"3He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations." (Isaiah 66: 3)
The greatest need of man is righteousness, and a new life.
The world commonly believes that better behavior is the most important aspect, regardless of what we are thinking or feeling. Some even believe that if we do good, even if we do not want to, that is righteous in God's eyes.
The fact is that there is nothing that we can do to make ourselves righteous:
"They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Psalm 14: 3)
and
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isaiah 64: 6)
Before this prophecy, Isaiah writes:
"In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." (Isaiah 54: 14)
Furthermore, righteousness is a gift (Romans 5: 17) which we receive by grace through faith in Chris (Ephesians 2: 8-10)
As recorded above, God is not looking for people who go through the motions of offering sacrifices, yet have neither recognition nor respect for the God whom they sacrifice to:
"And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15: 22)
and
God is looking for those who recognize their broken and contrite hearts, sensing their need for a new heart, a new life:
"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings." (Psalm 51: 16)
God promised to provide precisely that:
"3But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31: 33-34)
and
"And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." (Ezekiel 36: 27)
We need a new heart, a new spirit, not just the right motions and actions.
Because of Jesus, and all that He did at the Cross, we have His Spirit, a new heart, and we can walk in His peace and righteousness.
Instead of bulls and goats, or the shedding of blood, there is only one sacrifice we give:
"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13: 15)
We praise Him for He has given us a new spirit, a new heart, and a new life, from which new behavior flows.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Jesus: The Greatest, Our Servant
"10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant." (Matthew 23: 10-11)
Too many in the body of Christ read this passage, and begin thinking:
I will be everyone's servant, so that I can be the greatest.
Yet that sentiment in itself is the very arrogance which Jesus rails against.
Jesus pushed aside the need for preeminence in man:
"But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee." (Luke 14: 10)
Paul explained to the Philippians, and thus to all of us in the Body of Christ:
"5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)
Jesus had every right to claim and proclaim his oneness and Sonship with God the Father. Yet He did not. Instead, He became like one of us, suffered through all our temptations and setbacks, yet did not sin (Hebrews 4:15), but became our sin offering that we would be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5: 21).
He came not to be ministered to, but to minister to us:
"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)
He was seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 1: 20-22), and only then are we seated with Him (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
Never should we think that we can be the greatest, for that title belongs to Christ alone:
"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1: 18)
Jesus alone has preeminence, and He seeks to be our Servant.
Too many in the body of Christ read this passage, and begin thinking:
I will be everyone's servant, so that I can be the greatest.
Yet that sentiment in itself is the very arrogance which Jesus rails against.
Jesus pushed aside the need for preeminence in man:
"But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee." (Luke 14: 10)
Paul explained to the Philippians, and thus to all of us in the Body of Christ:
"5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)
Jesus had every right to claim and proclaim his oneness and Sonship with God the Father. Yet He did not. Instead, He became like one of us, suffered through all our temptations and setbacks, yet did not sin (Hebrews 4:15), but became our sin offering that we would be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5: 21).
He came not to be ministered to, but to minister to us:
"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)
He was seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 1: 20-22), and only then are we seated with Him (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
Never should we think that we can be the greatest, for that title belongs to Christ alone:
"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1: 18)
Jesus alone has preeminence, and He seeks to be our Servant.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Speak Grace to Your Mountains
"Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it." (Zechariah 4: 7)
When we read about mountains, the first idea to come to mind is nothing more than the Old Covenant, in which the Mosaic Law presented God's absolute standard, and revealed or revulsion, inability to keep the law, that sin would be transgression, and show our need for the Savior: Jesus!
The first mention of mountain occurs:
"And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered" (Genesis 7: 19)
Water speaks of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of grace, and these waters speak of baptism as well, taking us from death in our trespasses to alive in Christ:
"37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7: 37-39)
and
"21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." (1 Peter 3: 21-22)
As written above, the Mountain speaks of the Old Covenant:
"For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)" (Hebrews 12: 18-21)
Furthermore, because we receive grace through faith (Ephesians 2: 8-9), we can understand what Jesus meant by this declaration:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done." (Mathew 21: 21)
We are called to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus (2 Peter 3: 18) We speak forth the grace of God, and we will witness the mountains in our lives removed and cast into the sea!
When we read about mountains, the first idea to come to mind is nothing more than the Old Covenant, in which the Mosaic Law presented God's absolute standard, and revealed or revulsion, inability to keep the law, that sin would be transgression, and show our need for the Savior: Jesus!
The first mention of mountain occurs:
"And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered" (Genesis 7: 19)
Water speaks of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of grace, and these waters speak of baptism as well, taking us from death in our trespasses to alive in Christ:
"37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7: 37-39)
and
"21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." (1 Peter 3: 21-22)
As written above, the Mountain speaks of the Old Covenant:
"For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)" (Hebrews 12: 18-21)
Furthermore, because we receive grace through faith (Ephesians 2: 8-9), we can understand what Jesus meant by this declaration:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done." (Mathew 21: 21)
We are called to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus (2 Peter 3: 18) We speak forth the grace of God, and we will witness the mountains in our lives removed and cast into the sea!
