us to Himself
And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight." (Luke 18: 40-41)
Jesus does not ignore us when we call out to Him.
In fact, He wants us to call on Him directly.
The blind beggar on the side of the road asked about all the people passing him by.
When the same beggar learned that Jesus of Nazareth was the one passing through, he cried out for his grace and mercy.
Just as He promised in the first parable mention in Chapter 18, Jesus responded to the beggar's need, even though He did not seem to right away.
As we call on Him, God wants us to see more of Him, to have a greater understanding of how compassionate, how gracious He is.
He does not heal from afar, but He heals us as we come closer to our knowledge of Him, as we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3: 18).
Do not be discouraged if you pray to Him, and you find that you are not healed of whatever disease or saved from the problem you pray about. Believe that you are coming closer to Him, and that when You see more of Him, He will give you beyond what you ask or think.
Jesus does not ignore us when we call out to Him.
In fact, He wants us to call on Him directly.
The blind beggar on the side of the road asked about all the people passing him by.
When the same beggar learned that Jesus of Nazareth was the one passing through, he cried out for his grace and mercy.
Just as He promised in the first parable mention in Chapter 18, Jesus responded to the beggar's need, even though He did not seem to right away.
As we call on Him, God wants us to see more of Him, to have a greater understanding of how compassionate, how gracious He is.
He does not heal from afar, but He heals us as we come closer to our knowledge of Him, as we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3: 18).
Do not be discouraged if you pray to Him, and you find that you are not healed of whatever disease or saved from the problem you pray about. Believe that you are coming closer to Him, and that when You see more of Him, He will give you beyond what you ask or think.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
In Christ, We Are More Than Widows!
"And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?" (Luke 18: 6-7)
Jesus shares the parable of the widow and the unjust judge with his hearers so that those who pray would not give up praying.
Many people think that if they pray enough times, then God will answer their prayers.
That is not true, and that is not the sense of what Jesus teaches in this parable:
"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." (Matthew 6: 7)
It's not for our much speaking, but our standing before God which avails much:
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 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: 14-16)
and
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5: 16)
Before God, we are not widows, but rather we are married to Christ:
"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)
You are an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ, as well! (Romans 8: 17)
Because of our new standing in Christ, we must never think that we have to badger God for something. Let us come boldly before God the Father, because we are in Christ, married to Him, and as He is our representative before God the Father, so are we in this world (1 John 4: 17)
Jesus shares the parable of the widow and the unjust judge with his hearers so that those who pray would not give up praying.
Many people think that if they pray enough times, then God will answer their prayers.
That is not true, and that is not the sense of what Jesus teaches in this parable:
"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." (Matthew 6: 7)
It's not for our much speaking, but our standing before God which avails much:
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 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: 14-16)
and
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5: 16)
Before God, we are not widows, but rather we are married to Christ:
"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)
You are an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ, as well! (Romans 8: 17)
Because of our new standing in Christ, we must never think that we have to badger God for something. Let us come boldly before God the Father, because we are in Christ, married to Him, and as He is our representative before God the Father, so are we in this world (1 John 4: 17)
Monday, December 9, 2013
His Payment, Not Ours, Pays the Way
"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18: 13-14)
Jesus shares the prayer of the publican, or tax collector, in the temple, and how he left justified before God. Jesus compares the justified publican to the self-righteous Pharisee, who listed all the things that he did and did not do. Comparing himself to the publican, the Pharisee received nothing.
Too many people construe Jesus' parable to mean that if we cry, beat our chests, or show contrition of some kind, then God will forgive us.
Wrong.
The publican did not just ask for mercy, as rendered in the translation, but literally he asked for propitiation, or a payment, for his sins.
There is no payment of tears, fears, works, or anything thing that we do or have or be that can make us right before God, that can pay for our sins.
Everything that we receive from God through Jesus Christ is because He has paid for everything!
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 8-10)
and
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He 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)
There is not one that we can do or not do to receive His grace in our lives. Jesus asks that we believe on Him (John 6: 29), and He takes care of the rest. Not our payment, but His pays the way for us to receive all things!
Jesus shares the prayer of the publican, or tax collector, in the temple, and how he left justified before God. Jesus compares the justified publican to the self-righteous Pharisee, who listed all the things that he did and did not do. Comparing himself to the publican, the Pharisee received nothing.
Too many people construe Jesus' parable to mean that if we cry, beat our chests, or show contrition of some kind, then God will forgive us.
Wrong.
The publican did not just ask for mercy, as rendered in the translation, but literally he asked for propitiation, or a payment, for his sins.
There is no payment of tears, fears, works, or anything thing that we do or have or be that can make us right before God, that can pay for our sins.
Everything that we receive from God through Jesus Christ is because He has paid for everything!
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 8-10)
and
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He 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)
There is not one that we can do or not do to receive His grace in our lives. Jesus asks that we believe on Him (John 6: 29), and He takes care of the rest. Not our payment, but His pays the way for us to receive all things!
Sunday, December 8, 2013
An Elder Sees Jesus in All Things
Many church communities prize the opinions of older people because they are older.
People assume that just because a person is older, therefore that person is wiser, has more to share, and therefore no one has any opinion worth considering in contrast.
Let us first remember that for God, a day is a thousand years, and a thousand years is but a day (Psalm 90: 4)
Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, and He is revealed to us in His Word, and we know Him through His death and resurrection:
"10For 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:
Wisdom is not based on how old we are, or even how much experience we have, but rather Wisdom is based on our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Solomon was just a boy when he asked God for Wisdom, and God ended up granting him so much more:
7And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in." (1 Kings 3: 7)
Age and experience do not impart wisdom. God does, and Jesus Christ is made through to us first of all Wisdom, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1: 30)
John in the His First epistle outlines the differences among children, young men, and fathers:
"12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." (1 John 2: 12-14)
Little children know that their sins are forgiven.
Jesus' death on the Cross assured more for us than our sins forgiven. Just as the New Covenant ensures that He will be our god and will cause us to know Him, we can also rest and believe that He has overcome every enemy in our lives, that His word dwells in us ("Christ in you, the hope of glory Colossians 1: 27), but that He has defeated every enemy in our lives.
Yet to be a father, to be an elder, that means that You see Jesus as everything, as Him who has been from the beginning:
John had this revelation:
"In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1: 1)
and
10I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last" (Revelation 1: 10-11)
Everything is and exists because of Jesus!
A true elder sees Jesus in all things. A child who sees Him who is from the beginning can be a father just as much as an old man can still be a child if he only knows Jesus as He who died for His sins.
For this reason, Paul exhorted his disciple Timothy:
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4: 12)
When preeminence based on age and experience is reduced, when Jesus is fully magnified, you are an elder in Christ!
People assume that just because a person is older, therefore that person is wiser, has more to share, and therefore no one has any opinion worth considering in contrast.
Let us first remember that for God, a day is a thousand years, and a thousand years is but a day (Psalm 90: 4)
Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, and He is revealed to us in His Word, and we know Him through His death and resurrection:
"10For 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:
11And 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.
12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 10-12)
We know Him and grow in grace and knowledge of Him because of what Jesus did at the Cross, and the Holy Spirit living within us reveals more of Jesus to us, for "As He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Solomon was just a boy when he asked God for Wisdom, and God ended up granting him so much more:
7And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in." (1 Kings 3: 7)
Age and experience do not impart wisdom. God does, and Jesus Christ is made through to us first of all Wisdom, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1: 30)
John in the His First epistle outlines the differences among children, young men, and fathers:
"12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." (1 John 2: 12-14)
Little children know that their sins are forgiven.
Jesus' death on the Cross assured more for us than our sins forgiven. Just as the New Covenant ensures that He will be our god and will cause us to know Him, we can also rest and believe that He has overcome every enemy in our lives, that His word dwells in us ("Christ in you, the hope of glory Colossians 1: 27), but that He has defeated every enemy in our lives.
Yet to be a father, to be an elder, that means that You see Jesus as everything, as Him who has been from the beginning:
John had this revelation:
"In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1: 1)
and
10I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last" (Revelation 1: 10-11)
Everything is and exists because of Jesus!
A true elder sees Jesus in all things. A child who sees Him who is from the beginning can be a father just as much as an old man can still be a child if he only knows Jesus as He who died for His sins.
For this reason, Paul exhorted his disciple Timothy:
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4: 12)
When preeminence based on age and experience is reduced, when Jesus is fully magnified, you are an elder in Christ!
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Not Your Doing or Not Doing, But His Done!
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." (Galatians 6: 15)
Like many Christians, I kept thinking that I could get God to move in my life by what I did.
When I would contorted, scream, yell, cry, or do some good in my life, I found that whatever I was hoping for, whatever I was trying to get, I never got.