Monday, April 27, 2015
Christ Jesus is our Teacher
"Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ." (Matthew 23: 10)
In Matthew 23, Jesus speaks to the crowds, the fans and the followers, but also indicates to them that they will one day be family:
"8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." (Matthew 23: 8-9)
In Christ, every person who believes on Him becomes a brother, first of Jesus, the firstborn of many brethren () and also to everyone else in the Body of Christ:
"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)
Now, when Jesus reduced the fleshy preeminence of the Pharisees, He first attacked their status as Rabbis, or teachers of the law.
The law was never meant to be a standard to live by, but rather the absolute standard of God's righteousness and holiness, which no one can keep:
"Moreover the law entered (lit. came in alongside), that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" (Romans 5: 20)
and
"23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Galatians 3: 23-25)
and then
"8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient. . ." (1 Timothy 1: 8-9)
Today, we have one Rabbi, but more specifically one teacher/instructor, and He is Jesus our Lord and Savior!
"12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:1 2-13)
and then
"27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." (Colossians 1: 27-29)
Specific in the above verse, however, is that our teacher, our guide is Christ, which is Greek for Messiah, or anointed.
Why do we have Christ Jesus living in us today? Because of His Spirit:
"20But ye have an unction (anointing) from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2: 20)
and then
"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1 John 2: 27)
He lives in us by His Holy Spirit, released to us when He sat down at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 2: 28-30), and He is our teacher, as we see more of Him and all that He is!
In Matthew 23, Jesus speaks to the crowds, the fans and the followers, but also indicates to them that they will one day be family:
"8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." (Matthew 23: 8-9)
In Christ, every person who believes on Him becomes a brother, first of Jesus, the firstborn of many brethren () and also to everyone else in the Body of Christ:
"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)
Now, when Jesus reduced the fleshy preeminence of the Pharisees, He first attacked their status as Rabbis, or teachers of the law.
The law was never meant to be a standard to live by, but rather the absolute standard of God's righteousness and holiness, which no one can keep:
"Moreover the law entered (lit. came in alongside), that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" (Romans 5: 20)
and
"23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Galatians 3: 23-25)
and then
"8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient. . ." (1 Timothy 1: 8-9)
Today, we have one Rabbi, but more specifically one teacher/instructor, and He is Jesus our Lord and Savior!
"12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:1 2-13)
and then
"27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." (Colossians 1: 27-29)
Specific in the above verse, however, is that our teacher, our guide is Christ, which is Greek for Messiah, or anointed.
Why do we have Christ Jesus living in us today? Because of His Spirit:
"20But ye have an unction (anointing) from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2: 20)
and then
"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1 John 2: 27)
He lives in us by His Holy Spirit, released to us when He sat down at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 2: 28-30), and He is our teacher, as we see more of Him and all that He is!
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Dependence on Truth, Not Feelings
Feelings, intuition, and emotional bursts tend to define direction and truth for people.
We find the truth in God's Word, which changes not.
I look at this verse yet again, for Jesus is inexhaustible, much like His Word!
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)
We are called to trust in Him, to believe all things from Him:
"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
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (1 Corinthians 2: 12)
and
"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 3-6)
He grants us peace. We do not give it to ourselves, nor do we seek it from other people:
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14: 27)
We do not find peace in the simple, limited assurances of men. We have a confident expectation of good because of Jesus:
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1:27)
and
"1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 1-5)
Forget dependence on feelings, hunches, or emotional aspirations.
"5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
We find the truth in God's Word, which changes not.
I look at this verse yet again, for Jesus is inexhaustible, much like His Word!
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)
We are called to trust in Him, to believe all things from Him:
"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
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (1 Corinthians 2: 12)
and
"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 3-6)
He grants us peace. We do not give it to ourselves, nor do we seek it from other people:
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14: 27)
We do not find peace in the simple, limited assurances of men. We have a confident expectation of good because of Jesus:
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1:27)
and
"1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 1-5)
Forget dependence on feelings, hunches, or emotional aspirations.
"5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
"6For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited." (Jeremiahs 17: 5-6)
There is no greater bitterness than trying to find peace, being emotional dependent on other people, or our own actions.
But -- our hope, our rest, our trust we find in Christ!
"7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is." (Jeremiah 17: 7)
Let us not run for comfort to our feelings. Let us seek the truth of God''s Word, which testifies to great things within us, because of Christ our hope and glory (Colossians 1: 27), and the renewing of our mind found in receiving more of His grace and truth in our lives (Romans 12: 1-2; John 1: 17)
Let us not run for comfort to our feelings. Let us seek the truth of God''s Word, which testifies to great things within us, because of Christ our hope and glory (Colossians 1: 27), and the renewing of our mind found in receiving more of His grace and truth in our lives (Romans 12: 1-2; John 1: 17)
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Never Mind Feelings: We Have the Mind of Christ
The truth of God's Word ministers to our minds, not our feelings.
In greater revelation, I understand what Paul meant when he chastised the Corinthians:
"1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?" (1 Corinthians 3: 1-4)
We are not called to a carnal life, for we have received the promise of His Spirit, for those who believe on Him:
"21Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1: 22-23)
and also
"13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1: 13-14)
It is not about what our feelings indicate to us, but rather what our minds meditate on, or rather who our minds rest in:
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26: 3)
and also
"1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12: 1-2)
Now, before anyone despairs or gets frustrated, consider what Jesus has done for us:
"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)
and also
"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." (1 John 5: 20)
Let us bear in mind that what is on our mind matters more than what we feel, and let us know that He bears us fully, cares and all (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
Never mind your feelings. Today, you and I have the mind of Christ!