Then I resolved that I would not do something, or I would not do anything. If I would rest, then my resting would ensure that good things would come my way.
In effect, I kept looking to myself, my doing or my not doing to effect God's blessings in my life.
However, we are not saved by anything that we do, or anything that we do not do, either.
We are saved by grace through faith:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 8-10)
If what we have from God is all gift, then there is no room for anything else to be done.
In other words, following Paul's assertion to the Galatians, we are not saved by being circumcised or not, and whether we receive this procedure or not makes no difference in our standing before God.
Our salvation is based on all that Christ Jesus has done for us, and by His death and resurrection we are made a new creation:
"if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5: 17)
and
"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)
Because you and I are in Christ, we are a new Creation, or a new creature. This grace, this new identity makes all the difference, not what we do, or what we do not do. It's all done because of Jesus!
Like many Christians, I kept thinking that I could get God to move in my life by what I did.
When I would contorted, scream, yell, cry, or do some good in my life, I found that whatever I was hoping for, whatever I was trying to get, I never got.
Then I resolved that I would not do something, or I would not do anything. If I would rest, then my resting would ensure that good things would come my way.
In effect, I kept looking to myself, my doing or my not doing to effect God's blessings in my life.
However, we are not saved by anything that we do, or anything that we do not do, either.
We are saved by grace through faith:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 8-10)
If what we have from God is all gift, then there is no room for anything else to be done.
In other words, following Paul's assertion to the Galatians, we are not saved by being circumcised or not, and whether we receive this procedure or not makes no difference in our standing before God.
Our salvation is based on all that Christ Jesus has done for us, and by His death and resurrection we are made a new creation:
"if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5: 17)
and
"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)
Because you and I are in Christ, we are a new Creation, or a new creature. This grace, this new identity makes all the difference, not what we do, or what we do not do. It's all done because of Jesus!
Friday, December 6, 2013
He Avenges, Take Peace
"15O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.
16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts." (Jeremiah 15: 15-16)
Too many of us see our circumstances, and we see men and women, whether in our communities or in our congregations, who seem to get away with wrongdoing.
Like Jeremiah, whose name means "God is high", we must recognize that God is high above all of these matters, and He sees all things.
In fact, because we are in Christ, seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2: 4-8), we are also high above all of the problems and setbacks which we face.
We can trust that because God the Father has invited His Son to rest and receive His grace, so too God the Father is making all our enemies His footstool (Psalm 110: 1)
When we know and believe that He knows us (Galatians 4: 9), when we know that we are sons of God in Christ (1 John 3: 1-3), that He calls us by name, we rest and trust that the Lord of Hosts is leading the fight for us in all things!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Stop Rowing, Start Welcoming Jesus
20But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. 21Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." (John 6: 20-21)
Do you find yourself rowing hard in this life, but going nowhere?
The disciples found themselves in just such distressing times while rowing on the sea of Galilee. While the sea is not the large, the Gospel of John records that they had been rowing for twenty-five furlongs, or about 2.5 miles. They were working hard and going nowhere.
Then they saw Jesus, who announced "I am. Be not afraid."
When the disciples welcomed Him, literally willing, wanting Him to come into their boat, they immediately reached their destination.
The reason why God asks us to grow in grace and knowledge of Him is that we need to see Him not just greater than our storms, but the Redeemer who takes us out of every trouble in our lives.
Too many Christians are still convinced that they can go it alone in this life, that apart from being taken from death to life, they are on their own in this life, that they have to keep rowing the boat in order to reach their destination.
The same chapter in the Gospel of John, John 6, demonstrates that there is no greater work that we can do but to believe on Him (John 6: 29).
Jesus even tested Philip by asking him how they would feed the five thousand (John 6: 5-10)
Jesus will always allow us to try, and when we give up looking at our own efforts, and we willingly let Him take over, He takes us exactly where He wants us to go, and provides for all our needs and more.
Stop rowing against the currents, stop striving in your efforts, and welcome Jesus into your boat. He will take you places, prosper you fully, and ensure nothing but success for you.
Do you find yourself rowing hard in this life, but going nowhere?
The disciples found themselves in just such distressing times while rowing on the sea of Galilee. While the sea is not the large, the Gospel of John records that they had been rowing for twenty-five furlongs, or about 2.5 miles. They were working hard and going nowhere.
Then they saw Jesus, who announced "I am. Be not afraid."