In greater revelation, I understand what Paul meant when he chastised the Corinthians:
"1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?" (1 Corinthians 3: 1-4)
We are not called to a carnal life, for we have received the promise of His Spirit, for those who believe on Him:
"21Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1: 22-23)
and also
"13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1: 13-14)
It is not about what our feelings indicate to us, but rather what our minds meditate on, or rather who our minds rest in:
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26: 3)
and also
"1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12: 1-2)
Now, before anyone despairs or gets frustrated, consider what Jesus has done for us:
"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)
and also
"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." (1 John 5: 20)
Let us bear in mind that what is on our mind matters more than what we feel, and let us know that He bears us fully, cares and all (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
Never mind your feelings. Today, you and I have the mind of Christ!
Friday, April 24, 2015
The Gospel is Our Power
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1: 18)
We do not leave the Gospel and move onto other things in our lives.
The Gospel, the Good News of all that Jesus did for us at the Cross, is our meat and drink every day:
"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." (1 Corinthians 9: 14)
Let us remember what the Good News is, in its fullest:
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13: 38-39)
Paul wrote in greater detail to the Corinthians:
"20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For 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: 20-21)
To the Ephesians:
"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: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2: 4-7)
Also consider what Paul wrote to the Colossians:
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
Now, we have indeed been saved, taken from death to life in Christ Jesus (1 John 3: 14), but we are called to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, too (2 Peter 3: 18)
So, we do not just understand the gift of righteous when we first believe, but we continue to receive:
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 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: 15-17)
We keep receiving the gift of righteousness and the abundance of grace.
And we keep being transformed from glory to glory as we see more of Jesus! (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
The Gospel is not just a one-time account which we hear, then move onto other things. The Gospel, the Good News of our full justification in Christ Jesus, is a revelation which we keep hearing, believing, and receiving, and we then witness Jesus keep achieving His Good Work in us!
We do not leave the Gospel and move onto other things in our lives.
The Gospel, the Good News of all that Jesus did for us at the Cross, is our meat and drink every day:
"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." (1 Corinthians 9: 14)
Let us remember what the Good News is, in its fullest:
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13: 38-39)
Paul wrote in greater detail to the Corinthians:
"20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For 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: 20-21)
To the Ephesians:
"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: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2: 4-7)
Also consider what Paul wrote to the Colossians:
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
Now, we have indeed been saved, taken from death to life in Christ Jesus (1 John 3: 14), but we are called to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, too (2 Peter 3: 18)
So, we do not just understand the gift of righteous when we first believe, but we continue to receive:
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 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: 15-17)
We keep receiving the gift of righteousness and the abundance of grace.
And we keep being transformed from glory to glory as we see more of Jesus! (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
The Gospel is not just a one-time account which we hear, then move onto other things. The Gospel, the Good News of our full justification in Christ Jesus, is a revelation which we keep hearing, believing, and receiving, and we then witness Jesus keep achieving His Good Work in us!
Thursday, April 23, 2015
All of Nature is Waiting for You!
"For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." (Romans 8: 19)
Did you know that all of creation is waiting for you and me to be manifested as sons of God?
There are many believers who still do not know their blessed standing before Daddy God:
"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
"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)
We have to recognize that our sonship is the full manifestation of God's love for us:
"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)
Today, all of nature is waiting for you and me to come forth and live as the sons which Daddy God has made us to be!
"12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Did you know that all of creation is waiting for you and me to be manifested as sons of God?
There are many believers who still do not know their blessed standing before Daddy God:
"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
"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)
We have to recognize that our sonship is the full manifestation of God's love for us:
"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)
Today, all of nature is waiting for you and me to come forth and live as the sons which Daddy God has made us to be!
"12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 55: 12-13)
Don't hold back, but rest and manifest the truth of who you are in Christ!
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
True Antinomianism: "You can keep the law!"
"Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?" (John 7: 19)
So, what about this antinomian jab? Is it really the case that the Gospel of Grace (Galatians 1: 6) is antinomian?
What does the Bible teach?
"27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
So, what about this antinomian jab? Is it really the case that the Gospel of Grace (Galatians 1: 6) is antinomian?
What does the Bible teach?
"27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."
The grace of God establishes the law.
Let us never forget, either, what the law was for:
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:19-20)
The law was the standard of God's righteousness, which no one could keep. The law would point out to us that we are all guilty, in need of a Savior.
Check out also these passages:
"
19Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Galatians 3: 19-25)
The law was added, brought in later (Romans 5: 20), not to make us holy, but rather to reveal how deeply sinful man is, and his need for a Savior as absolute.
Faith was the trainer, the schoolmaster which showed us our need for a Living Savior, and once we have this Savior, we are no longer under law, but rather under grace (Romans 6: 14).
Another passage will affirm the true purpose of the law:
"8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust." (1 Timothy 1: 8-11)
The law was not written for righteous people, for people who have been saved and sanctified, but for sinners.
No one can keep the law, and anyone who teaches otherwise, that the law is a set standard which men and women are called to keep, are actually subverting, watering down the law, reducing God's Holy Standard.
Ironically enough, true antinomianism is not appealing to grace ahead of the law, but rather teaching people, contrary to Scriptural truth and revelation, that the law is a standard which we are called to keep!
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Grace is Not Rational (So What?)
Paul the Apostle writes about the Cross, and the grace of God shed upon us through Jesus' death and resurrection:
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1: 18)
The preaching of the Cross is foolishness the a world where death reigns, where the god of this world has still blinded them to the glorious goodness of God and His Gospel:
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4: 4)
But back to First Corinthians, where we learn that the wisdom of men, the reason of this world, is come to naught in the Cross:
"20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1: 20-24)
Reason is nothing in the face of Almighty God, and in Jesus we find true and consummate Wisdom, for to us that is the first thing that Jesus becomes!
Grace is not reasonable, not rational, in that we are bound in a finite world. Yet God our Daddy is not finite, but infinite, and He demonstrated His love for us in giving His Son to die for us, to rise from the dead on our behalf, and to minister for us (and as us!) at the right hand of God the Father.
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God [lit. Christ]" (Romans 10: 17)
Faith comes by hearing the Word about Christ and Him Crucified.
We cannot create faith from within ourselves. It is not a product of reason, but revelation.
Grace is not rational, but that does not mean it is not real.
Faith comes by hearing the Word about Christ and Him Crucified.
We cannot create faith from within ourselves. It is not a product of reason, but revelation.
Grace is not rational, but that does not mean it is not real.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Without Us, He Won't; Without Him, We Can't
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 5)
We can do nothing without Jesus.
We do not need His help only, but we need His life, for without Him, we were dead in our trespasses:
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)
and
"But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead." (Matthew 8: 22)
Ouch!
Yet for the longest time, now that I have learned more about the Gospel of grace, I used to get angry when people would say "Without us, He won't."
God loved me before I even knew or even cared:
"6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. " (Romans 5: 6-8)
When people tell me "You have to do your part, then God will do His part", I know that they do not understand the love of God, because He loved us first:
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
Now, can He love and bless us without our permission? No. Jesus does require us to do one thing:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6": 29)
To believe means that we trust and confide in Christ Jesus, and in Him alone, adding nothing more to what He has already done, because He already accomplished a perfect work!
Jesus cannot believe for us, in that He cannot force His way into us:
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3: 20)
However, as long as we still think that we do not need Him, or that we do not need Him in every aspect of our lives, then we frustrated His grace:
"4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." (Galatians 5: 4-6)
So, in a sense, without us, He won't do anything, because He wants us to believe on Him and receive from Him:
"Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." (John 6: 21)
The key element: willingness. Do we want Him in our boat? He will not force Himself into us.
How true He is, and how wonderful is the grace of God!
We can do nothing without Jesus.
We do not need His help only, but we need His life, for without Him, we were dead in our trespasses:
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)
and
"But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead." (Matthew 8: 22)
Ouch!
Yet for the longest time, now that I have learned more about the Gospel of grace, I used to get angry when people would say "Without us, He won't."
God loved me before I even knew or even cared:
"6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. " (Romans 5: 6-8)
When people tell me "You have to do your part, then God will do His part", I know that they do not understand the love of God, because He loved us first:
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
Now, can He love and bless us without our permission? No. Jesus does require us to do one thing:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6": 29)
To believe means that we trust and confide in Christ Jesus, and in Him alone, adding nothing more to what He has already done, because He already accomplished a perfect work!
Jesus cannot believe for us, in that He cannot force His way into us:
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3: 20)
However, as long as we still think that we do not need Him, or that we do not need Him in every aspect of our lives, then we frustrated His grace:
"4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." (Galatians 5: 4-6)
So, in a sense, without us, He won't do anything, because He wants us to believe on Him and receive from Him:
"Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." (John 6: 21)
The key element: willingness. Do we want Him in our boat? He will not force Himself into us.
How true He is, and how wonderful is the grace of God!
Sunday, April 19, 2015
He Makes Us His Temple
"18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6: 18-20)
God's biggest plan was not just to live with man, but to dwell in us:
"2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." (Isaiah 66: 2)
Before his martyrdom, Stephen referenced Isaiah:
"48Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
God's biggest plan was not just to live with man, but to dwell in us:
"2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." (Isaiah 66: 2)
Before his martyrdom, Stephen referenced Isaiah:
"48Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
49Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
50Hath not my hand made all these things?" (Acts 7: 48-50)
Nothing that he said could complement what the Holy Spirit did within him:
"When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." (Acts 7: 54-56)
Because of His Spirit, God lives within us.
In fact, that is God's perfect will:
"27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." (Colossians 1:27-29)
Because of all that Jesus did at the Cross, God can now live in us, His Temple!
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Not in Others/Ourselves: Peace Comes from Hope in Christ
We never grow if our peace is based on what someone else tells why we have nothing to worry about.
There was this chronic attack in my mind, that I had to have feelings, proof, something that would tangible inform me or quiet my mind.
That is never the case.
I kept thinking that I had to feel good, to feel at peace in my mind in order to know that God was OK with he.
I look at this verse yet again, for Jesus is inexhaustible, much like His Word!
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)
Yet for the longest time, I felt that I was responsible for keeping myself in peace!