When the disciples welcomed Him, literally willing, wanting Him to come into their boat, they immediately reached their destination.
The reason why God asks us to grow in grace and knowledge of Him is that we need to see Him not just greater than our storms, but the Redeemer who takes us out of every trouble in our lives.
Too many Christians are still convinced that they can go it alone in this life, that apart from being taken from death to life, they are on their own in this life, that they have to keep rowing the boat in order to reach their destination.
The same chapter in the Gospel of John, John 6, demonstrates that there is no greater work that we can do but to believe on Him (John 6: 29).
Jesus even tested Philip by asking him how they would feed the five thousand (John 6: 5-10)
Jesus will always allow us to try, and when we give up looking at our own efforts, and we willingly let Him take over, He takes us exactly where He wants us to go, and provides for all our needs and more.
Stop rowing against the currents, stop striving in your efforts, and welcome Jesus into your boat. He will take you places, prosper you fully, and ensure nothing but success for you.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Behold the Son -- Forget Your Sin, Receive Double Reward
"And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh,
which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into
Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine." (Genesis 48:
5)
When you see Jesus, you see fruitfulness and forgetfulness.
When Joseph was risen to second in command in Egypt, God blessed him with two sons:
"And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. 51And 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. 52And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." (Genesis 41: 50-52)
Because of what Jesus did at the Cross, God causes you to forget your hurts, your failures, your sins, and He makes you doubly fruitful in your deeperts hurts, during your toughest moments.
Because of Jesus, God sees you and says "Behold, a Son" for we have all become sons of God in Christ (1 JOhn 3: 1-3). Because you are an adopted son of God, you can be sure that God always hears you (Simeon means "hearing"):
"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)
and
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10: 19-22)
Behold the Son Jesus, and He will cause you to forget your sin, make you fruitful, give you the standing of a first-born son before God, and you can always trust that God will hear your prayers.
When you see Jesus, you see fruitfulness and forgetfulness.
When Joseph was risen to second in command in Egypt, God blessed him with two sons:
"And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. 51And 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. 52And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." (Genesis 41: 50-52)
Because of what Jesus did at the Cross, God causes you to forget your hurts, your failures, your sins, and He makes you doubly fruitful in your deeperts hurts, during your toughest moments.
Because of Jesus, God sees you and says "Behold, a Son" for we have all become sons of God in Christ (1 JOhn 3: 1-3). Because you are an adopted son of God, you can be sure that God always hears you (Simeon means "hearing"):
"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)
and
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10: 19-22)
Behold the Son Jesus, and He will cause you to forget your sin, make you fruitful, give you the standing of a first-born son before God, and you can always trust that God will hear your prayers.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Our Sins Are Being Forgiven Forever in Christ
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103: 12)
How far is east from west?
The more that you try to determine it, the farther East and West become.
In the same manner, God invites to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
The more that we understand how gracious Jesus is, we then realize that He exceeds in grace to us:
"20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3: 20-21)
"Exceeding abundantly" Paul writes to the Ephesians. To the Romans, He writes:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He 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)
and then
"37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 37-39)
Our sins are being forgiven, and forever.
We receive this overwhelming victory as we grow in understanding of how great is this forgiveness.
Whatever you did in the past, not only has God already forgiven your sin, but He is taking that evil and turning it to your good:
"28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." (Romans 8: 28-30)
John could not make it clearer:
"7But 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)
and also
"1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (John 2: 1-2)
Even now, you have an advocate and an intercessor who is ministering for you, that you are always being forgiven, forever: Jesus!
How far is east from west?
The more that you try to determine it, the farther East and West become.
In the same manner, God invites to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
The more that we understand how gracious Jesus is, we then realize that He exceeds in grace to us:
"20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3: 20-21)
"Exceeding abundantly" Paul writes to the Ephesians. To the Romans, He writes:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He 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)
and then
"37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 37-39)
Our sins are being forgiven, and forever.
We receive this overwhelming victory as we grow in understanding of how great is this forgiveness.
Whatever you did in the past, not only has God already forgiven your sin, but He is taking that evil and turning it to your good:
"28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." (Romans 8: 28-30)
John could not make it clearer:
"7But 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)
and also
"1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (John 2: 1-2)
Even now, you have an advocate and an intercessor who is ministering for you, that you are always being forgiven, forever: Jesus!