That is not the case at all!
We are called to trust in Him, to believe all things from Him:
"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
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (1 Corinthians 2: 12)
and
"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 3-6)
He grants us peace. We do not give it to ourselves, nor do we seek it from other people:
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14: 27)
We do not find peace in the simple, limited assurances of men. We have a confident expectation of good because of Jesus:
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1:27)
and
"1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 1-5)
Forget dependence on men.
"5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
There was this chronic attack in my mind, that I had to have feelings, proof, something that would tangible inform me or quiet my mind.
That is never the case.
I kept thinking that I had to feel good, to feel at peace in my mind in order to know that God was OK with he.
I look at this verse yet again, for Jesus is inexhaustible, much like His Word!
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)
Yet for the longest time, I felt that I was responsible for keeping myself in peace!
That is not the case at all!
We are called to trust in Him, to believe all things from Him:
"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
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (1 Corinthians 2: 12)
and
"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 3-6)
He grants us peace. We do not give it to ourselves, nor do we seek it from other people:
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14: 27)
We do not find peace in the simple, limited assurances of men. We have a confident expectation of good because of Jesus:
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1:27)
and
"1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 1-5)
Forget dependence on men.
"5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
"6For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited." (Jeremiahs 17: 5-6)
There is no greater bitterness than trying to find peace, being emotional dependent on other people.
But -- our hope, our rest, our trust we find in Christ!
"7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is." (Jeremiah 17: 7)
Friday, April 17, 2015
As He Is, So Are We In This World
"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)
The original version of this verse actually reads: "Herein is love perfected among us, for our love is not perfect.
Only God's love is perfect, and He so loved us:
"In this made perfect hath been the love with us, that boldness we may have in the day of the judgment, because even as He is, we -- we also are in this world;" (Youngs Literal Translation)
God's love is made perfect when we allow Him to make us more like His Son:
"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)
We do not become more like Jesus through our efforts, but by His Spirit, who transforms us.
We are not transformed by thinking whatever we want to, but by meditating on the Word of God:
"1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12: 1-2)
and then
"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)
We are not transformed by looking at ourselves, but looking at Him who has been from the beginning, the Great I Am:
"28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God." (Matthew 14: 28-33)
As long as Peter was looking at Jesus, he walked above the water, just like Jesus!
In fact, today, we are no longer alive in ourselves, but in Jesus, who is our life:
"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)
and
"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)
We reign in life with Christ Jesus today, for we were dead, and now we are alive forever more in Him!
As Jesus is, Beloved, so are you in this world!
The original version of this verse actually reads: "Herein is love perfected among us, for our love is not perfect.
Only God's love is perfect, and He so loved us:
"In this made perfect hath been the love with us, that boldness we may have in the day of the judgment, because even as He is, we -- we also are in this world;" (Youngs Literal Translation)
God's love is made perfect when we allow Him to make us more like His Son:
"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)
We do not become more like Jesus through our efforts, but by His Spirit, who transforms us.
We are not transformed by thinking whatever we want to, but by meditating on the Word of God:
"1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12: 1-2)
and then
"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)
We are not transformed by looking at ourselves, but looking at Him who has been from the beginning, the Great I Am:
"28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God." (Matthew 14: 28-33)
As long as Peter was looking at Jesus, he walked above the water, just like Jesus!
In fact, today, we are no longer alive in ourselves, but in Jesus, who is our life:
"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)
and
"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)
We reign in life with Christ Jesus today, for we were dead, and now we are alive forever more in Him!
As Jesus is, Beloved, so are you in this world!
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Blessed Because Not Offended
"And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." (Matthew 11: 6)
Many believers struggle with some passages, like this one in the Gospel of Matthew. Bringing themselves under condemnation, they fret and tell themselves:
"I better not be offended, so that I will be blessed."
That is not the case at all.
We have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1: 3), and because we are blessed, no longer seeking to earn through the law but trusting in His goodness by faith, we have nothing to be offended about.
So, what is going one here?
A greater context bears out that the person who may have been offended, was none other than the greatest prophet, after Jesus: John the Baptist:
"2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." (Matthew 11: 2-6)
For doubting John, Jesus gave His miracles, His Word, and His assurance.
Luke's account affirms that Jesus performed those miracles in the presence of John's disciples:
"And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight." (Luke 7: 21)
Jesus never expected blind faith from anyone:
"Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." (John 14: 11)
Jesus also gave His Word, for He is the living Word. When Jesus spoke about the healing miracles, and the preaching of the Gospel, He was quoting Isaiah:
"5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Many believers struggle with some passages, like this one in the Gospel of Matthew. Bringing themselves under condemnation, they fret and tell themselves:
"I better not be offended, so that I will be blessed."
That is not the case at all.
We have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1: 3), and because we are blessed, no longer seeking to earn through the law but trusting in His goodness by faith, we have nothing to be offended about.
So, what is going one here?
A greater context bears out that the person who may have been offended, was none other than the greatest prophet, after Jesus: John the Baptist:
"2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." (Matthew 11: 2-6)
For doubting John, Jesus gave His miracles, His Word, and His assurance.
Luke's account affirms that Jesus performed those miracles in the presence of John's disciples:
"And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight." (Luke 7: 21)
Jesus never expected blind faith from anyone:
"Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." (John 14: 11)
Jesus also gave His Word, for He is the living Word. When Jesus spoke about the healing miracles, and the preaching of the Gospel, He was quoting Isaiah:
"5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
"6Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." (Isaiah 35: 5-6)
Today, we do not focus on avoiding offense, because of us, Jesus is not a stumbling block, but is our rock of salvation.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
He Conceived Us
Whatever man may think of his capacities to speak his mind, to come up with great ideas, we need to understand that God our Daddy conceived us first, and had great plans in place before we could even plan anything.
As a preliminary point,
The truth is, there is no reason for any of us to utter all our minds, as if everything on our minds must be spoken.
"A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness." (Proverbs 12: 23)
and
"Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." (Proverbs 17: 28)
and also
"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards." (Proverbs 29: 11)
Some of us believe that everything we have to say is necessary in order to grant ourselves greater peace. Some therapies are based on the notion that we must speak everything that we are thinking or feeling in order to have peace.
Such is the fallout of believing in your own conception of God.
God conceived of us, by the way:
As a preliminary point,
The truth is, there is no reason for any of us to utter all our minds, as if everything on our minds must be spoken.
"A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness." (Proverbs 12: 23)
and
"Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." (Proverbs 17: 28)
and also
"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards." (Proverbs 29: 11)
Some of us believe that everything we have to say is necessary in order to grant ourselves greater peace. Some therapies are based on the notion that we must speak everything that we are thinking or feeling in order to have peace.
Such is the fallout of believing in your own conception of God.
God conceived of us, by the way:
"5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." (Jeremiah 1: 5)
and then
"15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus." (Galatians 1: 15-17)
So, for the longest time, I was convinced that I had to do something about this fire inside of my head, that I had to drive away the upset in my mind.
I have since realized that my Jesus, My Daddy God, is taking care of all things, and none of it has to do with whatever I am or am not thinking.
For too long, I was so focused on dealing with what I was feeling and thinking. I needed to have answers which would appease a "fiery mind".
Today, I know that is not the case. Our minds rest in Him, not the other way around. He conceived of us, and we can rest that He is taking care of all things for us, too!
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Person not Concept: Jesus
The last thing that anyone needs to trust in is one's own conception of God.
We need to know that God, beyond our understanding, takes up every inch of space, time, force, and matter.
God is not of our understanding, at all.
God is beyond our understanding.
How God can hold the universe together, step outside of time and space, and punish our sins forever in the body of His Son: all of this escapes man's capacity to understand.
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Romans 11: 33)
Either we believe Him, or we don't.
We are not going to believe by thinking about Him. We believe as we hear more and more of the Word of Christ:
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10: 17)
A more accurate translation reads:
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (NIV)
We need to see more of Jesus, and we are not going to see more of Him if we are left to our own devices, believing in some conception of God who may or may not be there for us.
No: the truth of who He is made manifest for us in His Word.
Not a conception, but a Revelation, and this Revelation is found in the Bible:
"25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24: 25-27)
We need to know that God, beyond our understanding, takes up every inch of space, time, force, and matter.
God is not of our understanding, at all.
God is beyond our understanding.
How God can hold the universe together, step outside of time and space, and punish our sins forever in the body of His Son: all of this escapes man's capacity to understand.
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Romans 11: 33)
Either we believe Him, or we don't.
We are not going to believe by thinking about Him. We believe as we hear more and more of the Word of Christ:
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10: 17)
A more accurate translation reads:
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (NIV)
We need to see more of Jesus, and we are not going to see more of Him if we are left to our own devices, believing in some conception of God who may or may not be there for us.
No: the truth of who He is made manifest for us in His Word.
Not a conception, but a Revelation, and this Revelation is found in the Bible:
"25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24: 25-27)
Monday, April 13, 2015
Our Minds Rest in Jesus and His Work
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26: 3)
When I had first read this passage, I was convinced that I had to be thinking and actively stopping my mind to be at rest in Him.
What does this passage say, exactly?
He keeps us in perfect peace, not the other way around. It is not our job to stay in Him. He keeps us in Himself:
"
When I had first read this passage, I was convinced that I had to be thinking and actively stopping my mind to be at rest in Him.
What does this passage say, exactly?
He keeps us in perfect peace, not the other way around. It is not our job to stay in Him. He keeps us in Himself:
"
1{A Psalm of David.} The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23: 1-3)
Who is our Shepherd? Jesus, the Great I AM, who was, is, and always will be (Hebrews 13: 8):
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John 10: 11)
In this verse, we find "perfect peace" written, but the original reads "Peace Peace", which speaks of consummate, complete, and incalculable peace.
This peace, by the way, is a Person!
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9: 6)
and
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;" (Ephesians 2: 14)
Now, how to we trust in Him? We believe on Him, and what He did for us:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)
This Work occurred at the Cross:
"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)
This reference, where Jesus became sin, speaks to the trespass offerings in the Old Testament:
"And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock." (Exodus 29: 10)
One of the first mentions of "stay" or "samak" appears in the above verse, where the high priest and his son rest their hands on the bullock, a picture of all our sins laid upon Jesus!
Our minds are at rest when we understand that in Jesus and His Work at the Cross, all our work is done, and He is now at work in us and through us, causing us to reign in life with Him, the Prince of Peace!