Monday, December 2, 2013
With a New Heart, We No Longer Doubt
"For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this
mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in
his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to
pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." (Mark 11: 23)
So, if I doubt in my heart, does that mean that God will not work in my life.
Not at all.
Our Covenant with God is not based on what we do, but what Jesus has done.
Yet in even the Old Testament, under the Old Covenant, God's saints doubted from time to time, yet that never prevented God from blessing them.
Consider Jacob, who had lost his son Joseph, then Simeon, and feared also losing Benjamin:L
"And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me." (Genesis 42: 36)
Yet later, Jacob would see his son Joseph, at that point the ruler of Egypt:
"30And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive." (Genesis 46: 30)
And even when Jacob said this, he still lived another seventeen years (Genesis 47: 28).
Beloved King David also despaired in his heart, and still he became King, as God had anointed him to be:
"1And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand." (1 Samuel 27: 1)
Despite the thoughts of David's heart (that he doubted he would live), David did ascend the throne and become king (2 Samuel 5: 12)
Yet can we get a heart which never doubts? Yes, through His New Covenant
God gives us a new heart:
"10For 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:
So, if I doubt in my heart, does that mean that God will not work in my life.
Not at all.
Our Covenant with God is not based on what we do, but what Jesus has done.
Yet in even the Old Testament, under the Old Covenant, God's saints doubted from time to time, yet that never prevented God from blessing them.
Consider Jacob, who had lost his son Joseph, then Simeon, and feared also losing Benjamin:L
"And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me." (Genesis 42: 36)
Yet later, Jacob would see his son Joseph, at that point the ruler of Egypt:
"30And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive." (Genesis 46: 30)
And even when Jacob said this, he still lived another seventeen years (Genesis 47: 28).
Beloved King David also despaired in his heart, and still he became King, as God had anointed him to be:
"1And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand." (1 Samuel 27: 1)
Despite the thoughts of David's heart (that he doubted he would live), David did ascend the throne and become king (2 Samuel 5: 12)
Yet can we get a heart which never doubts? Yes, through His New Covenant
God gives us a new heart:
"10For 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:
11And 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.
12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 10-12)
Sunday, December 1, 2013
As We Know Jesus, Then We Have What We Say
"For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." (Mark 11: 23)
Not doubting in our hearts is a key provision of "you will have what you say," some would argue.
Yet the previous verse makes it clear that this kind of faith is God's faith, not ours, and we receive this faith through Jesus Christ.
The one work is to believe on Jesus (John 6: 29), and to the extent that we face any struggles, to the degree that we face hardships which appear insurmountable, to that extent our understanding of Jesus and His grace in our lives needs to grow (2 Peter 3: 18)
Paul prayed that everyone of us would see all that we have in Christ (not in ourselves, and certainly not in what we say):
"17That 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: 18The 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, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power" (Ephesians 1: 17-19)
This understanding grows as we understand how much God loves us in Christ (Ephesians 3: 16-19)
He is established in our hearts, and therefore we are no longer busying ourselves trying to bring Him into our lives. Because we see the fullness of Jesus, and continue growing in grace, we stop asking God for things that we want, just because we are trying to get something else. Instead, He works within us to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2: 12-13), and thus we end up wanting the very things that Jesus wants us to want!
As you know Jesus, then indeed you will have what you say, because He will work in you the very things the desire to want things that He wants you to have!
Not doubting in our hearts is a key provision of "you will have what you say," some would argue.
Yet the previous verse makes it clear that this kind of faith is God's faith, not ours, and we receive this faith through Jesus Christ.
The one work is to believe on Jesus (John 6: 29), and to the extent that we face any struggles, to the degree that we face hardships which appear insurmountable, to that extent our understanding of Jesus and His grace in our lives needs to grow (2 Peter 3: 18)
Paul prayed that everyone of us would see all that we have in Christ (not in ourselves, and certainly not in what we say):
"17That 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: 18The 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, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power" (Ephesians 1: 17-19)
This understanding grows as we understand how much God loves us in Christ (Ephesians 3: 16-19)
He is established in our hearts, and therefore we are no longer busying ourselves trying to bring Him into our lives. Because we see the fullness of Jesus, and continue growing in grace, we stop asking God for things that we want, just because we are trying to get something else. Instead, He works within us to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2: 12-13), and thus we end up wanting the very things that Jesus wants us to want!
As you know Jesus, then indeed you will have what you say, because He will work in you the very things the desire to want things that He wants you to have!
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