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Everlasting Righteousness.
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy." (Daniel 9: 24)
Before there is a future, He has held the future. He is greater than all of time, and His redemption covers everything..
Once again, the Cross is more than one event. It is the eternal recognition that all things have been paid for, taken care of, an everlasting covenant in which God our Father has declared: "I will be a god to you (Hebrews 8: 10-12).
This issue of everlasting righteousness is crucial. I knew that I was the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21), yet I kept tying God's presence in my life to how I felt.
I never saw Him as alive and moving in my life. I kept basing His presence in my life based on my performance, or my thoughts and feelings.
Boy, was I wrong. I knew about righteousness, but the abundance of grace part is now stepping into play:
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 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: 15-17)
Receiving, we keep on receiving the abundance of grace as well as the gift of righteousness, and thus we reign in life. The part about Jesus as my life, too - that part no one had yet explained to me. I still thought that I was on my own in this life, to create everything on my own.
Everyone who believes on Jesus is not just the righteousness of God in Christ, but this righteousness is eternal, regardless of status, feelings, or performance.
It's a gift which we keep on receiving, not something which we must strive to keep, but rather rest in.
Before there is a future, He has held the future. He is greater than all of time, and His redemption covers everything..
Once again, the Cross is more than one event. It is the eternal recognition that all things have been paid for, taken care of, an everlasting covenant in which God our Father has declared: "I will be a god to you (Hebrews 8: 10-12).
This issue of everlasting righteousness is crucial. I knew that I was the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21), yet I kept tying God's presence in my life to how I felt.
I never saw Him as alive and moving in my life. I kept basing His presence in my life based on my performance, or my thoughts and feelings.
Boy, was I wrong. I knew about righteousness, but the abundance of grace part is now stepping into play:
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 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: 15-17)
Receiving, we keep on receiving the abundance of grace as well as the gift of righteousness, and thus we reign in life. The part about Jesus as my life, too - that part no one had yet explained to me. I still thought that I was on my own in this life, to create everything on my own.
Everyone who believes on Jesus is not just the righteousness of God in Christ, but this righteousness is eternal, regardless of status, feelings, or performance.
It's a gift which we keep on receiving, not something which we must strive to keep, but rather rest in.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
To Wives (and all Believers): Submission Brings Favor
The spirit of today reads the account of Queen Vashti, the wife of Persian Kin Ahasuerus, and applauds her for refusing to submit to her husband's request:
10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. 12But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him." (Esther 1: 10-12)
In fact, Vashti had no reason to be offended by her king's request, for a man's glory is found in his wife:
"For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man." (1 Corinthians 11: 7)
and
"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." (1 Peter 3: 7)
Queen Vashti refused to submit to her husband, Because Vashti's disobedience would have served as a wicked example of dishonor throught the kingdom, Vashti lost favor and her place (Esther 1: 16-22).
Today, this dishonor is sadly prevalent in many homes, and in many churches.
Her replacement, Esther, fit perfectly into God's plans to save her people, and also to set the path for the coming of the King of Kings, Jesus!
"4And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. . .8So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. . .
10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. 12But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him." (Esther 1: 10-12)
In fact, Vashti had no reason to be offended by her king's request, for a man's glory is found in his wife:
"For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man." (1 Corinthians 11: 7)
and
"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." (1 Peter 3: 7)
Queen Vashti refused to submit to her husband, Because Vashti's disobedience would have served as a wicked example of dishonor throught the kingdom, Vashti lost favor and her place (Esther 1: 16-22).
Today, this dishonor is sadly prevalent in many homes, and in many churches.
Her replacement, Esther, fit perfectly into God's plans to save her people, and also to set the path for the coming of the King of Kings, Jesus!
"4And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. . .8So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. . .
15Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. . .17And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti." (Esther 2: 4, 8, 15, 17)
Notice that from the outset, Esther never insisted on her way, but heeded the wisdom of Hegai (Meditation on His Word), and she obtained favor (Grace!) before the King, who gave her the Queen's crown.
Today, to the wives and all believers, we need to stop fighting against authority, allow the truth of God's Word to settle in our hearts, and receive revelation of His goodness in our lives.
We have been graced because of Jesus, our King and High Priest Forever. We should not resist to stand for Him and reflect His glory.
Friday, April 10, 2015
God's Grace Greater Than Law: Judah and Tamar
"26And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more." (Genesis 38: 26)
Without his knowing it, Judah, whose name means "praise", would be the ancestor of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Messiah.
In one account in the Old Testament, we find the grace of fully manifest, in spite of the broken character of this patriarch:
"6And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. 7And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. 8And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. 9And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. 10And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also." (Genesis 38: 6-10)
Because his daughter-in-law still had not conceived a child, and everyone of Judah's sons ended up getting killed because of their wickedness, Judah withheld his next son from lying with Tamar.
Judah's fears were misplaced and selfish, and thus he withheld his son from his daughter-in-line.
When his wife died, he sought comfort in another country. Taking advantage of his departure, Tamar dressed herself as a prostitute, then gave herself over to him in order to conceive a son.
Of course, when Judah found out that Tamar was pregnant, he was ready to have her killed:
"And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt." (Genesis 38: 24)
Tamar was ready with proof that he was the father:
" 25When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff. 26And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more." (Genesis 38: 25-26)
Even though she had prostituted herself, Judah had done great wrong in sleeping with a harlot, and withholding her son from his daughter-in-law.
Now, under law, harlotry is wrong:
"6None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD." (Leviticus 18: 6)
and
"17There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. 18Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God." (Deuteronomy 23: 17-18)
Yet Judah, Tamar, and the rest of the Patriarchs were living under a dispensation of faith, of grace:
"1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
Without his knowing it, Judah, whose name means "praise", would be the ancestor of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Messiah.
In one account in the Old Testament, we find the grace of fully manifest, in spite of the broken character of this patriarch:
"6And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. 7And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. 8And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. 9And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. 10And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also." (Genesis 38: 6-10)
Because his daughter-in-law still had not conceived a child, and everyone of Judah's sons ended up getting killed because of their wickedness, Judah withheld his next son from lying with Tamar.
Judah's fears were misplaced and selfish, and thus he withheld his son from his daughter-in-line.
When his wife died, he sought comfort in another country. Taking advantage of his departure, Tamar dressed herself as a prostitute, then gave herself over to him in order to conceive a son.
Of course, when Judah found out that Tamar was pregnant, he was ready to have her killed:
"And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt." (Genesis 38: 24)
Tamar was ready with proof that he was the father:
" 25When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff. 26And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more." (Genesis 38: 25-26)
Even though she had prostituted herself, Judah had done great wrong in sleeping with a harlot, and withholding her son from his daughter-in-law.
Now, under law, harlotry is wrong:
"6None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD." (Leviticus 18: 6)
and
"17There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. 18Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God." (Deuteronomy 23: 17-18)
Yet Judah, Tamar, and the rest of the Patriarchs were living under a dispensation of faith, of grace:
"1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth" (Genesis 12: 1-3)
It's all about faith, not law:
"For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith." (Romans 4: 13)
We are blessed today with the righteousness of God because of Jesus!
"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)
And Jesus came from the line of Judah, through Tamar:
"2Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;" (Matthew 1: 2-3)
Tamar is one of four women mentioned in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus!
Once again, we see the grace of God, which surpasses the law, which gave us Jesus, who is grace and truth personified (John 1: 17)
Thursday, April 9, 2015
God's Grace is Greater Than Law: Elisha
"9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so." (2 Kings 2: 9-10)
Elijah is a picture of the Old Covenant, in which man knew that "God is", and His presence and manifestation was nothing but judgment.
Elisha, whose name means "God saves" is a picture of Jesus, Grace and Truth personified, who enacted the New Covenant of God's grace in our lives.
Consider how Elijah just spoke to bring drought to Israel:
"And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." (1 Kings 17: 1)
He just spoke, and by God's authority in him, there was no rain.
When it came to bringing rain, though, Elijah struggled:
"1And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. 2And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria." (1 Kings 18: 1-2)
Notice the severity of the famine.
"41And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times" (1 Kings 18: 4-1-43)
Notice that when praying for rain, not judgment but blessing, Elijah struggled. He had an Old Covenant mentality, one which curses us when we fail.
When Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah, he fled, because the Old Covenant does not accord us boldness. When God gave Elijah three commandments, he only fulfilled one of them: anointing his successor.
As for Elisha, he went about healing and doing good, just like Jesus! (Acts 10: 38)
When Elijah called for fire to burn up his adversaries, Elisha struck them with blindness, led them captive to the king of Israel, who gave them bread, then sent them home.
Elijah killed (1 Kings 18:40). Elisha healed and restored life (2 Kings 6), even after his death (2 Kings 13: 21).
In every way, through the grace of God, Elisha's ministry surpassed Elijah's, and Jesus's ministry today, the New Covenant of grace, surpasses the Old Covenant of law.
Elijah is a picture of the Old Covenant, in which man knew that "God is", and His presence and manifestation was nothing but judgment.
Elisha, whose name means "God saves" is a picture of Jesus, Grace and Truth personified, who enacted the New Covenant of God's grace in our lives.
Consider how Elijah just spoke to bring drought to Israel:
"And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." (1 Kings 17: 1)
He just spoke, and by God's authority in him, there was no rain.
When it came to bringing rain, though, Elijah struggled:
"1And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. 2And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria." (1 Kings 18: 1-2)
Notice the severity of the famine.
"41And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times" (1 Kings 18: 4-1-43)
Notice that when praying for rain, not judgment but blessing, Elijah struggled. He had an Old Covenant mentality, one which curses us when we fail.
When Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah, he fled, because the Old Covenant does not accord us boldness. When God gave Elijah three commandments, he only fulfilled one of them: anointing his successor.
As for Elisha, he went about healing and doing good, just like Jesus! (Acts 10: 38)
When Elijah called for fire to burn up his adversaries, Elisha struck them with blindness, led them captive to the king of Israel, who gave them bread, then sent them home.
Elijah killed (1 Kings 18:40). Elisha healed and restored life (2 Kings 6), even after his death (2 Kings 13: 21).
In every way, through the grace of God, Elisha's ministry surpassed Elijah's, and Jesus's ministry today, the New Covenant of grace, surpasses the Old Covenant of law.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)